Opening A New Area (Week 41)

Hi Everyone! This post is a bit longer then my usual posts, but its for a good reason.

This week has been especially wonderful...and here is why:

I had the most amazing time this week working harder then ever to help the people here in Brasil with my companion. I also found out that I am getting transferred.  
My mission president told me that I am opening a new area. He also told me that I am now going to train new missionary. My first thought was, "WOW!" The new area is called, "Pionero", and my Zone is called, "Barcera".


I thought it was really cool to know that the new area is called, "Pionero". Here in Brasil that means "Pioneer", and in a way...as missionaries...my new companion and I will be like Pioneers. We will be going off into this new area never opened before and we area traveling to this new area by BOAT! I thought that was pretty cool.I usually get to my new areas by bus or plane. So this will be a fun new adventure. I also want to take a moment to say how incredibly honored to know that the mission president and the Lord trust me enough to continue to move the work forward in this new area with whoever my new companion will be.

My feelings are everywhere...I am nervous, scared, excited, happy, for this new assignment, but I worked as hard as I could, and sad because I am leaving, BUT I am happy to know that I get to help this new missionary. Many people have told me that opening a new area is hard, especially in this part of Brasil...but I don't think hard areas exist...just hard missionaries. This is the Lords work and this is the Lords plan, and I know that with the help of God we can do anything.

On my last day here in Sacramenta...I went around and said my goodbyes...I even gave João a t-shirt and told him I want pictures of when he gets married.

I also went to say goodbye to a few other people, and Ana Luiza said this to me: 

"Graças a Deus está tudo bem. Sentiremos sua falta também, e posso dizer que seu testemunho foi também fundamental para minha decisão de me batizar." 

I know most of you cannot read or speak Portuguese, but just know that what she told me made my heart swell with joy. I am so touched to see that I had a great impact on her life and that she and her family are on the right path. It makes me so happy. 

I hope everything is alright back home. I send my love and pray that the spirit can be with you all. Also! I got my Birthday Box! Thank you so much! I can feel your love and I am SO lucky to have such wonderful parents. Thanks mom and dad. 

Love,

Elder Arevalo

Exciting News (Week 40)

Hey Everyone!

So transfers are the 27th, and I recently just spoke to the Mission President, and it looks like I'll most likely be staying in my current area. YES! I have so much work to do here, and I am so glad that I get to stick around a bit longer. 
Anyways, this week was great. I had a great time teaching this wonderful family with Manuel and Beatrice. They have a son, and he really liked church. He seems to really have fun and enjoy it. His father also likes church a lot because of how clear the Gospel is. I can see him smile and the spirit touch him telling him it is the truth. He is a little confused with all the doctrine that the hears from other churches, but we are helping him. Also, do you guys remember me talking about João!? Well, it turns out that he will officially be getting married the 8th of July and be baptized the 9th of July (my birthday) I really hope I will be here so witness it. 

Also, check this out. We got cool T-shirts for our area! Well, thats all for this week. 

Love, 
Elder Arevalo

My Package Arrived (Week 39)

Hey Everyone, 

My old companion and I reunited!

This week I got a super cool package that my parents sent me. I took a picture opening it haha. I really loved getting a package!! There was a lot of stuff in there, and I shared a lot of the things I received with members, my companion, and investigators...but I kept the reeses peanut butter cups for myself because that stuff is so good haha. 

Oh! I have a spiritual experience I want to share...
I was at a family home evening and the message was about service and how the little things we do for others make a huge difference. I reflected and even teared up because of the spirit. I could feel it telling me that when we serve, we are loving one other and help others be happy. Then I thought of everything my family and friends have done for me and I was filled with joy and happiness and love...in other words I was filled with the spirit.

The Package From My Parents! Thanks Mom & Dad!

Besides that my week was good. I have been working hard. I am trying my best to teach people with  my companion. I can see that our investigators are very interested in learning, but some of them do not want to act  with faith. I am a little stumped, because João probably wont get baptized this month, BUT he really wants to. He moved but he will get baptized probably on the on the 9th of July (which is my birthday!) and he will be getting married the 8th of July. I am very happy that he will be getting baptized, even if its a month later. The only problem is that if he gets baptized the next month... I may not even be there to witness it because transfers are occurring. So I pray that I am going to be able to stay in Sacramenta at least one more transfer.

My new Quad in Portuguese! Its engraved! 

Love, 

Elder Arevalo

The Cokeville Miracle (Week 38)

Hi Everyone, 

As you all read last week. João told us he wanted to get baptized. We are so happy! He officially will be getting baptized the 18th of June. He will also be getting married to a member on the 8th of July. That is one day before my birthday!

Tortillas! 

Before writing this email, I did some construction work today. I made concrete and helped the member finish the wall by putting the last layer of concrete on top of the bricks. So that was really cool.

Another really great experience that I had occurred with some inactive members. We shared a movie called, "The Cokeville Miracle". We all felt the spirit and felt the saviors love. I think it really helped them see the importance of prayer and church. I cried a little, the members cried, and they wanted us to visit them more. I can see they have a desire to feel the spirit.

I also got to make tortillas! My mom sent me a package with tortilla stuff so that I can make them! Here they are! I felt right at home. Anyway, that's all from my week. I hope you all have a great week. Keep asking for missionary opportunities in your prayers. Love you all. 

-Elder Arevalo

100% Of Love Is The Key (Week 37)

Hey Everyone, 

So this week I received a new companion. He is from Mozambique, Africa! His Portuguese is similar to Portugal so sometimes it's a bit different then my Portuguese, but I like that I get to learn new words and phrases from him. Anyway, my new companion is working very hard with me. We have been teaching lots of people, and I love it. I even learned something very powerful and very important too. I learned that this work needs to be done with 100% love. You cannot force anyone to know it is the truth...you want people to discover it for themselves! 

My New Companion

Let me give you an example of what I mean. My companion and I have been teaching an investigator for a long time. His name is "João". The other day I told him that I was very worried, and he asked me why. I explained myself and told him that I am very worried because I won't see him in the Celestial Kingdom, and I worry that he won't be able to receive all the blessings that the Lord has for him, and I told him how sad that makes me...(He is a very good friend of mine I want him to get baptized, but I cannot force him...but I can show him love) When I told him I was very worried he said he could feel the love my companion and I have for him. After much thought and prayer and told us he wanted to get baptized. What a blessing! I couldn't have been happier. He is now officially going to get baptized on the 18th of June of this month. 

Love is the key. It took me a long time to discover it, but love will bring people together and make the work go forth!

I ask all of you to please pray for the missionary work. I have seen the power of prayer work for other things and I know that it will help missionary work as well. I want this wonderful work to continue. Just imagine if we get everyone involved!? That is actually how missionary work is supposed to be. Everyone combines their efforts to bless our brothers and sisters. My personal goal is to be that unifying force that will bring people together to make the work go forth. Well, like I said...that's my goal. 

Love, 
Elder Arevalo 
Email: E-mail: kevin.arevalo@myldsmail.net