44th Letter 1-20-14

Photo: Our house.

My Beautiful Family,

This week has been super hot, but super good! We found some new investigators, made some great progress with one of our investigators and some less-actives as well, and I found out I will be training a new missionary this upcoming transfer! CRAZY right? I cannot even speak Portuguese yet.. I thought it was a joke when they first told me. So ya, I will most likely have a new Brazilian with me next week. Transfers are tomorrow and I well be going to Santa Maria to have a meeting with the President and pick up my new comp. Please keep the prayers coming. I am going to need them! haha. I really am excited though and know this will help me as a missionary and to learn the language quicker. I received the package, Mom and Dad. Thank you very much! These people love the gum and the Tums are being used as well -haha. When I gave the pack of gum to Elder Soares Da Silva it was like Christmas. He saw his name on it and was like Bah (WOW!!).

Monday, After emailing we went to work and taught Nara a good lesson. She had her daughter and a friend there who are both non-members. After that we had a family night planned with a family, but they forgot about it and actually were out of town... so we had to tell out investigator it was cancelled. These things happen a lot here and it is hard for me to get used to. In Colorado we would have appointments at a specific time and place and here its like, "Come by whenever and I may be here or may not." Much more laid back here, which is a good thing at times.

Tuesday, we had district meeting and it went well. Lunch was good and after we got to work. It was a super hot day, every day this week was super hot and we didn't get any rain.  Taught Jennifer about the importance of praying to receive an answer. It was super cool because I took the lead and spoke for a good 5-7 min and she understood me! It was a good lesson and I think she is growing a testimony. This night we had a Family Night with Fatima and her family. They had 2 non members there who both are 12 years old and very interested. We watched the Restoration movie, bore our testimonies, had some jokes, and then ate cake! : ) Went very well!

Wednesday, this morning we went and helped Jonathan and his family move. We got to wear our normal clothes so that was nice. We helped them for a good 2 hours and then had lunch. After lunch and planning for the day we got out and met the new family in the ward that moved from Uragiana. They are super cool! Saw a few other members and less-actives as well. Kind of a slow day.

Thursday, we had a lot of success today! Saw a bunch of less-actives and resolved some concerns, and had a great member present lesson with Jennifer and Bruna. We watched the Restoration movie and all bore our testimonies. Bruna´s testimony was very powerful and I think it touched Jennifer. We received our first referral here! Also had a lesson with Karlyn and talked about the BOM and read with her. She is 15 years old and is pretty solid, but is pregnant and doesn't want to do much.

Friday, Another super solid day. Saw a lot of less-actives and a few investigators. The lesson with Nara went very well. She opened up to us and explained how she wants to feel like she did when she was baptized again. We told her we could help her. We got her some goals in her life and hopefully when we follow-up she will be doing better. Family night is a big thing here and we spend a lot of time planning them so the families can invite investigators.

Saturday, again a good day. Saw a few less-actives and found a new investigator! We were walking down the street after lunch and a man was sitting on the corner. He asked how we were and I went up and talked to him..or tried. He couldn't understand me too well, but it ended very well! We shared a little about our beliefs and even had a prayer with him in his home. He went through a divorce recently and is lonely. That night we had the English learning class and it went well. Had 2 investigators there! When I returned home I found out I was going to be training a new missionary.

Sunday, Church went great and Elder Silva and I talked in church on missionary work. My talk was almost 15 minutes and the members said they understood a lot of it. It was pretty cool talking in Portuguese at a podium. Lunch went very well and we saw a lot of people that Elder Silva wanted to visit before leaving. We then got to watch the devotional which was very cool!

Overall a great week with a lot of growth! I am grateful for the opportunity I have to stay here and train a new missionary!

Mom, I am feeling much better now and am not having any problems with my stomach. I love you very much Mom! The package was in perfect condition and I love all the things you gave me! : ) Thank you so much! I strongly believe that the priesthood blessing I received helped. I think I will be fine now. I will let you know if I have any other problems. I am glad you and Dad had a great time in San Antonio and that your science education presentation went well! That is awesome you got to teach on the Holy Ghost in Sunday School! The Holy Ghost really is a huge part in this work. I have noticed when my studies aren't as affective in the morning the Holy Ghost has a harder time working through me. I am excited to play games with the family every Sunday when I get home!:) Do you know of a way to make granola bars? Also mom. You should look into Mission ties. Some missionaries' families have it and it works well.

Dad, I think the problem was from the water and food. I think my body has come accustomed to it though now. I can drink the bottled mineral water, but it is expensive and offends people. They love to make juice with the water here. Funny you ask about the other Elders, because they all got sick as well. We had 2 this week that had the same thing I did. I think it is our water. The language is still coming slowly and I am gonna be pushed big time with the Greenie. I love a challenge though! Go Broncos!!! You will have to send me a great sports update for the Super Bowl! Who took College Football?

I love all of you so very much! Thank you for all your support and prayers!

Love,
Elder Hauck