Rio Branco = Willie Handcart Company

Saturday August 30, 2014

Capilla Abierta for the Gianola Ward in Melo

These two cute boys were just hanging out when we arrived this
afternoon.They had their invitations in hand and were anxious
to be a part of the activites today.  They helped carry things
into the church from the van.
Ellos son no miembros.

This area is blessed with children, however they have little
parental influence. Most of their parents don't know where they are.
Some of them have no self control or manners.  But the Bishop is so kind.
He counsels with them patiently and never turns them away.
He told me that he knew that Christ would not turn them away,
so he doesn't but he has a huge job in trying to
maintain a bit of reverence while they are inside the church. 

A picture is worth a thousand words!

YouTube:  Gianola Ward Capilla Abierta
This was an outstanding event for this ward.  They had a great showing of love for the youth in their area. Many youth came to this event. The whole time was used and the last visitor came through the doors at 8 pm.

Sunday August 31, 2014
We spent the night in Melo and then got up early to drive to Rio Branco and do their training for their Capilla Abierta next Saturday.  It is a border town to Brazil.

We learned from the Stake President last night that this little ward has had some real tests of faith recently.  I think about one year ago, this group of saints had rented a bus to travel to Montevideo and attend the temple.  Everyone goes including children because they can stay at the temple block hotel and help each other watch children. On their way a trucker passed them  and then pulled in too close and clipped the front of the bus. It sent the bus tumbling. There were many serious injuries and two deaths.  My heart just ached for these group of saints.  Some members left the church, their testimonies shaken.  How could God let this happen on our way to the temple?  

We were asked to talk during Sacrament meeting and this time I felt impressed to share my pioneer story a bit differently.  I emphazied that my great great grandmother lost her husband to a premature quarry blast.  He was quarrying rock for the temple.  My grandmother could have said, "I quit the church. This should not have happened while he was working on the temple."  Fortunately, for me and all her posterity, she remained faithful through this trial and many more as she crossed the plains and settled in Utah.  I also gave her description of the night that the prophet Joseph was killed. I then added that the saints could have all quit and said this should not have happened to a prophet of God. But they did not, and here we are today with the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ that helps us with understanding mortal life and giving us eternal blessings.  Many tears were in that little chapel today as the spirit bore testimony to everyone that our faith is strong because of our trials and our willingness to follow Christ, no matter what.  

One older brother told us, his wife was killed but he introduced us to another sister to whom he was contemplating marriage.  Her husband was killed and they are thinking about marriage now.  The Bishop (who is very young, a returned missionary, and awesome) told Mike that his wife and 1 year old son were thrown from the bus and after it quit tumbling, he looked anxiously for them and they were both just sitting on the ground without a scratch.  He says it was a miracle.  This little group had tragedy and miracles all at once.  The Bishop suffered cracked ribs.  I don't know all the stories about this event, but I love Rio Branco Ward and shared my love with them and told them they were worthy to join the pioneers of Utah!