What's up, everyone! The first week in the new area was awesome. It's a few hours outside of the main city and has a little bit of a different vibe then where I have been recently. My new comp is Elder Bittencourt, a Brazilian from Bahia who has about 19 months on the mission. He is an unreal missionary and is teaching me a lot.
I touched on it a little in my last email, but I am currently in the exact area my dad finished his mission. It is seriously one of the craziest and surreal experiences I've had because I'm literally taking the same steps he did 25 years ago. He has sent me a bunch of names and pictures from his time here, and this week I have been able to meet some of the people he baptized and knew while he was out here. It almost doesn't feel real being here, but I love it.
Throughout the week I met a few members that had given him lunch when he was out here, and it was cool to see how different the area and ward was back then. This Sunday, however, I had one of the coolest moments of my life happen. I met the parents of a family my dad baptized. Seeing them for the first time felt like I was coming home to family. They gave me the biggest hug and both of us couldn't believe it was happening. We talked all about how they met my dad, and their conversion story to the church and what he was like as a missionary. Seeing the ward's reaction to our encounter and the backstory was awesome to see. They are the best people and are basically like grandparents to me.
The wonderful couple that Elder Copeland's father baptized when he was a missionary there.
The couple today with Elder Copeland.
We also had the baptism of the three kids in a family where the parents were baptized a long time ago. They had been taught for a while but just now everything lined up for their baptism. It was a mini-miracle everything came into place, but it was a happy moment for the family.
Now that I'm a Zone Leader, the work and list of things to do has doubled. My comp and I now are in charge of 11 duplas (companionships) which means a lot more calls, practices, and training, but it's been good for me. It's pushing me and helping me grow as a missionary.
I love the mission and being a missionary. It's hard but the joy it brings you is so worth it! Hope everyone has an awesome week!
I've attached a few photos of my dad and now me in the same place as well as people he met!
Love you all!
Elder Copeland
