So back when I was in Echague I said in one of my emails that
Summer is here. Well, if only I knew back then how hot it was going to
be now I would have enjoyed that weather a lot more than I did. It is
blazing hot now. Like ridiculously hot. We've been downing water as much
as we can to survive but holy cow, just thought I'd mention that it is
crazy hot!
As for the week this week, it was pretty good. Had some good days
but also had some not so great moments as well. Start this week by going
back to last Monday. We had family home evening with the Ancheta family
and it was super fun! They are one of my favorite families here. We had
a good little lesson then got to the games which was a blast. Even
Tatay and Nanay, especially Tatay, really got into the games. I even
started to worry a little bit if he was gonna be able to stand back up
after kept falling to the ground laughing so hard. We all had a really
great time and also got a nice dinner.
Tuesday we taught zone meeting. Went pretty well. We discussed
different methods of teaching then the STL's shared about asking
inspired questions.. Everyone's input was really good which was a big
help in making the lesson go well. After zone meeting, we ate lunch at
the local kerinderia then went on splits with the Mabini elders. I went
with Elder Mansor. We were together in Alicia for my four cycles there
then we came here to Burgos together so we know each other pretty well.
We had a good time on splits. We only taught three lessons together
since time was cut short because of zone meeting and having to do some
things for the Branch President. One of the lessons we taught was to
LeslieAnn and April Lopez. We've been teaching these two sisters and
they've been progressing really well, especially in our lesson on
Tuesday. We taught the Restoration since April hadn't heard it yet. She
is the older sister and I think she is a little more interested than
LeslieAnn. They both have been keeping their commitments so far so we
are excited to see how they progress. They planned on attending church
and even got ready but they said they didn't have a ride. We'll help
them with that this week and just tell them to put aside 5 pesos a day
so that when Sunday comes they won't have a problem being able to get to
church and back.
Wednesday was a normal day of work. Nothing really out of the
ordinary happened Wednesday. Taught the normal lessons but not really to
anybody that is progressing. We were able to teach Sister Munik, the
less active we just met, and continue to build our relationship with
her. She is the only member in her family so we are working with Tatay
as well. We haven't been able to share with him but we are able to talk
to him more and more each visit. It was too bad though she didn't attend
church this week. We don't know why so we'll have to find out this
week.
Thursday we decided to switch up our schedule and work in the
morning till lunch, the study during the early afternoon and then go
back out again around 3. Do this we try and avoid the heat a little. It
was working pretty well until about 2:00. By that time the apartment was
turning into an oven. Couldn't stay any longer so we went back out. We
taught Nanay and Tatay Plemente Thursday afternoon. They are still
progressing slowly but surely. We are still taking it a principle at a
time to help them really understand.
Alright I'm not going to go into much detail for Friday and
Saturday. Good days but nothing out of the ordinary happened. We worked
hard and ended up teaching quite a bit but nothing really stood out.
Saturday morning we did have a little csp just across the road from our
apartment with the Cordova family. Pulled weeds from their garden if you
could call it that. I think it needs replanting.
Saturday afternoon a small but super strong thunderstorm came out
of nowhere. The power lines of the house where we were teaching started
sparking like crazy. There was a part of it that kept hitting the metal
roof and whenever it touched it sparked. We eventually finished the
lesson then ran to the nearest tindihan to wait out the rain a little
bit. It was super windy and really strong rain for the time it lasted.
Sunday was my first normal Sunday here in Burgos. When we got there
there were two big puddles of water in the entryway and in the
sacrament hall from the rain the day before. We went and got the mops
and cleaned it up before the majority of the people got there. Also I'd
have to say I wasn't too impressed with the leadership. So I could
basically sum up the entire branch by saying not a lot of people are
fans of the branch president. Church is supposed to start at 8:30 and we
have class first but what really happened is we had one hour of class
at 9:30ish then sacrament meeting. I had heard a lot about the branch
president but I wanted to keep an open mind and get my own opinion of
him. To be honest though, what the members were saying was true. Never
saw him come out the office other than to attend Sacrament meeting.
Elder Castillo and I taught Sunday school. The worst was after church.
He came up to us and told us to make baptismal certificates for the
recent converts that hadn't received them yet. My companion replied and
just said we aren't the ones that make it and he needs to talk to the
clerk and have them made. Plus we don't even know how. We also asked him
if we could have a meeting which he grudgingly accepted. As we walked
into his office he told me to wait outside and just let Elder Castillo
in. Pretty weird but whatever. Long story short, he lectured Elder
Castillo because of his answer about the baptismal certificate. Which
wasn't even a bad answer? President told him we obey him. Whatever he
says we do. Plus some other stuff. They were in there for a good 5 to 7
minutes before he let me in. He is kinda high up in the government here
and he has money so I think for the most part every time he tells people
to do something they do it since they are scared of him. So I think he
was more shocked because we said he needs to talk to the clerk. So yeah,
got some work to do with this branch president. We're going to try and
do our best though. I guess all the past missionaries have reported to
President Rahlf about him so he knows what it's like here in Burgos. We
love the members here though so we want to do all we can to help the
church become more established here.
That's basically it for the week. Pretty good week that ended on a
low note but things happen. We have zone conference tomorrow so that
should be really fun. This will be our last zone conference with
President and Sister Rahlf. Really looking forward to it tomorrow! I
hope you all have a great week. Love you all!
Love Elder Haacke
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