October 27, 2014~"When Life is Sweet, Say Thank You and Celebrate, When Life is Bitter, Say Thank You and Grow"

1.Are most of the people there in Belize black people or are there a lot of Latinos as well? 
Depends on the part your in...North more Chinese and Mexican, Central blacks and the closer to Guatemala Latinos

2. You still have never sent a picture of your home.  What is your place like? 
My place is small but there aren't any problems.  I have hot water haha...Sorry I still forget to do some things like send those pictures

3. In your Branch are there enough kids to have a Primary?
Yes haha... the Sister Missionaries always help with the Primary and it is a handful haha

4.With transfers being this week....Do you think the transfers will effect you or your companion?
My comp is leaving  and I'm staying but I kinda expected that!   Also Sis. Montes, the sister missionary in the branch is leaving

Oh the rain does not cool us off though this week was "cold" in the evenings haha which is like 70s but when it rains it does for like 15 min then the sun comes back out.. it sucks! I'm super bummed that the Stake Presidency is getting changed...I can't come back to someone new!!! Also glad to hear we are still Ridge City and that Ryan played..I told you he would! On Friday night I actually thought about those very things ...it was weird and I was cheering here in Belize. I'm glad you guys are enjoying the weather.. trust me the cold is coming haha! but anyways onto da week!

Finally ...I guess you could say a successful week that we actually could see our successes! We had a lot of less actives come to church... especially a family of 11 that hasn't come to church in 9 years! They are the coolest family...I will send a picture and they for some reason LOVE me haha... they call me the giant and are always so happy when I come over. The only downside is they live in the sistas area so we don't go over too often.   After church we had the first baptism ever in Santa Elena!! It was from the Sistas so we baptized them but we don't have a real font here.. it is a portable font haha.. its kinda ghetto and you know I had to get in it and get a picture! but yeah we also have been doing a lot of service for the Branch because they don't have any checks for some reason so we can't use any of the money so they hadn't paid anyone to cut the yard for weeks and the grass grows fast here! So finally Bro Moody, the best member in our Branch brought his own lawn mower and we helped him clean up the yard which took a long time because the grass was feet high and the yard is big... also having to rake up all the grass afterwords! He started at 4 in the evening and didn't get done till 9 at night in the pitch black but he is one of those guys that isn't gonna stop till he is done... such a good guy!!!! So yes I had a throwback moment doing yard work again haha and we had to finish up raking today. But yeah such a good week to see people come renew their covenants with God! And to top it off 2 kids that live by the church came randomly just because they wanted to know what the church was like and they liked it so now we have 2 new investigators! God is seeing our efforts and we are continuing to do our best. I'm so glad I'm not leaving because I still have the goal to baptize someone here and there is just so much to do with this Branch I can't leave!!! I'm loving it here even though it is considered a hard or crappy area and I don't wanna move because there is always work to do!! We will see who my new comp is and I'm a little sad for the change.  I hate changes because I don't know if it will be for the better! Definitely gonna miss my Comp and Sis. Montes who is like the girl version of me haha and actually gets my sarcasm. Onto another change and hopefully more success! Love you Mom and other peeps!!!


Elda Clev

Here is an experience that Elder Clev's comp shared last week that they had...

To start off, we had a very interesting visit with the Chiac's (the bee family). The mom's brother came to visit from Belize City, because he just got shot up doing a gang bust with the Belize Defense Force. We taught him once before, and he seemed pretty positive, so we decided to teach him again. Well then we learned that he is a 'lee bit crazy,' as Belizeans would say. He insisted that he see a picture of Joseph Smith first, so we did. Then he insisted we show him a picture of the current prophet, so we did that too. Then he said that we needed to set an appointment to meet him (the prophet), because he had some questions for him. Then he started ranting about the wickedness of the world, and the fact that God lets bad things happen to good people, all of which is not all that crazy, until he picked up the huge kitchen knife and started repeatedly stabbing the floor we were sitting on with every word he said, a frenzied look in his eyes. I was sitting a foot away from him, and I was slightly disturbed, as was his family. I didn't know what to do because it looked like he was going to get violent, so I pulled out the phone and set the alarm to ring right then, and pretended like the alarm tone was someone calling me, so I "answered" it, and pretended like we had an emergency and needed to leave right then. Elder Cleverly and I then left, looked at each other, and rode away in silence. 

So we were walking one night, and happened to see a tarantula walking on the street. That was no big deal, but then a guy walked up and said "I pick those up." So I said "Let's see it then," so he did it. I asked him if he has ever gotten bit, and he said "you di kid me, mon! If di ting mi ah bite me, my han mi ah rot off. You jus need fi grab di wais." Which is to say that these tarantulas rot off your hands if they bite you. But if you grab them in their waists, they can't bite you with their huge fangs. "

Cutting the church yard

Sunset Saturday

Baptizing in the portable font

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October 20, 2014~"Your Hardest Times Often Lead to the Greatest Moments of Your Life...Keep the Faith...It will All Be Worth It in the End"

Glad to hear that Ridge got to get a win even if it was JV... good practice for next year! Awesome to hear Ryan is doing good too.  Who knows maybe he will play because he has been the past couple of weeks and I am sure if the other guy gets in its just because its his last year but I wouldn't be surprised if Ryan started because its Layton and they wanna win... not just let people feel good. It could be a good advantage for Ryan for next year... maybe already solidifying his spot. KEEP NORTHRIDGE CITY!

I knew Stock would make it...I had no worries about that! You know  I will be sure to bring him down a few levels in confidence haha..I'm good at that! And he has a phone?! what is this?! haha

Try and make it to Kevin's farewell and if you can tell him good luck for me and that I am proud of him even though I write him and tell him that anyways haha.
Anyways onto the week...

We had some more successes this week but its still going little by little. We had interchanges this past week and I had to lead my area.  There was a lot I wanted to do but more than anything I wanted to find new peeps. So all day in the rain we contacted... it was so fun!!! My ZL is Latino and can't speak English very well so I was talking the whole time... very tiring but fun! We found this 18 year old kid named Keon who is a cyclist. Super chill kid... the only problem is he is a JW. But as a JW they can't accept visits from anyone is what he told us but that he felt like he had to. While talking you could tell he has grown up in his church but doesn't believe it. He respects it but he said cycling is over everything for him... haha so you know I had to testify that sports are good and from God haha and that in our church we want people to enjoy themselves in sports as long as it isn't excessive. We taught the 1st lesson and he understood everything and said he would pray to know if it was true but couldn't accept the pamphlet or schedule another visit so we have to pass by randomly to see how he is doing. I told him before leaving how I was raised in the church but had to develop my own testimony and that he needs to really find what is his beliefs and own testimony. I hope we can pass by and he sees what he needs to do...I could see his potential... it was so cool and I have been praying ever since for the guy...as for other peeps, Wilbur is still on his work vacation and so pray for him too that he can come back and have read and prayed during his trip!
I know its hard to read this and know I don't teach a lot of people... its hard here but know that I am doing the best I can and I really feel like God sees my efforts and knows me and is happy with me. Just like in the Book of Mormon, the people here are deep in sin and wickedness...I don't like to say it but its true. The best I can do is just keep doing my thang and God will bless me one of these times. As you can see I have been thinking about this the past week and staying positive! Know I am working and doing my best and even though I don't have numbers and names I do feel the little successes of my work.. just like in football I didn't get all the stats but I did play and work just as hard. Well thats my little message and hope  y'all are doing good and have a good week! Love ya Mom and Peeps!


Elda Clev

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October 13, 2014~"So Much in Life Depends on Our Attitude..The Way We Choose to See Things and Respond To Others Makes All The Difference-Thomas S. Monson

1. How often do you see the Rinderknechts? How close do they live to you?
Not too often anymore... it is really weird because before we always did. They live in San Ignacio the other city across the bridge

2.  What did you guys do last week for P-Day?
Nothing haha... P-days aren't the funnest here because of the distances and stuff.

3. What time does it start getting dark there?
Like 6

4.  Have you still been getting the Dear Elders I send?
I haven't...I usually get them in bulk haha

5.  How come you will have a shorter transfer period this next transfer?
Because of the merging of missions, the missions weren't in sync with changes from before and so some missionaries would have left in October and come back in November if changes stayed the same so this change is 4 weeks and the next one is normal then the next is 8 weeks.

Well I'm glad you guys are having some good weather... its hot here as usual. I am used to it now but I still don't know what cold is anymore!!!! Enjoy it while it lasts! I have heard about the movie Meet the Mormons... the thing is here there are no movie theaters so nobody really knows about movies unless they are on commercials and you just buy them from the corner stores. We wanna see if we can get permission and buy it and show it for an activity but we will see.  We have movie nights every Thursday and are running out of church movies haha.

I'm sad that little league will be put off for awhile... not until your grandkids hahahahaha! Im gonna miss all that.. wow things change! Sorry to hear about the Ridge problems... to be honest after my grade none of us felt like the kids under us were the same in tradition and you really could feel a culture gap... definately a sad thing. ...whats wrong with kids these days having zero love for the sport anymore?! Times have changed and lucky Ryan is still holding strong.  I expect a lot from him and I am proud of him for doing so. Tell Stock good luck for tryouts.  I am glad he is trying out because he should. Also for the package I have a couple more requests haha...I need a mini English hymn book...I can't get a hold of one here and also a new ipod cord the one doesn't charge my ipod anymore...but onto my week!!

Success is growing!!! So this week was pretty good i'd say! We have been really blessed as an old branch president came to visit this past week and showed us where a ton of the less actives live!!! The thing is that our current branch president doesn't know where anyone lives and isn't very proactive.  Its hard and the addresses here are hard to follow so its always awesome when someone can just come and show you! Also we found another really positive less active who showed us where a bunch of  people live!   Since there are so many less actives, we are focusing more on who are members and just bringing them back and also completing families....so baptisms will be slow but the Branch will be growing in other ways. I talked a little bit about it to Pres this week because we had interviews with him. He said this area of the mission really needs to secure its members before we can even think about baptisms because none of them will stay. So we are working really hard on that. Also in my interview, Pres said me and Stin and some of the happiest missionaries in the mission so I thought you would be happy to hear that haha! I also went on interchanges across the bridge this week in San Ignacio and its so weird how much it changes just from crossing the bridge. Its a lot more developed there and I  started to think it would be cooler to be there... then I thought how grateful I am to be where I am at...I mean I don't want it easy! I want to learn from the hard experiences and Pres and Sis. Hintze said the same things... they know I can have success here and that is why I am where I am at! I love how my mission has been up to this point and wouldn't change it for the world! The knowledge I have learned is priceless!!! Well that is all I got for this week! We are working hard especially with the Elder Quorum Pres who is really good and hopes to improve Santa Elena!

A short experience from this week.... So you know I have to have something fun for this week! So before interviews we ate lunch with Pres and another zone who had interviews in the morning... after eating they needed an Elder that could drive stick to drive the bus of Elders from the other zone back so Elder Williams (who lived with me in my last area) said he could. Well his comp is new and doesn't know his way around so I volunteered myself to be his temporary comp to get us back and not lost.. even though I didn't know the way too well hahaha... but you know I'm good with directions so I trusted myself.   We drove and dropped all the Elders off where they needed and reached the Guatemala border!!! So I had to take a picture to show that I have now been to Guate too!!! haha well that is all I got...Love you Mom, Fam, and Friends... have a good week!!!

Elda Clev

Guatemala! Probably the closest I'll ever get!

Roadtrippin!!!!

Angel's Baptism

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October 6, 2014~May We Be Faithful Followers of Christ, Examples of Righteousness, Thus Becoming Lights in the World"~Thomas S. Monson

1. How long did it take you to finish the bag of M&M's? 
A couple weeks haha... they were just too good!

2. So it looks like you went to different ruins last week?  How far away were those?
Those were a little farther and considered the best in Belize.  They were about 20 minutes by bus

3.  What did you think of the speakers that got to speak in their native languages?
I thought it was different but I don't like listening to interpreters.  I feel like you lose feeling when it happens.  I wanted to hear the Spanish speakers not the interpreter and no one spoke Creole so I was disappointed haha.

4. What was your favorite thing/talk about Conference?
Well I don't know... that's a hard one but I enjoyed all of the Saturday sessions by Pres Uchtdorf and also by Elder Christofferson. Also I loved Elder Cook's in Priesthood and Elder Bednars haha ...I loved them all!

5. So the picture with the harp...is that a members?  
Yeah that is at Brudda Griffith's house, a 92 year old member who is the coolest guy you will ever meet.  We always go over at 8 at night on Sundays because no one ever visits him.

Well I don't know what to comment on in your letter either! Just crazy that Tate is already coming home...I remember when he left! Where is the time going?! I know, it is kinda frustrating not baptizing but the missionaries (my comp and the sisters) here in Santa Elena are really positive and it is helping me not get down on myself.  I am actually really optimistic and bearing with patience for sure. Well anyways onto my week!

So this week was an awesome one!!!! We are starting to progress in getting leadership here and now we just have to focus on the members, which means finding them and going by their houses one by one...lots of work and it seems like there is not enough time to do it all! We had a zone activity this past Saturday at the old folks home here! We went by there the week before and they invited us back to do a Walk a thon and represent our church in it so we all did it and it was fun...well kinda... its not too fun to walk when you walk all day, but we did get free t-shirts so that was cool! Then we had to run back to our area to set up for conference which was kinda a sad turnout. They have never shown conference in the chapel here and it was the first time ever that they were to have it here.   We broke our backs getting all the stuff to set up for it and only 2 people showed up morning session Saturday... none in the afternoon and 1 for priesthood....fortunately some just didn't know and went to the stake center but still not many. The situation here is hard I'll tell ya, but I was reading in Mormon this week and read how even though his people were lost and he knew that they were, he didn't let that be an excuse for him to not still have hope and return to war with them. So  I am pushing along! I'm not getting down on myself or letting the circumstances give me an excuse. Anyways on Sunday morning we had more come and we got Wilbur our investigator to come!!! It was such a big thing because he would always tell us "no" when we invited him to church and we went by on Friday and he said he would come to see how it was! I just hope he liked it because he had to go before we could talk to him! He really is interested but has no support from anybody so its really hard.

Well things are looking up and conference has definately helped me in a lot of ways... to know how I can improve and also I received a lot of answers to things I want to do after the mission that are also in my Patriarchal blessing. I hope everyone listened because it was amazing.   I can't wait till next 6 months when we have it again!!! Well that is all I got this week...Love you Mom and friends and family!!!
Elda Clev

I just heard Elder Talla baptized Angel in my last area before he ended his mission last week!!!!! Wooo!!!!!! 

This is the multi zone that was held here in the Cayo district.  Elder Alonso from the First Quorum of the Seventy spoke at the fireside, Friday night, and then spoke at the multi zone the next day. 

This is the Cayo zone.  front row left to right...Elder Williams, Elder Stoker, Elder Jack, Elder Vierra, Elder Rimando.  Back row left to right...Elder Cleverly, Sister Montes, Sister Olalare, Sister Jensen, Sister De Leon, Sister Rinderknecht, Elder Rinderknecht.  Missing is Sister Keys and Sister Nelson.  They went to get burritos.

This is the Cayo zone on Pday.  We are at Cahal Pech.  It is just a couple blocks from the church.  These ruins are not as big as some, but have some real character.  There are lots of ruins and archaeological sites close by.

This is the Cayo zone after breakfast at the Rinderknecht's house.  Once each transfer they feed us breakfast.  

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September 29, 2014~"Faith is Having the Courage to Let God Have Control"

1.  Since you are not legal in Belize yet, when you go to Belize City do you have to just fill out paperwork? How long does it usually take to be legal there?
No... they usually just see my passport and put another stamp in there.   I should be legal within a couple months

2. You said last week that the rain makes the people there really sick...What did you mean by that? Its a superstition?
Its a superstition... I have never gotten sick yet haha

3.    Do you have to give many talks in church? or teach a class?
Yes ,almost every week.  I am now giving "Understanding the Scriptures" class on Friday nights.. its pretty much institute haha


I can't tell you how frustrating it is when there are events... it means your day is gonna be really really long haha. Its so crazy Nate is finally going.  I am sure he is so ready too because he has had his call for awhile now.  So crazy that guys are now coming home from their missions. I have been so blessed to know so many good guys and I am so happy for them and to know I still have their support.  I really do love them. I am now gonna start getting happier and happier knowing its starting to get chilly there woohoo!!! haha I think Fall is the season I hate the most! Well sorry but I will recount on yet another short week...

Well I don't know how to explain this week. We have been trying to do a lot but feel like we don't have enough time to do it! We are trying so hard to get this Branch on its feet but it is hurting our time getting investigators and its hard to have time for both. I guess you could say that will be the goal for this upcoming change. I won't have changes this time nor my comp and this next change will be a short one and will end the end of October. I love where I am at...I just think we could do more and wish I had more control in what goes on haha...I guess you could say that is kinda my weakness. We did improve the attendance in church a ton and it was good but the lack of investigators is killing me! The good thing is that is the only problem I worry about.  The District, Zone, my Comp and my health are all good.  I have no problems with them. I am definitely going to try and make an extra effort to do better to find more people this week because I see so much potential here! 

A funny story this week was we were in a lesson with an investigator who is paralyzed and my comp asked him if he would kneel to pray to see if these things were true and I sat there like oh no haha.. luckily the guy didn't get offended. I am definitely not happy nor satisfied at all with the amount of people we have and are teaching so lets hope that changes. It would help to get a few prayers from you guys please!

So that kinda is it. I am so pumped for conference this week you don't even know!!! You guys better listen too! Hope you guys have a good week love you Mom and peeps!


Elda Clev

Playin the Harp

More Xunantunich Mayan Ruins...

BELIZEEEE!

Guatemala!!

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins BABY!

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September 22, 2014~"What You Do Everyday Matters More than What You Do Every Once in Awhile"

1. Since you are now in Belize, Is there someone that does your laundry?
Yes but its kinda sketchy and I feel like they don't want to.

2.  Why didn't you take a picture of the Tarantula you saw?
 I did! I'll send that pic

3.  What did you think of the ruins?  Was it cool? You sent the pics but didn't say much about it.... 
Yes it was way cool! There are other sites too 

4.  Do you get invited to eat over at others homes there in Belize? 
Not really but its all chill

5. Do you live close to the Church? How long does it take to get there? 
Its like 5 minutes on bike ...15 walking.. so kinda close

If I bring my journal than I end up reading more than I am writing! I'm sorry to hear about Scoot ...that is such a good family. I wish the best for them!!!
You sure it was Austin that got on the field?? Why don't I believe that ahaha!! That sweet though he be reppin it! So sorry for my crappy English but I now write how I speak here and sometimes don't notice! Thanks for the pics though ...they were awesome! Keep sendin dem! 

I wish I could have been there for the temple dedication but I will for sure have to go to that temple after..It sounds like I actually missed out! As for all my friends...I love all those guys... they are the best.  Its so cool to tell people about all my friends!

Well as for my week... man was it kinda a boring one ...workwise!!! So we had Tuesday and Wednesday where we had full days to go out and work and they were good finding more people and really trying to change this area! We are trying to get the Branch President more involved so we went to his house which is far with the Sister Missionaries ...Sis. Olalere and Sis. Montes. (this is how his Companion, Elder Jack described the visit...."We have been laboring to rebuild the Branch after all of this moving and becoming inactive, so on Tuesday we decided to visit our evasive Branch President at his house-all the way by Spanish Lookout. So Elder and Sister Rinderknecht drove us and the sisters to his house. It was the first time at his house for all of us since it is over an hour drive away, and my breath was taken away! He has a ranch of a few hundred miles in Spanish Lookout, which is described by many as a Tropical Switzerland in appearance. So it was very pretty with all of the rolling rolling green hills and palm trees, with the sheep and cattle grazing. On his land there is a big problem with Black Panthers killing the cattle. Some of the Mennonites on the surrounding land are about to contract hunters to kill them. He told us to be careful on his land because one in particular liked to stay near the house. You can imagine how excited I was to hear that. It was hard to focus on the emergency meeting with a beautiful view, a breeze coming through the door of his electricity-less, comfortable home, and a possibility of seeing a panther in the distant trees.  But we nevertheless had a very productive meeting that resolved many of the concerns that we had. He called a councilor on Sunday, so we are only going to need to be the Second councilor. That was a relief.)   It was good but hard because I am not familiar with all the members still so the names everyone was throwing around were hard to know who was who. I'm good at remembering things but the only thing is that here members sometimes don't come as often... even if they have a calling and all the good members have District callings so they sometimes don't come to our Branch. It is really hard but I know I am learning a lot and lovin it! The church is really young here and from talking to members, Pres. Hintze has been the best Mission President they have had who has actually cared about Belize. So we are like pioneer missionaries here... its cool to think about!!

On Thursday I had to go to Belize City AGAIN! because I am still not fully legal here so every month I have to go there till I become legal... after that we had a fireside with Elder Alonzo the new area 70.  He came to San Ignacio... it was cool and he talked about how the progress here depends on the members and promised there would be more than one temple here someday... super awesome!! The next day we had a multizona with just missionaries and him and he said a ton of cool things. Pres was also there but Hermana Hintze wasn't.. she was back in the states because her dad died... but now she is back. Elder Alonzo talked about how a lot of the scriptures talk about the Atonement and we usually don't realize it and don't talk about the Atonement as often as we should. He also gave a strong promise to the Senior missionaries who are trying to learn Spanish and I feel bad because it never said that they would have to know Spanish when they left and there is still a lot of Spanish here and they are struggling. But he comforted them by saying they will get the language. Then on Saturday we had a Branch Independence Day Activity because Belize Independence was yesterday... but no one showed up! It was raining and here the rain makes you really sick so no one ever is out in the rain... its ridicualous.... so we cleaned everything up and then everyone came! haha So then we did a tiny activity.   On Sunday was Independence Day and we only had 35 in church and only had Sacrament...its sad how this country is just not a God fearing country...but then we stayed and worked with the Sisters because there were drunks everywhere and the parade which is pretty much just walking naked people so we kept strong but had no one to talk to because everyone was out partying! Hard week but hey everyone has em! Well I'm doing great as usual and loving life .  Weird September is already ending! Hope you all are doing just as good as I am! Love you Mom and errbody!!!
Elda Clev

Here is a story from his Companion, Elder Jack, that describes an experience they had a few weeks ago that I really enjoyed reading about....
"We got to play with dragon wasps, and little bee's this week too! But this time not at our house. This time it was the key to break the ice barrier with the Chiac family (the less-actives we found last week). We didn't really click with them at first, because they really don't know the church much at all. They got baptized a few years back, and then missionaries got taken out of Santa Elena, so they immediately went inactive. They don't know any of the members, or much of the doctrine, and they haven't talked to missionaries in years. But luckily Elder Cleverly noticed a big bee and wasp problem they had, so he offered our help to take care of them. so the next morning, I put on a long sleeve shirt, tied bags on my hands, climbed a ladder, and grabbed a huge bee hive off of their house to throw it as far as I could. Only one bee stung me when they started chasing me!! Totally worth it. Then we smashed the "dragon" wasp nests, escaping without a single sting. The Chiac family thought that we were absolutely crazy. As did all of their neighbors as they gathered around to watch. As did I. But now they absolutely love us, and invited us to eat at their house. President Hintze has been telling us to "stand on a wall" as did Samuel, and do something different. So we decided to stand in a bee-hive. :-) Whatever works, right? "

Look whats for Dinner

Made a friend

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September 15, 2014~"Choose Your Friends with Caution, Plan Your Future with Purpose and Frame Your Life with Faith"

1. If I send you some pictures in the Christmas box, what are some suggestions of pictures that you would like?
Any... get creative like I do!!!

2. How big of a place is Santa Elena?  Is it countryside or more city like?
Its like a ghetto city... its the twin city of San Ignacio which is right next to here 

3. What experience this week stood out the most to you?
Ummm.... you know I'll tell below

4. Are there a lot of insects/bugs around?
Yes ...I saw a tarantula the size of my hand this past week and freaked out

So I heard about Scoots dad through my hook ups I got here on da mish. I'll be sure to keep him in my prayers..sounds like a fun homecoming game but still just not the same as when I was playing idk it might just be me but I don't think so! Sucks to hear bout Stock's team but he is good.  He has all of the physical and talents needed and just needs someone (me) haha jk that can refine or improve his game... but anyways I will send a pic where I live next week.  I did hear from Kevin and am so happy.   I have been truly blessed being on the mission and my friends are all changing for the better. I freaking love it!   Sounds like everyone has problems driving too... they were not as good as me in not getting caught :) hahah I still got it!!! but onto the events...

Finally a good normal kinda week! It was a fun and good one.  We found a ton of good, new, positive people and I just love being here and improving in this part of the world. The branch here needs a lot of help...I mean a lot.  I have heard its one of the worst branches in the mission and I love that...I mean it wouldn't be worth it if it was easy right?! We do have one of the best members who hasn't even been a member for a year yet and he is the only one that gets it. So its really hard.  Our best young man went apostate this past week and we are really starting from new.   None of the missionaries before did anything in helping the branch... just baptizing people who go inactive.. kinda like my last area so I gotta do the dirty work and help this place and leave it feeling like I did when I left Zaragoza.

So contacting people here is so easy, like we found this guy named Wilbur who has or had a way sick Fro... so you know I had to talk to him and we taught him and he is pretty positive ...haha his sister is way religious and taught with us which wasn't really teaching haha.  She said she had the priesthood and Wilbur just sat there like my sister is crazy haha and he left his friends smoking weed and listening to reggae the second time we came by to listen to us and while he was praying said God I pray to you while I'm listening to this music...which is kinda disturbing ...it was the funniest prayer but then we have found a part member family named the Chiacs as well as a guy named Abner who is a chef.  Those are kind of our most positives for right now but its definitely getting better. I love the grind and how hard it is... most wouldn't but I take no better pride than to think God trusts me enough to lift where I stand which is a hard area. We will have success.... that is my mindset and keeping an open mind that success can be more than just baptizing but I hope I can baptize as well here. Well thats kinda the happenings for the week.  We went to the ruins this morning that is why I'm writing so late but keep moving forward and being the beautiful people you are haha...Love you Mom and Fam and friends!!!!
Elda Clev

Elder Cleverly thinking he is spider man...or something haha

Maybe he is thinking he is Indiana Jones?

Day at the booth at the market.  The missionaries greet shoppers as they hit the market on Saturday morning.  The free juice is great, and they share a message.  From left to right:  Elder Galvez, Brandon (new convert), Elder Stoker, Elder Boyer, Elder Richardson, Jason (new convert), Elder Viera, Elder Cleverly, Elder Jack, Elder Tello, Sister De Leon, Sister Jensen and Nigel (a faithful member)

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