Honduras Week 3

Not much to add to his letter this week.  He is doing great.

Hola Familia,

¿Cómo está? ¿Qué tal? Well this week was very quiet and calm because of Semana Santa. We did a lot of contacting and teaching. We taught about 36 people this week. We enjoyed some rain on thursday that just was insanely crazy rain. My toes are getting better just trying to keep them clean and everything. My ipod doesnt work something is wrong with it not sure what though. Should I send it back or what? I am doing pretty good health is good, except on Thursday I was sick with really bad stomach cramps and stuff like that, but I am getting better though. Thats crazy how Josey is already in young womens ha I am sure she will look different by the time I come back. I am glad that Em and Ky have settled down finally. I think we can watch church videos but i am not sure. Elder Thatcher said they use to watch Disney movies but it eventually got out of hand oh well. Thats way awesome for T I am sure he will enjoy his mission a ton. 

This week the work was good this week we did well in teaching but getting people to church was hard. We are teaching a few investigators that are getting baptized in Mayo. We are teaching this one family that has a dad that is not a member but the rest of the family is. He is slowly progressing and he seems interested. We have another family that has been prepared for a while and was going to get baptized but then the wife backed out. We have been trying to figure it out why but she wont tell us. We are planning on marrying them so they keep the la ley de Castidad haha. Also we started teaching this abogado whos name is Pedro Pable Dominguez and he is such a nice man. He is so kind and is friends with a couple of members. We are pretty excited to teach him. Well I think that is all just we are working hard to baptize everyone. My spanish is coming little by little and Elder Thatcher says I am improving. I need to stop worrying about what I am saying andtrust in the Lord more to fill my mouth with words to say. I have been trying that a little this week and I really try to listen to the spirit to help me and guide me on what say and its worked pretty well.

Being here is awesome but sad how these people live. The only way these people live is if they are with a husband and wife, but they are not even married though. The father goes out and works and the wife has to raise children and try to make money too. Just seeing how these people live and how its so hard to survive. I want to do more and help them change there lives so they can have at least something. Most of these people are not even married because it takes 800 Lempiras to be married. No one can afford it. Then I see the children that grow up in this manner and it breaks my heart because they have a chance to do something for themselves. I can help come unto Christ and receive blessings but I want to give them food, clothing, and shelter too. I am out here for a reason and I am hoping to help these people as much as I can. Anyways hope all is well in Estados Unidos. I am glad to here that Cody and Dillon are doing good.

Well something funny that happened was we were contacting people and we met some 19 year old kid from Georgia visiting here and helping out this girl that he kind of messed up with. He was really interesting character to talk to because the way he was acting and he couldnt sit stll and he talked really funny. Maybe its a Georgia thing but I am not sure lol. But we talked to him for a bit and he said religion is not his thing. Its amazing what kind of people we meet out here lol. Well thank you for the prayers and support it helps me everyday. God Speed. Cheque.

Con Amor,

Elder Hall  

Hodurus Week 2

Great letter from Chase today.  He sounds great and is settling into a normal schedule with his training companion.  He remains challenged with the language but to me it sounds like he is learning quickly. The cultural divide is large for him as he has never spent time outside of the country.  

 

Hot and humid seems to be the weather for him today and I find it humorous that he looks forward to the rainy season and potential hurricanes.  He will be fine. 

 

Enjoy

 

Family,

Well this week was up and down everyday. We would have a really good day then we would have an okay day. We have not had any baptisms but we are working on getting people to be baptized. We walk everywhere and talk to everyone. We have a couple of investigators interested but the only problem is not many people are married here. There is a big fine to pay for marriage and we have to help them pay for it to be baptized. Because of the Law of Chastity. The people are so poor and its crazy how they live in such small houses with no AC and live off what they have. My companion and I get along well and enjoy the work. His example to me has helped me realize what kind of missionary I need to be. I sometimes get frustrated with myself with spanish and speaking it but I cant get frustrated and I need to move forward and learn little by little. I had divisions with my zone leaders on wednesday and i was with Elder Contreras who only speaks spanish haha. THat was fun and I could understand him and stuff. I know the Lord is helping with my spanish everyday. My area is Límon de la Cerca which is east of Choluteca. They dont have addresses here for homes so sorry I cant give you an address. The branch that we are in is Ciudad Nueva i think. Yes we cook food on our own and no we do not do our own laundry we have a member do them. We eat mainly tortillas and frijoles. I had my first Honduran plate this past week which was beans, rice, and meat (not sure what kind though lol). Also tortillas, its pretty good and I am eating enough mom. I might have lost weight, I am not sure though. 

 

Well the iPod that I have died because I dont have a charger for it. So its dead and I am trying to charge but I dont know if its charging though. It might be broken not sure entirely. Well I had my first ingrown toenail and it hurts a bit and bleeds. I hope it heals fast but I am pretty good other than that though.

 

Something that was cool that happened was we contacted this one lady who was having a hard couple of days because they had a financial problem. She said that she was praying for help and we knocked on her door one night and she new that we were answers to her prayers. She is taking the lessons with her husband and they seem accepting of the gospel. I think its amazing how the Lord blesses people and how at the right time and place he sends messengers to those who need help. I am trying to help people here but my spanish is holding me back a little and its hard. But I know in time and hard work I am helping them some how. Its hard at times to speak and listen to what people say. I am trying to be positive and move forward. The gospel teaches everyone soemthing new everyday. Well this week is Semana Santa so we will see how many people  will be home and listen to the gospel. This should be a fun week!! Thank you for the support and prayers. Also the rainy season is coming up and I am excited for the storms to come. They say there is going to be some hurricanes maybe in May so we will see what happens. God Speed.

 

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

Honduras or bust......his first week

To say that we were very relieved to receive this email today would be an understatement.  

We hadn't heard from Chase since we spoke to him in Atlanta a week ago on Tuesday and we had no other confirmation that he had arrived in Honduras.  

As I sat at my desk today and hit a point in the day where I had a break in my calendar I logged onto our email just in time to see his email come across.  What a great feeling to know that he was sitting at a computer so far away at the same time sending the attached email.  Truly we continue to feel like our prayers are answered with many daily miracles.  I shed a few tears, offered quick thanks and tried to send back a quick response......but he wouldn't answer for lack of time.  

I am convinced that the Lord is taking him by the hand and buoying him up in his hard times.  As we read the letter he certainly appears to be in great spirits and feels very good about what he is doing.  I know he must have quiet times of missing home but from his email you couldn't see any signs of that emotion.  We are truly blessed and I am amazed.

Thank you all for your prayers and fasting in his behalf.  The results of having sincere prayers answered is below.

Note how his living conditions are.  Sounds like a camping  trip.  We looked up Choluteca on the map and he is southeast of Tegucigalpa in what appears to be a pretty remote area of Honduras.  The city is about 75K population which is a good size but he is outside of the city north and east.  Thankfully he still has email access in the city.

enjoy.....

Mom and family,

Well I made it in Honduras just fine. Elder Andrus and I came in about 12 i think. We met President Chaverri and he is so kind and super funny. His wife is such a good cook our first night there we stayed at the mission home in Tegus and it was a really nice home. Then on Wednesday we got to know our new companions. My companion is Elder Thatcher from Logan, Utahand he is such an awesome trainer. He is tall has glasses and loves the work. After that we went to our assigned areas and we are in Choluteca in southern Honduras. Our area is called Lymón de la Cerca and this place is so poor. But they are very humble people. The area is dusty and super hot. We live in a small cuatro and there is not that much room. I like is though its something way different and everyone in the area is very nice. The streets are rocky and dusty. The houses are tin roofs, concrete walls and dirt floors. Its so sad in this area because there are so many families that do not have that much. There spirits are humble and accepting. There are about 40 members i think in the area and the leaders are so strong in the church. I am not sure if people would like the area because its really dirty and some parts are scary. There are lots of dogs. We actually met a lady that is fromt the Estado Unidos  de California and she is here because her mom is from here and she is watching her moms house for her. Very interesting to talk to someone fromt the states lol. The language is frustrating because I cannot understand what everyone is saying because there grammar is terrible. But I am learning litttle by little. I love the area and the people because they are so nice. The Elders in our Zone are really funny and awesome. There are actually a couple of Elders from San Pedro Sula and they are so funny and crazy. I love them all and looking forward in working with them.

 

Spiritual experience is how much i am teaching the people and talking to them and actually understanding them. Also Elder Thatcher was wondering if I was scared or anything and I am not actually scared because i know I have the Lord on my side and He is going to protect me. You would not believe where I would walk and what people we see haha But I love it just as much.

 

Ummm funny story is today we had a slip and slide at the church and got wet because it was so hot. Then played some soccer. Also got some new beds for the house and you dont realized how small the house is but its small lol. Mom I dont think you would approve where i live at all lol. oh well your in the states anyways :) Thank you for the prayers and the help it has helped so much! Also to anyone who is writing me by hand the letters willl not come till like three weeks or so. So yeah sorry hopefully you will get them. Anyways los vemos. Also the food is pretty good here can you believe there is a Wendy`s here! and Pizza hut.

 

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

Final Days in the MTC and Travel Time is Finally Here

Just a few hours after this letter we were able to have a live conversation with Chase.  He sounded great and yet very tired.  The scheduled flight out of SLC was at 1:30 am on Tuesday morning and they had to be at the airport at 9:30 pm Monday.  Needless to say he was going on 24 hours without sleep when we spoke at 6am on Tuesday. 

He reached a point at the MTC where he knows it is time to move on.  You can see that he is ready and seeking to hear the messages from the Spirit each day.  Conference took on an entirely new meaning for him with pesonal revelation being something he realized.  His mom and I feel like he is still doing great after speaking with him real time although he is likely still a little homesick and uncertain about his future in Honduras.  There were many moment of pause as we spoke and I am sure he was holding back some emotion.  We are hopeful that he will at least get to send us a note from the mission home when he arrives but as of this morning still no word.  Regardless we feel like he is doing great and is in no danger while in the Lords hands.  It is an amazing feeling to have each day as we search within our soul for answers of how he is and answers are recieved even though he is so far away.  What a blessing.

Our plan is to fast this Sunday to once again petition the Lord for his intervention to lift Chase through another tough time as he tries to gain some normalcy in his life in Honduras.  Change is constant for him.  To say the least he is in the crucible of faith and growth.  He will be fine.  If anyone would like to join us for the fast we would sincerely appreciate it.

Enjoy this weeks letter.

Mom,

Well the day is here and I am getting packed and ready for the long journey. The MTC seemed to fly by but my teacher said being out in the mission it flies even faster. I just have to lose myself in the work and go forward with faith and obedience and everything will fall into place. I am excited and sad to leave because I am going to miss my district a ton. The good thing is a couple of the Elders in the district and zone want to come to AZ for fun and party it up after the mission. So Mom prepare for that lol. Yes I am excited to call you all and hear from you ha. I wonder who is going to all be there when i call I might have to calll different people. Yes the pictures are funny and I have many to come from the mission too. My teacher Hno. Sturgill showed his pictures of his mission and you could tell he enjoyed his mission a ton. I want to have a mission like that and absolutely enjoy every minute of it. Thank you for the prayers and blessings.

I have had many spiritual experiences and revelations in conference this past week becaause a teacher in our zone challenged us to have ten questions about anything and he promised they will be anwsered. I can testify they all were answered and it was amazing I have like 10 pages of notes so I am excited. Also I bet Kyle is happy about the Fort Collins temple being announced! I have had a lot of prayers and questions for the Lord if I am ready for the mission and serve the people of Honduras and I had a confirmation during conference saying I am ready and prepared for the work. So I am going forward in faith and obedience to serve the people of Honduras. I am excited to go because fo the things Steven has been sending me and preparing me. Also this week I have been understanding a little bit more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how it plays a role in my life and showing how it plays in the lifes of others. I am going to have a fantastic mission because my attitude is going to make the difference. Also my branch president here in the MTC committed me to a promise with him and my mission president to be the kind of missionary that he would send me to the outskirts of the mission and not have to worry about me because he will know that I will be obedient in everything I do. I promise myself that because I want to be an absolute fantastic missionary to the Lord. Also I went to the temple today and decided to do all three things in the temple and I did sealings for the first time which was an amazing experience. I got to be a witness for children and being sealed to their parents. I was being a witness next to the sealer and I notice a couple of family names from the Reid side and I didnt know if we were related. They were from Alabama and there names were the Henry Earnest Reid (child being sealed) and John Wesley Reid (husband) and they wife I could not remember the name but it was long. Anyways I dont know.

Well funny story is that I am getting all these packages from Janeene and my second mom Aunt Jen. They were good and also how much food I gave to others because I know I cannot pack it haha. Also just haveing a blast with my district because we are all being seperated but for a good cause!!! Well thats all till I am in Honduras!

Con Amor,

Elder Hall