Hey Everyone - it's been awhile! Before I start, I just want to say I have a terrible version of Aladdin's "A Whole New World" in Spanish playing in the background. Sorry if this letter is a little disoriented. I have so much to say and so little time to say it. For those of you who don't know, I missed a P-Day, so it had been 2 weeks since I had written home and then last week while I was getting everything out on e-mail, the power gave out and all was erased. Yes, my hour-long masterpiece . . . but I'm over that now - no worries!
So, about the power going out. Actually, that is extremely common. The same with water. That goes for the whole country. I got sent out to the boondocks for my first area! The beautiful town of Monte Plata. It really is beautiful! Well . . . outside the town is beautiful - thick jungle and the works. There is garbage all over the streets (a few are paved), but I'm already kind of used to it now. We are the only missionaries for about 25 miles in any direction. The people here mostly live in wood huts with dirt floors and tin roofs. Almost all have pay-as-you-go cell phones though. That was kind of weird to see. Some have TV's, but the big thing is to have a huge bumpin' stereo system. The kids usually run around naked with the stray dogs and it's definitely the Caribbean here - soooo laid back. People usually work for just a few hours a day. Then they just kinda chill at home or at the homes of others. All drive around on motorcycles. No one has the money for a car, so between all this, you could say it's louder than a Harley rally on the 4th of July! My ears are kind of used to it now and it is kinda weird to hear silence.
My companion is Elder Currie from Alberta, Canada. He is a good guy, a hard worker, funny and has some awesome Spanish. My last two companions and I got along just fine, but didn't share many common interests. But I feel like I kind of lucked out this time. Oh, and he's the District Leader too.
So, my first church experience here was kind of an eye opener. Here it goes. We have an investigator who had an extremely abusive husband and ___________ helped her get out of there a little. Well, __________ wife kind of flipped out. She would wait outside the church and yell the most terrible things. Things are a little better now, and the investigator and her three kids have a baptism date for this Saturday and it's looking good!!! We had two baptisms last week. Two 14 year old boys named Richard and Junior. It went really well, but I felt like I didn't really get to know them that well. But they're awesome boys - they'll do great in the church! Our branch here has about 300 hundred members but only about 40 less active and 15 active. It's really kind of sad. A lot of them just don't get it. They don't see the full perspective of our purpose here. So a lot of people over 30 or so don't know how to read, and all are extremely lazy so this is supposed to be one of the hardest areas in the mission. It is the most walking area in the mission. But, we're kind of tearing it up right now cuz Elder Currie's the man!
So there is this little village about 15 miles out of town called the "doce" that we have two investigating families in - so we get to go out there quite a bit. It's so cool. We usually hop in the bed of a passing truck over there, then hike this jungle path to the houses. Oh, and last night an extremely poor family kind of pushed food in front of our faces and were getting all offended when we said no. So, we had big bowls of soup. Not sure what kind and definitely don't know what was in it. I don't really want to know to be honest with you. I think I saw a carrot! . . . anyways, I love going out there because it's the adventure of a mission that I had always dreamed of as a little kid! We have to be careful at night tho, because apparently at one of the crossings a few miles away, there is a group of Haitian's with machetes and it can get kind of dangerous. But don't worry mother dearest, we are being careful!
Lots of bugs here - you better believe it! My companion has some sweet bug stories and both our ankles are kind of attacked every night because we don't have mosquito nets, but they are some sweet battle scars! There is tons of fruit everywhere - all ridiculously huge. The people don't have much but they always have food because to be honest, they have no excuse to be hungry. The ground is so fertile they could grow rocks.
I LOVE it out here. I hope this didn't sound pessimistic or anything - just telling it like it is! I love my family so much and have been missing all of you. I know I am doing the right thing and I am doing so well. Keep me in your prayers! I got the Christmas package! Thank you so much. One of the presents was opened at one point I think, but everything seems to be there. I have letters on the way for you for Christmas. Have a good week everyone!
Love,
Elder McBride
p.s. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving! I didn't do much - but I did give a paralyzed man a bucket shower because he told us he smelled bad. He is a member named Carlos. It really made me grateful, that's for sure.
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