Christmas Concerts!

Even though the Christmas season started here in the middle of October, this week has felt like Christmas is really getting close. It's strange to not have the physical indicators like leaf-less trees and cold weather. Our days are a little shorter but it's  something you really have to be paying attention to, to even notice. We attended two Christmas concerts this weekend. One was put on by the Caribbean Area of the Church and was a big production. Like many big productions, there was too much of one thing. This time it was the bell choris. I think they had 12 numbers. But overall it was a fun production. The other concert was put on by our Mission.  Elder Hodsun put together a choir with some string instruments and a Piano to accompany. There were a few technical difficulties but they did a great job. It was held on the Temple grounds which gave the whole very peaceful spirit. It was the first time for many of those who came to be on the Temple grounds. I sat with a family who is investigating and have been coming to our Branch in Nizau. I think they enjoyed it. As you can see from the pictures below the kids and I did anyway. 

I made another trip to the airport this week. I took an Elder who served in Santiago. When he went to the airport a week ago to fly home, his passport was expired. He was hanging out with the Assistants in our mission while he got a new passport. The US embassy is in our mission so it more convenient for him to be here. We felt really bad for him. Imagine being away from home for 2 years, having a hurricane hit your home, finally getting to go home to see your family and friends and then getting stopped at the airport. He seemed to be taking it all in stride. 

I went to Azua again with Elder Buhler. This time the main purpose was to find a house for us to move into. We looked at a few but had some problems with the car which really limited our time. We are going to try again this week. but we got some news from the mission president that may set the plans to move back a little.

On Friday we got a call from one of the assistants that President Santos wasn't feeling well. He was IN Barahona having interviews with the missionaries. He started feeling bad so they took him to the hospital in Barahona. The farther away from Santo Domingo you get the worst the medical care is. He started feeling better and so they didn't keep him overnight. TO be safe they came back to Santo Domingo to have things looked at and the doctors here thought he needed some more tests and some time in the Hospital. SO far he has spent Friday Saturday and now Sunday night in the Hospital. We are praying for him. We are told he is feeling much better. I have already said this many times Mission President has to be the hardest calling in the Church. I think it has taken a toll on his health.

This week while I was out and about I needed to stop and get some gas for the truck. I pulled into a station that I had never been to before. I introduced myself as a missionary for the church and was ready to introduce him to the church. He got a big smile on his face and said he was a member. I questioned him about saying he "WAS"  a member. He corrected himself and said that he still is but is less active. He enthusiastically showed me pictures of his baptism from 2 years ago.  He lit up when he showed me pictures fo his missionaries. I invited him to come back to church and told him that the church needed him and the Lord wants him to return. 

I spent a great night teaching with the Elders from Nizau. We first visited a family that has just started coming to church that looked to us like they could use a little help. We went shopping and filled a big apple box full of food and I got to take it to the family with the missionaries. We taught a lesson also. We then went to a couple of other homes and taught lessons. I really have enjoyed the time I have been able to spend with people. I love the chance to share my testimony and help others feel the love I have for the Savior and His church.

As you can see another fun and full week. We hope you are all well and keeping warm. We are!

Your friends
Hermana Y Elder Borup


Everyone wants to take a selfie with the old guy! This was taken at the missionary Christmas Concert. She goes to our Branch in Nizau. Her family just moved from Haiti.
Another trip to the airport
Light the World  Concert sponsored by the Caribbean Area
If you look really close there is a pig in this manger scene 
The mayor of a nearby city put up this replica of the Eiffel tower last year at Christmas. It was so popular they kept it up all year by really light it up at Christmas.
I'm sure glad this family came to the concert. They kept me entertained.
More fun at the concert
Our mission choir
This what is left after Hermana Borup and 2 Elders had at a pan of enchiladas.
This proof that Hermana Borup leaves the lights on. I'm going to use this picture next time she tells me to turn off the lights.
Getting her hair lightened. I did it last time, I was replaced by Elizabeth and her daughter.
This was outside a house we looked at in Azua.
More fun with selfies
Elder Hodson and Elder Shaw waiting to teach one of their investigators. 
These Mormons thought they would light our world. I was taking a picture of him who was taking a picture of some youth in his ward giving us a bottle of water.
These are a couple of girls we see every week at church. The one in white we give a ride to church.
Primary kids after the Primary Program
Primary kids with some of the leaders
Phones are a great way to keep kids entertained while their parents are being taught.

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