I am happy to say that this month went by a little more quickly than the previous ones. That gives me good hope that we are getting our feet underneath us and better know what we are doing. Well maybe...
We have been working hard to find people to teach. We try to talk to people everywhere we go around the island. One day, we stopped for lunch at a beachside grill. We were definitely a "peculiar" people there in our missionary attire. One lady even stopped us and told us that we were dressed a little strange for the beach and laughed. But we do get noticed. Sometimes, we feel like walking billboards. People either are friendly when they see us or turn their heads when they don't want to see us.
Occasionally, we take time in the morning for a little walk before we start our day. You take your life in your hand when you walk anywhere here. We found a little beach behind our apartment where the locals go to fish and to swim. It has a road that loops around into a circle and there are less cars to dodge there. The other morning as we were walking we saw a man with his horse. (There are lots of horses on the island. They race them, and then when they are old, they just tie them up randomly all over the island. People even ride horses on busy roads on the side of all the traffic) Anyway, as we watched, this man led the horse out into the sea and they began swimming. They swam quite far out before they turned and came back. We saw three horses swimming that morning. They told us it was good exercise for them without damaging their feet and muscles. Considering how many horses we see going on the paved roads, I would say that is true. It was a fun thing to see those horses swimming in the ocean.
As I said, when we walk our loop, it is by a beach the local people use. Every morning the older generation (our age) are there for a swim. They believe the salt water is healing. They are so fun to watch. They laugh with big booming laughs and enjoy themselves so much bobbing up and down in the waves. It always makes us happy when we see them.
On the 18th of this month we get to fly to Puerto Rico to hear Elder Anderson speak to the missionaries in our mission. It will be the first time and maybe the only time that we will be around the young Elders and Sisters. We look forward to gathering together so we can feel like we are part of a mission. It will be a quick trip as they will take us straight from the meeting back to the airport. Sometimes, I have to admit, I am slightly envious of my senior friends and family missionaries who enjoy the friendship of other missionaries in their service. But I have a really, really great companion here on the island so it works.
We have an investigator who has set a baptism date. We are helping him overcome a smoking habit. It amazes me to see his willingness to be obedient so he can be baptized. It has been a sweet experience and we are fasting and praying that it will all work out for him.
The sisters in the branch wanted to do some humanitarian work. There are no sewing machines and no one needs a quilt here, so we have been attempting to teach them how to crochet dish cloths for the local soup kitchen. It has been a hard skill to learn! But we have lots of laughs and some funny looking dish cloths to show for our work. They have truly become my sisters and I love them (even if I can't always understand what they are saying!)
We want you all to know that we love the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are immersed in His work and His plan. We are so grateful for the atoning sacrifice of the Savior and that we can repent. We pray for you all every day and hope that you are praying for us! Thanks to those who have sent us a note. We love hearing from you and appreciate the emails.
Love to all,
(Elder and) Sister DeMIlle
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