The last time for some things

Things are starting to feel a little weird because many of the things that we have been doing for the last year-plus, we are doing for the last time. This week we went into the Capital and helped out with transfers for the last time. Hermana Neria came in the first group that we helped train as new missionaries was in the group going home. She got here 2 weeks after we did but she was in the MTC before she got here. Elder Clark went home and he was in Nizau which was the first Branch we attended while we worked in the office. Elder Tuddenham got to Nizau just as we left and he went home as well as Elder Castco who served in the office, as an assistant for what seemed like forever. Elder Falls served with us in Azua for 4 and a half months. We got to know him well and already miss him. Also in this group was an Hermana from El Salvador Hermana Quijano (who was a great missionary but we really didn't get to know her well) and an Elder that had to go home early due to health reasons. These are great young missionaries that are going to make an impact in the world as they serve in the church and community.

One of the exciting things that I was able to do this week was to take two Hermanas to Enriquillo. Enriquillo is a small branch about an hour south of Barahona. There have always been Elders there. I think because it is so isolated. Now it is an Hermana who has only been here for 2 transfers and just finished getting trained and she is training a new Hermana from the United States. I have to admit I felt very uncomfortable about taking them there because of how isolated it is. Their phone was not yet working so I spent some time with them as the Branch President took them around and introduced them to some members. The members were very excited to have Hermana missionaries. They bring a special spirit with them. Once the phone was working I left and given the response from the members, I felt a little better about their situation. There are a disproportionate number of young men ages 17- 30 that just seem to sit around with nothing to do, It makes me a little nervous leaving the Hermana there.

Much of my week has been spent getting things together for the business I am trying to help Ramon with. I spent some time in the capital and then he spent the day here learning how to make things, or at least learning how I have figured out how to make things. I think he is going to do a great job making touristy things out of coconuts. He said he really enjoyed doing the work. We figured that we made about 4,500 pesos worth of product and only had a direct cost of about 500 pesos. 4000 pesos is about equal to $80 US. IF he can do that each day and sell the products, that will turn out to be a good business for him.

We took Ramon home to Padre Las Casas after we worked together. We had to take a refrigerator to the Hermanas that work there now. It is really fun to see how the Branch has rallied around the Hermanas. They are in a very similar situation as the Hermanas in Enriquillo. Padre Las Casas is also an hour from anywhere. It does feel a little more tame, however, maybe because there seems to be more work in Padre. Either way, the Hermanas have already made a big impact on the Branch. One thing that we have enjoyed watching is how much Hermana Earl has changed. She is a new missionary. When we took them to Padre 6 weeks ago she looked like she was about ready to cry at any minute. She was in a tough place with a companion that didn't speak much English and she was just learning Spanish. Now when we see her she is just beaming. She has found peace in doing the Lord's work.

Something I've been thinking a lot about is how studying Spanish has helped my understanding of the Gospel. Words don't often transfer word for word from one language to another. Words are attached to ideas. As I read the scriptures in Spanish new meanings to the scriptures have been apparent to me. One example is the parable of separating the sheep and the goats. The sheep were the ones that served others and received the reward of Salvation and the goats did not serve "the least of these" and did not receive the rewards. In English, the words are simply sheep and goats. Two different species and that is the only difference. In Spanish, the word instead of sheep is "Ovejas". Which is way more specific than just sheep. Oveja is an adult and since all Spanish words are either masculine or feminine it is feminine. The word for goat is "cabrito" which is a young goat and is a masculine word. It seems to me that there is a deeper lesson to learn from the parabole in Spanish than from the parabole in English. Maybe about characteristics that are labeled as "feminine" or acting more "mature". I'll let you decide, but I think the deeper meaning of the Spanish words gives a deeper meaning to the parabole.

Our time is getting shorter. We love serving here and know we are going to miss it but we are looking forward to seeing everyone at home.

Your Friends
Hermana Y Elder Borup

Hermana Cruz from Santo Domingo is transferring Missions to the Portland Oregon Mission. She served 9 months here but because of her visa to the US, she needs to go to the US during a certain window of time.

This week I took 2 Hermanas to Enriquillo which is South of Barahona about 1 hour. I didn't want to leave them without an activated phone so while we waited the Branch President took us around to meet members. Hermana Roland from Panama ( a friend of Hermana Cabrera) has only 3 months here and will be training Herman Watkins who is new form the MTC.