Week 11: Week 2 from the field -- Sao Gabriel

I've committed an unpardonable sin, I'm afraid! I signed up for missionties--a site that sends letters to your missionary. I sent a letter to Zack through missionties this week, but not an email! In Zack's email message to his father, he asked if everything was alright at home because he had not heard from me. I feel just awful!

As you can see, we have started renumbering the weeks inasmuch as that is what Zack is doing. Anyway, all is well in Sao Gabriel. Here is an excerpt from Zack's latest letter:

"What a different life being a missionary! I am very jealous of those who have cars (or bikes!) on their missions, haha. The daily schedule is this: study, walk, sit, eat, walk, sit, teach, walk, teach, walk, walk, walk, sit, teach, walk, walk, walk. I will easily compile thousands of miles of walking before the end of this mission.

Well, we did a lot of teaching this week - probably somewhere from 30-35 lessons. It is strange to teach in another language and at times frustrating because people will ask questions and you cannot respond or you can't really say what you want to. It is hard and every day/week seems to take forever, but I know that when I can speak this language, I am going to want time to slow down. We have two baptisms scheduled so far and of couple of others that we just need to get to attend Sacrament meeting and then we can set a date. It is a fantastic feeling to see the changes the gospel has in peoples lives. So many people, here especially, believe in Christ and want to know the truth but they just do not know where to find it.

A little bit about the area: There are about 50,000 people in the city of São Gabriel. [M]ost roads are dirt or cobblestone, you eat rice and beans for every meal and everyone drinks chimarrão, which is like drinking scalding hot grass [not Zack's favorite]. [I]t is generally in the mid 80's with a little humidity; the people are very open and friendly and can talk for a very long time; there are about 3 dogs per every house and they always bark at you; and, the drivers are crazy and there are tons of motorcycles."

Until next week...