More Pics at the Brazil MTC

Missionaries in AJ's dorm room - four are Brazilian.  He mentioned the only Brazilian Elder that speaks English fairly well is on the far right - he apparently learned from playing video games (Call of Duty being his favorite) 

AJ's cozy classroom

Atrium in the MTC

AJ and Elder Norman pointing out their missions
(not sure what's up with AJ's expression)

AJ greets Blake Russell on his arrival to the MTC

First Pics at the Brazil MTC

Elder Norman and AJ

 AJ's MTC dorm room

View of São Paulo from the MTC

First email from AJ

The following email from AJ includes a number of responses to questions we emailed him this past week (our questions are in blue):

Ay, perguntas perguntas!! Como posso dar as respostas para todas?

[So, an entire week has passed...time flies :-).  We're very anxious to hear about your week]  It's funny that you say this past week has flown by. To me it seems like its been at least several weeks, just because we've learned so much. It's truly a testament that the Spirit is here; I've learned more this last week about Portuguese than probably a whole semester or two of Spanish.  Anyways it's sorta hard to type on this Portuguese keyboard, but ill try to answer as many questions as possible.

[Are you burnt already? Is it just disgustingly hot? And how's the food?] I am not burnt, actually I'm tanning pretty good. The weather is just a tad warm but not really too bad. The food is interesting but most of it is delicious! For lunch today we had kebabs with beef or shrimp or something, and then roast beef and a fried sea cucumber. There are several pots of beans and rice at lunch and dinner, from which thou can freely partake.

Oh yeah, we went to the Sao Paulo temple this morning. It is a really beautiful temple. The celestial room is sorta small but it's really cool. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to bring cameras on the trip, but we got a picture taken of our district outside. It was really sunny so my eyes are probably closed in the picture.

Also, I'm the district leader for district 14-C. Yay. I really think it's God's way of getting me to follow the rules and focus more...but it's all guuud.

[How is it not being able to get on the computer or TV ever? Or are you just too busy to even worry?]  I'm not really worrying about using the computer or TV, although I have been looking forward to sending you guys email for a while now! About half of the guys here are Brazilians. they are all really cool and help you learn portuguese quickly.  I'll have to tell you more later about it since I have 3 MINUTES LEFT.

[What was the little dot sticker on your nametag? Who's your companion? Is he also going to the Campinas mission?]  The blue sticker just means I'm new. It also means I get a free cookie from Mr Cheneys [business across the street from the CTM]. Our district is going there in just a few minutes.  Long story short, my current companion is my 4th [while at the CTM). He is Elder Norman and he's a pretty cool guy. He is a brianiac and knows everything about everything. Sometimes it's a struggle to get him (and myself) to focus but it's all guuud.  I have only met 3 other people going to the Campinas mission. Que pena!

Oh, all my luggage and stuff arrived fine. No peanut butter explosion. Some pancake mix spilled and my razor spat out some hair but other than that it's all guuud.

Okay I am past time. Sorry for being sooooo quick and brief, I had to quickly read through all your emails! Thank you for taking the time to send them!

Greetings from the Brazil MTC

The following email excerpt and picture were received yesterday from President Ralph Degn and Sister Mary Ann Degn of the Brazil MTC:

We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time. We promise to take good care of your missionary.

They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study. Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple. This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.

Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: “There is no mortal man that is as interested in the success of an elder when he is preaching the Gospel as is the Lord who sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord's children".

AJ's missionary group along with President Ralph Degn and Sister Mary Ann Degn

Google Maps street view of the MTC

Headed off to Brazil

AJ boarded his flight early this morning to Sao Paulo, Brazil.  He connected in Salt Lake City and then Atlanta, where we understand he hooked up with a number of other missionaries also headed to the Brazil MTC.  At the Portland airport when checking his bags, we inquired about the possibility of a security pass to the gate -- the ticket agent simply responded "so, which one of you will be using it?".  Dad enjoyed a breakfast with AJ at Rose's, near the departure gate.  He passed along some last-minute counsel and was comforted to witness him boarding the plane :-).

AJ with sisters and Mom at PDX

Flying into Sao Paulo

Missionary group heading from Atlanta to Sao Paulo