When we went to the MTC (Mission Training Center) in Provo, Utah, and again when we arrived at our mission office in Curitiba, Brazil, we were told that there are few rules for senior missionary couples (called "Casals"). We were to seek out what needed to be done, and do it. Since our specific mission call is "Leader and Membership Support," we are constantly watching for ways we can help. When we got here, we noticed the disrepair of the church building; it seemed that no one was cleaning the church--it was awful. No repairs were being done, and no one seemed to care. Also, there is no budget for maintenance, repairs and supplies. We took on the challenge to clean the building every week, launder hand towels and cleaning rags, and provide needed supplies and equipment (brooms, mops, cleaners, wastebaskets and liners, toilet paper, hand towels, light bulbs, chalk and erasers, tape, crayons, cups, napkins, disposable forks and spoons--even toilet seats and weed whacker). We make repairs, clean out litter and garbage and broken items strewn around the building, mow and rake the lawn. Our hope has been that some day, someone would appreciate it, mention it, and offer to help, or better yet, suggest that we should have rotating cleaning assignments. Dennis has asked Amadeus, a new member about Dennis's age, to help him with the lawn. Last Saturday he refused to come because somehow he got the idea that they would be sweeping and mopping--and that is women's work. We'll have to walk two miles to his house so that Dennis can set things straight. There is talk--mere talk so far--about rotating cleaning responsibilities each week. We'll see what happens . . .
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