March 28, 2016- week 82 of 100- Feliz Páscoa (Happy Easter) from Capivari, Brazil!

Feliz Páscoa!

Well, Imma be completely honest and say that I didn't know it was going to be Easter Sunday this Sunday that passed until like halfway through the week. I thought it was always supposed to be in April. Oh well, haha. Easter here in Brasil was pretty nice. We got lots of Chocolate eggs for Easter! Sounds like you guys all had a great Easter. :) I think this is the last holiday, besides the fourth of July, that I will have to celebrate on the mission.

So, this past week was definitely an interesting week. Now, I literally have no money, because I spent the last of it going up to Piracicaba twice again this week. There was the normal district meeting on Tuesday and another meeting with President on Thursday. 

I feel like this week has been a week of changes. I've discussed somethings with my companion of what we can do on our mission to be better missionaries and we have decided that we are going to change a lot of what we do. We are trying our best to be completely obedient in every aspect of the missionary life. So far, its gone pretty good and I can already feel the difference that it has made in my life. 

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be on the mission serving the Lord. I know that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer. He loves each and every one of us in the most intimate and caring way. He knows how we feel and only wants to help us. His amazing sacrifice is one of great joy. It is because of Him that we can change. It is because of Him that we can enjoy the blessing of the Gospel and know of God's love for us. I'm also so grateful for a wonderful family such as you all. Thank you for the love and appreciation you show for me. It isn't always the easiest thing to continue on the mission. There have been a few times where I wanted so badly to give up and come home, but your love and motivation has helped me to work even harder.

I also received your guys' package! Thank you so much! I loved it! I have already shared a lot of the candies with my companion and some members. I also very much enjoyed the photos you guys included. Wow, Melissa and John are so tall! ESPECIALLY MELISSA! Sarah looks pretty much the same though, haha.

Unfortunately, this P-Day, I have to use the computers that don't allow for you to upload or download stuff, so I'll have to send you pictures next week.

My favorite scripture this week was D&C 122.

I love you guys and wish you all a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Collins

Feliz Páscoa!

March 21, 2016- week 81 of 100- P-day in Capivari, Brazil!

Hey Guys!

So, this week was definitely a wallet emptier. On Tuesday, we had District Meeting up in Piracicaba, and afterwards we stayed with our DL and had lunch at his house. As they had leftover stir fry and my companion knows how to make orange chicken, we decided to make an oriental lunch. Imma just say it was a good learning experience haha. It was pretty good, though. 

On Thursday, we did a division with the Zone leaders. This time, I went to their area in Piracicaba...again. That day was the first day in my entire mission that I threw up during work. Lunch that day was really good, so I ate a lot. Then we decided to go and get some açaí afterwards. Then, when we went to a recent convert's house, she gave us even more food. To be polite, we accepted. After that, we started knocking doors under the blazing sun. I just couldn't handle it, so I went over to an empty area with bushes and grass and threw up. Elder Denhike (my zone leader) got some good pictures of me vomiting. haha

This whole week, we've been out in the hot sun knocking doors looking for new investigators as most of ours are "mole". which basically means weak or soft. I don't exactly know how missionary work is in the United States or any other place, but here in Brasil, it's a lot easier to find people who will listen to you. There are always people who don't want anything to do with you because they already have a religion, but almost everyone here in Brasil believes in God and Jesus Christ and loves the Bible. The real problem is having someone who is actually interested in going to church and having commitments. That's why we have to do LOTS of contacts. These past two weeks, my companion and I have been doing more than 400 contacts per week. Apparently, here in Brasil the statistics are for every 1000 contacts, should come at least one baptism.

Well, I dunno if this week in specific changed anything except for me gaining a better knowledge of the gospel. There are always different approaches on talking to someone about the church. For us, we're always in church clothes, so people know we're missionaries. If it's on the road, we start talking about what we do. People are always fascinated by the fact that we traveled so far to go to Brasil and do this work. People love americans. When we knock doors, it's a little bit harder. Usually they're a little more closed and don't want much, but almost everyone accepts us for reading a scripture. The most impressive thing I've done on the mission...hmm I dunno. It depends on what you consider impressive. For example, I've taught up to 40 people at one time. Or I've walked for 3 hours straight getting to an appointment. Or I've eaten a raw onion. The scariest thing happening on the mission? Getting up to teach in front of my Mission President haha.

YES! General Conference! I am very excited! I can't believe it's already been 6 months since the last conference. It doesn't even feel like it. Also, yeah it is my last one here on the mission. Next time I see it, it'll finally be in English! That'll be a difference!

Well, onto my second to last week of the transfer! I wish everyone another great week of life! Remember the miraculous hand of God in everything and appreciate all that we have. The good and the bad.

Amo vocês todos!

Elder Collins

Fotos!

On the way to lunch during the division.

Us eating açaí afterwards.

There it is, all going to waste...

That's Capivari.

This one member who showed us his mad accordion skills.

March 14, 2016- week 80- P-day in Capivari, Brazil!

Hello family!

This week went by really fast. Again, we spent some time up in Piracicaba this week. On Tuesday, we had our District meeting and then the next day we had to wake up early to go to Pira and get our CPFs. It's a Brasilian thing that lets people know that our names our clean (meaning we make all our payments; I guess it's kinda like credit). I'm not sure why we need those though. 

The rest of the week was lots of contacts and knocking doors. We did do something different on Friday. We decided to go to the plaza in the center and put up a banner of the Plan of Salvation. The banners were made by the mission and given to each District. This week, it was our turn to use it. On Sunday, we had 4 people come to church. Two of them were new people. 

Well, I can't believe I'm already half way done with this transfer already! Now, I've only got like what, 4 and a half months left. 

Nice! John finally got his mission papers in! Hopefully John gets his mission call sooner than I did. I'm wondering if he'll get a visa package like I did. Are you guys gonna do the world map guess thing again? If so, I'm gonna put my guess down for Africa. Like Ghana or something. I feel like John could serve there. I'd love if he came to Brasil though. That would be so awesome. Well, keep me updated on anything new that comes in. I am very excited for John.

Yes, I will definitely remember to ask you about the spiritual experience that you had when Mother's Day comes. Which is in like 8 weeks!

Thanks for all the emails! I love you guys!

Elder Collins

Photos

Our Plan of Salvation activity.

On the way to Piracicaba.

March 7, 2016- week 79- A short email with a YouTube video from Capivari, Brazil!

Hey Everyone!

Sorry, this email is gonna be shorter this week. Everything's going great here in Capivari, Brasil. This past Sunday, we also had Stake Conference! It was pretty cool. 

I also spent most of the week in Piracicaba for many things, including a division, zone conference with President, the renewal of Elder Harbison's visa, and then the Stake Conference. 

I'm glad John was able to go out with the missionaries on Sunday. It's always real fun to take out the youth, especially the ones getting ready to go on missions. A lot of the divisions I've done with the youth are now missionaries themselves. 

Sounds as though everything is going good for you guys. I hope you get better Dad. Hopefully you won't have to do surgery. I will have you in my prayers and thoughts. Have another great week!

Love,
Elder Collins

PS Enjoy this YouTube video in Portuguese that includes President Canuto, mission president of the Brazil Piracicaba Mission and two other Elders (missionaries) from the mission.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdmLtqIcbAM

February 29, 2016- week 78- Happy Leap Year day from Capivari, Brazil!

Bom dia minha família tão linda!

So this past week was the transfers week which means it was a rushed week. Yes, I am still here in Capivari with Elder Harbison. We were with another Elder- Elder Schmitz up until Monday because his companion went home. He decided to stay with us because he already passed in this area and loves it. Also, he likes us too.

Yeah, I know! I think it's way crazy that I only have 5 months left! That means I have 4 transfers left (including this one). After this transfer, it'll be a transfer of 5 weeks, then two more of 6 weeks. Then I get back the 2nd of August! I feel like I'll leave after this transfer in Capivari and go to my last area for three transfers, but I'm not sure. I know President likes to transfer missionaries on their last transfer. But then again, President Canuto won't be here as he leaves one transfer before me. We found out who'll be our new Mission President a while ago. He's an American and his name is Howard K. Bangerter. That'll be a hard name for the missionaries here to pronounce haha.
Also- HAPPY LEAP YEAR DAY!

We got a new District Leader whose name is Elder Villeda. He'll be going home after this transfer. We had District meeting on Wednesday with him and the other dupla. He'll be coming here tomorrow to do a division with Harbison. He's gonna do some baptismal interviews for some of our investigators. I feel like not this week, but the next that there might be another baptism or two in the Branch. We'll be working on that this week. We'll actually be going to this person's house tonight to have a Family Home Evening and make Cinnamon Rolls! That should be fun!

Well, that's about it for now. Also, I forgot to take pictures this week! Sorry! :( I'm always busy and forget to take pictures! I feel like it was a lot easier to take pictures in Poços de Caldas. I'll try and get some good shots for you guys next week.

Tenha uma ótima semana para todos vocês!

Com amor,
Elder Collins

February 22, 2016- week 77- A great week in Capivari, Brazil!

Hello Everyone!

So, as you all know, this past week was the last week of the transfer and this week starts another. I will be staying another one here in Capivari, which I'm totally cool with. I thought I was going to be transferred because the past 4 missionaries who have passed in Capivari, were all American and only stayed 2 transfers. Well, at least I don't have to pack all my stuff. That's always such a hassle. haha

 
Anyways, we had two baptisms! There was one of a boy named Kaike and another of a woman named Maria. We had been working with Kaike for a couple of weeks along with his dad and grandpa. His grandpa is the branch president's councilor and was also privileged to baptize his grandson. Maria is the grandma of the branch president's wife. 

She had already been attending church for about a year along with her daughter and granddaughter. She was always very adamant about not baptizing into the church because she had already been baptized. We had gone to her house several times to eat lunch with her and her family and had gotten to know her, but never really talked to her about baptism. A little more than a week ago on Sunday, the branch president's wife came to us and told us, with an excited outlook, that her grandma wanted to be baptized. We confirmed this with Maria and she asked us when we were gonna go to her house. We went that day after church. 

We marked her for baptism last Saturday and taught her within a week. We were pretty curious as to why she decided to be baptized all of a sudden so we inquired. She told us that the first time she went to church she was experiencing a lot of pain in her foot. She told us that after one time of going to church, the pain drastically reduced till she didn't feel anything anymore and it's been that way since about a year ago. She decided that that was a sign from God and decided to continue attending church. 

A little bit ago, she was talking with her daughter about baptism and that night, she had a dream that she would be baptized, and so made the decision to be baptized. On Saturday night, we had the baptisms of Maria and Kaike. It was a spiritual time and Maria kept telling everyone how happy she was. So that was probably the best day of the week. Also, the day of the baptism is always such a stressful time until the baptism actually happens. Then it's super gratifying and calming. Such a happy feeling is felt everywhere.

I think it's awesome that John has officially decided to go on a mission. Although I am a little worried that I will not be seeing him for probably four years. But, however it ends, I am glad that his decision is to serve the Lord. There is no better thing to do than this. As he mentioned, if he serves in the States, I may be able to see him in the MTC. All depends on where he goes though. haha

Well, we have a wide variety of lunch lessons seeing as we have lunch with members of the church pretty much every day except for Mondays and Tuesdays. It also depends on the age of the audience. Usually with family members and kids, I like to leave more interactive messages and involve them. We use the Book of Mormon a lot. I also bought a Gospel Art book to be able to help with lessons and messages. 

Thank you everyone for the emails! 

I love you all!
Elder Collins

PHOTOS!!

Elder Bandeira went home today.

So, we don't have a baptismal font at our chapel.

Kaike and his family.

Maria and her family.

February 15, 2016- week 76- Getting a tan?! in Capivari, Brazil!

Hey Family!

So, this week went by extremely fast and I am now tanner than ever (or at least my arms and face haha). It's getting pretty hot here cause there hasn't been rain in a while. 

So, this week we will have a baptism for two people! One is the little boy, and the other is one of the members' moms has finally decided that she wants to be baptized in the church. She's pretty old, but is really sweet. It was cool to be able to hear her story and why all of a sudden she wanted to join the church. I'll be sure to tell you guys next week after the baptism with photos. 

Also, about the photos- so like I'm forgetting a lot these days to take pictures. I promise I'll have some next week. Sorry :( 

We've been working a lot with the members and references that they've been giving. We visited this one dude last week who plays the drums really well and works with one of the members. Since Elder Harbison is a drum player and absolutely LOVES drums and music, the dude got along very well with us and especially Harbison. He said he really wants to visit our church one of these days, so we can totally work with him.

Also, this is the last week of this transfer. I'm not sure what'll happen with me, but there is a pattern with Capivari. Basically: Capivari is an all-American area and you only get two transfers here before getting transferred out. I really don't want to leave because Capivari is one of my favorite areas. Also, I love being comps with Harbison. We get along really well. I guess we'll all see next week with my email.

Have a great one all of you! I know Valentine's Day passed for you guys, so I hope it was enjoyable. Valentine's Day here isn't until June 12th, so I still gotta while haha.

Love,

Elder Collins