Week 2- 5/24/2013 MTC Provo

Dear Family and Friends

My days are really going by fast; I can't believe it's already Friday again. I don't know about you, but it felt like I got here just a couple days ago. P days are really nice. We can do laundry, write letters, and we get to go to the temple! In fact, we're going in about an hour as a district. 

The language is coming along pretty well I already know how to bear a simple testimony and say a simple prayer in Portuguese. This Sunday, I'm saying one of the sacrament prayers. Our branch is composed of a few districts, all Portuguese speaking, so as much as we are able, we sing and say prayers in Portuguese.  Everyone has to write in Portuguese a short 3 minute talk every week, the Branch President picks at random one elder and one sister to give a talk. But usually they ask the ones who have been here longer, either way though, I already wrote mine.

Throughout the week, we've been teaching an "investigator" named "Rafael" (it's really just an MTC teacher playing an investigator). It's tough because we, as companionships, prepare lessons in Portuguese and go and teach them like they were actual discussions with investigators (Pesquisadores). It's hard, but it gets a little easier every time, so that's good. I'm not too worried about the language; I know I'll get it as I keep working at it.

Each Tuesday, a general authority comes and gives a talk for the whole MTC, which is over 3,000 missionaries right now! This week's speaker was Elder Marcus Nash, of the Seventy. He served his mission in the El Salvador San Salvador Mission. Afterwards, I got to shake his hand; I asked him when he served there. He said 1977-79, just like you Dad! I mentioned your name to him, and he said “it rings a bell”, and he told me to send his love to you. The next day, our language teacher, asked who spoke at devotional. When we told her, she got excited because it turns out her father and Elder Nash were companions in the same mission! What a coincidence! 

I love everyone here, especially the elders and sisters in my district. I've gotten to know everyone a lot better. It's amazing how all of us, from different places and different backgrounds have ended up here, going to serve the Lord in Mozambique.  My companion Elder Thomas and I are the branch online portal trainers, so we get to meet some of the new missionaries that came in this week and show them how to use email, language software, etc. So that's cool.  The branch presidency knows about my music stuff, and they've already mentioned that they'll probably have me do a musical number during sacrament meeting sometime.  I love it a lot here, and I know my time here will go by so fast, so I'm enjoying every minute, even the boring ones. 

Eu se que esta igreja e verdadeiro. Eu sou grato por este oportunidade para servir o Senhor! Eu amo voces muito muitos!! 

I look forward to hearing from you guys again!!--Tchau!

Elder Rebollo

 Week 1- 5/17/2013 MTC, Provo

I’ll start where we left off on Wednesday at the curb of the MTC.

I went inside to check in.  I got my room key, MTC ID card, but most importantly, my name tag!  Then I was shown to my classroom.  Other elders and sisters were already in there and the instructor introduced herself and then had me introduce myself in Portuguese:

  

“Oi! Meu nome é Elder Rebollo Eu sou um missionário da Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias, meu companheiro é Elder..."

Our instructor only speaks Portuguese in class, unless we really don’t understand, then she’ll throw in some English.

There are a lot of things that take getting used to here.  For example, we must refer to everyone as either Elder or Sister, not “guys”.  Four Elders in my room- including myself, are going to Mozambique, and in my district/classroom, there are also three sister missionaries going to Mozambique as well. There are others missionaries going to Mozambique that are assigned to other districts.

Overall though, I really like it here.  I’ve learned so much already, in just two days, not only Portuguese, but also about missionary work in general.  We aren’t just going to “teach” people about the Gospel, we’re going there to ‘Invite them to come unto Christ’.  We can’t do that unless we listen to the investigator’s needs and teach them with the Spirit.  I am so happy to be here.

Elder Rebollo 



Hello!

Week 0 - 5/14/2013 Pleasant Grove, UT

Hey Friends!!

I am about to be set apart as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and I enter the Provo MTC tomorrow! I can't wait!! This blog will contain my weekly letters and pictures, as posted by my parents. I hope my friends and family will enjoy reading about my experiences.

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to serve the Lord by bringing the Truth of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Mozambique!

See ya in two years!!