El Matrimonio Y Bautismo!

A mountain hike, an earthquake, a wedding and a baptism. It all adds to up to one more week in the jungle with Elder Neves!

---

Glynis here: It was great to get Jacob's email this morning, and hear that he was ok. We hadn't heard anything from the mission president regarding the earthquake, so we hoped that no news equals good news! Regarding the new rule about calling home, it looks like Jacob will not be taking advantage of that too often. His president has asked that they only use their allotted computer time to do that. For us, that's when Alan and I are both at work. So, we will be content with emails, and the occasional phone call/video chat when Jacob thinks it's necessary. I'm just thrilled that he's healthy, happy and loving his mission!

---

Hey everyone!!!

So, this week was FANTASTIC! I'll get right to it. Last Monday, we went on a hike, FINALLY! Our district climbed a mountain called, El Morro de Calzada. The hike itself wasn't too hard, it was, however, super hot and humid, and there were so many bugs!!! From the top of the mountain you could see all of Moyobamba, and that was awesome! The best part was hiking with the other Elders. It was the best!

In other news this week, there was an earthquake in Ecuador, and we totally felt it in Peru. At 5:00 in the morning, our house started shaking, and my companion began screaming really loudly. We live on the third floor, so we really felt the swaying, and he was pretty freaked out. He was trying to get me out of bed, but I was so tired from the hike the day before, that I was ready to just die in the bed! Just kidding, mom! It really wasn't too bad. However, there were a couple of old buildings that fell down due to the earthquake so that was something to write home about!

The best part of the week, by far, was the wedding and then the baptism of the family Lloja Ramirez. On Friday morning, we traveled with them to a town just outside of Moyo called Jerillo. It was cheaper for them to get married there. The man who married them was definitely an Adventist pastor so that was interesting! But overall, their wedding was really sweet, and they gave each other such a big hug afterwards, and that was really tender. Then that night, we had a reception for them in the chapel in Moyobamba. A ton of members and investigators showed up, and they all had a great time dancing and singing karaoke.

Saturday night was their baptism. The parents asked a man from the ward to baptize them, as he is their good friend, but Valentina, their daughter, wanted me to baptize her. After the actual ordinance the three of them hugged each other, and I saw Sister Vicente cry. It was so tender! They each bore their testimonies as well, and are looking forward to Sunday when Vicente, who got the priesthood yesterday, will bless the sacrament. I'm so excited for that family!

Overall, that's about it for this week. We are finding new families to teach all the time, and we have a few investigators that are preparing for baptism right now. We think that will take place in March and April. Things are very exciting here!

Write to me and let me know how you all are, and how the snow is treating you! Enjoy the pictures from this week.

Love you guys!

-Elder Neves