Chao Chief

Welp, President Rios said his last goodbye in our last Multi Zone conference with him this Saturday. I love and respect that guy a ton. I'm sad to see him go but glad I'll be able to continue to stay in contact with him and his wife. 

So Monday we taught probably the funniest lesson in my life. It was a NDH (family night) with a less active family. They`re hilarious! But also not the brightest.. haha. We love them, but wow. To set the scenario, the mom is a darker women, also a heavier women, probably in her 60`s. The dad is right around there with his age but is whiter than me and not the brightest man on the block. Their daughter is kind of chubby and claims she's 21.. we think she's 29. Anyway, we started off and did a little model of reading, praying and going to church using 3 cups and 3 spoons that had to hold up a Book of Mormon. It's a common model we use to teach. We had them try first and they obviously couldn't do it, it's very hard. Then I did it in about 10 seconds. They were AMAZED. We then had them look up scriptures to explain it better but we started out having them look up fake scriptures like, "Moses in the Book of Mormon and the 137th section of Abraham in the Bible." They couldn't find it. We then gave them the right scriptures. (It was to prove a point.) During the lesson they would just stare at the cups and randomly, every 5 minutes go, "Waooo!!! It doesn't fall!" It was like teaching 4 year olds haha. At the end of the lesson they invited us to have some Ritz and Coca-cola. So we started some small talk about the World Cup. The dad starts off saying, "Perú lost 1-0 to Canada the other day." HAHA, Perú played Denmark. Canada isn't even in the World Cup. I figured I would have some fun so I played along and said, "Yeah, and they play the USA on Thursday." He agreed it would be a hard match. Hahaha, oh jeez. We had a good night that night. 

Speaking of the mundial (World Cup), Perú is out. They lost 1-0 to France, and Argentina, where my companion is from, lost 3-0, just so everyone knows. Haha, my companion almost cried when he found out. We`ve been bugging him about it all week. 

Thursday during our language study around 2:45 pm, we had a temblor! It started off kind of soft. My companion and I look up from our studies at each other with a little, "Hey this is kinda cool" grin... it went from a light shake to shaking HARD! Our faces turned from, "hey this is cool" to "HOLY COW, RUNN!!!" I straight up thought we were about to have an earthquake. It was a 4.9. Pretty nuts. A lot funner in the day than at night though, that's for sure. 

Later that day we had 2 great lessons. The first was with a YSA (Young single adult) less active. We had a good "straight talk" with her. We all felt the spirit.. however, she didn't come to church because she had to help her mom sell breakfast. 

Later we taught Maicol, our investigator that's progressing the most. When I got here, the week before, he had told the missionaries he didn't want anything. His wife is an active member and most of the family as well. We`ve been helping him a TON with service and gaining his confidence and love. We had a NDH (family night) with his extended family and him on Thursday. We analyzed Moroni 10:3-5, then my companion shared his testimony of personal revelation when he recieved his answer to come on the mission. (Elder Fernandez didn't want to go on a mission. He came out at 20 years old.) After sharing his testimony and experience, Maicol started asking a bunch of questions like, "How did it feel?", "How did you really know?" etc. He said, "I always pray and ask but maybe I'm not very good at listening because I haven't gotten an answer yet." It was such an amazing night. We all felt the spirit super strong and could see the light in his eyes. 

Friday we did a service for Maicol's sister who needed help building her house. We intented to only be there that morning but ended up staying until 6 p.m. to help finish. We were EXHAUSTED afterwards. 

The next day we had a Multi Zone conference and had to wake up at 5:45 a.m. and the meeting was very... Long.. The end was good though because president Rios and his wife shared their testimonies. Afterwards I went up and took a picture with them and thanked them for everything. President hugged me and told me he loved me and thanked me for all my hard work that I have given and told me I am a very hard worker and will be a great future leader. He told me to never forget the principles I learned and to never alejarme (get away) from the gospel. I sure love those two. 

Yesterday (Sunday) was a good.. day of rest.. The light went out here and so apart from 6 p.m. we couldn't leave to proselyte because it's too dangerous. So we went to the penshe's house and played Monopoly with the other elders. Good day. 

Also, I measured myself the other day.. without shoes. It's the first time I've measured myself in the mission.. I left home with 5`11" and a half. It always made me so mad because I could never pass up 6 feet. And now, I'm not sure I believe it myself, but it was a measuring tape...... 6 foot 2 inches!! CHEEEHOOO!! Maybe it's off but I HAVE to at least be above 6 feet. Hyped. We`ll double check in 3 weeks.

Anyway, that's all for this week. Pretty eventful week. Be safe this week. I love you all. Besitos. Abracitos. (Little kisses. Little hugs.)


Elder Rokovitz

                                                                                  

Saying goodbye to President and Sister Rios. Their mission service of three years is over.

Very thin wood wall house, dirt floor, adobe walls inside, door without a handle....and a satellite dish.

Maté - the drink of Argentina

We had everyone trying it.

The birthday of one of our investigators.... look closely next to the cake..... we sure know what the next lesson will be about.

Feliz Cumpleaños!!

Multi Mission

Well, first things first. Happy Fathers Day Dad! I hope you had a great day yesterday. You know how much I love you and miss you Dad. As I always say, and will continue to say, you are such an example to me. You always have been, in every aspect of my life. I look up to you as my hero in life. Your work ethic, your love for the earth and your testimony that God lives and created this earth, your unwavering faith, your love for our Savior and older brother Jesus Christ, your intelligence and humility and willingness to teach and be taught, the boldness but love and pure charity you have towards all, especially in your preisthood duties, your willingness to do the Lord's will and accept what He has for you. The way you have taught me and created me will always be eched in my head. I love you Dad and I can't wait to make so many more memories here soon in the future. Thank you for setting the standard to serve a mission and always pushing me to do the same. This mission has blessed my life more than ever. Dad, I love you and miss you so much!

This week has been super powerful! Well, mainly starting with my morning studies and from Saturday, the week has been good, but nothing too new happening with our investigators etc. 

My studies have been lit. Finishing up 2 Nephi 31 and 32. I LOVE studying the scriptures. I could literally do it all day long. 

Anyway, I have a TON of things to say from the multi mission conference with Elder Gary E. Stevenson and Elder Carlos A. Godoy. I felt the spirit so strong! I thought they were going to join our two missions honestly, just because they had announced that they would be adjusting 19 mission boundaries.. well they ended up not changing anything.. haha. 

Once Elder Stevenson and Elder Godoy showed up, we all got to shake their hands. My companion was in front of me and Elder Stevenson asked my companion first, "How are you?" in English. He seemed to be confused about whether my companion was an American or Latino haha. My companion got pretty off guard and goes, "Eh...uh.. esta bien." He doesn't understand English at all. Hahaha I almost died. Love the kid! 

Elder Godoy spoke first. He talked about his conversion. He was hilarious! He spoke about not judging and being joyful. When he was "found" by missionaries, he was about 20 years old, I think. He said he had long hair in a pony tail about to the middle of his back. He said he didn't exactly look like the type of person that would "become a mormon." 

Elder Stevenson later spoke of finding the elect and said we need to look on the heart and be spiritualy attentive to know really, who needs us, regardless of their looks. I remembered Chad (obviously) and the men I found in Moche that one time. The Lord's "elect" may not always have the outward appearance we`re expecting, for "He looketh not on the outward appearance but rather, the heart." I shared that in my talk on Sunday as I spoke of developing christlike attributes. 

Elder Stevenson`s wife made me cry, for many reasons: First off, she didn't speak Spanish at all, neither did Elder Stevenson. They spoke about 5-10 words then their translator would repeat it in Spanish. As Sister Stevenson spoke, I basically cried through her whole talk. One, for the fact that I sat there in awe as I felt so wonderful being able to be bi-lingual, understanding perfectly both what Sister Stevenson and her translator where saying. Sister Stevenson spoke of leaving no regrets. She shared a story of the shoes in their mission house one transfer. One pair was of an elder recently coming into the mission field, and the other pair belonging to an elder who was recently going home after his two years of service. I couldn't help but cry as she shared the story.. I feel so content with my mission and feel I have been giving it my all these past 23 months, but I still have SO much room to improve. 

Elder Stevenson didn't make me cry in the moment, but I BAWLED as I got to the room that night in my personal prayer. Elder Stevenson shared being "knit together with unity", now and after the misssion with the people with whom we serve with (investigators, members, missionaries, mission president and wife, etc.) He shared Mosìah 18:30 and replaced the word "Mormon" for "Trujillo". (And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever.) It was such a neat way he read the scripture. He said, "There may be many other places in Perú that may be `greener` but Trujillo will always be the most beautiful and wonderful place for you." 

I sure love this country. I poured my heart out in gratitude that night to my Heavenly Father. I know He listens to me. I know that we are all children of God. That He loves us and cares for our every whim. That He knows the desires of our heart. He knows us and loves us dearly and He is there to comfort us in every little prayer we cry to Him. I sure love this work and am going to miss this place. 

Also, Hermana Higginson told me that Ariana is going to get baptized in July. CHEEHOOO! I was VERY happy to hear that. Hirvin has gone inactive though, something to do with influence and the excuse of studies. He didn't write me back 2 weeks ago. Please keep him in your prayers. 

I love you all and hope you all had a great Father's Day and I hope you all have a great week. 

Love, Elder Rokovitz

                                                                                

Multi Mission Conference. The Trujillo South mission. I'm towards the back. Find the wood outlining the stage on the right. I'm in the last row, standing up before the group of elders on the stage, and my head is close to that wood. Elder Rottweiler, one of our tallest elders is standing to my right.

Me and Elder Chiza. He's wearing tribal clothing from his country. 

With my last companion, Elder Rocha.

Moche boys. Me, Elder Daza and Elder Aldea.

"Distrito enfermo" (Sick District). The boys from my District in Moche. 

23 months together! Utah boys. Me, Elder Greer and Elder Olsen.

Long missionary days make tired missionaries. 

Chicharrón de pescado con leche de tigre. (Fish chicharrón with tiger milk.)

D&C 58:3

Welp, first off I need to excuse myself for being prideful last week. I was too quick to judge and only thinking of myself. This week.. I've been humbled. I hope you guys can forgive me for my pride and horrible demostration of bad judgment before knowing anything last week about where I was going. I love it here. Thank you so much for your letter Mom.. covering up here because I was bawling my eyes out. The quotes were PERFECT as well.  Maybe I don't even know why I was really changed here. It's true. God was challenging my response to coming here.. I did a lot of repenting this week on how I responded haha. I have repented greatly for the things I said last week. But I am soo so greatful for my parents to be able to vent to and hear.. well read.. what you had to say to help me. It means so much I have you two to talk to. I have thrown my pride aside and I am LOVING it here. The mission experience is unico (unique) and I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

Anyway, now that you've all forgiven me, this week has been amazing! My new companion, Elder Fernandez, is super cool and absolutely hilarious. He`s 21 and from Argentina.. He's whiter than I am.. haha. I am sooo glad to be co-companions with him. I love not having to have that leadership in my head, it's stressful. 

People always ask us where we`re from. If I say "USA" first, they say, "Oh, you're both from the states?" When my companion responds no, they go, "Oh! Well you don't look like it." (Doesn't look like he's from Argentina) Haha. If he says "Argentina" first, they say, "Oh, you're both from Aregentina?" And when I say no, they go, "Wow! You don't sound like it." (Don't sound like I'm from the states.) Pretty hyped because when I tell people to guess where I'm from and they say, "Venezuela? Colombia? Argentina? Spain..? Brazil....?" Nope! I'm from the land of the brave, boys and girls! Makes me happy because I've gotten a ton of complements on my Spanish. I've noticed this week, speaking Spanish literally just feels like speaking and listening to English. When someone is talking, I understand literally everything, and sometimes forget I'm listening to Spanish.

I'm super hyped to be here in Chimbote though! Never thought I would get to know Chimbote and now I practically know all of it because we can see everything from our area. Our area is straight up hill, all day. I'm about to come back with absolute tree trunks for legs! Our area is absolutely massive too.  I thought my last area, Salaverry, was a fishing town.. Chimbote is like the fishing capital of Perú. It's SUPER famous for fishing. You get off the bus at the terminal and it smells HEAVILY of fish. Sometimes at night you can smell it as well. Oh yeah, Elder Vilchez is in my District too. And Elder Mori is my Zone Leader. Our zone is pretty lit. With our pension that cooks for us, there are 4 of us elders but from two different areas. I'm the only gringo.. also in my distrtict, I'm the only gringo. 

For the transfer here, yes, we took a bus. It was pretty cool because I was talking with Elder Davis and a new elder, Elder Rossi, who's super chill. It's a pretty long ride, but it went fast. We`ll have to go back up to Trujillo like 3 times more for all the meetings and me finishing up though.. ugh. 

  

Pretty good week investigator wise. Just getting to know everyone here. Wednesday our investigator opened the door in her bathrobe.. cool.. We just took out a cita (appointment) haha. Miercoles..(Wednesday) wasn't the greatest. I broke a shoelace in the morning and all day I was dropping and spilling things.. haha, dropped my Book of Mormon like 5 times, dropped the entire roll of tp in the toilet at a recent convert's house, dropped my orange.. (people gave us like 5 oranges that day), dropped my hot drink on my pants at night.. that REALLY sucked haha. Apart from that, it was a good day though.

Thursday we taught another investigator that's freaking awesome! Her name is Nely. She's like 55. They had just barely found her last week. This week she read the folleto (pamphlet) we left, went to church and, the best part, she told us how last week she straight fasted for 5 days so Paolo Guerrero could play in the World Cup! CHEEHOOO! Talk about dedication to your country! Hahaha pretty lit. 

Friday we taught English to one of our investigators. She needed help on her college English homework.. I came in perfect timing on that one. 

Saturday, was pretty lit. We are trying to help out the ward more. About 50 people go to church and we`re trying to hype everyone up. We had an activity with the YSA on Saturday at night.. if we wouldn't have been there, nothing would have happened. Everyone would have been sitting on their phones. We ended up organizing volleyball and my team absolutely killed it, only lost once. Everyone had a great time and a bunch of less actives and investigators went. The next day a bunch of them went to church too. Pretty hyped about that. 

Last night we got to know a super cool less active member family. Gave the mom and the daughter blessings then taught a lesson, then laughed all night! We all were almost crying laughing it was such a fun time. 

Also, pretty cool news.. Saturday while we were doing service, the District Leaders had a meeting. President finally decided to change the schedule to the 7 am wake up time and have to be in the room at 10 pm, lights out at 11 pm schedule. CHEEHOOO! Never been so happy in my life. But wait! There's more! This Saturday we are going to have a "Multi Mission conference" with the North mission and Elder Gary E. Stevenson is coming to talk with Elder Gadoy of the Seventy. Yup. Life's good. 

That's about it for this week. Finna finish out these last 5 weeks with fuerza (force)! 

El arrepentido (The repentant), Elder Rokovitz

The title, D&C 58:3 - Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. 

Saying goodbye to Elder Plock (he replaced me when I was in my first area, Chao.)

Elder Houskeeper, me and Elder Plock. 

Saying goodbye to familia Castro.

Saying goodbye to Elder Aldea, my "son".

Goodbye to Elder Rocha. He gave me his "Brazil tie" that was his favorite.

My new area - Chimbote. These pictures don't do it justice AT ALL.

Making picarones - it's a lot harder than it looks.

Giving it a try....

Me and my companion, Elder Fernandez, getting ready to dig in.

Enjoying the picarones.

Sooooo good!!!!

Cholita for life.

After a painting service.

Splattered in paint.

Name tag got it too.

Selfie with my companion and another elder.

Livin' in Chimbote.

P-day futbol with the zone.

With my new companion, Elder Fernandez.

Chimbote pintura (painting).

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

Well.. to start off, this was a pretty good week up until Sunday night around 8 pm. To put it simply, I'm leaving Salaverry. I'm going with Elder Fernandez as co-companion in "Los Piños", an area in Chimbote. I was so so happy in this area and with my companion. I was finally working and focusing on people and not worrying about the numbers. I figured out what real mission work is. I loved my companion, the people, and I worked the best to my ability. I am very frustrated. But, I'm going to push to the end and finish hard. "Not my will, but Thine be done"... felt that last week and can't deny it. I know I need to apply it. I'm very greatful I had that special experience in our District meeting last week.

Apart from that, this week has been good. It's been a rough week though. We pretty much walked all week long. Many of our investigators failing us and not wanting to progress. 

We found out Mauricio isn't too sure about getting baptized because his grandma, uncles and aunts are telling him he can't get baptized because all their generations are Catholic.

Maricris disapeared off the earth. Her house has a lock on it and she isn't there any time of day. And worse, she doesn't have a phone so we haven't been able to contact her. 

On Friday we taught Arley. The lesson was kind of difficult. We taught about repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost and "endure to the end". We had planned to invite him for a baptism date but didn't feel it was right in that moment. We both left and just felt something kind of weird. We weren't sure if it was good or bad.. I felt I didn't have the adequate words in the whole lesson. I wanted to help him so bad, and in my mind, I felt I knew what to say, but it wouldn't come out how I wanted. I was pretty bummed when I left the lesson. I really wanted to help Arley. 

Saturday was a looong day, probably the longest day in the mission. We literally walked all day and we had no one to visit. Literally nobody was home and everyone failed us. 

When we got back to the room at night, we always pray in English to help my companion learn. My companion starts to pray, "Heavenly Father, we are thankful for this day. We are thankful for..." He stops, turns to me and goes, "Cómo se dice ´pruebas´en ingles?" (How do you say ´trials´in English?) Haha yeah, that describes Saturday for ya. 

Anyway, that's pretty much our week. I'm pretty sad that I'm leaving Salaverry. I thought I would finish here. I will make sure to push to the end. I don't want to end on a bad note and I will make sure to make everything worth it this last change. 

Elder Rokovitz

                                                                                 

Preaching to a "Golden Investigator".

Elder Rocha trying to keep warm.

Sleeping Inka mountain. Can you see it? The head is the lowest part to the left, it's neck is the lowest dip, it's toe is the highest point.

Put a bow in Chavarri's hair (our pension's grandkid.)

Chavarri likes bows.

Model family. 

Hats in member, Christy's, shop.

Us with Christy.

Lunch at Ana's before I'm transferred.

Spending p-day at Ana's.

One last arm wrestle with Abraham.

(I can't seem to get this picture turned for some reason, but these are Cory's missionary shoes the night before he left for his mission.)

(The same shoes after almost two years. One pair was reserved for Sunday meetings and mission meetings.)

Well worn.

Coming to the end of their life soon.