Well, my ride here in Chamanculo with Elder Van Orden is coming to an end. I will be heading over to Mahotas to be a zone leader for Maputo. It's actually way sad to be leaving Elder Van Orden. He taught me a lot about diligence and obedience. Now I will be serving with Elder Draney (whose old bishop was Bishop Thornton, my brother hahaha) in the same ward as my best friends out here, Elder Flitton and Cordy which will be awesome.

But some awesome things that happened this week, Baptisms!!! We were able to baptize Serafim and Mayra, Serafim with 40 years and Mayra with 19. Both are incredible converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and bore strong testimony of the Book of Mormon in their process of conversion.

The thing that hit me the most is the testimony that Serafim has of the Priesthood. Elder Van Orden gave him a priesthood blessing that cured him and gave him the strength to be baptized this week. He spoke of the power that he felt and how he knew that it was the same power that had been used by Moses, Jesus Christ and His apostles. Also the day before we did a reading with him in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 18:11 that talks about when Alma was teaching the people secretly and explained that if the people were ready to take upon the name of Christ and serve their fellow men that nothing should keep them from being baptized. Then Alma asks if this isn't the desire of their hearts. Then the people respond by clapping and shouting that "This is the desire of our hearts!!!" hahaha so when we were walking to go the baptismal font in the chapel, Serafim grabbed me and cracked this super big smile and raised both his hands in the air and whispered to me "This is the desire of our hearts!" Hahaha I love him so much. His story has helped me grow in so many ways.

Also this week, a neighbor of Serafim came to church, his name is Filamao. We gave him the book of mormon this week and today he is finishing with Mosiah. He also already read all of the talks from the last general conference and said that he felt strongly that Russell M Nelson is a prophet of God. His testimony of the Book of Mormon is growing every day and frequently talks of the calming influence that it has in his life. I have found and felt lately the power that the Book of Mormon has in our lives. It's incredible that as people sincerely read and look for answers they find feelings and peace that they haven't ever felt before. I love the Book of mormon and  have discovered for myself that it is true. I know that we have a living prophet here on earth and that he is guiding us in the right direction. Hope everyone has a great week and I will write y'all next time!

-Love Elder Thornton

P.S. Yeah still havent seen conference but, next week.

Featured people, Luis-Recent convert, Calvino, Recent convert, Serafim, Filimao and mayra and other baptisms.   Also Abel, 19 years old who will be baptized here in a couple of weeks, we have been teaching him for the whole transfer haha (Your guess is as good as mine as to who is who - Daryl;)

Jonny and Abel

Jonny, ?, Mayra, ?, Serafim, ?, Elder Van Orden

 Serafim, Luis, Jonny, Calvino, and Filimao (Not sure if I have in right order)

 Jonny, Mayra, Serafim and Elder Van Orden