WEEK 31: January 27, 2020 (7 Months)

This is what 7 months out of 24 months looks like.

Another week!  Time’s passing by super fast!  This week was good,  REALLY hot, but good!  This week Elder Barbosa started feeling better, which was great!  Things got back to normal, meaning another week with a ton of walking, tons of teaching (actually tons of teaching appointments, but NO actual teaching as all of the lessons fell through this week), and tons of visiting less actives! 

This week we decided to change things up a little bit, looking back on my 5 months here, and lack of success, we decided to start working directly through members, asking for references, and sharing messages about how the gospel can bless the lives of our relatives, and friends.  We challenged members this week to bring one friend to church on Sunday; and Sunday we had 2 members bring friends!  Super great.  This week we are planning on visiting those two people and hoping for the best! 

Elder Hammond with two angels watching over him.  Drawing by a member child in Vacaria.

This week the daughter of a member family drew a portrait of me as a missionary and gave it to me which was awesome haha (i hope my white shirts aren't that yellow after just 7 months haha) 

Overall, another chill week here in Vacaria learning and sharing!  Thanks for reading!

-Elder Hammond

From our conversation:

• They don’t have Ziplock style baggies down in South America.  I sent a box with him and his companions love them.  He thinks he could someday make a business importing zip-top bags down to Brazil.  "See a need - Fill a need." :)
• He was made District leader in his district which just means he has to call all the companionships in his district and get their reports each week.
• His companion talked to me for about 5 minutes in Spanish which after years and years of studying, I still could only understand a little.  He basically said that he was glad I taught Andrew how to cook because at the end of their long days, he is really hungry and “Elder Hammond” cooks for him.  I was sad that I didn’t understand more, but Andrew told me that most likely he was throwing in some Portuguese too so maybe that’s why.  Andrew is nice to him mom! 
• Favorite activity each day is sitting on their porch and drinking mate' each evening before bed.

Evening chimarrao (mate')