Olá queridos! Tudo bem? Espero que sim!
First things first. I have recieved back some mail I sent out months ago. So, here are people I have written, and if you haven't gotten a letter, it is probably in the mail. I'm sorry. I'm not sure what I did wrong, I hope the rest gets through to the US. I sent out letters to: Anthony, Haley, Hannah, Britta, Chella, Becca Oliphant, Lauresa, Bishop Smith, a whole load of y'all in the PYSA 183rd ward, and I think a few others. Hannah, I am especially sorry. I wrote you a letter for your birthday that got sent about two months ago, but I recieved it back last week. And I sent the ones to Britta and Chella to the same address, so I think I will get those back soon too. I'll try sending them again today. So y'all just get them like three months late I supposse.. Sorry :( I hope the other letters are getting through!
Well, I wasn't suppossed to have time today to email. I was suppossed to be on a plane to Rio de Janeiro, but the mission presidents are all gone right now so we are leaving tomorrow instead. So, today we get to pack and wait. And write! I am glad. Today we went proselyting on Paulista Avenue, in the very heart of São Paulo! We took public busses forever, about an hour each way, and then were on the street, in rain, for about forty minutes. Not many people there wanted to hear us, and nobody seemed to have time. My companion and I did manage to give out some Books of Mormon though, so it wasn't a waste. And we got to see the heart of São Paulo! It felt like New York. Even though I've never been there... I imagine that's what it would feel llike. Skyscarpers galore and many rushing people. And jungle too! We weren't allowwed to go into the park though. I'm not sure why, but they said not to. So we didn't.
Well, the best story from this week was actually on the bus ride over. We crammed two districts (about 20 missionaries) onto an already crowded public bus to make our way to Paulista Avenue. It was super full, and lots of people looked like they didn't want to have anything to do with us. After a few minutes, I noticed one of the sisters had managed to get a seat next to a Brazillian woman, and they were avidly talking about the gospel. I wished I could do it too. Here were people right with us that needed the gospel, but didn't know. I was surrounded by missionaries, so I couldn't talk to anyone, but I wanted to so bad. Finally I worked my way to the back of the bus and set next to a young man, who immediately put in head phones and pulled out his phone. He tried not to look at any of us, and for a long time I just sat there not knowing what to do. So I started to pray. I asked Heavenly Father to help me find at least one person I could share the message with, and help that day. Here we were, surrounded by people, but feeling very much alone.
Anyway, I prayed, and then sat for a while, watching our sister talk to that woman for quite some time. Eventually I noticed that the young man took out his ear phones, and was just sitting looking out the window. I decided to go for it, so I said hi. He immediately asked who we all were and why we were all there. Funny part was, he asked in English! I explained that we were all missionaries and that many of us had left our own home country and our family to come preach the gospel. He was very intrigued. We kept talking and he told me he was 18, and he was going to work. He was pretty dressed up, so I imagine he had a very good job, and we were going from one of the poorer parts of the city to one of the most wealthy. I ended up speaking mostly Portuguese so he could understand me better (He had learned English on his own from movies and video games. It was very good english, but it was still quicker to speak in Portugues so I didn't have to think of words he would know).
I told him why we were all here, and also that we had only been here two months, and that I had just begun learning Portugues. He was quite astonished! He said I was very good. Which I am not "very good" so that was Heavenly Father helping us understand eachother. Anyways, point of the whole story, I explained the Book of Mormon a little and he was very excited. He said He loved Jesus Christ and that any more of his words would certainly be good. I gave him one and he could scarce believe that it was free, and he was even happier. His stop arrived, and as he was getting up to go, he said he was very glad, that he would read, and that he wanted very much to share it with his dad, who studied theology. As he left, I felt so good. I am so glad to be a missionary :)
Other than that, we had little succuess in the big city. We handed out 5 more copies of the book of Mormon, but I don't know if the people will actually read like we asked. Oh well. We are called to find those who have been prepared. And I already know Heavenly Father is guiding us all here. I can't wait to get to Rio :) I leave to head there tomorrow morning at 3:30am, so in Utah, 10:30pm tonight. How fun! Our flight is less than an hour, and I think by tomorrow night I'll be eating at a member's home in Rio. How awesome!
Might I just say, my time here in Brazil has been amazing. I cannot adequately describe what it is like to be a missionary. Certainly not easy. Tiring. Exhausting in body, mind, and spirit. But the best thing I have ever done. I feel so close to Heavenly Father. And it is my pleasure to finally be able to dedicate my whole life to his service. And to the service of the people of Brazil! I love it so much! I've never felt so free in my life. Figures, all it took was to leave everything behind. But how inspired of a call it was, for me. To leave all, and follow Him. I feel like I understand just a little better what the Peter, James, and John must have felt like when Christ asked them to leave all and follow Him I am so glad to be here. I am so glad to be a missionary! There is no better wirk, no better use of my life and my energy.
I know we have a loving Father in Heaven. If any of you are doubting it, stop. He never leaves us. We leave Him when we let our will for ourselves get in the way of His will for us. Strive to follow Him, do as He has asked, and you will feel Him near. I know it. I have already seen miracles here in Brazil. The most important ones for me are the ones only I see and feel. Heavenly Father is waiting to work miracles with you. So let him :)
I love you all so much!
All the best!
Elder Viglione
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