First, I want to let you all know that we have a transfer Wednesday. I will be leaving Jordão and Elder F----- for an area called Jardim Massangana to be companions with Elder D. S----. He has been out a year and a little in the mission, so I can definitely learn a lot from him. This is his second transfer in this area, so he will know lots of people that we can go to work with. I'm pretty excited. It is not far from my current area, but it's in a different zone. I will be just a couple of blocks from the beach, so that will be a little tough.
It's going to be sad to leave my first area, but it will be good for my growth I think. All the members in Jordão are saying that I have learned everything I can here. They all remember that I came here not knowing how to speak hardly any Portuguese, but now I speak Portuguese (somewhat). It is definitely coming along. I'm so thankful for all that the members did here to help me learn Portuguese and to help me grow as a missionary. Jordão will always have a big space in my heart!
We had a split this week, and I went to Muribeca with Elder Haynie! He was in my group when we got here. He was in my CTM District. So it was awesome! I learned so much, and it was cool to see that 5 months ago we didn't know how to speak hardly any Portuguese, but we went the whole day speaking it like it was nothing. It was just normal. So that was cool to see. We have come so far in just 4 months. It is incredible how much the Lord is helping us. Also, Dad, one member works at a hot dog stand and made 30 cm hot dogs for each of us! It was way good! We woke up at 6 am and went for a run, and Elder Haynie chose a route with some hills, so it was really fun!
We had a Baptism!!!!!! Last Sunday a 9 year old girl named Anna J---- came to us and said she wanted to be baptized. She had been going to church for 3 years, and her dream was always to be baptized by her uncle. So we went there every day and taught her everything. She understood it all, and she was baptized Saturday. She is really smart.
R---- and J--- have a date set for marriage -- 18th of April. It's sad that I wont get to see it all happen, but its good to know that He will be baptized soon.
For the first time this transfer, we hit our goal for contacts as a companionship. Elder F---- finally started doing at least one contact a day, and with some additional hard work, we reached our goal. So it was a great way to finish the transfer -- with a baptism and a goal finally reached.
With regard to the brother in your ward who gave his talk in less than perfect English, I feel the same way that he does. It's tough at times trying to express yourself in front of lots of people when you don't know their language perfectly. But I have great respect for those who are trying their best and believe the Spirit makes up for language barriers. It sounds like it did in your meeting on Sunday as well.
I hope all is well with you guys! Love you all!
Love
Elder Nielson
Look forward to your letters. Keep up the great work!Bless you every day❤️
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