March 10

This week we taught lots of different people.  We baptized a boy named Gabriel and he is doing great!  His dad attended church yesterday so that was awesome, and we had 8 investigators attend church which is crazy!  And there was a boy there that we didn't even teach who came to church and stayed all three hours and listened the whole time and he said it was great.  We are going to teach him this week.

For meals we eat mostly rice, beans, and meat.  The rice and beans are separate side dishes, and then there is a separate meat like chicken or steak.  Very rarely I'll have pasta with the rice and beans.  My new favorite food is a Brazilian hot dog just because it is something new.  What you do is get a roll and hollow it out with a knife or spoon.  Then you fill it up with sliced up pieces of hot dog.  But first you cook the slices in a pan and then add a special tomato sauce that is only in Brazil.  And then after it is cooked you put it into the bread and add mayonnaise and it is awesome.

I found out there is an animal called a baisho shaka and it's like an angry yellow porcupine that likes to attack hands and knees and it comes out at night time.  And I think one lives in the roof because my companion says they like to live in areas with lots of cockroaches.  Lucky me!  We've heard scuffling in the roof.  Later today I am taking the light out of the ceiling and cleaning the interior of the ceiling.  So cockroaches are going to probably fall out of the ceiling along with angry yellow porcupine creatures!  Se eu morto, the amo - haha!

I'm staying here for my transfer and my companion is leaving.  I don' know more than that.  Only the zone leaders and the mission president know.  I got to see my mission president at a zone conference with four other zones. I ran into my first companion from the MTC so that was fun!

I got all the Dear Elder letters and I'll probably get more things in two weeks. I wasn't able to send anything last week because there is a horrible Satanic holiday here where people celebrate bad things.  It's called the celebration of the flesh and parents here send their kids away to camps to get away from seeing any of it.  It's all through Brazil and it's pretty crazy.  SO I can finally send a letter today.  That's good you got my first letter.  Yay!

I'll probably get the Easter boxes in a month and a half or so so not too bad!  I love Brazil so much it is awesome here.  I wish I could take more pictures but there is a high risk of theft!  And I can't look like a tourist and I stand out as it is a mile away!  People here love my American accent!  So that's fun.  There are a lot of poor people here.  I've learned that people here think the war with Iraq was fought in the United States so that was interesting.  Also people often think we are bus workers and they will stop their cars and ask us for directions!

 Baptism for a boy Gabriel.  It was such a great baptism and the spirit was so strong.

The trees here are very lush and there are lots of pretty flowers.  Brazil is beautiful.

March 3

Sounds like you and Blake had a lot of fun with all the DC stuff!  I want a burger so bad!  I'm craving mac and cheese and Mexican food but mostly mac and cheese. Weird right?  Cheese here is super expensive for a missionary,  and they don't sell mac and cheese -  only noodles and packets of cheese.  Also milk here is fake.  It's all in cardboard cartons and I buy a carton for 1.72 reals -  so its cheap. Then I put chocolate in it to have chocolate milk in the mornings.  I also buy cakes in these tiny packets and mix with milk and they're pretty good.  I love juice.  I buy juice packets so I always have juice for the week. It's pretty sweet.  That's funny how my room still looks exactly the same.  Did you guys figure out how to work the Gamecube?  Just plug in the black wires into the box that has other wires.  Well that´s as best as I can explain it so good luck!   I'm sending you guys more letters this week so hopefully you can get letters from me every week. 

February 24

so things to know about my area:

Everyone owns a motorcyle

Anyone who has a pickup truck puts speakers in the back of it so the sound its incredibly loud and my ears have acually poped when they drive by somtimes I dont know how they can hear.

Brazilian barbeques are amazing!!

People never take there shoes off. I tried and my companion looked at me like I was commiting a crime

People here love english language but know body speaks it

I hear american music like katy perry and marron five and people here have american t-shirts but they can´t understand any english what so ever so I found that kinda funny. 

When people findout I´m from the us they ask me to speak english and they find when I speak english that it sounds pretty so thats kinda cool

I have a wasp nest outside my window of my home I want to get rid of it sooo bad

And the people hear love talking about church and the subject of baptism

SO for this week I traveled alot between novo hamburgo and Saprianga and I got to go to Porto Alegre to get my brazilian passport for two years. And after got to eat lots of meat and that was sweet. Lessons with investigators is going great. We went to this one house and it is just filled with trash and smells really bad and the man is drunk and crazzy and kept patting my shoulder and offering me to drink so he was crazzy. His wife just was looking down and making necklaces out of plastic beads and I dont know what we taught them other than I dont want to go back there because they were crazzy but my companion really wants to teach them and so I´ll probally go back to that crazzy family agian but it keeps life interesting so its all good. THe man finds it amusing I cant speak portugese and then I´ll say things in english just to confuse him for fun. So him and I have fun hehe. The guy that wanted me to baptize him I went and saw yesterday and he had four friends so we ended up teaching 5 people at once and it was good. But I couldnt teach or communicate at all because they talk super fast and there were 5 of them and one of them was very confused about why we need the book of mormon and my companion tried so many things and the other 4 got it but he didnt... And at the end of the lesson he gave the closing prayer and 2 of the guys are very interested so that´s good. Also during the week I went house to house clapping out side gates. THeres no alarm systems in Brazil only for the super rich. The people here all own dogs and the big ones I call monstros for monsters and have big gates around all the houses. And for one of these houses we found a younge couple and they want to attend church with us this sunday so I´m excited for that. I went to a house to do a baptism inteview with a zone leader but he wasnt there, His wife invited us in. He has a mentally crazzy son. The son would look at me and say your crazzy and then start laughing. Then he put his hand on my leg and giggled. And then proceded to kiss me on the cheeck but I flinched away. And then he started laughing some more. And then he offered me some meat. NOW this part was awful I wanted to run away so bad!! He puts rotting solami a few inches away from my face I gagged. I grabbed his wrist and said por favor no hahahah and then the man finally showed up and he didn´t want to get baptized and I got the heck out of there!! Then later in the week I went with another zone leader and went to this woman´s house named Marly. And he interviewed her and so she´s getting baptized this week! Yea! And while the other elder was doing the interview I was all alone with her other family members and I was able to communicate with them through sharrades. And at one point I said isnt this fun? haha they were really cool. They asked about the church and said what church are you a missionary for? And then said the mormons. And they said`` ohh yea we have some friends that are mormon why can´t you drink coffe``? and in my bad portugese I explained how its addictive and how we believe how it has bad substances in it. And long story short im gonna go teach them sometime this week or next week so that´ll be great. ON sunday I went house to house and a lady invited us in and was super happy. It turns out the missionaries had baptized her and her son but not her husband and had not been to her house in 4 months! The husband this huge guy 6,4 with arms the size of twice my head hugged me and my companion and said thanks for coming back. And then he fed us sandwitches and I know that it was not a coincedience we walked there I looked at my friend elder Seidman and said why are we going this way and we walked and walked and then we found them. Miracles happen everyday here small and big and we squeduled an appointment and Im going back there this week. Miracles are everywhere on my mission the people I talk to the ones that let me into there home and we teach them somtimes only for 5 minutes and we give them a pamphlet of the restoration or the gospel of christ and we tell them to pray about it and they do and when they take the little pamphlet in there hands and pray about sincerly I know that they can get the answer they need. The mission is awesome, because every day I meet someone new. 

I love you guys it sounds like you´ve all had busy and exausting weeks as well! Well I´ll talk to you guys again next week Im sure I´ll have more exciting stories to tell!! 

AMO VOCES!!

February 17, 2014

These are answers in response to some of the questions Randy and I asked Austin in our emails…

(I asked where the photos were taken last week)

"The baptism picture are inside the church.  The church is a one minute walk from my house.  The language is good.  I can speak it but not really understand it yet because it is so fast.  It will take a few more weeks but each week is getting a lot better and I'm learning a lot. 

 (We told him we wanted to see how big the giant cockroaches actually are.  I told him to kill and trace one since an insect body wouldn't' make it through customs - haha)  You want me to send you a giant dead cockroach?!  Haha!!!  You guys are crazy!  Tell Blake to open his email and respond to me!!  

(I asked him about the people he's teaching and about the members)  "The investigators are really nice.  They usually offer me water.  Members offer us more and more and more food so me and my companion eat a lot! 

 (I asked him if he had any funny stories or mistakes he was making with Portuguese)  "Here is my best and most embarrassing language story so far.  I was trying to ask for stamps but I kept saying breast!  So I went to the store and said, "Hi, I would like some breasts please."  Then they looked really confused.  So I said, "I need breasts now." Then my companion, who speaks English said, "Elder, they don't have those here."  I thought my companion was telling me that they don't have stamps there, so I said, "darn it, I really need breasts now…"  And then we left.  So lesson learned that when you are learning a new language you make a lot of mistakes.  Awkward, bad mistakes!"  

(I asked him about the man who approached him on the street)  "The man who walked up to me and said "baptize me" was being serious.  We went to his house and clapped - but he didn't answer.  So my companion and I started to leave but I felt an impression to go back and to knock.  He answered and we taught him and it was great and hopefully we are going there again this week.  Last week my companion baptized a little girl of a non-member family, but I don't think her family is going to join the church anytime soon.  The grandma attended the baptism, but not the mom or the sister.  We didn't even teach the grandma but she is coming the church now with her granddaughter and it is great."  

(I asked Austin who lived with him and his companion)  "It is just me and my companion, Elder Seidmann.  He is an awesome super hard worker."

(Happy Valentine's Day)  "The Valentine's Day of Brazil is in June so I'll tell you I love you then - haha.  That's cool that I can get letters from them here.  I have a binder that I'm putting all my letters in. Love you too!"

"Yes, Monday is my P (personal) day.  (Day off where missionaries do their laundry, shopping, and hopefully have a little break.)  I'm in a city called Sapriana.  I'll send the address and you can google map it and see my house and see where I walk around.  My area is a busy town with lots of people.  It is really hot but this week it rained and it cooled off which was nice.  Like Nick, I walk everywhere but I enjoy it.  My companion is s a super hard worker.  He was sick last week but we still went and taught 12 lessons.  I bore my testimony of how the Book of Mormon is a guide in my life in Portuguese.  So I love my mission!  Each day is a new adventure with lots of awesome new people!!  And the food here is so good!  On Sunday we have a huge BBQ with the members and it is sweet."

(I asked him about his financial situation)  "You always give the best mom lectures - haha!  Everything is going great.  I've used 50 Reals of the money you gave me only because I didn't know how to use my card the first week.   I'm saving 150 for emergencies.   I have a good amount.  I get 135 Reals for 2.5 weeks, and 30 of it goes toward the bus.  The rest is for food and toiletries.  The members feed us each day.  Brazilians eat lunch as a huge meal.  On Sundays there are BBQ's and it is awesome.  I have to be frugal so I eat really cheap stuff.  Ramen noodles and hotdogs which is pretty good.  But lunch with the members always fills me up.  I ordered a pizza one day.  I was starving.  My companion paid for half of it.  I will tell you more about Brazilian pizza next week.  Members are super good about feeding us.  We always have a member feed us or give us money to eat out and then we go to a restaurante or buffe.  So food wise I'm way good."

"I do a lot of traveling between Saprianga and Novo Hamburgo.  I call it hamburger city.  My companion is the district leader so we travel to the other city twice a week."

 It rained like crazy last week in Brazil.  When it rains it rains!

 I baptized my second investigator - it was awesome!

 Me and my companion chillen….

 Got to travel to a city called Novo Hamburgo.  I go there twice a week.  This is a view from the zone leaders's apartment.  Pretty sweet.

Elder Barrus in Sapiranga, Brasil

Brazil is awesome!  It's hard not being able to talk with anyone but soon eu sei I know that I will get the language.  I only speak Portuguese here.  I was talking to an Elder who has been here for a year and a half and it's difficult for him to speak English.  He has to translate from Portuguese back to English.  He  knows all his English words and stuff but when he speaks it it sounded weird - haha.  So I know that speaking is hard right now but soon in a  few months I'll have the language down.

Everything is going great here.  I'll take more pics and send them to ya next week!  Endure the cold and try not to freeze to death!!!

I had to walk in 120 degree weather this week.  My arms got pretty sunburned but they're tanning nicely now.  The people here are so nice.  The food is great.  Meat!  I love the meat here.  It is the best thing ever.  Brazilian pizza is my favorite thing.  People are very welcoming here.  It's part of their culture and so anyone we see we can pretty much go right up to them and start teaching.

I do a lot of walking.  Tons of walking.  I have to do stretches or else my knees will tear and I'll have to go home so I do exercises everyday.  toto did totos as dias!  All the homes have gates around them so I have to clap outside to get in.  A man came up to me, put his arm on my shoulder and said, "baptize me" so I am going to baptize him.

I can speak some Portuguese but I can't understand it and sorry for my grammar.  I'm using a Brazilian keyboard and it's hard to type.

There are evil cockroaches in my house.  I found one last night.  It was very very big.  It's scary!!  My house is very poor, and all of the floors of houses here are very dirty because it's Brazilian culture to always wear shoes.  The heat is insane.  It got to be 120 degrees and I thought I would die - haha.  I drank 1 liter of juice and 1 liter of water - it was heavenly.  Don't worry about me!  I love it everyday.  It's hot and sweaty but I love the heat.  I hate cold weather.  So happy not to be in Utah anymore.  I love hot weather.  Also - in Brazil men never wear shirts and everyone owns a motorcycle and everyone wears flip flops.  EVERYONE is pretty sweet though.  I could live here.  It's a pretty laid back lifestyle and the meat here is to sweat for.

The people here are crazy drivers.  It's why we can't have bikes and why I walk everywhere.  My investigators are a one hour walk away from my house and its very hot but I drink lots of water so no worries.  My mission is difficult because I can't communicate with the people but what little I say to them they understand.  I can testify of the gospel and say lots of church things but the hard part is understanding.  But it will come with time.

Everyone here owns dogs.  Everyone!  And all the dogs are little and bark like crazy!  Also poor people always have tons of cats and dogs.  I don't know why!  There was this huge bee during a lesson and when it went near the ground dust flew up around it.  It was scary.  eu no gust de bees and cockroaches muito mal!   We teach lots of people each week.  My trainer speaks a little English but honestly I never talk in English anymore, mostly all Portuguese.  Other missionaries tell me I'll be fairly fluent in 6 months so that should be awesome.  It seems far away but it will go by fast.

I'm making cheeseburgers tonight so that should be awesome.  I'll take more pics and send them to you guys next week!!  My p-day is on Monday and I have no idea what time is it where you are, probably like 7 in the morning.  Well, I love you guys.  I sent a letter and you should get it in two weeks.  Don't send packages over 40$ or the Brazilian government will make me pay for them.  Also don't let them know if you send anything electronic.  An iPhone 5 charger is 115 reals, a smart phone or tablet is over 1000 reals.  No one has a tablet or smart phones here because they are so expensive.  There are some really nice rich homes but it's mostly a lower class and poor area, with very loving humble people.  Seriously I love my mission so much and it's awesome I'm learning so much each and every day.  Love ya guys.  Peace out!  (paz fora)

Eu amo Brazil, Brazil e ochimo!  Uma comida e muito bom, arroz e carne!  Viver e beleza os missionarieos peinsan que come eu falo "muito bom!" E engicado eu gosta de pizza do o brazil, brazil pizza e o bamba!  eu no entendo muitos palavras mas no sais mas eu sei que todos as palavras e todos as coisas porque eu estudio muito!  Voce meu cara vocew lembra que!  Paz fora!

 I'm in Sapiranga, Brasil

 Well, this is my  house.  The hammock is broken!

 I have freezing water in the morning which I like cause it's burning outside and hot water at night because the air is so hot!

 Nasty cockroach!

 Batismo

meu filho batizador!!

A letter from President Wright

Dear Family,

After spending a few hours with your missionary, we sense his spirit, preparation, and testimony.   Our hearts are filled with gratitude for parents that sent us such a fine young person.   We thank you for your sacrifice and know that Heavenly Father will richly repay you and your missionary as he serves the Lord in this part of his vineyard.

We read in the Book of Samuel of Hannah, who promised, if she were granted a son she would consecrate him to the Lord.  Blessed with the son she asked for, she took him to the temple and lent him to the Lord.  You have done something very similar to Hannah.  What is marvelous is that, by offering our children to God, they become ours forever.

We are happy we have the opportunity to be called with your missionary to serve in this mission.  Rio Grande do Sul is a marvelous place with people anxious to hear the gospel.  Sometimes the work will be hard, and your weekly letters will give him inspiration and encouragement.

Every young missionary, often through difficulties and challenges, grows a lot.  He will have sacred experiences as he is obedient and dedicated.  Great things are happening in the work of the Lord and it is marvelous your missionary is playing a part.

We will most certainly take care of him and love him as if he were our own.  We thank you one more time and pray the blessings of the Lord be with you.

Sincerely,

President D. Layne Wright and Sister Marion Wright.

Elder's Barrus' first letter from Brazil.

Familiá!

Arrived in Brazil today!  It is awesome and so hot here!  The people here are very friendly.  The missionary next to me gave a restoration pamphlet to a person on the airplane and he was very happy to read it.  I can't wait to start learning the language even more and teaching people the gospel.  I had fun today talking to you guys.  It sounds like everything is going good and it is crazy as usual so that's good!  The plane ride was super long but I was able to sleep a little.  Porto Alegre is awesome!  I'll send pictures as soon as I can!  The part I'm in right now is a town, a lot like Puerto Rico but I'm probably going to go somewhere else soon!  I don't know what area I'm serving in yet.  I'm going to take a bus later to my mission home and I'll be serving there!  I'm so excited!  I feel like I'm on an awesome adventure!  I'M IN BRAZIL!!  I can speak Portuguese!  It is going to be sweet!  I love you guys.  Keep choosing the right and all that good stuff!

Love,
Elder Barrus