"Can someone say.... RIO?!?! Haha im finally here!!! i awoke at 3:30 in the morning to catch a bumpy bus ride to the airport, and i said my goodbyes to my companions, the comforts of the MTC, and São Paulo! the flight was great, i slept through it haha went i awoke i saw to my left the famous Cristo de Redentor, way cool to see in real life. its beautifulç here!!! we were picked up by our mission president and travelled to the mission home. the mission home has perhaps the most stunning view a house can have, we could see the Cristos, the bay, and sugarloaf mountain all in one extravagant view, i´ll send some pics! There we had lunch with the president..... im still thinking about it!!! it was filled with meat, mashed potatoes, italian dishes with a brazilian twist, and other delicacies!

then i met my trainer, Élder Rumsey! Hes from Seattle, hes way cool but we havent spoken a word of english to eachother! its a bit weird at times but im learning the language really quick!! Élder Rumsey is a really good companion, hes on task, teaches with the spirit, and i very patient! We´re serving in a suburb called Nilópolis, about an hours busrided from downtown Rio. Its very different here, houses are the size of small bedrooms, trash is everywhere and horse drawn chariots are common! I really like it here though, the foods good, the people are humble and the members are giants in Spirit!! Im really honored to serve here. the language has thrown me through a loop, the people here speak with a `carioca,` an accent that throws a spin on portuguese! Its really dificult to understand, and even more dificult not to zone out when you have no idea whats going on haha. Ive learned so much though! my language skills have grown exponentially, my trainer does his best to involve me in the lessons.

We have some awesome Investigators! these people have definitely been prepared to hear the gospel. on my third day we ran into Mateus and his family, and tought them of the restoration of the gospel. We commited them to baptism in our first lesson! theyre set from the 24th of June.... i cant believe its already june! we have other progressing investigartors as well, i´ll talk about them in another update haha i love this work. We´ve already had some dificult days, but the payoffs are worth it! every day i become more of the man that ive always aspired to be, my progression cant be charted! I dont know if you´ll recognize me when i get back haha im excited for my end product!!!"

-Elder Kelland Hansen June 4, 2012