Transfers and contacting

If you have or have had a missionary in your family you know they live from transfer to transfer (6 weeks). It is how missionaries mark their time. For us, they come very fast. After all, we just had one 6 weeks ago.  They are a time of stress for everyone. There is an amazing amount of coordination that has to take place, lots of trips to the airport, It's a good time to get mail out and there always seems to be more. This time there was a number of missionaries that needed to go home early some for medical reasons some for lack of obedience, some were both. It's a very stressful time for a mission president. He knows how hard it is for missionaries when they go home early for any reason. You could see his heartbreak fo reach missionary.

 Most of our week was filled with helping out during transfers. We also got to do some missionary work in Azua and around about. Hermana Borup and I decided that we could be more of an influence if we are more visible, so we are walk when we can. This has been very fun for us. We are not the usual sight here so we get a lot of looks. Many don't know what to think but as soon as we wave or say hi we are greeted with a big warm smile. We got our first investigator by walking into town. There was a mother holding her child who had amazing hair. We commented on how beautiful her babies hair was. She asked if we are Mormons we told that we were and asked if we could come back and tell her about our church. She said she would like to know more. Bam, it's that easy. Take that Europe.
We're getting more settled in and it's starting to feel more like home. The roosters are still load but the combination of earplugs and adapting have made it so we can sleep through them. Perhaps the most annoying thing is the motorcycles. I know that doesn't sound right coming from me. Let me explain, I love motorcycles. In fact, I'm very tempted to buy one here because they are so practical and I would love to have a Honda Super Cub some day. The annoying thing is the noise. I've never seen a motorcycle in Azua that is bugger than 200 cc but they all make noise like they are bigger. The race up and down the streets at all times of the day.

One of our adventures this week was to go to an area that is just outside of Azua. One of the Hermanas that has lived here for several transfers has wanted to start going there to start a Church Group. There are some members that live there now. She was told that if she can get 15 - 20 people interested they can have a group there. We drove the Hermanas (there are 3) out to the area. We met with the members that live there and one of them took us around to visit a couple of her friends. We taught a couple of lessons and were invited to return. When the member returned home we split up and went contacting. Hermana Borup and I went with one Hermana and the other Hermanas went together. We decided we would meet in an hour. All of us were invited into the first house and had a discussion and were then invited to come back to teach them more. I think there is some interest in the area.

One night Hermana Borup and I decided we would go contacting in our area. We took our tablet and a downloaded video and asked the first person we saw if we could share a video with her. She invited us in and we should her the movie. We asked how she felt about it. She liked it. She told us that her ex-husband was a returned missionary. I asked her with some hesitation if he was a good guy. She said he was. She spent a lot of time telling us about her life, only some of which we could understand. We did understand that her mother had passed away recently and that it was a very traumatic event. We asked if we could come back and tell her more about our church and she was happy to make an appointment. in case you are counting that is investigator number 2. (but who's counting?)

Hermana Borup goes home tomorrow to be there for McKenzie when she has her first baby. It's going to be hard for a couple of weeks. We love the work here and we love the people. People just go out of there way to help us however they can. We want to reward them by giving them the most precious thing that we have a testimony of Christ and His restored church. We are happy to keep trying to do that. Have another great week.
 Your friends,

Hermana Y Elder Borup

PS things not included in the blog, Breakfast with all the Hermanas (7) in Azua and Hermana Borup getting to have a hair combing party with a Hermana that has lice. (see picture below)

On their way home from church. The driver is a member of the church and he makes his living by giving people rides on the back of his motorcycle, a career I aspire to. 25 pesos (50 cents) per ride. if he gets 2 to ride at the same time he gets 50 pesos. I think this ride is gratis. 

Just another overloaded truck. It is a usual sight for us.

Hermana Borup though they look alike. One is Samoan the other is Mexican. Both are great Hermanas

Transfers mean saying goodbye. The Hermana on the left is going home> She had some health problems but never wanted to go home. We're so proud of her for making it to the end. 

An Elder from our Stake at home, proving to his parents that he got the package.

Does anyone know what that comb is for? I wish I didn't. I had to go on a mission to learn.

Morning Bike ride to a nearby beach. This was the sight of a naval battle between Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Same place, better view.

Hermana Borup thinks I will upstage the bride if I wear this to Madison's Wedding. I don't think that is possible. 

Going to Santo Domingo now means staying with the Buhlers. This is a view from their apartment.

Finding new investigators outside of Azua. I felt like the 6th wheel.

My view after a swim out to that point. Hermana Borup wanted some sun before she goes home this week. I liked the shade.

Our Landlord sells water. 25 pesos for 5 gallons, which is less than half in the city. She says its the best water, at least it has the best name.

They look menacing but they are really very timid.