Missão Brasil São Paulo Sul
Here are free resources about the Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission:
Aqui estão alguns recursos gratuitos sobre a Missão Brasil São Paulo Sul:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Missionary blogs
- Facebook groups
- LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
- List of past mission presidents
- Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
- Survey with RMs
*Other Mission Pages: Brazil LDS Missions.
Sao Paulo South Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission. We try to keep this info up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission
R. Dr. Luiz Rocha, Miranda 159 8* Andar
Parque Jabaquara
04344-010 Sao Paulo
Brazil
Phone Number: 55-11-5017-5278
Mission President: President Pedro Acosta
Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Sao Paulo South Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Sao Paulo South Mission:
Sao Paulo South Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Sao Paulo South Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
*Download free app for LDS missionaries learning Brazilian Portuguese
Sao Paulo South Mission Groups
Here are Sao Paulo South Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Sao Paulo South Mission.
- A Missao Brasil Sao Paulo Sul Facebook Group (351 members)
- A Missao Brasil, Sao Paulo Sul- Pres Hickman Group (283 members)
- Missao Brasil Sao Paulo Sul (Santos e Oeste) Group (282 members)
- Missao Sao Paulo Sul 1987-1990 Pres. Genaro Group (244 members)
- Sao Paulo South Mission – President Cardon Group (210 members)
- Sao Paulo Sul Presidente Neeleman 1990-1993 Group (187 members)
- Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission – Pres. Kennedy Group (170 members)
- Missionaries from Missao Sao Paulo Sul in US Group (148 members)
- Missao Sao Paulo Sul Facebook Group (137 members)
- Sao Paulo South Mission – President Beitler Group (119 members)
- Missao Sao Paulo Sul 1984-1987 Pres. Call Group (119 members)
- Sao Paulo South Mission President Hawkins Group (87 members)
- Missao Sao Paulo Sul – 1980-1983 Facebook Group (77 members)
- Missao Sao Paulo Sul 1996-99 Presidente Jones Group (6 members)
- Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission Alumni Group (3 members)
- Missao Sao Paulo Sul 1999-02 Presidente Depdy Group (2 members)
Sao Paulo South Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission!
Shirt designs include Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL. The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.
*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Brazil Sao Paulo South missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Sao Paulo South Mission gifts
*Click here to see our new shirt design for the Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission:
Sao Paulo South Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Sao Paulo South LDS Mission.
- 2017-2020, Pedro Acosta
- 2014-2017, Phillip Elijah Broadbent
- 2011-2014, John S. Tanner
- 2008-2011, Stephen Darrow Richardson
- 2005-2008, Jose A. Teixeira
- 2002-2005, F. Lynn DeBry
- 1999-2002, Jay B. Jones
- 1996-1999, Craig R. Hickman
- 1993-1996, Gary D. Kennedy
- 1990-1993, Stanley Neeleman
- 1987-1990, Nelson DeGenarro
- 1984-1987, Roger Call
- 1981-1984, John Hawkins
- 1978-1981, Wilford A. Cardon
- 1975-1978, Roger Beitler
- 1972-1975, Nelson Baker
Brazil LDS Statistics (2016)
- Church Membership: 1,326,738
- Missions: 34
- Temples: 6
- Congregations: 2,038
- Family History Centers: 341
Helpful Articles about Brazil
Sao Paulo South Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Brazil Sao Paulo South RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
When did you serve?
- July 2013-July 2015 (Alex)
- 2013-2015 (Brady)
- 2013-2014 (Monica)
- January 2012-December 2013 (Brock)
- 2007-2009 (Sam)
- 2000-2002 (Jamie)
- 2000-2001 (Aaron)
- 1999-2001 (Marcus)
- 1995-1997 (Dave)
- 1995-1997 (Scot)
What areas did you serve in?
- Lorena, Vila Mariana, and Suzano. (Monica)
- Sao Bernadette dos Campos, Diadema, Santo Andre. (Sam)
- Sao Bernardo Do Campo, Sao Vicente. (Jamie)
- Santos, Vila Clara, Santo Andre, Guarara, Jardim da Saude. (Aaron)
What were some of your favorite foods?
- Brigadeiro (Fudge chocolate balls.) Brazilian Stroganoff (Alex)
- Sao Paulo South Brazil: Stroganoff, Brigadeiro, Mousse, Acai, Pizza, Guarana, passion fruit. (Brady)
- Rice and beans, stroganoff, and Brazilian lasagna. (Monica)
- Stroganoff, Brazilian Hot Dog, Feijoada (Brock)
- Coxinhas. Feijoada. Churrasco. (Sam)
- Mousse de maracuja/passion fruit mousse! Mmmmmmm! (Jamie)
- Beans and rice. Goiabada. Mingau. (Aaron)
- Rice and beans. And more where that came from. (Marcus)
- Rice and beans. (Dave)
- Faijoada, pudim de pao, passion fruit, sonhos and pastels and fugazas. (Scot)
What was a funny experience?
- There were a lot. One funny experience was when I was doing exchanges with this tiny little, 4’11” missionary from a very rural area of brazil. He would sing “Mary, did you know?” in his attempt at English. It was super funny. You had to be there I guess. (Alex)
- Bishop’s wife made us a coconut flavored cake my 3rd week in Brazil. I mixed up the accent on the word coconut and accidentally told her that I loved eating her crap. (Brady)
- Sometimes switching up words when I didn’t know the language, family nights with members and goofing off with my companions at the house. (Monica)
- I asked a bus driver if the bus passed in front of McDonald’s and he had no idea what I was saying and then I pronounced it “Mackydonalgees” and he knew exactly what I was saying. (Brock)
- My companion and I were practicing our Portuguese by pointing at objects and saying them in Portuguese. My companion was having a hard time as he was new with the language. So I pointed at a bald guy and my companion was so confident that he knew the Portuguese word he jumped up, pointed right at him, and said careca! Lol the guy looked right at him and just shook his head and walked away. It was a great laugh. (Sam)
- Teaching an investigator how to pray, then asking her to pray, and she placed her hands on our heads and prayed that our deceitful and misguided ways would be corrected! (Jamie)
- There was a ferry that split up our area and we got on a bus that was just going fast so it could get on the ferry so it didn’t have to wait. We were setting in the back when the bus got on, barely. They were not able to close the gate and the back end of the bus was hanging over the water and so were we. Great Times. (Scot)
What was a crazy or dangerous experience?
- This one time, we were walking along a drunk guy came running out of a bar at us. My companion and I were both tall, blonde haired guys. The drunk guy didn’t like Americans so he started fighting with us on the street and almost pushed my companion in front of a car. We ran away and he chased after us. He only stopped chasing us after his dentures fell out of his mouth. It was crazy. (Alex)
- When I was held at gun point by a 15 year old who wanted our cell phone. When he saw what a piece of junk it was, he gave it back and hopped on his motorcycle to go rob someone else. (Brady)
- I got bit by a dog!! That was definitely crazy and traumatizing, but not very common. I also had a fear of losing my companion on the bus, but it never happened thank goodness. (Monica)
- There was a gang that was set out against the police and our mission had to stay indoors one evening. But that was it and it wasn’t too bad. (Brock)
- I held cocaine in my hand as an investigator was trying to quit and showed it to me. (Sam)
- Crossing the street (cars do NOT stop for pedestrians). And getting caught in a flash flood. (Jamie)
- Held up at gun point. (Marcus)
- We were in the middle of a bank robbery getaway. Had to duck behind cars to avoid the bullets. (Dave)
- You hear little fireworks going off all the time, and as we were leaving a discussion and walking down the street, we hear some pops, and think nothing of it. As we walked down the street, we hear the car squealing around the corner and racing down the street where we are walking and then there were two guys running after it shooting at it. Turns out it was a drug bust gone bad. (Scot)
What was a spiritual experience?
- When we reactivated a less active couple. We gave the husband the priesthood and he baptized his daughter. They will be going to the temple next month to be sealed and in a year the Bishop is thinking of calling him as one of his counselors. (Brady)
- A great spiritual experience came when we did a special family night for a part member couple after holding a special fast in the district and with the member wife. The lesson went super well and the husband was baptized a couple weeks later. Spiritual moments happen all the time in well prepared lessons. (Monica)
- I met a family and asked if they had ever met the missionaries before. The mom confirmed and immediately left the room. A minute later she came back and showed us a picture from her and her husband’s baptism with 4 little kids around her. We reactivated the parents and baptized those 4 kids. The oldest boy is preparing to serve a mission. (Brock)
- One specific experience actually lasted 5-6 months. We taught a drunk on the street and helped him home and over the 5-6 month period he changed and was just sealed in the temple to his wife last month. It was a really special experience as he showed great determination and kept fighting to get over his alcohol issues. (Sam)
- Receiving the Gift of Tongues. (Jamie)
- Many. Relating to personal conversion and conversion in others. (Marcus)
- Attending the sealing of a family we baptized 12 months prior. (Dave)
- This involves two specific prayers. We were doing a family night and it was a stormy night and the power kept going out. We were going to share a video but couldn’t with the power off so I said the opening prayer and prayed for it to come on and it did, but then a bit later it went back out again. We had another appointment after the family night and when we got there, the power came back on and stayed on. We found out that this lady had prayed to have the power go and to not come back until we got there for the discussion and that it would stay on which it did. (Scot)
What are some interesting facts about your mission?
- It was pretty hot. But during winter it got pretty cold. Plus, no one had air conditioning or heating. Therefore, when it was hot, you were always hot. When it was cold, you were always cold. We got rained on a lot too. (Alex)
- One of the smallest geographical missions in the world. You can get anywhere in the mission in 2.5 hours by public transportation and our mission contained about 5 million people. Almost twice the population of Utah. Our mission president served in the area that he is now a mission president over. (Brady)
- The mission is split into two halves of “capital” (city) and “interior” (country). The styles of missionary work are different for each half so it takes some adjusting. (Monica)
- One of the smallest missions in the world geographically. (Brock)
- Diadema, a city inside Sao paulo, one of the largest ratio of people/square foot in the world. Also, the mission is was one of the smallest missions in the world. (Sam)
- Sao Paolo has the largest Japanese population in the world outside of Japan. Sao Paolo is the second largest city in the world. (Jamie)
- The mission went from inner city to remote villages along the ocean. (Scot)
What was the weather like?
- It was super hot during the summer. I was there during a drought so the weather was different than normal. It gets pretty chilly in the winter months, so prepare for both super hot and fairly chilly. (Monica)
- Tropical, rainy, never got too cold and actually not to hot either, humid. (Sam)
- Reverse seasons as in the US. Hotter than you would think in the summer (ie Christmastime) and colder than you would think in the winter (June/July). (Jamie)
- Hot in the summer…cold in the winter. (Aaron)
- Mostly super hot and muggy but can get chilly enough to make me wish I had brought a jacket. (Marcus)
- Hot, rainy, cold. (Dave)
- In the summer, it gets hot. In the “winter” months, it is cool and rainy. (Scot)
What do you love about the people?
- I love the people there. I made so many friends and met so many humble people. The thing I most loved was seeing the humble converts of the church in Brazil. It was incredible to see Bishops, Stake Presidents, and great examples in the wards that had only been members for 4 or 5 years. So incredible. (Alex)
- The warm friendly atmosphere. The members sacrifice everything for you and you are instantly best friends with them just because you are a missionary. I wish it was that way here. (Brady)
- I love how beautiful it could be in the countryside And the people are super friendly and very nice to missionaries, especially sisters. They are very hospitable and willing to help when asked. (Monica)
- Most caring individuals in the world. (Brock)
- Loving, fun, new, melting pot of culture. (Sam)
- Brazilians are some of the most caring and generous people in the world! (Jamie)
- The people were loving and mostly polite. (Aaron)
- Humble. Kind. Friendly. (Marcus)
- They were kind and loved to talk and would help you out if you needed it. (Scot)
Any packing advice?
- Get high quality shoes. You’re going to walk a lot. Guys, bring a lot of ties. Ties are how you keep things exciting. (Alex)
- Get a pair of waterproof shoes for the rainy season and a good umbrella. You won’t regret it!!!! (Brady)
- Take good shoes!! Multiple pairs because the shoes in Brazil are expensive and aren’t very good for your feet. Also bring your favorite deodorant from the States because it’s really different in Brazil and it might not be what you want. Soap and shampoo and conditioner are normal in São Paulo. (Monica)
- Take a cheap watch, good shoes that can get wet, and get a good umbrella. I also took an inflatable travel pillow and used it my whole mission. It was also handy for exchanges when I didn’t want to use another missionary’s pillow. (Brock)
- Pack light, shirts, pants, and good shoes, maybe 1-2 suits is all you need as you don’t really wear the suit coats that much. No real cold so don’t bring a heavy jacket just maybe waterproof would be good. (Sam)
- Pack in layers. And you can always get more there, so sometimes less is more, when it comes to transfers! (Jamie)
- Bring hat/gloves and thicker socks for the winter. A couple of pairs of long johns would help too. (Aaron)
- You really do need a jacket on occasion. I wish I hadn’t blown off that suggestion. (Marcus)
- Pack as light as possible…transfers can be quite hard having to lug a lot of bags around. A couple good pairs of shoes that can get wet and resoled. I took a poncho for the days it was just down pouring, sure my feet got wet but the rest of me stayed warm and dry. (Scot)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- I have been home for almost 4 months now. It has been incredible. My understanding of the gospel increased dramatically. My love for the Savior is much purer. I grew much more grateful for my family. I also came to understand more deeply the process of repentance and how much of a blessing it is our lives. (Alex)
- I got to see how the church is supposed to work and now I can better serve at home knowing more fully what my role is in the kingdom of God. (Brady)
- So many! First of all, just to love so many people is a huge blessing because now I have so many great friends. And I was able to get my old job back after the mission, and so much help in school with a better work ethic. But for me it was mostly the relationships I built with people that is the biggest blessing. (Monica)
- A beautiful wife!!! As well as lifelong friends and lessons that keep me close to the Lord. (Brock)
- I walked through a lot of rain so I have a very beautiful wife! Taught me to work with a purpose. Taught me the importance of loving people as God loves them. (Sam)
- Perspective. Increase of testimony and understanding of the Gospel. (Jamie)
- I learned that God is in charge and has a plan. (Aaron)
- Scripture knowledge foundation. Personally conversion. Eternal friendships. (Marcus)
- A testimony, love of a beautiful land, people, and friends. (Scot)
What are some skills you gained on your mission?
- Planning. Communication. Leadership. Diligent Study. Love. Caring for someone. Getting along with a companion. (Alex)
- How to learn a language. Better conversation skills. More organized and effective with time. (Brady)
- Time management and a work ethic are huge skills I gained. I also learned to be more altruistic and learned to listen to others. (Monica)
- Communication, patience with myself, others and God. (Brock)
- Language, how to study, how to talk to anyone, how to walk fast. (Sam)
- Language skills, personal communication skills. I can talk to anyone I want now, whereas I really struggled before. The most valuable skill I learned, however, was to recognize and follow the Spirit. (Jamie)
- I learned how to talk to people and to speak large groups. (Aaron)
- Got over my shyness. Learned to love. Learned a language. Learned the gospel. Learned to work with different personalities. (Marcus)
- Being able to speak another language. Patience and being able to troubleshoot. (Scot)
What do you wish you had known before your mission?
- I just wish I had understood more about the repentance process before my mission. I wasn’t a terrible kid before my mission, but I feel like I was too prideful when it came to recognizing, admitting, and confessing my personal weaknesses. (Alex)
- Missionaries aren’t perfect, mission leaders aren’t perfect, a mission is going to be hard not just because of non-members, but also members, leaders, mission leaders, etc. You won’t agree with everybody and everybody is not going to agree with you. (Brady)
- Missions are hard. I don’t think I fully understood that. And it’s super important to work hard, but it’s also okay to do something fun every once in a while to ease up the stress because otherwise it makes the time pass slowly if all you’re worried about is stress. Take lots of pictures and don’t be afraid to speak. Also constantly pay attention to where you are in the area because your companion could be transferred after only one transfer together and you’ll have to be responsible to know where things are. (Monica)
- I packed way too much stuff and had to leave a lot of it behind. Don’t pack too much. Take pictures, write about spiritual experiences in your journal, not just what you did. And get souvenirs!!!! (Brock)
- Focused more on teaching and methods to teach that are easily understood. (Sam)
- I wish I had been a little less cocky and not taken things (ie. rejection) so personally. And I wish I had been a little more street-wise. (Jamie)
- Less self righteousness. More flexibility. (Marcus)
- To relax more…not to stress about the little stuff. Buses will be late so you will be late and that is okay. (Scot)
Any advice or bit of testimony for missionaries called to serve there?
- Your mission is sacred experience. Cherish it. Give every ounce of energy you have to the Lord. Then give a little bit more. The Lord and His Atonement will make that possible. You won’t have perfect success. There is no such thing as a perfect missionary. However, you may learn to trust perfectly in the Savior. Be humble. Be patient with yourself and others. You can do it. PS. Love you leaders. And don’t worry about being called to leadership positions. Just do your best. (Alex)
- Go because you love the Lord. Remembering your true purpose and desire will help you rise above the challenges you face from those outside the church and even those within and in the mission. (Brady)
- Don’t get distracted by mission gossip or numbers. Go there to serve the Lord and to be the best missionary you can be, and everything else will fall into place. (Monica)
- Don’t stress over the language. It will come. Practice in the MTC, but the MTC is for so much more than just language. Focus on the lessons and PMG and Portuguese will follow. You’re going to the greatest mission on Earth and don’t let anyone say anything different. (Brock)
- Trust the Lord, listen to the Spirit and he will guide and protect you. Don’t fear or worry about things. Focus on your work and the Lord literally will take the rest out of your hands. (Sam)
- Just because the mission may be the best two years of your life up until now, don’t expect it to be the easiest. They are the best because you grow the most, because you will have some of the most challenging times of your life. Just use every experience as a learning opportunity to get to know yourself, your Savior and to love those you serve. (Jamie)
- Read The Book of Mormon. (Marcus)
- Have manners and treat everyone with respect. You will be invited in to eat and teach in shacks to very expensive homes…they are all the same, they all need the gospel. (Scot)
What was a funny language mistake you made?
- There are two words in Portuguese that are very similar. “Coco” means coconut. “Cocô” means poop. Ice cream is very good with poop flavoring. (Alex)
- In the MTC I called the priesthood hour of church “suicide” hour instead! And I kept getting roped into silly puns by members. (Monica)
- In the MTC I was struggling with conjugation and masculine vs feminine words, and I said “Eu quero me casar com um Brasileiro.” (I want to marry a Brazilian man!!) (Brock)
- He tried to say “I want to share a MESSAGE with you about Jesus” but he actually was saying “I want to share a MASSAGE with you about Jesus” lol people looked at him kind of funny and we all were laughing. (Sam)
- One time I complimented a little girl on her pants, and used the word “calcinahs”. Literal meaning: little pants. Actual translation: underwear. Pretty embarrassing. (Jamie)
- In my first area, there was an Elder that was about to go home and we had lunch together at a member’s house and he told me to tell the sister, Eu fartei but I couldn’t and then when we left I looked up the word and it actually does mean to fill up. So it is okay to say eu fartou. (Scot)
Benjamin (Brazil Sao Paolo South Mission)
–Paraphrased from Benjamin’s mission interview–
The Best and Smallest Mission
My mission president gave a training once on why this is the best mission in the world. It is one of the smallest missions in the world. There are millions of people in the city. You don’t spend a lot of time traveling. There is a ton of people. The church is very strong in Sao Paolo. There are 11 stakes in the mission. It would take you just two hours in your car to travel through all 11 stakes. It was recently created in 2013. That boundary gave the coast to a different mission, so we are focused on the city. Our mission is just one happy cluster of people. It has a lot of church history and a lot of elders are from there. A lot of the early prophets and apostles traveled through there. It has always been the epicenter of church growth in Brazil. A lot of the earliest chapels in Brazil are in our mission.
Religious Backgrounds
We always talked about how Joseph Smith’s story is really applicable. Everywhere you go in Brazil you see a church. The running joke is that Brazil has more churches than bars, because people can just open their garage and start a church. You have Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptists, Pentecostal, and other big churches as well. Every misconceptions they could have, they do. The best thing you can do as a member there is just be a good person. There are a few religions that people take care to avoid that have to do with voodoo and black magic and sometimes people will think that we do that, so you have to be very clear that you are a Christian.
Hospitality vs. Interest
The people are very hospitable, but you can’t confuse hospitality with interest. You have to convince people to act right away. You have to transmit some of your joy to those people and then let them know your intentions. A lot of people there work a ton. Some people are just gone all day. You have to still follow up with people every day. Facilitate their progress. You have to be a little bold, because Brazilians are really polite.
Most of the strength comes from good families.