WEEK 58: Trip Down Memory Lane

Lots of stuff went down this week, buckle up gente.

MONDAY

Today. Was. Phenomenal.

I got special permission from my zone leader to spend my pday in Pedregal, my first area, and visit some old investigators and friends. And man was it incredible.

First we visited my dude Ruy, who was kinda the main reason for the trip. We went to our favorite waterfall and just kinda hang out for a while. He mentioned how he wants to get baptized in the US when he comes to visit. We'll see how that plays out.

Then we passed by Daiane's house and I said hi to Aline and Marrom. Man I loved teaching that family so much. Then I said goodbye to Ruy and we headed over to Suzane's house. She happened to be at work but her kids and mom were home so we sat around and caught up on what's been going on for the past 7 months.

Lastly, we hit up Eugenia's house. It wasn't really the best timing because the whole family was mourning the death today of someone really close who died way too young. I actually knew him while I served in Pedregal. It was really hard news to take but thankfully our visit lightened the mood a little bit and we were soon all laughing and having a good time.

I have so much love for Pedregal and the people there. I think it will always kind of feel like a second home.

TUESDAY

Soooooo we were emergency transferred out of the blue today. Interesting how my last day in Luziânia was spent in Pedregal.

Elder Zuniga and I have been transferred to Taguatinga so his foot can get looked at all over again to see if he's gonna go back home. The chances are looking pretty slim to none that he'll be able to stay.

Last night we had to throw all our stuff in our suitcases and hardly were able to say any goodbyes. I feel like I still had a lot of unfinished work in Luziania, but I guess life just happens like that. It do, in fact, be like that sometimes.

THURSDAY

We spent today and yesterday in and out of the hospital and getting to know the area. I went with Elder Godinez today to do a bunch of contacts. He's probably one of the chillest dudes I've met on the mish and he's from my group (he arrived on the mish the same time as me) which is cool, considering I haven't seen anyone from my group since like last July.

We spent 3 hrs tryna teach this one lady that was kinda all over the place. It was one of the more interesting lessons I've had on the mish. She said she'll come to church this Sunday BUUUUUT then we got back home and the other elders tell us that all church meetings are cancelled due to the goshdang coronavirus so that was a bundle of fun.

Is the world okay? Loool everything is closing down and getting cancelled. There are a few cases of the virus in this city and Zuniga & I have been in and out of the hospital a bunch the past two days so I hope I don't come down with anything. But don't worry mom I use Purell like no one's business.

FRIDAY

Elder Calderón and I taught a Venezuelen lady in full spanish, which was fun cuz I got to use whatever spanish I still had from high school. There are Venezuelen refugees everywhere here. I love when we run into them. They're really authentic people.

Oh yeah also church is cancelled now until who knows when so IDK how we're gonna get any mission work done. Baptisms can still happen, they just cant have any more than 10 people present.

SATURDAY

People are starting to use the Corona virus as excuses now lol. We met this lady the other day who seemed cool and we planned to teach each today but when we knocked she sent us a text saying something like she aint leaving her house or accepting us in cuz the virus is at large. So we just sat twiddling our thumbs then went and did contacts for the rest of the day.

SUNDAY

We met another Venezuelen family. They're honestly the best, if anyone reading this is serving in Venezuela you're one lucky missionary haha. Seems like the best people come from there. One of the kids my age is really into baseball, which is rare in Brazil. We played some catch for the first time in like 6 years for me lol

All in all a pretty stellar week.

Hasta luego gente

Elder Joven

PICS: (I threw in some missionary/coronavirus memes to lighten the mood🤘)

1&2) We found a coke factory in Luziania and got all artsy bout it

3) We had a fish dinner at a friend's house the other night. Just rice and the back end of a fish

4&5) Visiting my homies in Pedregal

6) Ruy got a new Husky

7&8) Photos out on the trail

9-11) The huskies

12&13) Some scenic shots

14) Waiting for the bus to zone conference