Two-year mission expands resident's world

 Two-year mission expands resident's world

Jacob Kunzler embraces Brazil's culture during his service for church

Written by
Dee Moore
Special to the Statesman Journal

South Salem resident Jacob Kunzler (third from left) stands at the mission training center in Brazil where he spent two years during his religious mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. / Special to the Statesman Journal

Jacob Kunzler 

For most Salem residents, Brazil is a spot on the map, an exotic South American country they probably will never visit.

But for Jacob Kunzler, a 2007 graduate of South Salem High School, Brazil was home for two years.

After spending his freshman year studying English at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Kunzler left for South America.

He had no idea what to expect; young men in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do not get to choose the destination of their two-year missions.

Arriving in Brazil with no more knowledge than a book or the Internet could provide, Kunzler was the proverbial fish out of water. That soon changed after he attended mission training in Sao Paulo. There he began learning Portuguese, the national language.

The Federal Republic of Brazil is a union of 26 states and one federal district. Of these states, Sao Paulo is the most prosperous and has the largest population. The state's capital also is named Sao Paulo.

During his two years, Kunzler had a companion "elder" to aid and assist him in his work. One such companion was a Brazilian named Gabriel Tomazini, who helped ease Kunzler's transition into Brazilian culture.

According to Kunzler the population of Brazil is "as diverse as you can get," he said.

"There is such a big gap between the upper and middle classes. The older generation aren't as literate." The younger residents are much more educated, he said.

Kunzler quickly became enamored with Brazil.

He said what endeared the country and its people to him was the warm reception he received.

"I didn't think there were people who could show such love. They were very welcoming," Kunzler said.

Poverty did not keep Brazilians from being caring and considerate hosts. Kunzler was surprised to see how everyone was treated the same.

"I will never forget the people who changed their lives, not because of what I did but because of learning (the teachings of the church)," he said.

Kunzler said he was especially touched by his experience with a single father of four to whom he was ministering.

"He embraced the gospel and changed his life because of the gospel. It changes your life … to be worthy of witnessing that … I miss it a lot."

Kunzler's Brazil mission trip introduced him to many other members of the LDS church — men and women — who were also missionaries there, making the experience even more memorable.

Female LDS members are encouraged to go on a mission if they feel that they have received a calling to do so, he said.

"The sister missionaries do the same work we do. They are allowed, it's just less common."

The young men of the church are not required to serve two-year missions, but it is encouraged.

"It is a gift we give back to the Lord," he said.

Copyright Statesman-Journal 2010

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20100811/COMMUNITIES/108160022