Week 17

Week 17

April 16, 2018

Hey everyone! This week I served with Elder Oliveira! He's from Cape Verde which is an African island where they also speak Portuguese! I freakin love him so much! The reason I was with him is because it was Elder Karthiyegan's last week. When it is a missionary's last week here, they usually work 120 hours... So he did it with my companion Elder Hernandez.

April 10th - Me and Oliveira worked hard, not much luck, but we did our best and had fun doing it!

April 11th - The day started crazy... we knocked a door and an 87 year old African woman opened the door, hugging and kissing us on our cheeks saying we needed to come in! We taught her the first lesson and it went well! We will see what happens there! Then we met with another new investigator Miguel, he is super interested in the church! Then me and Oliveira made an amazing lunch. Chicken, pasta, rice, and I made the dessert. It was our best meal on the mission probably (that we made ourselves).

April 12th - We worked so hard once again, the highlight of my day was the night. We were walking home and Elder Oliveira was talking about his family, and me as well. And I just felt the spirit as strong as I ever have that families are forever. I know they are forever and that they are THE most important social unit in this life, and for eternity.

Abril 13th - It was sister Chagas' Birthday! She turned 20. She only speaks Potuguese but we've become awesome friends! For lunch we went to a member's house where they speak English everytime they eat. It was so so crazy and just such a different thing than what I was used to. But it was awesome. Then in the night, Lia Grando got baptized! She is the wife of a dope member, Israel, who is a proffesional singer. She has been investigating for around a year, but she decided to be baprtized and it was awesome!

April 14th - Oliveira and I worked hard! So hard, walking everywhere lol. In the night we made a great dinner because we felt we really deserved it. We did aha.

April 15th - We had two appointments, but they fell... which was too bad because one of them would have only been in English! To a woman named Suchille from India! But I will get my opportunity another day aha. But yeah, that was basically the day...

Today (April 16th) - Said goodbye to Elder Karthigeyan, he finished the mish and left home for India. Crazy to see how fluent he is! But it's so weird to see him leave because it doesn't feel like I'm anywhere close to leaving (I'm not that close to leaving aha). But he was awesome, a life long homie, and an OKC fan all the way from India. Lucky for him, he gets to watch the playoffs.

So the transfers came in! Some big changes here. I get Elder Baugh as a companion! He was just serving with my best bud, Elder Taylor, so that's awesome! But I've met Elder Baugh before and he seems dope! He is around 6'5 and loves basketball as well. When we talked before he was dope. I was hoping one day I would serve with him! But that means bye to Elder Hernandez. I'll miss the guy, he is the one who showed me the ropes of Portugal, and got me settled in here. Whenever we see each other though that will be great! So far I've only had good companions with Elder Hernandez, and Elder Webb (In the MTC). So life is totally chill here.

A cool story from this week was just that I was with Oliveira, I love the guy so much. I'd say he is basically the African version of me!

My challenge this week is to watch the Raptors playoff games for me hahah. That is a challenge from me, but my actual challenge is to kneel down and pray every night this week, giving thanks and asking questions with a sincere heart.

Love you all, and hope you all kill it this week.

Elder out
Mamba out


Elder Parks Stewart Layton
Portugal Porto Mission
Rua de Amália de Luazes, No 23, Sala 1
4200-052 Porto
Portugal 
Bye Karthigeyan

Saying Goodbye - Elder Karthigeyan leaving

Gucci Gang

Blessin up with Sister Ngalu (Shoutout Cam)

Dinner with members and new investigators.

Bloody Nose

The Boys

Chillin with Joel the recent convert.

 Lia's Baptism






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