Angra of the Kings

One of the Areas of our mission is called Angra dos Reis and I have always wanted to serve there because it's name sounds like anger of the kings and because it's more out of the city. Kind of like an out cast area with a lot more nature.

So, when I got moved to Santa Cruz I ended up in the same zone as Angra dos Reis and this week we got to go on exchanges with them and another area even further out, Parque Mambucaba! The only problem is the distance. To get there, we go from Santa Cruz to Itaguaí (1 hour) then after two more bus rides we get to Angra (3 hours) then you can get on a bus to Parque (2 hours).

So on Monday we traveled out to Angra and spent Tuesday with the Elders there. We were looking for a miracle with their friend Hernane - a young man who wants to be baptized but his family has some doubts. His story is a lot similar to my companion's, so we sent my companion out to talk with the family. The Elders in Angra were planning on visiting him at 3:00 but weren't sure if he'd be home. When we asked when he'd for sure be home, they said "we'll... right now" so we said "what are we waiting for?!?" And those Elders went out, walked for two hours, and missed lunch to talk with the family and they were able to mark a baptismal date! If they had went at 3:00, he wouldn't have been home.

The next day we went out to Parque and the air there was so easy to breath. The bus ride runs along the coast line which gave us some pretty views. Then half way through the day my companion tells me that he had a bad feeling and felt like we should go home. Right now. The only problem is that it is at least 6 hours to get home... if you don't miss any busses. But we decided to go.

After making the last bus to Itaguaí, we were able to arrive at the Itaguai church building around 11 pm which was a few hours away from our apartment and sleep there. The Sisters serving there kindly gave us some blankets and the chairs are super comfortable so it worked out. The next morning we made it home with only 7 reais to spare on Thursday morning.

All this time, we were keeping track of our own people in Santa Cruz as well. We were planning on baptizing a small family during a youth activity on Friday but they had a family emergency and had to travel out of town. We still got to have a fun activity though!

It ended up being pretty disappointing as this family had to leave and the family of Hernane ended up facing more opposition as well. Although the missionaries were able to clear up their doubts, another family member called the mother and shared some things that aren't true about the church and they aren't giving the missionaries a chance to clear up their doubts. So that baptism fell through as well. But the missionaries there are moving forward with more faith than ever before, so we are confident that miracles will happen in Angra and Parque!

Elder Smith