So on Christmas Day and around that time, we were doing quite a few exchanges. I wasn't living there officially, but it almost felt like it. That apartment is in Marapé and it's where the Zone Leaders and another companionship live in Santos. I don't know the address, sorry. The elders are Elder Brown, the Samoan that is a BYU running back (he redshirted), the really tall one with brown hair is Elder Platt, and the blonde is Elder Bredell, who coincidently served here in Eldorado also. Weird right?
The other couple that I only have one photo with, where we are standing, is actually the President of the Interlagos Mission, remember the driver took us to their mission home on accident?
That Elder is Elder Larson. He and I were buds in the MTC in Provo, we lived in the same room and had the same class. He was in a different district in Brazil since he got here before me, but now we are in areas close to each other and we talk all the time at meetings and stuff. He went to BYU before the mission with me. I recognized him when we first met. He lived in J hall which was right behind Merrill where I lived. We also had the same music class spring term. So we both kind of knew each other. He is from Connecticut.
So basically nothing different is happening here in Eldorado. Everyone left for the Baixada for Carnaval. The only difference is less people and not all the stores are open. Really nothing else. We don't have to be home early or anything. Presidents only advice was be smart. I thought that Mardi Gras would be related. It just makes sense.
So we do have Zone conference this week. On Thursday I think. I'm excited. I love to hear President and Sister Tanners' talks. They are always real good. And it's nice to see all my friends and have something different to do. Normally the members prepare something, yes. Rice, beans, and some kind of meat. Basically what I eat everyyyyy day. It's usually pretty good though.
As far as the dinner calendar goes (which for us is a lunch calendar since they give lunch here) the relief society takes care of everything for us and just gives us a list with the names and dates. Here in Eldorado lots of times the members just pay for us at a restaurant called Coma Bem (eat well) and we go there to eat. That's already happened 4 or 5 times. I'll take a picture for you. Restaurants and everything commercial is verryyyyy different here. Almost nothing "chain" exists. The only chain stores you'll see are actually American, like McDonalds.
We haven't done any splits yet. Every time we have marked to do them they have fallen through. It's a little difficult to find someone to help us out. We sometimes go out with just one member, Patrick, he is a convert of 5 months and is super solid in the church already. He basically converted his mom alone, and now he is working on his dad. Of course we're helping and teaching the lessons to him, but he is there everyday talking with him about the church.
Speaking of churches, I would like to give you a brief breakdown on the churches we encounter here. We get a lot of I was born Catholic and I'm gonna die Catholics. They are the hardest to really teach. Then there is the giant Evangelical wave that has come through Brazil. There is the Universal, Mundial (world), Assembleia, and others that aren't as big. It's really interesting to talk with these people. Most people that are evangelical are relatively active in their churches. They are very nice and receptive but usually aren't looking for a change in their lives. There are very few atheist here. Almost everyone belongs to a church.
I'll try and send some more photos. I need to take some first though. Ha ha. My memory card is full. I'll buy another one, but they are overpriced here, that's why I asked if you could send one. :) (or two...) And while I'm asking for things just a few more ideas. Remember these aren't dire needs and you don't need to send these immediately, just ideas. But here they are, Kraft Mac and Cheese. I can't believe I haven't asked for that already. Next some pens, they are really expensive here, and you only buy them one at a time, they don't sell packs, and they are the really basic ones with a cap, I don't know why they don't have better ones, but I thought it would be easier to just ask you. But I like the pilot pens the one I have has Pilot G-2 07 written on it. Pilot is the brand, G-2 is the model, 07 is how thick the point is. If you could send some in Black and Blue, and maybe red, that would be wonderful thank you. And one more request, since it is actually pretty cold here during the nights because buildings here have absolutely no insulation, could you send some PJ pants? If you want to get some cool cartoon character ones, like batman, that's ok with me. Thank you.
Oh and I got the valentines package!! Thank you. The coin purses are perfect, and the laminated patriarchal blessings and line of authority are awesome. Thank you. The Brazilian roommates are loving the American candy too. Yet another thing that is way overpriced here, and just not as good. I think it's because they like salty treats more that sweet for the most part. So they don't really focus too much on candy here. Oh and my roommates names are Elder J. Santos (because there already was another Santos he gets a J) and Elder Souza (who is our DL). Elder Larusso is my companion.
So Valentine’s Day is called Day of Boyfriends and Girlfriends (Dia dos namorados) it doesn't translate to English very well. It is some other day in the year. I don't know when. Absolutely nothing changed here for Valentine’s day.
Yeah I am playing soccer here, they have a nice giant turf field where we play with the young men. We didn't play today because they are all at a camp. They have this camp every year during Carnaval to take the youth away from all the bad things that are happening in the world. It's a pretty big deal here.
Well that's all for now, until next week. Te amo.
Elder Cameron Wayne Bruce
The other couple that I only have one photo with, where we are standing, is actually the President of the Interlagos Mission, remember the driver took us to their mission home on accident?
That Elder is Elder Larson. He and I were buds in the MTC in Provo, we lived in the same room and had the same class. He was in a different district in Brazil since he got here before me, but now we are in areas close to each other and we talk all the time at meetings and stuff. He went to BYU before the mission with me. I recognized him when we first met. He lived in J hall which was right behind Merrill where I lived. We also had the same music class spring term. So we both kind of knew each other. He is from Connecticut.
So basically nothing different is happening here in Eldorado. Everyone left for the Baixada for Carnaval. The only difference is less people and not all the stores are open. Really nothing else. We don't have to be home early or anything. Presidents only advice was be smart. I thought that Mardi Gras would be related. It just makes sense.
So we do have Zone conference this week. On Thursday I think. I'm excited. I love to hear President and Sister Tanners' talks. They are always real good. And it's nice to see all my friends and have something different to do. Normally the members prepare something, yes. Rice, beans, and some kind of meat. Basically what I eat everyyyyy day. It's usually pretty good though.
As far as the dinner calendar goes (which for us is a lunch calendar since they give lunch here) the relief society takes care of everything for us and just gives us a list with the names and dates. Here in Eldorado lots of times the members just pay for us at a restaurant called Coma Bem (eat well) and we go there to eat. That's already happened 4 or 5 times. I'll take a picture for you. Restaurants and everything commercial is verryyyyy different here. Almost nothing "chain" exists. The only chain stores you'll see are actually American, like McDonalds.
We haven't done any splits yet. Every time we have marked to do them they have fallen through. It's a little difficult to find someone to help us out. We sometimes go out with just one member, Patrick, he is a convert of 5 months and is super solid in the church already. He basically converted his mom alone, and now he is working on his dad. Of course we're helping and teaching the lessons to him, but he is there everyday talking with him about the church.
Speaking of churches, I would like to give you a brief breakdown on the churches we encounter here. We get a lot of I was born Catholic and I'm gonna die Catholics. They are the hardest to really teach. Then there is the giant Evangelical wave that has come through Brazil. There is the Universal, Mundial (world), Assembleia, and others that aren't as big. It's really interesting to talk with these people. Most people that are evangelical are relatively active in their churches. They are very nice and receptive but usually aren't looking for a change in their lives. There are very few atheist here. Almost everyone belongs to a church.
I'll try and send some more photos. I need to take some first though. Ha ha. My memory card is full. I'll buy another one, but they are overpriced here, that's why I asked if you could send one. :) (or two...) And while I'm asking for things just a few more ideas. Remember these aren't dire needs and you don't need to send these immediately, just ideas. But here they are, Kraft Mac and Cheese. I can't believe I haven't asked for that already. Next some pens, they are really expensive here, and you only buy them one at a time, they don't sell packs, and they are the really basic ones with a cap, I don't know why they don't have better ones, but I thought it would be easier to just ask you. But I like the pilot pens the one I have has Pilot G-2 07 written on it. Pilot is the brand, G-2 is the model, 07 is how thick the point is. If you could send some in Black and Blue, and maybe red, that would be wonderful thank you. And one more request, since it is actually pretty cold here during the nights because buildings here have absolutely no insulation, could you send some PJ pants? If you want to get some cool cartoon character ones, like batman, that's ok with me. Thank you.
Oh and I got the valentines package!! Thank you. The coin purses are perfect, and the laminated patriarchal blessings and line of authority are awesome. Thank you. The Brazilian roommates are loving the American candy too. Yet another thing that is way overpriced here, and just not as good. I think it's because they like salty treats more that sweet for the most part. So they don't really focus too much on candy here. Oh and my roommates names are Elder J. Santos (because there already was another Santos he gets a J) and Elder Souza (who is our DL). Elder Larusso is my companion.
So Valentine’s Day is called Day of Boyfriends and Girlfriends (Dia dos namorados) it doesn't translate to English very well. It is some other day in the year. I don't know when. Absolutely nothing changed here for Valentine’s day.
Yeah I am playing soccer here, they have a nice giant turf field where we play with the young men. We didn't play today because they are all at a camp. They have this camp every year during Carnaval to take the youth away from all the bad things that are happening in the world. It's a pretty big deal here.
Well that's all for now, until next week. Te amo.
Elder Cameron Wayne Bruce
Answers to Dad’s letter:
Yay you have a job! I laughed out loud when I read that you were going to Joanne’s Fabric with her. Oh man.
I have the same feeling about Carnaval. The members here talk about it with such a negative connotation. I'm really happy I left Santos before it started. It's probably full of sin right now.
That's awesome that Landon will play at BYU Hawaii. Tell him congratulations for me.
For some reason lately I've missed watching sports a little. I think it is because I was at a conference and I was talking about them with Americans. It was sad how little we actually knew about what was going on. I remember the name Jeremy Linn because my friends and I joked about him being the next big thing. That's awesome that he is actually doing well now. I hope it continues.
I don't think I have dreamed in Portugues but then again I don't remember even talking or hearing anyone talk in my dreams for a long time now. I do think in Portugues a lot though, and I've already had to erase quite a few Portugues words in this email. It’s really progressing living with only Brazilians for 4 months now.
Have fun at work!!
Elder Cameron Bruce
I have the same feeling about Carnaval. The members here talk about it with such a negative connotation. I'm really happy I left Santos before it started. It's probably full of sin right now.
That's awesome that Landon will play at BYU Hawaii. Tell him congratulations for me.
For some reason lately I've missed watching sports a little. I think it is because I was at a conference and I was talking about them with Americans. It was sad how little we actually knew about what was going on. I remember the name Jeremy Linn because my friends and I joked about him being the next big thing. That's awesome that he is actually doing well now. I hope it continues.
I don't think I have dreamed in Portugues but then again I don't remember even talking or hearing anyone talk in my dreams for a long time now. I do think in Portugues a lot though, and I've already had to erase quite a few Portugues words in this email. It’s really progressing living with only Brazilians for 4 months now.
Have fun at work!!
Elder Cameron Bruce
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