Good Morning mom, From Cabanagem!

Good Morning mom, From Cabanagem! Im in Cabanagem Ward. But Thats in the Area that is called Jaderandia. Its pretty chill here. Im loving the members so far.

Elders Arroyo and Rocha

Wow, Conference was great wasnt it? Last one to assist in the mission. I took lots of notes and learned plenty. Man, We worked so hard for President Monson to announce the temple of Belém. But what can ya do. Next one for sure!! I love seeing the pics of you guys all on the couches in PJs assisting General Conf with snacks all over the place! looks almost like Thanksgiving sometimes.. haha. I try to bring this tradition here, but its just not the same, with a backpack full of cookies and mints.. haha. But once you take out the snacks you basically have to pass sacrament with them, cause everyone wants some! ha..

Elders Arroyo and Rocha

My comp is great! Elder Rocha. Were going to do good together. I hope that he will be my last comp. Ill send yall some pics of us two in a little. The ward here is great.. And finally.. A church building with air conditioning... :)!! The members are great, and theres lots of them! Also there is a basketball court at the church building! And our house is right next to it!! Heeeck yea B-Ball Everyday!! And Im going to be professional in B-Ball and Soccer when I get home. My comp is a beast at soccer and hes teaching me some stuff. Im getting Skinny!!! For really! My church clothes are wayyy tooo huge on me! I look better in street clothes like in those pics I sent.

But im doing absolutely great! I just sent in some pics to ya. And I love you guys a lot!
Elder Arroyo

Email to dad this week

Man dad, This week is going to you ha. You can tell mom if ya want. But your choice. So me and my comp are walking down a road here in Outeiro, close to the cliff edges of the beach. So were walking all normal, and we go around a curve, and I see 2 guys, and it hits me, I said to my comp, were going to get robbed, just walk faster. they walked over to the other side of the road, to make it seem ok, and right as we pass about 6 yards past them, they take off behind us.. I had my backpack on me and a cellphone. and Elder Rodriguez had is camera with our fotos on it. We start to run, cause the church was just up in the front, but it didnt matter cause one of them pulled out a gun, and said drop everything on the ground. so we stopped, and right as we stopped another thug pulled up on his bike from no where all tattooed up super ripped and the 2 guys that had the gun took off and hid in the cliffs. And we just took off running to the church. It was crazy... The next day at church the thug that saved us came to church in a white shirt and tie.. haha.. He was an inactive member. And something told him the other day to ride your bike down the street, to the beach. man, So much adrenaline. But yea. Your choice if you wanna tell mom. Im totally ok, Just another experience.
Love you dad.
Elder Arroyo

I know this is God's work.

Transfers!! So yea, Im getting transferred. Ill be going to an area called Cabanagem. Its closer to the city!! WOOT!

This week was great. Some thugs stole the motor for the water tank of the church... Lame.. But for this we got to baptise in the RIVER!! YEA! We baptised 3 of our investigators in the river in front of the church. We went down a staircase made out of the cliffs. It was awesome!








First time to touch the beach!! And last

It all went great.

The mission is having so many miracles preparing Belem for a temple!! We baptised 70 people this week, and makes a total of 178 this month, and we have 1 more Saturday! Our goal is 250!! Its insane!! you have to remember also how little missionaries we have in our mission compared to the others. I think we have about 50 companionships. Keep on praying for miracles and for the temple!!

 Man, So thats great that yall get a little taste of what I have to walk in everyday :D! Except the tornado part. I dont miss that at all.

So Yea, Im feeling pretty trunky right about now. Im going to my last area.. Talvez with my last companion. (Elder Rocha) And one more thing... I got my flight plans here in front of me... But dont worry about it, im fine, and ill work until the end!!

I know this is Gods work.
Elder Arroyo
gotta get the pics off my comps cam!

Flight Plans from Belem, Para-Jackson, MS

SERVICE              DATE  FROM          TO            DEPART  ARRIVE


Flight plans were changed and I have not received them yet.

Not going to lie, it was a great experience.

Hey mom, This week was great. We are working on the other side of the Island. Its wayyy different.. there is just one road that goes out there and its just full of huts and tents and shacks. Its where the people are starting to colonize. Its awesome! There is only one bus that goes out there and its every 3 hours, so if ya dont catch it, youre walking.. We went out there on the bus, and we taught some families, and when it was time to go home, we went to the road where the bus comes.. and it didnt come.. It was already getting dark, And light has not been invented out there yet haha... Someone said that the bus broke down, cause the road is awful, and full of mud. So we decided to walk back. Not going to lie, it was a great experience. The mud went above the ankles in some parts, And it was just pitch black.

But it was a great time just to think. The sounds out there are as tropical as it gets. Billions of birds and animals in the forest. I think that is going to be one of the things that I will miss the most, the sounds of the forest.

Transfers will be next week, and I dont know whats going to happen. But I would like to stay here, because we are going to help a family of investigators to get married and baptise them in a week. Ill only have 2 more transfers. The secretary said that ill leave 12 of June.  He just doesnt know my flight plans yet. Cause I tried to get him to get me a plane to the Hattiesburg/Laurel airport, but he couldnt. So I told him to just do Jackson. We´ll see what happens.

That would be great to get new clothes when I come back. Ill just have soccer jerseys.. hah.. None of my old clothes fit me anymore. I would love a new white shirt and pants when I get back as well. I wear size 16 now, and it would be better if it was long ha..

But Im doing great. I love ya mom!
Elder Arroyo!!
Tell Destinee to give me an update next week!

We are giving our all!!

Wow.. Let me just start off this email with what just happened.. So my hair was getting pretty long, and I just got it cut and amazing. Im not going to lie, my hair is awesome! haha.. But the best part was, when she finished cutting my hair shes like Elder come over here, and she gave me a shampoo and everything! It was great!! 2 years of walking through these jungles and the head massage payed for everything I went through :D.

Ahh man. Let me tell ya. When ya think youve eatin all of Pará`s traditional plates of food, ya havnt.. Yesterday for our Sunday lunch we ate Maniçoba. From looking at it, I didnt want anything to do with it haha.. But after the first 2 bites it was pretty good. Just really different.. Its said to be made from a venomous plant... (they told me this after..) And you have to cook it for about 7 days or so to get out all the poison. Well, I ate 2 plates of it.. haha. One more food to mark off my list! (look it up on the internet if ya want. Maybe youll find a pic.

The other day me and my comp received a member reference, and 4 days ago we went to contact him. (took forever to find the house.) But when we got there, we clapped and no one came to the door, clapped again no one.. And I was like man, we did not walk this far for nothing. So I open the front gate (thank goodness there were no dogs....) And went up to the window, and there was a guy sitting on the floor. He was home alone and was trying to get to the door to attend us. He has a disorder, and he cant use his legs, so he uses knee pads. and walks on his knees. So we go in there and get to know him, and share a message about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And then I realize that about 3 weeks ago, we met this guy in the street. He was trying to get off the bus, and was having a super hard time doing so, So my comp and I ran to help him, and we carried him to a bench on the side of the road. It is kind of hard to understand him cause of the disorder, but the spirit clears it up for us. He loved everything we taught and we ended with a prayer and after the prayer we asked him if there was anything we could do to help him. He looked around, thought a little bit, and said. No Thanks, Im Ok. And then it hit me. The urge to just cry. How would I have answered if I was in his position. I can testify that he is the most humble person that I have met in my life. It gave me a reality check that where I am, who I am, What im doing, is me. And im grateful to be me. For everything I have.

This saturday for sure we will have a boom of baptisms here in Outeiro! At least 3! The work is going good here, and the time is going by so fast. transfers end on the 27 and next transfer will only be 5 weeks long. then the next one, ill be going home! But dont be thinking that Im getting trunky, Cause its the complete opposite! I know the Gospel front and back, Portuguese is flowing (good enough for the people to understand) And We are giving our all!!

Sei que Jesus Cristo vive e que Deus nos ama. Que O evangelho é o caminho a voltar a presença de nosso Pai Eterno. Amo voçe Mai. em nome de Jesus Cristo, Amen.

I love you mom! Dont forget to keep the commandments!! Until next week, tell everyone to email me. Tell Dad I love him!
Elder Arroyo

Maniçoba- another recipe using cyanide.

It was great to see everyone again

What a great week. So where to start. Lets see, This Saturday, right before walking into a members house to lunch, The Assistants to the President call me, and told me that a family that I was teaching in Laranjeiras got married and they wanted me to baptise them, It went great! The Baptism was awesome. It was great to go back to my old area. When I walked into the church, and walked into the baptismal room onde everyone was, and I almost lost control, my lips starting to quiver. It was great to see everyone again. And to see that family that theyre ready and super happy to be baptised. After I baptised them, They gave their testimonies and it was super powerful to hear someone that knew nothing about the church, give a testimony how they did. One thing that the women said was that now she understands a dream she had 20 years ago, she explained that she saw me, with her family, and everyone was dressed in white.. (20 years ago) Her name is Cleide, And she was an authority of a church called Assembleia De Deus.. Her husband didnt believe that there existed a Christ., And she prayed to Heavenly Father that He could help her husband.. 2 Days after the prayer, Me and my comp showed up in her window to buy a Popsicle. :) I got super attached to that family. I know that when her 2 sons grow up, that they will serve missions.

Baptism of Cleide and her husband in Laranjeira

  This past week we found a family that went to church for 1 or 2 years straight, without being baptised...!! Because there were some problems with getting married. And We are now preparing the wedding for day 16 of this month. And the Baptism of the family day 17. Cant wait!! :D I know that Heavenly Father is preparing his children here in Belém do Para for the blessing of a temple. Ive only met this family for about a week, and were already part of the family :D She makes us dinner all the time.. ha, I think im going to gain some pounds..

Baptism of Marcos

  Ahh man.. Yesterday... So after our baptism on Saturday, Irmá Cliede gave me and my comp a bunch of wedding cake, And we were pretty hungry that night, that we ate all of it. So yesterday, I was feeling pretty bad in the stomach.. And after church we went to lunch in a members house, And I told myself that I was only going to eat a little.. And when we got there I saw that she had made noodles with an awesome sauce.. I ate a lot.. As soon as I finished eating, it hit me.. number 3... I was like -Elder, Hurry, Weve got to go home ASAP- So he hurried up and ate, and man, I was sweating hardcore, dieing. And shes like Elder Are you ok? And I was like umm, Irma, were going to have to give the message another hour, Im not feeling so good. We did the prayer, and we took off in the rain.. I barley made it home ... It was...  Awful.. Im pretty sure im needing some worm medicine. its been a while since Ive taken some. But other than this im doing great. Baptisms are coming in fine. the Branch is great, almost a ward. Im not trunky... And Im loving it out here.
I love you mom! See ya next week!!

Eduardo's baptism

Maybe ill even extend my mission?

Hey mom! Great to hear from ya. This week was great!! I have no doubt that God is a God of Miracles.. So this month we have been working sooo hard to show Heavenly Father that we are ready to receive a temple. And there is no better way than showing this than baptising :D.. Last week, that man that came into the church was prepared by the Lord to be baptised. We taught him everyday last week, the first 2 nights were GREAT! Then... the third night we came and hes like, Elders.. I dont want to prepare to be baptised anymore. We got super depressed, and marked a chapter for him in the Book of Mormon, Went back the next day, and taught a message super spiritual! And invited him again to be baptised on Saturday! And he accepted and was BAPTISED!! Wow, The Lord was really trying to prove are spiritual strength. He received the holy ghost and was confirmed yesterday, and received a bunch of books of the church to study :D it was great. Because he has nothing (at all) So now he just reads the church books everyday. Elder Rodriguez took pics on his camera, was a great experience.

Ive been learning a lot lately about patience, But not Physical patience, Spiritual. I know that having faith in the Lord he can do all things. Keep the commandments, be humble and ´patient, And boom the blessings fall from the Heavens like our baptism Marcos. And we didnt give up. We knew he would be baptised on Saturday, He just had to feel what we felt.

Man, Every time you say Temple, I just get a sick feeling in my stomach.. I miss it sooo much!  And when President Monson announces the Temple Of Belém in this Conference, im going to jump off the bench and scccream!! Go ahead and book me in for some temple sessions.

Thats great that you were called 1st counselor! More work huh? :D Sounds like Justin is working hard to complete Boy Scouts! haha, He´ll be the first one to get his Eagle.....

Thats crazy that Reo and I will be coming home on the same day!! Are you positive?? That would be awesome!! AHHH CRAZINESS!!! I should get my flight plans one of these weeks. Maybe ill even extend my mission?? Who knows? Im flexable because my visa took so long to come in :D

I love you mom! Ill start my other email with you!
Elder Arroyo

We are only instruments in God's hands.

Man... I just got one word to say... CARNIVAL..!! My innocent eyes and ears have been damaged for forever.. ha.. I dont know where this holiday came from.. But everyone comes to Outeiro to celebrate. The Brasilians have no shame at all... But all this means Mardi Gras for yall huh? I bet yall are having a great time counting your beads.. Our new house is close to the beach, there are parties all night long, and the music is so loud... This morning we went running early like usual, and wow... So much trash on the beach and sidewalks... But im definitely going to buy a Carnival shirt :) theyre kinda cool.

  But on a good note! Yesterday at church a man, walked in like he owned the place. And he wanted to talk to everyone, then we finally got our chance to talk to him, and he wanted to be baptised yesterday. But were like no man.. you gotta wait at least 1 or 2 weeks.. This guy is sooo awesome! We have found a whole bunch of New investigators this past week.. But no one is married!! They just live together.. Everyone knows that it is a sin to do this, Its just so normal for them that it doesnt appear to be bad anymore.

 Yesterday The Branch President called me to speak in Sacrament again. this would be my third time ha.. I was like ok, I accept, And 3 minutes later I went up to Elder Rodriguez and was like, Dude... President called you to speak in Sacrament. He went up there and man.. No body understood what he was saying.. I swear that when he gets nervous, he speaks spanish thinking hes speaking in portuguese.. But he did a great job. :D I received one more companionship in my district!! woo!! Elder Critchfield and Elder De Oliveria. Which makes a total of 4 companionships in my District!! WOO!! that is a huge district for this mission. I think I have the biggest district.

I know that the Lord is preparing his children for our messages. We are only instruments in Gods hands. Without him, im nothing, and with him im everything. We just need to be humble enough to let him move us, and make us a better person.
Elder Arroyo

Im...Brasilian...Paráense.

Hey mom! Another week here in the mission.. So TRANSFERSSSS!! I know, I didnt even know it was coming up! But Me and Elder Rodriguez are staying here, And im staying as District Leader. Thank Goodness! I have been switching companions like crazy lately! My District will change up a little Sister Costa is being transferred and ill receive Sister Welch, from New Jersey I think. And as well, Ill receive Elder Inacio!! WOO!! haha, its going to be a fun transfer.
  Its been raining a lot lately, and I forgot what cold is, cause im wearing a long sleeve shirt today.... haha...Im...Brasilian...Paráense..Im super happy that im staying here in Outeiro, This transfer will only be 5 weeks. And after this transfer ill only have 2 more.... Theyre buying my plane tickets as we speak..Crazy.. My arm is a lot better, still cant do push ups yet.. but were still running farther and farther every other day. Im getting in really good shape. Ive been eating lots of fruits and granola. And of course rice and beans for lunch :).
  There is a temple trip for our stake coming up, and everyone is going crazy about family history! We are trying to get as many names as possible. Family History is really difficult here... Because after youre grandparents it just goes to indians for a lot of people..
  Today we decided to stay here on the island to use the internet..man, never again will we do this. It took us like 2 hours to find a cyber, and when we found it it was full.., and it was already noon so everything closes until about 3 or 4 in the afternoon.. Very stressful! But I drank some good ole açai and made a hot dog.. And gave a good clean in our apartment..
  Alem than this nothing has really changed this week. Probably has but, I forget :) sorry.
Thanks a ton for the fotos, if you have any more of anyone from the ward, would love them. Or Anyone at all :D
Love you mom!
Elder Arroyo