Suprise

Since yesterday was a big change (or transfer) day, we got another day to “prep”.
But, Honduras decided to flood again, so we were stuck inside all day again, with no power. However, the water was on this time, which was nice.  

Anyway, due to the rain, we didn't do much but play Uno, and eat baleadas all pday

Today however, we were at a catratchos house, and he keeps live turtles in the cement tub behind his house, and he decided to prepare one (comida). This included him skinning the turtle out of his shell. I don’t really mind these sights, but this time was different.  At first, I couldn't figure it out, but, then I realized he hadn't killed the turtle first.  He just hacked at it until he ripped it out of its shell. This troubled me.  Meanwhile, he pulled the still-beating heart out of the wriggling mass of intestines and let it pump in his hand until it stopped...

Happy Halloween!

Oh, Elder J, and Elder R were changed, I was quite sad, but I think I’ll learn faster now I’m not speaking ANY English.

Elder J and Elder R are next to our hermana who feeds us lunch

Hope you are all eating a ton of candy, for Andy, right now

Con Amor

Elder Smart

Solo Lobo (Lone Wolf)

OK, this week has been a roller-coaster...
I have successfully made it through one Transfer, boom.
I was sitting in a hammock eating some tortillas, and all of a sudden, thought to myself, all of my friends are doing something similar to this right now. They are either on a mission in a place far away from home, or they are at college with a ton of classes. Bottom line is that most the people I know right now are going through some really big changes, and wow. We are growing up. I hope.
Anyway, District meeting was on Tuesday, my comp took 2 showers, (because the water was finally back on), so we were really late. Entonces (then), after we got back from Ceiba, we went on splits.  I went with Elder M. and my comp went with Elder J.  Elder M. speaks really clearly and slowly, so I was able to understand most of our lessons, which was nice because I was able to follow, and then contribute.
That night was Hermana Martha’s birthday. Everyone here somehow knows Happy Birthday in English (pronounced completely wrong) but that was kinda funny. She gave a speech, and blew out a match that was stuck in a cupcake, and then we played pin the tail on the donkey. However, whoever lost had to eat extra baleadas/tortillas (we had already eaten). I gave her an English CTR ring I had, and she loved it. Oh I almost forgot! I got a letter from Grandma when we were in Ceiba!! Super, super helpful.

Picture from the Mission President's Wife website 

Reunion de 12 semanas (weeks) was on the 23rd. This was also in Ceiba (with Pres. Klein and Hermana Klein). We were like 45 minutes late because the bus broke down again, and it’s an hour and a half ride to Ceiba.  Anyway, I felt like a goon rolling up late, especially when Pres. K came up and shook my hand. Don’t worry mom, I explained to him.  But that’s where the picture from Hermana K’s blog was from.  The Elder was reciting the first vision, but he is a native speaker, so it was a breeze for him.  Anyway, for lunch they gave us PIZZA!  I almost forgot what food other than rice beans and Tortillas tasted like.  Wow that was awesome. I did see Elder Tobler, Elder Beeston, Elder Hansen, and Elder Patterson there so that was really cool to see the boys again.  They are all doing really well. We are all freaking out, because we are in Honduras, but all was well.

Oh, the kids throw fireworks at you here. Some Catracho (Honduran) threw one at me, but I guess he didn’t light it, so I picked it up and put it in my pocket. Temptation... I threw it away after much contemplation. That was hard. (Note: we found a cache of fireworks in Elder Smart’s room after he left for the MTC).

The 24th was Missionary Correlation, so we went to Confité (an hour by bus). We stayed overnight there, and left at 5 in the morning to baptize three new members in the river that runs through Masica, but then it started to rain, and it didn’t stop for two days. Elder J y Elder M’s house was flooded, and the power went out, so we had to stay indoors all day because there was water up to our knees in the street and it was dark by 4 pm. We did, however, have some candles, so that was nice. We played UNO for like 2 hours because we couldn’t do anything else. While I was studying by candle light, I came across the scripture Alma 26:12, and 27. This is a new pump up scripture for me.

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

During sacrament meeting this week, in our lean-to, some pollos/chickens (that were trying to break the law of chastity) flew INTO the congregation, and landed on a member.  That was nice.  Oh, later that day, we were getting Coconuts from a tree, and one fell and hit my comp Elder V. on the shoulder. It scraped the side of his face, and bruised his shoulder. A couple of inches over... and it would have been his head.  Dios is up their watching over us.

We had Rico for lunch. I can’t describe it. Just look it up... Raro. (Note: despite many Google searches, we could not identify what food Andy is talking about.)
Oh, I have heat rash on my ankles, so I shaved them. Just my ankles, though (lol).

Just today, comp screamed like a niño when a frog hopped into his shower.  And then right after there was a mouse in his luggage, and a gecko on his garments.  I had to take care of all these ''diablos'' (devils) as he described them.

That’s been my week.  If you can, please take a moment to pray for missionaries and their investigators. It means the world.

Con Amor
Elder Smart

Quick answers to some of the questions we've asked:

• Yes we have working toilets, but the water is not on all the time
• We have an indoor shower, but again, the water is unreliable, and then I bath in a deep concrete basin outside
• We do not ride bikes, because they'd be stolen... like in 5 seconds
• My bed is good, but collects a lot of dead bugs
• We go to Ceiba weekly for food, district meetings and money
• I am progressing with the language, but I can only say the basic stuff (like a 4 yr-old child).  I have had a few situations where I have understand "everything", it's really weird when that happens.
• Our church meets under that awning... the local school teacher owns the casa it's connected to, and lets us use the space under the awning 
• The people who feed us horse, were very poor and had to kill their horse for food

Masica is vida (life)

First off...

I make a ton of pancakes every morning, and then get fed rice, beans, tons of tortillas, platanos, eggs and meat (in excess) for lunch and dinner. So I am getting fed well for all of those wondering.

Anyway, Honduras played U.S.A in soccer on the 14^th. They tied which blew my mind. How does that happen? I actually got to watch half an hour of it at a member’s hut, which was really cool. So that was satisfying. I wrote down 2^nd Nephi 3:13 for some reason in my journal, and now I can’t remember why. It’s good though...

 13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.

My companion has been really sick lately, so he asked for a blessing. I gave him one (in English) and it was actually exactly what I needed. It was weird; the blessing was for him, but it I feel like it helped me more than it helped him.

On the 15^th we taught our weekly English lesson. These always go pretty poorly because not one person here can pronounce English words. It is quite a challenge trying to teach your native language, in a language you don’t really know.

Another scripture, 2^nd Nephi 7:7 really helped me, as I found it in personal study (God will help me). 

 7 For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

The Hermana (sister) that cooks for us had kind of a tough week. Her son was with a "friend" and he thought it would be funny to pressure him into drinking really concentrated alcohol (that he had also drugged with something), so in the middle of lunch, the father comes in, literally dragging his son in. He is completely passed out, and is throwing up in his sleeplike state. Our Hermana was sobbing for hours. It’s important that we remember that we represent our family in everything we do. Everything you do reflects your family. Please pray for our Hermana and her son, he will be okay, but his friend I hope, will realize the severity of his actions.

Waiting for some computer time 

On the 17^th, not much happened other than I juggled oranges for some kids for like 30 minutes because they have never seen that before. Oh, the other thing. People ask to see some of the pictures I have from home, but I really don’t like showing them. It shames me to show pictures of me in a suit I rented (for prom), and what not, while the people here rarely have more than one shirt to wear. People here get married in whatever they are wearing that day. It breaks my heart to see pictures of people on their wedding day, and they’re not even wearing shoes. It really makes me appreciate what I had, even though in the past I thought I had so little. When in actuality, I had infinitely more than I ever realized. It really hurts me inside. But the worst part is, I can’t sympathize with them, or tell them that I love them because my Spanish is so horrible.

Anyway...  Three more scriptures: 2^nd Nephi 8:25, 2^nd Nephi 9:4, and 2^nd Nephi 9:10. These scriptures help me remember why I’m out here in a jungle.

 25 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

 4 For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.

 10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.

On the 18th, we couldn’t find anyone we had previously contacted. So we decided to find some new people. The first hut we went to, a lady was washing clothes outside, and she said we could talk to her. She was really nice, amiable, and seemed to be really interested. so we talked to her for about 15-20 minutes, and were silently thanking God for blessing us with a new potential investigator, when all of a sudden, her husband called her in to the house for a minute, and then started closing all the windows and doors. Meanwhile, my comp and I were still sitting outside, still holding the pamphlet we were about to give her. We waited for about 10, then she cracked open the door, and apologized because her husband hates the Mormons, is a devoted Catholic, and has a problem with the missionaries. Then she shut the door. Pues (then), we left feeling pretty low. It was the first time someone had been so abrupt with us. I should probably get used to that.

We had mutual that night, and played soccer. The missionary team dominated, just saying. (God’s team) can’t beat it.

I learned on Sunday, that I will be staying in the area Elder V and I opened (La Masica 3) for another change (transfer). Elder R. and Elder J. are both leaving, which really puts me down, because they are the only ones in Masica that speak any English. I will be totally alone. They have helped me with my challenges from Spanish, to simply life here. They have become really good friends to me. They will be in my prayers. 

Patience is a virtue. 

The LDS church in Masica

Oh this is our church... I love it. 

And from our house (it’s always raining).

Love You all. 

Con Amor,

Elder Smart

La Masica…Round Two

La Ceiba

First of all, I just want to say the support I've received this week has been amazing. Thank you to all my friends and family that have sent me little reminders of why I’m here.

Okay, checké

This week has been so much better. 

We played soccer on P-day (because the basketball hoops had been stolen). It was kind of like cage I guess... Anyway it was a good way for me to relieve stress. Oh! Haircuts here are 15 Limps (75 cents) which is awesome. Oh and another thing... I ate Horse. It was really weird.  It’s like really tough steak.

Tuesday was district meeting, so we went to La Ceiba again. The ocean breeze is so nice there! When we got home it started to rain buckets. 4-5 inches in the streets. It rains every day pretty much now. I don’t even use an umbrella or raincoat because by the time I leave the casa, I’m pretty much as wet from sweat as I will be in the rain.

The next day we taught an English class to around 20 people. "Hello. My name is___, What is your name? My favorite sport is___".  It was weird teaching English when I need them to be teaching me Spanish!

The next day we did a service project for some members. We cleared a field and cut down huge trees with machetes. It was awesome, but my hands are so blistered now. I have a video of the biggest tree falling. It was massive. I never knew that you could cut grass or trees with a big knife so to speak. But I guess so.

Andy and his Companion

Oh we ran out of toilet paper this week. That was fun. Pieces of journal paper... (Note: Andy will be receiving a new journal for Christmas!)

We also went on a run this week. It was weird thinking that I was once the Cross Country captain at East, and now waking up to run is super strange. 

We then had lunch with Dan (a 70 year old American). He moved here and married a 19 year old. He now has two kids and his wife is still only like 23. He also doesn’t speak any Spanish. He doesn’t even try. He just reads all day, so I gave him the English Book of Mormon I accidentally bought in Mexico. I guess it was for a reason. He doesn’t believe in God, but is willing to read and pray, which is everything we ask. He made us fries and pulled pork sandwiches. So, so good.

Sunday was fast Sunday. Ultra vez. I actually really don’t mind fasting. I feel closer to God when I have a prayer in my stomach. Anyway, I blessed the sacrament with Elder Reese, and I bore my testimony in testimony meeting. Our church is a lean-to in a field. There were 20 members present (including us 6 missionaries) and I’m pretty sure there were more dogs and chickens present. But I could feel the spirit, so I know the catrachos (Hondurans) could too.

I found a really good scripture for me to apply here to the people of Masica. Its Mosiah 4:26.

26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.

It has been such a humbling experience just being here for two weeks and some change. I walk around every day and mope around, when I should be eternally grateful to have the life I have. Why do I need to worry about myself? The answer is, I don’t. I need to focus on the needs of the people I am called to serve and not on myself. Focusing on me is one of the most selfish things I could do. Especially here, on my mission, in Honduras. Fight for every inch.

I just had to put this quote my cousin (Elder Venn in Mexico) sent me...from a talk by Elder Jeffrey Holland.

"Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?

You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary."

I hope that we can all be missionaries in some way, because it has blessed my life and I know it can bless yours.

Tomorrow is October the 14th. That’s weird. I would probably be going to a haunted house in a sweatshirt and jeans right about now. Where am I?

I miss you all, but I know that you all are hanging in there. Thanks again for the support. Please pray for Elder V. and me.  I love you all. Pray always...work hard...play hard.

Andy's back yard

Con Amor,

Elder Smart

My primero semana en La Masica, Honduras...

Last day in Mexico

Hello all, I don’t even know where to begin. 

This week has probably been the hardest week I've had to endure, ever.  La Masica is the poorest town in Honduras, it’s not even a town, it’s a pueblo. The people here live in sticks, and huts made out of steel.  Most of them are always half naked, and don’t wear shoes.  There are two groups of people that live here. The less than dirt poor, and the drug dealers who are dirt poor.  Over the past week:  I’ve sweat so much you can see through my shirt. I’ve been chased by dogs, bitten by hundreds of mosquitos and ants, in and out of my house.  I’ve split wood for 2 hours for a family.  I’ve pushed a bus we were taking for half a mile because it stopped working.  I’ve had the most insane diarrhea you can’t even imagine. I’ve heard gunshots in the distance, and right outside my own casa.  I am constantly being yelled at "Hey you! Gringo!"  Everyday.  I’ve tried to teach lessons with mothers nursing their children for the world to see.  I’ve caught tarantulas and Geckos by the dozen. I've had a drunk guy sing to me about how he loves young women.  And I’ve cut grass with a machete. 

Oh, and I got a haircut. That was good.

Through all this, the hardest thing has been the language. Here they don’t speak very correctly. It’s the equivalent of hick talk-- improper and inaccurate. I can’t understand anything that anyone says. It is like a different language to me. We teach lessons all the time and I don’t understand what’s going on. My companion is pretty nice though. Even though he has a weird Ecuadorian accent and says stuff I don’t understand. He is 6 foot 3 or 4, and towers over me. I feel so alone. I can’t express anything I am feeling, positive or negative.

I have never been so close to breaking down and giving up in my whole life.

Throughout all this bad and negativity, I do think the good outweighs the bad. First of all, Conference. There was an English room! We had to take a bus to La Ceiba (the one that broke down) and then when we rolled up to the church, we saw the Mission President standing there on the front lawn with sheep grazing all around him. This was the first of the good. We then went in and... Air conditioning! And then... Elder Beeston, Patterson, and a bunch of other guys I know. Conference was amazing! I loved it! English! Anyway, I’m running out of time here. We stayed in the Zone Leader’s house in Ceiba. I got to sleep in a hammock!  Like old times, man.  The next day was my favorite. My new favorite apostle gave my favorite talk also. (Elder Bednar- link to his talk). https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/10?lang=eng&vid=3822608486001&cid=10

A few more things... We make and eat pancakes every morning. Then for Lunch and Dinner every day, we eat at this church member’s house.  She cooks Beans, rice, amazing tortillas, meat, and platanos (plantains) for every meal.  Carb load, bro. 

Mom, I have a pic with Elder Dunford and I met Lauren Criddle’s brother here! He was at the stake center in Ceiba. (Lauren goes to Brighton HS) He was way stoked, she had told him about me. We got a picture with a Jesus painting.

I saw the ocean! In Ceiba.

I know that I am really struggling here, but the Lord sends the feeble and weak to thrash the nations with the word of God.  Pray for me and for all the otro (other) missionaries out and about that probably need more help than me.  I know this church is true, and I know that I am here in Honduras for the people. They are so humble, and they have less than nothing.  Hopefully I can give them something more worthwhile than earthly possessions, The True and Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Siempre Amor de me corazon
USU til death!
Elder Smart

La Ceiba 

The district (MTC)

The nose knows

La Masica

Hola loved ones!

I am now living in a jungle... (La Masica). 

The past few days have been really loco.   Life that's been subway sandwiches in San Salvador, humidity, Spanish and companions that don't speak English has been a real trip. (Andy had a layover in San Salvador) 

However, La Masica is so beautiful.  I am so excited to serve here with the elders, though I miss Elder Larsen a ton!

My new Comp is Elder V*, he is from Ecuador and doesn't speak any English. Everyone else got paired up with an English speaking elder but me.  I guess that's Gods way of saying I need to work on my Spanish more than anyone else from the CCM. 

Anyway, I am still really nervous about the language, but I know it will come. Everyone keeps telling me not to stress out about it, but I cant help worrying whenever someone comes up to me and asks me something in Spanish.   I need to pray.  I know that I need to be here and I'm in the right place.  So there's that.  Also my companion doesn't speak English, but I think he's pretty cool.  Other than that, nada. 

I  miss my family and my friends.  I think this is the Lord's influence in my life.

I know that this gospel is true, and I'm excited to forget myself and serve.

No mucho tiempo, catch you all on P-day

Siempre Con Amor

-Elder Smart

*Note: We have been asked not to publish names without permission, especially people who are from Central America... hence Elder "V"

ultimos dia, ultimos minute

So I leave for Honduras tomorrow at 2:30 in the morning... I get to email today because it’s my last day in the CCM.

I´m in a different world right now.

Yesterday was one of the most spiritual days of my life.  It was fast and testimony meeting, where my whole district (15A) bore our testimonies in Spanish.  I finally realized how far each of us has truly come, from when we first met.  The testimonies gained, hardships endured together, the happy times shared.  I love my districto, and am so grateful for the progress we have made.

Yesterday, we also had the opportunity to hear a devotional given on Christmas day by David A. Bednar.  It was titled "The Character of Christ".  I hope it is available to you all.  It is the most powerful talk I have ever heard, and is now my favorite also.
"The Character of Christ" video
"The Character of Christ" text

He talks about how Christ is the perfect example of "turning out", as opposed to "turning in" (the natural man).   He goes on to explain that if you look to yourself, you will never find it.  You need to follow the example of Christ and become completely selfless, forget yourself in the work, and find humility in order to truly find yourself.

This was a huge reality check for me, as I am about to get out into the field and preach the true doctrine of Christ to real people.  Elder Larsen and I fasted for an extra meal this week to find comfort in what we are about to do, and that we would be able to receive an answer to what we need to do “now”.  I know that Elder Bednars devotional was an answer to our prayers.

After the devotional, we watched "Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration".  This is an amazing movie about the life of Joseph Smith and all he, his family, and the members lost and sacrificed for the church.  It reminded me of the first time I saw it.  My family and I went to Nauvoo, and while we were there, we took a tour of some of the church sites, and one activity was watching this movie, as it was new.  I remember I had just finished reading the Book of Mormon, cover to cover for the first time.  Afterwards, I was thinking to myself that no mere man could have translated this book alone. It was a testament to me that through the power and authority of Dios, all things are possible.

As I am about to journey into a jungle for two years, I know that if I keep the faith, and endure to the end, I will be able to see the hand of God in my life, and in the lives of those I serve.

I know I need to strive to “turn out”, as Christ, our redeemer, did.  I know that the day will come where all people will hear the word of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own tongues.  I know this is why I am speaking Spanish.  To bring the gospel to all those humble souls in Honduras that are prepared for me. I know that I am just a body for the Holy Ghost to speak through, because The Holy Spirit is the real teacher for all.

I love this gospel and ask for you to pray for those in Honduras that are in the most need.  Pray for their hearts to be softened and opened unto the Lord.

Todas día, Cada día.

Siempre con amor,

Elder Andrew Jefferson Smart

Elders Larsen, Young and Smart