It has been a crazy, but awesome week here in Bávaro! Wow. I am not even really sure where to start first. My companion I guess . . . Elder Timmreck is a straight up awesome missionary! He is full-blooded Columbian, but is totally American. He lived in Columbia until he was about 9, and then his mom left his inactive dad and went to Utah. There she met some guy and they moved to Alaska for the military. So, he lived most of his life in Fairbanks, Alaska. He only went to the MTC for three weeks, then straight out to the field - so his spanish is really good, but not perfect. Our spanish is probably close to the same, but his accent is a little bit better. He has two transfers now, but with only one companion and one area, so he has a lot to learn, but he has a great desire to work hard and we are doing it!
So, the Branch is pretty interesting I guess. The meeting place is a house that we the missionaries actually live in! The only one like that in the mission - so I guess that is kind of cool, but our personal space kind of gets invaded. I can't complain too much about that because it is a super nice place. The Branch President has throat cancer really bad and can barely even speak - let alone leave the house. He actually hasn't even been able to come to church for a few months, so his job is all left up to the First Counselor in the Branch Presidency . . . Me . . . A few days ago we visited him in his home and he informally gave me the Branch. He told me of my responsibilities, what I need to do, and told me that the Branch is now in my hands. Now I do tithing, I preside and direct the meetings, assign the talks and take care of pretty much everyone in the Branch because there really isn't anyone else to do it. There are about 25 active members in the Branch, and everyone lives far away. We cover Veron, Punta Cana, Bávaro, Friusa, and pretty much every other place in the province of Altagracia - except for the city of Higuey. Higuey is the where the only other missionaries are. Actually my old companion Elder Rich is there. We kind of share the responsibilities of District Leader and interview each others baptisms. Basically . . . a lot of changes!
So, like I said, the area is really big and the members are very spread out. Because the area is like that, the missionary before me NEVER used the members, ever. That is kind of my strong point, and I was stressing out the first part of the week because I didn't know how I was going to work. But I decided that it didn't matter - that we were going to visit EVERY member in their home and the Lord has blessed us beyond what I could have ever imagined. The members have given like 10 references in the 6 days that I have been here. They only received about 5 in the past 3 months. I KNOW that the Lord has been preparing people in this area. Everyone may tell me that this is not a baptizing area, but the Lord doesn't make exceptions. If I work my absolute hardest and smartest here, I will see at least 6 baptisms here, because that is the inspiration that Elder Vínas from the 70 received for the WHOLE mission . . . not just the good baptizing areas. Now . . . we just have to see if we can pull of the miracle.
The area is ridiculously rich. Money everywhere, resorts, beaches, Burger Kings, - power 24/7 :) , and all the bells and whistles. During transfers, President Antivillo pulled me aside and told me that he had 5 people picked out to go to the islands, and I was one of them. But, at the last minute, he decided to put me in Bávaro. He said this place is twice as hard as the islands due to the branch responsibilities and the amount of land to cover without a car. I still am not quite sure why the Lord sent me out here. It is a little overwhelming, but I trust Him.
I also have to write President Antivillo a fatty e-mail about what is going here. Take care and have a good week!
Love, Elder McBride
Brito & Raquel's family (Raquel was working)
A huge moth that tried to eat us!
Sweet Water Park in Punta Cana
Crazy nice house
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