Tonight we held one of the most memorable firesides of my missionary career. The branch was expecting a sharp member family from out of town, from São Paulo they had decided somehow, that was coming to show them how to hold home evening. The family was none else than Irmão João, the father, played by Elder Smith; Irmã Barbara, the mother, played by Elder Cleverly; Maria Aparícia, a daughter, by Elder Blackham; and Joãozinho, a son, by Elder Christensen. In all our preparations the most difficult part to figure out was how we were going to arrive at Aldo’s house without causing suspicion. We all four showed up at Aldo’s house. Then Elders Blackham and Christensen left to pick up a hypothetical investigator family that Elder Smith happened to remember at that moment. Elder Cleverly left with the unsuspecting Aldo for the bus station, via our house, to pick up the arriving family. Elder Smith stayed at Aldo’s house to keep things under control (he was already dressed in his suit). The other three of us changed quickly. Using a shoehorn, I had to get into a white dress Dona Creuza had brought for us. Aldo about died laughing when he found out what was happening. Arriving back at this house, where Elder Smith had just barely started the opening song, we slipped in the kitchen door and surprised them all. It was a shocker!
We had a quick home evening demonstration and some talent numbers. As we ended the home evening, Elder Smith announced that his family wanted to sing their favorite song, “Brasil,” which we did:
Brasil, bela terra do sul,
Lindas palmeiras contra o céu tão azul,
Praias brancas ao luar, suave brisa do mar.
Brasil, terra de meu amor,
Onde eu vivia entre o povo do Senhor,
Anunciando aos seus, boas novas dos céus.
Eu vou partir p’ra bem longe daqui,
Eu vou sentir saudades de ti,
Porém um dia eu voltarei para então renovar
A amizade sem par, com todos os Santos de Deus.
Then we hummed it again as Elder Smith expressed our love and gratitude for the Brazilian members and bore his testimony. It was an emotionally charged moment. Although not part of the program but fitting into it very well, Aldo arose and delivered a moving thank-you speech to the elders particularly and the members generally.
Pedro Maia and his wife Umbelina, Adolfino, and Sônia and Simone all attended.
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