Here's the big news...I'm IN SURINAME. Here's the wild story--Last Tuesday we were out with our Sister Training Leader going to an appointment around 3. I get a call from my district leader saying the AP's have been trying to get a hold of me. I say okkkkkkkkk. So I call them and they say, "Sister Wood! We are in Suriname right now and it's great here. How fast can you pack your bags cause you're leaving tomorrow." I was in shock. Being transferred is one thing but I wasn't expecting an emergency transfer. After I hung up I started crying/laughing cause I was in shock and really just didn't want to go. I told myself I was staying english side. Sister Sommer was super sad. Lo and behold, the rest of our day went differently. We went around saying goodbye to some investigators and members. It was really sad to say goodbye to Boom Boom. Everyone was like family up there. Not to toot my own horn, but I will be very missed haha. Ryno, Nick and Marley were so sad. I know Sister Sommer will take good care of them. Nick called me the next morning to hear my voice one last time. I honestly didn't get to say bye to many people, it just happened all so fast!! I got packed that night and then left to Trinidad the next morning. I was in Trinidad for almost two days but just one night. My companion was Sister Tilby. We had a really fun time together. It was cool to see more of Trinidad. It's pretty cool. SOOO different from the small islands. It felt like America. They have everything--highways, malls etc. I tried some doubles while I was there and pig feet. My bag got lost on the way to Trinidad but it showed up by the time I left Thursday night for Suriname...phew.
So I arrived in Suriname on Thursday night. My companion is Sister Johnson. She's from Utah but she's lived all over Utah. She's 20 and has been out for almost 10 months. I am officially Sister #3 in Suriname. Suriname is a very different country. It's built upon a swamp--kinda looks like the outer banks in the sense you have those weeds everywhere kinda thing. It's very civilized here...probably more than St.Vincent. Lots of cars and stores. It's quite the melting pot here. You feel like you are in India, China, and South America. It's soooo weird. Of races you have Asian, Indian, Black and White. Everyone just gets along with everyone. We ride bikes here which is pretty cool. I got a pretty sweet bike.
Did I mention they speak Dutch here?! A langauge I am not familiar with? Well it's true. It's very intimidating. There are all these things I want to help and do but I have no idea how! Most people understand English so I'll just talk to people anyway but I am very overwhelmed. I need some pretty encouraging letters this week. I want to go back to English side! I was just getting the hang of it. President Mehr called the other day and welcomed me to Suriname and told me I could do it. I was just like yeeeeeeahhhhhhhh.
Sister Johnson has had a temp with her for the past two transfers. The reason I had to come early is becuase her temp had to go to school and they couldn't find another one. Let's just say our days are very open and it's a lot of contacting. I can help out by acting really nice and not knowing any dutch so that's good. Boys hit on you allllll the time. I thought it was bad in St.Vincent but it's worse here.
Yesterday church was pretty fun. It was testimony meeting and they asked me to come up and introduce myself. In Dutch I said, "Hello! I'm Sister Wood! I speak little little little little little dutch." And then I bore my testimony in Dutch thanks to a piece of paper I had. Then later that night we went contacting with a member. He was awesome! His name is Lucien and he talks to everyone. We got 12 contacts with him.
Since I got here at the end of the transfer my comp had basically run out of money and there was just gross food in the kitchen. I exchanged some money and got some apples. We don't have any money to do anything today though. We will go to the city next Monday I guess. I'm serving in Wanica. The Elders I have met so far seem nice. I don't know I'm just kinda of depressed honestly. This will take some getting used to.
Well enough about me! WOW, YOU'RE GOING TO THE PHILLIPINES!!!? That's wild! I was not expecting it! That will be such a cool experience! I will be living a more civilized life than you! I can't wait to hear everything. When do you leave? How long are you in the MTC? Being a missionary is quite the experience. I'm excited to see what it's like for you. What type of missionary are you?
I didn't get my package mom but they'll forward it onto me I'm sure.
I don't have much else to say. Love you all like crazy!
Love,
Zuster Elizabeth Wood
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