This was the first adequate week, that I've had in Brazil. My language skills have rapidly improved and i can basically talk to everyone. I give credit to me studying the language quite often. I get up at 6:30 every day, exercise a little and study Portuguese while everyone else is getting ready for the day. Then at night when everyone is talking and stuff I escape to my room and study for another hour or so. Its different than studying in school because in school you choose to study, here in this atmosphere you NEED to study to live. My understanding has improved as well, the other day some other missionaries were talking, I was sitting behind them and i commented on their conversation, they were both Brazilian and one said " Holy crow you can understand us now!". I'm getting there, I still have tough days. on a scale from 1-10 i was a one before, I feel like a 4 or 5 now, but i have a long way to go. The culture here is different as well, they are more "open". they will say that you are fat or ugly straight to your face but to them they are not being rude, they say that to help you become a better person, its different for me this type of correction.
the food here is the same but different. usually when with a family we will eat beans and rice, I prefer black beans but beans and rice are basically the meat and potatoes here. they have a barbeQue here called (churrasco) I probably spelled it wrong but whatever. It's just regular meat but cooked differently and boy o boy they cook a lot of it, I have NEVER felt so full until I ate that barbeque. Life is steadily getting better but I still would ask for your prayers of support even just thoughts mean a lot.
Thank you for your support and your prayers,
Sincerely,
Elder Kochenderfer
the food here is the same but different. usually when with a family we will eat beans and rice, I prefer black beans but beans and rice are basically the meat and potatoes here. they have a barbeQue here called (churrasco) I probably spelled it wrong but whatever. It's just regular meat but cooked differently and boy o boy they cook a lot of it, I have NEVER felt so full until I ate that barbeque. Life is steadily getting better but I still would ask for your prayers of support even just thoughts mean a lot.
Thank you for your support and your prayers,
Sincerely,
Elder Kochenderfer