Dennis has a fascination with butterflies, which started way back in the 1960's when he was here on his first mission. Since it is now illegal in Brazil to kill butterflies for commercial purposes, this large bowl will be just right. | We got just 1-2 of each of the above items, just for fun, for display at home...if we can get them home safely...especially the butterfly bowl! |
The day we first came to Campo Largo, we noticed all the billboards for porcelain stores that were along the freeway. We were told the Campo Largo is the Porcelain Capital of Brazil. We decided that we had to take some porcelain back to the States. It took quite an effort to find the stores of two factories to visit, which included finding out which bus to take and when, where to get off, and which direction to walk after getting off. We found Schmidt's and Polovi, both of which send their porcelain to countries throughout the world. Here are some pictures of what we chose to get.
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In June, the missionaries of the Curitiba Mission baptized AND CONFIRMED more than 345 people! In comparison, Curitiba South Mission baptized 45 people last month--same city--with more missionaries! As Sister Monteiro said, Brazil baptized more than any country in the world in June, 2015. Curitiba missionaries not only baptized AND CONFIRMED more people than any other mission in Brazil, but baptized and CONFIRMED more than any other mission in the world! By the numbers, that makes the Brazil Curitiba Mission the BEST MISSION IN THE WORLD!! So the missionaries were rewarded by a Super P-Day on July 30, which lasted from 8:00 a.m. to about 5:00 p.m. Some of the activities included: outdoor flag football, basketball, soccer, badminton, dodge ball; indoor foosball, table tennis, table hockey, chess, checkers, dominoes, pickup sticks; instruction in yoga and Maori Hakkah war dance for the elders; and two hours fitness training, skin care and make-up instruction for the sisters; and the afternoon movie "Up." Lunch was provided: A Pizza catering company brought everything they needed and made pizza (including chocolate/strawberry pizza) for about 175 people, as we watched. They served individual pieces to us on posterboard wedges. Lots and lots and lots of pizza went down. It was a great day for all! COMMENT: Many people are critical of the missionaries baptizing so many, with low retention. But as we have experienced this and wondered how to feel, we have come to realize that the topic goes a lot deeper, into obedience, spiritual readiness and responsibility of the wards and the members. Here in Brazil, caring about others as a mind-set isn't happening well yet. The missionaries' job is to find and teach and baptize. They are doing that in a marvelous way. Other than the 5-6 post-baptismal lessons, and making attempts to connect new members with other ward members, they cannot be responsible for retention. The stakes, wards and members have the responsibility to welcome, friendship and retain the new members. Leaders are beginning to recognize that they are faltering in these responsibilities. It is a topic of great concern to the Church in South America.
There was another emergency transfer, and after just six short days, Elder Alvarado was transferred again--oooooh! I guess the Mission President thinks he's just as special as we do. He is now somewhere in Curitiba. Joining Elder Bryan, Elder Carvalho and Elder Fontes, our new team member is Elder Nunes from São Paulo--brand new! He came straight from the Language Training Mission in São Paulo. Elder Fantes is his trainer. Sharp!
For whatever reason, there was an emergency transfer somewhere in the mission. We heard that an elder had to go home early. With one day's notice, three of our Elders were transferred, leaving Elder Brayan alone in this huge area with three "new," but seasoned Elders: Elder Carvalho from Rio Grande do Sul, Elder Fantes from Uruguay, and ELDER ALVARADO from Texas! All are really sharp Elders, but to have Elder Alvarado again is special , since we left him in Bocaiúva just 2 months ago.
Dennis enjoys playing Ping-Pong ("Peengÿ-Pongy") with the young men, who are REALLY good. The ping-ping table is usually kept in the back of the extra-long chapel that doubles as a multi-purpose room. It is left out for play during the week, and only folded up for Sacrament Meetings. It was carried outside for one of the the Festa Julina games.
This was the funnest dance! I have six short video clips of it----I'll try to include them in this post (?).
Two weeks after our arrival in Campo Largo, Elder Linsay was transferred. Elder Bryan (NV) filled in.
We love our Elders! And they love our food! Elder Paz from Brazilian state Espirito Santo, Elder W. Silva from São Paulo, Elder Low from Dublin, Ohio, and Elder Bryan from Las Vegas, Nevada. |