My Brazilian Adventures ...

OLÁ POR TUDO MUNDO! (or “Hi Everyone” if you don't speak Português)

I'm happy at the moment to tell you all that this week (as the first week of the transfer officially) is story week! YAY! 

So after the fun of the transfer weeks in advance, I'm cracking down to work with Elder de Souza. We started the week strong, but unfortunately, due to misplanning, it died due to splits with the quorum. Stinking elders, why do you want to re-live your missions? But I did get to be present at the dedication of a home of a member who is coming back to church, and the Spirit there now is mind-blowing! I didn't do the dedication, but it was still cool.

We also got to move a family into an apartment about 3 blocks from their home, where the missionary couple of the ward now lives, who is the parents of the parents of the family ... and this family has things. I had the grand privilege of moving the collective weight of a small organ into the house by myself, and, with help from others, an elephant. Don't ask me, I just know I had to move a lot of heavy things. In their words (translated): “Americans are always strong, you'll be able to handle this.” (And then they give me a personal refrigerator).

Aside from the moving, we're starting to find and teach new people. So in our contacts, we went into a store to buy recreation clothing for my companion who neglected to bring any.  And the family that works the store is mind-blown that there is an American in their city who is wanting to talk to the people about Jesus.

More or less, I think they’re a little more interested in the stereo-type rich American than the message. But vale a pena, vou ensinar vou batizar [But it is worthwhile; I will teach, I will baptize]!

That's all the time I have for now, enjoy the photos of us at district meeting, lunch with the members, the entrance sign of Guarapuava (in Indian here that means the Grumpy Wolf). And yes, that sign says that the rest of the world is on its own, and Group activity! I'll send more next week of the activity.

Até mais [See you later]!

Elder A. Smith

"Jesus Christ is the Lord of Guarapuava." Guarapuava means "Grumpy Wolf."

District Activity

District Meeting

Lunch with Member Family

Panarama of Park in Guarapuava

Imporant Address Update

For LETTERS, use the following address, which has been posted on the blog since April:

Elder Joel Albert Smith
Brazil Curitiba South Mission
Caixa Postal 9501Água Verde
80613-981 Curitiba-PR
Brazil


For PACKAGES, use the following, original mission address:

Elder Joel Albert Smith
Brazil Curitiba South Mission
Recanto Joseph Smith, 15 
Portao
80610-210 Curitiba - PR  
Brazil

Don't Do This ...

From September 14, 2015

Hello friends, family and other relations,

I'm pleased to announce that we are having fun yet. Unfortunately that means that we are also finding a lot of little road bumps.

This week we were doing many things, and I got myself into a family lesson that was a debate about nothing in the end. I could tell the whole story, but scripture references would be the majority of it. There was a lesson we entered, encountered a woman of age, and a Baptist that wants nothing to do with prophets (as Christ already did everything so we don't have to), nothing to do with more scripture (as if the Bible said everything in a clear manner, [even] skipping Isaiah) and wouldn't listen. Long story short, I dusted my feet off there.

Don't debate with old people, especially when they just want to argue with you.

Until next week!

Elder Joel A. Smith

Say Brasil!

From September 8, 2015

Alright, where did I leave off? Oh, right! This week was a blast, just from the get-go it was hard. I'm battling the climate as the weather is proving difficult on both my allergies and unfortunately that has turned into a head cold. Don't say that mission life isn't tough some times. Even when sick, I have to get out and teach. Or I'm being a slacker.

We had the privilege to switch companions on the last week of transfers........ yay. So I have this week to work and maybe I'll stick around to finish what I started in the next transfer. I'm sorry that I don't have the time to respond this week to your personal messages. I had to give a rather lengthy report to the president about my new companion and what's going on here.

Fun story of the week! We were wandering (yes, that happens here) and I felt the impression to return to a particular home we had visited some 16 days before, to try to teach there. I was already programmed to go to a less active members home to visit, but I kept feeling impressed. After the second time, I couldn't ignore it, and we went to the home. A young lady (of 25, She’s already married, sorry amigos) came out; we introduced ourselves and were let in. I was impressed that there was a family reunion taking place and in that lesson alone we invited 6 to be baptized to which ALL accepted! Two unfortunately live in another state of Brasil, but the other 3 are fair game. The last one, we have trouble communicating with as he is half deaf. But, we are having success and are happy. 

NOTE: baptisms are coming!

Até Próximo!

Elder Joel A. Smith

Elder de Souza - Pondering

Elder de Souza

Joel with his new companion, Elder de Souza

Missionaries with family in Guarapuava