Well, this week was a ton of work, but really great. Our zone here has historically not been doing to well, but we are helping it to change. We had two baptisms in one of our areas, Angra dos Reis, which is like a tropical paradise. There are tons of islands and beautiful beaches and jungle, and it is definately one of the most beautiful places I've been in my life. I'll throw in pictures. It is three hours by bus from where I am currently living in Itaguaí (pronounced it-agh-why-ee).
When we arrived there to interview the people being baptized, I jokingly told one of the missionaries that we'd climb to the top of a nearby mountain and teach the gospel to the people who lived there on top, if there were any. Well I was totally joking, but as none of us know that part of the area, we started walking the streets and talking to people but nothing was really happening. I had the desire to go to the top of the mountain, or as high as we could get, so we wound our way up the ever narrowing streets until we were pretty close to the top, when suddenly a man in a car who was descending stopped, rolled down his window and said, "Oi! Vocês 'tão indo pra lá, neh? Vou agora! Me espere pra cima!" Which means "Hey, you guys are going up there right now, right? I'll wait for you up top!" We were puzzelled but happy, so we continued upward until all of the roads ended and waited. Shortly thereafter the man in the car returned, and invited us up a small trail with him and his brother. They had left to buy a canister of gas for their home, and now were returning. We climbed up with them, and arrived at there house where we found about ten people. They said they had been waiting for us but didn't know when we were going to return. None of us had ever been there before, but they said that missionaries had talked to them and said they would return. We ended up teaching about the restoration, and they were very receptive. The missionaries in Angra dos Reis are now teaching them.
So yeah, miracles still happen. And afterwards I realized that we had fulfilled what I jokingly said, that we would climb the mountain and bring the message of the people who lived on top.
For the last week and a half we had been in a triple (three missionaries together) but, we got a new missionary today, and now it is better than ever :)
We have three amazing people we are teaching right now. One was a pastor of another church but began investigating the Church of Christ, and he is super close to being baptized. He is the husband of a member, and they are so great. Another we met in the street, and went to church and is doing everything and is going to be baptized saturday. Another wants to be baptized Sunday, but has to quit smoking. All and all I am happy, and for the first time in about six months, we are going to have some baptisms in this area. The leadership of the ward is excited, and we have a lot to do here now. I am happy :)
Well, I'll write more next week! Keep in touch everyone, I love reading your emails!
All the best,
Elder Viglione
Also: There are some pictures below, I'll send more next week. The first is part of the city "Angra dos Reis" (which means "Cove of the Kings"), the next is me and my Argentinian companion, my other companion from texas, and the missionaries in Angra, the others are from the ride from Itaguaí to Angra.
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