First off, does anyone actually know what week I am at and could tell me? Time is weird on the mission! Second, congrats to my cousin Casey for his big wedding last Saturday! He is FINALLY married! ;) Looking forward to getting that wedding invite someday...
The last five days are one for the books! What a wild time.
Last Wednesday, we essentially did nothing because everything was closed so we just packed and hung out with our friends before we shipped out the next day. Thursday, my bus for Piracicaba left at 5:30 AM so I had to be up and ready to go EARLY! Leaving the CTM was sad, I will miss my experiences there! I thought I was going to die during our 3 hour drive to Piracicaba. The combination of sleep deprivation, extreme car sickness, bumpy roads, and nerves did not feel good. I have never felt so nauseous in my life and thought, "What a way to spend my first day in the field!" Haha, but I survived!
I finally met my mission president and he is awesome! Such a great guy. We did a lot of training and learning the rules (lots of rules) and just spent time at his home waiting for the Provo missionaries. Their apartment is beautiful and has an awesome view of the city! Later that day, we all went down stairs to meet our trainers. As we hit the second verse of "Called to Serve" in come these missionaries - I was so surprised! Was not expecting them at all. My trainer is Sister Pagane and she. is. awesome! I am so blessed to have a sister like her! She is a native Brasilian and so cool and kind. She is really tall so when I first saw her, I hoped she would be my trainer and sure enough - she is! Everyone always laughs at the two of us together because we are true Amazonian women - so tall. She speaks no English, so I am learning Portuguese fast. Sometimes I forget she doesn't understand and will go off in English about something and she will just look at me, it is so funny! I love her a lot already and am excited to work with her.
We are assigned to labor in the Cordeirópolis, SP, Brasil area! It is so tiny and feels at times like it is stuck in the 50's, but I love it. We literally walked the entire city in one day. We have spent the last couple days just meeting the members and building friendships. The branch members love us and are so excited to help. At first we were hesitant because the last sisters who were here were not that great and kind of ruined the relationship with the members but they already love us. They feed us everyday and are so willing to help. I feel like I am living in the jungle - it is so green and beautiful here! We walk the streets and can pick fruit to eat. I wish they would have taught us how to devour Manga in the CTM!
We have one investigator already and make contacts all day. I made my first contacts with four people and it went really well! As we were walking away, I realized it was outside the home of the Branch President, hahaha. Just like, "The Best Two Years." They actually aren't members but it still made me laugh. Yesterday, I bore my testimony and as soon as I stood up, the whole audience went silent just waiting to hear me speak. They love to hear me talk and so many people just stare at me because I am so white in comparision. I have to speak in church already next week - yay. Haha, it will be okay. Just a little nervous! I understand pretty much all people say but have a hard time responding. I am getting better though. One little girl heard me talk and excalimed, "SHE CAN SPEAK PORTUGUESE?!"
Our apartment is really nice and it is just the two of us in there. It is clean and has a great view. Funny story - it is located above a different church and in between two bars. Yup, so is mission life.
We walk everywhere, which is fun to see everything and meet so many people but can get hot. Luckily, we study all morning then have lunch with a member, then go out contacting so usually it is a little cooler. No air conditioning anywhere. Only fans. Life here is so different! I love it though.
The members love to help and the little kids think they are my tutors. There is one boy in the ward who always taps me on the shoulder then proceeds to tell me what articles of clothing are called. It is so sweet. There are wild dogs everywhere! My companion hates them and I never touch them but I think it' s funny.
Next week, I will send pictures of this beautiful city! I wish you all could live here for a while - it is great. Sorry for any spelling or grammar errors, I am typing on an old Portuguese keyboard in a online gaming lab - so different than life back home! I am happy and loving this Brasilian missionary life! It is everything you picture missionary life to be.
I love you all and would love to hear from more of you! My address for letters and packages is:
Sister Cassandra Serre
Missão Brasil Piracicaba
Av Doutor Paulo de Moraes, 555
2 Andar, Sala 25, Paulista
Piracicaba, SP, Brasil
Thanks for the prayers and well wishes! Here are some pictures of my life lately as Sister Serre!
My CTM district, my view at the CTM, me and the Brasil flag, Christmas, me and Sister Pagane, me and my CTM companions, me and the MTC President and his wife, and me and the tiny track at the CTM!
Much love!
Eu amo voces!
Sister Serre
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