Campinas Temple

     Saturday we went to the beautiful Campinas Temple with members of the Tatui Branch. Left to right, Elder and Sister Barrus, Debora, Rafely and her mother Dalva, Divina, Sister and Presidente Vagner, Gloria and Antonio.  We were able to see our friend Mark Grover while we were there. He and his wife Ivelisse serve in the Temple.  It was so wonderful to be back in the temple.  It was so busy that day that the sessions were every half hour.

Jundiai

     Friday we drove Edivaldi and Gilmara and their sons to Jundiai to pick up their new car.  Jundiai is a very large city and has this beautiful, large shopping mall.  Gil and Edivaldi took us to Burger King in the mall for an American treat!

How many Elders can you stuff in the backseat of a very small car?

     We had a multi zone meeting Thursday, January 26, in Sorocaba.  Elder James and Elder Blaylock rode with us to Sorocaba.  After the meeting Elder Marinho and his companion needed a ride to their apartment in Sorocaba because they had a large box to carry and it was raining.  So four large Elders had to stuff themselves into the back of our little car.  Elder James had to form himself into a pretzel to fit.  We were worried if he'd be able to walk when everyone unloaded!

Stranded in Tatui

     Tuesday night, January 24, at about 9:30, we received a call from the Elders that two sister missionaries were at the Rodovaria (bus depot) in Tatui.  They are serving clear at the other end of the mission, near Campinas which is about 2 1/2 hours away.  They are trainers and were on their way to Cerquilho, 22 kilometers from Tatui, to work with the sister missionaries assigned there.  When they arrived in Tatui the last bus to Cerquilho had already left.  We were so grateful we had a car and could pick them up and take them to Cerquilho.  Sister Caten is from Tennessee and Sister Marrugo is originally from Colombia but her family now lives in Florida.  They are beautiful, sweet sisters.
     When we got to the sister missionaries' home in Cerquilho at about 10:30 pm, we called them to let them know we were there.  We woke up Sister Berntson and Sister Evans and they said, "Elder Barrus, what can we do for you?"  Actually they were thinking why in the world Elder Barrus was calling them that late at night.
     It turned out there had been a communication gap and they didn't know that Sister Caten and Sister Marrugo were coming.  A night of adventure.

Bill and Bonnie Hepworth

     We had a special treat this weekend with the arrival of Bill and Bonnie Hepworth. Bill and Bonnie live in the Jackson area of Cassia County.  They served in Tatui in 2007.  They were the last senior missionary couple to serve here until we arrived.  The members of the Tatui Branch had a celebration for them on Saturday night.  So many came and had a wonderful time renewing their friendships with the Hepworths.  Bill and Bonnie gave some wonderful talks both on Saturday night and Sunday Sacrament meeting. They still speak Portuguese so very well.  We loved visiting with them and appreciated the counsel they gave us.

Roadside Service Missionaries!

     Elder Barrus was on his way with Elder James and Elder Blaylock to pick up an investigator for Church Sunday morning when our car ran over a nail and went flat.  So blessed these young missionaries were with him to change the tire.

Welcome to English Class

     Presidente Vagner's son made two great banners to put up on the gates going into the Church to advertise the English classes Al and I are teaching.  They are learning English much faster than I am learning Portuguese.