Esprito Santo, Brasil 2011

Vila Vella
This summer we've been doing a lot of traveling through Brazil. One of our stops was to one of Brint's mission areas in Esprito Santo! What a cool city! Very industrial, quiet, clean.. and it has people we know and love. We stayed with one of Brint's best friends and it was a blast getting to know him and watching the two of them catch up. I tried to follow along, but my portuguese isn't that great. I could only pick out a few words here and there then I would just give up. haha

Brint and Enilson reunited after 10 years! 

We went and visited a Convent thats in an area called Vitoria. It was built in 1952! It's was a climb up to the top of the hill but totally worth it! it had great views of the city!

While we were here we really wanted to get in touch with as many families as we could. We ended up going to the church building on a mutual night and saw a few people that Brint recognized. Of course we were in our street clothes and Brint had a hat on so it was hard for the people to recognize him at first. It was cool. Then we went to church on Sunday and the Bishop announced us to the congregation. They made us stand up so everyone could see us! HA it was funny. There was an Elder there that is in our families stake back home in AZ. He actually knows Brint's little sister Aubry really well. -small world- 

Elder Thompson

We took a night and went and walked the beach strip called Praia da Costa. So cool. The beaches were all lit up with lights and there were people out playing sand volleyball and runners running along the beach, vendors trying to get everyone to buy from them, and food! :) It was really fun! 

**Garoto Chocolate Factory**

In Esprito Santo there is a CHOCOLATE FACTORY!!! It is Brazil's main chocolate factory and it's been there for over 90 years! we didn't get a chance to actually tour the factory (they were booked) but we went to the gift shop and toured the museum! We were there around lunch time and we got to see all the workers on their lunch breaks outside eating. It reminded me of Oumpa-lumpa's! haha Plus you could smell the chocolate when you were walking around outside.... heavenly! 

One day we were making our way out to an area that Brint served but we were going out there for a business meeting Brint had. The guy Brint met with had a restaurant that he owned and wanted opinions. So we walk into the restaurant and there is this guy that is cleaning the floors and we say hi and introduce ourselves. Enilson told Brint that he was a member and Brint was just making small talk with him and was getting to know his story. Alan, the guy, was telling Brint that him and his family had been members of the church for about 10 years now. So of course that made Brint interested... he served there 10 years ago. So Alan continued and said that the Elders that baptized them were Americans and one was named Elder Hiatt!!!!!! WHAO!!! Can you believe that?? The reunion was full of excitement and emotion! Alan is getting ready to go on a mission... He just put his papers in! It was an incredibly emotional experience. Alan was SO excited to see Brint, or Elder Hiatt. The amazing part is that Brint remembers this family really well, but never thought he would be able to find them. Then Lo and Behold- we run into Alan through a business meeting. I LOVE IT! ha Alan ended up calling his dad while we were there, and his dad came over and we sat and talked with them for an hour or so. We actually ended up extending our stay there in Esprito Santo for an extra day so we could go visit the family! I love this family! The little girls are the cutest little things! They were so sweet... They brought out old photos of their baptism. The gospel changed their lives. They are now sealed in the temple and their oldest son is about to leave on his mission! It gives me chills just thinking about it. 

Another one of Brint's favorite families on the mission were the Francas. They totally remember him. We ran into the two oldest boys at a festival they were having at the church one night. We never did have an opportunity to spend time with the whole family all together, but what we were able to spend with them was great. They offered to take us to our bus station when we left for Rio and Brint and I were able to sit and visit with the parents for a couple hours. It was so nice. Such amazing people! 

We loved our stay here and were sad to leave. It was awesome seeing Brint so happy seeing all these people that he loves and remembers. It's always hard to say goodbye after not seeing them for so long. But I have a feeling we'll be back! :)