More e-mail excerpts from Justin. These messages span February and the First half of March.
2/1/06
This week has been really long. It's going to take me a while to get used to the ghetto. Yes, my address is Julius. It's a totally different world out here, much different than broadway.
Let me give you a run down of a typical day. First, in the morning, we have our studies and then we leave at ten o clock. Usually at that time there aren't too many people on the streets because these ghetto folks don't get up and moving until halfway through the day. So, we'll usually try to visit some less actives or someone in the morning since tracting is less effective (no one would answer the door). On the way there may be some people on the street, and we'll talk to them. Then we come in for lunch and i eat ramen noodles and celery with peanut butter. When we leave in the afternoon we either go tracting, follow up on street contacts, or visit investigators. Then we come in at about seven o clock, when it gets dark, because we don't have a car and we're kind of addicted to breathing.
For dinner we usually get fed by the singles ward. The sunnyside south elders, Wilson and Rees, cover some of the singles ward too so we get fed by them as well. The first night i was here they took us to papa's bar b que. That was goooooood. It's nice to get some home cookin and to talk to some normal people.
That's one thing that's going to be hard to adjust to. the people. You were so right when you said in your last letter that these people are in the ghetto for a reason. A lot of them that we talk to on the streets just aren't capable of understanding. It's sad and frustrating, but sometimes we just have to give them a pass along card and leave them, even though we could probably sit there and talk to them for hours. That's something that i'm going to have to get used to. We have to be really plain and blunt sometimes too. We'll explain prophets and apostles and how Christ's church had them and then we'll say, "So, it's pretty important to have apostles and prophets in the true church, right? Do you know of any church that has apostles and prophets? The only Church on the face of the earth that has apostles and prophets is the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints." Stuff like that. It can be discouraging sometimes.
We have met some crazy people, though. I think it was last friday that we went down to a corner where we were supposed to meet a street contact that we had given a book of mormon to. She wasn't there so we waited for a while and during the time that we waited there all sanity flew out the window and we found ourselves in the twilight zone. First of all, this old guy walks up to us and recognizes us as mormons and starts to talk to us. He tells us that he's "The Comforter," from Colorado. You know, Jesus said, "I will send you the comforter and he will bring all things to your rememberance." That was the comfortor, in the flesh. He told us that he's seen God and Jesus a couple of times, that he's received his own version of the ten commandments, and that the reason that 9/11 happened was because america was allowing abortions. We talked to him for a long time, but that was only part of the experience. While we were talking to him a lady passed us, cussing up a storm, another guy, that was probably drunk, pulled over and had a short conversation with us, during which he offered to baptize the comforter with his "holy water" in his water bottle, and two bums passed us by, one was sitting knee to chest in a shopping cart and the other was pushing him. It was CRAZY. I think that was my official initiation into sunnyside.
So, the first two days that i was here we didn't have my bike so we walked in between 30 - 35 miles that day. Needless to say, our feet hurt by the end of the day. But now i have my bike, but it got two flat tires so i'm using a different bike.
My companion, Elder Pearson, is from West Valley, Utah. He's a good missionary and a hard worker. He's really good at reading people. He likes to have fun, work hard, and play hard. It will be interesting.
2/8/06
I had a crazy dream last night. I dreamed that somehow i was back at home in provo and i had been out for two years but i didn't remember any of my mission except what i've already experienced. It was terrible, i was going through a bunch of letters trying to remember my other areas but i just couldn't remeber anything. Then i woke up and i'm still here.
So, this week has been pretty slow. We have been talking to a lot of people and getting a lot of referrals, but not a lot in our area. Sometimes it gets frustrating because we teach "plain as day" lessons and they don't get it. oh, well. We need to keep up our spirits. If you don't have your heart in the work then you really aren't very effective. I saw that this week. One of the days i really didn't have my heart into it when we were contacting people and i felt bad about it and determined to have my heart into it the next time. The next time we talked to a lady at a bus stop named R. My companion ended up talking to another person so i was talking to her one on one. It was a really heart felt lesson and she said she felt chills when i showed her the joseph smith picture. She was really interested and i was able to get her address before the bus came and i gave her a joseph smith pamphlet. It was really neat.
We have this investigator named B, she has a baptism date. She had already committed to be active in the church for the rest of her life but she still wanted more. On sunday we went over to her house and taught her about fasting and tithing. We also brought the newly baptised B. Both were inspired. We ended up telling her that none of our "preachers" got paid and that just floored her, along with the fact that we dont' pass the plate or collect donations at the door or anything. She said that this was her sign. She was rededicated to be baptised this month.
oh, yeah, i almost forgot. We had zone conference yesterday and they introduced brand new pamphlets that go right along with the preach my gospel lessons. They are AWESOME. They are going to be a breakthrough here in sunnyside. I will let you know how they are. I also have to give a talk on sunday in the branch on how a Christlike lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle.
2/15/06
Nothing too exciting is happening. On thursday i went on exchanges with Elder Rees, one of the zone leaders. It was the first time in a while that i had planned a whole day so it was kind of shaky. We ended up visiting a less active lady who hadn't been coming to church because she was offended about tithing. Elder Rees bore his testimony to her and she was in tears. She ended up going to church on sunday and we have another appointment with her tomorrow. Elder pearson saw her at church and said she seemed pretty solid now.
I am becoming ghetto-ized. I sometimes say "fixin" and when i agree with someone i say "fo sho" or "i'm down." I'm also thinking about getting a grill and a tatoo that says "Jesus."
B has been out of town, or sick or something because she didn't come to church and we haven't been able to get back with her. We have been trying but we can't get back in touch with her. I will keep y'all posted.
Saturday was walk and talk day. Wow, that was quite the day. We had an appointment about four or five miles away and so it was about ten miles, round trip. It was also really cold; a cold front came through. And our faces were red by the time we came in.
The talk went well on sunday. Elder Pearson spoke on the word of wisdom too. The sacrament was only about five minutes long so we had forty five minutes to fill. We were only able to fill about thirty five so the stake counselor who was there got up and played the accordian...speaking that is. We also had a guy come late to church that we met on the street. We hadn't talked to him much, just gave him the address of our church. About half way through the gospel principles class, when the teacher was talking about the book of mormon he perked up and said, "Is this the mormon church?" It was kind of funny, but we hadn't ever explained it to him.
Yesterday we had exchanges. Elder Vaz came here with Elder Pearson and i went back to my old stomping grounds with Elder Southworth. It was AWESOME. It was like coming home. The smells were even familiar! Elder southworth has only been out for three weeks but i was instructed to let him be in charge. We had a blast! He is from Lehi. We had an awesome time. I would love to serve with that kid. We are brothers. Both born of a brazilian in the wilderness of Broadway.
We went and stopped in at N's house. SHE IS AWESOME. She has cut down from a pack and a half a day to about four a day and from eight pots of coffee to 3/4 cup of coffee. She is also a missionary. She is going to visit her boyfriend this next week (she committed to live the law of chastity) and is determined to convert them. Her family is starting to warm up too.
2/22/06
how are y'all? It's good to hear from y'all. First of all, we haven't really been having lots of weather in the eighties. This past week was SOOOO cold. I didn't know it got this cold in Houston. It got down in the low forties and maybe even into the thirties. It didn't freeze but it felt like freezing! Especially when the wind would blow. It felt colder than below freezing because of the dang humidity. It was pretty warm today but it is supposed to get cold at least one more time before suit season is over (1st of march).
We went and rode some mountain biking trails at a place called Memorial Park. You might be thinking, "mountain biking in houston?" but it's true. There wasn't ton's of ups and downs but there were dips and turns. I pretty much got worked by mother earth. Elder Pearson has been many times and he just started speeding off. I tried to keep up but my senses and abilities aren't as keen and i crashed a bunch. He also ended up having to wait for me to catch up a lot. At one spot that was really steep i didn't make a turn fast enough and i my front tire got stuck in a root and got bent. Luckily our land lord, who drove us there, passed by right about when it happened and he walked my bike back and i was able to continue on with elder pearson. As the time went on and as i crashed more and more i became more reluctant. It would have been better if i had been able to learn how to walk before i ran, but it was a good experience. I replaced my bent wheel with a spare one tonight and now i'm good to go. By the way, we ride bikes more than we walk, except when it's bitter cold.
There's not much to update y'all on. Elliot is our only investigator at the time. He actually came to church on sunday but i think it was a little too much for him. The talks were on missionary work and "celestializing." After sacrament meeting was over he said that he needed to go home and "collect himself." Maybe next week the talks will be a little more "investigator oriented." He has been reading a little and the other day we taught him the lesson of the plan of salvation. He said that he'd pray about it. I cant' remeber when we're going to check up on him next, but i'll keep y'all updated.
3/1/06
I think you are all right about how i will soon be longing for the cold weather. The past two days we have had bee-you-tee-ful days. It has been awesome! Except they feel me with dread for the days to come. I am going to DIE in the summer.
Speaking of learning, I have learned a TON from elder pearson. I don't know if you've ever heard of missionaries that become less, passive...sensitive...by being on their mission, but i have learned to be more bold, which is a good thing. I love being out here!
Things are starting to pick up in our area. Last week we had eight new investigators. This week we have three. A lot of those will probably fall through but that's part of the process.
So, this is the last week of the transfer. You might be getting an e-mail on monday, so keep posted. This has been a good transfer; hard, but good. We went on exchanges last night with one of the branch councelors and we visited some less actives and had some awesome visits. I am excited to see the growth that the Lord has in store for this area.
I wonder what the Lord has in store for me. He may just leave me with pearson, which could stretch me. I think it's either that or I'm training. I would love to train. I think that would be awesome unless i got some less effective missionary who didn't want to be out in the field. I hope that doesn't happen. I'm not too worried, either way. I know that it will be what the Lord wants done.
Weekly Update time:
E - he might be fading into the distance. Last time we visited he hadn't read anything. We have another meeting with him today. Hopefully we can turn him around.
We've talked to a bunch of people who agree with everything we're saying and, yet, have no clue as to what we are saying. They are "seeing yet they do not perceive, hearing, yet they do not understand." That's not a direct quote. It's kind of frustrating, but it happens a lot.
From Friday to saturday i was on exchanges with elder Vaz. It was nice to be back with my papa and to have a chance to lead. On Friday night, as we were heading back, we got caught in the rain and got DRENCHED! It was pretty cold too, but that was because we were riding pretty fast. We also had mud splattered all over our shirts.
This last sunday the branch was pretty full. We had more than i've ever seen there. It was nice to see, even though none of them were our investigators.
On Monday-tuesday i went on exchanges with elder Klc and we walked until my feet were sore.
3/6/06
On friday night i got a call from president and he said that i am called to be a TRAINER!!!!!!! I'm so excited! I finally get to lead out and to show someone how it's done! Elder Pearson and i had a good time but i'm ready to have a go of my own. So, that's the news. I pick him up on tuesday night. Today we are going to king's best market to pick up some ghetto bling, and then we are going over to walmart. Anyway, I'M EXCITED!!!! Not much news other than that. Elder Vaz is the district leader now. And that's about it.
3/15/06
So, last tuesday I went to the chappel in atascocita, the exact same one where i got picked up, to pick up my new missionary, or to bear my first child. It just so happens to be that the date was March 7th, exactly six months from the day that i entered the mtc. Wow!! I can't believe it. I'm no longer a greenie!!!! Anyway, three other elders from my district are training. Elders bills, johnson, and ayoso. Elder Ayoso has gained thirty something pounds and is bursting at the seems. It looks like he is storing something in his cheeks. Elder bills has gained 38 pounds but has found some way to hide it. Eventually they had the new elders come in and bear their testimonies and then we were paired up. They all are about my height, give or take, and they all looked pretty frazzled. I remember that night...
Anyway, I got paired up with...Elder Sosa!!!! Elder Sosa is originally from Sacramento California, actually just out side of sacramento, in woodland. But for the past four years he has been living in Idaho. He is about my height and is really skinny, but he eats like a bottomless pit. He is kind of like lance. He is really gung ho and has that greenie fire. He was totally ready to get out working the first day. It is nice to be in charge. I had kind of lost some of my contacting ability but now i have sure gained it back! It was hard at first but i have learned a lot. I thought that it might be hard for him to have his first area be the ghetto, too, but he seems to be handling it really well. He likes to talk a lot and has a great attitude. He has reminded me of the power of our testimonies. He remindes me of that scripture in alma 4 where it talks about alma seeing "no other way to reclaim them except bearing down in pure testimony against them." He's going to be a great missionary. We have a lot of literature that the mission president wants us to go over so our companion study time is full. I sometimes worry about whether or not i'm teaching him enough or talking to him about missionary work enough.
I'll tell you, we've had quite the first week! We've worked our tails off! We are booked for the rest of the week with follow up appointments with people we've talked to and taught on the street! It's pretty amazing, the Lord is really blessing us. We are finding more and more promising people. Right now we are trying to get back with a guy named Juan. Juan is a latino guy, we've taught him twice already and committed him to read and pray. At the end of the lesson he asked us about a question that he had about not being able to see your family aftrer you die. We were able to explain a little bit about the plan of Salvation.
3/22/06
Elder Sosa is doing very well. I thought it would be hard for him to adjust to a mission and to the ghetto but he is already complaining about how fast the time is going. I remember my first week seemed to creep by.
Most of all of those return appointments fell through but some we have follow up appointments with. We are still being blessed and are booked for the next few days with appointments.
I think, about a month ago, that i wrote home about an awesome street contact that i made witha lady named R. Anyway, last thursday we received a referral in the mail that said that she moved to our area and that she wanted the missionaries to visit. On Friday night we went on exchanges with the branch presidency. I went with brother poll and we went and visited her. She was so excited to get the book of mormon. We talked with her about it for a while and then we watched the Restoration DVD. She really felt the spirit and read and prayed about it that night and got answered and she knows its true. We just barely took her to stake conference last sunday and she loved it. I loved it too! It was awesome. And we had Brenda, a recent conver, pick her up. She talked to her about all of the blessings that she's received from the gospel. It was really awesome! We're trying to get back with her now and we're going to commit her to baptism. She's been busy taking care of her grandmother who got in a car wreck.
Other than that we have been teaching good lessons and leaving good committments but we haven't seen much progress, but we're hanging in there. We have crazy experiences every day and we laugh at them. The other day we met a guy who was high on cocaine. Our first hint was that it was raining and he actually stopped and talked to us. The next hint was that his veins were bulging and his mood was changing right before our eyes. It was crazy!
Elder Sosa has made Chorizo for the past few days for breakfast and it is Delectable! It's a bunch of cow parts (salivary gland, tongue, cheek) and some spices. You brown it and then cook it into egg and eat it in tortillas. It really is good. Its' much better than sausage egg. But it has about 70% of your daily value of saturated fat in each serving.
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