Sorry it's been so long. No excuses. It has been a hectic 2 weeks. We had some problems with the computer systems we are using for our church work. The system is set up to allow only employees, and since we are paying for this opportunity instead of getting paid, we are not consider employees. We contacted the systems help desk in Salt Lake and worked with them to trying and figure out how to get around that problem but they couldn't, so the area director in Sao Paulo had to work through this until we were finally given an employee number and then we could enter the systems. We are now employees of the church, but our pay is deposited in a heavenly account.
Janet has started teaching a English class in the ward here. There are quite a few people who attend; about 7-8 the 1st week, but now it has about 15-20. They all want to learn how to speak from an American. We also have attended a seminary class and an institute class. It is interesting; each ward or branch is expected to have at least one seminary class and one institute class. Part of our job is to enter attendance into the church's CES system, so we have 22 seminary classes and 22 institute classes for which we have responsibilties. The seminary classes meet 4 days a week and the institute classes meet once a week. This classes are as close as 1/2 mile to as far away as 225 miles.
This past week end we traveled to Vitoria da Conquista, about 150 miles away, to meet with the stake presidency, do some teacher training and attend an Institute class. We request or hotel room through Sao Paulo, but because there was a big concert there on the same weekend, there were no rooms available. We called one of teachers there and she gave us the name and number of the 2nd counselor in the stake presidency who is over seminaries and institute. He was very kind and we stayed with him and his family. It was good to see the church works the same every where in the world. We also had to opportunity to talk in church the next morning. We returned to Itabuna Sunday afternoon. One thing to know; Vitoria da Conquista is quite high in the mountains and it was cold.
This week we had the opportunity to meet the mission president and his wife. There was a zone conference here in Itabuna and he invited us to it. We had an enjoyable time. They are both very sharp and very kind. Well, that about does it for now. It has been a good 2 weeks and the Lord has bleesed us. The work is going well. The church is true.