(Elder Mackrory)
Oh. My. Goodness. There is so much to say. I’m in the field
now and it’s so crazy. Let’s start from the beginning. This will be a long one,
but it'll be worth it. Sorta like "All Too Well (10 minute version)".
But if you don’t have the patience or time for that, the sparknotes are at the
bottom.
In the last week in the CTM, things started to move more
slowly. I said that time flies, and it’s true, but the anticipation of being
where I am now made it a heck of a lot slower. Packing my suitcases all week
didn't help with that haha. Not much actually happened those days except our
last night.
Pretty much everyone who was leaving was going around
getting pics and signatures. One Elder is from New Zealand. He will go to the
field next week, but because of his time zone, he did his "home mtc"
here in Brazil, so we all know him really well. He taught five other elders the
Haka and they performed it for us. I’ve seen the Haka in person before, but
never in such a resonant hallway. It was crazy and I have a tremendous respect
for him.
Most people complain about the food in the CTM. I didn't
often because I am easily satisfied. But I’m realizing now that I’m in the
field how truly bad it is. The food here in real Brasil is so much better. I’ve
realized that my brain won’t let me eat more than one serving of something I don’t
like. I didn’t know this at the time, but the fact that I couldn’t eat more
than one plate during ctm was probably a sign that it wasn’t good. It’s
probably how I was able to eat a whole slab of ribs, and a side of applesauce
and corn at Texas Roadhouse. Here is the same. I eat like 3-4 plates all the
time. I might gain weight for the first time ever.
Now for travel day. We woke up about 4:30 to pack final
things and head down to the buses. The flight was good, only about an hour, and
the last 20 mins were phenomenal. We saw Christ the Redeemer pretty close up
actually, and a lot of very beautiful beaches. The water was a beautiful blue
with the perfect amount of green. When we got to the mission home, we had chili
and met our comps. Except mine wasn’t there. I was part of a travel group to
head to the area where my comp was.
It was a 4 hour bus ride, but we got to the bus station
late, and had to get new tickets, which had us waiting another two ish hours at
the station. I got some sleep in on the way there. I also watched Love,
Kennedy. Don’t ask me how I have it, but don’t worry, its missionary
appropriate. It’s a wonderful movie about faith, perseverance, unity, and
eternal perspective.
On the bus ride I talked to an elder who has been in the
field for about 6 months. He had the same trainer as me so I wondered if he had
any insights or things to expect. He then proceeded to give me the best lesson
on gratidão I’ve ever had. He said to thank my trainer for everything. Make him
feel useful and helpful. Thank him for helping in a lesson, a word, a contact,
getting food, etc. Literally everything. Idk how it is for other missions, but
here the mission slang for trainer is "dad". So technically that
makes me talking to my brother. But it reminded me how we need to be grateful
for everything that our Heavenly Father gives us.
We got to our area and I met my comp, Elder Nascimento. He
is completely bilingual and is from southern Brasil. He won’t speak any English
to me, but I can say "o que significa?" Or "como se diz?"
And he knows the translation. He's pretty cool.
In the ctm, I ended up normally sleeping with 9 blankets.
Here, I’m content with one. But it is 18 degrees Fahrenheit hotter in our room
now than in the ctm.
I ended up accidentally stealing another Elder's pillow and
blanket that night (heyyy Robison). He put it in my bag because there wasn’t
room in his, and I forgot to give it back when the bus ride ended.
NOBODY HERE SPEAKS PORTUGUESE. They all mumble random sounds
and seem to have a mind reading ability. Except when I’m talking. They don’t
understand the Portuguese language like I do. Yesterday and day before yesterday
was filled with my comp teaching lessons while I smile. I occasionally get
asked to explain simple things like the book of Mormon or the apostasy. I
always get to bear my testimony and say a prayer so that’s nice.
Tender mercy: We talked to one Lucas. His first contact with
missionaries was my travel day, and on Saturday we taught him the first lesson.
I was asked to explain the book of Mormon. I was really struggling for words.
Lucas told me that I could say it in English. And so I started in English, but
as quickly as I started, the Portuguese words I needed to say came to me. I
said words that I’ve heard maybe once. Words I’ve never studied nor been able
to recall before. The spirit in the room seemed to be a physical presence. Like
a fog that doesn’t hinder your view, but enlarges it.
Today we went to the market for the first time. I haven’t
actually needed food yet other than what has been fed to me. Thats how much
food I get with members. I got some bananas and some bigger bananas that you
need to boil to make edible. I got Sucrilhos (Portuguese for frosted flakes)
and yogurt. I got some rice and some condensed milk (for sipping). Strawberry
yogurt is freaking amazing as a milk substitute in cereal.
Speaking of milk, apparently my family has had to adjust to
my absence significantly. They don’t know how much milk to buy now that I’m
gone. I didn’t think I drank this much, but apparently the first couple of
weeks there was 2-3 gallons a week going bad. Maybe that’s why I haven’t ever
broken a bone.
Spiritual thought: Since starting to read scriptures in Portuguese,
I’ve been thinking a lot about English words that have a Portuguese translation
that sounds like another English word. (Por examplo: big enough=grande o
suficiente). One example that really stuck with me wasn’t even related to Portuguese.
It’s how Disciple looks and sounds like discipline. A disciple is someone who
follows someone (ie Jesus Cristo). Discipline has many meanings. I can’t write
them all here, but I encourage you all to look for similarities in the two
words to help you be a better Disciple of Christ. I know by looking at this and
applying it has helped me.
SPARKNOTES*****
1. The last week at the ctm was slow because we were waiting
to get out into the field.
2. I got to see the Haka performed by a New Zealand Elder
and his district.
3. The food at the ctm is bad, but I only now realized how
bad it was because of how good the food is here
4. It was an early morning and late night on travel day. I
saw the Christus stature out the window of the airplane. I watched Love Kennedy
on the bus ride to Macae. It’s a great movie about faith and having an eternal
perspective.
5. An elder on the bus taught me about how important it is
to be grateful for everything.
6. My comp is pretty cool, he speaks English and Portuguese,
but won’t speak English to me. I can ask him for words and meanings of words.
7. I stole Elder Robison’s Pillow and blanket for two
nights. He slept on a pillow made of shirts.
8. I don’t understand a word anybody says. It’s like they
are saying random sounds. But when we’re teaching, I’m able to understand a
little better and get to teach a bit, and say a lot of prayers
9.i got some cool stuff at the marking including huge
bananas. You should try cereal with yogurt instead of milk.
10. I’m not going to summarize the tender mercy and
spiritual thought. Please read it in full.
Photos (lots) (there will be another email)
1. Ferrari things
2. Dung beetle things
3. Elder Robison and I (he didn't sleep well haha)
4. Selfie
5. Me and my comp
6. The chapel
7. Giant bananas 10"
8. Old fiat badge
9. Funny bathroom sign
Alright here's more pics
1. O Plano de Salvação puzzle
2. I got to watch the byu game while at dinner with members
3. At this dinner, we had sausage filled crust pizza (to die
for)
4. Funny graffiti over a mural
