Boa tarde meu amigos!
I have officially been in Curitiba for 4 days now and it is both weird and awesome! [Mom note: Devin's great Aunt Dirce is from Curitiba!]
The first day I arrived, I went to the mission office with the other new missionaries. We got to meet our mission president and his wife, The Bikmins! They are both really sweet and remarkable individuals!
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| New missionaries w/ Pres. & Sis. Bikman (from Houston, TX) |
During our time at the mission office, we got a chance to speak with other missionaries and learn more about our training for the next 12 weeks. (That's right! More training!) They explained how things would work for the next 12 weeks and I now have a packet full of things I need to accomplish moving forward. WOOHOO MORE HOMEWORK!
We also got luch from a restaurant nearby and it tasted pretty good! It was like your typical burger place back in The USA but with some different food as well. All I know is that it was delicious!
While at the office, I also ran into an Elder who is the brother of one of my friends at BYU. Hi Celeste! Your Brother is doing well and is an awesome guy!
During our time at the office we all got to meet with President Bikmin one-on-one and but of course... I was the last one to go. So while everyone else had already left, I finally had my meeting with President Bikmin and afterwards, I put all my stuff in an uber, followed my trainer (His name is Elder Hall and he is awesome and TALL), and arrived at a house somewhere in Curitiba.
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| Me & my trainer, Elder Hall! |
I then drop of my stuff and immediately... WE GET TO WORK! Yep! I literally changed into better walking clothes, packed a bag with a Boom of Mormon (in portugues) and whatever else I thought might be handy and off we went! The work has begun!
I have been doing this for about 3 days now and you know what... 1. THERE ARE A LOT OF DOGS EVERYWHERE!!!! [Mom note: his older brother said the exact same thing while serving in Curitiba!] And 2. I don't know what people are saying half the time😅
I will use whatever context clues or words I know to try and form a story but to be honest, it's hard.
Even though this is the case, I still do whatever work and communication I can through the best communication method ever: Love. Even though I don't know a whole lot, I am still glad I am here and I can feel the love of the people I serve.
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| First baptism |
Something I have been able to do is perform my first baptism! Literally the day of, Elder Hall tells me I am baptizing a girl named Vanessa and so I did. 5 minutes before the baptism I learned what I needed to do and I pulled it off! It was a remarkable experience.
To all my fellow new missionaries out there who are going through hard times or any individual, know that you aren't alone. A scripture that my sister actually just shared with me is Alma 37:37. I highly recommend you read this scripture as it tells how God will direct us and lift us up in our life and that he is watching over us.
My p-day is almost over but I hope that you are all doing well and remember how much God loves you. This Church is true and God's love is for everyone. Until next time!
-Elder Fisher