February 20, 2017 letter - Amaralina

It was kinda crazy week. Tuesday when we got to Sao Paolo we had to find our luggage and our way out to find church representatives to get us to Salvador. Customs here are way more chill than in America everything was so easy haha. We had another two hour flight to Salvador and I have literally never been hotter in my life. I have not stopped sweating in a week. Not even in our cold shower because we don't have hot water!

We stayed the night at the mission home before we got assigned our companions and areas. My companion is Elder Cruz from Honduras and he doesn't speak English so its been an interesting week for me! I just kinda follow him around and try to bear my testimony hahaha. Our area is right next to the beach its called Amaralina if you want to look it up. We live in a house with two other elders from our district and my comp is zone leader as well. I love him so much. He is pretty soft spoken but super nice and patient with me. 

Wednesday was full of lessons and meeting members of our ward. The ward in Amaralina is super strong and the members love the missionaries. No one really speaks English but they understand that i have no clue what is going on hahaah. I am really starting to love it here. Its a little ghetto. I would compare it to James Bond [Casino Royale with Daniel Craig] when he is chasing the guy with the bomb thru the market before he shoots up the embassy. There are wild dogs and cats everywhere and tons of people have horses. There is a group of little monkeys that live in the big tree down the street from our house so that was super cool to see. Our apartment is the whiteone to the left in the picture with elder cruz on the hill. Salvador has more stairs and hills than I could ever imagine haha i get such a good burn going everyday. 

I am the first American in the ward in a couple years so everyone is pretty excited to talk to me lol.

We have been able to have a good amount of lessons everyday and meet with investigators and less actives a lot! This work is difficult but there is no feeling better than being able to teach people and see them feel the spirit testify of the truth of the gospel! I love being able to see people be comforted and uplifted by the spirit. 

Elder Cruz, Eduardo, and Elder Prince

We had a baptism this week!! This investigator was already with a date but I was able to help in a couple lessons and baptize him!! It was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. The spirit was so strong and Eduardo is gonna be a great member. He loves the gospel and is so excited to be more active. 

We have been working way hard! I get home and can't wait to go to sleep. I am still getting accustomed to everything here, the heat, the new culture, not seeing many white people besides the mission pres. and not being able to understand anything. Its really frustrating to not be able to help because I don't know what is happening. 

The food here is way good. The ward is so strong and nice they try to hang with us everyday and make us lunch. Lunch is huge and breakfast and dinner are just like snacks its kinda weird. I try to snack lots. I drink water everyone we go into a house. Its the first thing people ask is if we want water.

Also I don't have very much time to reply because I still have to write mission pres. please tell everyone sorry if I can't reply. I love you all so much and I pray for you everyday. Also mom if you are worried about my safety please don't. I have never felt safer in my life. The missionary badge really is like a giant force field. Its such an interesting feeling. This place is super ghetto though haha.

I love you mom. I hope you are having a good week and stay safe! 

love elder prince

3 nephi 27:20