Dear Everyone,
This week was absolutely amazing. I saw the hand of the savior in my life and in the lives of others more than ever before!! This week was amazing because Elder Graça and I fasteed with Afonso on tuesday so he could recieve an answer about the book of mormon and about this path for him. It was very brutal because its super hot here and we wanted to eat food ha but it was so amazing because we fasted with strength and we didnt complain. Afonso remained strong too. And blessings definitely came after that. The night that we ended the fast with him, he told us that every time he is around us he can feel the light and he can feel the spirit testifying to him. He said that he is reading the book of mormon every day and trying to read with real intent. He loves the book of mormon. He also told us that he wants to serve a mission too. He is 23 years old and that night he was struggling so we asked him if he would like a blessing of comfort. I gave the blessing and in that blessing I could feel the spirit so strongly, and then all of a sudden I dont know why I said it but I did, I told him that he would serve a mission and ended the blessing. After that blessing he said, Wow I love this feeling. It was so powerful and so amazing to see him changing. I have been teaching him and visiting him for two months now, he is more like my Brother than anything else right now.
Then on saturday we visited him and he brought a friend. We taught his friend and Afonso testified to her about the book of mormon and how the book of mormon brings paz and it is truly an addiction to read. I started to cry when he bore that testimony ha. But after that he watched a Baptism of another person in the ward Barroca, and he told us that he had something to tell us on Sunday, yesterday. Elder Graça and I were very excited and we waited for him in the church because he was participating in the choir. After that we sat down together and he began to draw for us. When he finished drawing, it was a picture of his baptism and confirmation, and it had him becoming a member of the church!! He is going to be baptized on Saturday! He bore testimony to us and he said that no matter how many temptations he has this week he will be strong. I cried then too. The power of prayer and of fasting is real and I have a strong testimony of this now. I remember when he didnt believe in the book of mormon, but now he does and he has a testimony, he loves this church and he loves everything about the testimony and answer he recieved. How amazing is the gospel of jesus christ and the book of mormon. Wow. The book of mormon is powerful and truly is the most amazing book we have on the planet right now. I know for a fact that the book of mormon is true and has the power to change lives. What an amazing experience that I will never forget.
This week was also really awesome because Arthur, a teenager, who we are teaching he decided to be baptized saturday too. And we had lots of people in sacrament meeting and we have lots of people to teach. I can truly see the blessings that the lord gives us when we work hard and trust in him. Pray for Afonso, Arthur, Maristella and Natasha. So they can feel the desire to join our church and gain a testimony like we have. I am so grateful for the Atonement and for the opportunity I have to teach the people of brazil and see the change in their hearts. Sei que esta igreja é verdadeira e que meu salvador Jesus Cristo, ele vive. Ele nos ama. Ele vai proporcionar milagres em nossas vidas se nos confiarmos nele!!! I love you all and hope you have an amazing week! Dont forget to always pray, read the scriptures, attend church, and be Happy!!!
This week was amazing! The miracles that I saw and the things that I experienced I will never forget. The language is getting better and I am super excited for the future and for this week. I know that Heavenly Father will help me and will help you too!! Love you!
Elder Bestenlehner
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