I apologize for the lack of an email last week, there was a holiday here in Quixada so we werent able to pass a lot of time on the computer.
But these last two weeks were quite stressful, and we are releived they have finished! This month was the last month of the trimester for the church, which is reallly important here. In areas where the church is just getting started, it is these times that are most critical in the perspective of whether or not our city will receive a chapel like we are all accustomed to in the US of A, if we will stay just one branch or be divided into 2 branches, etc. Basically this month is the most important time to show growth in our areas to try and receive more resources to help facilitate that growth. Here in the Quixada branch, we have one congregation here that meets every Sunday, and a group that is part of our Branch that meets in Quixeramobim, our sister city. Many of you will remember Quixeramobim as it was my very first area on my mission. Well two weeks ago President called us 3 times on P-day....if you dont already know, when the Mission President calls 1 time its already important, but he called 3. He wanted to talk with me about our District helping Quixeramobim grow faster to become an independant branch this trimester. After a group pow wow in our house we orginized a plan which included basically us working in 2 cities, one day here in Quixada, and the other in Quixeramobim. This was not very easy but we saw miracles happen in both cities. 2 weeks ago the attendance for the Quixeramobim group was 40 people. For Quixada Branch it was 70. Yesterday Quixada had an Attendance of 87 to close out the trimester (making it very possible for Quixada to receive permission to buy the land for a real Chappel here) and Quixeramobim had and attendance of 73 people, enshuring that Quixeramobim will be an independent Branch here in a few days!!!! On top of this our District together had 7 Baptisms and 6 confirmations yesterday, and in the area of my companion and i alone we had 12 investigators visit church! Just goes to show the blessings that come through truly putting the lords will first, being exactly obedient to every single one of his comandments, and working like crazy!
This last Friday was a day really difficult for our companionship, but it was an opportunity for our testimonies to be reinforces. It was one of those experiences the turns beleife and faith into hard and firm knowlede. I want to bear my testimony to you all about the power of the restored gospel. That it truly has the power to protect us from the many many evils and terrible horrors that exist in our world today. Through reading and understantding the scriptures, praying every day, and going to church every sunday we protect ourselves from these evils, and build our lights to be more illuminous to the world. When we put our savior as our center, and build our foundation upon the rock of his atoneing sacrifice, he will bless us every day of our lives. I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ, our master, Amen.
Be Excellent to Each Other
Love Elder Ferrell
P.S. This thursday i will have ONE YEAR on the Mission!!!! Wup Wup!
Baptism of Vitor!
