May 2, 2016

Dear Family,

Hows everything in California? Its been a long time since I've been in US soil. I think I've turned Peruvian to win over the Peruvians how Paul told the corinthians. A lot of things have happened this week and we are really excited for the amazing miracles that have occurred. Me and my companion had a baptism on Saturday and it was really amazing to feel the spirit of repentance that could be felt. I know that the work we do is the Lords work. Sister  Nazario Cortez was baptized and confirmed yesterday. This coming month we are excited to work with this zone. Last year the number of baptisms at this time were really low (5,6,5,7). This year in these months that have passed the number has gone up (12,10,10,14,8). We see that the zone is progressing and the zone we are in charge is truly a zone that people said "nothing happens here...its a rich area, (no pasa nada)". We are excited to say that this coming month for May we are putting a goal of 20 baptisms, with 5 families, and 6 men as we say it here. We have the potential as a zone to break the record of 18 that has been the highest. We are really excited and looking forward this month to work with these awesome missionaries. We have put a goal with a lot of faith and with a perfect hope that we will be able to reach it.

Next week are changes and we are hoping that this will not affect the progress of the zone. President Erickson is in his last 6 weeks of his mission and the new president will be arriving here at the end of June. His name is President Godfrey, hes from Utah and we are excited to see what changes in the mission. Not sure how its going to like but Im sad because this last week was my last interview with my President that I have had all my mission. He has helped me so much and thank him truly for helping me in my conversion. I have learned so much from him and the areas I have been in. One time I heard why the Lord chooses a missionary to serve in a certain place. There are three options why a missionary serves in a certain mission. 1. He goes to that mission because he needs to learn something specific in that area or with the people he interacts. This could be things that he needs to do and things he shouldn't do which the Lord warns him on not doing. 2. Is that the missionary needs to go there because their are people waiting for him and only that missionary could help that person. 3. The missionary goes to that mission because he needs to learn something from his mission president or an attribute he has. I have found this to be true.

I know which one is mine and have found it when i had 6 months in the mission. Since that moment I have worked really heard to make my weaknesses into strengths. Im grateful for the revelation God gives his children here on earth. His grace helps us to keep progressing in this life. This week I have given a lot of priesthood blessings and really bold declarations have came out of my mouth. I have told them that they may be healed and then on Sunday we saw them and they were fine. Really the Lord helps us be angels in his hands and helps those in need. I invite you guys to read a scripture in Acts 10:38.

I really love this scripture because it says "that the savior went about healing all those being oppressed by the devil" I know that all my mission me and my companion have been taking out demons among the sons of God. Even the demons believe in God and tremble...How James said. They know who we are and they tremble. I love my savior and I testify he lives. He has resurrected from the dead and he lives above all things. I have gotten to love him with all my heart and I thank him for helping me to not be ignorant any more.

I love you guys and cant wait to talk to you guys.

Elder Parra