Hola from Hermana Pamél

January 20, 2010

Dear Fam,

This past Sunday was Ricardo's baptism. Despite the early morning chaos everything went really well. He has come such a long way and I really think that he is going to be a strong member of the church in the future. He is set up well with many friends in the church. The Ortegas have even invited him to be a permanent part of their Family Home Evening group. Hermana Erekson were nervous that the members wouldn't stay after church for the baptism. But we actually had a very nice size group that stayed. They were all the many people who have helped us teach Ricardo. They were all so eager to congratulate and welcome him; I was so very proud of our little ward.

Ricardo's baptism with Hermano Ortega

I played a musical number, which was very simple, but it really helped bring the spirit and keep the members from chattering during the meeting, which is sometimes a problem. Reverence is not a forte here. (There are always at least two toddlers climbing on the pulpit and two trying to play the piano with me during the hymns.There have been a lot of complaints, but in the end, only the parents have control on that one.)

I started driving this week with my new Puerto Rican drivers liscense. Whoa. There are so many pot-holes. There is no point in trying to dodge them, because 5 meters later you will just hit another one! The roads are in terrible condition. There is onepot-hole that is so big they just stuck an orange barrel in it--right in the middle of the lane. I was coming over a hill and all of a sudden an orange barrel in right in front of me. It is a really, really stupid solution because it leaves you with two options. One, swerve into oncoming traffic or two, run the other drivers off the roads. Neither are ideal.

I had two realizations this week. First, the word "bifstec" is actually "beef steak" and two, the street "Ladakid" is actually "La 'The Kid'". Go figure.

This week we had an interesting experience in the Campo. Hermana Erekson and I went deep into the Campo to go contact a member referal. We found the referral, a big burly black guy, and his two friends (also very big black guys) . He was really not interested and had no problem showing it. So we left and walked back to our car. Well, it had been raining a bit the previous few days so things were still pretty muddy. Unfortunatley our car got completley stuck in the mud. We couldn't move. So, the two stupid americans had to go back and ask them to help get our car out after they had just flatly rejected us. They wrost part is, after we all walked back to the car, they just told us to put the car in reverse. We did and it slid out with no problem. It was so embarassing. I am sure they will always remember those silly little missionary girls.

We were also on the news this week. The city of Carolina was doing a relief effort for the people in Haiti and some of the city representatives apporached the elders adn asked if the missionaries could help out sorting the donations. It was a big event and we collected a lot of food and clothing for the people in Haita. Some of the members said we got a nice 10 second segment on TV. Too bad the newscaster said we were Baptist missionaries! :D

Well, I am still doing well and learning lots. I know that I still have a ton to learn. I am looking forward to the Puerto Rico Missions conference. Where we will be able to hear from an apostle and I will also be able to see Sister Miller!!!
Love you tons!

Hermana Pamél