Why is Elder Amata Here?

 

Bom dia, this week was full of exciting things and so much happened this week it was very busy and full of surprises.

 

BAPTISM

This week we had 2 baptisms, Karine and her son Pedro and they have a funny story. So, we had been teaching them for 6-7 weeks, so longer than I've actually been here and they knew the church is true and had been going to church every week and all the activities and were friends with the members, but they didn't think they were ready, and Karine wanted a sign. She decided to have the interview and was ready to go when she wanted but even after the interview and the zone leaders telling her she was good to go she still wanted a sign that she was ready and later that day we got a message from her and it was a picture of a rainbow and she shortly said after that that she was ready and the rainbow was the sign. So later that day we had the baptism, and it was great both her and her son are super smart and are down to earth good people, so we were very happy for them.

 

TRANSFERS

This week we had transfers, and it was just all crazy. Sadly, Elder Paz and Elder Bangerter left me in unai, which was not expected. We thought that one of them would stay but I guess that wasn't in the plan. It all ended up working out though my new companion is awesome. His name is Elder Haris, and he will end his mission this transfer so it is cool that he has a lot of experience. It has only been 2 days of us being in unai, but it has been fun and also very difficult because although he is training me, I have to explain the area and the people to him so it's like we are training each other in different ways. For the actual transfer part, it was very fun to see everyone there were a bunch of missionaries at the bus station and we had time to catch up and see how everyone was doing while we waited. 

 

HANGING OUT WITH PRESIDENT 

This week I also had the opportunity to have lunch with the mission president and all the new missionaries that came in this transfer, and it was a little strange but also amazing. It was a little strange because I went to the airport to pick up the new missionaries and it was me an elder in an area that no one knows about and all the secretaries and assistants so they were very confused of who I was and most of them were from Brazil and I didn’t know how to explain the situation in Portuguese but after a lot of portu-english I was able to explain the general concept of why I was there. It was funny because the president wanted a picture with all the assistants and secretaries, and he also wanted me in the picture and I'm sure if he posted it everyone would be very confused as to who I am. After that I was the lucky one who got to ride with the mission president in his car while we went to some places around Brasilia and the mission house. It was a very cool and unique experience. It was about 30-40 minutes in total between just me and the mission president, so I was able to learn a lot about him and his experience as a missionary almost 40 years ago and being a mission president, so I learned a lot. Then we had lunch at the mission house, and I was able to get to know the new missionaries with the little Portuguese that i know. 

 

STUCK IN BRASILIA

So yeah, we were supposed to be back in unai Thursday night but that did not happen we ended up getting back Saturday afternoon. Thursday while we were at the bus station the president told me that I would have lunch with him on Friday then go home after, so we thought ok well stay one more day than go home and it was cool we got dinner with the secretaries and some of the other missionaries staying. Then the next day after lunch with the president we got to the mission office, and they told us that all the buses had already left or were full SOOO we had to stay another night. It was fun. We went to the store and had to cross the freeway while running with macarons. So, despite the waiting and being stuck it was really fun. I got to talk with all the assistants and secretaries who all have lots of knowledge and are great missionaries.

 

OTHER STUFF

It also was kind of cool because the night before we left unai for transfers everyone was sad to see the elders’ level and it rained for the first time in a month, and I don't think it will rain for a while longer, so it was like a movie. 

It was also very weird to be with the new missionaries and important people because I was the only one not in a suit because I didn't know it would be happening until I was already in Brasilia. 

PHOTOS :)

Baptism 

Cooking 

New kitchen knife 

We found macarons. 

                                       

Milestone

 

This week was incredible we had lots of exciting thigs happen and lots of progress again. 

 

CONGRATULATIONS ELDER PAZ

First of all, I wanted to say congratulations to Elder Paz he is one of my trainers and he hit his 2 year mark this week and will be going home in the middle of the next transfer. (about 2-3 weeks) He has been the best trainer ever and the reason I can understand any Portuguese at all. Everyone on the mission knows him because of the great missionary he his and we are all sad to see him leave but thankful for his works. 

 

 

BAPTISM 

On Saturday I had my first baptism! His name is Frederico he is an English teacher, and he was definitely a miracle, he actually found us. One day we were walking, and he came up to us and asked if we still meet on Sunday (apparently he had been once in the past) so we told him the time and reminded him of the address and the next day he was there. We had lessons with him, and he understood everything and even gave us insight on some of the things we taught him, then before we knew it we had set a date for his baptism. I was lucky enough to be the one to baptize him and it was amazing definitely an experience I won't forget. 

 

 

Divisions 

This week we also had divisions with the zone leaders, Elder Da Silva and Elder Bouwk. They are amazing I was with Elder Paz and Elder Da Silvia and they both have lots of experience on a mission Elder Da Silva has 23 months so he will go home this next transfer too. I learned a lot from both of them they both are able to meet someone and understand them well enough to know what they need and then be able to help give them advice with what they might be able to do. 

 

PHOTOS

We went on 2 hike this week one at night and one during the sunset and both were just the best. Unaí is amazing and it was so cool to be able to see it from a different perspective. 

We also found a Scorpion and a coconut. 

                                    

 

Lots of Progression

 

This week was great we had lots of progress made and lots of new people with a lot of interest in the church. I also forgot to put a title/subject last week oops. 

NOVO PESSOSAS

This week at church we had 10 non members who are interested in the church! This was amazing and it was the perfect day for them to come because one of the councilors of the mission presidency came and talked in our Branch. I didn't understand all of what he said but from what I did understand he talked about what we believe and keeping our faith strong so for the nonmembers wanting to learn more it helped answer a lot of the questions they had. 

CUÑINÁRIA

If you know me, you know I love cooking and this area is one of the only areas where you get to do so. Because of the small Branch and not a lot of members we only have 2-3 meals a week with members, so I got to Cook a lot. The one thing we didn't remember was how big portions were, so I usually made way to much but we had really good leftovers. 

 EXPLORING UNAÍ 

I was able to realize how big Unaí really is this week. We had a lot of waking to do and went to places I didn't even know we had in our area. We got to cross a big river and walked an hour to what I thought was the middle of no where with storage places and warehouses but then it was like another small town there was so many houses and people that I had no clue existed. Then we walked up and over a hill to an awesome area with horses dirt roads and houses with giant backyards (not sure what to call to but lots of land). 

  BACK TO SCHOOL

We went to school and helped "teach" an English class and all the students were so nice. They were anywhere from 14-17 and they were all so interested about the North Americans (and Argentina). They made us food and desserts, we played kahoots and they had lots of questions about us and the United States. We didn't really teach so to say but we did answer in English and then if they didn't understand we would say it again in Portuguese. 

 THE LITTLE THINGS 

This week I had a lot more appreciation for the little things. One of the nights we got home and were getting ready for bed and the power went out but for ALL of Unaí at first, we were like what is going on but then we looked at the sky, and because were in the middle of hills and plains there was no light and thousands of stars. It was amazing I've never seen so many stars in my life. Then when the power went back on it was interesting to see them slowly le out of sight but still know that they're there. 

 PHOTOS

We have pictures with 3 dogs because it was one a task for each of the areas in our district. 

                                        

The Bus Incident

 

Hello everyone, this week was a lot more work and a lot less crazy. (For the most part)

 

EMERGENCY EXCHA

NGES 

So, exchanges happen once every few weeks where we switch companions for a day. From what I understand when exchanges happen, we usually aren't apart of it, or the zone leader come to us for the day just because were so far away from the rest of the district. BUT this week we received a call Monday night staying we would be going to an area 3 hours away by bus then another hour by uber. We had to go to them because one of the missionaries in that area was having some difficulties and they thought my companions would be the most able to try and help them. Everything went great (other than the buses) and going out with them for the day helped a lot. Being with other missionaries and seeing the different ways they work was a great opportunity. 

 

BUSES

We had a very interesting experience with the bus. The whole way was great we did have to wake up at 4 to get ready and get to the bus at 5 so we pretty much just slept the whole way there. Then the bad happened, we were getting off the bus and I got up and started heading out and my companions were at most 10 seconds behind me because they had to get their bags so I got off and I look behind me and they're at the door and the bus driver would let them off for some reason. So, I start sprinting as fast as I can because I had no clue where I was and could not lose that bus. Meanwhile my companions are asking him to stop, and he didn't stop for 3 more stops. So, at this point I lost the buss and am just running in the area I think it is and luckily after almost 2km we found each other. So now I always get of in-between the two of them. 

 

THE WORKS

 The rest of the week was a lot more non chaotic, but we had lots of work to do. We have been teaching many people, but I've come to realize that a lot of the people here say they want to keep leaning but then they don’t respond so it's been difficult trying to find people who actually want to learn and are consistent. We are supposed to have 2 baptism this a mother and her son, so we are excited for them. They have lots of questions and May move the date back a week, but they have the desire to be baptized so were just trying to help them prepare and answer any questions they have. 

 

LANGUAGE

The language is getting a lot better I'm starting to understand the general idea of what people are saying so it has been a lot more fun to actually be able to talk to people. When teaching people, it's very difficult because they'll say something to me but if I don’t understand my companions have to say it slower and in the correct grammar for me to understand. 

 

PHOTOS

Not a lot of photos this week but we should have more coming soon:)

 

First Week

 

Hello everyone, my first week has been amazing but also very crazy and chaotic but, I still love it. 

 

ZONE CONFRENCE 

So, this week we had zone conference where a bunch of missionaries meet together to discuss progress and goals. It was all in Portuguese, so I had a very hard time with knowing what was going on, but it was still so fun. There were about 50 missionaries there and all from around the world. Everyone was so happy to see each other, it was like a big reunion, and it happens every 6 weeks but throughout the whole mission there are 3 different conferences depending on where your area is. 

 

SICKNESS AND PAIN

This week all 3 of us had something wrong with us at different times. We took a trip to the hospital for Elder Bangerter because he had super bad allergies and couldn't breathe so the doctor helped him and gave him some medicine. Elder Paz then had a fever 2 days after, and we spent most of the day studying while he rested. Then through all of this I had an allergic reaction to something that bit me on my ankle, and it was swollen for 3 days straight, and I was back to hobbling around while we did visits. 

 

TEACHING AND LEARNING

The people here are amazing, and I love the culture so much. Everyone is so nice and very inviting and understanding. I often feel bad that I don’t know the language and can’t communicate with the people here and it’s super hard to teach people when you can’t speak their language but all the people, we meet are just happy that I can say anything at all. (Only after we mention it's my first week) But I am also learning so much about the language but also about the gospel there was so much I didn't know about and learning about everything has been great and I absolutely love it. 

 

MIRACLES

This week we had amazing miracles this week. So, every Thursday they have a family night at the church where we teach a lesson then we eat dessert and this week before it started and when everyone was getting to the church one of the members had an epileptic seizure. At first I was very startled and worried but they said it had happened before and they knew what to do so we gave him a blessing and right after we did he stopped shaking and fell asleep so it was just crazy that right as we finished he was ok and it was definitely the help of the blessing. 

PHOTOS

                                                         

I'm in Brazil !!!

 

Hello everyone, I am alive and made it to Brazil! 

>UPDATES 

So, I was home for about 7 weeks and did Physical therapy and my knee is pretty much all healed and I’m back to normal activity other than sports. I was Cleared by the doctor and then by the church and they gave me travel plans so now I'm here in Brazil!

 

>TRAVELING 

Traveling was very long. My first flight was at 8:30 on Friday from Ontario to Dalles Texas and then I waited in Dallas, and our plane was delayed until 9pm because of the weather. Then it was about a 10-hour flight to são Paulo and because it was late when I got to são Paulo I had to hurry because my next plane left in 2 hours and i needed to get my bags go through customs and then re-check my bags and then go through security and get on the plane. Luckily with lots of running I was able to do all of it and make it with 5 minutes to spare. I ended up getting to Brasilia at about 2 pm on Saturday so it was lots of traveling. But then I had lunch with the mission president and his wife and the assistants of the president. 

 

>UNAI 

Unai is my first area. It was a 3-hour bus ride east of Brasilia and it had the best seats ever. They were very comfy, and I slept almost the whole way. I got off at the last stop at 8:30 and then waited for my companions to pick me up. Elder Paz is from Argentina and Elder Bangerter is from Utah. After they picked me up, we went to a wedding, and it was great. I couldn’t understand a lot, but everyone was super happy and friendly. 

 

DOMINGO (Sunday)

To start we walked a ways to pick up 3 kids they have been teaching and then went to the church. The sacrament meeting was great I couldn't understand anything and was still tired from traveling so it wasn't a good mix. On Saturday they had a baptism, so I was able to be there for the conformation and giving 2 of the members the priesthood. Then we had lunch, and it was great. It was like a creamy shredded chicken mix over rice. Then we went back to our apartment and did some weekly planning and goals.  

After that we went to go visit one of the members that lived kind-of far and we gave him a blessing. Then on the way back it started raining so we got drenched in rain, but it was still very fun. 

 

PHOTOS 

                                                                 

Boltando a Neu Casa

 

So the day has come I was the first one here at the MTC in my district and I will be the first one to return home. Just want to point out that the sisters in my district were wrong. They said that they would get home before the elders but look at me now lol. Just kidding, they will still get home before me because I will get my knee better and get out as soon as possible. 

 

Game plan

So here is what we think is going to happen with my knee and obviously it could still change but, I fly back tomorrow morning and should be home around 11 or 12 then I will get released as a missionary (just temporarily). Then I will meet with my doctor on Thursday to figure out what surgery or physical therapy I need to do. After I find that out it's as simple as getting it done and recovering. Then to be able to get to Brazil I will have to be able to walk 5-6 miles with no pain which will be a piece of cake and I’ll be out there in no time. Then I'll get re-set apart? I'm not actually sure if that is the correct term-ige but that's what I'm going with but, that's it after that I will be on my way to Brazil so there is no need to worry things could definitely be alot worse.

 

Chau Chau Distrito

Huge shout out to my district, Elder Bates, Sister Newman and Sister Langford all left today then I leave tomorrow morning, Elder Grimshaw leaves Wednesday morning and then Sister Mounga has a few more weeks so she'll be great. But seriously BEST DISTRICT EVER. They are all so unique and have their own special talents and insights. They have all taught me so much about who I want to be, what characteristics I want to absorb from each one of them. I wouldn't want to have any other district for this learning experience.

 

Last classes

 

Our last classes were so good. I learned so much and just realized that I can do this. I am in no way shape or form ready for what my mission is going to be and all the hardships I will have to face. However, I am more ready than I have ever been, and I feel great about where I’m at. Our teachers did such a good job of helping us in ways only we could understand. They were able to connect with us personally and IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE like that is just crazy to me. My teachers at school could barely even do that in the language I already know. (not to say that they were bad, just there is such a difference in the ones at the MTC) I owe so much to them and I will always be grateful for the things they could teach me and the potential they helped me reach. Shout out to Irmao Jones, Irma Brienholt, Irma Welker and Irma King Eu amo voces todos e obrigado por suas testemonios. 

 

Fast Sunday and testimony meeting

 Guys testimony meeting here is so cool it's just a bunch of missionaries who are all going out to serve and want to be here sharing their testimonies of what they know to be true. I love it. You could really feel the spirit of each and every person.

 

Gym

So I feel kind of guilty saying this because I feel like I should be focused on recovering but I've been able to set some elders in volleyball while sitting in a chair. And I need to emphasize the sitting on a chair part mainly for my parents to know that I haven't been making it worse but also I was kind of proud of the fact that I could kind of do it. They went all the best sets but it was so nice to be able to do something instead of just sitting there watching everyone.

 

Random things :)

WE SAW A DEER RUN THROUGH THE CAMPUS.

It was snowy again this week and there were snowmen everywhere. 

Late night snacks with the other Portuguese district

Taking pictures with everyone.(normally I don't really like pictures but it was fun)