November 16, 2009

These are all new Elders in Barranca

Will and his companion.

Querida Familia.
All is well in Barranca, it’s been a very interesting week here. My comp and I have been working very hard in the area and getting to know the branch etc. better every day. In our 2 Sundays we have had 53 and 40 people in the little church house, the branch is very weak but we have found some great members as well as some of the youth in the branch who are very faithful and strong in the church so we are using them a lot to help us teach etc. and help show us the area.
We worked very hard during the week and found 15 new investigators, had 12 who committed they would come to church and read the book of Mormon and when Sunday arrived, 1 showed up. I just need to remember that effort is success in this business and were gonna find the way to get these people to our church and strengthen this branch. It’s honestly a rough thing because you want people to come to church so bad so that they progress but I am almost afraid to let them see the church. Haha it would be easier if they could just know the missionaries, get baptized and then meet the other members. There is very little unity or friendship in the branch and the reverence has a lot to be desired.
But we are not here to look for problems, rather solutions. So we planned and announced Sunday that every Friday we will have English classes at the church and every other Saturday we will have branch activity nights to bring the members together, train them, help them become friends and help strengthen their testimonies.
This week President Hacking will be here to speak to the priesthood leaders of the district so hopefully that will help. Basically, there is a lot to do here, we’ve gotta make the church a place where people can feel the spirit and where there is love and at the same time bring new people in. No one said it would be easy, but we are going to do our best and enjoy it.
To make things better is our apartment. The rumor is that when they first rented it they never dedicated it, it has bad vibes. The water from the tap isn’t safe to drink and the entire week we have had on and off water. I have had to shower 2 days with a big bucket and a pitcher and we went 2 days without being able to flush the toilet or wash the dishes. So we were not able to follow the mission schedule.
We have been house hunting but they had a 4 day weekend so we can’t do anything until tomorrow. President Hacking called and we told him what was happening and he told us to get out. We got hotel rooms until we could finalize our new apartments. You don’t realize until you don’t have it just how much you can’t live without water. But President sent a good group of us here and we know it’s up to us to change things so we’ve just been doing the best we can and keep fighting.
Elder Williams and I could relate to driving around in our Chevy trucks and listening to country music. Haha he is a cool kid and we are the pioneer gringos here so we have been getting along great and it’s nice to relax and talk about sports or music etc. every once in a while.
This week it’s been in the 90’s most days, I actually feel like I am getting more used to the heat, honestly it just depends on your attitude. If you go out whining about how hot it is you will suffer but if you don’t worry about it, it’s just fine. The thing here is you really don’t ever get sun burnt. The humidity is the major drawback. There is no wind and the heat seems to come from the ground so you go under a tree or in shade and it doesn’t change haha. But Im doing fine, drinking lots of water and working hard.
My son is doing great. He hates sports even soccer and is a big time kung fu expert, so at least no one should mess with us. He has a good attitude and has no problems working hard. His only problem is that he loves Chile and compares every thing to Chile but we have been working on that and I’m sure he will get over it and get used to Colombia. He taught me how to make Chilean cheese empanadas so I will have to whip some up when I get home.
Moms Questions :
For laundry we rent a washer and hang up stuff on a line we have going across the apartment.
Every day here is short sleeve shirt and washable pants, I gave one pair to Elder Amador so I only have 2 left (possible Christmas present).
It doesn’t rain much honestly and I have yet to use my raincoat in the mission.
We have lunch every day except pday with members which is good and the food is similar to Bucaramanga. We have lots of stuff like Yucca and rice every day but I have no problems with the food. Breakfast is usually oatmeal or cereal or a sandwich.
Our area is humongous but we have been working in the part close to the chapel only, so we have only used a taxi twice so far.

It’s been all over the news that Chavez is telling Colombia to get ready for war and that the US is putting bases there to invade Venezuela and steal his oil. No one thinks he will do anything but he is buying tons of war stuff and they know he gives stuff to the farc which is no good but that’s life.
We all live in the same apartment but this week we should have our separate apartments finalized.
There are no bad mosquito problems. I could maybe use some insoles for one pair of my shoes.
For Christmas I think it'll be the same as last year as far as phone calls, maybe a day or two before.
The church is true. I’m out of time. I love you all. You’re in my prayers. I always want to remember that we are called to serve, not be served, and we are having a good time at it. Love Elder B