WEEK 15: Sweet/Sweat Is The Work

Elder Perry on splits teaching investigators

Another hot and humid week here in Fortaleza.

We were able to get a lot of things done this week. Talking with lots of investigators and making more contacts. I have learned that you can never have too many investigators. We spent quite a bit of time in one young man’s house, because we were preparing him to get baptized on Saturday. Everything was great, he was accepting the lessons, and he did great on the pre-interview. But when Saturday rolled around and we went to interview, he said he didn’t want to be baptized anymore. Pretty devastating because we were all prepared for the baptism that day. We are pretty sure someone in his family said something to him that scared him, so we are going to try to work on him again this week. But overall, that was a pretty tough experience.

This week we were able to celebrate the birthday of our district leader, Elder Lopes. He had insisted on all of us going to Johnny Rockets to celebrate. It was a little strange to enter a restaurant that had such an American atmosphere. We had some ice cream and everyone came around and sang to him. That was a strange experience -- feeling American again. We also celebrated Elder Lopes’s birthday in an investigator’s apartment, on the 19th (penultimate) floor overlooking the ocean. That was a little insane. Not to mention what we ate. There were two large pots of rice with some meat inside. I scooped some out for myself like everyone else was doing, and happened to get a large meaty item in my spoon. Happened to be some nice looking chicken feet. There was a lot of bone and not a whole lot of meat. Just mostly some cartilage. Not going to lie, I am not really a fan.

I played the piano again in sacrament meeting. It usually goes pretty smoothly, but some rough patches because I never know what hymns I’m going to have to play. But it’s already become that time where I have to start practicing the Christmas hymns. This Sunday was the Portuguese version of “Ôh Come, All Ye Faithful.” I was also asked to play the piano for the ward´s Christmas program on December 20th. The president of the Relief Society would like me to play on the piano “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban, while the other American in our ward, Elder Haddock, sings. So for now, I am looking for the music online and hoping I don’t get transferred,or don’t get transferred too far from here when the transfer ends on the 16th.

The work here is really great. We do have a full spread of investigators, even when some of our baptisms are falling. We should have a couple more this coming Saturday.

One spiritual thing really quick for all of you. What I have been trying to work on lately is reading the New Testament with an emphasis on using the examples and teachings of Jesus Christ to make me a better missionary. It has been helping a ton. I know you all are probably almost done with the New Testament right now, but I know that following his example will help us to improve in whatever we are doing. I know that this gospel is true, and that it has the power to change lives. I also know that our Heavenly Father is preparing people specifically for us to teach, but it is our responsibility to find them.

Elder Perry

A rare lunch outing at KFC

Brazilian bats everywhere

WEEK 14: GurarAGUA!

This last Saturday, Elder Makino and I had the privilege to baptize our good friends Gleiciane and Elvis. This baptism was actually several weeks in the making but we finally came through this weekend! 

I was able to baptize Elvis (named after THE Elvis) and Makino baptized Gleiciane. I must say it was one of the greatest moments of my life. Thinking back to our first moments finding and teaching them, watching people progress in the gospel that way is truly remarkable. It was an incredible experience and one that I will never forget. 

Because we had our joint conference Sunday with our ward splitting, Elivs and Gleiciane were also confirmed on Saturday night right after the baptism took place. The baptism was definitely the highlight of the week, but this week had some good work and some good food too. 

We have continued making contacts and setting more and more baptismal dates. If everything goes well, we should have 2 more baptisms next Saturday and at least one this coming Saturday. I have come to realize quite well that God really is preparing people to receive His sacred message. The only thing is, we need to be willing to put in the work to find them. 

We ate very well this week. Had some nice “carne do sol” or “meat of the sun” which was very tasty. Lots of other unrecognized meats, beans, and rice. And lots of Coca Cola. Because it is so cheap, everyone seems to have a 2 liter there at lunch. I have grown to like it quite a bit. 

I also learned an interesting thing about soccer here in Brazil. Just about everywhere, there are small courts where kids play (usually without shoes) pickup games of soccer. Some look intense, and others look friendly, but they are all fiercely competitive. From what people have told me, there are sometimes people who come as scouts from pro teams, and look for kids playing in the streets who show promise, and they are offered a spot on a development team. Pretty sweet. So I have learned that every game played could be a potential tryout. Gotta get ready, because I’m about to enter Brazil’s first division. Just kidding. 

I love you all and testify of the happiness of this gospel. I have felt it stronger this week than ever before in my life. 

Elder Perry

Celebrating a birthday

"Missionary Work" sometimes includes cleaning church bathrooms 

WEEK 13: The Endless Summer Continues

Elder Perry (with hat) in his apartment

Another great week of hard work here in Fortaleza. Sometimes, I think the work wouldn't feel nearly as hard if the sun would let up for a couple minutes. But I've been trying to adjust to the heat and humidity the best I can. I've been wearing my hat quite a bit, and it has started to give me a reputation with people in the neighborhood. They sometimes refer to me as the "tall white man with the funny hat." I have earned some other endearing nicknames here as well including "Jack Sperry" and "Paris."

I think I am finally worthy to be considered a Brazilian! I bought a hammock! Lots of people here sleep in hammocks, because they're pretty comfortable and generally cheaper than a bed. I tried last night, and it's going to take some adjustments to start hammock sleeping. 

The food here continues to impress me as well. We have eaten some fish based dishes finally, which seems to be a staple here in Fortaleza, being so close to the ocean. People have said that the crab and shrimp here are also really good, but we haven't had the chance to eat any of that yet. I think it might be a little expensive, so we´ll have to wait and see. 

We had stake conference this week! All 3 of our wards gathered together in the chapel across the street from the temple. I think there was probably about 350-400 people there! Very strong crowd. There were also some Americans who came and spoke to all of us. A few of them were older men, who had served some of the first missions here in Fortaleza. They talked about how it was amazing to see the growth of the church in this area. I feel blessed to be a part of the continuous growth that this area. Our stake president said something pretty profound that I´ll share with you here: "You can count the amount of seeds within an apple. But you can´t count the amount of apples that one seed can produce."

As of now, we are preparing for our first baptism for this coming Saturday! Glecianie and Elvis are both getting ready for that date and we may have one other who could be ready for that day. We are going to keep working hard and getting them ready. I have felt more blessed than ever finding and teaching these people and helping them follow the example of Jesus Christ.

There are some points out here in the field where I think, "Wow, no one could possibly imagine the things I am seeing right now." Some really crazy stuff but mostly beautiful things. We continue to work! 

Elder Perry

WEEK 12: Honestly the Fastest Week

Getting ready to board one of the Church buses

I think it’s funny that you keep hearing this from me, but this was honestly the fastest week in the field. The difference is that now, we have so many people we are teaching and visiting. Here, I’ll name them for you: Glecianie, Elvis, Almir, Nivea, Carla, Elaita, Fatchma, Raisa, Estephanie, Patricia, Evelyn, Carlos, Miguel, Pricilla, Rute, Junior, Juan, Joaquin, Celia... and a lot more; that’s just all I’m able to think of right this second. So yeah, a lot of people! We have also started trying to make appointments or visits with less active members or recent converts. So we have been very busy. Asking for references from people has also created a nice network around here, so we have had to do little contacting and are still finding many people who are receptive to our message. That has been very helpful.

Halloween was this week! It is not really celebrated here, but I bought a bag of candy and gave some out to little kids in the street. It was also a sort of “Day of the Dead” holiday on Saturday. It’s not really a holiday, it’s just a day when everyone goes to a cemetery for basically the whole day. So that was kind of different.

With the end of my first transfer, we had 2 new elders come into our district. Elder Ball and Elder Duque were replaced by Elder Lopes and Elder Fiorovante. They are both great, and will be a great asset to the district. Elder Lopes is our new DL, and has been great taking up the torch and leading us here.

Our ward is really getting stronger here (Ward Guararapes in the Dunas Stake). I played the piano again in church. And the closing prayer. haha. Our chorister doesn’t call to tell me the hymns anymore so my first glimpse of what the hymns will be is at exactly 10:00 when the meeting is starting, and the people (including me) who were on the always-late bus are entering the chapel! I just kind of pray that they are hymns that I know. If they’re not, I do my best. I am able to sight read all of them, except one: Castelo Forte. It is a hymn that is only in the Portuguese hymnal. I cannot play it to save my life. I am just hoping that they don’t ask me to play that one.

Nothing too crazy in the food department this week. We do in fact, have rice and beans for every single meal. There are a few smaller restaurants around here that sell `salgados´ which are small, meat filled pastries. A few of these places sell the salgados for only 1 Real, so naturally, that´s where we end up going. It is so great. There is actually a family who owns one who will be going to church with us pretty soon.

I am loving the work and service here in Brazil. This country really is beautiful, and the people are all so friendly and nice. I am eager and happy to be blessed with such an incredible opportunity.

Elder Perry

Acai bowls are a favorite evening treat