Rokin' Perú: Emotions

Welp, I'm exhausted out of my mind. This has been a great week. Starting with this week, Monday we went to the fair here because it's “St. Peter`s day.” (It's a Catholic holiday here for the saint.) Bunch of cool stuff though. We were at the fair walking around and a member called us over who we didn’t even know and invited us to lunch because they were happening to be at the fair catering. Good stuff. Hashtag:Blessed.

Wednesday I had some lit studies at night. I felt I should read something out of the Liahona from this last conference. I opened up and read the talk from President Nelson that he gave in priesthood session on magnifying our calling. It hit me hard as I was reading how little time I have left. I couldn’t even read well because my eyes were filled with tears… (now I'm crying again…) It really impacted me when I read the words, (forgive me if the translation isn’t perfect, I'm reading it in Spanish haha) “We are the men that have been called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the presciencia of God through our exceptional faith.” After reading that spiritual powerhouse of a talk, I read old journal entries from Chao when I first came out on the mission.. oh boy, have I changed. It's amazing the changes that are brought to pass through serving a diligent mission. I am so blessed to have had such loving parents, family members, priesthood leaders etc., who helped me to get to this point and pushed me to come here. And oh how greatful I am.

Speaking of my emotions, Saturday as we were walking to a lesson, a less active we had recently met a couple weeks ago, was selling “picarones” (something similar to scones.. I guess.) They live on the highest part of our area and in a very poor part where the houses are made of woven bamboo, roofs of plastic sheets or the woven bamboo, and sand floors. As I sat there eating the picarones and as we walked back down the hill I fought back tears (not very well) as I looked around, knowing I would miss all this. I felt like in a movie in slow motion looking at everything: The woven bamboo houses, the dirty kids running around playing futbol, everyone in their humble sandals, the dirty dishes, even the drunk guys laughing and playing their music at 120 percent. I love this place. I'm going to miss it. Right now I feel stressed, nervous, scared, excited, sad, bawling at night, absolutely EXHAUSTED, a little of everything. I sure miss home but I sure am going to miss everything about this place. We are so blessed for the things we have.

It was weird knowing President Rios left on Saturday. We will get to meet Presidente Rebaza this Wednesday in a multi zone conference.

This week we taught a powerful lesson to a recent convert, Yesenia, who is the only member of her family. Her husband wasn’t baptized and she, for some reason, hasn’t let her 2 eligible children be baptized even though they literally know more than I do referring the gospel. We felt inspired to teach 1 Nephi 8. We had a super powerful lesson! We could see the love in Yesenia's eyes toward her children. We invited her to pray to know if they should be baptized this 14th of July. She was able to then go to the temple with the ward for her first time this Saturday. Sunday she explained how hermoso (beautiful) is the temple. And said, “I can't wait for my children to come with me next time.” We have a cita (appointment) with her this Tuseday.

Sunday was great because I got a good surprise as we were leaving church. Ana and the family showed up out of no where! I was not expecting to see them for another 2 weeks at the airport. It made my day seeing them! We stood and talked to them for almost 2 hours. I sure do love them. They are easily my second family more than anyone else.

That’s about it for this week. Perseverando hasta el fin (persevering until the end.) I love Perù and this work, but oh boy, do I miss my family and the land of the free, home of the brave. I'm an emotional mess. See you all in 2! (Weeks)

Love, Elder Rokovitz