PPK The President

Sup fam? I'm trying to send pictures from this week but the computer isn't working here.. so I'll have to send them next week. Pretty chill week. Nothing much to it. Pretty much the whole world failing us though haha. Started off hot on Tuesday. We were going to do a pizza with a member... fail. Later, Hermana Kuki was about to give us some picarones... fail. PPK was promising to change Perú... fail. Perú's president, "PPK" resigned as president this week.. that was cool. Other than that, I had a really good week. Oh, and I forgot to tell you last week that my new companion is from Piura (Perú) just north of here. 

We had some pretty great spiritual moments in a few lessons. We were teaching Nely (Adventist investigator) and felt the spirit super strong as we shared the First Vision. It almost brought me to tears to be honest. She recently had trouble with her husband and it's a perfct time to have found them... the only thing is, her mom is Adventist and invited her there first and now she's pretty set on that. Also, she straight told us her life's story of what happened between her and her husband for almost 2 hours! Woooo, we just wanted to go to sleep after that haha. She didn't let us speak a word. 

Also, things are going good with familia Zapata (new people from last week.) Maria, the mom, Arumi 19 and Evelin 14. We helped them with a service when we got there to teach the lesson. They live in the poorest part here and the water only comes every other day. They have to bring their water in buckets up to their house and fill up bigger tubs of water. The only twist is they´re the last house on a sand hill. They're 3 girls alone, so we helped them get the water up. Took about an hour or so. I can't even imagine how long it would take them alone. After that, we had a super powerful lesson on the Restoration. They understand GREAT! They came to church and then we explained the Book of Mormon, and put a fecha (baptism date) for the 21st of next month. They all accepted. They're a super awesome family! I'll keep you updated. 

Oh, and that day for lunch, we ate Sting Ray.. it was surprisingly good! I didn't like fish before I came out but I think I've adapted to it now. Here in Perú we eat a lot of fish, but we are prohibited to eat the best dish here which is done with "crude" (washed with lemon) fish. It's called Ceviche. I wanna learn how to do it before I get back! 

Anyway, apart from that, it's been a pretty chill week. We were supposed to do a training to have a church open house so investigators and others could come (just like last year.) It was going to be on  Sunday but the bishop didn't get the projector that he said he would, so we won't be doing the training until the 8th. We were pretty frustrated about that actually. We talked to him afterwards and talked about needing more help from the ward. Salaverry is awesome but the members don't help much. Salaverry is the highest baptizing area in the mission. Imagine if the members were helping and giving references and whatnot. But yeah, poco a poco (little by little). 

Our last lesson of the week was with Manuel, a 14 year old we found last week. He had received the sisters last year and was about to get baptized but he left for like 3 months. He´s ready to be baptized... the only thing is, his parents won't give him permission. We talked to his mom last night, but she was set on not letting him. But after talking a little more, we promised her, with such power and authority, that if she would let him be baptized, she would receive blessings in her home. We then asked if we could kneel down in that moment and pray. Manuel said the prayer and afterwards his mom was just in silence because you could see that she felt the spirit and could not deny it. We left, inviting her to pray with her husband and Manuel to see if he should be baptized. It was such a powerful lesson. We´re going to go back today and see what happens! It was a pretty good way to end the week. 

So yeah, nothing else really. Hope you all have a great week!


Tu amigo fiel, Elder Rokovitz

Hype City

CHEEEHHOOOOO!! This week has been LIT. Not really too much happening with investigators, to be honest, but we went OFF this week. My new companion, Elder Vilchez, is the coolest kid in the world! He´s easily the most hyped companion I've had in total my mission. He´s coming straight out of his training and he´s already baptized 8 people. He usually doesn’t talk during the day.. because we're running (literally almost running) from cita to cita (appointment to appointment) and finding new people like nobody's business. Straight found 17 new people this week, CHEEHOO! Literally, my companion is an absolute thug though. He is 110 percent pilas (charged) and is super outgoing to the people but barely talks otherwise haha. He talks a ton at night when we´re in the room. He´s the kind of kid where when it's time to work he cracks down. He´s an absolute stud though. He had a great "dad" (trainer) and has been trained well. We get up at 5:50 a.m. every morning and go run by the beach until 6:30 a.m., then come back and work out. I'm probably hyped about that more than anything because I have to get myself moving these last couple months, not trying to come back fat. 

Not only that, the area is so sick! Half the members here remember me too from when I was in Moche haha. It's pretty sick. The people here are super cool and outgoing. It's like a beach-fishing town. Half the dads go out for like 15 days fishing, then come back for 2 or 3 days, then head back out. It's pretty nuts. The area close to the beach is super nice and clean and whatnot but as you start getting closer to the cerro (sand hill) out back, it starts getting very poor and humble. The beach is close but far. In my last area, it was far from the room but close in parts of my area. Here, it's far because the beach is long. 

This place is a place of miracles though. The week before I came, they baptized 7 in this area and they have been baptizing like 3-5 every month for over a year now. President told me that I have a "great responsibility here, probably one of the biggest responsibilities in the mission.” He told the Zone Leaders he needed someone he could trust in this area. I'm super hyped because that just keeps me going, especially finishing out my mission. 

I've felt a huge spirit here, more than any other area in my mission. We´ve been having some great lessons! There have been some people where I'm like, “..why are we still teaching them..?” But little by little, we´ll be able to pick out the golden ones. 

The new apartment... well, it's not the old place, that's for sure, but it's pretty nice still. Not too small, not too big, just right and the bed is bigger too!

The new pencionista has been pensh for... 30 years!! Haha she's super cool. She's the one that gave hugs when I was on an interchange here one time, but she doesn't do it anymore and her food is great! 

I like being a District Leader better right now. More down time and less stress. It's super nice being a District Leader. 

I'll start getting some names and pictures more next week. I've just been chambiando (working) out here and getting to know the area and whatnot. So yeah, anyway, just know it's been a great week and I'm doing great! 

This church is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I invite everyone to read it more! Really get into it. It'll bless you and help you more than anything. I know that. I've felt it. I've lived it. I hope you all have a great week, I love you all so much!!

Con pilas, Elder Rokovitz

                                                                           

TGI Fridays on my last day in Palermo with Elder Nichols.

Las Lomas. The view is amazing from here. This is probably the poorest part of our area. We were at the top so I  had to snag a picture from up here.

My BOY Elder Vilchez and I.

Locked out of the baño (bathroom) haha, the perks of having a small companion.

P-day BBQ

P-day BBQ with the district.

Beach Town

Momma! CUMPLEAÑOS FELIZ! TE DESEO A TI! CUMPLEAÑOS FELICES! TE DESEO A TI!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!..... Thursday. Haha, I love you so much Mom.. wow I'm going to cry.. I'm so thankful to have such a loving and caring mom. You have such a great heart and have always taught me so much. I'm so grateful that you have always just been there to listen to me and have always loved me. Thank you for your great example in the gospel and in life. You truly are "the best mom ever!" I'm so grateful because I have such a talented mom that has taught me so much! I hope you know everyone in this mission loves you even though they don't know you haha. You're just always so generous and thinking of others. Thank you for everything Mom. I hope you have a great birthday! 

Dadio! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! (Our anniversary and my, Dawn's, birthday are on the same day - Yeah, we did that.) Hahaha thought I would give you something too so you didn't feel left out. But honestly, thank you both so much for the great example you both set as parents. I have seen many "bad" and sad parenting here and I really am SOOO blessed to have such amazing parents who show true love one for another. Thanks for always making me laugh and being such a great couple! I love you both so much!!

Also thank you so much for the package! The homemade goodies were so DELICIOUS!!! And everyone I shared them with was in love haha. Also thanks for everything in the package. I was very happy.. "was" because I had to eat everything quick before I left the area.. so yes, it's all gone. But don't worry, I shared. (A friend was traveling to Perú last week and offered to take something from us to Cory, so it was a good time to send some homemade baked goods since we've never been able to do that because of how long it takes to send things to Perú. These were his first homemade treats since he's been gone. Everything else that has been sent has been store bought.) 

CHEEEHOOO! I'm going to Salaverry! Salaverry is part of my old district in Moche hahaha. I'm going to be in the town right next to Moche, about 5 minutes south. But the districts have changed so I won't have Moche in my district. I'm going to serve as a District Leader there and my companion will be Elder Vilchez. I will be his 2nd companion. Salaverry is a huge responsability though. It's the area that is baptizing the most in our entire mission. They have been baptizing every month for over 16 months. I'm SUPER hyped because it is going to help me work my butt off and forget about home. I think it will help me "forget myself and lose myself in the work." I think that needs to be my new focus. It's harder as it gets closer but I need to shine right now that my mission is coming closer to the end. I think I will be dying in this area and that it will probably be my last area ("dying" meaning he will end his time as a missionary in this area.) 

Anyway, this week has been.. well ups and downs. Ariana did not get baptized. She came to the interview VERY nervous and spent an hour and a half in the interview. Most interviews are 40 minutes, and usually like an hour tops! When she came out, Elder Escobar (who interviewed her) just came out shaking his finger and mouthing "no." We asked how she felt and she said "..Free.." She was very calm and said that she just needed to take a walk. Elder Escobar told us that she asked in the interview the church's view on homosexuals. He explained how we love them, but to be baptized, they would have to make some changes by not prarticipating in homosexuality to be able to be baptized and told her the reason why. She explained that if, "God isn't willing to accept them, I'm not sure that's the God I want to follow." I just don't think she understands well enough. She said that's the reason she doesn't want to get baptized but we haven't been able to meet with her since Thursday. We think it's like an iceberg - we are just seeing the tip, but there is much more to it. I think that it has to do with the social fact. She has a testimony. She knows it's true, but her parents are strong Catholics and I think them, her family, and her friends persuaded her mind and she is now scared. I'm really sad that I won't be able to help her out since I'm being transferred.. but I know it's all in God's hands and that her time will come. I hope it is before I leave Perú but I now know God will take care of it and I know she has her agency. Altough, Elder Nichols will keep doing everything possible. 

Apart from that, it's been a pretty chill, normal week. We put a fecha (baptism date) with Alicia, the 83 year old.. she didn't really understand.. I mean, she wanted to change her name to be baptized.. haha, but we went back again and explained more and put a fecha for the 28th of April with her. 

On Saturday we had a "mini missionary for a day" activity and were able to take out a Deacon with us. He just got baptized in Trujillo ward and has 5 months as a member but is such a STUD! It was a bunch of fun and I think he really enjoyed it. 

But that's pretty much it for this week. Pretty stressed because of packing but I think I'll easily fit stuff this time, thanks to Jacqueline (the friend who took our treats to Cory) for taking some of my stuff back to Utah last time she was here. Anyway, I'll let you all know how the beach town is going this week! 

Con amor, Elder Rokovitz

                                                                              

Haircut time. Abraham, Ana's son, is my barber this time.

Spending some time with Ana and Elder Houskeeper.

Waiting for everyone to show up for a Zone p-day activity.

Zona Palermo

Hanging with some of the best missionaries on p-day.

Me and Elder "Bene"

Hahaha, my hat looks like a pirate hat, thanks to the wind.

The rock that looks like a wave.

On the "wave" rock.

Titanic.....

Me and Elder Nichols.

Salaverry Hill,  my new area.

A lady in our ward who is from Columbia said, "I saw this and thought of you two, so I bought it." Haha, first Dr. Pepper in 19 months!

Elder Nichols enjoying his Dr. Pepper.

Shoes, you gotta hang in there for 4 more months - Thanks for the Gorilla glue Mom.

Photo bombers!

Zone and District Leader meeting - lunch time. Elder Plock, me, Elder Walker and Elder Daza.

All of us elders came out together.

Meeting time.

My current companion (until tomorrow), Elder Nichols, my CCM companion, Elder Lee and me.

Snuffing Miracles

CHEEEEHOOOOO!!! So this week has been a great week. Why? Because we saw a ton of miracles! Had two baptisms when only one was planned! Our boy Paul got permission from his mom! He said that he just went and prayed for two days and then asked her again and she said yes!! Not only that, she came to the baptism and looked super happy and made food for the baptism too!! I baptized Paul and my companion baptized Salvador, so that was a bunch of fun! Those two are STUDS. On Sunday after Paul was confirmed, he came up to us and goes, "Who are you guys going to visit today?" We told him and he goes, "I wanna accompany you! Can I come to Ariana's with you guys?" We were like... ".....um.... YEAH??!!" Haha, what a stud! 

                                                                            

Elder Nichols, Me, Paul and Salvador

Anyway, Sunday was a good day! I was pretty tired and trunky for some good American food (fasting will do that to ya) and I had a trunky dream.. but it's all good. Any advice for my last 4 months? I feel myself slowing down and I don't want that. I want to finish strong! 

My head was hurting pretty bad until Thursday. The area doctor told me I had a sinus infection and to snuff some salt water. She said, "Do it as many times as you can handle, in the morning, afternoon and evening.. and then some." Ha. Cool. I'm not sure what's worse - snuffing salt water or head pain... try it.. it's fun. Not! But it is getting a LOT better. My head is feeling A LOT better, which is good. 

Ariana is going strong! She is about to get baptized Friday. She said this week, "You know, I realized I don't have any doubts anymore." She's a little nervous, but she's doing great. Keep her in your prayers please! 

Anyway, not too much else happening this week. It's been a great week though! We had a good training and watched a video with Elder Uceda that he gave to the Area mission presidents. He talked about really "escudriñando" (scrutinizing) the scriptures. That doesn't have the same emphasis in English but it means like prying into and searching with meaning and depth. I invite all of you to put more meaning into your "reading" and don't just "read", but really pry into your scripture reading and ask yourself what it's saying. I promise if you'll do that, you will feel the infuence of the spirit more and be able to gain a greater testimony of the Book of Mormon and it's power that it has. I hope you all have a great week. Love you all!!

Elder Rokorokorokovitz
(Shout out to Craig LaMont) That's how Cory's wrestling coach would say his name sometimes.




                                                                                

With the boy's grandparents.

With their cousins and grandma.

With the boy's mothers.

Salvador and Paul before their baptism.

Everyone at the baptism.

Elder Nichols with Salvador after  his baptism.

Me with Paul after his baptism.

Tacos

Quail and spaghetti

Eating some good ol'..... cow heart! Now you can see why I was craving some American food this week.

Chillin' with our boy, Peluso.

District eating tacos.

P-day fun with our District.

Elder Andrade came back for a visit.

Me and Elder Andrade.

Me and Elder Nichols at our apartment.