This week was long, difficult, and very stressful but, I’m not here to write about any of that. I’m going to tell you the story of Nilton!!
Once upon a time, about 5 months ago, before Sister Grace arrived in Jardim América, Sisteres Santiago and Tadje were working in the area. While being the diligent Sisters they are, they stopped to talk to the delivery guy on a bicycle outside of their lunch appointment. The man was nice but clearly uninterested in their gospel message. Knowing that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has something to offer to everyone, they invited him to the weekly English classes of which he became a consistent student.
After about 3 weeks of taking English class, and hearing the brief spiritual message at the end of every lesson, the man became interested in visiting the principal religious meetings of the church. Unfortunately, the man worked every morning, under a very oppressing and demanding boss. He would not be able to make it to the Sunday meetings. The missionaries, who could have easily judged the man as one who would not progress, overlooked his work schedule and saw his true potential. They started teaching him the lessons of the gospel and the man fell in love with the Book of Mormon.
As was mentioned earlier, the man is a delivery driver who uses his bicycle to get around. At least twice a week, the man would be going about his normal day-to-day routine when something would make him turn down a certain street or stop and walk inside a certain store when that certain path would not help him get to his next delivery. Every single time he followed the prompting, he would run into a set of missionaries. As of today, the man has run into 10 different missionaries, the names of which he could tell you without thinking twice. All of these “coincidences” helped strengthen the man’s faith in God’s plan and timing.
Once I got into the area, we kept working with him, praying, and fasting that he would be able to come to a church service. On Sunday in April, he showed up to church unexpectedly as his boss decided not to open that day due to illness. He stayed 4 hours in the church, talking to the 2 wards that meet in the building, and loving every minute of it. Immediately after the service, he asked us how and when he could be baptized. Unfortunately, a person needs to visit the church at least twice, before becoming eligible for baptism. We left him without a date but not without hope.
Yesterday morning, he texted us that his boss was running late and wouldn’t open until 10 am. He came over to watch the meeting at 9 and left at 9:50 with a date marked for his baptism. His baptism was that very same day, just a few hours later. It was well-attended by the ward but even more so by the Spirit. He cried, we cried, all cried and now, our friend Nilton is seeing even more blessings. He just got accepted into a new job where he will have every Sunday free!!
I know it was long but I just had to share.
That’s all folks, Tchau tchau for now!
Com amor,
Sister Alyssa Grace
Jaboatão Dos Guararapes, Brasil
