Hellooooo!! We had a great week down here in the great city of Fortaleza. I am so happy to be back here, and to continue my missionary service. I know this last leg of my mission will not be easy, but I know it will be so rewarding.
Today is the first day it hasn't rained since I arrived but it's still really hot every day and all night. We still eat beans and rice every day and this week I ate cow liver, which was actually really good. We live right across the street from a bunch of roosters. Right now the sun rises here at 5:30 AM so the roosters crow really early and for a long time, especially when they're up on the roof of the house where they live. They seem to really like it up there.
The work here in Genibaú is going as strong as ever. The whole city is currently in a 'lockdown' until April 5th, but I don't think there's a single soul in this neighborhood that knows about it. We are living right on the outskirts of some pretty awesome favelas, and once you're inside the favela, anything goes. We have made an effort to stay inside, but we had to leave to deliver copies of the Book of Mormon to people and to briefly contact some people we are teaching who don't have phones. Something really cool is that our chapel is right in the middle of one of the favelas. There are large concrete housing structures, garbage, street dogs, and tons of people all around, and the well kept, pristine looking chapel in the middle. It really is a holy place and those who are willing to come in are purified by it.
We had a cool miracle this week - the baptism of our friend Talison. He was introduced to us this week by one of his friends in the church, Carlos. Both Talison and Carlos are 10 years old and are part of a strong group of primary aged kids who live around the chapel, who have been strong. We were excited to meet him, and help him take this important first step in his life. He already has a strong testimony, so we are excited to see his progress down the road. There should be more to come in the next couple weeks!
Other than that, we have stayed pretty busy contacting people, receiving lunch from the members of both wards, and teaching. And although teaching over the phone is not nearly as effective as in-person teaching, we are able to help people feel the spirit. We hope that things improve as far as the lockdown goes, but in the meantime, we will continue to use the great technology and tools we have been granted to move the work along.
I love it here, and I am excited to see what the next 4 months has in store for me and the people here. I know it will change lives. Love you all!!
Love,
Elder Perry
Elder Perry
