The week has been great. Me and Elder Castro have been working very hard and have truly found many that the Lord had been preparing for us.
Next weekend there are 2 men that will be baptized. One man has been in a wheelchair all of his life, his name is Josué (or Joshua in english). We started bringing him to church, and discovered that a returned sister missionary in the ward is his cousin! She is helping us teach him, and he is excited for his baptism! The other man is Junior, he lives with his mother and has spent his life visiting various churches but would always lose interest. He understood the importance of the restoration when we taught and is always full of great questions.
I am excited to help them, yet it is always a constant battle, it wont be when I see them immersed in the water that I will feel at ease.
The other week we had also found a great family of 5, that received us. The man is Ronaldo, his wife Ana Paula, and their 3 kids (16,8,3).
When we taught them about the Restoration of the Gospel, the Spirit was so incredibly strong. I could see the light in their eyes as their listened intently and believed.
Yet what astonished them more than anything else was that we told them not to believe just because we told them, but to ask the Lord. They are very excited to learn more about the church. We have already talked about baptism. Now it is just up to them, to see if they really will seek and experiment.
After this we will pass by and pick up their 16 yr. old son (Micael) to play soccer with us today.
Please pray that we may have success in helping these people. We have worked hard to find them, and I know that the Lord truly put them in our path.
It has been great to work with Elder Castro, he and I have been getting along great! I am very happy in this new area..
Tomorrow is zone conference. so we will have to plan that all out a bit later tonight.
Dad you wanted to know the streets we work on. There are 3 barrios in our area of Maceio, one called "Joaquim Leão", the other is "Virgim dos Pobres" and a small area of the part called "Virgel". There is a part next to the lake(Lagoa) Mundaú, where all of the houses are made of sticks and garbage. But I don't know if you'll be able to see much detail on Google earth. One thing you should see is a lot of sewage!
Well I´ll have to go, I love you all and hope you have a great week.
Valeu galera!
Elder Olson
--Elder Matthew Olson
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Iapois!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! 2-17-10
Well it has been quite the interesting week here.
So Monday and Tuesday were the big days of Carneval, and all of the other days of last week just built up to the event. If I could describe it with one word, I would just have to say "madness"!!!
The streets turn into a party and everyone is either half-naked or drunk, but usually both. I think it´s actually a funny tradition. All of the younger people are armed with rotten eggs, flour, cornmeal, and dye to throw on each other and all who pass by. (so we had to choose a careful route each day). Lucky we dodge getting into any mess.
One thing that I loved however, was the "dancing bull parade". It is where there is a giant bull costume piloted by 1 person; all around the bull are drummers (with drums of all different styles) beating a heavy jungle beat, as the bull dances back and forth. It is pretty funny to watch.
Although the larger part of the city was drunk, traveling, or partying; Elder Castro and I were still able to work hard and find some great people to teach.
The main part of our area is a poorer barrio of Maceio, but the people here are great. The Pele stadium is about 10 minutes by foot from our area.
Elder Castro and I are getting along great, I can already see that we are going to have a great transfer together. He is from a city in Uruguay called Riveira, that is on the border of Uruguay and Brasil. He is a true blue gaucho, just as Joe must have met on his mission.
I am happy and grateful that the Lord has put us together to work in this area, I know that we will help many souls come unto the true Gospel of Christ.
I know that the church is true, and that the Lord speaks to our Prophet Thomas S. Monson, to lead and guide our lives on a much happier path.
Thank you so much for your love and support..
your bubba,
-Elder Olson
p.s. Just to let you know of the things that have been sent,
-all I have received until now is grandmas package(tell her thanks for me).
-also I used my card today to develop some photos.
tchau..
So Monday and Tuesday were the big days of Carneval, and all of the other days of last week just built up to the event. If I could describe it with one word, I would just have to say "madness"!!!
The streets turn into a party and everyone is either half-naked or drunk, but usually both. I think it´s actually a funny tradition. All of the younger people are armed with rotten eggs, flour, cornmeal, and dye to throw on each other and all who pass by. (so we had to choose a careful route each day). Lucky we dodge getting into any mess.
One thing that I loved however, was the "dancing bull parade". It is where there is a giant bull costume piloted by 1 person; all around the bull are drummers (with drums of all different styles) beating a heavy jungle beat, as the bull dances back and forth. It is pretty funny to watch.
Although the larger part of the city was drunk, traveling, or partying; Elder Castro and I were still able to work hard and find some great people to teach.
The main part of our area is a poorer barrio of Maceio, but the people here are great. The Pele stadium is about 10 minutes by foot from our area.
Elder Castro and I are getting along great, I can already see that we are going to have a great transfer together. He is from a city in Uruguay called Riveira, that is on the border of Uruguay and Brasil. He is a true blue gaucho, just as Joe must have met on his mission.
I am happy and grateful that the Lord has put us together to work in this area, I know that we will help many souls come unto the true Gospel of Christ.
I know that the church is true, and that the Lord speaks to our Prophet Thomas S. Monson, to lead and guide our lives on a much happier path.
Thank you so much for your love and support..
your bubba,
-Elder Olson
p.s. Just to let you know of the things that have been sent,
-all I have received until now is grandmas package(tell her thanks for me).
-also I used my card today to develop some photos.
tchau..
2.10.10
Well, it is definitely kite season (or "época de pipa"). Everyone is out on the street flying little kites made of small sticks ,string, and paper or plastic garbage bags. It's a pretty big thing here. It brings all young kids and even many adults out on the street for hours each day.
Thank you so much for your letters. They have helped a lot over the past weeks.
Last week I continued working in my area with a member until the transfer ended, since Elder Santos left early.
It was great...
Then on Monday I checked my e-mail to see the new transfer.
I was transferred back to Maceio, to continue as a zone leader of the southern part of Maceio.
The whole area is very new to me. My ward is called Alvorada, and seems to be really great. I am very excited to start working here.
However I think that I am most excited about my new companion!!
His name is Elder Castro, he is from Uruguay, and has the same time on the mission that I do. He is a hard worker and is excited to be my companion.
I am so excited for this transfer. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support..
I love you all a bunch!!!!!!!!
Valeu,
Elder Olson
Thank you so much for your letters. They have helped a lot over the past weeks.
Last week I continued working in my area with a member until the transfer ended, since Elder Santos left early.
It was great...
Then on Monday I checked my e-mail to see the new transfer.
I was transferred back to Maceio, to continue as a zone leader of the southern part of Maceio.
The whole area is very new to me. My ward is called Alvorada, and seems to be really great. I am very excited to start working here.
However I think that I am most excited about my new companion!!
His name is Elder Castro, he is from Uruguay, and has the same time on the mission that I do. He is a hard worker and is excited to be my companion.
I am so excited for this transfer. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support..
I love you all a bunch!!!!!!!!
Valeu,
Elder Olson
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Alo Feb. 3 , 2010
WOW!!!!!!!!!! we got a new temple!!!!
That is awesome!! I jumped when I read the news that you sent of the new PAYSON temple!!!!!!!!!
Things are going well, as this transfer is finally ending and with an assurance of change.
I am doing good. Today I visited my friends and converts in Estância with Elder Gonçalves. He will be leaving next week along with Elder Santos.
Elder Gonçalves was a great companion, I will be sad to see him leave the mission. He is a little sad as well, but is also excited for the new mission that he will have.
Rejane (one of our friends from Estancia) is expecting her mission call in the next week or so. I am very excited for her.
I was finally able to visit Dani and see her new Baby; she is a recent convert that Elder Silva and I found.
All is well in Estancia!!!
This week we had interviews, I cant tell you how much I love President Beynon. What a guy!
This week I will probably stay working in my area accompanied by a member, since Elder Santos will be leaving a few days early.
So that should be good!
Well I love you guys a bunch. Thanks for your help!
Keep me in your prayers and I will do the same
love,
Elder Olson
That is awesome!! I jumped when I read the news that you sent of the new PAYSON temple!!!!!!!!!
Things are going well, as this transfer is finally ending and with an assurance of change.
I am doing good. Today I visited my friends and converts in Estância with Elder Gonçalves. He will be leaving next week along with Elder Santos.
Elder Gonçalves was a great companion, I will be sad to see him leave the mission. He is a little sad as well, but is also excited for the new mission that he will have.
Rejane (one of our friends from Estancia) is expecting her mission call in the next week or so. I am very excited for her.
I was finally able to visit Dani and see her new Baby; she is a recent convert that Elder Silva and I found.
All is well in Estancia!!!
This week we had interviews, I cant tell you how much I love President Beynon. What a guy!
This week I will probably stay working in my area accompanied by a member, since Elder Santos will be leaving a few days early.
So that should be good!
Well I love you guys a bunch. Thanks for your help!
Keep me in your prayers and I will do the same
love,
Elder Olson
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