A Missão de Miragles

Fala Tudo Mundo! It's official, Brazil IS in fact a real place in the world and I'm reporting to you live from the heart of Belém currently as proof of that. What a week it’s been! Since the last time I sent out an email, so much has happened. 

   First, I had to find some sort of way to actually get to Brazil. I had the idea to walk but that probably would have taken too long. Luckily, the MTC provided a travel plan for me to get here which was a big weight off my back. Last Tuesday me and the other Missionaries in our travel group woke up at 3 in the morning, dark and early. We took a bus to the Frontrunner, and a Train to the Trax, which got us to the airport, which got us to a flight to Atlanta, then Sao Paulo, then Belem. A quick 30 hour travel day never hurts. And so I arrived! When me and the travel group left the baggage claim area of the Belem Airport, there were a bunch of other missionaries from the area and also President and Sister Ribolla there to greet us in person, all singing Called To Serve in Portuguese. It was a fantastic moment and made me way hyped to arrive.
   Then, we spent some time learning the outs and ins of the mission, met our trainers and went on our way to each of our areas. My Trainer’s name is Elder McLane, he’s a blond-haired gentlemen who is both from Texas and has a testimony the size of Texas. He’s already been a great example to me and he’s been a great teacher both with Portuguese and with the Gospel. The Portuguese word of this week is “Seguir,” which means ‘to follow.’ This is the word of the week because I have been following Elder McLane around absolutely everywhere, because I can’t understand anything and I don’t understand the schedule or the rhythm of the mission field yet. I have been Seguir-ing hard this week. And I bet that’s probably going to continue for a while, and that’s okay. I have faith that as I give everything that I have every day, each and every day, that my efforts will be magnified by God. I have already seen it happen this week. Every time I make the decision to pray, or to read the scriptures or to sacrifice something that I want to do with something that matters, I have felt God strengthen me. I know that as I continue to have faith and obedience to God, I have no reason to be afraid out here, and that I can genuinely trust that things will work out as they should.
   On a lighter note, Brazil is great! I already love it here. During a discussion last week, we were teaching outside and all the sudden a monkey pulled up in one of the tree branches and literally started eating a banana. I’d always heard they did that but now I’ve seen if with my own eyes. The food here is also really good from what I’ve had, the chicken and rice here are extremely delicious and the fruit juice is indeed superb. We also had a Baptism this week! I can’t take any credit for it, cause Elder McLane already scheduled it before I came, but it was still amazing to be able to see that. Getting to see someone be baptized and receive the gift of the holy ghost my first week here was a huge blessing. There’s already a ton of miracles happening all around me! When I got here, President Ribolla said that a nickname for the Brazil Belem mission is The Mission of Miracles (A Missão de Miragles). I totally believe that, and I know that while I’m here, I’m gonna see a whole heck of a lot more miracles. 
   Anyways you guys. Plenty more happened this week but I don’t think I can share it all in one email, so I think that just about does it for now. Thank you to anyone who’s said a prayer for me, I have felt the boost of your prayers undoubtedly, so thank you. I love The Book of Mormon, and if it’s been a second since you’ve read it, get on in there again! It’ll learn ya something incredible. I know that it gives anyone direction who has the desire for it to. I know this because I have seen it in my own life, and I testify that the words that it has within are the words of truth. You guys are all great. Stay safe, and I’ll talk to each of you next week! 

1. Finally at Belém (ft. The goat Elder Schudde)
2. First night in Brazil
3. Meeting the Trainer 
4. There are a lot of dogs here 
5. The Baptism this Sunday
6. Cleaning out the Baptismal font 









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