Los SIQUIZAPAS... (the ants go marching...)

2 more baptisms, a surprising discussion, and "this ain't yo mama's pizza". All of this and one surprising phone call!

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Glynis here - It's hard to believe that our Elder has been out almost 8 months! Time seems to be flying by! I love being able to hear from Jacob on a more regular basis. The thing I love best about it is that he recognizes that I need to hear from him. I need those calls more than he does. He is happy and working hard, but he wants me to feel good about him, so he lets me know each week! I'm so grateful for this mission that has taught Jacob the importance of family, and being connected! Thanks to all of you for the notes and emails that you send him. He truly does appreciate them!

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Hey guys!

This week was pretty good! We had 2 baptisms and we had some other interesting things happen, as well. So, let's dive right into it.

First off, story time... On Tuesday my companion and I were out proselyting, when I got a phone call. I answered it in Spanish like I normally do, expecting someone to start talking. There was silence on the other end of the line, and then I heard someone speaking English. He explained that he was an American who moved to Peru two years ago. He doesn't speak Spanish and is having a really rough time. One of his friends gave him our phone number. I set up an appointment with him in English. It felt super weird! I'm not going to lie, it felt kind of sketchy to be speaking in English! For the appointment, we told him to meet us in the Plaza de Armas, the main square. That way, there would be a ton of people, and we also brought a member of the branch with us, just for support... just in case. We got there, and he was just a normal guy who needed our help. My companion and I (well, mostly me), taught him the Restoration of the Gospel in English. It was so HARD! Seriously, it was difficult. It's going to be so funny when I get home and my English is garbage! I'm apologizing now, Mom!

We also had a baptism this week! We baptized 2 kids that we've been teaching, Karen and Luis. They are the grandchildren of a member. Their mom is an inactive member, and their dad is not a member. Mom and dad aren't married, but we'll see if that will change soon. I hope so! The baptism was great. We invited literally everyone! Best of all, we had a great turnoutI baptized Hermano Luis, and a member baptized Hermana Karen. It was awesome! They had a lot of family members there who aren't members of the church so we got their information so we can visit them sometime later this week.

One more thing I almost forgot!This wee we had a family home evening. We were at the home of the Cabrera family. I was there, rolling pizza dough out when Hermana Cabrera opened up her refrigerator and pulled out a jar full of black circles. I thought they were olives or something, so I was like, "Oh, cool! Olives!" But I was very much mistaken. They. Were. ANTS!!! They are called Siquisapa, which I think means giant ant. They fry them, and you eat them like popcorn. They don't taste too bad, actually, but they are super crunchy! I hope you will all enjoy the pictures!

Well, I was all ready to send that email, when something BIG just happened. I got a phone call from Presidente Li. He told me I was being transferred back to Iquitos to be his personal secretary! Tomorrow I leave for Iquitos again, so here we go! I don't have any more information about it but I'll let you guys know more next week!

Well, not much more happened this week. I hope you all have a fabulous week. Seriously, let me know how you all are doing. I love you guys!

May the force be with you!

-Elder Neves