São Paulo – April 26-28: BYU Wind Symphony Brazil Tour

Abe has been traveling in Brazil with his BYU Band the past 2 weeks. I believe he’s enjoyed it more than he anticipated. It’s nerve-wracking to go to a new country with different sites, sounds, smells, food, language, culture. But what an adventure!!I don’t have many of the trip details as they have been busy from sun-up to sun-down. Running on little sleep, delicious and exotic food, and plenty of social interaction, they are busy & full! Salsa Dance lessons, a Service Project in the community, a band masterclass for younger kids. I love the purposeful activities that they are involved in.They are performing in magnificent venues. Abe has never performed for a more grateful & happy audience. They were thrilled to meet the BYU musicians. Language barrier has been an issue, but smiles and waves can connect hearts as well.“Music transcends language by acting as a universal form of communication that expresses emotions through rhythm, melody, and harmony rather than spoken words. It bridges cultural divides, allowing listeners to connect with shared human experiences—such as joy, sorrow, and comfort—regardless of their background or understanding of the lyrics.” Peter Reuell (Harvard Staff Writer)
I don’t know how often people see the real Abe in his photos… but the photo above touched my heart because THIS IS ABE! His sincere smile, his love of music and sharing it with others. This is how he shares his faith and heart.Abe’s cousin Ben is in this same band and is Abe’s hotel roommate. Occasionally they even socialize. Here they are at the São Paulo Temple Visitor’s Center.Traveling to a foreign country sure opens your eyes to the different, and sometimes difficult, circumstances that people endure. A favela is a low-income neighborhood commonly found in Brazil, often built along hillsides. With nearly 23 million residents, São Paulo ranks among the 10 largest metropolitan areas in the world. Incredible!The kids may not love the ai edited pics, but Eliza and I have had fun trying the new filters. Next up: Mogi das Cruces!!