Monday, March 28, 2016

Araxa!

Nova casa em Araxá!
Eu e E. Lisboa!

 An awesome bike track in front of our house

 The fact that this exists scares me...
 Doces de Páscoa! from Jean's family
 Obrigado pelo aviso, isso faz uma diferença grande
Scott sent this and wants his mom to try and translate it....oh boy...It'll take me a long, long time! :)
I cheated and had Conner Mount, a returned missionary from Brazil translate it for me. This is what it says: 
April Fools!

This week was really good! Seeing that the first day of April is this week, this here is my joke - sending a letter completely in Portuguese. In fact, I have thought about this since my first transfer, hoping that I would know enough Portuguese to easily write. I have reached that point! Now it's easy to write in Portuguese and I like it a lot! Brazil is awesome and every day in this mission is a blessing! So I won't only send a letter in Portuguese this week (it would be difficult because google translate isn't perfect) but at least I can send this little bit. Mom, put this on the blog along with the translation. I hope that you all, my family and friends, enjoy seeing a little bit of my new language! Happy April Fool's day!

Estamos aqui! Araxa is awesome! We’ve only been here 5 days, but it’s already my favorite area. We left Goiania Tuesday, arrived here and painted, fixed up, cleaned, organized the house Wednesday. Thursday we started working!

Because missionaries and the church have never been here before, lots of people are interested in our work. When we started working, we started talking to and knocking doors of all the people in our bairro (neighborhood, kind of). We’ve already found some great people. For example, Thursday we knocked on Sergio’s door. Now, he’s already read up to Jacob in the Book of Mormon and came to the group’s meeting yesterday. He understands almost everything, has good questions, and is progressing well. He’s one of 19 new investigators we’ve already started teaching. Not all 19 are as eager to learn as he is, but we’re grateful that we’ve already established a big teaching group. Like Jean (the group leader) said, ‘You’ve never seen a field so white and ready to harvest!’ (translated…) Definitely true!

It’s cool and way different being part of a group of the church. Instead of a big sacrament meeting with tons of people in a chapel, we had a little meeting with 9 people in a garage. Still, it was uplifting and the Spirit of God was there!

Happy late Easter to all of you! Elder Lisboa ad I gave the talks for the meeting. I talked about the resurrection of Jesus. Esse ato maravilhoso concluiu a Expiasao Dele—o maior acontecimento em todos os tempos! I’m so eternally grateful that Heavenly Father sent His Son to live and die and live again for us.

As hard as it is to express feelings about someone and something as great as the Savior and His Atonement, trying to write and express my gratitude and testimony in English makes it even harder. I’ll just write the following: Sou eternamente grato por Jesus Cristo, men Salvador e Redentor. Quao maravilhoso foi sua vida, Expiasao morte, e viveremos movamente tambem. O evangelho Dele e assim como Ele—perfeito!

I’m so grateful for the chance to serve here in Brasil and learn another language. It’s so awesome and such a blessing!

Anyway Araxa is a great city. Unlike Goiania, it’s not deathly hot here! It’s actually cool and I’ve thought about getting a sweater a few times. It’s a big blessing not to sweat all my water out every day! The quality of living here is good and people are nice and receptive. The best area in the mission!

Araxa is closest to Zona Uberaba, and our district leader is E. Meireles, my first companion, haha!! It’s fun to talk to him and he’s doing a great job following up with us. Oh, also, it’s only hills here. We’re either walking straight up or straight down hahaha.

Even though we’re without a stove, washing machine, ironing board, lock for the front gate, enough tables, closet, bookshelf, and fan, life is great! Elder Lisboa and I are working as hard as we can and seeing the results! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers! They are felt and appreciated!

A few minutes ago a bird flew in to the house hahahahaha! Have a great week!! Enjoy General Conference!

Ate mais!


Elder Anderson

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Scott's Testimony of Christ, read in our Carrollton Ward (congregation) on Easter Sunday

I don't have a whole lot of time to write all that I would like to about the Savior during my short email period, yet even in a lifetime, I wouldn't get anywhere close describing all that He did for me. I am so infinitely and overwhelmingly grateful for His love, example, and sacrifice. This week I read Mosiah 3:5-8, and I felt the Spirit undeniably testify of the truthfulness of these following words of prophecy by King Benjamin:
For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.
6 And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.
7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.
As I read this, my eyes started to water and I felt strongly the love of Christ. I know these things are true. How I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, which deeply enriches our knowledge of the Son of God!
As a true representative of Jesus Christ, I have learned more about my Savior than at any point in my life, and I strive everyday to learn more. Though He knows me perfectly, I don't perfectly know Him. But I don't have to have a perfect knowledge to know that Jesus Chrsit lived, suffered, and died for me, performing the Atonement—an ultimate act of infinite love—that gives me a chance to reunite forever with my Father in Heaven. I am so grateful and so happy.
Jesus Cristo vive! Eu sei! Ele andou na Terra e nos deu vida eterna. Sempre vou segui-Lo e sempre vou amá-lo. Eu amo meu Salvador e Redentor—Jesus Cristo!
Elder Anderson

Monday, March 21, 2016

Um Novo Chamado e Uma Viagem

ARAXÁ!!!

The Statue of Liberty! (A store here called Havan always has one in front)


Viajando! (x2)

Praça Vaca Brava (We didn´t go there, I just took a picture of this postcard hahaha)

Pizza Hut P-Day!

 Outback (x2)


 THE BEST ONION IN THE WORLD

Stoplights in Goiânia with numbers counting down to when it turns green/red


 Praça do Ratinho! Famoso em Goiânia

Em baixo 
 Missão Brasil Goiânia
 And Araxá

What the heck?!

Last P-Day, Presidente called us, saying that he had finished making the transfers. We would get to the office early to see all the changes before leaving Goiania and going to the areas in Mias Gerais.

We called a taxi, arrived at the office early, and looked at the ‘quadra de transferenias’ (board of transfers—showing all the missionaries and the areas). In the bottom right corner was the mission’s new area: Araxa. My picture was there next to that of Elder Lisboa, a missionary with only one transfer on the mission.

Vamos abrir a cidade de Araxa!!! We’re going to open the city of Araxa!!! Right now, there are about 10-15 members of the church there that meet in a garage every Sunday. The city of 100,000 has never seen missionaries before—we’ll be the first! Na verdade, Araxa was a part of the Belo Horizonte Mission, sitting just outside of our mission. The members are excited, Elder Lisboa is ready to work hard, and I can’t wait! It will be a miraculous experience.

I wish I could just write all of this in Portuguese haha! My journal is 100% Portuguese now.

Since I’ll be way on the edge of the mission, Presidente called a new assistant to take my place—Elder Sweet, who was my first zone leader! He’s a great, obedient missionary and will do an awesome job. I’m so grateful I had the chance to serve closely with Pres. Kuceki and the mission staff for 3 months. I learned a ton and have a ton of good memories! Presidente said that after Araxa, I’ll probably serve in the office to help the new president adjust. It would be great!

After seeing the transfers, we left for Araxa! It took us (President, E. Zeballos, and I) about 7 hours. It’s a nice city with tons of hills haha. We talked with the group leader, Jean, who’s really excited to have missionaries there, checked out the house where they have Sunday meetings. Then we left for Uberaba. As we were leaving, Pres. Kuceki talked with a worker at a gas station (ah, one weird thing here—workers pump the gas for you…way different) about the church and so we already have one person interested to know more!

In Uberaba, we had a zone meeting just like in Goiania and Rio Verde—reviewing the talk- “A Luta Pela Alma’ (I think it would be “The Fight for the Soul’ in English) given by Melvin J. Ballard. In Uberlandia afterwards, we had a similar meeting. Hearing the same training by Pres. Kuceki 5 times was really cool because I learned something new every time and remember a ton.

This week was heavenly—we ate Outback. Twice! I about cried both times it was so good. I’ll send some pictures!!! (mom's note...unfortunately the pictures of this didn't come through) I had to enjoy it while I could because in Araxa I’ll be hundreds of kilometers away from the nearest one.

While I did miss normal work this week, it was nice to relax in the car for a lot of time. Driving with Presidente is hilarious hahaha! He’s a great example of having fun and joking around while also being serious and devoted in the church. I’ll miss traveling with him!

Man it was a full week—3 zones, 4 cities, 2 states, 20 hours driving, and 120 contacts—we met the goal this week too! I’m waaay excited for Araxa and for General Conference! These next few weeks will continue the trend of hard work, good memories, and the wonderful gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Elder Anderson



Monday, March 14, 2016

Um Monte de Fotos


 Bowling scores (Didn't win...haha)

Boliche com o Bispo!
Cool eucalyptus trees

 Anápolis!!!!!!!
 Goiânia from afar!
 Serra Dourado futbol stadium
 Batismo de Marcos!


 AÇAÍ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Bom companheiro e boa açaí!
 A HUGE SNAIL!!
 Chocolate and ice cream pizza
 Strawberry Meringue...A melhor!

 Banana e canela!
 Viajando com Pres. Kuceki and E. Zeballos!
Rural Brazil 

Esta semana foi cheiao! I took a ton of pictures and I don’t have a lot of time to write today, so I’ll let the pictures tell most of this week’s story.

P-Day was great. We went bowling with the bishop, ate a bunch of food at his house, and went to a family night where a returned missionary (Japan Tokyo Mission) talked about his experience. Bom demais!

Tuesday we went to Rio Verde! It was about a 3 hour drive in Pres. Kuceki’s car and it went by quickly. The countryside of Brazil is way cool—just trees, grass, and hills. I tried to get some good pictures.

That night we went to an awesome pizza restaurant where you just sat and they waiters brought tons of kinds of pizza to you. Man it was great! I ate a tooooon.

Wednesday we had the zone conference with the two zones of Rio Verde. That night I went on an exchange with E. Farias, one of the zone leaders of RV Popular, and learned a lot. Usually, that zone is the highest baptizing in the mission. People there are humble and receptive and the missionaries work effectively. The next day Pres. Kuceki finished the interviews and we left.

We got back to Goiania, worked a little bit and the next morning headed to Anapolis—the city with the most churches per capita the world! The zone is small but excited and hardworking. Young too, most of the missionaries have 8 months or less on the mission. Zone conference…a good lunch…interviews, and back to Goiania.

Saturday we had the baptism of Marcos! He was well prepared and happy to be clean from all the sins he ever had. It was a small and simple baptism and he only went completely under the water on the 4th try haha, but, em fin, deu certo!

Yesterday was a great Sunday, I worked hard to reach this week’s goal of 241 contacts, and the busy week ended well. Today will be a good P-Day and tomorrow we’ll begin another great trip, to Araxa, Uberaba, and Uberlandia. Sorry for the short letter this week, but thank you all for keeping up with and supporting me! Tenham uma boa semana! Amo voces!


Elder Anderson

Monday, March 7, 2016

Say No to Drugs


Eating like crazy at Habib's! (Shouldn't have...haha)
The map of Missão Brasil Goiânia!

Again...
E. Whiting e E. D. Almeida, LZs de Rio Verde Centro!
Missão Brasil Goiânia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I said no to drugs this week! I talked with a guy in the road that said he was in a hurry because he was going to buy ‘perfume’. He asked me if I wanted to buy some too, I said no. Haha!

Man this was one of the hardest working weeks of my mission! We had a lot of meetings but still had good results in the field.

Tuesday we had a multi zone conference with all the missionaries in Goiania. President K. spoke about how Satan tries to drag us down little by little, that he attacks our weak points, and he wants to destroy everyone who valiantly serves God. It was great, and we learned a lot about how we always need to watch out for temptation and not give in to the natural man. This lesson is really important for missionaries, because we’re soldiers at the front of the battle between the Lord and the devil and certainly the adversary is trying to take us out. I’m grateful for the protection of the Holy Ghost in this great war!

Wednesday we had the leadership meeting. E. Zeballos and I gave a training about how we need to be like Christ instead of only doing what he did (using he excellent talk of Elder Lynn G. Robbins a few years ago) and that to become like him, the most important attribute we need to develop is charity. It was simple and went well. I took some pictures at the meeting that I’ll send. It’s always fun seeing and talking to friends in the mission.

Thursday the Goiania Norte Zone had interviews, and we went to help with that, reviewing the talks from the worldwide missionary training ‘Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts’ with the missionaries when they weren’t being interviewed.

Friday, we had the zone meeting of our zone, zone staff, and due to an imprevisto (I don’t know/remember that word in English), I had to help give the training of the zone leaders. (based on Doctrine and Covenants 121—the training President K. gave in the leadership meeting) while E. Zeballos went to the office with the other LZ. We ate lunch at the office and finally got to our area to work.

Even with all this time out of our area, E. Zeballos and I were able to fulfill the huge goal Pres. Kuceki made for the mission for the week—500 contacts for every missionary! Oh man it was tough. One day we went on a division with some young men from the ward, and I went to a big bus stop close to a mall on the edge of the area to find a lot of people to talk to. I made 200 that day. It was really a stretching goal, and it took a lot of effort yesterday to complete it in time, but now, having met the goal, all the effort was worth it!

Hahaha, Tuesday we almost missed the bus to go to our multi-zone conference. E. Conceisao, E. McBride, E. Zeballos, and I had to spring the last 200 meters to get to the stop in time! Running down the road in my suit was hilarious haha; it was fun.

Also, after a great district meeting by E. Conceicao which was about the importance of the morning schedule and preparing to teach people, I decided to stop my goal of reading all the scriptures this year. Although Deuteronomy is quite interesting, it doesn’t help me prepare to teach someone about faith, baptism, or Joseph Smith and the restoration of Christ’s church. Now I’m focusing more on The Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel.

This week we go to Rio Verde! Should be fun. We’re going for the zone conference and interviews. Two trips were already canceled to other areas because of car problems of Pres. Kuceki, but hopefully this week vai dar certo!

I’m tired and hungry and sunburned and the happiest ever!! THIS MISSION IS THE BEST! I know that Jesus Christ lives and that I am bringing His true church to the world. How great is this work!

Keep it real America! Saudade!


Elder Anderson