Monday, June 8, 2009

Two new converts!
Elder Garcia
What's for dinner? Rice and beans of course!
P-day with Elders at church eating Mexican Pizza for my B-day.
Mutt & Jeff

Hey!!!

Of course I had a good week. Two weeks ago we had 4 baptisms for our district so it was great. It has rained almost every night, comes in and moves out quick but dumps a lot of water so it is really hot, humid and muddy the next day. I drink about a gallon of water a day so I don't get dehydrated.

I did get my package you mailed over 6 weeks ago and everything was still in it. I must be growing still because the rubber boots you sent me do not fit me now, I could not even get my foot into them, but they fit my companion so he took them and gave me a pair of brand new shoes that are too big for him but they fit me perfectly so we are even. He said, "Estos son bonita" which means there are beautiful, so he likes them.

I sent a picture of the food I eat usually every night, rice and beans. The meat is strange because it is dipped in lime juice so it is kind of tangy and the other fried stuff is plantos (unsweetened banana). We do get veggies but it usually tomatoes and avocados which I have a an allergic reaction too because my mouth and throat swells and I talk two octaves lower. Not many desserts or treats so if you want to send me candy that will not melt, I like skittles and starburst.

Our district had changes but I am still with Elder Garcia, but we did get two new Gringos. This week has probably been the hardest for me so far, we have not had any baptism prospects and all of the investigators we were teaching are no longer interested. The natives are interesting to me, he are hard workers physically but mentally and spiritually they are like little children in the way they act, they do not take things very seriously except when it comes to their sort-of Catholic religion. They really put up a fight and scream and yell loudly during Sunday service with loud drums and guitars, it sounds like Gospel Screamo ha-ha. They have their members get on the buses and screech at the top of their lungs, I mean preach, about Jesus, Holy Spirit,and all kinds of stuff that doesn't make sense. The buses have religious pictures and sayings on the side of them too, it is different. They see Christ only as an image not as a true Savior.

The people struggle keeping the commandments to read, pray, repent and it is frustrating because we want them to be happy. I think sometimes the natives are into getting a certain number of baptisms for statistics and do not see investigators as a Child of God. I don't care if we have 9 baptism a week, if the new members are not returning to church, active and trying each day to become closer to Christ, then I'm not doing as good as a missionary. I told my native companion this and he was mad at me for a couple of days, but I guess he understands now because we have been teaching and visiting less active ward members and new converts.

I love what I am doing, my Spanish is improving everyday. I can understand what people are saying except a word or two. Yes I am happy, I love this work and I know the Lord is pleased as long as I do what I'm suppose to do. I love you all, Mom, Dad, Carly, Tanner, Emily, Kendal, Carver, Amanda, Kade, Kallee, Siddalee, and Maisy. It is so awesome you got a new puppy Kade!

Love,
Elder Buck