O Povo Brasileiro (The Brazilian People)

One of the most important parts of my life is the Brazilian people. They mean more to me than almost anything else in the world. It is through the Brazilian people that I learned to truly love and care for others,  and have a sincere Christlike love and charity. From the very beginning, the Brazilian people showed a love and kindness towards me, which has changed the person I am today. My time in Brazil the second time around was much different than the first, yet the constant of both experiences (my mission and my study abroad) was the people. This trip, however, I was able to experience the country of Brazil and it's culture in a whole different way than I was able to on my mission. As I studied not on the culture but the history of Brazil in my classes, and as we saw and experienced the things we were studying about in class, my eyes were opened to what Brazil really is, and how it got to be that way. But once again, it all comes back to the Brazilian people and the love I have for them because of the love they have always shown to me. Here are a few pictures of the people I love so much.

Family home evening.

A hard-working Brazilian on a hot, crowded bus after a hard day of work getting some shut eye.

Festas Juninas are a huge part of the culture.

A man selling fresh fruits at the market, a job he has probably done for decades.

Music is very important to the Brazilian people.

A Brazilian man sitting on a street corner early in the morning, a common site on the Brazilian streets.

Xica, a hard-working and giving Brazilian woman.

A street vendor selling his delicious drink.

Hard-working and friendly Brazilian teenagers striving to learn English.

One of my brothers from the mission, Elder Eduardo.

Brazilian moving company moving a couch down from a skyscraping apartment building on ropes.

A hard-working Brazilian woman selling her delicious treat.

Devout Catholics, hundreds of them, at mass.

Conversing with a homeless man in a city square. Unfortunately, there are many of these throughout Brazil.

Some really friendly kids, this is one of my favorite pictures from my trip.

A yard worker taking a little break.

Brazilians love music, dancing, and partying (so I fit in well).

Going to the movies with our friend Polibio that we met on the beach.

One of the many people selling whatever they can on the beach. I bought some nice earrings for Camilia from this woman.

A fire-thrower doing his act in front of the cars stopped at a red light.

A full family living on the sidewalk with a busy street on one side and an open sewer on the other with all of their belongings.

Brazilians love to have paintings of their deceased parents and grandparents in their homes.

A stake dance with youth of the church.

A woman offering pictures for a few dollars.

Martial arts of Brazil.

A woman selling her treat on the street.

Nick and I amongst the Brazilians who invited us to the front of their mass.

Our knowledgeable tour guide Terry. 

A samba band.

I thought this picture was interesting. We asked to take a picture with this woman, but she gave absolutely no facial expression. This is common among Brazilians who don't have white skin, they are embarrassed to take pictures because they normally don't have very high self-esteem.

One of my best friends, Elder Francisco.

Joao, with his stuffed frog Caco.

Cooking and cleaning of the house is very important to Brazilian woman.

Some of the people that matter the most to me in the world. 

Eu amo o Brasil, e especialmente o povo Brasileiro, com tudo que eu sou.

A Religião (Religion)

For Brazilians, religion is more than just church, it is a way of life. Religion has shaped the Brazilian people to become who they are today. It is religion and a faith in God that has made Brazil the place it is. The faith that Brazilians have in God can be seen in all shapes and forms, in everywhere that you go and everything that you see and hear throughout daily life. If you talk to a person, it is common to hear phrases such as "Gracas a Deus" (thanks to God) throughout the conversation and when you say goodbye the phrase "Vai com Deus" (leave with God) is also common. It is also common to see signs throughout the street and on people's business praising God and thanking Him for what they have been given. Homes are also adorned by decorations reminding them of God as well as Catholic Saints and the Virgin Mary. Taxis and other cars usually have crosses hanging from the rear view mirror to show that they are devout to their faith. Families that are members of the LDS church usually have Liahona magazines and church paintings throughout their homes, much more than I have noticed in LDS families in the states. In addition to these details, there are so many churches in Brazil. To many Brazilian pastors, their church is their income and how they get by. It would be impossible to count how many churches there are in Brazil and how many different types of churches there are. Here is a collection of photographs that I took that show some of the aspects of religion throughout the Brazilian culture.

A few example of reminders and decorations common in Brazilian homes and cars. 

These are pictures of loved ones in a Brazilian church, asking for promises of health and well-being for them.

A few example of some of the many churches in Brazil, some old and some new. 

The following are a few example of LDS culture within Brazil:

The church's effort to provide help, both physical and spiritual, to the Brazilian people is evident wherever you go.

The church is growing quickly in Brazil, with seven temples functioning or under construction/announced. This temple in Manaus which we passed by is close to being done. 

The youth of the church are diligent in their worship, shown here by a group of youth waking up early to get to seminary by 5:30 in the morning. 

These little statues represent two of Brazil's most important themes in one. This is a nativity scene of the Savior, Joseph and Mary, and the wise men dressed in soccer uniforms. 

This is one of the many evangelical stores that are common in Brazil, selling all sorts of different Bibles. They have a Bible for everyone, including different translations such as the Bible for women (which comes in pink).

Two of the many altars displaying the crucifixion in churches throughout the country.

A couple of the many crosses that are easily seen throughout daily life.

These are two examples of how religion has been affected by the African influence in Brazil. The first is an example of the African religion candomble, which was brought over by the African slaves during the colonization of Brazil. Behind me is one of the many "orixas", which are the guards of the natural elements. The second picture shows how Catholicism and the African religion ubanda have come together to form a religion that is based on Catholicism but also has African roots, such as the relation between orixas and Catholic saints. 

These are pictures of a Catholic convent in the state of Espirito Santo that was constructed by slaves in the 1500's, called Convento da Penha. It overlooks the cities of Vitoria and Vila Velha, and is a common sight for devout Catholics to go and pay for promises. Those who are truly devout walk up the rocky, steep path that is shown in the third picture on their knees to the top, which is quite a long distance. By the time they make it to the top, their knees and legs are usually scraped and bloody.

This is one of the many example of religious sayings that are placed on businesses. Right next to the name of the supermarket are written the words: Jesus Christ is our only hope.

A symbol of hope, faith and protection for millions in the city of Rio de Janeiro to see. It also shows that the people of Brazil have open arms for those who arrive, and that they believe that Christ has the same open arms for all of us.