Churrasco at day-long church youth activity in Lucas do Rio Verde, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Pamonha, a wonderful corn dish tied neatly in the corn husk

Here it is, unwrapped and ready to eat.  Served hot.  

The center of South America is located here in the city of Cuiabá.  Here we are with Elders Richards and Gedelia from the mission office at the exact location.  



Marker for the Centro Geodesico of South America

Elders Gedelia and Richards in Gaucho (cowboy from Rio Grande do Sul) hats

Never Never leave your bag unattended in an airport anywhere in the world!  Here are Elders Gedelia and Richards, along with Christian, pointing to the place where I left my bag unattended.  It was stolen as a result.  It is a long and exciting story (one full of miracles and tender mercies from Heavenly Father), but I have shortened it for you here.  

Christian is a member of the Church in Cuiaba.  He is also a high official in the Brazilian federal police in Cuiaba.  When we realized I had left my bag at the airport (an hour and 20 minutes later) we rushed back, only to discover the bag was no longer there and was not in lost and found.  Elders Gedelha and Richards immediately notified Christian, and a police investigation was undertaken.  

We reviewed the security video from airport cameras and viewed the theft in action, including the get-away car leaving the airport.  I then called our son Craig who contacted the bank that issued our debit card.  We had a 3-way conversation and learned that purchases totaling about US$700 had already been made.  The bank gave us the name of the Lojas Americans (located near the airport) where the purchases were made.  

The police went to the Lojas Americanas and viewed security video that positively identified the thief (married to one store worker and related or a friend to another).  They then went to his house and recovered the purchased merchandise, my bag, and many of the contents from my bag, including our passports, visas, wallet with temple recommend, AMEX card (the credit card I use principally) and other very important and valuable items to me.  

Not recovered were about $300 cash, the debit card and an additional credit card (used to purchase about $40 worth of gas), and my progressive lens glasses which I very much need, and other things.  My iPad Air was recovered but had been completely demolished.  The thief must have known that it had tracking capability and thought by destroying it he could not be tracked.  I purchased a new one in Cuiaba for about $600.  



The thief now has a police record, is on a two-year probation, and must complete a certain number of houses of community service.  Oh yes, he is supposed to make restitution for my losses (but I am not holding my breath.  

Oh yes, the thief had an accomplice at the airport who tipped him off about the bag.  The accomplice disappeared and the last I heard, had not been located.  

There was a large team of wonderful folks who unselfishly helped us with this whole event.  Pictured below are some of them.  We are treating them to ice cream as a small thank you.  Not pictured is Almir Bitencourt, the second counselor in the Sorriso district presidency, who kindly rushed to the airport and began viewing the security videos before I was able to arrive and join him.  He helped us in many ways.  The longer version of our story is also available to be related verbally for those who really care.  

Below is an example of interesting architecture you find in Brazilian cities.  This one is an apartment building in Cuiaba, close to the mission office and ward building.  

Another view of the wonderful rich farming areas of Mato Grosso.  This shot shows fields planted with corn (after the harvest of soy has already occurred.  

Sorriso District Celebration in Sinop of the 173rd anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society.  Lou Ellen serves as the first counselor in the district relief society.  

Only when Elders Kaiser and Dodson are kneeling is Sister Tereza taller than they.  We love all three!

Sweet 13 year old Iara with her grandmother, Maria Luiza.  

Moto creativity.  Taken from our rear car window, this guy on a moto is securing a large white sign board with his back, while the man seated behind is barely securing the edges of the board.  We see entire families on one moto sometimes.  Of course, they are small families.  The most I think I have seen at once is 5.  

We are pictured here with a wonderful English class at which we were invited guests.  It was a delightful 2 hours!  

The government makes it possible for people to receive affordable housing.  The homes start out all alike, but are soon personalized.  Many people add rooms after awhile.  

Elders Kaiser and Oliveira, sitting in our car as we exit the church.  

Lucas on the day of baptism by Elder Jeronimo

Wonderful almoco in the home of Cezar, Paula and Ezekiel [on the left]

The clouds in Brazil are very photogenic.  Here is a sampling.  

We wash all our fruits and vegetables in a soapy water solution with a bit of clorox.  It makes a colorful picture.  

Celebrating Valentines Day at Zawas, a Japanese restaurant in Sorriso that also serves sushi, sashimi, and nigiri.  

One of our home almocos (primary meal of the day at noon).  Pictured here is brown rice, oven fried chicken, beets, and squash.  I don't remember what the side sauce was.  

Another pretty sunset, near our home in Sorriso.  

Mato Grosso has thousands of trucks that are involved in the farming industry.  Here is one of the longest I have ever seen.  Truck drivers tend to be very considerate people on the narrow two-way traffic highways.  It you are driving behind one and you want to pass, the driver (who has a much better view of the road ahead) will turn on his right turn signal when it is safe to pass.  

Two delightful 16 year old girls in our home.  We taught the first lesson and then had a small "jantar" (the evening meal).  We ate turkey and cheese sandwiches with avocado, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, and lettuce on them.  The girls declined the sunflower seeds.  

Here is only a small portion of the many youth who attended a 4 day youth conference this year at a Chakara (small farm) near Sinop.  What a wonderful experience for them and for us.  Others photos of the surroundings follow.  

  
A type of chicken from Africa.  

A mega Assembly of God church in Sinop.  

With Laird and Gloria in front of a 100 year-old rubber tree, located in the garden behind a mansion once owned by a former mayor of Sao Paulo.  There is a wonderful museum in the mansion now and a great buffet restaurant in overlooking the garden.  

Beautiful orchids browning on the trunk of the rubber tree

At a great pizza place in Sao Paulo with Rosangela and Ligia

We took a wonderful night tour of Sao Paulo in February, when I was there for an eye exam and treatment.  This photo is taken from the top of the Hotel Unique, designed by a famous architect in Sao Paulo.  Other photos from the top, inside, and outside the hotel follow.  The Sao Paulo skyline is amazing.  No matter where you are positioned you see tall buildings.  

An event venue in a famous Sao Paulo park.  This building was designed by another famous Brazilian architect.  

Reminiscent of the Washington Monument, this obelisk is located across from the park.   

The night tour included a visit to the outdoor market outside the Mercado Municipal.  Before the produce enters the Mercado the vendors sell it at a much reduced price to the public.  We bought some things here, including chicken on a spit from a churrasco vendor.  

We are getting quite well acquainted with the planes and crew of Azul airlines.  

Grasiele taught us how to prepare and cook Brazilian feijão (beans).  She and Francivaldo are a great couple.