Another fantastic week has come and gone here in Itapipoca. This really was a pretty crazy week, full of Carnaval festivities, zone conference, and baptisms! And, as is mentioned in the title of this week, lots of rain. And blessings.
We traveled again to Fortaleza on Tuesday evening. We do this every time we have a zone conference or interviews with the mission president. We sleep in the apartment of some missionaries, then we go to the event the next day. It's a little tiring because of the 3 hour bus ride each direction, but it's good. This last time, the bus broke down and we all had to move into another bus after 45 minutes sitting inside the bus full of screaming children. Good times. We were able to see lots of other missionaries and learn lots of great things.
This weekend we were blessed to have 2 baptisms! Danilo and Heitor were baptized on Friday and Saturday respectively. We have been spending some quality time teaching them and helping them grow their testimonies. Danilo is 17 years old, and Heitor is almost 9. They are both great young men, and I am excited to see the way that they will grow, learning of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel privileged to have been a part of their lives.
This week also began Carnaval! The American vision of Carnaval, I've noticed, is one of giant floats and parades, with people in costumes eating fancy meats. But here, in the northeast, especially in Itapipoca, things are really different. Basically, Carnaval consists of people sitting on the side of the road, drinking tons of beer and listening to music really loudly. I think there might have been a parade in some part of the city, but it was definitely not a huge event. Things have been pretty crazy about lack of police in Fortaleza, and the problems that are going on, but things here in Itapipoca are very chill. Not one time have I felt unsafe.
We are still happy and working hard. Always looking for ways to help serve the people here, because that is what we are sent here to do. I feel very blessed every day to have been called to be a missionary and to be part of the Lord's army here in Fortaleza.
Love you all!
Elder Perry
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| Barefoot soccer |
