8 Months in the Jungle Book

This week was a pretty long week, but it was awesome!

Sorry I wasn't able to write on Monday, there was a Meeting for all the district and zone leaders in La Ceiba, so we had to do that instead of p-day. But its all ok, because I get to write today!

But here is the rundown of my week. The book of mormon has the answers to everything. Enough said.

We always have a ton of lessons that fall through, but we always seem to catch up with a billion contacts.

O another drunk guy stopped us the other night and said José Smith told him in a dream I have to give him a tie. And if I don't he will kill me, because he has a dog that is really brave or something. He was drunk and high. Poor guy. We told him we would give him a tie if he went to church, so he's going to come to church this Sunday.

Its so hot, I'm talking every day, I wake up, take a freezing cold shower, get dressed, start studying (with a fan blowing on me), its like 7:30 and I'm uncontrollably sweating. I don't understand. The humidity is like 99% here. I feel like I'm swimming. But no wonder why this place is pure jungle! Anything can grow here in like 30 seconds. Eat a watermelon, spit a seed on the ground, come back in a week, and you will be able to eat another watermelon, because that seed took root. Geez.

Oh ya, we were teaching a lesson this week and there was an old couple, and their son. In the middle of the lesson the kid pulled out a bag of marijuana and rolled a joint. He then proceeded to smoke it throughout the lesson. That was super funny, and quite distracting because with each drag he would lose a little bit of focus. By the end of the lesson he was trippin. Hondy. Its real.

Hey but we had stake conference with President Klein this week also!!! That was super cool. And for the first time in 8 months I felt air conditioning! Our Stake is super huge (I'm remembering La Masica with 20 people in attendance). But it really is big. We are trying to split it into 2 stakes by the end of the year. This means the missionaries need to work a ton! Super! Lets go. We have the goal. 

But...my suit is getting a little small. I had to wear it for stake conference, and... dang.  Its getting small in the chest and arms.

We also had divisions in Mezapa, a pueblo about 30 mins away from my area.  We did service pretty much the whole time.

I gave a blessing to a sick baby. It was funny because my comp anointed the baby and everything, but this baby is pretty sick, so after that, I was about to give the blessing, but the baby started to freak out, so right as I was about to put my hands on the baby’s head, the mom grabbed the baby and started nursing it. So ya...My comp gave me the nod, so  I gave a blessing to a baby while he was doing his thing with his mom.  That was weird. But right after the blessing the baby was super calm. And that was awesome!

Another cool thing this week is that we had district meeting in English! 8 months+ no English= I cant teach, speak, anything in English. It was sooooo hard. But I also gave the lessons, and translated everything everyone said. That was a trip.

The power has been going out a ton lately. Usually in the night around 5:30, so when that happens its like a free for all, do what ever you want in the street time, so we go home and wait it out.

I am loving my new area, and am so surprised that this change is almost over!

The scripture for the week is actually a chapter. I have been studying Jacob chapter 5 lately, and its a doosy.  But its really cool if you take your time with it.  Olives.  Sweet.
Sample:

61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.  

62 Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard.

Elder of Liberty

Make a splash.

no te rindas (Don’t give up).

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

PS. Oh ya we saw a giant scorpion!

Within 2 minutes there were ants eating it!!

My investigators in LA MASICA are being baptized!!!!!!

That is so cool, I just wish I was there to see them!!

Also if you could, could you send me a new set of English scriptures and the Book of Mormon student manual religion 121 and 122 (english)?

If not its ok, just send me a cool lacrosse poster or the ties that are cut off at the bottom. 

Te AMO mucho mama mia

Elder Gangs

Colors of Honduras 

So this week was super cool. 

I mean, Its always super cool our here in the jungle, but when jungle stuff happens, its even better.

We contacted a ton this week.  We are trying to contact more every day.

The goal is to get more contacts than the previous week.

Its been pretty awesome.

I think I’ve gotten used to sweating all day every day 24/7.  Its a way of life here in hondy.

The hermanas in our district got robbed at gunpoint this week.

Then we got robbed too.  Just our cell phone was taken.  It was actually really funny because there were 2 guys… the first took our phone and left. His buddy then took our watches, but then, he saw our name tags... he then flipped out, and yelled at his friend to come back. (he didn't).

But this guy said, oh my gosh, I didn't realize you guys were the elders, I’m so sorry. Here take your watches back!  Then he handed our watches back, and shook our hands.  He then told us to have a good night, apologized one more time, then went after his buddy to get our cell phone back.  They didn't ever come back, but it was OK anyway. 

The only thing is that we need it to make a ton of phone calls as the DL (district leader).  So we are always having to borrow a phone now.

Later that night, we had a really deep conversation with a drunk guy.  He started to cry and talked about his family.  We then tried to comfort him.  He then gave us a hug.  He was nice.

We now have a ping pong table. It doesn't waste our time though, just to relax a little every once and a while.

There was also a gang fight down the street during a lesson we had,  machine-gun fire for like 5 mins straight. The police were involved too I think.

It was ok though, we had a really effective lesson after that!

My backpack ripped, where is rubs against my back.

Sorry my email is all over the place. I don't have a lot of time to write!

Love you all!

Moroni 8:16

16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

-- 

no te rindas

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Video: (may not work on cell phones, because it's Adobe)

Saints and sinners, baby

Progresso is super awesome! The markets are my favorite part.  So much going on, so many people going, doing, and andando (walking). Its awesome.

First off, I got my Package finally with the EHS Missionary letters in it!!!!

Seriously the best feeling came over me while I was reading them.  Those letters literally refueled my missionary fire in a new way. I don’t know how to explain it. We all have our challenges, but we all are in this together, so to speak.  I am privileged to be part of the coolest group of guys, the East High missionaries. The Spanish books you sent are made of gold. Elder Vasquez and I ate all of the candy and food in 2 days, and the new ties are sweet!

So the entire population of Honduras goes to the beach this week ´´Semana Santa´´ (Holy Week) to swim and hang out, so our zone decided to do the same thing. Just kidding, but we did go to the beach in Tela to preach and to get a mountain of references. It turned out to be a huge success! We were able to contact a ton of people! it was awesome talking to so many different people!

We then ate 3 dinners. Everyone wants to give the Elders food when they think God is ´´really´´ watching. But he always is watching so that doesn't make sense. It was all good though, we take food whenever we can! Tortillas, Beans, Rice, Platano, Guineo (bananas), fish, tamales, chicken and tajadas (fried plantains), baleadas (thick tortilla with filling), res (beef), more tortillas rice and beans, and always juice. It’s pretty good. Can’t remember what food other than this tastes like, but its all good.

We also had a super contact in the hermana’s (sister’s) area. inspired by success in other areas. It was cool to work in El Centro a little. There are so many buildings and people its crazy.

Our investigator, Ezras, wanted to come to General Conference to hear the prophet! He said he wanted to hear it for himself and it was really cool.  Speaking of General conference, It was Awesome!!!  We got to hear it in English too, which was a treat, but we changed it to the Spanish channel while the native Spanish speakers were speaking.  Oh ya I got to watch conference again with Elder Jacobs and Reese again!  #round2

The Marriage theme was a bit unnerving for me in the first sessions. I seriously still feel like I'm 16 everyday. But Elder Holland’s talk completely blew me away. That is all I can say.

Oh ya, the talk by Michael T. Ringwood reminded me of you. I want to be like you dad. And the talk by David A. Bednar reminded me of you Mom. You never take your eyes off of Christ. But Quentin L. Cook’s talk reminded me of you both. My parents. Gracias Padres!

Here are the answers to some of your questions:

Tell us about your new living situation: who lives with you, is it a house, what’s the city like etc. 

I live in a small ´´house´´ with my comp and that is it. The other missionaries live like a block away.

Tell us about a spiritual experience you have had recently.

Everyday I feel the spirit. While I pray, while I teach in Spanish, or while I'm reading the scriptures. All you have to do is invite the spirit and it will come.

Tell us about your health, skin issues, how you are feeling, etc.

My skin is fine. Something is always new, but whatever.

Tell Jake he’s a stud and that he needs to email me! He leaves on his mission when I hit the year mark on the same day!! 

I love being a missionary, and it gets better every day!!!

Oh a Parrot bit me 5 times this week. That was cool. His name was Pacho.

The pics are of:

Preaching on the Beach in Tela, preaching to Kevin Bacon 2.0, district picnic, and Conference! (the sunglasses belong to the kids)

Alma 42:22-23 (Justice)+

 22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.

 23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

-no te rindas (don’t give up)

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Crazy Caterpillar 

Games of Chance / Honduran Dice