We're supposed to be here!

Hermanas with Daniel

Dear Family,

We had a little bit more success this week in finding people. I have hope for Adriano, and Ismael. They're both have been taught by missionaries before, but they're very enthusiastic about having us teach them again. Also, we have a bad track record of finding the people after we meet them, but Ismael and Adriano were still there when we came back a few days later! Woo! There was also little things that happened that made me think "we're supposed to be here." Like how Adriano lives alone, and two sister missionaries can't be alone with a man, but then his daughter happened to be home and answered the door when we came back to teach the lesson. Woo!

 

Marisol is teaching us to make Mangu

Marisol and Paulino have all their paperwork and the money for their wedding! They're the only people we teach that are progressing. And they're progressing full steam ahead!

Also, Marisol taught us how to make Mangu, which is mashed green plantains. She also made us Chin-chin, which is some mashed corn thing that reminds me of couscous.

Mangu a la Marisol

We had interviews with President this week and he read what Elder Ballard said in the Worldwide Mission President Seminar. Earlier in the week, I had been kind of frustrated that some missionaries just extending baptism invitations for the sake of getting higher numbers-- and if the baptism invitation isn't accepted, then that means that the person isn't ready. Then Elder Ballard said that missionaries should only extend baptismal invitations when they feel the Spirit. And to stop using baptismal invites as a way to separate wheat from tares. I like Elder Ballard.

Yesterday, we unknowingly knocked on the door of a member's dad's house-- and that member was home with her dad, and her two siblings, and the member was trying to explain to her non-member family that their member-Mom was in a place called Spirit Paradise.  They also taught her what temples are, who can enter, and what goes on inside, etc. And the member was so grateful that the missionaries just happened to drop by! We shared a quick message and then the family wanted us to come back next Sunday to share more. I'll let you know if it goes anywhere.

Love you lots family! Have a fantastic week!!

Love,
Hermana Ludlam

Fotos from back in Azua:

This baby was sick and has an IV in his foot. You can't tell just how sick he was because he's a happy bouncy baby. But the poor mom was tired and hungry and lonely, cooped up in the hospital all day.  This baby's name is Dilan.

 Randy crossing the Trash River.  It doesn't start out deep, but it gets there quickly!