After five months, I finally have a second companion! Her name is Sister Prado and she is from Curitiba. She has been out for 7 months- only one transfer more than me. She has one brother by blood and five more basically adapted siblings (think Noah, but onto the next level). She is 21 and she doesn't like chocolate. (not a problem, more for me) We have only been together for a few days, but I already love her! She has a sense of humor really similar to mine so we are always joking around. It is wonderful! Everyday is an adventure and we are able to laugh in even the most difficult of moments. Oh, she also has magical powers. I am not kidding about that. She seriously has magical powers or is extremely loved by the Lord. Our first day here in Alfenas she said that she was hungry. Not five minutes later a man that I contacted once on the street stopped us to Bible bash. Great. He started in on us full blow, going on and on. Then out of nowhere he paused, bulled out a bag and offered us pão de queijo (cheese Bread). It was even fresh and warm! We accepted, of course, and he continued on with his rant. When we finished eating the pão de queijo, we thanked him for his opinion and went our way. The next day, as we were walking down the street Sister Prado said she was craving something sweet. A few minutes later we arrived at the house of one of our contacts. The lady living there was not interested in our message at all ( I don't know why people give us their addresses when they really aren't interested). It was very hot though and we were very thirsty, so we asked for some water. Not only did she let us in to refill our water bottles, but she also filled a sack with some candy she had just made and gave it to us before she sent us on our way. The next day on our way to Almoço Sister Prado told me about how much she loved ice cream. As we finished up almoço, what do you know, the irmã brought out a bunch of ice cream for dessert! Like I said, magical powers. I am thinking that we need to put this talent of hers to work and get some pizza or something. Or even better, she needs to start talking about how much she wants baptisms! Needless to say, we are getting along great. The Lord is blessing us immensely and we are loving the work.
The other new Sister in our house is an American fresh from the CTM (Missionary Training Center). I did not realize how far my português has progressed until she arrived here. Though I think my português was a bit better than hers when I first entered the field. She is not understanding much of anything right now. I do remember those first few weeks in the field- feeling so inadequate and useless. I still feel pretty inadequate for this great work, but I am so grateful that I can speak and understand the language now. I have a ton to learn, but I feel like I am making a difference now. Haha, her arrival also made me realize how bad my English is getting. Once I get talking or writing it's alright, but switching between the two is really difficult. Her trainer, Sister Sandrine doesn't speak any English. So occasionally she will ask me to translate or explain something in English for Sister Graham. I will start to talk to her to explain something only to realize that I am still speaking português! Then as I try to switch over to English words in português slip into my sentences and sometimes I can't think of the right word in English at all. Haha, how cool is that?! Sister Prado teases me and says that i am going to need my português- English dictionary to talk with you all on Mother's day. I think once we get started with the English I will remember again and we'll be able to communicate just fine ;)
I love you all! Have a wonderful week and keep being missionaries :)
Sister Emma Maxwell
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