Joining a Soccer Team

Tudo Bem, Todo Mundo!!

I have officially chosen a soccer team to be a member of; I even bought a jersey.

The team is Grêmio. In the states there’s only like one Pro team per state. But it’s a little

different in Brazil. To put it simply there are two teams out of Rio Grande Do Sul:

Internacional and Grêmio. Eu sou Grêmista. But all is well and tranquilo here in Brazil. The language is coming slowing but surely...oops, a dog just ran under my desk. It’s Brazil. I’ve been trying to think of something that I need or would like from the states....and it’s Betty Crocker brownie mix (if that’s even possible).

You know what is really hard? Going on splits with a member when you don’t speak the language very well or understand anything that is spoken, and try to teach people.

Yesterday, Fabricio, a member, and I went out without a senior companion or any kind if safety net to keep us out of trouble.

But the problem was, as we went to find and teach our investigators, no one was home or was busy. So the whole day about 8 hours was spent looking and finding nothing, but we were able to just teach one lesson. At the end of that lesson the investigator said no to our message. Really just a sad day for the work.

Frazier, how is work? Marnie, what are you going to do this summer that will prepare you for school? Jackson, I want you to email me everything you did this last week.  Alex, how is the field, stud? Brandon, have you seen a play with Amelia yet? Amelia, have you had a summer adventure yet? Zach, will you name you future son (who could be on the way) Calvin? Sabrina, is my previous comment true? Dad, can you take some pictures of the pole barn and send them too me...if it’s done? Mom, are you liking the Iphone?

I love you all and have some rice and beans for me.

Elder Willard

Teaching about Marriage

We had a baptism on Saturday...I think I already said that...

Anyway, all is well here in Porto Alegre, but is a bit chilly...which is a dream come true.

We have several, I believe 3 couples, with wives that want to get baptized because they know the church is true, but cant because they aren’t married to their husbands. And the husbands aren’t interested in religion and more interested in money or alcohol or how no believe in God or don’t see the importance of being married or the importance of the family.

It’s so frustrating to see these poor women suffer, knowing what they need but completely stuck. It’s going to take a lot of fasting and prayers and inviting, but I know those husbands will receive an answer from Heavenly Father.

You know what’s hard...learning another language. Even with an easy Latin based language like Portuguese, it is still frustrating and difficult. It is for sure serving a mission is the hardest this I have ever done, but by far the best.

Yesterday we were teaching a member’s sister. She basically grew up in the church but has never been baptized. I thought it went well but has the member drove us home he chewed us out, bitter and upset about the lesson. `´She just needs to feel the spirit, have a spiritual experience to get baptized and I felt nothing!! You didn’t teach with the spirit`. I felt awful for a long time. I thought, Am I not doing my job correctly, Am I not teaching by or with the Spirit? What is wrong with me? I will never talk to any missionaries the way he did to us. But nothing makes you feel better than just straight out praying and found comfort in talking with Heavenly Father.

I love you all you and my companion also, he is incredible and the hardest working guy I know.

Read the scriptures and pray every single day! Tá bom!!

Te Amo

Elder Willard

Brazilian Pizza

We have another baptism this Saturday. She is the mother of 3 converts who is the last one to get on the band wagon because of just plain bad luck and poor choices by leaders in the zone. Her children are all less active and one has a problem with smoking, but I have a good feeling that mom is going to whip them into shape. Her testimony is amazing; there is no doubt in her mind that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. She will be baptized this Saturday!!!

Yes, it has been getting colder here. But don’t worry about me keeping warm; we have for some odd reason 7 gigantic wool blankets in our apartment. The real problem is mosquitoes. 3 days ago I woke up with approximately 42 bug bites on my right arm with dozens more on my face and other arm. I got to lather up with bug spray every night.

Two days ago it rained all day; I thought I was so prepared. Thermal underwear, doubled up on socks made of wool, sweater, xequezão (fancy) rain coat, and giant umbrella. And all of the stuff in my back pack was put in plastic bags. And being a Washingtonian, I thought I could handle it. Unfortunately, my Achilles heel was my shoes. They have some many little holes in them that there was no way to keep my feet dry. Maybe I will buy some boots...

I have decided that pizza in Brazil is better than in the USA...that’s right, I said it. Especially when they put chocolate in the crust. It’s amazing!! Moderately priced here, but really cheap in the states. But on the other hand, the bread and cake here is terrible; you just can’t beat Oroweat. (This from a grandson of an Oroweat Engineer!)

Last night we taught a new investigator (Noli) with some other investigators (Atonio & Nadir) that we are trying to get married and baptized. Noli is a friend of theirs that lives nearby and as we were teaching each in turn bore powerful testimony of the divinity of the Book of Mormon and that Joseph Smith was a prophet and Noli was touched. They aren’t even members and they already want to share the gospel and bring others to Christ. I’m so excited to see them as full fledged members of the church.


Love you all, share the gospel with everyone you know.
Elder Willard

Moving to another 4th floor apartment

I have made a goal to baptize every single transfer. Have you ever heard the saying “Nothing is impossible between two people, as long as one of them is God”?

We recently moved to a new apartment, which was a pain because we lived on the fourth floor and our new apartment is also on the 4 floor. All the beds, refrigerator, stove, washing machine, bed frames, desks, supplies, my stuff.....and it was raining...and hot. Totally crazy.

We had 3 investigators at church, we have about 3 unmarried couples with children that we are in the process of getting married. That is a huge problem in Brazil. My companion has 23 brothers and sisters because his father couldn’t stay with one wife. We have two unmarried couples with a lot of problems with finances and fidelity because they aren’t married. It’s just easier to live with one another and not get married.

Once they are married they can be baptized!! We have a goal this transfer of like 7 people, so vamos lá!!!

Other than moving, things have been normal. OH! I’m teaching an English class to Brazilians for free at the church...simple stuff like verbs and phrases. But when they ask a question, I have to have them repeat it slowly every time. But it’s great: I learn Portuguese and they learn some English.

I have no idea how Sister Willard can type some much, it’s incredible. Every time I read about her success I want to one-up her and street-contact the world.

All is good!
vos amo

Elder Willard

P.S. My hand is not broken.