This week we had the opportunity to meet R*. He has been a member of the church for 29 years. However, 23 years ago (when he was about to go on a mission) he fell away. He just lost interest. Over the past few months, his life has fallen apart. A few weeks ago he decided that he needed to start praying again. He got the courage to talk to a member who lived in the area who gave him the bishop’s number. He said he knows if he wants to be happy and successful he needs to return to church. So this is what he is doing. We met with him last Saturday in his home. His wife is evangelical and of another faith. However, we had a fantastic message on the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sunday morning arrived and R* rode his bike the few miles to church, with his five year old daughter on the handlebars. I have never seen someone so happy when he walked through those doors of the chapel. It was fast and testimony meeting and R* bore his testimony. It was powerful and simple. He spoke of the love of Christ and the beauty of repentance.

R* comes from such a humble background...he lives in a very poor area which is notorious for drug abuse and crime. However, you would think that he had won the lottery with how happy the past week of his life has been—just because he returned to church. His story has been such a strong example to me that anyone can be happy if they simply live two basic principles—faith and repentance.

This past week I discovered a new pastime in Fortaleza—making juice. Fruit here is so cheap because it is a very hot climate and they grow oranges and coconuts like grass. So, I bought a hand-cranked juicer for R$5 and every morning I juice ice-cold oranges to make the best orange juice in the world. Elder S* and I have learned how to “milk” coconuts and we are making liters of the juice. It is so good.

We started teaching an English class here. I have been put in charge of the more advanced class (people who have already had a lot of background in English). Therefore, the class is super fun. I think I have learned more about English and Portuguese this past week than ever before in my life. I have learned so many rules in English that I never realized existed.

Love,

Dave

P.S. This morning as I went to go take a shower, the entire wall was moving. I have never seen more ants in my life. These ants are about the size of the end of the thumb to the knuckle. They are huge and they bite. Let’s just say that it was the fastest shower I have ever taken....

This past week I read a talk by Papa Dade which touched my heart.  

It talks about life and purpose.  It reads:

"Life, brethren and sisters, is an overflowing river on which one embarks at birth and sails, or is rowed, for fifty, seventy, eighty, or more years.  Every year that passes goes into an eternity, never to return; yet each carries with it into the past no personal weakness, no bodily ailment, no sorrow, no laughter, no thought, no noble aspirations, no hope, no ambition: all these with every trait of character, every inclination, and every tendency remain with each individual.  In other words, our lives are made up of daily thoughts and actions.  We may resolve to let all our sorrows and weaknesses go with the passing of time, but we know that every thought and every inclination has left its indelible impression upon our souls, and we shall have to deal with it today..."

This has forced me to think about eternity...Many think of eternity as some time-span far beyond comprehension.  And yet, if we read the scriptures, and understand them, we know we have already existed for eternities.  Every day we pass in this mortally-tried life is another day which will slip into the history of the eternities.  Everything, therefore, is dependent upon action and thought.  The only thing we may take with us throughout an eternal progression is character.  Every impulse, then, should be dedicated to character.  This has greatly transformed my outlook on life as I have pondered it this talk.

This week, we have concentrated on reactivation.  We analyzed and reconstructed the entire ward list, which includes over 400 inactive members.  We have visited over thirty individuals in the past few days.  We had a wonderful experience with one of those visits.  E* and S* are a couple who were baptized 15 years ago and soon became very active and the moving force of the ward.  They alone brought four or five families into the church.  And then, eight years ago, they were offended by thoughtless members and fell away.  We left a powerful message with them and I shared some of my personal experiences in which I have struggled with the same subject.  I bore my testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect but, because the Savior has to rely on mortal leadership, the church is not.  They told me they had never thought of it like that before.  We left them with the invitation to go to church but they said that right now isn't the time to go back.

Well, Sunday came around and I was talking with members right before sacrament meeting.  I got tapped on the shoulder and turned around.  There was S*.  She told me, with a smile on her face, "I'm here!"  She immediately went and hugged all of her long-lost friends with whom she hadn’t talked for many years.  She was so happy.  She was showing pictures of her family and recounting everything that had happened over the last decade.  Then, at the end of all the church meetings, she said to me, "Elder, thank you for being willing to deal with our stubborness.  You can be assured that I will be here next week.  I haven't felt so much peace in so long."

Everyday we have the opportunity to choose between Christ or Satan; selflessness or selfishness; love or offence.  My new goal is simply always try to choose love.

All decked-out for the World Cup.

Celebrating the One Year Mark!

My new friend, Lindinha.

Olha quem encontramos hoje!!! Ahhh matamos um pouco da saudade desses nossos amigos!! Dessa nossa família!!! Amamos vcs!!! Hoje o dia foi perfeito pq iniciou com essa felicidade!!! (Geiziane Duarte)

July 7, 2014

Araturi, Caucaia

The past few weeks, I have been the sickest that I have ever been on my mission.  It has been horrible.  Last Monday, I finally went to the hospital and spent a good number of hours in the emergency room.  I spent a second day there on Thursday.  It turns out that I have both bacterial and viral infections.  They gave me very strong antibiotics and confined me to the house for three days.  Let’s just say that I went insane!!!  It’s so hard not working.  I read almost the entire book of Alma (in Portuguese.)  

But, finally, as of today, I am feeling a lot better.

This past week there was a scripture that really stood out to me:

"And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away."

The Lord truly lives.  This is His work.  Conversion, not just baptism, is what is necessary.  Those who are truly converted cannot fall away.  This past week we had a meeting with the new mission president.  He is a very, very humble person and the nicest man.  What he talked about in the mission conference was perfect!  It is what I have been waiting for!  He told all the missionaries that they need to change their complete style of missionary work.  He told them that in his mission, the idea of baptizing for numbers will not be tolerated.  He said that he will be happier if every missionary just baptizes one person during his whole mission, making sure that the person is ready and will remain converted, than if every missionary baptizes one hundred people that are not ready.  I already love this mission president!  President Bonini is so humble and truly knows how missionary work should be done!  I really like him and I am excited to work with him.

Thank you for all your love and support!

Elder Larkin

June 30, 2014

Araturi, Caucaia

This week I was yelled at by a Seventh Day Adventist.  He just started Bible bashing...it was a horrible experience.  He accused me of everything from belonging to a cult to worshipping the devil.  I took his abuse for about 20 minutes because he wouldn't let us talk. I finally said, "Excuse me sir, are you done?"  I then went on to bear a very simple testimony.  I hate arguing.  The only thing I like to do is testify.  I didn't know what to say and just began to speak.  It is amazing how much power a simple testimony has--especially when guided by the Spirit.

Because of this experience I have been reflecting a lot about the concept of absolute truth, which President Kimball taught so beautifully.  Absolute truth is something that cannot be destroyed.  It is pure knowledge.  It is what the Spirit uses to touch (and chastize) the hearts of men.  It is what calls people to repentance.  I can truly say that I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation.

Hope all is well!

P.S.  Attached is a picture with Elder Z*.

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.