This week was also my first zone conference in Manaus. My entire zone
gathered at one of the chapels and we got taught how to be better
missionaries by the zone leaders. The zone leaders are pretty awesome.
One of them is american so he helps me with my portuguese whenever I
need help. It was awesome, but a little tiring. I have also figured out
why brazilians don´t have amusement parks. They don´t nee them at all.
The buses here do the trick just fine. We have to ride the bus a lot
whenever we go out of our area so I´m pretty used to it, but the first
time was definitely an adventure. These buses will fly down the street
filled with potholes and literally move up and down about 6 inches the
entire way. It is always jostling from side to side and when you get on
the bus you have to be fast b/c they don´t really wait for anybody.
Once you get on, you have to pay 2.75 reals, bu the bus is already
moving so getting the money out and standing there while the bus is
flying down the street always makes life interesting.
This past week I´ve been sick from something. I´ve just had a
headache and a upset stomach. No vomiting, just not feeling good. It
would come and go. It started Wednesday
night, so we called Sister Klein, our mission presidents wife the next
morning and she recommended some medicine and I´m feeling much better.
Still have some headaches, but for the most part I´m feeling fine. My
feet are getting used to walking everywhere as well. We probably cover
5-10 miles everyday just going from place to place. My feet haven´t
blistered, but hey have come close. Showers here are also interesting
b/c the water temperature depends on how hot is outside. I figured that
our shower water sit outside the house above the house and is warmed by
the sun. Its closed so nothing gets into it, but if its raining all day
and we don´t get much sun, water is frigid. Speaking of rain, it rains
almost every day here. Even if its just a little bit, it rains. You get
used to it, but it still makes you kinda or miserable at times.
Had my first interview with President Klein as well this week. That
went well. He speaks only Portuguese with a little english. So it makes
interviews interesting, but possible. Registered with the federal
police this week as well. I am now officially allowed to stay in Manaus
for the duration of my visa. My visa actually expires next October so
hopefully we will be able to renew it when the time comes. I hope Tara
will be able to return to her mission. Being a missionary is awesome. It
is hard at times, being away from home, learning a new language and
culture, but its worth it. Right now I don´t need anything from America.
I did get the carmels before I left, they were delicious. Anything that
I might want would be another pair of basketball shorts b/c my
companion keeps wearing my Fishers ones and I would prefer to keep those
and any food would just be anything that is american. I don´t need
anything though. Packing tips, don´t pack anything that sounds like food
or anything valuable. Muffle it somehow. Don´t send big huge packages
as well. When you pack it, put a picture of Christ under the tape b/c
people here are superstitious and don´t want to cut a picture of christ
to open the box. You could also write `Religious materials´ on the side
and I´ve heard that helps as well. Thanks for the piano guys cd. Its
always fun to listen to whenever we get the chance. I hope you guys have
a great week and I miss you all!
Love Ben/Elder Battraw
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