Early this morning, beginning at 6:00, a baptism service was held for Vitória Medeiros de Melo and her brothers, Agamemnon, David, Moyses, and Williams. These are the first baptisms in Maceió since last October, when Edmilson was baptized. He performed two of today’s baptisms. Elders Smith and Christensen also baptized. The service itself was held at the chapel. Inez spoke. Elders Blackham and Christensen sang “The Lord Is My Shepherd” as a special number. As we resorted to the beach, it was trying hard to rain on us, and did a little.
Last night we held at the chapel our own special Pioneer Day party. It turned out really sharp, with 39 people in attendance. First we showed a slide presentation we had arranged complete with narration. Then followed various games such as 3-legged races, sack races, tug-of-war, bobbing for apples, the whistle after eating a cracker game, and the pass the orange under the chin game. Topping off the festivities were chocolate chip cookies, billed as pioneer cookies (bolachas pioneiras), made by Dona Creuza. As far as we have record, this was the first Pioneer Day celebration ever held in Maceió.
President Johnson celebrates his birthday today. We plan to give him a big card when he comes Sunday. The 110-FP cards from the baptisms should make a nice present too.
Yesterday afternoon Elders Smith and Blackham made the volleyball standards for the church. From Elder Blackham’s own account: “Anyway we then went to the church and mixed up enough cement to make a house. Then we found out it wasn’t even enough to fill up two old tires. Pois é!! What a hassle!! and a lot of work too. But finally we arrived at the end of our pipe embedded in a tire full of cement. Looks like volleyball here we come!!”
During most of today Elder Blackham and I distributed to the members a budget letter I have prepared to announce that the branch has to pay 20 percent of its expenses. Each family was suggested a specific monthly amount. I also put in a plug for tithing and fast offerings. All of the families we visited agreed that it was an excellent idea and said they would pay.
Tonight we went home teaching: Aldo with Elder Christensen, Elder Blackham with Elder Smith, and Edmilson with me. We made sure everybody knew about Sunday’s conference and had them sign President Johnson’s birthday card. I was disappointed in Elders Blackham and Smith when they showed up at Sônia and Simone’s place when I told them not to go.
It really rained tonight.
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