Sometimes I forget I am in South America,,,seriously. This has got to be one of the most random countries in the world. There is nothing like it! You gotta be here to believe it. There are so many cultures in one place. AND so many languages. I have trouble learning Dutch but there are so many people that don't even speak Dutch! All these random Creole languages.
I decided that I haven't been telling enough funny stories. Here are a couple of them. First: There are so many bats here at night. They don't bother you or anything. but one time biking I got hit in the face with one. Dad's worst nightmare. It was pretty funny. Here is another one: The story of the man we call "Yeah Yeah". Basically he is this man that works on a house being built on our street. EVERYTIME WE WALK BY HE YELLS, "Yeah Yeah. (Translated) How are you my sweethearts." Attaching a video is too big but it's pretty funny. I also kinda hate him though but he's harmless. I'll try to include more funny stories in my emails.
Well this week went pretty well! We had some good lessons. Can't say we have one solid investigator but you know...it'll come. Mohan is doing well. Found out this week that he is still married to his first wife from like 30 years ago and won't divorce her. Meanwhile he has been with his current "wife" for 25 years...people here...c'mon! Haha. Sooooo that's an issue.
Ernesto came to church! Our mission leader who is his cousin went and got him and basically dragged him to church though. That's not a good sign. That's one thing I don't want is to baptize a future less active. He's got more changing to do. But I love him and he is a pretty cool kid.
Rita is back from Guyana. I don't know her whole situation but we will see how teaching goes. She's awesome but soooo difficult to teach. What a talker.
We are starting to progress with this one boy Shiffon. He's a cool kid and really smart. He understands everything and remembers. I want to talk to his parents but I also can't say anything I want to say.
That's been very frustrating lately. I've gotten over the initial shock and taking all the new language in...now it's just stupid that I can't say anything. It's super hard. I just wish I could have a teacher and go to Dutch school for like 2 weeks and just learn more! I get by on English. It's not the best but it works. Lots of the members speak decent English. However, I really do try speaking Dutch. I just start guessing. Sometimes I'm right. sometimes I'm wrong. People are very nice.
I really do love the members here. They keep me going! I can't wait to be able to express my love to them in Dutch by the end of my mission. For now I can just give hugs and smile. I love them all. And yes, they feed us! Not all the time, but when they do... it's delicious. This weekend a women made this curry and then we had roti and Bara. It was so good. And Mohan's wife feeds us every time we are there. She is the sweetest. I never told you that they have the orange sticky indian dessert here. Don't worry, I don't eat it all the time. I actually don't like it much anymore...I'm surprised.
Zone conference is coming up just now. Elder Cornish from the 70 is coming too. It'll be awesome! I need a good spiritual uplift. One thing that I just love about missions is that no matter how hard things get I'm always so happy! Life is super challenging but I'm so happy. I can honestly see so clearly God's love and how amazing his plan is for us. Life feels so simple. Keep your covenants and helps others along the way. I get really excited thinking about how much influence I'll have once I know the language. I'm pretty sure I can change the world down here in Suriname. :-) I've realized how much of an advantage sister missionaries have. I think people are just less intimidated by us and we are more personable. Obviously that's a generalization but I think it's true.
Tell Uncle Charlie that I'm serving with Eric Bowen. He knows him. Also Sam tell me about Vivnt! HAha. Any sweet concerts and swag?!
Love you all!
The church is sooooo true!
Love,
Elizabeth
Picutres are of downtown, girls in the branch and a dead snake
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