February 2nd & 9th, 2015--Big news!

Oi minha familia e meus amigos!                                              February 2, 2015

Well, are you ready for some news? This last week was transfers, and although I really was hoping that I wouldn't leave Calheta, I have left. I am not too far though and the greatest news is that as the new missionaries have people get baptized, I will have the opportunity to go back to Calheta. How is that possible, you may be asking? Well, we know that Elder Dorff didn't leave the island, because he is meant to serve the rest of his mission on Santiago. I have been moved to the city of Assomada, an area named Assomada Calu, and I am no longer a District Leader in Calheta but I am now the Zone Leader of Assomada, which means I have responsibility for the northern half of the island. I am serving with Elder Nymeyer, who I already knew pretty well and it should be really fun. Looks like the Lord wants me to continue as strong as I started. I am excited to serve in this new position and I can't wait to see the miracles happen on a Zone scale. The good thing is that Elder Veitch will end his training with Elder Ernst (like one of my favorite Elders) and I will still be overseeing the work there. So, let the adventure begin... this week will be a crazy first week. I'm looking forward to it.
 

But before I completely check out of what happened in Calheta, I have to tell you many great things that happened my last week there. First of all, we had District Meeting in which I had thought about giving a training about how to work with the Branch better but I had changed it the night before to talk about the power of hope. It was more of a conversational District Meeting in which maybe the missionaries didn't learn a practical teaching technique, but I hope that the attitudes of the missionaries changed as we talked about keeping the hope of finding people prepared, to be taught and baptized. I feel like it helped.

We had a lesson with one investigator who really confused me. As we were teaching her, all of the sudden she became quite defensive and sensitive about everything that we were teaching her. I finally decided to just stop the lesson and ask what was going on or if we had offended her. She told us that she didn't want us to come over and judge her for her faith. I felt really sad because I didn't feel like we were judging her or critizing her for her beliefs. I think that she just felt that she already knew enough and there was no way around that. Closed heart means closed ears. Such is life.

 

Then on Saturday, we had an miracle! J got baptized! Remember how I said that J couldn't get baptized because he was waiting for his paperwork for marriage? Well, it wasn't the best situation, but he decided to move out of the house that he was renting with his girlfriend and went back to his parents house so that he could keep the commandments. On Thursday, we told him that he could get baptized and he was so excited. Our Branch President told us that J had said that there was nothing on earth that was worth breaking a commandment of God for. A pretty big change on his part. It is amazing what the Spirit does to people. He later on shared his testimony, many times, that he was so grateful that he could be baptized and that now he will help his girlfriend take the same steps to learn and be baptized as well. It is pretty awesome and I am excited for them both. Calheta will see a lot of success here in a couple of weeks. 

Tchao!

Elder Brent Dorff

 

 

 Oi  minha família e meus amigos,                                                         February 9, 2015

So... I got a little bit of news to share... So this past week, I was preaching the gospel and I get a text message. Well, it was the middle of a lesson so I didn't pick it up. Then all of the sudden, I receive 2  phone calls and more text messages. I saw that the two calls were from two of the Elders of my MTC group. The first text was from President Mathews, informing me that because my release date falls between transfers, I had a choice: to extend to June 7th... or to shorten to April 28...........................

So this week was awesome! The adventures of being a Zone Leader have definitely been many and I feel like I have experienced most of the challenges already in one week. So here is the run down:

Monday- Elder Nymeyer was sick so we didn't go out to teach on that day so I caught up on my mission journal, including my thoughts about transfers and such. Pretty chill night, literally.

Tuesday- Mission Leadership Council! We (still super sick Nymeyer and I) leave Assomada at 6:30 with water barrels (why we had them-- no idea) and arrive in Praia around 8:15 for accountability with President for last month. Then Council started at 9. We learned a lot of about the importance of the Plan of Salvation and also Obedience. We did a many things and learned a lot. It was also a lot of fun to see some old friends on this Council (like Elder Godfrey who I worked with back in the office who is now the Zone Leader of Fogo, and also Elder Jarvis, who is Zone Leader in Praia, and Elder Welch, Zone Leader of Mindelo. It was good to see all them again. But, of course, there is a real purpose to council and that is to create the monthly plans for the Zone. Well, seeing that I have never done this before and we had literally almost zero time before the council to prepare ideas... it was slightly stressful. But we came out with rough ideas that we would work with later and pound out real plans. Such is life.
 

Later, we created out training and finalized our plans, and put together all the information from Council and went to Zone Meeting. As a District Leader, you always look forward to Zone Meetings because you don't have to prepare anything. Not any more. So I conducted, did the announcements, and participated in the review of the results of last month's plans, the training, the presenting of the new plans, and everything else. Our zone's focus for the month is "Levantai-se e Anda" or "Take up thy bed, and Walk" talking about having authority as a representative of Christ, where we have the right to invite people to make the changes in their lives to achieve the true extent of their eternal potential.
 

So excited for the earlier release date of April 28th but I know it will be hard for him to leave Cabo Verde!

Assomada is very cool, as in temperature. Mom, you were inspired to by the sweater. Here's a picture of me using it :) The area is good although our investigators aren't doing everything they need to. We plan to help change that though. I like Elder Nymeyer a lot. He and I teach differently, which I attribute to the fact that we have had very different areas through the mission, but we mix well. He is very funny, so it won't be a boring transfer. I have been blessed that way with most of my companions.
 

Well, it sounds like it was a pretty good week for everyone and I hope that this week is just as awesome! ...I chose April 28th ;) (Mom, Dad, and family) Just to make you trunky, 11 weeks left (I have bitter sweet feelings)

Love you lots!

Tchao! 

Elder Brent Dorff

 

 

 

January 19th & 26th, 2015--hard work and a Stake split

Oi minha família e meus amigos!                                             January 19, 2015

Look, I am back from the dead! It really wasn't that I didn't want to contact you, but P-day just doesn't always work out as we expect. I honestly don't know what to tell you because these last 2 weeks were so different from each other. I will just pull out a couple of the highlights. First of all, there were some transfers that happened here in the Zone (I'm still here, don't worry) to where we were knocked down to one Zone Leader and with that, more responsibility has been put on the District Leaders to help out. It has been good as I feel like we are all depending more on the Lord for the help and guidance for our missionaries. This last week I went on division with my ZL, Elder Nymeyer and I went with him to his area for a division (seeing that he is with a mini missionary and can't leave his companion in his area). It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about the Mission's goal to focusing on the incredible message of the Restoration, specifically the First Vision and the Book of Mormon. I plan on giving a training on it tomorrow and I hope that it turns out good. This last week I gave a training about how prayer, scripture study, and church attendance give people opportunities to have spiritual experiences, so that the Spirit can help them in the process of conversion. There were a lot of comments that I really liked and I felt good about how it went.
 

This last P-day was interviews with President Mathews, which, of course, was great. We went over the time given, mostly talking about Calheta and how to continue growth of the area and Branch. We focused a lot on wanting the members and investigators to become spiritually self-sufficent. It was a good way to start a week. We also found 11 new investigators, including a couple of families, that we are looking forward to helping them prepare.
 

So, we almost had someone get baptized this last week but he ran into some problems. He and his girlfriend were going to get married and then baptized, but then she didn't want to get baptized and started working at a local bar which makes her work during Church. He decided to end the relationship and kick her out. But, the problem is that she isn't from this country and she has literally no family here. She arrived here when she was less than a year old and was just left here. So, she literally has no one. So he decided that was too harsh. So now they are working on marriage again. But, she doesn't have her birth certificate and for the Cape Verdean Registry, you have to have that for an international marriage so she had to contact her aunt to try and get the document for her. Well, now they are waiting for documents. It is kind of a rough situation but he is only growing stronger. His name is J and he is 21 years old. He has such a strong testimony and has already gone out teaching with us like 20 times. It is literally because of him we are able to teach so many of the single women we are teaching. We are so grateful for him and his loyalty to his testimony.
 

So, to answer your questions about the slaughtering of animals.... The animals we mostly see slaughtered on the streets are cows and pigs. You can literally hear the pigs squealing in the morning. Then they shave them with a razor and cut them up to sell to people. Not the most sanitary way of selling meat but yeah... it is definitely memorable. I haven't eaten goat yet, mostly because, it hasn't ever been an option.
 

Tchão!

HElder Djoorf (my name in one of my investigator's phones)

 

 

Oi minha família e meus amigos!                                                  January 25, 2015

So, can I just say that it is crazy that the month of January is already almost over. It is weird because the end of the transfer falls on the 1st of Feb, and so in my head I was thinking that I still had forever with Elder Veitch. I still think I do, and boy do I hope, but I guess we shall see.
 

I am glad to hear that it was a such a good week for all of you. It was for us too as much happened, as it seems to always be on the 5th week of the transfer. First thing that happened, that actually was normal to the weekly craziness, was District Meeting. This week we talked about the Restoration a lot. As missionaries we learn that this message is literally for everyone on the earth. But the thing is, that is not always how people see that initially, and so we have been focusing more on the power of the First Vision, and how if we know that experience happened (through a testimony of the Book of Mormon), we will change our lives. It was one of my favorite trainings. We learned together about the many truths about Heavenly Father and Christ that were restored through that vision. I challenge you all to look at a picture of the Restoration, read Joseph Smith History, and come up with a list of restored truths that were lost from the world.
 

We also ended up doing kind of a different division with Ribeirão Manuel, in that Elder Veitch went with Elder Wallace in RM and Elder Gunther came here with me. It was a lot of fun because Elder Gunther is only one transfer younger than me so our teaching styles are a little bit more similar. It was a good division and the purposes of it were fulfilled. I am proud of the missionaries of the district.
 

So something else crazy happened this week. We are no longer part of the Praia Stake here in Calheta. The stake split into the Stake of Praia and the District of Assomada, which means that all the wards on this side of the islands are once again branches and all of the leaderships (branch presidencies) were reorganized. We still have the same Branch President, but we have a new 1st Counselor.  So, with the new focus on wanting the District to turn into a stake looks like there will be more missionary work to have to happen. Which is great, especially since we had more investigators go to the conference in Assomada than we have gotten to go to Church the whole rest of this transfer.

The work is going well and I am loving it as much as ever. People keep reminding me that I am getting older, and I just tell them to stop getting themselves trunky for how much time they have. Love you all and talk to you soon!

Tchão, com muito amor!

Elder Brent Dorff

Letters from 29 December 2014 and 5 January 2015

Minha família e meus amigos!                                                     December 29, 2014

Can you believe that it is the last Monday of 2014? Where did this year go? You realize that the year that I spend entirely out on the mission is almost over? The thought scares/excites/astonishes me. The other day I made the connection that after this next group of missionaries go home, it is me that is next. I still remember not knowing what was going on that first night in Praia before I went to Fogo.  Although my time here is shortening day by day, I still have plenty of time to make a difference here in Calheta and I'm working. This week was a good week even though it was a crazy one with Christmas and it's many "activities."

 

First of all, the preparations for this Christmas were absolutely crazy. As we were out proselyting, someone had hooked up some huge amps and was blasting an electric guitar redition of Silent Night. Needless to say, it wasn't silent. But I will admit that I liked it just because I don't get to enjoy 24/7 Christmas music on the radio. We also had a nice visit from President and Sister Mathews so that they could get to know Elder Veitch. They were on Sal for the Christmas party when he got here so he never got his welcome interview. It was fun to see them and, of course, great to talk to them about what is happening in this part of the mission.

 

Christmas Day! Besides the awesome time talking to the parents, the nieces, the nephews, the siblings, and the in-laws that I love so much (and also the random Cape Verdean kids that apparently wanted to talk to them too) we had a good day. The day started off normal enough, studying and all, and then we went to our investigator Guta's house where we shared a nice little Christmas message.  She then came out with cakes, pizza, Vinto (really good soda), and other things. It was like a little brunch on our way over to our lunch with Elder Wallace and Elder Gunther. There we ate mash potatos, fried chicken strips, bread (of course), gravy (thank you Elder Wallace's christmas package), and more Vinto and Pinapple Fanta. It was good and then I enjoyed, like I said, talking to my family and then going back home to teach. When we got back home, we contacted a lot of people that we had received from the super activity and also had the chance to share with some less actives the message of Christ. It was a good day, and I can say that my Christmas was more about Christ than it had been the Christmas before.

 

Guta's brunch

 

It was funny actually, because on the 26th, I actually felt fine about my family. I mean I wasn't trunky because of the phone call. It was, like Elder Veitch said, relaxing and encouraging. The rest of this week was full of a lot of work which honestly, we were very, VERY blessed to have had such a good end of the week. Because of 2 investigators (J and D) who both can't be baptized yet because of an external conflict (marriage and lack of permission), we were able to teach 6 lessons just to women. And I would say that a majority of them are excited and searching for the truth. Their contribution was incredible and we are so grateful. We hope though that this week, less members will go to Praia for stake meeting so that they can help build their branch :)

 

I know that Christ is my Savior and that this is His Gospel: to come unto the world to fulfill the will of the Father. I have been given the opportunity to live His Gospel and help others to accept it too.

 

I love you and I hope that you all have a good week. Please make decisions to start the year off good. I already have expectations for the year as it brings the greatest miracles of the mission and also entering the status of "RM". Oh, weird thought. Mom and Dad, don't get trunky!

 

 I told Elder Veitch that I loved this dog because he was super lazy and then he asked me if we could name him Veitch. So, here is a pic of Veitch with Elder Veitch

Oi minha família e meus amigos!                                        January 5, 2015

This last week was, of course, crazy with all the activities of New Years but HAPPY NEW YEARS to all of you! I think that I already freaked out enough to you all last week in terms to what this new year will bring, but let's just not think about that. Also, it blows my mind that McKell is already 12 years old. I mean the thought of that happening while I was out on my mission has passed through my mind before but actually hearing that she went to the temple, that blew my mind. I wonder if I will recognize any of the those kids that I once knew so well :)

 

Carrying spent crops on their heads to feed their animals

This week definitely was interesting in that we spent the first part of the week strengthening our members and investigators for the "activities" and then the second part of the week trying to find them again. Needless to say, it was a lot of work with a little less success but we still saw some great miracles. And also had some funny stories. We have this one investigator that understands what we say, except when we are reading from the scriptures. So this week, I decided to read with him 3 Nephi 13:31-33, which is about not worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear because the Lord will look after you, but rather search for the kingdom of God first. Well, when we said that, he  said, "Yes, we must trust in God. But if I don't eat or drink and only focus on God then eventually, like in 2 days, I will be too weak to even think about God." We then had a 20 minute discussion about what that scripture was actually trying to say. It was funny, because we had an investigator with us, (who is waiting to get married so he can be baptized (such a boss), even try to explain it to him. After we ended the visit, we were walking away and our investigator just looked at me and was like, "That was ridiculous." We just started laughing so hard. He is beginning to understand how stressful and funny missionary work is sometimes.

 

During our Christmas call, Brent mentioned how animals are slaughtered and hung up on poles. People then bring machetes and cut off what they want to buy for food. I asked him to send a picture of this. So he took a picture of this butcher's stand. He said it was late in the day so only the heads were left but yeah....you get the idea! Run little piggy, RUN!!

Elder Veitch is doing good these days. He almost has 3 weeks in the field and speaks already better than I did in like my 4-5 transfer. He teaches by the Spirit and we work well together. For New Years we went all out making french fries and enjoying lime jello (thank you Mom) and also a Dan Cake which is like a giant Ding Dong. It was a good missionary way to enjoy the New Year. 

Well, that I think is all for this week, I love you a lot and have a great first week back at/starting school!

Tchão!

Elder Brent Dorff :)

 

 

 

Letters dated December 8th, 15th and 22nd, 2014

Oi minha família e meus amigos!                                                       December 8th

This was a great week here in still hot Cape Verde (where are you December weather?) Actually in reality, this week we were blessed with like 2 days of rain. We didn't get too much here in Calheta but when we went to Assomada for P-day, it poured. It was probably the most difficult game of Basketball we have ever played. 

 

So, some of the highlights of the week included one of our members being such an awesome member missionary. He is our Branch Mission Leader and he only has 2 years as a member of the Church yet he is helping so much. His name is N and he is actually from Senegal (I have a feeling that more people have heard of that country than Cape Verde). He was one of the first members here in Calheta and we have seen such a change in him. This week he went out teaching with us like almost everyday and he has helped our investigators. In response to one investigator's concern about not having time (but more about how he just didn't want to wake up early for church), N said straight out, "THE BED IS POISON!" Also, he has done a lot to help us find new people to teach. He is fearless in sharing the Gospel and because of that 2 of the 3 investigators we had at Church were friends/references of his. And because there were 3 investigators at Church, the whole Branch is getting really excited and I feel like they are finally understanding how work and love brings people to church for the first time and also back to Church.

 

 

This week we also had a good Zone Meeting, which is just like a huge District Meeting but with the entire Zone. We received a really good training on the role of the Holy Ghost in conversion. We focused on what the investigator needs to feel (a desire), what the member that is teaching with us needs to feel (involved and helpful), and what do we need to feel (edified in our testimony). Because of that, we have been asked to focus more on making the Spirit the teacher and us just the mouth that he uses. It was a good training and we are already seeing and feeling the difference.

 

To answer a couple of questions that you all had, we go on divisions for training purposes. By going to other missionaries' areas we can see how they work with their investigators and help them according to their needs and concerns. It happens about once a transfer.

 

Cute baby goats by our house

 I have heard a lot about the volcano on Fogo but I haven't been directly affected by it. We have seen some ash wash up on the shores but that is it. They took all the Sister missionaries off of Fogo and for now all the Elders are still there although they have been moved around. In reality, they actually put in one more companionship in Mosteiros. I am thinking a lot about the members and people there though. Thus far, the only thing that has been destroyed is the town where all the coffee plantations are, interesting fate, huh?

 

Oh, one more funny thing. So we have an activity every Saturday night where we usually watch a church film or something. Well, we decided to teach a quick lesson as they started the activity and as we came out we realized that they were watching a movie about Christmas. So we sat down and started watching and the Spirit leaves immediately. It was a movie focused mainly on Mary and was super dark and graphic. We stopped the movie, went and discovered that it wasn't produced by the Church contrary to the belief of the members who had downloaded it. Turns out they had searched "lds christmas movie" on Youtube and this random video found it's way into the mix and because it was the most movie-like they just downloaded it. It was a good lesson for the members to question what they see on the internet. Thankfully, the Spirit can help you determine what is good, uplifting and true or not.

 

Elder McKissick goes home this week. He was my trainer.

Well, I love you all and have a good week! Only 16 days till Christmas!(not that I am counting or anything...)

Love the Christmas Tree Mom!

Tchão!

Elder Brent Dorff

 

Ola minha familia e meus amigos!                                                December 15th

Today I am emailing you from a different locale as I am in Assomada today! Why, you may be asking. Well you see I wasn't transferred but rather I am waiting for my new companion to arrive! Elder Conway was transferred to the island of Boa Vista to serve with Elder Paredes. They are going to do awesome work out there. And some of the best news is that I will stay here in Calheta, with the opportunity to train a brand new missionary! His name is a surprise, as in I don't want to type it on here and it be completely wrong but he is from Canada! All of my "sons" have been from different countries: Mozambique, Cape Verde, America, and now Canada. I am looking forward to Christmas with my new missionary!

 

So because of transfers, I am hanging out with Elder Wallace as his companion will arrive a little bit later also. My companion won't arrive until like Wednesday or Thursday, so we shall see what happens to my missionary work in Calheta. But as part of my P-day adventures, we ran into the ZLs and we went to see the famous big tree of Assomada. That is a HUGE tree. Like absolutely huge. I took many pictures, all of which I don't think I will send home but we shall see. 

 

 

This weeks secondary major project was to start the marriage process for a couple. She is from Guinea Bissau by birth but she was brought to Cape Verde by her parents when she was one and then left here. Since then, she lived with neighbors and then met her boyfriend. He definitely has a strong desire to be baptized, but is having a hard time keeping commitments to read (because he can't really read) and go to Church. She has been reading, hence she is excited to marry and be baptized, but because of her work situation, she can't go to Church. She also lost her birth certificate and has to request one from Guinea Bissau. We hoped to get them married before the end of the year, but we are having several difficulties. They are a great couple.

 

Okay, so I think I put this off long enough. Before Elder Conway transferred, we had a miracle. Three weeks ago, a lady named D came to Church by herself. Her son is a less active teenager and as the members came to invite him to Church they casually invited her to come as well. She did, and she felt the Spirit.  Within those 3 weeks, she prayed, she read, she changed as she learned the will of the Father. And she was baptized... After 6 months of this area not having a baptism, the Branch had this miracle. Why? Wasn't my teaching. It was because the members loved her. Because she understood that the Lord loved her. Because she came to understand that she could show her love for Him by following His commandments. She knew that He would help her. She recognized she would experience resistance. Her own father tried to stop her with lies. But no one could stop her because she knew the Church was true and that Christ was her Savior. This was one of the most meaningful baptisms for me, and I am grateful that I could share it with Elder Conway. She is going to be a source of so much good. She is proof that God is a God of Miracles. There are just more miracles to come.

 

N baptized D and we were the witnesses. This was the first baptism of the mission for Elder Conway

My last message for you all is to watch the video of christmas.mormon.org, or if you would like to see Portuguese, natal.mormon.org. He is the Present. Share it.

Talk you all next week! I love you all!

Tchao!

Elder Brent Dorff

 

 

Feliz Natal minha família e meus amigos!                                          December 22nd

Oh wow, this week appears to have been crazy for everyone (either that or completely normal for the time of year)! This week was incredible for many reasons. First, fun fact: I took 8 hiaces this week. I think that I am going to have to talk about the week again by day.

 

Monday-You already have a pretty good idea of what happened. Elder Conway got transferred and then I spent the whole day in Elder Wallace's area as we waited for our companions. 

 

Tuesday- His companion, Elder Gunther, finally arrives and I kidnap them both and we go back to Calheta to have an awesome work day there. We had one lesson, with a mother and daughter (G and I) who are super prepared and excited to learn. The only problem is that they have a lot of service projects planned these next 2 weeks so we will have to be smart in marking our visits with them.

 

Wednesday- Special training for the District and Zone Leaders. It was on helping missionaries adjust to missionary life and dealing with the stress that comes with it. It was a lot of fun because I didn't have a companion I just got put with the 2 ZL companionships for practices and discussions. Elder Jarvis, the one that I spent last Christmas with, is a ZL in Praia now. It was great to see him. Also the training was very good to prepare me to receive my new companion. Well, scratch that because he was supposed to get here on this day but they missed their flight! It wasn't their fault, but still! So it just helped me prepare for the Mission Christmas Party in Praia (my first time in 3 months being in that city). It was a lot of fun. Good food, good company, and also fun musical numbers that were given by each District. It was funny because for ours it was just Elder Wallace, Elder Gunther and I. It sounded pretty good though. Oh, and I finally met Elder Willes. Didn't get too much time to talk with him but it was fun to talk about you all. So after the party, we were super confused where I was going and then it ended up that I just went to RIbeirão Manuel's area again.

 

Mission Christmas Party

Thursday- I find out that I was supposed to stay in Praia to receive training about training missionaries. I guess nobody thought that I needed that because I definitely didn't know about it till later. But that's okay because after teaching in RM in the morning, we went to Calheta where all 15 missionaries in the Zone came to Calheta and street contacted, taught, and invited EVERYONE! Everyone was invited to participate in a Christmas Devocional for just Calheta where President Mathews came and spoke to the people about giving themselves as presents to the Lord. We got many referals from that visit and now we are trying to contact them all. Then we ran into a problem. I was told that my companion wasn't going to come until next Tuesday so I talked to the members and I talked to President and I got permission to have a Mini Missionary for the week. He is Elder Gonçalves, the first counselor in the Branch Presidency. He was super excited.

 

 

 

Friday- Elder Gonçalves and I work super hard to find people to teach and have a good time together. 

 

Saturday- Wake up expecting to do the same thing as yesterday but I get a phone call saying, "You need to get to Praia in an hour. Your new missionary got in at 2:30 in the morning and his orientation will be here in an hour and an half. So I kick out my Mini and take a Hiace to Praia alone where I meet the APs, who have my very tired companion in the car. They had told me before that I needed to pretend to be a new missionary too so that my companion wouldn't know that I was his trainer. So I did. It was funny. We get to orientation, it is revealed that I am his trainer and everything is super fun and crazy. I then take him home the long way, through Assomada and RM, so I can do the other Elders' baptismal interview, and then we finally touch down in Calheta so that I can teach with my companion. His name is Elder Veitch. He is from Prince Edward's Island, Canada and yes, he speaks English and French. He already speaks Portuguese super well too. I have a lot of confidence that we are going to do a lot of good work. He is the first companion that has been taller than me but we have the same shoe size. Can you believe it? We are already getting along very well. 

 

 

 

Sunday- We go to Church and I have the opportunity to give a talk about praying with faith. Then we teach some more solid lessons. 

 

This week was absolutely crazy but I loved it a lot. I am excited for Christmas but it hasn't even occurred to me that that is this week. If it had, I feel like I would have had everything a little bit more organized than I do right now. I would say expect the phone call around 7-8ish am, so like 2-3ish pm my time. I hope that I can Skype but honestly I have no idea what is going on. We might have to go to Assomada if we want to use Skype, and I don't know if we are allowed to yet... Such is life. I am going to get everything figured out tonight so keep your computers on and phones at the ready to receive my call and be awake!

 

Well, I love you all a ton. I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas (ou se você fala português, Feliz Natal)! I know that Christ is the reason for the Season and I am grateful for His sacrifice and the for the love of my Heavenly Father. He exists and wants to help us. I am so grateful for my opportunity to be the bearer of tidings of great joy!

Feliz Natal!

Elder Brent Dorff :)

 

 

 

 

 

Letters dated November 17th & 24th, December 1st, 2014---Working hard and the volcanic eruption in Fogo

Olá minha família e meus amigos!                                                        November 17, 2014

Well, it was another great, hot-ish, hardworking, crazy, but also calm, week. So, I will start off by wishing Carter a Happy Birthday! Already has 10 years of life (that phrase directly translated in Portuguese makes sense.) Hope it is a good day!

 

This last week we found some new people that have a lot of potential. We found them through our "Tarde de Obra Missionária" or our Missionary Afternoon. It is part of our Zone plan to do this activity at least 2 times a month so that we can get the members more involved in missionary work. What we did was, we took a whole pile of Liahona magazines and we practiced with members how they can share them with friends, family, even complete strangers. At first, everyone was nervous but after they practiced, everyone was laughing at the experience and they were excited to go out to give the Liahonas. Each member that went out came back with like 2-3 references of people who had interest in talking with us. It was a lot of fun, and like all Church activities, ended with cookies and juice. Now we are in the process of finding those who were willing to talk to us. 

 

This dog forgot to put on its pants before coming out to bark at us. How embarrassing...

 

We went to Assomada for a District Leader meeting and got some cool training. Also, today for P-day we went and played Ultimate Frisbee. I felt tired at the end of it but it was a lot of fun. 

Well, sorry that today is a shorter email. Next week I promise a longer email. Sounds good? Sweet. I love you a bunch and I hope that you have a great week!

Tchão!

Elder Brent Dorff

Olá minha família e meus amigos!                                                          November 24, 2014

Oh, what a week. It was a really good one as we had the chance to teach the most lessons with members (including 2 divisions with members) since I've been here in Calheta and also we had the 2nd counselor in the Stake Presidency come. He gave instruction of what needs to happen within the branch so that it can grow. Thanks to that spiritual push, and also our efforts to include more members participating in the Lord's work, we hope to see more miracles happen in peoples lives.
 

Speaking of miracles, we have been focusing a lot on the miracles of Jesus Christ as we have been visiting our less actives and investigators. It is interesting studying and understanding each miracle that was done. But I think that what I have gotten most out of my studies is the fact that, our Heavenly Father knows what we need. And he will perform miracles in our lives if we search after Him and build and show our faith in his Gospel. It occured to me during one of our lessons with a family that people can say that they have "faith in God" but not believe that he performs miracles. Our faith in God should give us confidence that He is the same yesterday, today and forever meaning that he would have to continue in helping his children. Although sometimes it seems like He holds off in giving the promised blessings, He hears the prayers, He sees our efforts, and He will reward us and help us in everything that we are doing. We just have to believe. We have to have that hope that He will answer. That hope is just an anchor to the soul. Thank you, Moroni and President Uchtdorf, for that constant reminder.
 

This last week was also Zone Conference. It was really good as we learned a lot about finding people, rescuing the less active, and changing the relationships between the Branch and the missionaries. But the main focus of the Conference was on the idea of Consecration. Consecrating our thoughts, actions, time, and decisions to the Lord's errand. I feel like I learned a lot about how deciding to give our will to the Lord. This was a topic that I feel like I studied a bunch while I was in the Office but it was a great opportunity for me to rededicate to the work. I love this work and the fact that things aren't easy just means that I still have something more to learn. I am searching for that important life lesson.
 

Well, I feel like it is time for me to remember the time and season and mention what I like from Church yesterday. Our Relief Society President gave a great talk about gratitude and how we have to plant the seed of gratitude in our hearts. I am really happy to be here. I don't just mean in Cape Verde, but even for my life in this world. I am grateful for the love that my Heavenly Father has given me. I know that it is real. I can also see it through my family. My mom and dad, my brother and sisters and their spouses, my nieces and nephews, my friends, the members of the Church here in Cape Verde, recent converts. There is so much to be grateful for! I will definitely take the time to write a longer list in my journal. Can you believe that I have actually kept up in writing in that book, or should I say books?

Dramatic footage shows the eruption of the Pico do Fogo volcano on the Cape Verde island of Fogo.
Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from their homes and the local airport has been closed.

Its funny that Brent hasn't mentioned this in his letters but Fogo was the first island he served on.

Well, Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your Black Friday shopping for the DVD player that does a lazer lights show (but in reality you don't really need :)! Until next week! Love you!

Elder Brent Dorff

 

                                                                                                                November 30,2014

Oh my gosh it is December! Where did 2014 go!? Minha família e meus amigos, por favor me ajudam saber o que está acontecer!
 

This last week was awesome and so many things happened. Dad, you can say that the week was lived in color. I think that I had something crazy going on every single day this week so I think it might be easiest to write this email like this:
 

Monday, after I wrote all you lovely people we had a Noite Familiar in which we did Batuke (pronouced Bah-took), which means our Branch President Carlos (who used to be the drummer of a popular band) gave us a beat on his African drum and to that beat we sang our favorite hymns. Since I knew what hymns they know how to sing, I ended up singing "Minha Alma Tem a Luz", which is "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today." It was awesome and I was all smiles during the activity. Elder Conway has a video of it and I am going to steal it.
 

Tuesday, we had District Meeting where I was able to give a training based off of the story of when Christ calls Peter to be a fisherman of men. It was a really good practice and we all learned a lot about helping people accept commitments to live the commandments so that they can show their love for God. It is like how John says in John 14:15. Afterward, Elder Conway went to Assomada and I stayed here with my Zone Leader Elder Nymeyer. We had a really good day and found many people to teach. We also had some... "more interesting lessons" including someone who in the first moments was acting normal but quickly turned into a very drunk man. It was interesting but nevertheless, I enjoyed my time with him and I learned a few things.
 

Wednesday, we switched back and then Elder Conway and I taught a bunch of great lessons.
 

Carmel Apple Thanksgiving

 

Thursday, Thanksgiving. So my lunch was actually kind of lame but my dinner was a bunch of mashed potatoes and also carmel apples. That was a good missionary package idea. :)
 

Friday, I leave to go on division in Ribeirão Manuel. Their area is so different than Calheta in that there is no beach, super high attitude, and also everything is very spread out. It was a lot of fun and it was nice to be able to help them out a little in their area.
 

Ribeirão Manuel - on the way to a lesson

Saturday, we come back together and we teach more.
 

Sunday, we have 22 people at Church! The highest attendence that we have had in a long while. It was also great because we had an investigator there and now she is preparing for baptism. Also, at Church, we had our High Counselor, the President of Stake Missionary Work, and also the first Elder that worked in Calheta and also my best friend from Praia, Evandro Fonseca. It was fun to catch up with him but also it was just fun to have the fire of missionary work be set all over the place with the reorganization of the Branch Council and also with everyone doing Home Teaching.
 

This week was awesome and I am so grateful for the blessings that we are having. I feel like the Branch is starting to pick itself up a little bit and I hope that we can use the Spirit of Christmas can strengthen this wave of work.
 

Dad, the Christmas village looks just as good as it always does and the beach looks just as nice. You better believe that when I get home we will be taking those kayaks out. But to be honest, everyday is a realization of how fast really the mission is going and I don't like it. I am going to enjoy it as long as I can. Well, I think that I am going to let you go. Enjoy the photos and I love you!

Tchão!

Elder Brent Dorff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 weeks of letters--Bad, bad mom...not keeping up!

Oi minha família e meus amigos!                                     November 10, 2014

This was another nice week here in the sunny, hot but finally getting-a-little-cooler, Calheta. Well, first news first. Another transfer wave has passed by and both Elder Conway and I are staying for one more transfer which is great because we still have a lot to accomplish before we leave this place. So, I start transfer 13. It is weird, because literally tomorrow, the sister missionaries that were in the MTC with me are going home to their families. It is such a weird thought, mostly because it reminds me that I am in my last 6 months. Already 75% of my mission has passed by. Where did it go!

 

This week was kind of interesting in that we found a couple of really promising families. Literally, one lady stopped us as we were passing by and asked us why we had never stopped to talk to her and her family. So needless to say, we did then and there. They are a good family. The parents have 13 years together married and 4 smart kids. We need to help the whole famliy participate more but we believe that they are feeling the Spirit, especially as some of them are already praying and reading in the scriptures.

 

Yesterday was also Stake Conference. Because we are on the other side of the island, they thought it was a better idea to broadcast it over the Internet to us, instead of going and watching it there in Praia. It was a great idea, until we missed like 20 minutes due to technical problems. Such is life :)

 

This week we also got talked to by our Zone Leaders about the focuses of the month. It turned out to probably be my last time to see Elder Paredes here on the mission, seeing that he only has 3 months left and was just transfered to Boa Vista. It was a good idea that we took a "family photo" (with Elder McKissick, my mission "dad", Elder Paredes, my mission "step-dad", and Elder Conway, my mission "step-son." Sadly Elder Gonçalves and Elder Conduanhe weren't there). But the nice thing is that we will all be in Utah after the mission, so there is no doubt that we will see each other again. 

Besides that, life is pretty normal.

 

 

This week we are going to work a lot on strengthening the faith of the members of the branch and from there, hopefully gain their help in strengthening the faith of our investigators. Members are so key to having success in missionary work. Honestly, without that support, it is possible to baptize people but it is much easier for people to overcome doubts or fears with the help of a friend. Isn't that just kind of a life principle?

 

 

I love you all and I hope that you have a great week. Dad I am glad to hear that you made it back home safe! Talk to you soon!

Tchão!

Elder Dorff

Oi minha família e meus amigos!                                        November 3, 2014

November! Can you believe that literally I have been on this island for a year? It was literally last week, a year ago, that I transferred from Fogo to Praia. I didn't even realize that until just now. Crazy.

 

It looks like it was a fun week for the pirates, gorillas, golfers, mermaids, hunters, cowboys, vampires, Supermans, witches, and Indiana Jones-es. I bet everyone was full of candy and hopefully not all the candy has already been eaten. Sadly, Cape Verdeans haven't  seen the glory of Halloween so there wasn't really any celebrations that way. But of course, November 1st is All Saint's Day so because of that there were a lot of parties and activities that night. In fact, there was an all night party with blasting music right outside our house. It was just funny. Normally, because of the time of year, the 1st is also the annual day to eat corn, but because of a lack of rain, it looks like we will have to wait till December. It is starting to cool off though. Yes!

 

Hey, Mark and Cami, I still, if possible, would like a photo of your families in front of the Temple. Mostly because the pictures I have of your families are super outdated. Actually, Evaly yours too is outdated.

 

This week was a great week as the work here in Calheta is going along. It was a pretty normal week teaching wise, except with the fact that we had some interesting things happen. We were stopped many times by people asking to teach them a little bit about the Church and why it exists. I love that when that happens because you already know they are willing to learn. We had some of the best lessons that we have had together this last week and I can say that one of them was one of my favorites of the mission.

 

I like Elder Conway.This last week was week 11 of his training which means that he was Senior Companion for the week and was incharge of planning and teaching. It was awesome. He did a great job and I am perfectly confident that he would be able to train a new missionary if he has the opportunity. Since being with him, I have learned a bunch about Wrestling (did you know that was a sport? Kiddin') since he was a big time wrestler there in AZ. He is 2 years younger than me, which is weird because the last time I trained someone, he was 6 years older than me. The conversations we have are random, about anything and everything and he is just funny. He likes to laugh which is great. Neither one of us wants to leave Calheta next week. We hope that we can stay together so we can help the great people we taught this last week prepare for baptism.

 

One of the  locals

 

Well, I love you lots and take care. I guess we shall see what happens next week, if there is a change or not. Te amo!

Tchão

 

 Elder Brent Dorff

Oi minha família e meus amigos!                                             October 27, 2014

So just so you know that I will still be taking my P-days on Monday, I am writing today. In reality, what happened last week was a freak accident because the manager of the Internet Café had a death in the family, so it was closed until later in the day. Such is life here in Cape Verde. Reality is, since last Monday, we've known someone who has died every single day this last week!!! (I think today we have broken the record). Because of that, our message about the Plan of Salvation has touched and helped console some broken hearts. Hopefully, they will understand their part in this plan.

 

There were other reasons why I was abnormally late writing home this week. On Tuesday, I went on a division with the Zone Leaders, and I went off to the literal interior of the island to a city called Assomada. There I was reunited with an old companion of mine, Elder Paredes and we spent the whole day teaching his investigators and remembering our time in Mosteiros. We also had some time to talk a little about our current plans and work in Calheta. It was fun to teach with him. It felt like I was in my 2 or 3 transfer again, except now I know the language and how to teach and how to help people find answers to their doubts. The next day, we switched back and went hard at work so it didn't work out to email.

 

Then on Thursday, we went to do District Meeting in the other Elder's chapel, which meant that there was no time to Internet that day and then that left us with Friday, in which I almost didn't get to email again but I squeezed in 20 minutes to send out something short. But I really enjoyed doing email in the middle of the week, it was kind of fun.

 

So, the work here in Calheta is going well. We have found some really cool new people who are now preparing for baptism. At the same time the Branch is realizing that if they want to grow, its going to take a lot of work on everyone's part, so Home Teaching and teaching with the missionaries are growing to become the focuses of the Branch. Hopefully that will mean that the number of progressing investigators will increase here soon.

 

 

Branch President's son playing on his
Daddy' drumset

 

Speaking of hope, Elder Conway found a really good talk about hope by President Uchtdorf (which by the way, everyone here thinks that we are cousins). One thing that I liked that he said was "even in the worst of times, to move forward and put faith and hope into acction, not just worrying or wishful thinking,...and have confidence that present circumstances will give way to future blessings." I firmly believe that is true, and because of that I am working on developing this Christ like attribute even further. Thanks for all the love and prayers you send me and my companion and in behalf of our investigators. Just one more thing, right now Cape Verde hasn't had rain to support the corn crops, which is a major problem because that is what a lot of people live off of financially. Just keep them in your prayers. Thanks. Well , love you all! Safe travels, good luck with school, and talk to you soon!

Tchão!

Elder Brent Dorff

 

 

Letters dated 6 October and 13 October 2014

Oi minha família e meus amigos!                                                           October 6, 2014

This week was a roller coaster as I got back into the swing of normal missionary life. So many different things happened this last week so I will try to mention all the things that happened. First to answer a couple of questions, my area, Calheta, is literally 1 minute from the beach. It's called "interior" because it is part of the Assomada Zone (which the city of Assomada really is in the middle of the island). Really it is just northern Santiago, but it is great! I feel like I have already learned a lot here. About this area, it used to be two areas but because of a shortage of missionaries, President had to combine them into one area so part of it Elder Conway knows pretty well, the other, is whitewash. It is has been fun trying to find the other Elder's investigators. We have enlisted some of the members to help up us. Because of that, we are making good relationships with them. I think that I have already met every active member of the ward. Now, I just need to find the rest of them.

 

 

This last week we had Zone Meeting in Assomada. Assomada is a lot like Praia, except it is green, less crowded, and really cool (temperature-wise). We had a good meeting where it was decided that we were going to focus this month on helping people to pray sincerely and to understand the principle of enduring to the end. That is supposed to be the big focus in our District Meetings. Looks like I will be studying that a lot in my studies. More on that on a later day. 

 

After Zone Meeting, I went to Ribeirão Manuel (the other area in my District) where I stayed the night and did their baptismal interview. I got to spend the whole day with Elder Wallace who came in at the same time as Elder Conway. He is doing well with learning the language and how to teach. He really is working hard. Their area was fun to walk through because of all the corn fields we walked through to get from house to house. They have the same situation as us though because there used to be two districts there too but they were reduced to one also. Looks like we are all learning how to work our large areas. 

 

 

I returned from my division, on Saturday morning and at 3 we started watching Conference. We got to watch all 5 sessions, 4 of them live (sorry I didn't feel like watching the Priesthood seesion at 11 at night). It really was a great conference. I liked so many of the talks and I took so many notes about how we can strengthen the Branch, District, Companionship, and just myself. I am excited to apply them now. I would write some things that I learned specifically but I forgot my notes (and camera) at home. But I will tell you how I felt. I felt like every talk given was given at just the right time. We have 2 investigators that are progressing very well and they both went to 3 of the 5 sessions. They heard so many talks about acting with faith and receiving personal revelation about Joseph Smith. And then with Elder Bednar's talk, it was like he was talking straight to L. I am so grateful for our inspired prophets and leaders! I felt the Spirit so strong as I heard Carlos Godoy speak from the pulpit in Portuguese. I feel like whenever I talk about the Gospel, it will have to be in the language of Portuguese because honestly I receive personal revelation more in Portuguese than I do English these days. 

 

 

Today, President Mathews and Sister Mathews came out to Calheta for interviews and a house inspection. It went well. I learned a lot about some things that I can change to be better and also I feel more excited to give my training tomorrow in District Meeting. The work in Calheta is unique, but amazing!

 

Thank you all for the photos this week. I felt super happy looking at those nieces and nephews of mine. Oh Mom, you should know that my package go to me on the other side of the island by the 3rd of October. I am almost 100% sure that it was because of the tracking, but now I have a problem. Do I wait till Christmas or open it now? I feel like Christmas is a long time still. No promises... But thank you for the shirts (they were needed) and cereal (so good) and everything else! I haven't opened the calendar yet but I see the first few dates on it and a big picture of Mckell's face, so I know that I am already going to love it.

 Wel,l I love you all a ton and I hope that you know that I am doing great! Don't worry to much about me because I know that Lord's hand is over me and Elder Conway and that we are just going to do so much work here!

 

 

 

Oi minha família e meus amigos!                                                              October 13, 2014

Ah, what a week. It was a great week and I am grateful for all the work that Elder Conway and I were able to do. It sounds like it was a fun week of traveling and being with friends.

 

 

This last week I had two more chances to go to the other Elder's area, Ribeirão Manuel. The first was on Tuesday because he had our District Meeting there. Because there was only 4 of us (2 duplas), everyone had a pretty active role in participating (no room to hide :P). We learned a lot about the importance of being diligent in our work, especially during those hard times and also about how the Lord's desire that we develop faith, hope and charity are vital to our calls as missionaries. The other reason was because I had another interview to do for the Elder's there. I had a really neat experience with him. His name is W and he is from the small island country of São Tomé. Now if you didn't know where Cape Verde was when I got my call, you really wouldn't know where this place is (I bet you will all look it up on Google).

 

While I was in Achada Grande, I almost baptized someone from São Tomé but he moved to a different part of Praia before he was baptized. A couple of months ago, he had moved back to São Tomé. Well ironically, W heard of the Church because of this man that I had taught. He was also taught in Praia but to try finding work, he went interior. And here I was, doing his interview. At the end of the interview, I asked him if he had any questions, and he said that he did. He lowered his head and he asked me if the Church was in São Tomé. I told him that it wasn't and I felt compelled to share Mosiah 3:20 with him, showing him the Lord's promise that the knowledge of the Savior and his Gospel will go to every nation, tribe, and people. I told him that although I didn't know when, I was confident that the Church would enter and fill São Tomé. His smile was big and we ended with a prayer. It was really cool.

 

We spent a lot of our time this week trying to start getting some really good people progressing. We had a big list of people that we have taught maybe once or twice, but we talked it all out and narrowed that list down to those who are really looking for an answer if this Gospel is true. We are excited to see the work progress here and we know that it will grow here. 

 

So this last week, we listened to all of General Conference again in English this time and I just wanted to share just some thoughts that I had ironically from Elder Godoy (one of the ones not given in English). I have to say that it was one of my favorites of the Conference. Mostly, I just liked the idea of how we need to think of what our end goal or desire is and determine what is the best series of decisions (not necessarily the easiest) to help us arrive there. I feel like that is the mentality that I need to have here in Calheta. This area has a lot of potential. It won't be easy but I am willing and excited to put forth the work and effort to help this place become a strong branch in Zion.

So let the work begin :)

 

I love you all and I hope that this week is a great week! Safe travels and do well on your exams! 

Tchão!

Elder Brent Dorff :)