So this week I was transferred to Zion. It just has a different name: Morrinhos. You have to take a bus, a boat, and another bus to get to my area. Morrinhos sits in the middle of three hills of straight jungles. It is a small city called a flavella. The people here are absolutely amazing. They are incredibly humble and hungry to hear the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel of Christ. It is such an honor to work side by side with these wonderful saints here in the Morrinhos ward. These people really know how to be happy (and no, it does not exsist in material things). It is an honor to share a meal with these wonderful members. They sacrifice so much to feed there family and four missionaries. Many times we arrive for lunch, and you can tell that the food isn't enough for four missionaries and a family of five (or so I thought, but I was sorely wrong). Everything doubled. Each of us ate two helpings of everything, and there were LEFT OVERS. Heavenly Father truly blesses His faithful saints who serve the missionaries with miracles every day.
Since I arrived I have not heard a singe person complain about the relentless rain filling up the streets or about their tin walls falling down because of the wind. Not once did I see a smile falter when asked to accompany the missionaries at night to an appointment in the rain and mud. We were recieved with hugs that almost suffocated me. I kissed countless cheeks wet with tears because they were so excited to recieve sisters in their area.
My companion´s name is Sister Cunha. She is Brazilian. She is super funny and a really hard worker. We are getting along great! The Elders that work here really recognize the blessing it is to serve in the flavela. I promise, there is nothing better as a missionary.
It has rained the entire week here. We were worried how many people would actually come to church. Because the rain here fills up the streets with mud and sewage water. We had to bring extra towels to church to help dry people off! There were more people there than usual! These people are truly faithful when they have every reason to doubt. I would hope that a little bit of tiredness wouldn't stop us from going to church!
We have met some wonderful people, but my favorite is Sandra. She is already inviting people for her baptism this month. She is doing so well to stop smoking, we are all really proud of her!
We had a mission conference this week. Near the end they showed the video they had made for our family. I couldn't stop crying. Feelings of absolute gratitude welled up inside of me and I couldn't think of adaquate words to express what I felt. I had the opportunity to bare my testimony and thank everyone. This week has deffinitely been one of the most spiritual on my mission!
Thank you for all you do! Continue on and never give in! Never give up!
Love you all!!
Love, Sister Culley
A picture of me with my comp and Elder Thurgood (the Elder behind the video!) And a classic rain picture!
Since I arrived I have not heard a singe person complain about the relentless rain filling up the streets or about their tin walls falling down because of the wind. Not once did I see a smile falter when asked to accompany the missionaries at night to an appointment in the rain and mud. We were recieved with hugs that almost suffocated me. I kissed countless cheeks wet with tears because they were so excited to recieve sisters in their area.
My companion´s name is Sister Cunha. She is Brazilian. She is super funny and a really hard worker. We are getting along great! The Elders that work here really recognize the blessing it is to serve in the flavela. I promise, there is nothing better as a missionary.
It has rained the entire week here. We were worried how many people would actually come to church. Because the rain here fills up the streets with mud and sewage water. We had to bring extra towels to church to help dry people off! There were more people there than usual! These people are truly faithful when they have every reason to doubt. I would hope that a little bit of tiredness wouldn't stop us from going to church!
We have met some wonderful people, but my favorite is Sandra. She is already inviting people for her baptism this month. She is doing so well to stop smoking, we are all really proud of her!
We had a mission conference this week. Near the end they showed the video they had made for our family. I couldn't stop crying. Feelings of absolute gratitude welled up inside of me and I couldn't think of adaquate words to express what I felt. I had the opportunity to bare my testimony and thank everyone. This week has deffinitely been one of the most spiritual on my mission!
Thank you for all you do! Continue on and never give in! Never give up!
Love you all!!
Love, Sister Culley
A picture of me with my comp and Elder Thurgood (the Elder behind the video!) And a classic rain picture!