Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Elder Jonathan Engle 06/09/2015 Itinerary Nada!

Itinerary Nada!



Dear People of Earth,
I received my travel itinerary but I´m ignoring that. This last Sunday we had a frequency of 36 in the sacrament meeting. It was incredible as various investigators (principally the men) went to the front to bear their testimony of the Restoration. It was an inspiring meeting as the Lord shared His sweet spirit with us. Yesterday night we had a family home evening in an investigator´s home. We got them really excited about the meeting and there were 21 people there, 17 of which are investigators. Almost all of them accepted baptism. The Lord is accelerating His work and doing a marvellous work here indeed. All we need to is believe.
I doubt any of you have done a move without vehicular help, but yesterday we had to move from our new home back to the church. It was our second move in two weeks. We carried everything walking including our fridge, cabinets, etc. Wow am I sore! What a priviledge it is to work hard in the service of the Lord. Many people have never worked a day in their lives. We have the priviledge to serve our Almighty God all day, every day.
Love,
Elder Engle

Elder Jonathan Engle 06/01/2015 Only in Brazil...

Only in Brazil...



Dear People of Earth,

The theme for this week´s email is: Only in Brazil...

Experience #1: We were walking quickly on the main avenue when we passed in front of a sound system shop. They hitched up on a trailer a massive sound system blasting a music about dancing like a praying mantis. As we passed, it was the only thing we could here. Various people around us were dancing to the music, including the people who were passing. It felt like I stepped into a Northeastern Brazil Musical.

Experience #2: On our way to the LAN House today an investigator stopped us in the street and showed us all the scriptures she marked in her Book of Mormon that we gave her on Saturday. She has a very strong testimony already and is doing missionary work with her friends. Her testimony was very convincing. This is a land of miracles.

Only in Brazil... shall be continued in the future as I have more time.

Love,
Elder Engle

Elder Jonathan Engle 05/25/2015 Rio Pindaré

Rio Pindaré



Dear People of Earth,
Today we visited a nearby river, which is the very first time that I´ve done something on a P Day here in Santa Inês that wasn´t intensive work. We´re always rushing here. It was pretty and we ate Peixada, which is a cooked fish with broth that´s really tasty. Also, I was happy to discover that beautiful replica jerseys of many soccer teams are only $10 or R$30, so I´m bringing a good haul of beautiful shirts.
This was a very challenging week, which strengthened my testimony of Ether 12:27. We´ve given weaknesses that we might learn to be humbled and have strength. I know that in Christ we are strong. If there weren´t challenges, then I´d be worried. Then I´d know that something´s wrong.

Unfortunately, I lost my camera cable, so until I find out where he is, there won´t be many photos coming.
Love,
Elder Engle

Elder Jonathan Engle 05/18/2015 Letter to the ward




Letter to the ward:
Dear Oak Hills First,
Wow! It´s hard to think about seeing you all in August. Honestly, I don´t want to come home . You´re going to have to ask the Executive Secretary to send my membership form here, because I´m so happy here. President Gordon B. Hinckley was correct when he said that if we want to be happy, we need to forget ourselves and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Back home I always thought I understood what´s happiness. Now I know that I knew nothing!
I´m so thankful to be lost in this true work, for it is here that I´ve found myself. I´ve learned better to trust in the Lord in all things. I´m currently serving in Santa Inês, Maranhão, Brazil. It´s the most humble region of Brazil. People here are simple and loving. The culture here is open and loving. On every street corner there´s a church. We´ve actually visited some of the churches here, teaching the pastors and members about the Restoration of the gospel.
I know the Lord says that He never gives more than you can take, but He´s sure giving us a lot to do here! I´m currently serving as Group President, District Leader and Missionary Trainer. The Church is here for less than two months and yesterday we had a frequency of 37. I don´t say all of this to be GH (Gloria dos homens, which means in English for the "Glory of Men"), but to give my written witness that the Lord does His work, and He does it quickly. We don´t talk with people in the streets, they talk with us. The call us from their homes, invite us inside, give us delicious juice that you all will probably never try (it´s the best in the world!), and they only want to talk about Jesus.

"And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also." D&C 84:106. I know that we´re the weak ones being helped by the example and Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
When I began my Mission, the Lord responded to my prayers telling me to forget about music, which I have done. I´m currently serving with Elder Walker, from Brigham City. He may not speak Portuguêse as much as he´d like, but together we bring the spirit, singing beautiful duets in Sacrament Meeting. This Sunday we sang "Ye Elders of Israel". Inspired by how many people were there, the church shook with the spirit as we proclaimed this holy calling which we hold. I then discursed. Full of the Spirit, I never saw a congregation be so reverent and pay so much attention, in spite of being more than 100 degrees Farenheit.

Yesterday (Sunday), I feel was the most that I felt a broken heart and a contrite spirit. I feel like I haven´t breathed since I got here! As I gave my talk this Sunday, I realized that the last real meal that we´d eaten was our Friday lunch. I hadn´t realized how much time it´d been since a proper meal. The Lord carried us upon His shoulders. After our Sunday meetings, I found myself full of a pure gratitude for God having carried us so far.
What a joy it is to proclaim this Eternal Gospel to the ends of the Earth. I know that it´s true. I used to think swords and dragons were so interesting, as I contemplated this fantasies. They´re passing dreams that will never be realized. What is true power? It´s the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is this that brings us to an eternal rest with our families in the Celestial Kindom. I still haven´t watched most of General Conference, but I´m listening to it on my pen drive as I prepare myself every morning. I ask the same question of you all: "Is it still wonderful to you?" I give you my answer that yes, it´s absolutely amazing. There aren´t words in English or Portuguese that truly express the joy within me lift my fellow brother, pointing him on the path to our Father´s Home. I bear testimony of these Eternal truths, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.