Week 7 - Holy Cow
What a week. Definitely one of the hardest most shocking weeks of my entire life. Mission in the field is SO much different from the MTC. El Salvador is insane! I figure it would be a good idea if I tell you all a little about the country by breaking down what is true and what isn't... so here we go.
Spiders, true. My first area is called Jiquilisco which is a more rural area and known for its large spiders. Most of you know that I totally HATE spiders haha. They are about 3 or 4 inches on average and they just chill up in the corners above us while we shower or whatever. Yikes.
Buses, true. They are crazy, and they don't slow down. They travel as fast as they can from point A to point B and wont stop for anybody.
Weight loss, true. But not because of a lack of food. The food is good, and the members feed us a ton. But since we walk everywhere and are literally dripping sweat all the time we do lose weight.
Malaria pills, false. They don't exist. We only have OFF, the bug spray stuff, haha. That's it. I have been bit 6 or 7 times but I'm alive and haven't gotten sick. Sorry mom ;) doing my best haha.
Bucket showers, false. We each have a shower but its real gross and only has freezing cold water.
Dangerous streets, false. Not really in my area, its pretty peaceful. My comp told me he has never been robbed.
Hot, true. Very very very hot.
Dogs, true. They are everywhere and they travel in packs which is scary. Most of them are nice we have only had one dog chase us and you just take off your backpack and swing at 'em lol.
Water: true. All the tap water is dirty and you will get super super sick if you drink it.
Hopefully you get a small picture of what it is like down here. This is my life for the next two years. Its real tough, especially right now. I understand nothing and can't speak much either. But there are good parts too. In this bus the other day, the guy started playing songs from home that I knew, Hotel California and some others. Geez it made my day. But the main thing, is that God puts people in our paths for a reason. I know that without a doubt. We met this 16 year old named Carlos under the bus stop while it was pouring rain. He said his aunt needed help cuz they locked their keys in their house. The rain was incredible. We helped them and I started talking to him about his life and all that. We ended up teaching them a lesson and he was super receptive of everything. We are going back for a visit this week. I'm excited.
My comp is great. He is from Guatemala and doesn't speak a lick of English. But he is a great missionary and is teaching me a lot. We contact lots of people. Yesterday we contacted two people who were playing basketball. I jumped up and dunked it and they were super impressed haha. And i tower over everyone here. I constantly see people whispering to each other and pointing at me because of my height. And nobody believes that I am 18 either haha. The members here are great too. Super nice and always trying to give us food. Sorry for the chaotic email. My thought this week comes from D&C 6. Go and read it. I was having a tough time this week and it brought me a lot of peace. Love you all.
--Elder Jake
Spiders, true. My first area is called Jiquilisco which is a more rural area and known for its large spiders. Most of you know that I totally HATE spiders haha. They are about 3 or 4 inches on average and they just chill up in the corners above us while we shower or whatever. Yikes.
Buses, true. They are crazy, and they don't slow down. They travel as fast as they can from point A to point B and wont stop for anybody.
Weight loss, true. But not because of a lack of food. The food is good, and the members feed us a ton. But since we walk everywhere and are literally dripping sweat all the time we do lose weight.
Malaria pills, false. They don't exist. We only have OFF, the bug spray stuff, haha. That's it. I have been bit 6 or 7 times but I'm alive and haven't gotten sick. Sorry mom ;) doing my best haha.
Bucket showers, false. We each have a shower but its real gross and only has freezing cold water.
Dangerous streets, false. Not really in my area, its pretty peaceful. My comp told me he has never been robbed.
Hot, true. Very very very hot.
Dogs, true. They are everywhere and they travel in packs which is scary. Most of them are nice we have only had one dog chase us and you just take off your backpack and swing at 'em lol.
Water: true. All the tap water is dirty and you will get super super sick if you drink it.
Hopefully you get a small picture of what it is like down here. This is my life for the next two years. Its real tough, especially right now. I understand nothing and can't speak much either. But there are good parts too. In this bus the other day, the guy started playing songs from home that I knew, Hotel California and some others. Geez it made my day. But the main thing, is that God puts people in our paths for a reason. I know that without a doubt. We met this 16 year old named Carlos under the bus stop while it was pouring rain. He said his aunt needed help cuz they locked their keys in their house. The rain was incredible. We helped them and I started talking to him about his life and all that. We ended up teaching them a lesson and he was super receptive of everything. We are going back for a visit this week. I'm excited.
My comp is great. He is from Guatemala and doesn't speak a lick of English. But he is a great missionary and is teaching me a lot. We contact lots of people. Yesterday we contacted two people who were playing basketball. I jumped up and dunked it and they were super impressed haha. And i tower over everyone here. I constantly see people whispering to each other and pointing at me because of my height. And nobody believes that I am 18 either haha. The members here are great too. Super nice and always trying to give us food. Sorry for the chaotic email. My thought this week comes from D&C 6. Go and read it. I was having a tough time this week and it brought me a lot of peace. Love you all.
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| Me at the El Salvador San Salvador Temple |
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| All the new missionaries at the temple. |
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| Me and my trainer, Elder Ortiz. |
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| My weight room in my apartment. |
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