WEEK 103: Last Days

Hello everyone! Another great week here in Fortaleza. I have seen so many blessings and so many miracles in these last weeks of my mission. 

This last Thursday, I had the great privilege of going to the Fortaleza temple. It had been over a year and a half since I was able to go through the temple, so I felt very blessed to attend this week. I went with some of the other missionaries from my CTM district who will also be headed home in the next couple of weeks. We had all been in Fortaleza together in 2019, then sent to our homes in March 2020, then sent to temporary assignments across the U.S. and then blessed to return to Fortaleza together in 2021. It was a very spiritual experience and I am so grateful for the blessings of the holy temples. 

Another great miracle this week was the baptism of Lúcia. We have been bringing her to church and helping her learn for the past few weeks. Her mother was very supportive of her decision, and her desire to follow Jesus Christ. We have been working with her brother as well to help him be baptized. We were both very impressed by Lùcia's faith. 

With all of these miracles, we continue to work hard and diligently bring to pass the Lord's work. I know that my time here is coming to an end, but there is still so much to do. Love you all. Can't wait to see you all soon. 

Love,
Elder Perry

WEEKS 101 & 102 Final Zone Conference

Hello everyone! Another couple of weeks have come and gone. We have seen so many miracles in just two short weeks, and I am excited to tell you about them.

The first, and most amazing miracle was the baptism of our good friend Larissa. We have gotten very close with Larissa, and have seen such a huge change in her. When we first started meeting with her, she seemed closed off, and suffered with anxiety. Through the gospel of Jesus Christ, she was able to put these things behind her, and begin to walk more fully in the light of Christ. Her baptism was such a spiritual experience. She invited many friends to watch, and she invited one of them who is a member who lives nearby to baptize her. Larissa's smile was indescribably bright that day. She was called this last week as the young women's second counselor. We are very proud of Larissa, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of her journey.

We have been teaching many other great people this week! In particular, we found a complete family, and the parents are legally married which is pretty much the rarest thing ever here. We immediately started teaching this great couple and their 4 kids (3 of which are of age to be baptized) and they loved it. They expressed how they wanted to be married in the temple. But, there is only one problem. The first day we went to teach this family, the mother (Ingrid) was 9 months and 3 days pregnant. The baby was born on Saturday night, so we are hoping that we can get back to teaching them soon.

We had zone conference this last week as well. And yes, it will be my last one. I gave my departing testimony and everything. It didn't make me feel trunky at all, but made me look back on all been great times I had on my mission, and all the great times that lie ahead. I am excited to finish strong these last two weeks. There is still so much to do, and many people for me to meet still. I appreciate all of your love and support, and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Love,
Elder Perry

WEEK 100: One Hundred Weeks

Hello everyone! I cannot believe that I have reached 100 weeks on the mission. It has all been passing so quickly. I have loved every minute, and I am excited to serve with all my heart for one more month.

This week was highlighted by the baptism of our friend Cleidiane. She was baptized on Monday, but her preparation spanned almost 2 months. It was around 2 months ago when Elder Viana and I found Cleidiane's daughter, Pamela, and taught and baptized her. When talking to Cleidiane about the baptism, we could both feel a very strong light that she had inside of her, and leaving the house we both said to each other, "This woman is going to be baptized." It was not an easy process. There were several weeks when Cleidiane was completely convinced that she never wanted to be baptized. It was in those moments when I learned the importance of persistence and patience. As we taught her about the commandments and blessings her family would receive, she began to feel the spirit more often, and began reading the Book of Mormon every day. The transformation in her life was absolutely incredible, and summed up best in her own words following the baptism: "I am certain that this is the best thing I have ever done in my life."

We also participated in several baptisms from the zone. We had quite a bit of success this week. This mission is very blessed, and I am so glad to be here.

We received transfer news yesterday. I will be finishing my mission here in the Genibaú/Sevilha area with Elder Viana. I am very happy about that, and I am looking forward to the blessings we will receive together. In fact, our good friend Larissa finally accepted a baptismal date for this Saturday. I am glad that the "chuva de bênçãos" (rain of blessings) has not lightened up.

I am excited to see what the next month holds. I am both excited and nervous to be finishing my mission and returning back home, but if there is one thing that I have learned from everything I've been through, it is to trust in the timing and plan of the Lord. And that is exactly what I plan on doing.


Love,

Elder Perry

WEEK 97: Mission Conference

Hello everyone! We had a great week with lots of great miracles!

The first of which was the baptism of our friend Kelly! We have been teaching her for close to a month now, and this week she was finally feeling ready to be baptized. She had lots of questions, and her preparation was super cool. I had the honor of baptizing her. Her mother was baptized several years ago and is beginning to come back to church with us as well. Kelly also has a little brother named Kaio who is 7 years old and is full of energy. They are such a great family, and we have become very close with them. Kelly's baptism was so special, and she already began bonding with the young women in the ward. In fact, the leaders have already helped her get signed up for seminary. 

Another highlight was our mission conference. Everyone in the mission (except any companionships feeling sick) went to the chapel of the temple for the conference. It was so cool to see everyone together, and be back in my first area. The theme of the conference was The Restoration. We discussed, had trainings, watched videos, and felt the spirit so strong. I feel very lucky to have been able to participate. One of the best parts was taking a picture of our original CTM group - which has gone from 9 to 5 Elders. They are some great dudes, and we are all finishing our missions together in the next couple of months. What a day that was. 

We have been working hard every day. We have some great families we are teaching, and many youth as well. We are hoping for more success coming down the stretch. I am so thankful to be able to finish my mission here.

Love, 

Elder Perry

WEEK 96: Here Comes the Sun

E aí! What's up everyone!? We had a great week here na missão Brasil Fortaleza. The work is going great, and the miracles keep on coming. 

This week's highlight was the baptism of our friends Armando and Liandra! We have been teaching them for a little bit, and they both felt ready to take this important step in their lives. We were so happy for them. The Lord has really prepared so many people in this area to be taught. Living so close to the chapel, and having a solid group of youth, it is reassuring to know that the future of the church here lies in good hands. The seeds we plant here will last for a long time. 

We have several other close friends who are progressing towards their baptisms this week. We could not be happier about that. Many of them were also able to attend sacrament meeting with us this week. I am so glad I had the chance to return to Fortaleza to finish the work I started over a year and a half ago. 

I have seen such a change in myself since I have started back up here. My testimony, my faith, and my mentality have all been increased by the Lord. I love my mission.

Love,

Elder Perry

WEEK 95: Two Sacrament Meetings!

Bom dia! Hope everyone is doing so great! We had another successful week in the Genibaú and Sevilha areas. The blessings are coming in one after another, and I couldn't be happier.

One exceptional, wonderful miracle that happened for us this week was our two sacrament meetings! We are lucky enough to be having those meetings again, and this week we were able to bring a lot of our friends with us. As we walked around the favela, calling for the kids to join us, more and more joined in to become part of our big family. We have several of them who are preparing to be baptized this week! Exciting stuff! For our second sacrament meeting, we were able to bring our friend Larissa. We have been teaching her for a couple of weeks now. She is 20 and is good friends with an RM who lives in Messejana. He travelled here to go to sacrament meeting with us too! We are hoping to help her get baptized in the next couple of weeks.

We have been having a hard time in relation to health in the zone. One companionship has COVID and are both feeling really sick. Many people here in Fortaleza are getting sick and it doesn't seem like the situation is improving at all. We are praying that things start to get better soon. We did get an announcement that we can start registering to get vaccinated this week. We have heard that right now, it is very hard for young, healthy people to get vaccinated, but we hope that things work out in the next couple weeks.

We have been working hard and loving life here. Always problems to be solved and battles to be won, but this life as a missionary is the most rewarding there is. I am thankful for the chance to be here, and finish strong in this great place.

Love,
Elder Perry

WEEK 94: New Friends

What's up?? Such a good week here in Fortaleza. We are constantly seeing miracles as the Lord allows us to further the work in this great city.

Transfers will be happening this week! Fortunately for me, I will be staying for another transfer here in Genibaú with Elder Viana. I am so excited for the continued successes we will see, and the experiences we will have here. I have grown to love this area and the many members, friends, and missionaries that make it special.

We had so many miracles this week! On Tuesday, we had the honor to baptize 3 of our good friends, and one more on Sunday. Tuesday was the baptism of Wesley, Douglas, and Emilly. They all live right next to the chapel, and we have been teaching them and their families for a while! Emilly, in fact, is the sister of Ravi and Davi, who we baptized recently. It has been really great working with these families, and seeing the light that is brought into their lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ. It really does make such a big difference. And our friend Sophia is the niece of one of the members of our ward. She has lots of family in the church, and was very excited to join them. Her uncle, Erivelton, was able to baptize her. It was a very special meeting. I felt the spirit so strong during these two baptismal meetings this week. I love being able to participate in such a great work.

We also had sacrament meeting for the first time this week! I could hardly believe it. This was my first sacrament meeting since I arrived again in Brazil. We weren't sure if it was going to happen until late the night before, so we had a hard time advising everyone, but there was a great turnout, and some of our recently baptized friends were able to come with us. It was nice having the opportunity to play the hymns in sacrament meeting again. 

Other than this, we have just been working hard! We got pretty sick for a couple days this week after eating some poorly cooked meat, but we are both 100% now! I am still sweating all day every day and I am still loving Brazil.

Love,

Elder Perry

WEEK 93: Planting Seeds

Hello everyone! Hope you all had an excellent week. We have been working extremely hard here in Fortaleza, and seeing many blessings as a result. I am so happy to be able to finish my mission here, and enjoy this great city.

We had two great miracles this week in the form of our friends Mario and Davi. They have both been asking us to be baptized for a while now, and with everything taught, and parental approval, we were able to make that happen. Davi is the brother of a young man named Ravi, who we helped get baptized about a week ago. Davi and Ravi also invited their sister, Emily to watch the baptism, and she has a desire to be baptized this next week as well. It has been such a wonderful experience working with these youth. They all have such a strong faith, and connection with each other. I can't wait to see the future that lies ahead for them as members of the true Church of Jesus Christ.

The work is moving along quite well here in this area. We are teaching many people, and planting many seeds as well. It is amazing to know that even though our efforts don't see immediate results, the seeds we plant have the capacity to produce fruit one day. Our zone is also doing very well. Everyone here seems really excited, and is working hard to help people enter into the waters of baptism. I could not be happier with what is happening here.

As for Fortaleza - still incredibly hot. Even when I'm just sitting down doing nothing, I start sweating. I wish I was more accustomed, but the years of snow back in Utah have made that impossible. I don't understand how some of the kids here can run around for hours in the scorching sun, barefoot, and not even break a sweat. We have not yet had a sacrament meeting yet, but we are expecting that we will be having one this coming Sunday!! Exciting! The meals members have been providing have also been great. I must say that I have not tired of rice and beans.

I love working in the city of Fortaleza. This really is such a blessed place and I know that many small miracles had to happen to enable my return. I love the people here, and I love my Savior.

Love,

Elder Perry

WEEK 92: Making Marmitas

Hello everyone! We had a couple really cool experiences and miracles this week!

 
The first was the baptism of our friend Daniel! He had been asking to be baptized since we got to the area, and we were finally able to help him do just that. When we went to pick him up for the baptism though, he wasn't at his home. His parents said that his grandmother had taken him to her house because she didn't want him to be baptized. We asked to be let in to the parents house, and we began teaching and bearing our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The spirit was so strong in that moment. When we had finished, the father had tears in his eyes, and he hopped on his bike to go get Daniel. He had such a big smile on his face when we walked into the chapel with us. This gospel is undoubtedly true, and has the power to change lives.

We had our interviews with Presidente Priday this week as well! He is the man. We love the great counsel and wisdom he provides to this mission. We spent a lot of time talking about the zone and making important plans. I'm looking forward to the progress we will see in the near future in Zona Ceará.

We also got to participate in several service projects this week! With Ala Sevilha, we made "marmitas" - lunch plates, and handed them out all over the neighborhood. We met some cool people doing this as well. With Ala Genibaú, we made a huge pot of soup and gave it out to people in the neighborhood as well. It was such a blessing to see the happiness of the people service, and the people being served. This really is the way Christ lived.

Other than that, we have just been hard at work. Teaching everyone we come into contact with, and trying to further the work in our area and the zone. It is not easy, but missionary work was not meant to be easy. I am grateful for every difficulty, every problem that must be solved, and for every chance I have to learn and grow. I would never trade this mission for anything. I love you all.

Love,

Elder Perry