09.07.2014

1. Brazil

   Brasil em português
   

   
2. Brazil, officially the Federal Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in both South America and the Latin American region. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population. Wikipedia
5. Capital: Brasília
6. Currency: Brazilian real
7. National anthem: Brazilian National Anthem
8. Population: 198.7 million (2012) World Bank

    Official language: Portuguese Language

We are responsible for the medical care of the LDS missionaries in all of Brazil.  Currently there are 34 missions with a total of over 6,000 missionaries in Brazil.  We live in São Paulo a short distance from the São Paulo Temple.   

Besides assisting the mission presidents with missionary medical problems, we review all the new missionary application from Brazil.  Gloria is doing almost all of this with her usual thoroughness, medical expertise, and doing it in Portuguese. We are continually impressed by the dedication of these amazing young people who step forward to serve.  They serve as full time missionaries.  The sisters serve 18 months and the young men for 24 months.  They do this at their own expense.  They serve voluntarily where ever they are assigned.  This can be anywhere in the world.  This is all done at their own expense.  Their purpose is simply to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  In fact, here we have a senior couple giving an invitation to a lego man in the exclusive Cidade Jardim Shopping Mall.  The Brazilian couple who took our picture said, "You have to take the time to have fun."  That is good advice for everyone.  

We do not know how to do a blog, but we want to share our experiences in Brazil with our family and friends.  Be patient with us as we learn how to do this.  We hope you will enjoy the journey with us.

This is where it all began.  We are two senior missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Our calling is to be Area Medical Advisors in Brazil for 1.5 years.  We left Salt Lake City on April 22, 2014 and arrived the following day in São Paulo.