Slide burns

These last 2 weeks we've really been making an extra effort to find more people to teach. The members have introduced us to some of their friends and neighbors. We had a friend come to church yesterday. We went to Mr Joy last pday which is like a huge place and there was a sketchy slide that lots of Elders got burnt on it. We have been going to a part of our area that's super far because we have someone we are teaching out there. 

We have to go out to do an hour of service but it is so hard to get people to let you help them here. They always say no it's OK I'm just finishing up or they want to pay us for it. Elder McFarlane left this week so now I live with 3 Latinos so lots more Spanish. 

Elder Mclean finished his mission. 

We have talked to so many people in the street this week. We have lots of names written down and we don't remember who they are. 

Cookies !!!

Ever since Jaden was a tiny guy he was obsessed with the family chocolate chip cookies and even just the dough.  He sucks at letters because we talk every week now but he was excited to send us picts of their attempt to make cookies.  He wrote to get the recipe and matched it as close as he could in Ecuador.   

He said they were not quite the same but still yummy.  It’s so much fun to hear how excited he still gets about the same cookies.  

He is still in Duran.  He said it is a tough area.  They have to be in their apartment 30 min earlier than every other area. (Sometimes even by noon that day-gang violence). And for now they’re keeping the sisters out of the area because of the gang violence. The elders they’ve sent have mostly been APs and Zone leaders and are now just regular missionaries trying to really help this area extra.  Lots of crime (his comp was already robbed) and drugs and many people just leave because they easily get offended by someone or something stupid in the community.  They’re working on building and strengthening relationships with the people there as they came into an are that not much as been done for a long time.  Spreading the love of  Christ and His gospel to all they can.   

He was excited to find a small family that needed service in their yard and house.  They plan on going back this next week to see if they need help again. He said it felt so good to be able to help. So many are scared there because it’s such a violent area.    

  Isn’t it awesome though in the middle of such violence one can still find hope and the Love of Christ

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Duran

Im in my 4th week here in Duran. 

We have found some good people to teach. We had 4 friends at church this last sunday. We’ve been walking like crazy this week and had like 3 days of just talking to people in the street the whole day. But this next week we have some more lessons planned. Had 3 exchanges this week so this week kind of flew by.

 2 weeks left in this transfer so I’ll see if they keep me here for my last 2 transfers. (I think they will) 

 We fasted 2 times this week and it strengthend my testimony of fasting. I drank way too much coca cola this week. But I don’t regret it.   I also had the regular crepe and ice cream for Pday I always have.  I love it with the vanilla ice cream.  

The district I'm in is full of 5 companionships of Elders so we sing lots of hymns in a small room and it’s dope.

 We spent 3 and a half hours one morning trying to figure out how to pay the light bill. 

Elder Anderson is coming to our mission this week!