Pouco Tempo (little time)

Week #39 

The week of Carnaval. (Carnaval which almost contains the word carne, which means flesh. It all makes sense now.) I learned a couple things. First, nothing happens in Osório and all the people leave. All the stores close and the places that have computers too. Afternoon in the center of the city and there is nobody in the streets, nobody in the houses and no more than five cars parked on a street.

So, basically, we're cramming in email between a lesson and lunch. Only one short email this week. 

Baptism on my birthday didn't happen, but they will be baptized this Sunday. 

I have photos, but for lack of time, I'll send them next week. 

Lots of crazy people in the streets. It really is incredible how clueless people can be. I think the funniest thing is when we clap hands (yes, Mom, we clap hands at the gate and never knock doors. There are gates and fences around properties. To get the attention of the home owner they have to stand at the gate and clap) and a person and something like this happens.

Missionary: (. . .) may we explain with more detail?

Potential investigator: I'm sorry. I'm not part of this religion.

Missionary: Great. That's why we're here. May we talk?

Potential Investigator: But I'm not part of this religion.

Missionary: Exactly. If you were, we wouldn't be here.

Potential Investigator: (Annoyed) I'm not part of this religion.

Missionary: (Pause, wondering how a person could be so confused) Alright. Bye.

You may think I'm joking, but this happened yesterday. The Gospel makes a difference. Without the Spirit to guide us, even intelligent people can be unintelligent. I cannot count how many times we have taught somebody about authority and baptism, they agree, and when invited to be baptized say they already have been. No wonder we teach by principle and gaining a testimony. If we tried to teach by logic (and I have tried) even the well-versed and studious have poor responses. 

I think I understand why the promise is that as missionaries our words will not be confounded, not that our words will confound people. (D&C 100: 5-8) They're already confounded by their own philosophies. Our job is to help them understand. With great knowledge (and knowledge is power) comes great responsibility. 

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Elder Dickson