First we counted our time in months, then weeks and days, and now it’s really down to hours. We will leave late Tuesday night, putting us home on Wednesday afternoon. It’s all ending very soon now, saying our final goodbyes to the many friends we’ve made here, going to favorite restaurants, taking in the last few museums we hadn’t gotten to yet—all realizing that this could be a last trip to Brazil. 

 

It was also the winding up scene of the Vilazinha de Belém. The size of the crowds continues to amaze. In the United States, Christmas is mostly swept away within a day or two of December 25, but here it continues into January, probably following the liturgical calendar and the 12 days of Christmas, which start on Christmas Day and run through January 6, with the visit of the Magi. We're guessing that as long as the dazzling lights of the Vilazinha were left in place, we would see visitors here.

 

And how many visitors? Easily over 100,000 in 31 days, they say. We didn’t think such a thing was possible, but we are believers now.

 

Final concerts were given by the missionaries of the São Paulo West Mission. Sister Amy Hunt is a miracle worker getting so much music out of these young people.

Elder Ahlstrom

Sister Hunt leading the choir with President Hunt glowing in pride on the side.

Also, the CTM (MTC) Choir rocked with their noisy and cheerful renditions of carols and even “Jingle Bell Rock” (which Jim accompanied by ear).

MTC music directors Joecy Godoy and Karine Ramalho

MTC President Fernando and Sister Monica Silva came to cheer the missionaries on.

MTC 40-member choir, 2 cellos and a violin!

The Vilazinha directors will present one more concert tomorrow night (Monday), featuring Beatriz Marmelo, an LDS pop phenomenon, for whom they have built a performing stage. Media publicity for this has been extensive, and we expect another record crowd for that. Going out with a real bang!

But for now and us.... it's a wrap!! A G.T. (glorious triumph :) tonight. For the final two concerts of the final weekend, Jim played an organ solo concert with all the famous pieces (Bach Toccata, Widor Toccata, Nessun dorma, Ode to Joy, Amazing Grace) and was joined by a violinist; and the grand finale was a choir of our senior couple missionaries—one last chance to work with them--singing carols in Portuguese and English.

Andre del Franco, violinist

Dean and Stephanie Brockbank--the cheering section

Long-time friend and organist Dorotea Kerr

Neidson and Clauzinha Bastos duet

Pernell McGuire on the guitar

The singing Idosos! 

A little exploring this week included several excursions. Ibirapuera Park is akin to New York’s Central Park, with pathways, lakes, and grand monuments. 

Monument to the Bandeirantes, explorers and  founders of Brazil.

Ibirapuera Park

An indigenous Brazilian

The Museum of Sacred Art is noted for its incredible 18^th-century nativity village with over 1,600 pieces in it (couldn’t miss a nativity!). 

Chapel by the Museum of Sacred Art

18th-century nativity village from Naples

Manger scene is placed in a set of Roman ruins

This nativity is complete with Victorian carolers and Santa hats.

The Casa das Rosas, one of the opulent historic homes on the grand Avenida Paulista, built over 100 years ago in the days when coffee was king.

Casa das Rosas

But the favorite museum of all was the Museu de Futebol (Soccer Museum), which is under the bleachers of the stadium in Pacaembu. Of course many posters and photos, jerseys and shoes belonging to Pelé, videos of classic plays and goals. But more importantly the exhibit combines Brazilian and world history of the last 100 years or so, showing how soccer was such an integrating factor in the history of the country, making it such an essential part of Brazilian and world culture. For someone who doesn’t pay much attention to sports (Jim), he was mesmerized by this outstanding exhibit and felt like he was going out on something ultra-Brazilian.

One of the many videos of  soccer players

Enjoyed a New Year’s Eve fondue party at the home of President and Sister Hunt.

President David Hunt

Sister Amy Hunt

The Scattergories and Taboo game table

One afternoon this week a furious storm came up, with hail the size of ice cubes. Only lasted about 20 minutes, but Brazilians were snapping pictures like crazy: ice on the ground in São Paulo—in the middle of the summer!

 

Along with several other missionary couples, we enjoyed our final “churrasco” lunch at Tordilho, They know how to do barbecue here!

Our farewell dinner

Along with the São Paulo West Mission and the senior missionaries, we finished reading the Book of Mormon over 3 months. An inspiring experience. On now to the Doctrine and Covenants.

We’ll never be able to sum up the experiences of the last five months in a few blogs, but Brazil has exceeded our expectations in so many ways. We are happy that we could be part of sharing the message and the happiness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will always have warm memories (“saudades,” as they say) of our time in Brazil.