It was a huge change from the CTM to the field. CTM is how they do MTC. In Portuguese they describe the object after they say what the object is.
Originally, the day before I left the CTM, I was supposed to go to the center of Sao Paulo and hand out Books of Mormon, however, instead we listened to a talk given by Elder Evans. The talk was great because of the significance it gave to Missionaries and what we need to do.
The next morning we woke up at 3:40 a.m and left on a bus at 5 a.m to go to the airport. I had my first taste of a real Brazilian public restroom. They are not the nicest of places.
When I arrived in Porto Alegre we were meet by the mission president and some missionaries. I got to ride with a Elder Peterson who only had one day left on his mission. He was awesome. He became friends with he driver and got the drivers name and address in a matter of minutes. We went to the mission office and dropped our stuff off and then went to a buffet to eat. It was very nice to eat some good food and talk to Elder Peterson. Lots of fun. Afterwords we got our stuff, had some interviews and then left to the bus station. I had a 4 hour bus ride to my first area called Bosque. On the trip I learned lots talking to a Elder Black. The big city our town is next to is called Passo Fundo. After we arrived, I met up with my new companion named Elder Cefalo. We went to our apartment and then had my fist night in the field. Our apartment was a lot cleaner than I expected most missionaries to have it but still not quite up to standards. Our entire apartment is about the size of Mom and dad's bedroom. The size is not that big of a deal but it makes some things difficult. The way we live is closer to a weird combination of camping and living in a modern world. The only hot water we have is from the shower and we are not really supposed to drink the water here. We were given water bottles with filters in them at the CTM which makes us able to have water anywhere.
My first day of actual work was a little strange. We ate lunch with member (rice and beans is always at lunch. lunch is the biggest meal of the day here.) and then we walked for a long time to go into another area to get to a bank. My companion had a conference in Porto Alegre the next day and needed money. So we got money and went and bought Bus Tickets. That took up lots of our day. We then went to teach some people. I don´t really understand what the people say but I can get general meanings out of what they say.
The next day my companion left for Porto Alegre and I left with my new Temp Companion to his area which is 2 hours away from Passo Fundo to an even more remote random city. I had a great time with him we arrived in his area and I was able to teach some English to some little kids during his English class at the church.
The next day (Elder Dowden) and I (November 11) went to a remote very poor town to teach. This was one of the places with known "not good water". It was a great day because the people there were actually interested in what we had to say and Elder Dowden is a great teacher. He let me bear my testimony often and it was a good chance to get used to speaking with natives.
Saturday 12 - I went back to Bosque. For some reason when ever I am in our residence I get homesick. I like going and working more than being in the apartment. Around here we walk and walk. Even though there are tons of people here it takes a long time to get from appointment to appointment. We ended up walking around for 3 hours because all of the people we wanted to go see were busy or were not home.
Sunday 13- The building we go to is pretty old and they are supposed to fix it up in the near future. The members are great and even though I really don´t understand them I know they are very kind and like missionaries a lot.
These last two days have been hard but are getting better. The people here are very kind but they don´t like changing their ways. We really don´t have any progressing investigators right now but we are trying to change that. Hopefully things will get better on that part. It the great work when me and my companion are doing the things we are supposed to.
This is pretty much what is on my mind now. It was great to read all of your emails. Always busy here. I can´t wait to understand and speak the language.
My scripture can be Alma 48:17 if you need a picture of me then hopefully one of those I sent you could work. Maybe just crop it or something.
We are not really supposed to carry cameras around here just for safety reasons so maybe I won´t have as many pictures as I expected to have. Who knows? I still have 2 years. Keep on praying to give me the strength to go throughout my day and be fully plunged into the work. My area is super hilly and it is a workout. L think David had something like that in the Canary Islands.
Love lots and I will keep sending you letters on P -days (Tuesdays for me) Love lots. (Tell grandpa thanks for the letters he sends me.)
Love Lots Elder Kramer
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