Promotor Americano (American Prosecutor)

Elder Barrus was invited by the Dean of the Law School in Itapetininga to speak to their Law Students about the American Judicial System. It is very different from the Brazilian Judicial System. There are 450 law students and their classes were cancelled that night so they could be in attendance for this event. It was a full day, interview at the television station in Itapetininga, almoco with the dean, tour of the court house, and then the speech that night. We were treated so kindly, we couldn't have asked for a more wonderful experience. Pictured is Elder Barrus in front of the television station and the article that was in the newspaper about him speaking at the University. It was a great opportunity to meet so many people and let them know that our reason for being here in Brasil was as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Barrus and the Dean of the Law School, Agosto Vianna, being interviewed at the television station in Itapetininga. We thought it would be a 5 minute interview, just telling about Elder Barrus being the guest speaker at the Law School that night explaining the American Judicial System and how it works. But it turned out to be two 40 minute segments. Al was so grateful the dean was there. Of course, at the beginning of the program and the beginning of his speech at the University, he explained why we were in Brasil. So he was able to do a little missionary work.

This picture is a little out of order, but this is the front of the auditorium where the dignitaries who were there sat, judges, professors, the Dean of the Law School and the President of the University is speaking.

Following the television interview, the Dean of the Law School took all of us out to lunch to a wonderful churrascaria. It was delicious!

The Dean of the Law School, Augosto Vianna, is also the head prosecutor in Itapetininga. He took us on a tour of the Courthouse. The young man on the left is Alan, he is 17 years old and is in his first year at the law school. In Brasil, you go right from high school to Law School, it is a five year program compared to the seven years it takes to be an attorney in the States. In the States, you graduate with a Juris Doctorate. All night the Professors and Judges were calling Al, Dr. Barrus! In Brasil, to get a doctorate, it takes more schooling after graduating from the five years of law school. In the middle is Christian, Murad's son. Christian lives in Bountiful with his mother and has been down here in Brasil since November visiting his father. He will be going back to the States in May. The last gentlemen is the Dean of the Law School. In Brasil, the ONLY jury trial is one when someone intentionally kills someone. All other trials are tried before a judge and he decides. If you can see, they are standing in front of the chairs for the jury. There are seven. At the end of the trial, the jurors are dismissed and they are not allowed to talk to each other. They are given a piece of paper and told to write guilty or not guilty on it. It just takes four of the jurors to be in agreement for a guilty or not guilty sentence. In the States, out of the twelve jurors, all must be in agreement. There is no death penalty in Brasil.

Elder Barrus giving his speech, on the left is the Dean of the Law School, Augosto Vianna and on the right is our friend, Murad Karabachian, his father founded the University there in Itapetininga.

At the end of Al's speech and the question period, the law students stood and applauded for him. Then they lined up on the stage and clear down the aisle of the conference room to take their turn to have their picture taken with us. Why, I don't know. But it was fun. This little cutie is a law student and the girlfriend of a young man in our Tatui Branch, Moroni. That beautiful bouquet of roses was presented to me by the President of the University, everyone there couldn't have been kinder.

At the end of the evening we had our picture taken with those who sat on the stage with Al. Left to right, a Judge, a Professor of Law, the Dean of the Law School, Augusto Vianna,(the previous two are twin brothers), Al, Kathy, the President of the University and a Judge.

District Meeting in Tatui

We had our District Meeting this morning, Tuesday, March 27. Elder Squires called us the night before and asked Elder Barrus to give an Easter message and asked if we would hide Easter eggs that the Elders and Sisters had made. We hid them outside all around the Church, but despite our best efforts they found them all! Pictured: Elder (?), Elder Squires, Elder Egbert and Elder Swanson. The Sisters: Sister Correa, Sister Gerber, Sister de Paula, Sister Barrus, Sister Campos, Sister Jahles, Sister Silva.

Visiting Rosa

On P-day, March 26, we travelled to Bauru to visit Rosa. Elder Barrus' first assignment as a young missionary 51 years ago was in Bauru and he knew Rosa back then. She is the mother of her ward in Bauru. We told her we would take her out to lunch when we arrived but she already had a feast already for us. She is such a wonderful lady and a talented artist.

Different Homes but Guess which one has an Angel living in it!

Elder Barrus is standing outside the home of Juvelina. She joined the Church almost two years ago and has been so faithful. She has a very long ways to come to come to Church. She either takes the bus or walks. Her home is small but she has a heart and loving nature that is huge. The second home is called the pyramid house and sits in a very nice part of Tatui.

Antonio

March 11, Elder Barrus baptized Antonio (3rd from left), March 18, Roberto confirmed him, (second from left) and this past Sunday, March 26, Edsen conferred the Priesthood on him. Antonio has already become a wonderful asset to the Tatui Branch.

Thony Gueddes

When Kelsey and Kylie were in Tatui we went to the Museum here. We met Thony Gueddes. He took us on a tour of the Museum. Our praca that is across the street from our apartment is the Marthinho Gueddes Praca, named after Thony's family. Elder Barrus has stopped in there occasionaly since then and visited with Thony. A few weeks ago we were walking past a community building that is kitty corner from our apartment and there was a big poster there with a picture of Tatui. Elder Barrus loved it and wanted to find out where it was taken so he could take a picture like that one. He thought it might be from the top floor of the Museum. So he went to the Museum and asked Thony if he knew where that picture was taken, and he did and explained it to Al. Then Al asked him if he knew who took the picture, Thony said, 'Yes, I did!' So he sent the picture to Elder Barrus and we had it enlarged and framed. We took it down to the Museum to show Thony, he signed it on the back and we had our picture taken with him.

Desfile! (Fashion Show)

The Relief Society decided to celebrate the Relief Society's birthday by having a Fashion Show. They wanted to showcase casual and Sunday outfits that were appropriate and modest. Our first counselor in the Mission Presidency, Elder (Dr.) Santos and his wife gave wonderful talks. Elder Barrus and I were asked to model Jeans! Top photo: Everyone who participated in the show. (2) Elder Barrus on the runway, he said Brazil is the only place in the world he would have done this! (3) Our Relief Society President, Gloria, modeling Going to Relief Society attire, her accessory is a patchwork tote bag that I made for her. (4) This young man is Diego He was one of the very first people we visited when we arrived in Tatui. We invited him to return to Church. He said he would but his mother wouldn't. But, the very next Sunday, they were both there and have been there every Sunday since. Diego had had gages in his ears and took them out when he started attending Church regularly. What a handsome young man! (5) Elder and Sister Barrus on the runway, who would have thunk it!

Day at the Campinas Temple

Tuesday, March 20, our Zone met with Presidente and Sister Ribeiro at the Campinas Temple. We did one session, it was a most beautiful day. It is always fun being with the Elders and Sisters, they are such a joy and so much fun to be with. Top picture: our Zone, 2nd: Elder Barrus had me mimick what the young missionaries were doing, holding out their placates, 3rd: We gave the phone to Elder Valentim, he is in front, to take our picture with the Sisters, he decided to do a selfie first. Elder Valentim is a great young man with an inspiring conversion story and he plays the piano so very beautifully. 4th: Sister Gerber, Sister Correa, Sister Barrus and Elder Barrus. Last: Wonderful picture of the Campinas Temple.

Restored Fusca

Elder Barrus is standing with Antonio, who he baptized three weeks ago, in front of the Fusca (Volkswagen) that Antonio's father restored. Antonio said this picture is a father-son picture!

Jantar de Americano

After Church on Sunday, March 18, we had a group of the Tatui members, who are dear to hearts, over for an American dinner. We fixed oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes, applesauce and a strawberry jello with whip cream on top and homemade rolls. They could not understand how Americans could eat a doce (sweet) with their dinners. Jello, especially with whip cream on top, is a doce. They loved the homemade rolls. Dalva asked me if I made my own yeast because it wasn't like the yeast here. I told her it was just Saf Instant that my girls had brought down from the US for me. We told her we would get her some. Pictured left to right in back: Edsen, Paulo, Thaynna, Rafaely, Sister Correa, Sister Gerber. In front: Debora, Sister Barrus, Elder Barrus and Dalva.

In Memory of Raquel

Raquel and her three children, ages 12, 9 and 6. Raquel was a member of our Tatui Branch. She was a talented hairdresser and taught classes all over this area. Three weeks ago we took this picture of her and her family at the Church. We had an 8 by 10 made and framed it and took it over to her two weeks ago. She loved the picture and hugged it while we were talking to her. Monday, March 19, while she was teaching a class in Jau, she collapsed and died. She was only 33 years old. Here in Brasil, the burial must take place within 24 hours of passing. Our hearts and prayers are with her family. What a blessing to know that families are forever.

Cousins!

Our Kylie and Al's sister LeAnn's daughter, Stephanie are due about the same time. Aren't they beautiful!!!! Here in Brazil you don't say they are pregnant, they are 'with light'. Beautifully said!

An American Dinner in Brazil

We've been inviting small groups of people to our apartment to serve them an American dinner. Everyone here has been so generous and we have had dinner many times at their homes. Today we fixed salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, and I made applesauce. They don't have many canned fruits or vegetables here, most all is fresh. I added a little sugar and canela (cinnamon) to the applesauce and they really liked that. Pictured from the head of the table clockwise, Antonio, Divina, Eziekel, me, and Gloria. We had Sister Gerber and Sister Correa sit at the kid's table!

Sister Tuimoala

We always look forward to seeing Sister Tuimoala at our Zone Meetings. She is from New Zealand and is a ray of sunshine!

Tatui Missionaries!

At our Multi Zone Meeting we got all the missionaries together that have and are serving in Tatui. In front, Sister Correa and Sister Gerber. Back, Sister Barrus, Elder Barrus, Elder Campos, Elder Langford, and Sister Kapp.

Sister Evans, on her way home!

This is our darling Sister Evans. She entered the Mission Field the same day we did. But she had been in the CTM in Sao Paulo before that so she is a transfer ahead of us. She is headed home to Eagle, Idaho on April 3. She has been a wonderful missionary and sings and plays the piano as beautifully as she is.

Sister de Paula

Pictured with us is Sister de Paula. She is from Recife and has only been a member of the Church for a couple of years. She has a wonderful, inspiring conversion story. She is serving in Boituva but is in our District so we have the blessing of seeing her each week at District Meeting in Tatui.

Para Bens Elders and Sisters!

At our Multi-Zone Meeting in Sorocaba on Tuesday, March 13, all the Elders and Sisters who had birthdays during March were sung to and cake and ice cream was served. I told Elder Barrus we should have lined up all the young Sisters and Elders it would take to equal his age! He didn't think that was as funny as I did!

Golden Baptism

Sister Gerber and Sister Correa were walking down the street when they saw this man sweeping his walk. They stopped to help him and then asked him if he would be interested in learning about the Church. He was so ready! He was so excited to be baptized that he went out and got a new suit and tie and haircut. Elder Barrus baptized him, three times! He is as pure as pure now! His sister and her family came from Sao Paulo to attend his baptism, how kind was that!

Family Home Evenings

Each week we have one or two Family Home Evenings with a family in the Branch. The top photo is with the family of Vonderlay and his wife Fernanda and their darling little boy Alessandro. They have been members for several years but have just become active again, hurray! The bottom photo is Liuci and her daughter and grandson. They have also just become activated. They have a very long way to walk to Church, but they come. Elder Barrus and I would hope that we would be that faithful if we had to walk that far back and forth to Church every week!

Brownies for Sale!

The people of Brasil are very enterprising and creative to earn money. Debora wanted to learn to make brownies so she could sell them. She came over one afternoon and I taught her how to make home made brownies and fudge frosting. She took them home and sold them all!

The Elder Barrus Uber Car

We bought this little car a couple of months after we arrived in Brasil. It has been such a blessing. It has transported a lot of people to a lot different places, church, temple, missionary appointments, church activities and the hospital! The record number of people transported at one time in it has been 13, yes, 13!!!!!!!

Law School in Itapetininga

We were invited by a member from the Itapetininga Branch to visit the college in Itapetininga. The school is only held at night because the students need to work during the day to earn the money to go to college. Some of the degrees they can graduate in are biology, social sciences, engineering and then there is the Law School. Murad, who invited us to tour the campus, holds many degrees. He has raised a family but is now going to law school. You go right from high school and attend five years of law school to become an attorney. The college was started by Murad's father who was from Armenia and was a physician. We met the dean of the law school and the director (president) of the college. After our tour the dean of the Law School invited Elder Barrus to speak to the law students about the American Judicial System. There are 450 law students. They are cancelling classes on March 28 so they can come to the auditorium to hear Al speak. He is feeling a little intimidated but I am sure he will do just fine. Of course, since we are here as missionaries, we will begin telling them why we are in Brasil serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It will be a great blessing and opportunity. In the picture is Murad, a friend of Murad's, Raphael, who is attending Law School, and Al and I.

Aniversario!

During District Meeting the Elders and Sisters celebrated the birthdays of Elder Barrus and Sister Silva and Sister Campos. Sister Silva and Sister Campos are companions and share March 9 as their birthdays!

Saying Good-bye to Sister Gamarano

Sister Gamarano was transferred to the Capitol, Sao Paulo. We had such fun with her and she will be missed! We have a tradition of taking the missionaries out to almoco when they are transferred. Elder Barrus and Sister Barrus, Sister Gerber and Sister Gamarano.

Sharing the Book of Mormon

The young men and young women and their leaders and Elder Barrus gathered at the Church February 17 and walked to the Praca de Santa and distributed Books of Mormon to people they would meet. They had a great time. We have choice, wonderful youth here in Tatui.

Sister Missionaries

Transfers were last week. We were lucky enough to keep Sister Gerber! Her new companion is Sister Correa from the south part of Brasil. They are both treasures and we feel so lucky to have them serving here in Tatui.