7/15/13

From: "Jacob Shepard" <jacob.shepard@myldsmail.net>
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 11:25:32 AM

 

Dear Mom and Dad,
                             When I left the MTC, I could teach all the discussions in a simple version and after about 3 weeks in Brazil most of all the discussions too. Now the hard part is getting the people more invovled in the lesson by inspired questions and applying everything to that person. I study the scriptures, Preach my Gospel and the missionary library every morning, but I study the language every other day. Since I´m speaking Portuguese every day, I learn from practicing the language. I understand just about everything the people say, but There are still a lot of words I don´t know, so when we talk about some subjects outside of the gospel, it´s a bit dificult.

   We have recently had several missionaries return home from there missions, so they with a lot of the other members have been helping us out. They have been showing us a lot of their friends. We have started to teach several young men who are interested in God and what a lot of things mean. There names are Regis, Daniel, Leonardo and Joel. We´ve given them all the Book of Mormon and many of them are reading reguraly. Many people here are unsure about other relgion or there are out right against anything that they haven´t heard from their pastors. I remember that Dad had said he liked people who hadn´t found another church before, because they hadn´t learned any bad habits. I have to agree with him. Many people here have strange beliefs and practices that are contrary to the bible and what the prophets have taught. With many of these young men, they have been put of by the way others have tried to force their ideas on them, how they think only about money and the way many turn out to be hypocrites. I like how the younger people here are more open to talk with and hear what God wants for them. A few have accepted dates of Baptism. We´ll see how everything goes, but I have faith.

   It´s great to hear about everything at home. Everyones growing up and moving fast. Hopefully I´ll catch up one day. I know the mission is going fast already, and I´m going to miss being a missionary, but I can talk like that more in a year and a half. The way the people live and act down here is pretty different then the States, but I love the people here. I can tell that their are so many people prepared to just hear our message and make the changes that the gospel brings. I am at times sad because so many people reject us but each person that decides to listen and act is worth it. Thank you all for your support and emails. I know that someone at home is getting blessed from what I´m doing here and I hope that one day my time in the Lord´s work will bless the lives of others.

I love you all,

                   Elder Shepard