Week 11 Heroes

This week's news begins with me displaying my usual degree of reverence outside the San José Temple. It's really tiny and adorable. A member of our ward, Mario, was working at the front desk that day and introduced us to the other temple workers as 'Elder God and Elder Amor, the best missionaries in the world.' He is one of my favourites.

That was Thursday. The next day we had in the chapel an excellent superhero themed activity. It involved a quiz, a treasure hunt, a hot dog, and karaoke. The karaoke was entirely dominated by a family of 12, all of whom can sing/rap.

This is us with Jeff, the ward mission leader, shortly before the activity began.

Despite his antagonist beard, he is also one of my favourites, despite the fact that he sends pictures of me sleeping to my mother.

As you can also see from that picture I had another haircut. I'm not addicted I promise. I just keep asking for the same haircut as my companion. It's my way of showing companionship unity.

Since the last cut was the PrizBuzz I guess this one is the AmorTrim.

I just hope I am not paired with Elder R, who is bald.

Elder A usually does not like to stop and look at insects. As a Brazilian, large ants probably aren't as interesting to him as they are to me. But the other day we were going home at night. It was in a safe neighbourhood, we were not late, and it had been a good productive day. He let me take a picture of some Outside Ants.

On Wednesday we contacted a reference from the church headquarters, for a man who had asked for a Book of Mormon online. When we met with his family he, Arlen, told us that he had spent a long time searching for truth, not wanting to join any specific church as he did not know which, if any, were correct. The faith which leads people to search for truth is the same faith through which our church was restored, and in that hour we met with Arlen we could tell he was someone special.

Arlen and his family accompanied us to the activity on Friday, which they enjoyed greatly. Despite trials at home, they were so determined to attend church on Sunday that they left as soon as they were able and arrived for the last 10 minutes of lessons. Arlen's 4 year old daughter made immediate friends with Jeff's 4 year old daughter, and everyone welcomed them warmly to the ward family. The Bishop himself, in addition to his other duties, requested to be the ministering teacher for Arlen's family.

And he is just one of the many incredible people I have met in my first month of Costa Rica. In truth no email could adequately summarise even just a week of missionary work in this corner of the world, so rest assured that Elder Godivala is on the case, 24/7, working hard to help everyone he can.

Hasta la next week

Elder Godivala