Week 8

Hello everybody!

I'm actually out on my mission now! It's definitely an interesting experience so far. I guess I'll start with my arrival.

As soon as we met the mission president, his wife, and assistants, he gave us a Book of Mormon and told us to give it to someone. I was a little nervous, but his secretary (an Elder Green) helped me. He explained about the book, and I bore my testimony and gave it to the guy. It was good.

I learned that the rules for this mission are pretty strict, but it's not too much of a problem for me. I talked with the mission president and they're strict for a good reason. I am in a town called La Masica. It is really pretty and green. It rains a lot, and it amazes me how it can be rainy and hot at the same time, but it is. My companion is Élder Rubén (same first name as me) Patón. He is 27 years old and is from Bolivia. He speaks a little English, and we use Google Translate to help us along. He's a cool guy and a good missionary. 

I'm not sure entirely what to think of the food. So far it's all been decent except for this little square of cheese I had at the mission office. They also don't really have any spicy food, which is sad. I'm really sad I don't cook for myself much, I wanted to do more, but they have a family do lunch and dinner for us. The portions are a little smaller than I'd like.

I did go grocery shopping though, so I'm gonna make fried egg sandwiches for a while!

 Another funny thing is I keep seeing them put their hands in the food, and I hear Dan Lotspeich's voice in my head asking "Did you wash your hands?" I'm glad I had the learning opportunities I've experienced working for the Lotspeiches. There are also so many flies in there (and almost everywhere else too). I bet someone could make a fortune selling fly strips in bulk! I'm a little bit sick right now, so I definitely wouldn't be surprised to find out if it was from the food.

The little shed we live in is tiny but in good condition. The doors are big and sturdy, so I was able to put in my pull up bar just fine, but they don't really have any way to close the doors. Our bathroom door doesn't even have a latch! We use a rock to keep the door closed between the kitchen and our room (and that's the full tour of the place).

I've definitely already seen more poverty, nudity, hunger, and disease than some Americans will ever see in their lives, which I'm not sure is good, but it's certainly interesting. I am realizing that I really do have things good in my life. That is largely because of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and because of the existence of His Church on the earth. There are so many things that influence our lives, and they're so very complicated. I'm grateful for all the things that have made me who I am today, whether they were good or bad.

One thing I've definitely noticed throughout my life, and certainly here, is that people are typically better off (not necessarily with things of monetary value) when they live the commandments of God. When you act according to the knowledge you have of what is morally right and wrong, you are always blessed.

That's about all I've got, I hope you all are safe and doing well!

Sincerely,
Ruben

Our district at the CCM with our teacher, Hermano Bermudez

Our district with our MTC teacher, Hermano Lopez

The Ostlers welcoming us at the airport in San Pedro Sula.

Me with President and Sister Ostler

Me with Elder Paton, my trainer

Our tiny kitchen

Our interesting shower

Our tiny bedroom

A very green picture

Me and Élder Patón

Here's some of my food from here:
Fried Banano (it's pretty good)


I'm starting to like avocados more. This one was huge.










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