Sao Paulo, Brazil- Trump, the CTM, and Sao Paulo, the City of Concrete

Trump, the CTM, and Sao Paulo, the City of Concrete.

They say the first week of the CTM is the longest. It´s probably true. It feels like ages since I was in Virginia, but let me start from the beginning. 

Both of my flights were delayed the day I left. Leaving DC, sitting in the plane, waiting to leave, we were told that we could not leave because a VIP was going to be landing at JFK. We were delayed for about an hour.

The flight was quick, only 40 minutes. Once at JFK, I was comforted to find two other missionaries on the same flight as me for the CTM (one sister and one elder). However, President Trump had just arrived on Air Force One, which causes massive delays. No planes could leave and no planes could land. My flight was delayed for almost two hours, which greatly shifted the whole schedule since it was a Red Eye flight. We ate dinner on the plane at midnight and I tried to sleep. 

We arrived the next morning around 10:00 AM. Driving in, you can notice right away the distinct characteristics of Sao Paulo. Almost all the buildings are concert and the city skyline is straight apartment buildings. It is nothing like any American city. Lots of crazy drivers.

This past 10 days has been a lot of work. On day one, we were told to basically stop speaking English and learn as much Portuguese as we could. Today has been our first real break since I got here.  Lots of classes and lots of devotionals. It is an EFY without all the fun parts.  I have been really working hard putting in my effort to learn the language.  A lot is coming, but there is still more I need to get comfortable with. 

My companion, Elder L, is from Portland, Oregon. He is a super awesome guy and we have really been getting along. He is also going to Curitiba South. I am dorming with 5 other Elders including Elder L, Elder D, Elder J, Elder S, and Elder I. Elder D and Elder J are both from Utah, but Elder S and Elder I are Brazilians. Both of them are going to Japan and learning Japanese, which requires them to learn both English and Japanese. Major respect!

I LOVE THE BRAZILIANS HERE. They are just the most kind and fun people. They are so helpful with all of us Americans learning Portuguese. I have grown a deep love for them. 

There are 12 people in my district. 9 Elders and 3 Sisters. Most of them are going to Curitiba actually. They are a very fun bunch and they balance all the work with lots of fun.  It has been a good week. The food is great!!!!!

Being here, I have no regrets, no doubts and I am full speed ahead. The Spirit is so strong here and I have learned a lot. There is a lot to say about the Gift of Tongues and just know that it is real. Our second day, we were teaching practice lessons in Portuguese. There is no other power like that. I am loving it here. I know that God is protecting us and that his work is going forward.  I am so excited!!!!!

Elder Pinkney