June 23, 2014

Araturi, Caucaia

This past week has gone very, very, very well.  One of the best of my mission.  Wow, I am so tired...this morning we had to go to the center of Fortaleza and it took about 7 hours.  The buses are crazy because Brazil is playing today in the world cup.  Let’s just say that when I get home tonight that the hammock is going to be awesome.

It is amazing to see how the gospel transforms lives and builds friendships.  We had the baptism of Y* this week.  He is a great kid!  His family loves us.  They feed us until we can't even walk...it is great.

E* is doing awesome!  He works at night but makes it a priority to go and do visits with us every single day.  When he bears his testimony, it is so powerful.  The investigators think he has been a member of the church his whole life.  And then when he tells them that he met the missionaries four weeks ago, the investigators are blown away.  It has quite the spiritual impact.  His family has become best friends with another recent-convert family....I mean best of friends.  They are having a huge Brazil Soccer party tonight.  The gospel truly unites people--especially amid afflictions.  One of the families is passing through a difficult time and the other is right there to help them.  And to think they just met each other a week ago and it is like they have been friends since childhood.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is so true!

It is impossible to write everything that has happened this week.  But, hey, a quick bit of news.  You remember that family I was teaching in my last area?  A* (the alcoholic who said she could never change her life), W* (who became disillusioned with the church), and V* (their hilarious nephew) … they got baptized!!!  Elder C* sent me an email!  You know the gospel has to be true if A* got baptized.  She had told me she could never change....well, as I said, the gospel changes lives.  A* got baptized!!!  I am surprised beyond belief but also overjoyed!

Thank you for all your love and support!

Love, Dave

P.S. Yesterday I had a guy ask me if I was from Portugal!  He said that my accent is definitely not American.  Hey, that means improvement!!!

Excerpts from June 2, 9, 16

(June 2)

Well, the absolute unexpected occurred today!  I was transfered to the area of Araturi...it is located in a sister city of Fortaleza called Caucaia.  And, I was made a zone leader with Elder B*, who is from Curitiba.  I have heard that in terms of our own missionary work here it will be difficult...we have the largest zone in the mission.  We have to do two splits every week in order fulfill our responsibilities.  It should be fun.  I know I am going to learn a lot.

(June 9)

Wow, I can't believe that another week has already passed.  I got really sick early in the week.  My first three days in my new area were spent in a bed and the doctor’s office.  However, I am doing great now and everything is perfect.  My new area is very different.  It is far out in the periphery of the city.  Every Monday I have to go to the city center to the mission office in order to get supplies for the zone.   We take an hour long train ride and then walk forever in the city.  Wow, the center of Fortaleza is really cool.  It is like an old New York City (but of course, everything is in Portuguese).

My new house...BOA SORTE...we are living in a hut!  Our roof is brick, which means we practically don't have a roof.  I get home every night and my bed is covered in a centimeter of dust.  But I love it.  Canindé must have been a preparatory time for me (but I am so grateful I have water!)  I have never lived in a place where the kitchen sink is outside...It is awesome! J

(June 16)

This past week has been super hectic.  I think it has been the longest week of my life.  I am so tired.  First off, we had three baptisms yesterday: E*, D*, and I*.  E* and his wife were married this past Friday and then he was baptized on Saturday.  He is amazing.  He is going to be such an amazing leader in the church.  D* and I* are the most adorable, well-behaved kids you will ever meet.

Brazil is on a permanent holiday for the next three weeks.  Everyone is just watching "football" all day long.  It was crazy the first night when Brazil played.  We weren't allowed to watch the game...therefore, we stayed in the house and had a churrasco party.  We went and bought carne and then built our own firepit.  It was pretty awesome.  It was super fun.  Whenever Brazil scored a goal, the entire neighborhood was shouting and screaming.  With how loud the music and commentary were, playing in the background of the neighborhood, it was like we were practically watching it.

It is pretty hot down here.  It never gets cold.  We have this huge tree in our backyard that is filled with huge caterpillars.  They are invading our house.  Everyday it is a battle of exterminating the caterpillars.  I think yesterday, Elder S* killed about 25.  It is crazy.  Life is pretty normal here.  Just trying to be happy.