A Visit to Salvador

What a week this has been! On Monday, I had a really full day, squeezing in a counseling appointment in every possible hour. The reason for the full day is that Tuesday morning I left for a flight to Salvador, Brazil, to present on mental health at a zone conference. One reason that I was looking forward to visiting Salvador is that my son Matt had served his mission here. My grandson Kaleb's wife, Lauren, had also served in this mission just a few years ago. I was excited to see the places that they had seen. I arrived at the mission home of the Salvador Mission (which used to be the Salvador South Mission until a couple of weeks ago) around 3 pm and had lunch with the missionaries receiving leadership training. It was so fun being with them.

Presenting to the missionariesThe next day, I did my first presentation to one group of missionaries, and it went so well! I loved teaching them and they seemed to love learning about the things that they can do to take good care of themselves mentally and emotionally. I loved that it was in the Amaralinda Chapel, where Lauren said that she got a lot of her zone conference trainings. I loved sending her and Matt photos of Salvador and getting their comments back! Lauren also recognized the mission home photos and the views of Salvador.

 

 

Daniel, Daniela, and Helena
Helena had just gotten out of the pool and the wind was really blowing off the ocean!

In the afternoon, I was able to meet with a dear friend and his family. He was a former student of mine when I was a Pathway Missionary years ago. Daniel Eduardo and Daniela and their daughter Helena live not too far from Salvador and rode a bus all night to come to see me. It was so good to see them and meet them in person for the first time. We had dinner together on Wednesday night, which tasted wonderful, but we wonder if the appetizers were all right, since all the adults felt a little sick the next day.

On Thursday, I traveled to the Camaçari Chapel, about an hour from my hotel, and did another session of zone conference. I loved it again! Elder Cavina was my translator and he was such fun! I left the chapel after my presentation and got back to the hotel around 12:30.

President and Sister Martins and me
President and Sister Martins and me

 

Our driver, Bishop Ryan Gramosa, works for President Martins of the mission, and had a couple of hours to drive us to places in Salvador. I went only with Daniel because Daniela wasn’t feeling too well. I felt bad about that. I hated that she traveled to Salvador to see things and didn’t get to see them. Hopefully, Daniel can bring her back and show her all the things we got to see.

 

Statue of Christ

 

 First, we stopped at Salvador’s statue of Christ. While not as famous as the one in Rio de Janeiro, it is just as loved by the people of Salvador.

 

 

 

Then, we went to Farol da Barra (a lighthouse), which was built in 1839 and was part of the Forte Santo Antônio da Barra, the first fortress in Brazil. Begun in 1536, the fortress guarded Salvador from invasion by the sea for hundreds of years. Now, it sits in the midst of some beautiful beaches!

Me at the FortressOn top of the lighthouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we went to Elevador Lacerda, which is an elevator that takes people from the upper city to the lower  one, by the beach. It costs only R$0.15 (approximately 3 cents in American money) to ride, so it is cheap enough for everyone to use. The view from it is magnificent and there, I was able to fulfill a goal that I had had for almost 30 years! When Matt came home from his mission to Brazil, he brought us a painting of the women of Salvador (called Baianas), dressed in traditional dresses. On the second Thursday of January every year, they gather to wash the steps of the church of Nosso Senhor of Bonfim (Our Lord of Bonfim). I have loved that painting ever since we received it and I heard that there are women who still dress in that traditional dress at other times of the year. I wanted to find some and have my picture taken. And, at Elevador Lacerda, I was able to do it!

Elevador LacerdaBaianas and me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last place we went was the old city, Pelourinho, to see the beautiful old buildings and browse some of the shops. We couldn’t stay long, because Daniel was starting to feel unwell, but what we saw was magnificent. I loved seeing the colorful old buildings, hearing the drums being played in the piazza, and just enjoying the feeling of excitement that was there. The best part was, with Daniel as my guide, I felt safe. Since he is Brazilian, fluent in Portuguese (of course!) and  male, I could relax. As I have said before, like with many other places in the world, it is hard to be a single female traveling. But this was a great experience for me!

Old Town SalvadorCoconut Water

 If you want a refreshing drink, you stop by a stand to get some fresh coconut water. They will cut the coconut right there for you!

The next day, it was back on a plane to São Paulo for me and back on a bus for Daniel, Daniela, and Helena. Thank goodness, they were all feeling well again!

On Saturday, I had many more counseling sessions to make up for my time gone to Salvador.

Then, today was church. I got to the chapel and there were no headphones waiting for me and no translator. We had had several missionary couples go home and I was the only one left who didn’t speak Portuguese. My friend, Bro. Torres, told me that I would have a “Translation Angel” to sit by me in the meetings, but that it was time for me to start speaking and hearing Portuguese! My Translation Angel in each meeting was a sister who was fluent in English, but she only helped me when I asked her for assistance with a phrase or the location of a scripture. Other than that, I was expected to get it! And I did (pretty much). I was proud of myself that I could understand so much. Our Relief Society President told me that she wants to speak better English, so we are going to meet for an hour each week and 30 minutes will be in English, while 30 minutes will be in Portuguese. I think the ward has taken me on as a project!

I also was able through Zoom to listen to the homecoming talks of two of the couples that recently went home. Their talks were excellent, and it was so good to hear them, but I could tell how much they missed Brazil and serving on a mission.  It made me much more determined to enjoy every day that I left to me here and not waste a day!

Comments50

About text formats

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.

Darrylalarm (not verified)

3 weeks 2 days ago

Обращение к специалистам становится необходимым, когда симптомы запоя указывают на тяжелую интоксикацию. В таких случаях оперативное вмешательство позволяет не только облегчить симптомы, но и предотвратить развитие серьезных осложнений. Следующие признаки свидетельствуют о необходимости лечения:
Исследовать вопрос подробнее - [url=https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-sochi77.ru/]нарколог вывод из запоя в сочи[/url]

Claytongub (not verified)

3 weeks 1 day ago

Абстинентный синдром, или ломка, — одно из наиболее тяжелых состояний, возникающих у зависимого человека после прекращения употребления наркотиков или алкоголя. Это состояние сопровождается физическими и психическими симптомами, которые становятся практически невыносимыми для пациента и могут привести к серьезным осложнениям без квалифицированной медицинской помощи. Наркологическая клиника «Рестарт» в Ростове-на-Дону специализируется на эффективном и безопасном снятии ломки, предлагая комплексный подход и индивидуальное лечение, направленное на быстрое облегчение состояния и восстановление организма пациента.
Узнать больше - [url=https://snyatie-lomki-rnd7.ru/]снятие ломок[/url]

NormanFag (not verified)

3 weeks 1 day ago

Different approach! Mind-expanding!
Mostbet registration - join now and get exclusive bonuses! The best casino and sports betting. ➡️ [url=https://licordecacau.com/] mostbet registration [/url]
Current issue! Exactly what I needed! Mostbet to wiodące kasyno online w Polsce! Zarejestruj się już dziś i odbierz bonus powitalny. ➡️ [url=https://mostbet-polsce.pl/]mostbet casino [/url] The actionable insights provided here are worth their weight in gold for anyone serious about mastering this topic.Green solution! Planet care!
Mostbet România - cel mai bun cazino online! Joacă acum și câștigă premii fabuloase. ➡️ [url=https://mostbet-cazinoului.com/] Mostbet Casino [/url] . Motivational piece! Changing approach! The way complex ideas are broken down into digestible, actionable steps in this guide is nothing short of brilliant.

NormanFag (not verified)

3 weeks 1 day ago

Well-structured! Immediately helpful!
Mostbet Hungary - a legjobb fogadási lehetőségek! Csatlakozz most és kapj bónuszt. ➡️ [url=https://elominivilag.hu/]mostbet hungary [/url]
Health matters! Physical thanks! Mostbet Sverige - bästa spelupplevelsen online! Registrera dig idag och få en välkomstbonus. ➡️ [url=https://mostbet-official.se/] Mostbet registrering [/url] This exceptionally well-structured content guides readers through a logical progression from basic principles to advanced techniques.Outside the box! Original ideas!
Mostbet Україна - лідер серед букмекерів! Реєструйся та отримуй бонуси. ➡️ [url=https://lelekakiev.com.ua/]mostbet ua [/url] . Real-world cases! Hands-on value! This isn't just good information - it's potentially life-changing advice presented with clarity and authority.

NormanFag (not verified)

3 weeks 1 day ago

Reader-friendly! Easy on eyes!
Mostbet Finland - parhaat vedonlyöntimahdollisuudet! Rekisteröidy nyt ja saa bonus. ➡️ [url=https://jyvaskylankiri.fi/] Mostbet Finland[/url]
Global view! Learning from others! Mostbet Sverige - bästa spelupplevelsen online! Registrera dig idag och få en välkomstbonus. ➡️ [url=https://mostbet-official.se/] mostbet se[/url] The practical applications suggested here are so well-conceived that they practically implement themselves in real-world scenarios.Uplifting ending! Want more!
Mostbet BD offers the best betting experience in Bangladesh! Join now for exciting sports betting and casino games. ➡️ [url=https://mostbet-bgd.com/]mostbet [/url] . Pure substance! Knowledge packed! The crystal-clear explanations and practical examples make even advanced techniques feel within reach.

TerryMab (not verified)

3 weeks 1 day ago

Клиника «Здравица» в Ростове-на-Дону предлагает современный комплексный подход к лечению абстинентного синдрома. Наши пациенты получают помощь от высококвалифицированных специалистов, которые используют передовые методики и индивидуально подбирают программу лечения для каждого. Среди ключевых преимуществ клиники «Здравица» можно выделить:
Разобраться лучше - [url=https://snyatie-lomki-rnd77.ru/]снятие наркотической ломки[/url]

Edwinerele (not verified)

3 weeks 1 day ago

Игнорирование этих признаков приводит к резкому ухудшению здоровья и тяжелым последствиям, которые можно предотвратить своевременным обращением к специалисту.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее - [url=https://kapelnica-ot-zapoya-krasnodar77.ru/]капельница от запоя краснодар.[/url]