Two weeks ago all us missionaries in Ponta Grossa got together at one of our churches and talked for about an hour finding out where everyone would go and what everyone would do etc. As we waited some played Football while the rest of us continued to talk waiting on the Van to show up from Curitiba with all the new missionaries. When the Van finally arrived we all got excited and that's when I met my 6'6" tall companion Elder M. Cutler. I have to specify which Cutler I am talking about now since there are two of them that I know. We talked briefly and then got lunch with the other Elders and then went to our apartment/home. We live in a house/apartment that is behind the Bishop's house and above a family of the church as well. There is a cat that meows super loudly and his name is Jeremias, but he is a very kind cat. The rest of our P-day we spent shopping and talking to family. I then mentally prepared myself for the first District Council meeting that I had to run. Did I mention that I am a District Leader.
To explain how things work here on the mission we have classifications for every missionary. New missionaries are considered Trainees, after their training they become Junior companions. A missionary who has more time than their companion is called the Senior companion. A District Leader is a missionary who is placed in charge of a small group of missionaries normally 3 other companionships. Then comes the Zone Leaders who take care of a larger group of missionaries and works closly with the District Leaders in their zone. A Zone is normally made up of 3 Districts. Above the Zone Leader are the Assistants to the President. They with the Mission President take care of all the missionaries in the mission. So yeah thats the basics.
I was called by the Mission President and he asked me if I would be willing to be a District Leader (You basically cant say no), and so I became the District Leader. It's not too bad its pretty easy I just have to take care of everyone in my District which consists of Elder Jenkins e Elder Araujo in Uvaranas, Sister Cardoza e Sister Flor in 31 de Março/Jardim Florença, Elder D. Cutler e Elder Speirs in Paraíso, and I e Elder M. Cutler here in Dalcol. Its nice I've gotten to be with Elder D. Cutler for my entire mission so far and its honestly been a blessing. Don't know what I'd do without him. I've had days where I have felt stressed and frustrated and if it wasnt for Elder D. Cutler I probably would've lost it. We truly help one another in many ways and the Lord truly blessed us to still ne together.
Another person I have to thank is Elder Jenkins. Over these past two weeks he has been the most patient and loving. He helps me and guides me and always gives the advice that I need. I could not be leading this District nor dealing with this area without his help and his counsel. I truly have to thank him for all the hard work he does and how loving he truly is. I couldn't do what I do without his support and care.
Anyway, so that first night I ran the meeting and it went by smoothly and then we went to bed where I mentally prepared myself for the week. I was not truly prepared for what was to come the first day. I was in a new area, training a brand new Elder M. Cutler, and having to continuously talk to all the missionaries at the same time. Dalcol is a very large area. It is made up of about 15 neighborhoods and the futhest out we go is a little more than 2 hours away. So for an area thats pretty big and yeah a lot to tackle with no knowledge of the area. The first few days went well we struggled to talk with a lot of people, but it slowly got better and better. We found an amazing family, the Rogalskis, they have such an incredible story that I'll have to explain at another time. They have had so many struggles and trails through their lives and when we met them they received us so nicely. We talked with them and got to know them a little better and then they went to church with us. I will never forget when the Mom said, "When I walked through the doors I was filled with an overwhelming sensation of peace and comfort as if I was at home." Hearing that made me so happy, and they are just incredible. I have seen so many great and marvelous things on my mission so far and they are one of those. Also during that first week we did splits with Elder Jenkins e Elder Araujo. I went with Elder Araujo and man is he cool. Before the mission he went into the military into the horse division or something and he is just a funny and intelligent guy. We also had a mini Bible Bash completely in Spanish because a Venezuelan Lady couldn't speak Portuguese so Elder Araujo spoke Spanish with her and it was interesting, but we left with an invitation to come back, so I think it went well. That Sunday we introduced ourselves to everyone in the Ward and yeah that was the end of Week 1
Week 2
Started off with multiple meetings for me and then another day of shopping this time with Elder D. Cutler and Elder Speirs. After we had a churrasco with our Stake Presidency whom I know very well. It was very good food. The next few days kinda flew by and my time every night to relax shortens. I find myself constantly having to work up until 10:30 our bed time. When I say work I mean I have to both know everything that is going on in all areas in my district as well as check up on all the missionaries and see how they are doing and if they need help. I've had to send voice messages checking up on the Sisters from time to time. It also helps that I know their area like the back of my hand and since they are also both new there I have been able to help them when they needed.
On Thursday we did splits with Elder D. Cutler e Elder Speirs and it went very well. Elder Speirs went with me and since he is also super new of course I forced him to only speak Portuguese and talk to basically everyone, but I was very impressed by him and his fearless dedication. We met a lot of great people and had a wonderful time. He has strong testimony of the gospel and such an incredible life story.
Friday, we went to the temple and man it was funny. Our bus driver showed up so late, and then he stopped halfway to Curitiba for a smoke break, and then he took us to the wrong place before finally we arrived at the temple. After which we had Zone Conference and then returned home. The rest of the week kind of flew by in a blur, but it was still awesome. That's basically the sum of the two weeks. It's been stressful and rough, but still amazing. I am still studying Christ-like attributes everyday and its truly helping me become a better person. I strive to always help one another and to be an example. I may be harder on myself than others, but its all to the benefit of myself. I wish I didnt feel like so much was on my plate, but its because there truly is and that is something I gotta figure out. Anyway, I'm trying to relax the rest of this day and destress so I'll talk more or less next week.
Pictures!!
1. A bunch of teens we talked to who wants to play soccer with us
2. Elder Cutler sleeping in the house of our lunch before lunch
3. A sticker that's supposed to represent me given to me by Sister Cardoza
4. Elder Rizo-Patron sleeping on the bus going to the Templo
5. Just a cool wall
6. More teens that we talked to
7. Division!!
8. I (Elder Hyatt) holding Elder Batman Escuridão (thats the name we have the puppy)
9. Me with more teens/Kids praying soccer in the street
10. My district with our Stake Presidency eating churrasco!!
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