Free resources about the Portugal Lisbon Mission:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Video interviews with returned missionaries
- 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: Portugal LDS Missions.
Portugal Lisbon Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Portugal Lisbon Mission. We try to keep this info up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the mission address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Portugal Lisbon Mission
Apartado 40054
1500 Lisbon
Phone Number: 351-2-1762-0832
Mission President: President Victor Tavares
Portugal Lisbon Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Lisbon Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Lisbon Mission:
Videos with Lisbon RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Portugal Lisbon Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
LDS-Friendly Videos about Portugal
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Portugal. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Portugal, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
Portugal Lisbon Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Lisbon Mission. This blog list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Portugal Lisbon Mission Groups
Here are Lisbon Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Lisbon Mission.
- Portugal Lisbon North Mission Facebook Group (422 members)
- President Ficklin Portugal Lisbon Mission Group (179 members)
- Lisbon Mission President & Sister Fluckiger Group (131 members)
- Portugal Lisbon Mission Facebook Group (115 members)
- Portugal Lisbon LDS Missionary Parents FB Group (84 members)
- Portugal Lisbon South Mission Facebook Group (71 members)
- Lisbon Mission… Terry/Torgan Times Group (47 members)
- Portugal Lisbon Mission (McCook) Facebook Group (9 members)
- The Portugal Lisbon Mission! Facebook Group (8 members)
- Lisbon Pres. Pinegar and Bangerter, 1974-78 Group (5 members)
- Lisbon Mission 1981-1984 (President Hillam) Group (2 members)
Portugal Lisbon Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Portugal Lisbon Mission!
Shirt designs include Portugal Lisbon 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: Portugal Lisbon missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Lisbon Mission gifts
Portugal Lisbon Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Lisbon Mission.
- 2015-2018, Victor Tavares
- 2012-2015, Stephen L. Fluckiger
- 2009-2012, Moroni Bing Torgan
- 2006-2009, Craig B. Terry (Listen to an interview with the Terrys)
- 2003-2006, Paulo C. de Amorim
- 1981-1984, Hillam
Portugal LDS Statistics (2016)
- Church Membership: 43,240
- Missions: 2
- Temples:
- Congregations: 74
- Family History Centers: 25
Helpful Articles about Portugal
Portugal Lisbon Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Portugal Lisbon RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
*Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission.
When did you serve?
- 2015-2017 (Ricardo)
- 2015-2016 (Beth)
- 2014-2016 (Keegan)
- 2014-2015 (Noah)
- 2010-2012 (Holden)
- 2013-2015 (McKay)
- 2013-2014 (Kelly)
- 2013-2014 (Kate)
- 2013-2014 (Kate)
- 2013-2014 (Kelsey)
- 2012-2014 (Charles)
- 2009-2011 (Jesse)
- 1983-1985 (Maria)
- 1982-1984 (David)
- 2010-2012 (Daniel)
- 2012-2013 (Camille)
- 2012-2013 (Hannah)
- 2010-2012 (Daniel)
- 2011-2013 (Anonymous)
- 1980-1982 (Curtiss)
- 2005-2007 (Drew)
What areas did you serve in?
- Cacém, Câmara de Lobos, Matosinhos, Guimarães, Figueira da Foz, Viseu. (Ricardo)
- Portimão, Setúbal, Cacém, Ponta Delgada. (Beth)
- Amadora, Benfica, Aveiro, Porto 1, Porto 2. But I’ve been to every area in the Porto Mission at least once. (Keegan)
- Lisboa, Monte de Caparica, Costa de Caparica. (Noah)
- Coimbra, Funchal (Madeira), Amial, Benfica, Sao Miguel (Azores). (Kate)
- Benfica, Seixal, Viseu, Porto, Funchal (the last three are now part of the Porto Mission). (Kelly)
- Torres Vedres, Mafra, Setubal, Beja, Costa da Caparica, and Santo Andre. (Jesse)
- Porto, Gaia, Portimão and Coimbra. (Maria)
- Porto, Almeda, Portimoa, Lisbon, Oeiras. (David)
- Abrantes, Lajes, Oeiras, Cascais, Guimaraes, Campo Pequeno, Sao joao de Madeira. (Daniel)
- Beja, Quinta do Conde, Linda-a-Velha, Vila Franca do Campo, Braga, Aveiro, and Porto. (Camille)
- Ponta Del Gada. Lisnon. Santarem. Baixa de banheira. Barreiros. (Hannah)
- Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia 2), opened up Covilha, Viana do Castelo, Portimao, Santarem, Tavira. (Daniel)
- Madeira, Azores, Algarve, Lisbon. (Anonymous)
- Porto, Portimao, Lisboa, Viseu, Cacem, Villa Nova de Gaia, Povoa de Varzim, Aveiro. (Curtiss)
- Graça (Lisboa), Tavira, Beja, Queluz, Setubal, Oeiras. (Drew)
What were some favorite foods?
- Francesinhas, Bacalhau à Brás, arroz de cabidela, sopa de legumes, caldo verde, feijoadas, churrascos brasileiros, Bolo de Caco. (Ricardo)
- Pastel de nata, bacalhau à Brás, bacalhau com natas. (Beth)
- Cachupa, Bife Estrelado, Francesinha (A MUST HAVE). (Keegan)
- Mmmm cachopa 😍. And I loved pretty much all of the pastries in the cafes. (Noah)
- Portuguese Bacalhau. (Holden)
- Francesinha, bacalhau, pastel de nata, bifanas, And bolo de Berlim (McKay)
- PASTEIS DE NATA!!!!! Other pastries I loved were croissants de chocolate, bolos de Berlim com chocolate, e churros. I loved Brazilian food, essentially rice, beans, meat and a salad. I LOVED bacalhau com nata. Only com nata, otherwise its garbage. Fish was delicious, but only the Africans made it for me. I liked cachupa when certain people made it. (Kelly)
- The pastries. Oh the pastries. Pasteis de nata. Also, there was this restaurant called “Miit” at the Porto mall and I loved it so much. So much. When I think of it, I get sad because of how much I loved it and yet will never get it. (Kate)
- My Time cereal, all the drinkable yogurt, and piri piri chicken. (Kate)
- Salad with olive oil and vinegar, bacalhau, rice. (Kelsey)
- Cozida a portuguesa, Arroz de Pato, Caldo verde, Sopa de legumes. (Charles)
- Bacalhau- basically dried cod cooked a number of different ways. Trust me its great. The pastries. All of them. The bread is unbelievable good. All the different African foods are awesome too. (Jesse)
- Chicken “a cafreal”. Salada de alface e tomato. Pasties de Nata. Peixe grelhado com batatas a muro. Cozido de bacalhau. (Maria)
- Steak, eggs and French fries. Fresh melons. All the pastries. (David)
- Pao de Lo. Jejuita (pastry). Curioso (pastry). (Daniel)
- Pasteis de nata (cream pastries), arroz de polvo (octopus rice but only if they are a good cook), feijao (Brazilian beans), pao de chorico. (Camille)
- Frango assado, bacalhau, reçoices, pastéis de nata, doce de ovo, caldo verde. (Hannah)
- Francasinha do Porto. Feijoada. Caracois. Bacalhau com natas. (Daniel)
- Pastel de nata (custard pastry). Caldo verde (potato soup with kale and sausage). Arroz doce (similar to rice pudding). Fresh grilled sardines. (Anonymous)
- Alheiras … risois … sardinhas … caldo verde. (Curtiss)
- BBQ Telepizza, Peach Sumo, Guarana, Fried Chicken and Fries, Bolo de Belem. (Drew)
What was a funny experience?
- Being around a drunk less active and his drunk friends trying not to decide who’s going to pray, trying to pray and arguing over who can do it better. (Ricardo)
- When we locked out keys in our apartment so my companion had to climb in the window. (Beth)
- One can have many fun experiences in Portugal. The people are absolutely great once you get used to their different personalities and dry senses of humor. Learn to love and understand the people and you will have the time of your life. (Keegan)
- I could tell any of the countless stories of me first being there and saying things I didn’t mean to say. But my personal favorite was my first testimony meeting when I got up and said “Hello to my new ward, I’m Jesus, love me.” Sure wish someone would have corrected me. But hey, got a good laugh. (Noah)
- Seeing the bull fights and seeing people staying in front of giant bulls and trying to grab them. (Holden)
- Literally every day was hilarious. I once contacted this man who lifted up his shirt and showed us an actual bone sticking out of his arm. I gave him my apple. It was funny. (Kate)
- My companion and I accidentally took a wrong turn in our car on the way to a zone meeting and ended up on the Spain-Portugal border, hahahaha. (McKay)
- We had a couch in one apartment that the Elders found right before I got to the area…in a dumpster. It was full of fleas. I’m talking hundreds. We had bites every night all over us. One time, we missed the last bus in an area away from our apartment. So we walked a couple miles to the church and slept on the tile floor with a rug as a blanket. (Jesse)
- Getting our bread daily in the “padaria” and our referrals at the same time because this older sister in Gaia who took upon herself to be our missionary member connection. Padarias in neighborhoods are great places to meet people. They are usually locals, frequent costumers. (Maria)
- My companion and I were office Elders and we were invited to run with the Zone Leaders during a zone conference. We wore “tootsie frootier” shirts and actually won the race. (David)
- I was on a split with a greenie and we went to dinner with some members in his area that lived more out in the country on a small farm. When we sat down to eat, they had just a pot of rice with some other things mixed in that looked like mushrooms but as I dished my self some I noticed that it was not mushrooms but some kind of meat so I asked them what kind of meat is this? and they said chicken, I asked chicken isn’t usually this color is it? and they corrected me and said that it was the organs out of a chicken and sure enough there was half of a heart on my plate and so knowing that the greenie understood nothing that had just been said I let him eat in ignorance and then after he finished I asked if he wanted my half of the heart and watched as his jaw drop and the look on his face as he thought “What did I just eat” and then he sat there and tried not to laugh as I tried to eat my chicken heart which I would describe as similar to eating a bouncy ball , because they didn’t cook the meat separate from the rice they had simply mixed it in and boiled the whole thing. (Daniel)
- We knocked on one lady’s door in the Azores and the first thing she said when she saw us was, “Never again! I won’t pray ever again! The last time I prayed with you I lost something precious. My mother died the next day! Mid-conversation she just keeled over. I’ve never seen the like have you?! I’m never praying with you again!” And yet she still told us we could come back. (Camille)
- I accidentally took our investigator’s Book of Mormon once, and didn’t realize until we were almost home…..oops. We took it back :). (Hannah)
- Trying to sneak aged goat cheese to the member’s dog or on my companion’s plate while they were not looking. (Daniel)
- Took my brand new greenie to a palestra. Elder Bangerter had lived there as a youngster when his father was Mission President. There was a very large man – perhaps 6’8″ 400 lbs or more – who took objection to us and followed us to the family’s door, shouting threats and trailing half the neighborhood. He literally filled the entire door frame as he pushed his way into the apartment and we could see the number of people behind. The giant said in a booming voice “you will not teach these people”!! As I was stammering out some weak reply, my companion jumped up to the guy and said how about if you and I arm wrestle – you win, we leave; we win, you sit in on the discussion. That was hugely popular … everyone wanted to see that … well after a huge effort, Elder Bangerter lost but the ice had been broken and the crowd dispersed, the giant feeling satisfied and we were accepted in that barrio after that. (Curtiss)
What was a crazy experience?
- Nobody ever messed with me or my companion. Never assaulted or threatened. (Ricardo)
- We were knocking a building and all of a sudden this gypsy ran inside with a shotgun (which is very illegal in Portugal) and into his apartment. A couple of seconds later, a bunch of other guys ran inside and started banging on his door. So we left immediately. (Beth)
- Portugal is fairly safe, however, if you are ever in an area that has a car (which I drove for most of my mission), driving is a little different. They still drive on the same side of the road as those from the United States, however they are not cautious, and I once got t-boned pretty bad by a drunk driver. (Keegan)
- There were a couple times when we were chased down by the local gypsies. We even got robbed a couple times and a tussle broke out once too. Not my favorite moments. (Noah)
- My companion and I, after a zone conference, fell asleep on the train and end up at another city in Portugal far away from our area. We had to wait for the next train for 6 hours and we got home at 1:00 am. (Holden)
- I got attacked by a dog once, that’s about it. (McKay)
- We once had to take a train and a bus to a really far part of our area. One stop before ours, a guy stood up to get off and when he stood up, I saw that he had a gun. When we got up to get off at the next stop, I realized the guy didn’t get off at the earlier stop, instead he got off with us. Even though he got off just in front of us, he managed to get behind us in the station and the got in the same line for the bus that we were getting on, and sat just a few seats away from us on the bus. I told my companion that if he didn’t get off before our stop, we were going to keep going, because I didn’t want him to know where we were going. Thankfully, he got off just before we did, but it was super scary. (Kelly)
- One time, my companion (AND TRAINER) was out doing STL duties with another sister, and so I was in a random area with a sister in her third transfer. We were walking and we got a little turned around, and got into this sketchy area when these men started to follow us. When we turned a corner to get away, we found ourselves in an alley. We seriously thought we were going to die because the men were stalking towards us, when all of a sudden someone yelled “hey!”to them and they ran off. (Kate)
- We would sometimes get followed by some strange individuals. (Kate)
- Locked our keys in the apartment and had to scale the two story building beside ours and walk along the Ridgeline to climb onto our balcony to get in. Saved me twenty euros. (Charles)
- Probably walking through the scary neighborhood, trying to get home and every guy standing out on the sidewalk mean muggin us. Luckily no one did anything but we definitely did not feel safe. (Jesse)
- Tracting in some neighborhoods when the darkness sets in. The buildings are massive and the hallways rarely have light and usually lots of stairs with not a lot of people in traffic, because everyone is in. We were desperate to find fathers and husbands home. (Maria)
- Midnight train from the office to Portimao to do a financial audit. (David)
- 1. First part: In my first transfer, my companion and I had just left after having lunch and were walking up a hill while a bunch of school kids were walking the other way and this boy was hitting on a girl who obviously turned him down so he started screaming forget me! forget me! and then just started throwing punches at us, none of them really caused any real damage other than he got my companion with his forearm because he over shot his face and caused my companion to bite his lip. When his friends and the girl he was hitting on restrained him, my companion tried to find out why he had attacked us but only got a lugi to the face in response and we parted ways. Second part: In my second transfer, I was still just tired all the time and I didn’t know why so when we came home for lunch I had a snack and decided to take a power nap. When we went back to work we were knocking on this door waiting in this really tiny street where you could almost touch both sides with both your hands when we heard a motorcycle turn the corner and my mind was still groggy from my nap so I looked over and thought that guy looks just like the guy who attacked me last transfer and BAM! His friend riding on the back slapped me in the face as he went by going about 10-15 miles per hour and missed my companion by millimeters. 2. I was in the Azores and from May to October they have Touradas or bull fights in the streets for anyone to join in and they have the bulls in crates and to let everyone know when they let them out they light one firework and then they light off two fireworks when they put them back in. So we had to walk through one of these streets to get to our next appointment, but we were on our way through and we were only about 100-150 feet away from where they let the bulls out. We saw some of the other elder’s investigators who were only about 7-9 years old and so we were down in the road and they were up behind a wall watching the tourada so we talked to them for a few minutes and then all of a sudden they asked if we were going to fight with the bull and we said “No”” Why?” and then we looked around and we were the only two still in the street and right then they lit off the firework and we climbed that wall as fast as we could before the bull got to us. (Daniel)
- The sister training leaders came for divisions. When she said “boa tarde” to a random man in the street he got angry and slapped her across the face. We never saw him before or after that. (Hannah)
- Not too many dangerous experiences. Had someone commit suicide right in front of us. (Daniel)
- 1) A group of us Elders heading to a New Year’s party encountered a very intoxicated man wielding a very large knife. Elder Brad Kofford exhibited excellent diplomacy as he talked the knife from the crazed man. 2) there was a man in Viseu who would scream at and chase the missionaries, throwing cobblestones. His wife would always warn us, freaking, saying “Run!! He will kill you!!” He always accused us of killing his brother in Italy. One time, he chased us all the way across town so my companion and I ditched into the basement of some building while we were saying a prayer. We could hear him enter the building saying he had seen us … but he never did find us. (Curtiss)
- Just Gypsies throwing rocks, and gypsy dogs are dirty and like to bite. (Drew)
What was a spiritual experience?
- Definitely when you’re testifying and the investigators/members feel the power of the truth of which you are preaching. (Ricardo)
- We were teaching a woman who had had so much contact with the church before, and you could tell she knew we were good people. She was actually found by the mission president’s wife, and it took a long time to be able to have a lesson with her, but when we did, it was so spiritually powerful. It was actually the last lesson I taught as a missionary and I felt very impressed that the gospel was true, and I believed that throughout my whole mission. I knew it was true when I testified and taught her. It was incredible. (Beth)
- Once you have a connection with those you teach every lesson is a spiritual experience. I had so many on my mission I cannot even count. Never believe what people say about it being hard to baptize in Europe. I don’t think it’s any harder than anywhere else. It all depends on your attitude and faith. One time, we were teaching a wife of a very strong member of the ward we were in. She went to church every single week, but, was a devout catholic from birth (as almost every Portuguese person is) and did not want to get baptized, seeing it as unnecessary. She had been taught by countless companionships of elders and sister alike to no avail. One night we felt like we should visit but did not know what to teach. We decided to go in and listen to the Spirit as we knew that it would tell us what to say. And it did. We found out that she had been avoiding baptism as she thought it would disrespect her parent’s memory. Long story short, she marked herself for baptism for the following Saturday after we promised her that being baptized was what the Lord wanted her to do. The power that the Lord gives missionaries is real. (Keegan)
- Nothing beats when Elder Quentin L. Cook came to speak to us. I can’t explain that day and I’ll never forget it. (Noah)
- After leaving home for a day of proselytizing, we strongly felt to walk towards our home as we listen to the Holy Ghost. We found a young lady and she was crying and she told us that she has been waking and praying in her heart for the lord to send some one, to send his disciples to help her at the hard moment she was facing. She ended up being baptized in the church as well as her whole family. (Holden)
- We baptized two atheists who gained a testimony that God exists from reading The Book of Mormon and praying daily. (McKay)
- After a heavy lunch at a members house, we walked out into the hot sun to go contacting. Though I was tired and very full and very hot, I said a prayer for strength and was determined to do my best to work. We talked to everyone on the street, no one was interested. We managed to get into an apartment building that was only open because of some construction going on. We went to the top floor and knocked on the door. The man that opened it said “I’ve been praying for you guys to come. I’m a less active member and I want to come back to church, but I can’t do it alone.” He was the biggest miracle of my mission. (Kelly)
- A whole family was baptized in one of my areas. The coolest part was the aftermath. You could really feel a change in the atmosphere of their lives and their house, solely because of the Spirit that now resides. (Kate)
- Baptizing a whole family together was so cool. I met them before they had any discussions and I taught them everything until their baptisms. It was crazy to see such a shift in the family. The gospel really changes lives. (Kate)
- We were completely out of groceries and had been so busy that we hadn’t found time to buy any. It was Saturday night and we thought we were going to go hungry on Sunday. We passed by a less active member’s house and he gave us fresh figs and zucchini. Then we knocked a random door and the guy told us to wait. He came back with a huge bag of fruit. Then on the walk home, a car opened and a bunch of groceries came spilling out. We helped them clean up, and as a thank you, they gave us a huge bag of food. It was a huge testimony that when we work hard, the Lord will provide. (Kelsey)
- Working hard with a sister that did not want to get baptized only to come back the next day and say she wanted to be baptized. Found out she prayed and later while washing the dishes she heard an audible voice saying “you will be baptized. ” she’s still strong in the church. (Charles)
- We once knocked doors for an entire day. No joke. All day. Not a single person let us in. I feel terrible, tired, thirsty, ready to give up. We decide we will knock one last house and call it quits. We knock and a lady answers. She says “Oh I would love to talk to you guys but we just got dinner ready”. So my companion jokes completely straight faced “Oh perfect do you have room for two more?” She immediately invites us in despite our protesting and walks us into a room with probably 10 people around a table and a mountain of food. We ended up teaching a lesson to everyone and giving them all Books of Mormon. Literally it was an answer to our prayers. I will never forget that day. (Jesse)
- Praying for finding people that were specifically ready to accept the Gospel and be baptized before entering a “bairro” in Gaia. We found a young man who despite great obstacles was baptized a couple months later, and later served a mission. (Maria)
- The entire mission. (David)
- One spiritual experience I had was one that I don’t know how it all ended but here it is: my companion and I were having a rough day. All our appointments kept falling through and we didn’t know why and we had one last appointment and were running a little late. We were riding the train and there were two stops and the second one was closer to our appointment then the first but I got this feeling we should get off at the first and I thought okay, I will start to get off at the first and see if my companion says anything or not. He didn’t say anything so he must have gotten a similar impression and then the logical thing to do would have been to follow the street by the tracks to our appointment but I got another impression to go in the direction of the chapel and yet again neither of us questioned it but just walked in the direction of the chapel. We were about half way there when we were walking by a house and a lady came running out to the street just as we were passing by saying help, help can you please help me and we of course said we could. So she took us inside and it looked like she had already pulled two others off the street to try and help who were trying to figure out how to get the lady’s husband out of the bathroom who was not wearing anything from the waist down, grasping on to the sink looking blank faced and blocking the door so it would only open about a foot so we couldn’t get in without knocking this old man over. We thought maybe we could take the hinges off with my leather man but it was too rusted and would have taken too long so since I am really skinny I climbed up on my companion’s back and over the top of the door and managed to move the man enough to let everyone else in and then we helped him into the bedroom and helped take his vitals over the phone with the paramedics and then we waited till the ambulance got there and left behind a pass a long card and went on our way. We never heard back from them but my companion who was an EMT before his mission was pretty sure the man had had a stroke. It was cool for me because it showed me that the Lord loves all of his children and he would send two of his servants to go and help rescue one of his sheep either physically or spiritually. (Daniel)
- We met an older, lonely, blind woman. She didn’t want to be baptized, but missed talking about God with her friends, so we’d visit and sing hymns. One day a niece of hers was there and had a lot of questions. We took her number, but before the office could pass the reference she saw the sisters in her town later that same day, and had an amazing lesson with them. She quickly committed to baptism. Next transfer, I went to that same area, and got to see her be baptized. It had been one of my old companions who had taught her. How interlinked it all had been was so amazing to me. (Hannah)
- Every day there were spiritual experiences, miracles literally happening every week of the mission. My last transfer, my companion and I gave a blessing to a man who was paralyzed 30 years prior and had never left his bed since. Within 2 weeks, he was able to move his legs, get out of his bed, and start walking. I have/had never experienced anything like it. (Daniel)
- An appointment had fallen through and I suggested that we head to a different part of our area, but my companion (who was in her first transfer) insisted that we first talk to this intimidating looking man, who was standing on the sidewalk talking on his cellphone. We waited nearly fifteen minutes until he finished, and then approached him. He was a little harsh at first, but as my companion bore a sweet and simple testimony, the Spirit was strong. We spent the next hour sitting on a bench outside the bus station, teaching this man about the Atonement and how to obtain the peace and hope he so desperately needed. It was a really neat experience. (Anonymous)
- The sisters had taught an elderly woman in Lisboa who was so frail it took half an hour to walk to church … and she lived across the street. I interviewed her and discovered that she had remained faithful her entire life to a fiance who had died at war more than 70 years prior. I did not want to baptize her. Not only was this the most pure individual I had ever met but we all feared the process would be too much for her. As we lowered her into the font she groaned and writhed in agony but after we had ever so cautiously immersed her she literally leapt out of our grasp. She said it was the first time she hadn’t felt pain as long as remembered. (Curtiss)
What are some interesting facts about the Lisbon Mission?
- They love their coffee and wine here… (Ricardo)
- Portuguese people are generally lazy, they can only do one thing a day, and they don’t like getting up early. They are not accustomed to receiving service or help When you say goodbye on the phone, it takes like a whole minute because you have to go back and forth saying goodbye for a while. (Beth)
- The Porto mission covers a majority of mainland Portugal as well as the island of Madeira. It has two districts and three stakes in the mission. (Keegan)
- It was the leading baptizing mission in Europe at the time, yet it’s one of the smallest countries. Interesting! (Noah)
- Some houses or apartments had the scariest elevator ever. Some of them seem endless and they used to get stuck a lot. (Holden)
- Food is great, the castles are amazing to visit as well as other cool sites. Lisbon has a lot to do on preparation day. (McKay)
- It’s only been open since 1975! That’s not long at all, and they will have a temple in just a few years! (Kelly)
- It’s just cool. Fact. (Kate)
- Opened in 1974, which is pretty weird for a European mission. There are multiple islands that are part of the mission. (Kate)
- I met my husband in Portugal. I baptized more Africans than Portuguese people. I walked more than I have ever walked in my life. I lost count of how many people proposed marriage to me. (Kelsey)
- It is called the Farol (lighthouse) of Europe, due to its lead in missionary work. (Charles)
- It’s the greatest mission in the world. Fact. (Jesse)
- Our mission field at the time was the entire country. A transfer from Porto (North) to Portimão (South) took most of one day. Taxi fares for the same distances could highly vary. During my time, missionary sisters did not serve in the islands of Azores and Madeira. (Maria)
- Baptized 1,000 people in 1983. It was the first for a European mission. (David)
- I have had 3 siblings serve missions, 2 to France and 1 to Japan and my mom says I am the only one who has convinced her that she should go and visit my mission. (Daniel)
- It’s the light house of Europe! Bacalhau does not live in their oceans. It’s imported. (Hannah)
- I served under 3 Mission Presidents due to emerging missions and timing. While serving under President Torgan, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told us that that year we had fulfilled a 30 year old prophecy that Portugal would become like a lighthouse for all of the Europe missions to follow in terms of growth and baptisms. (Daniel)
- I was called originally to Rio de Janeiro along with a bunch of other Canadians. Some had no problem. Even my visa was at first approved but then it was denied and I was issued a new mission call to Portugal. All the other Canadians in the group after me were also denied. Also when I yet had 6 months in my tenure, I received a call from President Hillam saying there was a general change and missions were now only 18 months and as I was one of the few whose term fell within the cusp, he could issue my ticket home right away. I personally chose to stay based on a dream I had recently had in which people in my home ward wondered why I was home early … also I never had either a bicycle or a car … mostly walked or took public transit … wore out a lot of shoes on the cobblestone. (Curtiss)
What was the weather like?
- It all differed from area to area. Madeira it didn’t ever rain. Some parts rain more than others and some didn’t have rain at all during the rainy season. (Ricardo)
- Summer was way hot It’s really humid, so winters are bone chilling cold It only snows in the north but it rains like crazy. (Beth)
- It is very rainy in the winter so be prepared for that. Otherwise, it is very similar to California weather. (Keegan)
- The weather was usually pretty sunny and warm. But in the winter it rained A LOT. But the sun always decided to come out anyway. (Noah)
- Very hot during the summer and very cold for the winter. (Holden)
- Rainy in the winter and cold and then spring and fall were really nice. Summer is hot and humid. (McKay)
- Summers are hot and the winters are WET. Bring sunscreen and waterproof shoes/jacket. Overall, the weather is pretty consistent and pretty great. (Kelly)
- It rained for six months STRAIGHT. (Kate)
- Cold and rainy in the winter and hot VERY hot in the summer. (Kate)
- I served on the island of Madeira during the winter months and it rained almost every day. My socks never, ever dried. The summers in Portugal reminded me of that blast of scorching air when you open an oven door with your face too close. (Kelsey)
- Moderate, lowest was 32F highest was 109F but those were extremes. Usually averaged between 50-80 degrees. (Charles)
- Hot but humid in the summers. I grew up in Southern California so I thought I was prepared for heat. Negative. Humid, wet, hot. Winters are very rainy and cold. Bring lots of warm sweaters and pick up a rain coat when you get there. (Jesse)
- Rains a lot in the north, humid. The coast area is windy and humid too. South has mild weather even during winter. Summers are hot. You perspire a lot. (Maria)
- Rain, snow and sunshine. (David)
- Depended upon the area you were in and the time of year. (Daniel)
- Hot hot hot. Monsoon-like rain and everything in between. No snow though. (Camille)
- Rainy or hot. Lots of wind. (Hannah)
- Depends on where in Portugal you are serving. Northern Portugal was rainy but beautifully green and southern Portugal was sunny and perfect. Humid everywhere you go. (Daniel)
- Weather will greatly depend on the area you’re serving in, but generally, it is hot in the summer. It can get a little chilly in the winter when it rains. It rains a lot, bring good boots and an umbrella. It’s also very windy, be prepared to buy many more umbrellas. (Anonymous)
- Very mild … north to south reminded me of California. (Curtiss)
- It was a drought in 2005 where it only rained half a dozen times. But when October came, it rained every day for almost two weeks. We had to dry our clothes in our room in front of the space heater. (Drew)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- It’s a fun environment and everyone is friendly If you know how to connect with them. (Ricardo)
- They’re really nice when you get to know them The Africans will treat you like family. (Beth)
- Once you get to know them, they treat you like family. It takes a while as they are a very closed and non trusting people, but just be yourself! I did that and they opened up a lot faster. Make friends with and gain the confidence of the members. They will help you find those that are most ready for the gospel, but will only give you references if they trust you. (Keegan)
- My favorite places were the African villages. The culture and people are so neat and accepting and I just loved being able to interact with them. I also loved the Portuguese people in the poorer areas to death. They really had it together and I learned so much from them. (Noah)
- Their honesty. If they were not interested in the message, they would tell us right away. (Holden)
- Every region had different traditional foods and traditions that made the people so interesting. (McKay)
- Portugal is the hidden secret of Europe. Its gorgeous. Its culture is rich. You will get to know not only Portuguese people, but Brazilians and a variety of Africans. There are always cool things to do on preparation days, and the people are so loyal. I miss Portugal every day. (Kelly)
- They are so LOVING. (If they like you) They just want you to be so happy. Also, they LIVE the gospel. The youth were so inspiring to me. They had no doubts. They had no troubles. They testified at school, invited friends, read their scriptures, etc. Such awesome people. The church will grow solely because how great the youth are and will become. (Kate)
- Everyone was really funny and they made the days go by quickly. (Kate)
- Portugal was beautiful in a very archaic and European way. The Chinese stores were the best place to shop for clothes and other random things. Once you get to know the Portuguese people, they are very giving and loving. They say what they are thinking. (Kelsey)
- Beautiful country and scenery, packed with culture. people were usually generous and friendly though wary. (Charles)
- It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. The people are awesome. You will truly grow to love the people there. Especially the old people. They are a hoot. (Jesse)
- Open, blunt, hospitable people. I love all areas I served in different ways. You can’t help but not to love something and someone anywhere. Then again, I am Portuguese. (Maria)
- Friendly people, they loved to feed us. (David)
- They are all very kind and polite even if they are not interested in what you have to say. We only had a few doors slammed on us and they usually open it back up and say excuse me and then close it softer. (Daniel)
- They like to give directions. They like to give you treats. They are kind once you get to know them. They are blunt. They love to watch the world from their windows. (Camille)
- A lot of them knew God, or wanted to know Him. Many believed in miracles. They always wanted to be helpful. (Hannah)
- Everything. I fell in love with the people and the culture of Portugal! I have been able to go back and enjoy the people and places with my wife, and hope to make it back often. The people are proud of their culture and history, as they should be. They are extremely giving once they get to know you and become like family quickly. The places I served were gorgeous, and unique. The best way I can describe it for anyone who has not been there is the “European California.” (Daniel)
- The people are genuine. They are not afraid to tell you what they really think. (Anonymous)
- Loved all the history and the simple honesty of the people. (Curtiss)
- Diverse range of Portuguese speaking people and dialects. There are Portuguese, Brazilians, Angolans, Cabo Verdians, etc. and even other Europeans or Americans depending on whether it’s a beach town or base. (Drew)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Bring Ecco shoes or buy shoes here from Calçado Guimarães. They will last longer if you have some to switch out every other day or so. Long and short sleeve shirts. (Ricardo)
- For sisters – fleece lined leggings, high water proof boots, very well built shoes because cobblestone destroys shoes. (Beth)
- A good rain jacket and water proof shoes. Several pairs. (Keegan)
- Take a rain coat! And that cobblestone wrecks your shoes, so invest in some durable ones. (Noah)
- Bring a sweater. They will help a lot. Found good shoes that can resist the rain. (Holden)
- Get a really good rain jacket! One that can withstand bad wind mixed with rain and keep you warm. I had one with a removable jacket and waterproof shell and it saved my bacon. (McKay)
- Sisters, bring spandex leggings for the winter and water proof stuff. The winters are the worst. It doesn’t get horribly cold in the Lisbon area, but it rains a ton. Know that you will go through shoes, umbrellas, garments and watches like crazy. You will also likely gain weight. (Kelly)
- Buy a coat and boots there. it’s not any cheaper here and that way you don’t waste all the space. (Kate)
- It’s not a third world country, you can get anything you need there. (Kate)
- Don’t take as many clothes as you want to! (For sisters) Seriously, all you need are a few comfy shirts and two or three plain skirts. You’ll find so many cute and cheap outfits there that you won’t want the things you brought. Save packing room for the cool things you’ll find at the gypsy fairs!! (Kelsey)
- Have your two suitcases you’re allowed but also carry clothes in your carry on. They lost my luggage with all of my clothes in France and it took half a week before it made it back to me. Also make sure you have several pair of washable slacks that closely match your suit coats. And wool smells really bad in the humidity Portugal has. (Charles)
- I went through three pairs of Echo shoes in two years. The cobblestone kills them. Also kills suitcases. So watch out for that. Buy your rain jacket in the country. Pack a mix of long and short sleeve shirts. Also you will hate your baggy American suit after you get there so buy cheap ones and then get yourself a couple in Portugal. Greatest suits you will ever own. Also go light on ties. Ties there are amazing. (Jesse)
- Get a good gabardine with a removable layer for cold. Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes (those cable stones streets are hard on shoes). When planning outfits, if you are a sister think layers (a few light cardigans) and non-iron materials. It is not unusual not to have access to washers and dryers (especially dryers, lots of people hang their clothes in clotheslines) and laundry mats are excessive expensive. You may find a laundry lady in your area, but you better prepare. (Maria)
- Make sure you have really good walking shoes. (David)
- I would probably not spend a ton of money on suits before you leave because you will probably want to buy at least one there and the best times to do that are right after Christmas and in the summer they have really great sales. (Daniel)
- Waterproof coats are a plus. You’ll go through a lot of umbrellas too. (Camille)
- Rain boots. Sturdy shoes for cobblestone. No dryers, so pack clothes accordingly. (Hannah)
- You can find the majority of the clothes you need over there as well. Get good walking shoes that are comfortable, you will be walking… And walking…. And walking all day every day. Don’t get one of those mafia style coats, you won’t wear it and are likely to make people nervous when you approach them or knock on their door. (Daniel)
- You will have a clothes washer if you’re lucky, but will not have a clothes dryer. Bring clothes that don’t wrinkle too easily, and enough clothing that you have things to wear while your laundry is drying. There is no indoor heating, just space heaters, so bring warm pajamas for the winter. Avoid skirts, etc. that have to be dry-cleaned. (Anonymous)
- Pack as light as possible. (Curtiss)
- Extra socks. (Drew)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- My family (non-members) became more united and calm. More life experiences to help me see with my spiritual eyes. (Ricardo)
- I know how to pray, all of the promised blessings in D & C, I have an awesome husband! (Beth)
- I found my fiancé, I gained a greater testimony in the atonement. My faith grew leaps and bounds. I’m excelling in work and have never wanted for anything since. Honestly, there are a lot of reasons why one would not go on a mission but it is so worth it, and the Lord blesses you afterwards. (Keegan)
- I discover new blessings every day from serving a mission in Portugal. It would be impossible for me list them all. Some of the major ones being the experience to fall back on when I may have doubts or questions, AMAZING new friends that I regularly communicate with and a significantly larger capacity of love. (Noah)
- I came home and married a beautiful wife, I have a good job and a happy life. (Holden)
- I learned how the church can grow from a few faithful saints and the habits I gained from my mission will forever stick with me. (McKay)
- I think my biggest mission blessing was meeting my husband very shortly after I returned home. My mission prepared me and turned me into the person I am so I was ready to meet him and get married when I got home. The skills I gained have helped me be successful in every aspect of my life. (Kelly)
- KNOWLEDGE. I feel like I truly KNOW all the stuff I only had a desire to know before. (Kate)
- Meeting some of my best friends in forms of companions, district leaders, etc. (Kate)
- I leaned who I am/who I want to be. I learned that almost nothing in life will be harder than my mission. I met my husband. I got new insight on issues from my past. My testimony! (Kelsey)
- My family has been greatly blessed as has my life. I’ve had no problems with work, getting ready for school, finding a future companion and building my future foundation. (Charles)
- Not a day goes by when I don’t think about it. I learned so much about myself and became so much closer with the Lord. Life doesn’t become a cakewalk after you get home. There are still trials. But after a mission you know you can break through the bad times. (Jesse)
- The further settling of my conversion and testimony of the Savior. (Maria)
- Strengthened my testimony. (David)
- I got married. (Daniel)
- I learned to study, and to understand other’s points of view. I learned to have my own testimony and to trust in the scriptures as my guide and shield against doubt. (Camille)
- I got to know God and Christ as my friends. I learned God trusted me, and that I could do and bear a lot more than I thought. (Hannah)
- I gained a testimony of Christ on my mission. This has been the fount of all of my blessings that I have received since or will ever receive. Every part of who I am now is because of the experiences that I had in my mission. (Daniel)
- Each day in the 35 years since, I have been able to call upon skills I learned in the mission field. I can teach anything at the drop of a hat. I have used leadership skills learned, in my work, my family and my callings. My testimony can never be shaken after the many experiences I recall as if they were yesterday (rereading my journal helps a lot). (Curtiss)
What are some skills you gained?
- People skills. Communication. Training. Leadership. Patience. Charity. (Ricardo)
- Praying, explaining things, teaching, speaking Portuguese. (Beth)
- People skills, leadership skills, office skills. (Keegan)
- I learned how to be responsible for myself in everything I do and make things happen that need to happen. I also learned amazing goals skills and learned how to more effectively communicate my needs and feedback in a positive way. (Noah)
- Patience. Capacity to work under pressure and extreme stress. (Holden)
- Good scripture study, cooking, and driving stick shift in crazy traffic. I learned a lot more but they are pretty repetitive with what other missionaries learn, i.e. Gospel stuff. (McKay)
- What skills didn’t I gain on my mission? I speak Portuguese, I have wonderful time management skills, goal making skills, diligence, hard work, I LOVE to cook, I work really well with difficult people now, I know how to work with my superiors as well as with people I am in charge of. More importantly, my testimony solidified and grew in a way I didn’t know it could, and changed forever who I am. (Kelly)
- Reading for long periods of time without getting distracted, talking to others, not caring so so so so much about my appearance and more about who I am as a person. (Kate)
- Organization and Planning. (Kate)
- I learned a second language. I learned how to cook new things. I learned how to really make my own decisions and take care of myself. I learned how to think outside of myself. (Kelsey)
- A foreign language, major self confidence growth, Authority, leadership, responsibility, and compassion. also a great understanding of the gospel and the plan heavenly father has for us. (Charles)
- I definitely learned how to talk to anyone and everyone. I learned how to cook. Sort of. Ha. Just every basic life skill you need to come back and jump in the real world is improved on the mission. It’s awesome. (Jesse)
- Planning and organizing. Budgeting, people/social skills, negotiating and evaluating rental agreements. Goal-setting. Listening and communicating. (Maria)
- Cooking. (David)
- The ability to talk to anyone. (Daniel)
- Talking on the phone. I also learned that I could do hard things. (Camille)
- Map reading and not getting lost. Seriously. Big one. Working with a group to coordinate efforts. Noticing the needs of others. Planning and working hard to reach a big goal. Trusting God. (Hannah)
- Courage. Humility. How to pray. How to receive revelation. (Daniel)
- Language skills. Patience. Scripture study skills. I also learned how to shear a sheep, plant potatoes, and make awesome soup. (Anonymous)
- Language (still speak Portuguese fluently). Spirituality … patience …I know I can endure anything and God will always buoy me up. Leadership skills … faith …(Curtiss)
- Got a lot better at soccer, among other things. (Drew)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- Surprises are always fun. (Ricardo)
- Taught people, not lessons, ignored the numbers unless they’re a good motivator for you, focus on getting people baptized and telling them that’s what our purpose, don’t be afraid of calling people to repentance – you have power. (Beth)
- I wish I read the scriptures more. Study some European Portuguese before the Mission Training Center if you can. You will want it and will excel right off the bat when you hit the mission field. (Keegan)
- I wish that I had known more scriptures by heart in English to translate into Portuguese and have with me. (Noah)
- People are the ones that matter most. The value of each soul is priceless. (Holden)
- Focused more on memorizing the scriptures I wanted to share frequently or that were used frequently because then you could just say them and not have to take time getting your scriptures from your bag and a person losing interest. (McKay)
- I wish I had focused more on how I was growing instead of the success with investigators and the language I wanted to have. It was hard, you have to focus on the right things. I wish I had loved my trainer more and gotten to know her better. (Kelly)
- It’s not about numbers. People shouldn’t get baptized just because you want another number. That’s not salvation. (Kate)
- Numbers aren’t important; souls are. (Kate)
- I wish I had been more open about my struggles and feelings. (Kelsey)
- That every missionary is different and will teach/find differently from another. Strive to know and teach only pure doctrine. (Charles)
- Everything I found out during the mission 😊. How to work with members and leaders better. How to reach out to them for help with missionary work. (Maria)
- If you aren’t having fun, you are doing something wrong. I first realized this when I had a companion who was depressed and no one ever let us in. If you go door to door spreading a message of eternal families and happiness and you look unhappy, then you are never going to be successful. I also had a companion where the craziest miracles happened all the time because we were just always having a blast and everyone saw that and wanted that kind of happiness in their own lives. (Daniel)
- Contact in the street from the get go, or it will always be harder. (Hannah)
- I wish I could have lost myself in the Lord’s work quicker and given up my old life quicker. Everything changed the moment I gave up completely my old self and strived to be a missionary. (Daniel)
- Budget your money well so you don’t go hungry the last week of the month on your first area. Some places still sell bottled milk vs boxed milk but it costs more. Peanut butter and mac & cheese (Kraft dinner) are sometimes harder to find. (Drew)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Lisbon?
- Love the people and serve them with all you’ve got. Don’t just work with them, but be with them and they will love you as long as you’re doing what needs to be done and is expected of you. (Ricardo)
- It’s incredible. Live through the hard times and learn from them, that’s how you come to know Christ. (Beth)
- Portugal is the best mission one can go to. The people are elect. They are ready for the gospel. With the temple being built, the work will only increase. (Keegan)
- Get ready to love the people!! (Noah)
- Repent now. Build your own testimony. Make sure it is strong enough to be questioned. (Holden)
- You will baptize, every area has people ready. It may seem like your area is difficult but it is possible to change that. My first area was a “hole” as some would call it. But my comp and I worked hard and talked to EVERYONE and we baptized 8 people my first 2 transfers. The field is white and ready to harvest everywhere. (McKay)
- Live the gospel to the fullest now so that your testimony is as strong as it can be before you head out so that when you testify, people can’t ignore it. Make goals for the kind of person you want to become while you are out. (Kelly)
- Baptize PEOPLE, not statistics. if they need more time, GIVE IT TO THEM. And remember, this is exactly where you should be. (Kate)
- Know the scriptures. (Kate)
- Be prepared for people to treat you like scum and don’t let it get to you. Talk to everyone, but don’t waste your time trying to convince people. The people who are prepared will listen. Be positive in your emails to your family, even if things are very bad. Don’t waste your time trying to teach gypsies. Talking to people in the street is far more effective than knocking doors. (All of my baptisms were street contacts…and I knocked thousands of doors). Alternate between P-days for outings/fun and P-days for sleeping. Bring a member to every lesson! Invite everyone to be baptized asap. “How to begin teaching” should be your best friend. Make friends with people who run cafes. You’ll need their bathrooms. (Kelsey)
- In the first few months it will be probably the hardest thing you’ve ever done since it will tax you both physically, mentally, and spiritually. But know you are not alone and will be watched over. Moses 6:34 helped me. (Charles)
- Love the people. Love the work. Love those two short years. You will never forget your time there. (Jesse)
- Open your heart to love the country and the people first. Avoid critical and negative thinking about circumstances, people and places. Be worthy of the Spirit daily. (Maria)
- Just get ready for the best two years of your life. (David)
- Don’t just go try and teach one specific race or by age. A lot of elders would only look for Brazilians and Africans to teach and would overlook the Portuguese people but most of my baptisms were Portuguese and I had at least three older than 65. (Daniel)
- Morning study is your lifeline. (Hannah)
- No matter what example is shown by those around you and no matter who is giving that example, obedience is essential to the Lord’s work. You may see people around you who are disobedient yet having much success in their missions. Do not fall into the trap…the devil wants you to follow this trend. It may seem confusing to you as to why they are having success while being disobedient, but you must put your trust in the Lord. This is not your work, it is His, and the second you think you can do it your way, you have made it your work. The devil wants you to try to do this work your way, because when you do, you lose the Spirit. Learn to give completely of yourself, be completely obedient, and do this work the Lord’s way, and your life will change forever. You will see miracles and more importantly, you will be converted to Him and His gospel. (Daniel)
- Study the Bible as much as possible before you leave. Most of the people are Catholic, and it really helps when you can build on what they already believe, and draw connections to scripture that they are already familiar with. Give your whole self to the work, and try not to worry about anything else. It’s the only time in your life that you can be so focused on one thing. Strive to recognize each and every miracle. Record them, and look back on it when times get tough. (Anonymous)
- Go and be yourself and use all your personality. Obey the mission rules to a T and you will have confidence and the Spirit and Power from on High. You will have most of your success if the wives/mothers are on your side. Some missionaries are afraid of girls or women and this is a shame. Prepare to sacrifice comfort and rest and personal space and time and the miracles will come (never slept in a proper bed the entire 21 months I was there). (Curtiss)
- Don’t waste time at the MTC. (Drew)
What was a funny language mistake?
- My companion said she was pregnant instead of full. (Beth)
- I can’t tell you how many times I called people a variation of an animal or called the sender the wrong one and offended people. (Noah)
- Does not apply. I was a native speaker. (Holden)
- People feed you tons of food and so you have to say no more, I’m full. But my companion joked with me and told me to say “I’m pregnant” instead of full. (McKay)
- I called an investigator’s kid a monkey once (mucaco). Apparently that’s super offensive, but I thought it was cute. And true. They were understanding about it, thankfully. (Kelly)
- Seriously. Everything I said. (Kate)
- In my first area, I had no idea what was going on and I would just say “okay” to people when I don’t know what they asked. The bishop asked where I was from so I just nodded, smiled, and said “okay.” (Kate)
- In my first week, I told a girl that I liked her fur. I meant to say hair. (Kelsey)
- In the MTC we taught investigators. One time I accidentally accused my investigator of beating her children. It was interesting… (Charles)
- It did not happen to me but my trainer told me that a new missionary (could possibly have been him) his first day or so went to a member’s house to eat and his trainer told him when he was done to tell the members that he was full by saying “Estou gravida” which actually means “I’m pregnant”. So he says that while rubbing his belly and all the members died laughing. Don’t fall for that one. (Jesse)
- I spoke Portuguese but especially in the North even when I spoke Portuguese to investigators, they would ask me to speak Portuguese! Maybe because my missionary tag read “Sister”. (Maria)
- I made the mistake of reading graffiti out loud with a native companion, needless to say it wasn’t anything a missionary should be saying. (Daniel)
- I mixed up words all the time. (Hannah)
- In my first transfer, I didn’t know the difference between ‘pedra’ (stone) and ‘rocha,’ which means rock, but not a little rock, rather sheet rock or a boulder. And so one time I announced that I had a ‘rocha’ in my shoe and everyone laughed at me. Some words have different meanings in Brazilian Portuguese. We were teaching a Brazilian couple, who had just barely moved to Portugal. They showed us a picture of their daughter who lives in Brazil, and I commented that she looked like a nice ‘rapariga’ (young woman, in Portugal Portuguese). Apparently that word has a horrible connotation in Brazil. It was awkward. (Anonymous)
- Hah.a … one time we were invited to dinner at the very elegant home of an Admiral. Before dinner, he was showing us his home. As he showed us a portrait of him in full colorful uniform, I wanted to know if he still wore a uniform so I asked, “O senhor ainda usa fraldo?” He stopped and a gave me the weirdest look. So I repeated the question … my companion, a Brazilian was holding his mouth as he dragged me out the door into the street without dinner. Outside he rolled on the sidewalk laughing before composing himself and explaining that the word is “fardo”; that I had asked twice if he still wore a diaper!! (Curtiss)