Bring them Back to the Fold!

This week we baptized Iasmym, Gabriel, Milena, and Carlos Gustavo. Gabriel is the brother of Luiz Fernando who was baptized last week. Everton, who we baptized 2 weeks ago, received the Priesthood yesterday so he could baptize Gabriel, his friend. Milena and Carlos Gustavo are siblings. Their dad is an inactive member who used to be Branch President in another city. Milena grew up in Primary, but their family went inactive before she was baptized and before Carlos Augusto was born. When she returned to church the first time with us, she felt a strong desire to be baptized and as a consequence her brother wanted to as well. Milena had passed though many hardships in the past including having a kid at 14. She realized that she needs the gospel in her life now. She loves to read the Book of Mormon. Through her example and the example of her brother, hopefully the parents will return to full activity in the church! There are so many lost sheep out there that we need to put on our shoulders and bring back to the fold, just as Jesus would do.

See you in a week!!:)

Love, Elder Olsentatui_11-5-2016_sam_0798

Holding to the Rod

This week we kept very busy! We baptized Fernando, Micaela, Adriel, Monique, Ana Carolina, and João. The first two are dating and will soon be married. They were excited to find the true church! Adriel is Ezequiel´s brother, who was baptized last week. His brother Rafael baptized him! Elder James was going to baptize him, but then we thought that Rafael could! Before Sunday, he hadn´t received the Aaronic priesthood yet because he was baptized and went inactive before he had the chance. We quickly put him into an interview with the Branch President during church, ordained him as a Priest after, and then went straight to baptizing his brother! It was awesome. The last three are 2 sisters and a cousin. We reactivated the dad of the girls and are waiting for the parents to marry to baptize the mom. Unfortunately, it´ll be after I´m gone, though.

On Sunday, we brought 15 people to church so we are expecting several more baptisms this next week!  #doismais

Love,

Elder Olsen

tatui_11-1-2016_sam_0760

Holding to the Rod

sam_0775

17 Visitors to Church!

This week we baptized Laion (actually pronounced “Lion”), Everton, and Ezequiel. Laion and Everton are brothers and they do Kick-Boxing. Laion has super sweet dreads. Ezequiel is the son of a less active woman. His older brother is already a member and the little brother will be baptized in the coming weeks.

We also brought 17 people to church; the chapel was packed! But we still need to do better for the branch to become a ward. The attendance was 86 and we need 100! We have lots of people to work with to teach and baptize this next week–it´ll be a busy one. Have a great week!  #sómaistrêssemanas

Love,

Elder Olsen

tatui_october-2016_-2016-11-02-at-4-41-31-pm