NEW MISSIONARY TRAINING

Our new missionaries that arrived at the end of July all came together for a new missionary training in Portao.  We typically have the new training after they have been in the field for 4 weeks.  This gives them time to adjust to their new area, companion, language, food, etc.  Front row, l to r: Elders Lopez (trainer), Ameigeiras, Presidente Cordon, Elders Zeballos and Brino (Assistent); Second row, l to r: Elders Guimaraes (trainer), Moody, Knowles (trainer), Keaton (trainer), Payne, Gama; Third row, l to r: Elders Hogge, Constante (trainer), Rocha, Fernandes (trainer), Hobbs (Assistant), Alves (trainer).

New Beds for Oswaldo Cruz Elders

The elders in Oswaldo Cruz received new beds today, industrial strength iron beds!  Elders Rios and Lopes had just changed rooms with the other missionaries who share the house with them but were very happy to put the new beds together for their other companions.

August Zone Conference #6 (Paranagua)

We had a wonderful zone conference in Paranagua today.  Temperatures were in the mid to upper 80's with tons of sun.  You have got to love winter at the Parana coast. The conference was held in the Paranagua Ward building.  Elder Miranda conducted the meeting.  Sister Lysenko played the piano for us.  We received training from Sister Cordon (obediencia), Presidente (role of the Spirit in conversion and inspired questions), assistents (helping investigators prepare for sacred covenants), and the zone leaders (planning). (Front row, l to r: Sisters Lysenko, Castellano, Sister Cordon, Presidente Cordon; Second row: Elders Hobbs, Schmidt, Machado, Funk, Buerkle, Brino; Back row: Gomes, Gray, Miranda, and Hokanson.)

August Zone Conference #5 (Boa Vista)

Today we met in the Boa Vista Stake Center with our missionaries from the Boa Vista, Sao Lourenco, and Taruma Zones. I am not even going to try to name each missionary in this photo.  The spirit was strong in our meetings and we were able to really learn some great things together.

August Zone Conference #4, Curitiba

Elder Simplicio, One excited zone leader!

We held our fourth August zone conference in Curitiba with the Elders and Sisters from the Curitiba Iguacu, Luz and Jardim do Sol zones.  This is an amazing group of young men and women, who are serving the Lord with all of their hearts, minds, might, and strength.

Bem Vindo a Curitiba!

The Curitiba Mission welcomed back Elder Oliveira from Sao Paulo today.  He served for a few months back in 2009 before leaving for health reasons.  We are super excited to have him back and be able to serve with him.  He will be serving here in the city with Elder Rios.

August Zone Conference #3, Curitiba

Today we met in conference with the Novo Portao and Boqueirao zones in the Portao Stake Center.

August Zone Conference #2, Ponta Grossa

We met in Ponta Grossa today with the two Ponta Grossa zones and had a wonderful conference.

August Zone Conference #1, Guarapuava

This looks like a family portrait!  We met with our dear Elders and Sisters in Guarapuava today.  We had a great conference with lunch of sloppy joes, fruit salad and banana cream pie provided by Elder and Sister Davis. We had wonderful weather, the Spirit was strong and everyone came prepared to be lifted and edified.  It was fantastic to be out in our district.  What a great place to serve.

Farewell Elders Evans and Smith

We said goodbye today to our dear Elders Smith and Evans.  They have served diligently and have been a great support to the missionary efforts here in Curitiba.  They both return to attend BYU.  We wish them the very best in all of their endeavors.  God be with you 'til we meet again!

Guarapuava Temple Trip

Today the saints from Guarapuava arrived in two buses to attend the temple.  It was great to see them all and participate in several temple marriages and sealings with them.  Approximately 100 of our brothers and sisters from the our district came and worked in the temple today.