FOTOS

things are happening!

I have been transferred.  After 6 months in Campo Limpo, I am off and away to my next adventure in Educandário.  As a Sister training leader.  I am still waiting for President Del Guerso to call me back and tell me that he changed his mind or that he was only kidding...  :)  

But really, I am excited for the new calling and new responsibilities.  And if Campo Limpo taught me anything, it taught me that I am capable of doing anything.  Anything that the Lord asks or expects us to do, we can do it. 

"... I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things" (Alma 26:12)

My motto.  Believe it.  Sister Barboza and I worked up until the very end of our last week together.  And it ended in the most beautiful way.  

Our friend Everton was baptized!!!  We have been teaching him for 5 months.  FIVE MONTHS.  I never thought I would see this day.  Miracles happen.  And the baptism was truly beautiful.  Every person is worth it!  

até logo,

sistinha burch

Stuff Going Down

Hey friends and family!  It is catch up time!

1)  This week we went to the temple again and taught two ex-drug traffickers with the temple President.  He had felt like he needed to get to the temple earlier than usual, and when he arrived, he found us!  It was unreal.  They asked us if they still had a chance at salvation and the response was a resounding YES!

2)  I got to go on exchanges with Sister Tait (my companion from the MTC!) We got lost, had misadventures, and our friend Marcilio gave us each an entire fish to eat.  We ate all but the head.  

3)  I met a Costa Rican woman who just moved to Brazil and doesn't speak a word of Portuguese!  The same week, I found another investigator from Mexico!  It's time to bust out my Spanish again!

4)  A drunk guy on the street tried to kiss me so I ducked and covered and ran away.  He just yelled out "Só de te olhar, já valeu!"  ...nice.

5)  We have officially started our English class in Campo Limpo!  Tell your friends!

6)  Our ward mission leader, Wellington, is excellent.  Except for when he he starts to laugh in the middle of our lesson about the law of Chastity... nice.

7) A woman came up to us on the street and asked us what church we were from.  We told her we were from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Her response?  "What do I need to do to get baptized in this church?"  Sister Barboza and I just looked at eachother... is this real life?

8)  We have been searching for new people to teach and praying and fasting for miracles!  On Saturday we went to contact a referral which was a young lady named Cecilia.  As we were talking, her mom came home and gave us the strangest look.  We shared a message with them about the restored gospel and at the end she told us that she had prayed that morning for God to transform the life of her family.  And when she got home from work, there we were!  She said it was an answer to her prayer.  God is so good!!!

9)  I am so very happy and grateful for the life and oppurtunities God gives me each day.  We have an unlimited capacity to do great things!!  Don't ever doubt that God knows you and loves you!  Amo vocês.

beijos,

Sister Burch

some extra pictures

Changed.

When we met Valcir for the first time, he was tipsy and homeless.  The next day he made the decision that he would never drink again.  And stopped, just like that.  We continued teaching him, and with time, faith, and miracles, he also quit smoking.  The first time he prayed about the Book of Mormon, he couln't sleep at all the entire night!  He went to church and said, "This is the church.  I've already decided."  

And this Sunday, Valcir entered into the waters of baptism and came out, a changed man.  With changed desires, changed thoughts, and a changed heart.  And my heart changed a little too.  It grew a little and loves a whole lot more.  

 "Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism." (Alma 7)

Batismo é só alegria. :D  I love you all and if you aren't baptized, I suggest you do it.  It is the best.  

beijos,

Sister Burch

Pioneering

For over 30 years, the gates to the São Paulo temple that open up to the busy highway, Fransisco Moratto, have been locked.  And for the first time in decades, we unlocked them.  The Sisters of the Brazil São Paulo West mission have opened them up to the public for an exciting new work; tours on the temple grounds!  

I felt like a temple square sister.  Only less glamorous.  We recieved zero training or instruction.  But were simply handed five banners and told to be creative.  Realizing that we were the pioneers of this new work, we used our creativity and followed our hearts.  The banners were hard to put up and wouldn't stand in the wind, so I had to climb the temple gate to hang them. hahaha.  Like I said, less glamorous.  Then we did our job and opened our mouths!  We didn't let a single soul pass us by without inviting them in to learn more, and feel the peace that comes from standing outside the Lord's house.  MANY people said no, but we were in a state of nirvana and no one could stop us.  At one point, a man stopped his car on the HIGHWAY and yelled out,

"what do I need to do to visit this church?"  

Sister Barboza replied,

"get out of your car and come here!!!"

So that was what he did.  And it was an incredible feeling to talk about the Restored Gospel of Christ right ouside the temple.  

We finished our day exhausted, sunburnt, and happy.  And to make things even better, our dear President Del Guerso took us to Mcdonalds and drove us home.  Bless him.