Mango is like Zucchini

Imagine living in a place that fruit is as plentiful as zucchini in the summer in Utah. I used to think our landlady is just really nice to give us mangos every day. Now I think it's like people in Utah just trying to find people to give their zucchini to. She has discovered these Mormon guest are too nice to say no. So now we are getting all of her surpluses. Really it's way more than we can use. The missionaries are not really excited about it either because they get their own from the members.

The Church here has a program called SOY. It is a week-long camp like EFY forms youth age 16-18. They have a camp in the mountains where they have cabins and can gather over 1000 youth. It is cooler there and isolated from the rest of the cities. They hold it for three different weeks. One week for the members that live in each of the 3 missions. Escarlin, who is a new convert, was able to go. It was nip and tuck there for a while. She was nervous about going especially the part about not being able to use her phone or the internet. On Friday night (they left on Monday morning) she was still undecided. At our branch Bachata party, she talked to the Branch President. After that meeting, she was all ready to go. I don't know what he said to her but I really believe it has to do with Priesthood keys. She needed to go, and he knew what to say.

There was a bit of a hang-up. When we took her to the chapel to catch the bus. There was some confusion about where the bus was going to pick them up. The member in charge had to call the bus driver who slept in. We ended up taking way too many youth and their luggage to another chapel to get picked up. When the bus driver arrived he was driving a bus that fits 30 people and no room for luggage. There were 45 youth going with enough luggage for a week. In typical Dominican style, they made due with what they had. They fit them all in! As it turns out the District President decided to get another bus which they met up with soon after we said goodbye. When we went to pick up Escarlin all the youth had smiles ear to ear. It was really a great time for them all. Especially Escarlin.

We spent a couple of days in the Capitol helping with transfers. We aren't really much help anymore because they are getting used to us not being there. However, we drove missionaries around and were able to say goodbye to those going home. This was a great group of missionaries who served hard to the end. We were able to go to the Temple with them and have a meal at the Presidents house with them.

They had to close down some areas this transfer because we sent home more than came. As it turned out 2 of those areas are in our zone. One closed are was Padre Las Casas which is a Branch about an hour away. They rely heavily on the missionaries. We are going to be making a few trips up there in the next few weeks. The other closed area is making a 4 missionary branch into a 2 missionary branch. We expect both areas will reopen when our numbers go up again in 6 more weeks.

Elder Paulo from our Branch got transferred and we received Elder Brutus who is from the Dominican Republic. He had a bit of a reputation of not being obedient and not working hard. As I have got to know him in this last week I have learned that you can't always believe what oyu hear. He is fun and energetic and seems to be very dedicated to following the rules. We loved Elder Paulo but at the same time, we are excited about Elder Brutus. He has an infectious smile.

We continue to be busy. It seems like we are telling ourselves that this was our busiest week yet and we said that again this week. We have new people we are meeting and we continue to meet with many less active members and new members. It is fun to be a missionary (not always easy). We love the work here but we love the people more. Today in Church a sister felt prompted to write down some impressions she had while she was listening to one of the talks. When she was through she shared what she wrote with us. It was touching that she wanted to share her spiritual impressions with us. But we find that this is the way people are here, open and thoughtful.

have another great week.

Elder Hermana Y Elder Borup

Elder Terrel gets his shoes shined while waiting for the transfer bus.

The Hermanas were very excited to be close to the water. We live on an Island but it is very rare for missionaries to get to even see the ocean.

Elder Nelson on his last day. He was in Azua for 6 months (almost the whole time we have been here) We miss him already.

"Now what do we do?"

Going home the next day.

This little girl has the most amazing eyes. The kids here are the most beautiful kids anywhere.

The youth from our branch and Padre Las Casas getting ready to go to SOY. a church-sponsored youth camp 16-18 years old

The other side of the same truck

Another lice party. Hermana Chacon is an expert by now. she went home this week.

Some of these names are normal some aren't

More names from the Hermana's investigator pool.

These 2 were companions in Azua when we first got here.

I'm not sure which is older the man or the motorcycle. I think they were both built in the 50s

Missionaries waiting for their last meal at the mission Presidents home.

Elder Nelson again.

Elder Hodson trained me to do the office tasks. I'm not sure if I should thank him or curse him. He was a great missionary and we miss him already also.