Into the Amazon

 Monday, October 21, 2024; Floresta Ward, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil: This week went super-fast. Didn't have time to write much. -My comp ended his mission. -I stayed a few days in another ward with Elder Neddo. -Vanesa got baptized in that other ward. -It was either hot or rained. -Super random house with a bunch of robots on it. -Apparently different mango trees have different flavors, some being sweeter than others. This week I thought some about change. And about difficulties. Sometimes when we have difficulties like, for me, it being super-hot, we wish for the opposite. But then it rains and is cold, and it's almost worse. Difficulties, just like opposites, are here for our good. So, my invitation for each of you is look at how the opposition and opposites in your life have help you become better. How have they benefitted you? Love y'all, have a good week! Elder David Olson Missão Brasil Manaus Sul Pics -Vanesa who got baptized -Family of members -Baptismal font in one o

Monday, October 14, 2024; Floresta Ward, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil: This week has been pretty good! It went by fast too!  It was my companion's, Elder Santos' last full week here in the mission. In a few days he will go to Manaus to meet with the Mission President, go to the Temple in Manaus, and take a brief self-reliance course. Then he's going back to his home in Curitiba, Brazil.  This week it was either pouring rain and cold, or sunny and burning hot. I miss the NC fall!  . It also got a little windy one of the days and I thought it would knock a few trees over. I don't know which is cooler (or more dangerous):    - 18-year-olds on motorcycles doing wheelies super-fast over speedbumps,             OR    - 10-year-olds on bikes doing wheelies down a big hill. I saw both of these various times this week.  There are some bananas that are sweeter than others. Some are better to deep fry. Banana with Farinha is also decently popular. On Sunday, after church ended, my com

 Monday, October 7, 2024; Floresta Ward, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil: This past week was pretty good! How was y'all's week? This week's weather was fun. It rained a few times, one of them being super-hard. The options were Rain, Sun and humidity, or clouds and smoke in the air. The rain was the best option.  One of the days that it rained we got soaked. So... I won't be using those shoes for a few days.  Sunday was like national Brazil voting day. So, we had a decent amount of rallies, car honking parades, and other campaigning happening this week. I guess someone thought that throwing small campaign cards on the ground will make people vote for their candidate... But it's required to vote here in Brazil. Even the Brazilian missionaries like my comp, Elder Santos, from other cities and states had to vote, though online. I'm still trying to figure out exactly who and what places were being voted on   but yeah. Definitely interesting to see the voting culture here. 

 Monday, September 30, 2024; Floresta Ward, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil: Olá a todos! Tudo bem? Minha semana foi boa! Como foi sua? Então tivemos Conferencia de zona, intrevistas com Presidente Taylor, pday de distrito, e mais! Bora lá! Hey guys, how are you all doing? This week was another fast one but had a few big things going on. We had zone conference! It was awesome to receive some guidance and help for our work here.  Then we had interviews with President Taylor! My interview was pretty short, but still awesome. Sounds like my mission will soon receive several more missionaries from Africa (French speakers), as well as one from Japan. While that isn't too big of a deal for most missions--there are missions and missionaries serving from and to each part of the world--my mission is typically made up of 1-Americans (USA), 2-Brazilians, and 3-Missionaries from other countries in Latin and South America. I personally know a few Brazilians who are serving in Japan. But I don't th