Rainy Days

Hello Family!

We had our first baptism here in Matagalpa, the converts name is Juan Pablo. He was so scared to get confirmed in sacrament meeting though.  We explained before what we were going to do but he was stilled scared to do it, but at least we had a baptism.

There were a lot of drunks down here this week too. Right now, as I'm typing, there is a weird religion guy from the states talking to me about theology... calling out, " The Mormon's go back to the dead sea scrolls and all that fun stuff that doesn't make any sense. "

Thank you for sending off that package. I will be waiting to receive that...

As far a money to live on monthly, we receive less in this mission than any other missions in Central America.  We do eat almost all meals at the house-fast food place every day, besides breakfast.   When we have a chance we can usually go into town and get some bread and other foods. Really, the living conditions here in Matagalpa are better than any place I have lived so far on my mission.

Right now my companion and I have colds, head ache, low fever, cough and a sore throat.  As long as my companion is not being a jerk i will be alright.  I think we caught cold from all this rain, my rain jacket doesn't work as good as i though it would so i will need to get a new one. It rains here every day so i am never dry and then when i need to go take a shower the water is freezing cold so that stinks...

At church yesterday, a brother from the branch said i needed to go rest that i don't look good.  Later that night i wasn't feeling good at all when we left the house to go eat. Then i asked my companion  if he was feeling better and he fakes it by saying, "Yeah I'm feeling great, i have the same thing you have"! We walk outside and I have my jacket on and its still raining.  He is walking outside with no jacket on, getting all wet and coughing up his lungs. (I swear this kid is so stubborn, he doesn't take pills cause he says his faith will heal him)  I couldn't help myself so I said,  "Wow, your kind of dumb did you not listen at all to Dallin H. Oaks talk about what Brigham Young said "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD".  We still need to use cold medicines and take care of our health along with our faith."  He just called me a baby, I'm weak and all that....)

I decided I wasn't that hungry and said I was going back to the house and he yells "NO YOUR NOT" and keeps yelling crap at me.  When we get back to the house he walks up and holds his hands over the lock  and is like "your not getting in..." I said "whatever" and just sat down on the steps.  He then starts telling me that I will regret everything I do and that I'm not a missionary; that a real missionary would make sacrifices.  Then he starts doing little kicks at me and saying, "ELDER BUCK, ELDER BUCK GET UP!, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A BABY THEN WE WILL GO INSIDE!" I got up, went inside, got in bed and fell asleep. Today I am feeling about the same but i am happy to hear from you guys.

This area is the hardest area.  Our attendance in church this week was 55 people and the normal here is about 110,  so we are doing horrible at getting members and investigators to come to church.  None of the members here are even worthy for a temple recommend and we are doing the best we can to increase the attendance but nothing has worked so far.

We have no investigators progressing since last week but we did have the one baptism.  Out of 17 converts who have been baptised the past year only 5 are still coming to church.  None of the members are fellow shipping our investigators when we introduce them to the members, so all our new investigators are dropping like flies.

BUT....I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

I love you all and thank you for all your support
Elder Buck