Elder Weiss

Miracle in this Mission 

The Lord does watch over us.  This experience was a Miracle in our Mission.
We received a phone call that Elder Weiss had a Stroke and was in the hospital 15 hours from us.
We called his parents who were imediately making plans to fly.  President and I were also making flight arrangements to get to Sorriso as soon as possible.   We received a phone call from Bro and Sis Weiss (parents). that they could not get seats on the flight from Cuiaba to Sorriso.  We called the Church.  20 minutes later by a small miracle, we don't know how, but they were able to get seats on the plane to Sorriso (there is only 1 flight a day that flies there).  We landed in Sinop then had an 1 drive to Sorriso.  As we enter this small hospital room there were the other 3 missionaries who all lived in the same house.  They had spent the night at the hospital.  It was an emotional reunion as Elder Weiss saw his parents.  I will never forget.  Elder Weiss was paralyzed on the left side of his body.  He could not swallow or move his limbs.  It was very serious.  We knew is was critical that we begin making arrangement to Transfer Elder Weiss to Sao Paulo where his Medical care would be the best.  We were worried as we did not know how many days that would take.   Paper work in Brazil is a long process, and hoping all the Doctors here would release him to be transferred.  Another miracle,  within 12 hrs of us arriving in Sorriso,  Elder Weiss was on his way to Sao Paulo.  With the help of the Church Doctor in Sao Paulo, Dr. Avila, the transfer paper work was completed.  His parents were able to fly in a Private Plane that the church sent to pick up Elder Weiss and his parents. 
We know that the Lord was mindful of us and many miracles happened that day!  The story continues below.....keep reading......

President Reber received 71 calls on his phone

The hospital in Sorriso

Private plane waiting for Elder Weiss at the airport in Sinop

An experience we hope to never go thru again.  Putting one of our missionaries in an ambulance

Bro and Sis. Weiss.  Parents of Elder Weiss.  They are wonderful people

Airport in Sinop

The Miracle continues.  We had a Mission Fast and Prayed for Elder Weiss on Sunday June 2nd.  Our AP's notified all the Missionaries about this day to unite our Fast and Prayers.  Elder Weiss and his parents were not aware of our Mission Fast.  One June 4th  Presidents received an email from Elder Weiss (via his Mom), that he was happy that he was now able to swallow however could not move his limbs still.  On June 8th  we received a phone call from Dr. Avila (Church Doctor who had helped us so much).  He said "President,  I am so happy to call you.  I have some news that will make you so happy.  Elder Weiss has made significant progress that he is walking!  His family, friends and doctor,  of course, not aware of the Mission Fast and Prayers that have been offered for Elder Weiss.   President Reber told Dr. Avila about our Mission Fast and Dr. Avila said "that is very interesting".  Medically there is no explanation of how his recovery could make so much progress in such a short amount of time (days).  The Doctors had prepared him for a 6 mo to 1 yr with him in Physical Therapy.  The Doctors are releasing Elder Weiss and say that he can finish his Physical Therapy at a hospital close to his home.   The Lord does answer prayer.  Elder Weiss continues his Physical Therapy everyday but his movement in his limbs is returning.  This has been an incredible experience that happen in this mission!  Good for the Missionaries here to know that the Lord knows!   He Hears and answers Prayers!  He is blessing our Cuiaba Mission!  Our Missionaries are becoming stronger going thru this experience.

departing Elder Stipanich

We also say good-bye to our departing missionaries.  Above we are with Elder Stipanich, our AP.  He will be greatly missed.  As for all our departing Missionaries, we wish them the best.  The Lord will and does watch over his missionaries, always.  It is his promise! 

Our Sister Missionaries

We Love our Sister Missionaries

 Baptism of Clovis.  Clovis has a great story.  Our Missionaries had been praying to teach and baptism a man.  They had been teaching another man and were so discouraged when he decided he was not ready to be baptized.  On the way to church the next Sunday, Clovis was outside the chapel.  He asked the Missionaries if he could go to inside to Church.  The Missionaries responded YES!  It was a fast and testimony meeting.  Listening to the testimonies, Clovis decided to get up.  He said he wanted to learn more about what we believe and basically bore his testimony that he knew this was the True Church!  He was baptized a week later.  So these Elder's prayers were answered only not in the way they had thought!  Clovis is an awesome Man!  Everyone loves him already! 

President huddling with his AP's just before Zone Conference begins

Blisters, Ingrown toenails - We see a lot of this on our Missionaries - Good thing President is a Foot Doc!

New Missionaries

 We love receiving our New Missionaries.  They bring new energy and enthusiasum with them.  It is one of our favorite Days!  This group we got 4 from the MTC in Sao Paulo and 1 from the US.  He was one of our 'Visa Waiter".  We still have a group waiting and hopeful that Visa's will be granted

 President and Sister Degn's Visit - He is the President of the MTC(CTM) in Sao Paulo.  It was a treat to have them in our Mission.  Sunday evening President Degn gave a Fireside on the "Power of Music".  He is a professional Pianoist and Played a lot of songs for us.  It was a "grand" time! Missionaries and Members and Investigators all loved this evening with him.
We Love this couple

The Beauty of Brazil in the Pantanal