October 25th, 2010

Hola,

It's been a busy week! We started out with a zone conference and afterwards had a split. I went with E. Ninataype for a good day and a half, it was an interesting experience. All our appointments were in spanish. I learned a lot. I need to learn french, and then probably spanish. A LOT of people speak spanish here, a lot of columbians immigrate here. But I had quite the miracle happen while on splits. It's amazing how you must encounter trials or darkness before you see the light. We were knocking doors, and had no success, until we hit the basement door. We knocked, this guy opened up while our hands were on the door knocking. It was pitch black inside, the only light came from the smoldering end of the cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Due to the lack of light his eyes were enourmous, almost too big and dark, and his eyebrows were crazy all over the place. He had a huge agitated smile, almos panicky looking, on his face, while he held back his rather large bulldog. Some low, rythmic music was pulsating in the darkness.

The first thought that came to mind was a direct response to the feelings I had for this guy.
"woah, well you're the devil." He slammed the door after we tried to introduce ourselves, and E. Ninataype asked me "did you feel the evil-ness man?" It was a disturbing feeling, to be sure. But after such an encounter you always find the light.

We were walking back to the car when we stopped on a street corner, so E. Nina could take a phone call. I saw a short, middle aged woman walking towards us, with her ipod on, and thought "why not." Then I thought "how you would feel if someone interrupted your music listening experience?" Then I thought, "oh wait, it's the GOSPEL." so with reason enough to interrupt her, I gave it a shot.

In shattered french.

"Hi. I come from the States, I am learning french. Is it okay if I walk with you and we practice french?" (I find that people are usually more friendly when you instantly state your inferiority from the get go. No joke)

-Okay- was all I understood out of her next sentence, so we began to walk. She was very nice. Eventually conversation turned to church (the nametag helps) and I asked her what religion she is

-Christian!-

"What is it the church that you wait at?" I asked her.

-I am Christian but I don't go to church-

"why?"

-Because I don't know which one to go to-

I almost laughed out loud, it sounded like a roleplay from the MTC. so I told her

"why not come to church with my friend and I?"

She said sure! and afterwards E. Ninataype came and saved the conversation. We found a park nearby, taught her, and committed her to baptism on the 6th. Hopefully it works out. She seems very excited.

That was crazy. Now think. If I wasn't here. No split. the missionaries wouldn't have had need to practice their french, they would have continued to walk or contacted her in a way that might not have been optimal, she would not have found the gospel. Being here is already worth it.

I've got a whole lot more stories, but I'm out of time. I can't believe mom got in a three car pile up! Crazy stuff, what vehicle was it in? That probably didn't help the sickness. That stinks, I'll keep her in my prayers. For everyone else, it sounds like everyone is having a good time, Good! Keep up the good work, send me some pictures, Pictures pictures pictures!!

Oh and somebody Better be using that camera, if it's not being used PLEASE send it up here, I'm dying with this little point-shoot.

It's starting to frost outside. It's below freezing all the time now. Sigh...gonna be a long winter.

Peace be the Journey!

E. Holm

P.S.
We have a couple new members in our english class, every single person is from a different country. (E. Perry is from canada, alberta, so we are all from different countries.) It is verily insane, but the Highlight of my week! Also, I got to play a hunting horn this week, I forgot how much I miss the trumpet!