Felix Natal from Brasil!

Good morning, today is the first day in two weeks that the mission office has Internet, which is why I haven’t been able to write to anyone for, a bit. A lighting bolt hit the office and destroyed the Internet. But there is much to tell in these past 2 weeks, so let's begin. 

Jaragua

Tuesday December 15- We went to the hospital because Elder Rebouças had an extremely painful and unusually fast growing tumor in his armpit. We waited a while and when he was taken back, he took off his shirt and the doctor simply picked up a knife and cut a big gaping whole in the tumor, it bled a ton red and yellow and the doctor didn't even give him an anesthetic...ouch, that's Brasil for you. The rest of the day we worked in our favela and worked on the mission Christmas video.

Wednesday-Today we went on a division with the zone leaders in zona Jaragua. It's a really cool zone, there's a ton of favela and jungle, its really cool! I stayed with Elder Ellis and Elder Fly in the area. Jaragua and Elder Da Silva went with Elder Mac and Elder Gonzaga in the area Taipas. 

Division with Elder Fly from Williamsburg, VA and Elder Ellis from Provo

Jaragua

It was a great day, I did a few interviews and we found a ton of new investigators in a favela called Xurupita! Together we all learned a ton! Great day!

Thursday-We left Jaragua early Thursday morning to work in our area the rest of the day.

Friday-We helped Elder Sagae, the new financial secretary with the Christmas video and then we worked in our area like normal. 

Saturday- Saturday was the same thing as Friday, but Saturday night there was the ward Christmas party. We helped some recent converts get there, but we didn't get to stay long. 

Elder Hunt with Engrid, Italo, Erica, and Gustavo on their baptism day

Sunday-We followed our usual Sunday morning Cantareira schedule, we woke up early, got all of our investigators, Recent Converts, less actives, everyone to church. Then we had the baptisms of Erica, Gustavo, Italo, and Engrid, who really wanted to get baptized, but was very afraid of the water, but with some coaxing she calmed down and was baptized. :) 

A cool family in my old area Engenho Novo who gave us a ride to the Christmas event

Awesome Natal (Christmas) event in Zona Alphaville

That night there was a stake/zone wide Christmas activity open to the public in zone Alphaville; it was incredible! :) It was very well put together and well planned. I was able to see tons of people who I have known as zone leader in that zone, including my trainee (son) Elder Bispo. haha 

Monday-Great p day, we had a meeting with President, picked up the numbers, and bought some cool stuff. I helped Elder Rebouças pick out clothes because he's going home today. :( 

So I was basically his style guru for 7 hours haha, but I liked it! It brought back a tons of good memories from home, shopping with my sisters, mom, aunt, and nana! hahaha :) #Nordstroms

President Farnes gave me this Panetone

Tuesday-We spent the WHOLE day and we didn't even sleep (literally) preparing everything for the Mission Christmas party the next day!

A member put my initials on this towel and gave it to me as a gift for Christmas!  So thoughtful!

Wednesday-The Mission Christmas party! Spiritual program, lunch, talent show, gift exchange, great day! :) 

Christmas Eve food

Thursday-We worked in our area like normal! (Christmas Eve) and we had bread, tuna, and apple cider for our Christmas Eve dinner. We did not have any invitations for a meal on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. 

My Christmas gifts from family and friends

 Friday-Once again our lunch/dinner on Christmas was on the same level as what we had on Christmas Eve...- at our house :( But we worked and talked with our families, which was a blast! All of the restaurants were closed so we ate at home with our humble food that we had.

This jacket looks better in person ;)

???

Saturday-We had another normal day BUT we went and made a key using the lock of our door to get into a room in our house to be able to lock it to make sure no one would be able to get in. A few weeks ago, someone broke in and stole a bunch of my nice ties which made me really sad, but now we have a key to lock the room! :) 

Elder Hunt with Ryan on his baptism day

Sunday-We had the baptism of Ryan! Super great! :) 

Monday-Hectic p day, people leaving, getting ready for transfers.

Tuesday-We had the welcoming of the new missionaries and the transfer meeting! What an amazing new group of missionaries! After we also had another meeting for the LZs and it was really good! 

Elder Hunt with his new companion, Elder Flores from Peru.

He is hoping to learn Spanish from him!

Today Elder Rebouças goes home and I officially start with my new comp Elder Flores from Peru. This is my 3rd transfer as AP and in our area Cantareira! Let's GO! Rumo ao 360!!!

Feliz Natal!  Merry Christmas!

Elder Hunt

Joking around at a member's house

This is Brasil, son!