I am sitting in Cidade Verde, NATAL. BRASIL. Ok realmente, I
thought we were in Brasil but I realized that the CTM was realistically more
like an American hotel that just happens to have foreign guests and also
apparently really REALLY likes rice and beans, and for some reason everyone is
speaking Portugues.. But I am actually here and I am really starting to be
immersed in this people and this new culture and WOW do I love it.
Ok people totally all kiss each other here when you meet
just like I was expecting/had been told, BUT what I have realized is that you
have to EARN THE KISS. Not everyone will just kiss anyone off the street,
ESPECIALLY a new americano who they have never met before. But don't worry
amigos, by the end of each visit you already know who got the biggest smooch
;]
No but really it's so funny being from the States here for
several reasons:
1. I totally stick out. First off with how I look - pretty
much everyone we pass on the streets will just sit and STARE and everyone wants
to touch my hair and pinch my cheeks it's hilarious. But also I stick out
because not only am I totally only understanding maybe (strong maybe) 40% of
what people are saying, absolutely NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND ME. Oh my gosh it's
the funniest thing, we will be having a conversation with someone and I spend
you know, a good majority of the time trying to build up the courage to say
something that I have been rehearsing in my mind for the past 10 minutes but
when I actually speak, everyone just stops and goes... 'Que??' and then my
companions (I'm in a trio) have to repeat legit I swear THE EXACT SAME THING I
just said and then everyone somehow understands. "Que???" But it's
funny because they aren't really sure how much I can understand and so
sometimes when we are talking with people and they had just asked me to say the
prayer (of course make the American who doesn't know the difference between por
and para say it) and they just go, wow.. she's um different. (Also heard the
phrase "sem jeito" which please do yourself the favor of looking up
AHHHH). (I looked it up - Awkward)
2. We are totally babies! Not only because we are new to the
missionary lifestyle and the planning and the street contacting but also
because I am totally at the will of my companions. It's almost like I'm kind of
like a pet or a little child who doesn't really talk much but they have to lug
around everywhere but also make sure I am getting enough food. IT'S SO FUNNY.
Like ok we are walking now, don't know where but that's okay. Yep these houses
look so nice and colorful I love it oh! ok we are going to knock on this one,
don't know what lesson we are going to teach but that's okay. And now we are
getting in a car alright, someone's getting married and I am a witness? Yeah
okay "Sim"
The funniest example of this was when we were shopping today
and I had brought an apple because I knew I would probably be hungry so of
course, I waited until we were walking out and I start chomping on this apple
and everyone just goes "oh my gosh where did she get that apple?"
"Do you know, no.. do you know?" and they just freak ahhhh it's the
best.
I am not going to lie though. Especially being in a new
place with people who don't really understand me or I can't really connect with
like normal I have really gained the appreciation of what it means to listen.
To actually listen. So many people in our world just talk and talk and when
other people are talking are just thinking about what they are going to say
next, and I am totally victim to this. But because of the fact that I literally
CANNOT speak, it's been amazing to see how much people need to just be
understood, and how powerful the eyes are when making connections with people.
Man my love for them and the restored gospel of Christ just increases every
day. If you want a really good verse, look up 1 Nephi 17:13. ("And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I
will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my
commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be
led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by
me that ye are led.")
God is so real.
LOVE YOU ALL.
Sister Staheli
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| my Brazilian companions |
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| view outside apartment |
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| walking the streets of Cidade Verde |
