September 29, 2014

This week literally flew by. Time flies when you working. Just got done with playing soccer with the zone. Man I'm bad, but I definitely saw an improvement. Good thing I have two years here.
 
I went to another wedding. 2 weddings in 3 weeks, that must be a record. The people getting married were baptized this Sunday. It was really amazing to see how people change there life styles completely to be in harmony with Gods commandments. Getting married, not drinking alcohol, coffee, etc. I really admire that sacrifice converts make.
 
One of the funniest things I see around Brazil is how they sing American music. There favorite is Bruno Mars. I cant stop laughing at how they sing with the funniest accents. But the best part is they have no idea what the lyrics mean.
 
A huge struggle I have is soda. Soda to me is death in a bottle. It just so happens that people serve it at every meal. I swear they have Coke and Guaranã running through there blood streams. At first I just drake it but now I ask for water. I'm going to see how far I can last, its been 5 days.
 
My funny experience of the week was that we were teaching this lady and her daughter. I look outside and see some guy with a bottle, spraying some stuff. All the sudden 50 cockroach's come running in to the house under the door. My companion and I jumped up and just start stomping on them. These things were huge, the size of a human thumb. Took us 15 mins to eventually clean them out. Lets just say it cut the lesson short.
 
There is this family that is inactive in the Church. They have 8 kids! all under the age of 15, can you image that. This family has very little money, very little. The Dad can't go church because he has to work like a dog to provide for his family. The worst part of all is the Mom wants to just walk away from the family and start over. We went over there yesterday and the house was at the worst state I've ever seen, clearly a mom hasn't been there. It really hurts me to see this family suffer. One of the children always snuggles up to my arm and smiles at me. As a district were planning on going over there and cleaning out the house, and other solutions to help. We are here to serve and help.
 
We have made some good progress in reactivating members. First week we had 78 people at church, 2nd week 94, and 3rd 130. Put in the work and you see miracles happen. I may not understand everyone when they talk but I can understand what they are feeling. Work here isn't easy, its tiring. But,
"it hurts so good". There is no better satisfaction than laying on your bed dead tired. There is so much work to been done here.

Hope all is well. Brazil isn't getting any colder unfortunately.

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

Also we have a new address for mail.

Elder Seth
AOS 5/6 Bloco A
Bairro Octogonal
70660-665
Cruzeiro-DF

Sept 26, 2014- SPECIAL Edition!

Paulinho delivered a package to Seth today. When he arrived at Seth's apartment he was gone. He asked 4 young boys where the missionaries were. They went looking and found Seth in a Assembly of God Church talking to the Pastor and his wife. Paulinho said Seth is very happy and he is with a good companion and 2 other good missionaries.

Attached is a picture of where he lives on the 2nd floor. A LDs chapel that is on the same street. The Assemble of God Church where Seth was found and a picture of Seth and his companion with the provisions. 

September 22, 2014

Oi,
    I want to start out by talking about public enemy number one here in Jardim Ingá. That is the heat. This one day got up to 38 C. I have no idea what that is in F, but I'm pretty sure its in the high 90s. For lunch one day we had to go eat at this member house who lives 50 minutes away by foot. It was pretty rough at high noon in shirt, tie, black pants, and dress shoes. But what I didn't know what that this member owned a restaurant. Although the walk was torture, it was so worth it. The best food I have had in Brazil, with fresh juice. I was true grateful for this experience. Put in the work get the reward.
   A few days ago I witnessed a biker getting drilled by a car. The guy was fine and the car honked at him to get out of the way. This made me think back to the New Canaan bikers that act like they own the roads. Good thing people in the states don't just hit a biker because there in the way.
   I love walking up and hearing people describe my sleep walking events from the night before, (in Portuguese) Its always a good laugh and a good way to start the day. One night they said I jumped out of my bed and starting playing lacrosse. Another night they said I was trying to break out. Good thing we have steal bars and all the windows and doors. Looks like there not only to keep people out but the keep people in.
   My companion and I are both new to this area so its been talking us some time to get use to this area. Its hard because the city were staying in was very poorly planned, that's a fact. But were getting use to it. We just try to work, work, work. Our goal is to get 100 contacts a week. Its a lot and only happens if you working hard.
   The language is coming, slowly but surely. Learning new words and phrases everyday. I've come to realize that its not going to come all at once. But the harder I try to memorize stuff the faster I will learn.
  I've also tried a lot harder to listen to the spirit and then act on what I've heard. This one day we were waiting at a members house to teach and investigator, I felt prompted to go talk to people on the street. The first people we talked to were really interested and asked us to come inside to teach them. When the spirit talks to you its really easy to miss it, so act when you get the prompting.
   I am really nervous  to talk to people because my Portuguese is rough. But my companion always pushes me. He told me that I was going to ask this person to be baptized and I just laughed at him. Then when the time came he stopped talking. It was a awkward silence for 30 seconds. Then I did it. I wasn't sure how it went until she said yes. Crazy right. 7 weeks in Brazil and I'm able to do that. Dom De lingues é verdeiro. (the gift of tongues)
  Well this is getting a little to long and times running short. I miss home a ton but there's work I need to do here. I love the members here, they are all like my parents and friends.

my address
Elder Seth
Brazil Brasilia Misson
Shin CA 05
LOTE B1 Salas 304/307, Brasilia
71503-505 DF, CEP-DF
Brazil

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

September 15, 2014

Bom Dia,
 
Well this week was way different than all the others I have had in the mission field, because I wasn't actually in prison. The CTM was a good experience but I'm happy to be out of there. Well I finally figured out that my apartment does have hot water which is good. You change the temperature on the shower head. I made the mistake of trying to change it while I was showering. Big mistake, the moment I flicked the switch I felt the electrical current go through me. Didn't feel that good I promise you. The good news is that will be the first and last time I do that.
 
Since my Portuguese right now isn't the best its hard for me to understand people who talk really fast with a different accent.  I have mastered this technique where I mirror the face of the person and throw a yes I'm there to act like I understand them. Well I was at this members how and this lady was talking to me for a good 20 minutes and I thought I was playing if off pretty good considering I didn't understand a single word she was saying until she made her daughter go buy us all ice cream and then she dragged me into the bathroom and was putting this lotion stuff on my face. My companion was laughing his head off. I strategy back fired on me.
   
This one day we were lucky to help this member get ready for his wedding. The poor guy was planning most of it by himself and he was clearly bugging out. But its really cool how the entire church help each other out. Half of the ward was there sacrificing there time and money for this kid. He invited us to the wedding and it was pretty interesting. Its kind of similar to a American wedding but I'm not sure because we have to leave at 9.
 
One of my favorite parts of the mission is members. they are literally the best people ever. They understand that its not easy to leave everything in your life for 2 years to serve the Lord. They have so much love and respect for the missionaries. The language is really tough, trust me. but with the support of the Elders, members, and the love I feel from God I don´t need to me frustrated because I know I'm doing the right thing.

When ever I'm feeling down I turn to the scriptures they always pick me up and keep me going.  `` And I will also ease the burdens which are put on your shoulders, that ever you cannot feel them upon your backs, and this I will do that ye may stand as a witnesses for me`` Mosiah 24  14

My new address is
Elder Seth
Brazil Brasilia Mission
Shin CA 05
LOTE B1 Salas 304/307 Brasilia
71503-505 DF, CEP-DF
Brazil

Its crazy of different life is down here.I can`t wait to be fluent and experience this a better level. Miss you guys. hope all is well

Com Amor,

Elder Seth

Daniel Neeleman (left) Seth Neeleman (right) years later in the MTC at the same spot!

September 10, 2014

Well its finally happening
 
I'm finally in Brasilia on my mission. Sure leaving the CTM was weird to leave because it was my home for the past 6 weeks but I was excited to finally taste the culture of Brasil.
 
Yesterday I got the meet president. He is literally the best person ever. Then I got my and with my two bags I was off. I got to meet my companheiro for the first time. Ele nome e Elder Najarro. He has been serving for 6 months and he is from El Salvador. He is the best, very happy, nice, energetic,and doesn't speak a lick of Ingles. Baptism by fire as I like to call it, that is how I will become fluent in Portuguese.
 
We had to take a 2 hour bus right from the mission house which at first didn't sound to bad but people on the roads here are crazy., especially the bus drivers. They are fast and stop nothing in between. Plus standing up the entire time gave my arms a great workout. They were sore when I woke uphaha.
 
I'm staying at a really cool area its really humbling. I saw a family using a horse drawn wagon as transportation and a lot of homeless people. also there is a huge market for spiked fences down here, future company idea(I think so).

Our apartment has 2 sets of elders and there all really cool. Its funny how in Brasil they made the floors out of nice marble but they don't have filtered or hot water, gotta give a little to get a little I guess.
 
I get frustrated with the language because everyone seems to have a different accent. I just need to practice more and more.

Well I don't have that much time on the computer because its not my P day they are just letting me check in. My Area is called Jardim Inga. This is my home for the next 6 week at least hopefully more.

I know there are so many people that can use the gospel in there life here, I can just see it in there faces how they aren't happy. I know that the gospel can and will help them live a happier life for not only then but there family.

I will talked to all of you next segunda-fiera, Monday. Love you all and hope I can make you proud. quote of the week is "Let your work talk, not your mouth"


Com Amor,
Elder Seth

OFF TO BRAZILIA- Post from David

I found out yesterday that Seth was leaving this morning for Brasilia on Azul with 25 missionaries. I had work to do at the airport so I decided to see him off. Victoria baked cookies and came too. When I arrived he was already at the gate. He wasn't too thrilled to see either of us and only spoke Portugeese to us. I am sure he was concerned he was violating a mission rule. He was in full missionary mode which was great to see. I love that boy. I didn't dare take a pictures of us together so I snapped one while he was boarding.

He took off at 8:30am Brazil and should be landing shortly. 

September 6, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Well this was my último semana em CTM. this week flew by so fast, it was crazy. We have 2 Brazilians move into our room, what a blessing. First of all I love the people of Brasil. Love the teachers, the other staff members, and the other Brazilian Missionaries. Every night i sit down with Elder Juliani and we read O Livro de Mórmon together. I read in Portúgués and he helps me pounce words correctly and I help he with íngles. Verse by verse we do this. Its amazing how much 30 mins helps me. I pray for a great first companion in the field.
 
This sunday I said the sacramental prayer for the first time in Portúgués. I literally practiced 100 times because I wanted to make it perfect. It went surprisingly well, crazy how this work out if you put your mind to it.
 
My study focus this week was to memorize as many verbs in every tense as possible. Iv realized that the secret to this language is verbs. Once you understand the verbs everything works out. I just feel like there isn't enough time in a day. My idea of the day is that its a hour glass that seems to drain faster and faster each day.

I'm so close to finishing the O Livro de Mórmon in the CTM. I have around 50 pages left. Its amazing how much stuff you learn from the scriptures when you read, ponder, and pray about it. I just find myself wanting to read just one more chapter. Also, I have this weird addition where I just want knowledge. I want to study, read and learn everything. which takes me back to my only problem, time.

Sadly my favorite Elder left last Tuesday. elder Alva. I love that kid so much. When I said good bye he just started to cry. I hope I can have a heart like him some day. Although he is only 5 ft tall he has a heart twice the size of a normal person. Well I'm short on time per usual. Next time I talk to everyone I'll be in Brasilia slaying dragons.

Meu favorito escritura (my favorite scripture)
Eis que sou discípulo de Jesus Cristo, O Filho de Deua. Fui por ele chamado para anunciar sua palavra ao povo, afim de que tenham vida enterna.
3 Néfi 5:13

    I'm missing the little things back home, but I love the big picture idea of a mission and its purpose. I hope all is well, and I would love to hear from all of you.

                                                                      Com Amor,
                                                                   EElder Neeleman

p.s.

I just spoke with Elder Seth here in the temple of São Paulo and I realize that that boy left the MTC a few weeks is another person's voice is different and understand speech in Portuguese, and a unique feature, humility, good boy he is. Today he is the district it will have lunch at a steakhouse as Farewell group. He is commanded memories and hugs to all.

Paulo Bergoc