SURPRISE

Hi guys!

July 4, 2017

Bet you all thought that I forgot to write you all this week but jokes!

Well, another transfer has come and gone so quick. They keep going by faster which is kind of scary but it makes me feel better knowing that the time is going by fast by doing things worth while.

Legui and Davi stick together yay!

I was thinking recently (especially after the questions that I got asked on Mother's day) that I haven't really explained very clearly what a capilla abierta is. 

To start of, capilla abierta = open chapel.

This is a program that is based off of the concept of visitor centers at the temples.

During the week, we make lots of preparations. The stake leaders over the missionary work talk to all the bishops and Branch Presidents in their stake and plan dates (on Saturdays) to have their capilla abierta. The stake then contacts us and we plan their CA and trainings.

Every Sunday, My compy and I take hour of Sunday School explaining to the members what the program is like and what they need to do. This is their "training" which is really important because this is how we get them excited and invite people to come. The more they invite the more success we have obvio!

On Thursdays, we travel via bus (the only part I don't like) to the area and on Fridays we have rehearsal. All the missionaries and members participating in the activity come and clean the church, set up their stands, practice their 3 minute presentations, and we give the missionaries their assignments and train them on what they are going to do.

Then on Saturday, we all get together in the Sacrament room and open with a prayer and wait for visitors. When they come they first go into the sacrament room where two sister missionaries welcome them and explain how the tour will go. They listen to an audio of Christ speaking, the sisters bear their testimony about Christ and invite them to follow their guide. In the cultural hall, there are 2'4 missionaries waiting for them to teach a little bit about the Restoration of the Gospel. After that they go visit the baptismal font where there are two Elders dressed in white ready to "baptize them" (the joke everyone cracks at ever CA I have ever had haha) But really they teach them about baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. Then they go visiting all the organizations such as the Relief Society, Priesthood, Young Women's, Young Men's, Primary, Family History, and Self Reliance. 

In the end they visit a table filled with missionary lesson pamphlets, liahonas, family history guides, and other fun church things to take home. I have two other missionaries stationed there to get their references from them. We ask references from everyone and their dogs here.  In the end, the visitors get to enjoy a little refreshment and hang out if they would like... If the members and missionaries haven't eaten all the food. 

And that is pretty much what I do every weekend and love it! I pretty much feel like I have the best gig in the mish. Even though it makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes it is so fun and so worth it. I think my companion and I are the only one's besides President that thinks that this program is really going to take off, but I know that it is an inspired program that helps bring people closer to God.

 

I love everyone and this work. Special shout out to my Mom...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

Hope it was the best! Have a great week!

Con amor, 

Hermana Davi