Chance Encounter Ends in Great Blessing of Friendship

          President Farnes had a fist holding onto the iron rod carved for him.   Elder Fly told us he thought that a man in Itapetininga had carved it, his name is Vagner.   We wanted him to make one for us.  When Kelsey and Kylie were here we went on a drive over to Itapetininga and met the Elders at the Church because Elder Hartley wanted to send some things home with the girls to give to his parents.  Elder Rodrigues called Vagner for us and it just happened that he was in town and would come over to meet us at the Church.
       We asked him if he carved.  He said some things and told us to follow him on his motorcycle.  We followed him quite a ways out of town to a roadside cafe that his family owns.  He made us a delicious drink made of fresh cane juice and pineapple that he juiced out right there as we watched.          Presidente Farnes gave each of the missionaries at Christmas a replica in plaster of his carved fist with the rod.  It turned out that Vagner wasn't the one that had carved it but said he would like to try.
     Then he asked us to come to his home for lunch.  I said we can't do that to his wife because there were four of us.  He said it would be an honor for his family if we would have lunch with them.  So we followed him a few more miles out of town to his beautiful fazenda (farm).  It was so peaceful and such a gorgeous location.  His wife Katia was a wonderful hostess and so welcoming.  Their oldest son, Matheus, had just returned from a mission serving in Chile.  He not only learned Spanish but learned English from his American companions.  He spoke English so very well.
     Vagner and Katia have three other boys who were so friendly and such a delight.  We had a wonderful meal with them.  Matheus told us he was going to be married in a couple of weeks and invited Elder Barrus and I to the wedding.  So Saturday, March 18, we will be going to the Campinas Temple.
     What a blessing the Church is in our lives to bring into our paths such wonderful families and friendships.