Summer, Storms, & Several Ink Cartridges Later

Read about some of our adventures on John's post: 

One new waterfall and a previously visited one with more water

One of our major challenges the past few weeks has been to research and printout the information for the teachers in all classes since we had not received the new class manuals for any of the classes. 

Jeri's package

Trying to track down the LDS distribution center packages that were ordered September 26^th was very challenging. The delivery was made by a trucking system separate from the Church.  The books traveled from São Paulo to Cascavel then to Guarapuava then past our city to Curitiba to be put on a smaller truck that went to Irati and finally back to us in Prudentópolis.  If you were to look on  a map this is a circle all around us but not to us. They deliver during the day. If you are not home to sign for the package they recharge you the delivery fee when they deliver a second time. {That is why we are sitting home today.  They were supposed to deliver another package Friday or Monday.  Haven't seen it yet and it is afternoon] Jeri mailed a package on December 5th.  It arrived today - opened and repackaged - looking like this!  I think someone might have enjoyed Jeri's brownies. I will use and appreciate the brownie spatula that did arrive. This package was delivered by the regular postman.

Primária Presidentia: Me (just ran home and

back to make copies), Eva Aparecida

Pereira Oliveira  & Michalina Bonfim

Michalina Bonfim, the new Primary President for the branch, called me to be her 1^st counselor.  I spend a lot of time preparing a lesson for the combined 4-7 year old class with pictures, handouts, and supporting bulletin boards then try to figure out how to teach it in Portuguese.  One major part of my calling is deciding how many children to prepare for.  I have more investigators than members most days in my class, which is quite small. I have also been asked to act as both the pianist and chorister for Sharing Time. For me that is a challenge but I learn more than the kids as I try to figure out how to help them learn.  Can you tell by the photos that I teach the CTRs?  Here it stands for Conserva Tua Rota!

Erik - an investigator

Juliano - a member

Marcelo - his sisters
are members

Elder McKinney describing the LDS Church
Humanitarian Program for the TV

We are still trying to find the in-actives on the membership list that Elder McKinney was able to print out. There are more people on the list of members that we cannot find -- than there are members. 

Hermes is a very relaxed but cunning administrator.

He was originally a pharmacist. He has started a pharmacy 

school in Guarapuava & runs Santa Casa - the hospital.

As "Presidente" of the branch he has been busy with tithing settlement, temple recommend interviews and making callings.  He was interviewed by both radio and televisions in connection with the humanitarian project at the local hospital. We have also completed another project that we will report on next post.

Elders Brooksby, McKinney, & Bedford with the cameraman & reporter.  The mattresses are in the blue covers.
This is how the hospital chose to use their donated money.  We saw some pretty poor mattresses when we first
arrived and met Hermes.  Because of our donation, the government has now also given the hospital a grant. 

Zone Leaders - the new Elder Alvez & Elder Lopez

You can see the armor on the white board - drawn 

by Elder Een.  The orange was also a lesson about 

protective covering. It floated with the peel on.

As missionaries we meet with the young elders to plan and keep up with the investigators, attend training meetings and we got to take a break with President Cordon’s family to see the area waterfalls.  Elder Bedford, from the states, via life in Australia for 5-6 years, is the newest companion in our area.  He is about 6’7” and seems to dwarf even John.  He is new to the mission and is also working on his language skills.  We are lucky to have some very dedicated young Elders in our Zone.  

Things to be grateful for:  bathtubs, hot water from the tap, large ovens, double sinks, and garbage disposals.  I miss mine.  We are doing great but everything takes a lot longer when you don’t have the modern conveniences that you are used to. However, the Gospel is true!  We can feel the Spirit here!  The abraços are sincere.

We are off to Curitiba this week!