There are 15 missionary training centers worldwide.
This is the Centro de Treinamento Missionário de São Paulo.
Or - CTM
It is the largest MTC outside of the United States.
There are typically between 200 and 300 missionaries here.
They come from many, many different parts of the world. However,
to come here, they need to be Portuguese, Spanish or English speakers.
This is the Centro de Treinamento Missionário de São Paulo.
Or - CTM
It is the largest MTC outside of the United States.
There are typically between 200 and 300 missionaries here.
They come from many, many different parts of the world. However,
to come here, they need to be Portuguese, Spanish or English speakers.
The Mission Training Center in Brazil.
Each MTC has one purpose in mind-
to help the young men and women entering the mission field
to be better prepared in every way to serve.
A great deal of time is given to understanding better the doctrine of
Jesus Christ and the holy scriptures. Preach my Gospel is the inspired volume
of instruction as the teaching guide.
And of course, most of the missionaries miraculously, learn Portuguese.
Although, many of the missionaries here are Brazilian, usually called to serve in Brazil.
The Brazilians are only here for a few weeks before going to "the field".
beautiful grounds
There is indoor and outdoor exercise areas and garden areas for outdoor study.
When they arrive they are using their titles of "Elder" and "Sister". It actually happened early in our time here. We had a Elder Elder, I think from Utah. Elder was his last name! That name tag has to be interesting to explain... They are assigned companions and organized into districts and branches. During their training, the Elders and
Sisters will spend the majority of their time in class, with breaks for meals, church services,
temple attendance, fitness activities, service projects,
and personal preparation time (for laundry, letter writing, etc.)
Sunday lunch with the missionaries
Some favorite missionaries after a São Paulo Temple session
Sis. Arbukle (far right) is serving in Manaus.
We actually hear from her occasionally.
Some missionaries arrive directly from home, some from the Provo MTC,
and others come from serving somewhere else, while waiting for their Brazilian visas.
It appears very random, but I'm confident
that the Lord has a specific plan for each missionary.
Every Sunday we take the 30-40 minute drive and spend 6-7 hours, to worship,
counsel, train, listen, learn, observe, feel, preach, teach, laugh, cry, visit, dine :),
and - basically "stand all amazed" at the spirit that resides.
As we enter, there is an instant feeling of peace and purpose.
This beautiful floor to ceiling painting greets all who come here.
This beautiful floor to ceiling painting greets all who come here.
Pres. Robert and Sis. Julie Swensen
A perfect fit to preside and direct here.
They are from Salt Lake and served previously
as mission president in Curitiba, Brazil.
We are most fortunate to have this opportunity.
But it is a sacrifice -
We get up earlier than usual and one dark, groggy morning
Elder Hall got dressed and put on this "pair" of shoes.
Some weeks we have been traveling but we ALWAYS have to be home
Saturday in time for Sunday morning and our CTM assignments.
Elder Hall often expresses that this is the time/place that makes him feel
most like a missionary. In the "legal office" it is sometimes easy to forget.
Elder Hallzinho (Randy) is continually engaged in a way I have never seen.
A miracle, every single week. We have the option to "hang out" in a lounge during
non-essential periods. I'm usually ready for a break but Randy almost always wants
to be included in whatever his Dad is doing, such as district and leadership meetings.
Even during times of "Portuguese only".
I think it makes him feel more like a missionary also.
One week, I was especially happy we had attended a district meeting.
An Elder companionship sang a stunning duet "Abide With Me" in Portuguese:)
Randy with a São Paulo friend, Elder da Silva, who was "called to serve".
The spirit is - contagious!
This is the big auditorium where we have a
mission conference, once a month on Fast Sunday.
This 90 minute meeting replaces our Priesthood and Relief Society time.
One of our first conferences here was last September 7.
This is Brazil Independence Day (1822 from Portugal).
We all stood and the missionaries sang a
very moving national anthem, in Portuguese, of course.
If you have 3 minutes, take a listen to this version.
You'll probably hear it during the next summer Olympics held in Rio!
https://youtu.be/SyyOahYXhUQ
This large room is also where they hold devotionals on Sunday and Tuesday evenings.
Or if an apostle (Elder Holland pictured above) visits and speaks, it will be here.
Or if the missionaries view a funeral or
general conference on the big screens, it will be here.
They are provided headsets for either Portuguese, English, or Spanish translation.
One Sunday, months ago, they asked Elder Hall to translate
a talk at the mission conference from Portuguese to English.
He was excited but nervous.
It turned out to be extremely difficult for him.
The speaker had typed up his talk in advance for Craig to follow
but then "strayed" from his notes, if you can imagine.....
and spoke very fast, typical Brazilian Portuguese.
He is hoping they won't ask him to do that again :)
Unless an apostle visits, we normally do not attend the devotionals
except - one Sunday night when they
asked Elder Hall and me to return and speak.
Of course, Elder Hall was honored and very happy to provide :/
Sacrament Meetings
55 attending on this day (Aug 16, 2015)
This photo is historic because this is our first small group of Elders who
were NOT required to bring a suit to the mission field.
They will serve in northern Brazil, where it is ALWAYS HOT.
This is a significant monetary saving for many young men.
"The Stand"
Regular sacrament meetings are comprised of one of the branch presidency
conducting, usually in English because ours is the "English branch" for those young men and women from various countries that speak English. Mostly USA, but we have had some from England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, France, New Zealand,
and some African countries that speak English.
Sometimes there are enough of them for two branches.
They have been called to serve somewhere that Portuguese is spoken. Mostly Brazil, but also Mozambique, Angola, and Portugal. Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe also speak Portuguese
but I don't know if any missionaries serve there.
Pres. Sugiyama, 2nd from right, was our first Branch Pres.
shortly after our arriving in Brazil.
Pres. Kawai, far right, was our next Branch Pres.
Elder Ferguson, a previous counselor and Elder Hall
another shot of 3 amigos Hall, Kawai, Ferguson
-last Christmas CTM party-
One of the Branch Presidency conducts the Sacrament Meeting
(Craig is the 1st counselor).
The missionaries say the prayers, bless and pass the sacrament,
play the "organ", lead and sing the music - all in Portuguese.
Just prior to the meeting, the branch president assigns
four missionaries to give a 4-5 minute talk.
It is assumed that ALL missionaries are prepared.
Then a rest hymn or a musical number.
One Elder played an inspiring "Nearer My God to Thee" on the violin.
He truly did bring me "Nearer to God"...
After the music, one of the branch presidency wives (or son, in our case) will give a
10 minute talk and that respective husband will take the balance of the meeting.
The talks and testimonies are always in some combination of Portuguese and English, depending on what the speaker can and/or wants to do and the audience.
So Randy or I and Craig speak about every 4th week.
It's not so bad because we have 2 or 3 talks prepared to choose from.
Our congregation is always changing so they don't hear the same talk more than once :)
Elder Hall - Pres. Barreto - Bro. Farraz
current branch presidency
Glaucia & Reinaldo Barreto
13 year old photo from when they were called to preside
over Brazil, Rio de Janeiro mission :)
Sister and 2nd Counselor Farraz
one special group, formally in our branch
We had been waiting and wondering when he would come~
Relief Society and Sister Missionaries
We meet for an "opening" of Relief Society with all the Sisters from Brazil and America
and/or wherever they came. Each week, I look around and am so impressed with the spirit
and the beauty of the young sisters. Many young Brazilian women,
most with glowing dark hair and skin, are beautiful to behold.
But when they have the light of Christ and the gospel and
are committed to living a Christ-centered life and sharing the truth, they can't help but shine.
And of course the Americans, the Latinos - all are exquisite.
They are not "obligated" as the young men are. They have simply chosen to come.
They bring much enthusiasm and depth to our meetings.
After our gathering for praying, singing and announcements,
we separate into Portuguese, Spanish or English lessons.
It's such a blessing for me to attend and teach (every 8 weeks or so)
the Relief Society lesson, for all English speaking sisters, taught from Preach My Gospel.
We rotate the teaching from all the sister leaders (wives) that can speak English.
The sister missionaries are grateful and "relieved" for the opportunity to testify
and share their deep and personal feelings - in English.
Previous Branch Pres. wives Kawai, Ferguson & Hall with 2 sisters
On the right is Sister Overson. She is Cookie & Clay Overson's granddaughter!
She came to the CTM too late to see her grandparents but we were thrilled to meet her.
Clay and Cookie - former branch counselor and forever friends :)
This is Sister Scholes (from Bountiful) and Sister Little.
They are most talented singers and we listened to them sing
a breath-taking Portuguese arrangement of Savior, Redeemer of My Soul.
This was videotaped later to send to their parents.
(file saved in my email folder but resistant to download :(
If any want to "view" I can email it to you~
just LMK!
A miracle, every single week. We have the option to "hang out" in a lounge during
non-essential periods. I'm usually ready for a break but Randy almost always wants
to be included in whatever his Dad is doing, such as district and leadership meetings.
Even during times of "Portuguese only".
I think it makes him feel more like a missionary also.
One week, I was especially happy we had attended a district meeting.
An Elder companionship sang a stunning duet "Abide With Me" in Portuguese:)
Randy with a São Paulo friend, Elder da Silva, who was "called to serve".
The spirit is - contagious!
mission conference, once a month on Fast Sunday.
This 90 minute meeting replaces our Priesthood and Relief Society time.
One of our first conferences here was last September 7.
This is Brazil Independence Day (1822 from Portugal).
We all stood and the missionaries sang a
very moving national anthem, in Portuguese, of course.
If you have 3 minutes, take a listen to this version.
You'll probably hear it during the next summer Olympics held in Rio!
https://youtu.be/SyyOahYXhUQ
This large room is also where they hold devotionals on Sunday and Tuesday evenings.
Or if an apostle (Elder Holland pictured above) visits and speaks, it will be here.
Or if the missionaries view a funeral or
general conference on the big screens, it will be here.
They are provided headsets for either Portuguese, English, or Spanish translation.
One Sunday, months ago, they asked Elder Hall to translate
a talk at the mission conference from Portuguese to English.
He was excited but nervous.
It turned out to be extremely difficult for him.
The speaker had typed up his talk in advance for Craig to follow
but then "strayed" from his notes, if you can imagine.....
and spoke very fast, typical Brazilian Portuguese.
He is hoping they won't ask him to do that again :)
Unless an apostle visits, we normally do not attend the devotionals
except - one Sunday night when they
asked Elder Hall and me to return and speak.
Of course, Elder Hall was honored and very happy to provide :/
Sacrament Meetings
This photo is historic because this is our first small group of Elders who
were NOT required to bring a suit to the mission field.
They will serve in northern Brazil, where it is ALWAYS HOT.
This is a significant monetary saving for many young men.
Regular sacrament meetings are comprised of one of the branch presidency
conducting, usually in English because ours is the "English branch" for those young men and women from various countries that speak English. Mostly USA, but we have had some from England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, France, New Zealand,
and some African countries that speak English.
Sometimes there are enough of them for two branches.
They have been called to serve somewhere that Portuguese is spoken. Mostly Brazil, but also Mozambique, Angola, and Portugal. Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe also speak Portuguese
but I don't know if any missionaries serve there.
shortly after our arriving in Brazil.
Pres. Kawai, far right, was our next Branch Pres.
Elder Ferguson, a previous counselor and Elder Hall
-last Christmas CTM party-
One of the Branch Presidency conducts the Sacrament Meeting
(Craig is the 1st counselor).
The missionaries say the prayers, bless and pass the sacrament,
play the "organ", lead and sing the music - all in Portuguese.
Just prior to the meeting, the branch president assigns
four missionaries to give a 4-5 minute talk.
It is assumed that ALL missionaries are prepared.
Then a rest hymn or a musical number.
One Elder played an inspiring "Nearer My God to Thee" on the violin.
He truly did bring me "Nearer to God"...
After the music, one of the branch presidency wives (or son, in our case) will give a
10 minute talk and that respective husband will take the balance of the meeting.
The talks and testimonies are always in some combination of Portuguese and English, depending on what the speaker can and/or wants to do and the audience.
So Randy or I and Craig speak about every 4th week.
It's not so bad because we have 2 or 3 talks prepared to choose from.
Our congregation is always changing so they don't hear the same talk more than once :)
current branch presidency
Glaucia & Reinaldo Barreto
13 year old photo from when they were called to preside
over Brazil, Rio de Janeiro mission :)
We were excited when Elder Musselman arrived.
He is a previous "Jamboree" scouter and neighbor.
We had been waiting and wondering when he would come~
Relief Society and Sister Missionaries
gathering
We meet for an "opening" of Relief Society with all the Sisters from Brazil and America
and/or wherever they came. Each week, I look around and am so impressed with the spirit
and the beauty of the young sisters. Many young Brazilian women,
most with glowing dark hair and skin, are beautiful to behold.
But when they have the light of Christ and the gospel and
are committed to living a Christ-centered life and sharing the truth, they can't help but shine.
And of course the Americans, the Latinos - all are exquisite.
They are not "obligated" as the young men are. They have simply chosen to come.
They bring much enthusiasm and depth to our meetings.
After our gathering for praying, singing and announcements,
we separate into Portuguese, Spanish or English lessons.
It's such a blessing for me to attend and teach (every 8 weeks or so)
the Relief Society lesson, for all English speaking sisters, taught from Preach My Gospel.
We rotate the teaching from all the sister leaders (wives) that can speak English.
The sister missionaries are grateful and "relieved" for the opportunity to testify
and share their deep and personal feelings - in English.
She came to the CTM too late to see her grandparents but we were thrilled to meet her.
They are most talented singers and we listened to them sing
a breath-taking Portuguese arrangement of Savior, Redeemer of My Soul.
This was videotaped later to send to their parents.
(file saved in my email folder but resistant to download :(
If any want to "view" I can email it to you~
just LMK!
This sister in the middle is Stephen R. Covey's granddaughter.
(a favorite author)
She is serving now with her companion (L)
in the mission where we live here in São Paulo.
Sometimes we see them "around".
Priesthood Meeting
For Priesthood meetings, the Elders are split and taught in each branch.
So our branch presidency will each teach every third week,
usually in English, to the boys in our branch, again from Preach My Gospel.
Elder Hall has put together some wonderful "Power-Point"
presentations to use with most of the lessons!
I may need to borrow for my next Relief Society lesson :)
Wednesday Interviews
On Wed. nights there is usually a new batch of English speaking missionaries
who have just arrived at the CTM that morning.
CTM President Swensen wants them interviewed that evening, if possible,
by a member of their branch presidency.
So, most Wed. nights Elder Hall and/or Pres. Barreto and/or Bro. Farraz and sometimes I,
drive to the CTM to meet, greet and interview the new "kids".
last week's batch - with their crammed full, 1st day "book bags"
We also take time to orient a little bit about the Sunday routine
and after the interviews, Elder Hall calls a new district leader.
My job is to visit with them while they wait their turn,
and keep a timer going so Elder Hall doesn't overdo it with each one.
Recently he had to do thirteen in one 90 min. block by himself.
It doesn't give him much time to get acquainted and we
leave feeling tired but gratified.
All that hyper-excitement and anxiety from
sleep-deprived, post-teenagers, is a little overwhelming.
Most of them have just met, and spent the previous, sleepless night
together, in airports and a dark airplane and then an hour bus ride.
Then a full day orientation/pep-rally.
Reminds me of a "Hello Day Stomp" for high school sophomores,
just before the new year starts.
They act more mature than that, but you can see the uneasiness in their faces.
Most of what they hear is in a foreign language which has the effect of
making them feel like an idiot so they try hard to compensate.
Everything they do here, starts and ends in prayer.
Which brings them back to their purpose, and gives them new hope, faith and courage.
While waiting for their turn, they are scouring all their new "texts".
Preach My Gospel one in each language, Missionary Handbooks in each language,
two or three language training books, scriptures,
multiple papers with instructions, schedules.......................
Most of these in both languages, but sometimes - only in Portuguese.
They are desperate to find something that makes sense.
They have been "thrown in at the deep end".
Sink or swim, baby~
We can see that most are relieved to see that rare, smiling,
English speaking, fellow American face.
At this writing, we are the only American branch leaders serving here.
The other leaders that speak English are Brazilian.
CTM EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Alane and Wayne Hale are from Idaho Falls area.
They are the other American couple who serve and live here with the Swensens, at the CTM.
We have loved getting acquainted with them.
They both speak Portuguese and provide valuable leadership and service.
One day I got this email photo from them.
It seems Alane's printer was not working and asked "maintenance"
to take a look. This is what they found.
This little, hanging, curved-like thing (lower right) is a lizard tail.
I guess he was just there, looking for insects, or whatever they do
here in Brazil. I don't want to know what it looked like on the "inside".
Just one example of the weird things we see here that make us laugh ;-)
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