Departing Words: "Be a Lighthouse"

The following e-mail was received today, September 10, 2012:

Well, this is it. The last e-mail I'll be sending out before I go home. It´s been a great experience here. I´ve gone through a lot of tough things, but I have seen the miracles of God. He really does love all of His children....although it is hard for us, including me, to love all. 

One of the most important things I learned here was that I learned more about Christ. I understand much more of what He went through, and why it was and is important. I feel that I have grown closer to the Savior. 

Also, I learned that the small and simple things that count. An experience [with that] happened earlier this week. The mission [had the] zone leaders here in the office. They talked about some things that they were going to do to help the mission grow. When it ended, one of the missionaries came up to me and said that he found out that I was going home. He showed me something that I was least expecting. He grabbed his name tag from his shirt, and glued to the back was a boy scout patch that I gave to him over a year ago. At this time, we were both juniors and we were having a division. He was having problems with his comp and was really down. I left him a scripture and gave him this small patch that says, "be a lighthouse". He was happy about it. I totally forgot about that experience until he showed me the patch again. It was something that really helped him out. I was touched by that experience. Now he is a zone leader, and he really is a lighthouse to the other missionaries. Little and simple things make a difference, even when we don´t think about it. 

If I could give anyone any advice it would simply be that. Be a lighthouse. Our Savior is the greatest light of all, and we have the gift to show His light to others.

Until next week.

With love,
Elder Castagno

2nd to Last Week in Brazil

The following e-mail was received on Monday Sept. 5th, 2012:

Well, this is my second to last P-day here. Not too much to update on. I received my flight plan. I´ll be leaving here on the 17th and will be in SLC on the 18th at 11:30. Pretty crazy. 

This week we had zone conference. I just helped out the secretaries with what they needed. The office is nothing too exciting. Mostly just papework and such. I´ve been working on my bags too....trying to get rid of some stuff. 

At zone conference, it was good to see some of my old comps. Took some pictures with them and then last goodbyes. Well, that´s about it for now.

With love,

Elder Castagno

Elder Castagno and his companion are proudly featured on Google Maps.

Hospitalized Again! Need to Return Home.

The following e-mail was received today:

Well, I couldn´t get through a normal day without having problems. First day on the job, everything was looking great. My comp is awesome, and the area had great hope. Later in the day I felt a sharp pain in my chest--the same pain that led to surgery the last time, and led to surgery again. Through a long and difficult process, I went to the hospital and the surgery was done. Stayed there for a while and got released yesterday. 

At the moment I´m staying at the office again, and this time I´ll be going home. They haven´t determined the exact date, but it will be in a few weeks. I´ll be looked at by the doctors back home to try and figure what is up with me. The Lord has other plans for me at the moment. 

I´m happy that I was able to help all that I did here...and also I learned so much during this time. I learned that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we don´t know why until later...and a lot of times it can be a blessing in disguise. I´ll be happy to see you all again.

Until then,

Elder Castagno

Elder Castagno will be returning home to receive medical care.

New Area--First Time Out of Fortaleza!

The following e-mail was received on 8/20/12:

Well, transfers happened, and what do ya know? I got transferred. I was hoping too be transferred though, so that´s good. Montese was good...but it´s pretty burnt out. There wasn´t much left to do. 

Now I'm in area Rio/Pacatuba. Kinda far from the city. Our area is a small city in itself. Should be interesting. First time I've been out of Fortaleza. My companion is Elder Bott. From Utah! Yeah! It´ll be good having an American comp again. 

Probably the biggest thing I learned in my last area was patience. I had to have a lot of patience with people. My investigators, my companion, and with the area itself. Also, I learned about prayer. Prayer really is powerful. When you ask a sincere prayer, the Lord is ready to respond and help. It´s interesting. 

Well, I´m excited to start off in a new area. It´ll give me some animation [excitement]. Everything else is good here. Hope to have some good stories to share with you these next weeks. Until then.

Elder Castagno

Downtown Pacatuba

A Talent Show & a Baptism

The following e-mail was received today:

Well, the last two weeks have gone by pretty fast. We´ve been busy with some activities, and this last Saturday we had a baptism! Yes! We´ve been working with this person for a long time, so it was a relief to finally see the work paid off. 

We had a huge activity that involved three wards last Friday. It was a talent show/ ice cream thing. I played a couple songs with some of the other elders. One elder had a harmonica, so we jammed some good old American blues on the stage. Yes. Show these Brazilians what´s up. It was a good experience. We had many investigators there too, so it was a success. 

Next week is transfers, so I´m sure that there will be a few changes. Other than that, not too much is new. Lately it´s been a little difficult in the area. Almost feel like no one wants anything....but someone always seems to show up. 

Have a great week,

Elder Castagno

Mission Payoffs: Baptisms...and Brownies. Bonus!

The following e-mail was received yesterday, 7/30/12:

Elder Castagno deserves a high five.

Finally after a long while of work, prayer, and sacrifice, we had a family baptized: Paulo and Rosileni. They went through a huge change within these last months. Saturday they were baptized and now the whole family is happily in the church. They have a goal to go to the temple in the next year. All of the work really paid off, and it's [been] great to see all of these miracles happen to this family. I don´t know if they can see it as clearly as we can, but truly miracles happened before their eyes. This is when the mission really pays off. Yes, it´s extremely difficult at times....but seeing people step out of the lives they lived is great. 


And it starts all over again....this week we´ll be busy trying to look for more people to help out. We made some goals with the ward this week, so within the next few months the ward should be even stronger. 





This week a member made brownies for dessert! Bonus! It´s been a long long time since I've had them. It even tasted like it was from home. 




Hope that all is well. I know that it´s hot over there....but remember...you have air conditioning! 

Love you all, 

Elder Castagno

The Lord Will Provide Who He Will Provide

The following e-mail was received Monday July 23, 2012:

This week was actually pretty good. We were able to finally find some solid people to work with. I´ve noticed lately though that it´s not just me that has problems finding people...but just about everyone....actually others even have it worse. Just depends on the situation and on our attitude really. The Lord will provide who He will provide and when they are ready. The mission really has nothing to do with us baptizing, but with us growing as a person. Or let me rephrase that. As we try and help others and do our best, the Lord in turn teaches us. And the the less stress, we have even better. There is no use stessing over...well, anything. Things have been much easier for me as I´ve learned that. And we have had success. 


This week we will help a couple get married and then join the church. We´ve been working with them for a long time, and boy have they changed. The family was broken and now they are strong, happy, and even their house is clean every time we go there. It truly is a miracle. People changing their lives through faith. Through simple things and through time. Well, I hope to have good news for next week. Until then.

Some Success After a Long Time

The following e-mail was received Tuesday July 16, 2012:


Finally we had some success after a long time. At the end of this week, we had the baptism of "E." Even better was that his parents came to church! His dad left in an angry mood after the first class, because he wanted someone to make lunch.....but other than that, it was great. We had two complete families there! One family is getting married next week, and they want to join the church! We´ve been working with them for a while. With patience everything works out. 

Most important thing that I learned this week is that if you want something to happen, then you have to forget about everything else and go after it. Many things could have stopped this baptism and his family coming to church.....but we kept on top of it and it worked out. We have a small...but good group of people we are working with. Things will go right. 


Other than that my wound has healed up....and that´s about it. Have a great week!

Elder Castagno

What Missionary Work Really Means

The following e-mail was received on Monday July 9, 2012:

Well another transfer gone...and another one beginning. This week we had some success. Unfortunately, our baptisms fell through....but this week should work out. Nothing new this transfer. I´ll be staying here with my comp. Should be interesting. 

This week we've been talking to this kid that has been coming to church. We talked to his parents here and there but they didn't want anything. One day we went over there and his dad was drunk. His mom was crying and freaking out that she was sick with a bone problem and that her husband was just drunk...and the kid, "E", was crying. It was a pretty crazy situation and I wanted to leave....but that´s not what Christ would have done. I calmed down the mom and my comp talked to the dad. Then I talked to "E" and made him feel happier. I felt so bad for the kid. He was traumatized by everything. The mom said she was going to go to church to talk to the members to have some type of help. They could see that we weren't just there to try and add them to the church...but there to help. At the end everyone calmed down and we left.

We've been working with the members to get them to help out. It´s something that the ward really needs at the moment. Someone to help so they can be more united. I really learned what being a missionary meant after that. Has nothing to do with numbers or baptisms--but helping those that can´t help themselves at the moment, and showing them what they could have: the true love of Christ.

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AND NOW FOR MORE SURGERY PHOTOS...

 

Back to the Grind--Meanwhile...the Town Parties

The following e-mail was received on Monday July 2, 2012:

First week back in the grind. Not gonna lie--it´s a little tough getting back into the system of a missionary after being out for a while. But little by little, I'm getting there. 

We had a good amount of work to do these last days. We've been working with some inactive members, and some of them are starting to come back to church. Also, we started a marriage [process] for Paulo and Rosileni. A while back they didn't want anything to do with us...but now they are going to church and are on their way to baptism! Hopefully we should have some success by the end of this week. We've been working with a few people that have been going to church and hopefully we can have a baptism. 

This week has been a huge party week for Fortaleza. A holiday again that has turned into way longer than it needs to be: São João. Out of all the holidays here....this is probably the one that really gets on my nerves. The last few nights there have been tons of people and a band playing music out in the street close to our house. The microphones are about as loud as they can get.....and they go until three in the morning! It´s ridiculous! Can´t even sleep at night, but oh well. It´ll be over soon. 


Well this end of the week is transfers, so we´ll see what happens. 

Until then,
Elder Castagno

Regaining Strength & Ready to March Ahead

The following e-mail was received Monday June, 25 2012:

Well this week I stayed in the office with the secretaries of the mission. It´s been a good week with them. I've been able to regain my strength and learn about the mission. It has also helped out my faith with the work here; I feel like I'm ready to go back out and do even better than before. Tomorrow I go back to my area. 

Earlier this week we had a rare opportunity to have lunch with [the] president [of the mission]. This never happens. It was just me, my comp, president, and his wife. 

During the week, I spent my time in the office studying and helping the other elders with random tasks in the office. At night, we´d go out to teach a few lessons. Their area is really rich...but surprisingly, they have a bunch of people to teach. I learned a lot from them. 

These last few weeks have been crazy....and I'll be happy to be back in my area being a normal missionary. 

Glad to be out of the hospital.

Until then,

Elder Castagno

Hospitalizion: "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger."

The following e-mail was received today:

There´s not a better way to celebrate your one year mark than in the hospital! I´m sure you all know the scare I had earlier this week. I got a thing called pneumothorax [A.K.A. collapsed lung]. It´s when you have a small hole in your lung where air escapes. This makes your lung unglue from your chest and can be very dangerous--as in my case it was. They had to put a tube in me and keep me in the hospital for a few days. Luckily everything worked out and now I´m just resting for a little bit. Soon enough I´ll be able to continue the work. For sure it was one of the biggest scares I went through in my life. Going through surgery out here without anyone I know. One of the Elders was with me, who really helped me out a bunch. But there is nothing like family. I had to really rely on the Lord--there was no other way. I felt that I really grew closer to the Lord from this. Although it sucked. "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger"...it´s true. 

This week I´ll be staying here at the mission home until I'm good enough to go back to my area. 

 Elder Castagno suffered through the process without anesthesia.

Feeling much better. His dad & step mom flew in to lend support during recovery.

Until then,
Elder Castagno

"Being Sick is No Fun..."

The following e-mail was received today:

He is one sick puppy.

Being sick is no fun on the mission. Being stuck inside for days without nothing to do is tough. I had to spend most of my time just laying in my hammock taking drugs. Towards the end of the week, I started feeling better. The cough is basically gone, but not all. I´m going back to the doctors to have another check up. But all should be well. 

Towards the end of the week I started going back out at night just so I could talk to some of our important investigators. There is a man named Paulo that we are trying to help out at the moment. He is willing to be married to the woman he lives with...and he wants to be baptized. It´s just that she doesn't see things the same way. Of course they've being living together for over twenty years, but she still has her doubts. It´s tough, but we really are trying to help them out. There always seems to be a problem. But that´s just the way it is. 

Sunday was the dedication of the Manaus Temple. Going to church was basically like going to the temple. It was awesome; I could really feel a different spirit in there. It makes me miss the temple a whole bunch, and it showed me the huge sacrifices all these people have to [make] to go to the temple. It´s a huge blessing to have so many [temples] right next door in Utah. 

Hopefully I'll have more success this week. Until next time.

Elder Castagno

Success Right Out of the Gate...and then Bronchitis

The following e-mail was received on Monday June 4, 2012:

Well, it's my first week here in Montese, and it has started off good...and bad. We have a good group of people we are working with at the moment--all families--and this week we helped a couple get married and then baptized: Leonardo and Gardenia. Leonardo was already a member but fell away a while ago. The missionaries have been working with him to reactivate him, and in the process his wife was taught and felt that this was all true. 

So the bad part of this week is that I have a bad case of bronchitis. I went to the doctor's [office] for a cough, and they did an x-ray and blood work. So I´m out of the game for the next week. I have to stay home and take a bunch of medications. So the next e-mail will probably not be too exciting. Maybe I'll do a deep study about something and let you know what I learned. 

Half of this journey is complete.

We´re in June! I've made it to my year mark. It is pretty nuts. I've learned so much up to this point....and for sure still have much to go in the next year. Thanks to all for all of your support, letters, messages, pictures, everything. It really helps. I truly am grateful for all of my friends and family. Hope you all have a better week than I will!

Elder Castagno

Year One: At a Glimpse

As of June 2012, Elder Castagno has been on his mission for one year! This video is a tribute to the first half of his journey.

New Area--and a Bolivian Companion!

The following e-mail was received on Monday 5/28/2012:

 Another transfer done, and another has begun. Again many changes have happened. Because of a large decrease of missionaries in this mission, the mission president had to join a few areas together. Mine was effected. So of course, me and my comp had to be changed to different areas. I´m now in the area of Montese. I've heard some pretty good things about [it], so I am hoping for the best. 

 Also my new companion is from Bolivia! So I guess i´ll be learning some Spanish while I'm out here. He is pretty new. Just got out of training. 

It was a little sad though leaving Tancredo Neves. Sure the work was hard, but we did make some good friends there. And we were helping some really special people--one that we were helping get married. Unfortunately, I won´t be able to see the wedding or the baptism. But that is just how it is. It was meant for the other elders to do that part. 

This area is another smaller area...which is good. Keep myself from being too tired from walking. Other than that, not much is new. I´m excited to start in this new area and see what it has to offer. Take care.
 
 Elder Castagno

"Just Two Americans in White Shirts Walking Around in the Sun"

The following e-mail was received on Monday 5/21/2012:

Well, this week was a bit interesting. Not one of the best weeks but also not the worst. We are having some difficulties finding people to teach at the moment. A good amount of our area is already baptized...but most are inactive now. Also everyone we seem to talk to has already talked to us. It´s kinda funny sometimes. We just go up to people and ask them when they were baptized; most of them tell us a date...haha. 

We had zone conference this week. President told us some stats about Fortaleza....only 30% of all the members here are active. Ridiculous! I don´t know what happened. We are really trying to focus on families now. 

On the good side, we are helping two families become...well, families. [This week, we initiated two couples into the marriage process] so [that] they can be baptized in the future. It is a longer process, but they are more sure to stay in the church.

 Also, we had a really great lesson Saturday night. We had a member come with us to teach. She gave a powerful testimony that for sure reached to our investigator's heart. I love it when the members do all of the talking for us...haha! They seem to understand better and also they have the opportunity to hear about the church from a normal person...not just two Americans in white shirts walking around in the sun. 

Elder Godoy

This week we get to hear from Elder Godoy. That should be fun. Well have a good week everyone.


--Elder Castagno
 

Elder Castagno's 20th Birthday

Free Will & a Ghetto-Seeking American

The following e-mail was received on Monday 5/14/12:

Well I´m glad I was able to talk to most of you yesterday! It´s always good to hear the family. 

This week went by alright. Not the best week, but not the worst week. We are trying to really focus on families to help them into the church. Sadly though, we had a few people say that they did not want anything any more. But, at that point there isn't much we can do. It is their choice. Another thing that seems to be difficult is getting people to church. We only had a few come this Sunday. 

But in good news, we are in the process of helping a couple get married. The woman wants to join the church but the man....well, he is lost in iniquity in the moment--as in drinking and stuff. Hopefully he will want to give that up so he can have a happier life. I guess we´ll see! Their children are members of the church, so it helps them out. 

Example of a Brazilian favela (shanty town/ghetto)

The other day we met this American at lunch [who is] here on vacation with his Brazilian wife. He doesn't speak a word of Portuguese but wants to go take pictures in the favelas (the ghetto)! That´s a great idea! NOT. He wanted to go with us for a day...but that would mean we would be babysitting this guy, so we said no. Apparently his in-laws don´t let him leave the house though 'cause it is too dangerous....well, good luck my friend..haha. Seems to be a crazy thing that happens here every week. 

We have zone conference this week, so that should be good. That´s about it for this week. Hope all is well!

Elder Castagno

"This week was a huge smack in the face."

The following e-mail was received on Monday May 7, 2012:

Well, this week was a huge smack in the face. After a great first week, the second week just had to be super tough. Each day just about all of our appointments fell through. We tried working with everyone too: members, non-actives, investigators, contacts....but nothing. The members are not animated [motivated/excited] to do anything. We try and get referrals, but the banks are all dried up. The inactive [members] that we try to visit have either moved, or they don´t want anything to do with the church. And our investigators don´t want to go to church! We had a couple that were way interested [in] the church....but they said they needed permission from their pastor to go to another church--give me a break! 

It´s just ridiculous the things that happen over here. About half of the area is baptized, but about 80% of them are inactive. Things are just kind of a big mess over here. We tried organizing goals and things to help the ward mission leader, but he flaked on our meetings, and nothing is happening. There is so much more, but I'd be here all day writing. 

It´s difficult when no one helps or cares that much. But we have to keep trying. I´m hoping for a better week. The work of the Lord is the hardest thing to do--no matter where you are on the earth, I think. I just wish that people could see what I see, but you can´t take another's agency from them. 

Other than that, all is fine. Me and my [companion] try and make light of things so we don´t get disanimated [discouraged]. With patience and hope, things will get better...eventually.

--Elder Castagno

Gettin' the Job Done & a Very Special Person

The following e-mail was received today:

 Well what a week. This week went by really well. I don´t think I've ever gotten so much done in one week than this one. When I got here, the area didn't really have to much going on. The last elders had foot problems, so they weren't able to do much. Through some people that we knew (and other ways), we were able to talk to a bunch of people, and we had two baptisms this weekend!  

We had to go to the center this week to sign for a wedding. There are two recent converts in our ward that we are helping get married. Also this week I gave a training to our district about church and why the investigators need to attend church. I thought that it went pretty well. 

This week we met a very special person--well at least to us. As we were walking at night trying to find something to do, a member called us and asked us to go with him to his friend's house. We met up with him, and he said that his friend recently got in a bad motorcycle accident...where sadly his wife was killed. His son survived. This man, Kleber, barely got out of the hospital with metal rods coming out of his leg. We went to his house, and we talked to him about the Plan of Salvation, and how it is possible for us to live with our families forever. We explained that his wife was learning the same things that we were teaching him. And we said that it would be possible for him to live with her forever. Just a fact that there was something special about Kleber. He really did need this message. 

 (During the lesson, a crazy drunk guy came over and started to yell at us and wouldn't leave. Finally we were able to get him to leave.)

A few days later, we returned and the metal rods were gone. He was at the hospital, and the doctor said that by a miracle his leg was better. He was going to have to amputate it, but he no longer needed to. [Kleber] also said that he felt that these things were true. We marked [a time to] come back this week, so we´ll see how it goes. 

Really I was able to have even a greater testimony from this situation. Truly God does answer prayers, and He looks after his children and takes care of them....even when it doesn't seem like it. Though Kleber´s story is tragic, he might not have been able to know about the gospel before.  Now he has the chance to live with the ones he loves for all eternity. What a blessing. 

Until next time.
 
With love,
Elder Castagno

Small Town Transfer & New Companion

The following e-mail was received today:

The last week of the transfer has passed, and guess what? I got transferred. I for sure thought I was going to stay, but my time was up there. Kinda glad though because I was a little tired of the place. There were great members though--and great recent converts. I love all of them. For sure I will miss all of them. 

Well my new area is Tancredo Neves. It´s really close to my last area. It´s way smaller though. It takes ten minutes to walk from one end to the other. Glad that I won´t have to do those long walks any more...

My new companion is Elder McNeil from Oregon. I seem to just get American companions...haha. He served for a little while in California until his Visa came; he got here about five months ago. We will be living in a house with two other Elders...don´t know them very well yet. 

This last week was great though. We had a bunch of people to teach and were able to have a baptism. This next transfer for that area should be great. A bunch of people are set up to be baptized. Well, I´m looking forward to this new area. I've heard that it is really great here, so we will see. 

All is good with me, no sickness or injury this week. Until next time.

--Elder Castagno

A Virus, a Hospital, and a House out of a Horror Film

The following e-mail was received today:

Well, another crazy week here in Fortaleza. We had an interesting few days. My foot healed up enough that I could use shoes...but what do you know, the next day I got extremely sick! Bad enough that I decided it would be best to go to the hospital. When we got there, I had to wait an eternity to finally get attended to by a doctor. Then they hooked me up to an I.V. and just left me there. It seemed like they did that to about anyone that walked in there...haha. Then they did some blood tests to see if it was anything serious; that took another few hours. Finally the results came back, and all was good. Just a bad virus that was going around. I´m all better now. 

The next few days weren't that great though. We went out to teach and everything just seemed to keep falling through. No one was ever home. Finally Sunday came around, and I was expecting just about none of our investigators to show up, but then the Lord once again showed His hand in helping us out. We had many members bring their friends, and also some of our old investigators came to church! Also, one of them said they wanted to be baptized! A miracle! This whole transfer has been rough, but now at the end I can see the fruits of our labors. It really is worth it to endure to the end--even when the end isn't in sight. 

Elder Castagno's current housing (in my imagination...)

Also this week we are going to be moving into a new house; the one we are in is super small and basically destroyed. The walls leak....it looks like something off of a horror film...but instead of blood, it´s just water.

Well, have a great week!

Elder Castagno