He forsook soccer for mission
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After a lifetime of effort, Jose Evandro Pontalti was offered a contract with the professional Brazilian soccer team, the Flamingos. However, he turned it down to serve a full-time mission.
Pontalti, a recent convert, told the club owner and coaches that despite their comments that he was young and talented and had a great future and promise of wealth, he would not change his decision.He is now serving in the Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission.
Pontalti was a soccer player on a minor league team when the team trainer introduced him to the Church. He attended a youth meeting, read the Book of Mormon, and gained a testimony.
During a holiday, he received the lessons and was baptized. However, because of his membership, he was taunted by teammates and benched by the coach. He left the team during holidays, only to be informed that he had made the Flamingo Club.
