Minggu 24 - We are a side show

This week has been really slow compared to the last few that were really busy so Monday we decided to take an official P-day and not because we were taking the missionaries some where.  We did laundry and just spent time at home.  In the late afternoon we did go to the church to do a few things on the computer.  We then went grocery shopping and went home.
On Tuesday we spent the afternoon at the Church just puttering and trying to accomplish something.
Wednesday we spent some time at the church and then we went with the Elders to two of their appointments.  We then stopped by a Brothers home to see if he was there.  He wasn't.  The power was out so our next appointment cancelled so we took the Elders to dinner.
Thursday we spent the afternoon at the Church again.  A young man that the Elders had given a Book of Mormon to stopped by the Church with some questions so we visited with him after Elder called the young Elders to come to the Church.  We then all met with him and tried to answer his questions.  We then went home because the apartment called that we had a package and they closed at 5pm.  They called at about 4:40, so we packed up quickly and headed home.  We had our driver let Elder off at the Lobby so he could get to the office quicker and I went and had our driver park in the basement and then went to help get the package.  It was from the distribution center at the mission home with the things we had ordered about 3 months ago.  While we were driving home Sarah a college student called and wanted to know if we could meet her at the church so she could use the computer to pay her PEF loan.  We of course said yes, so we headed back as soon as we took care of our boxes.  Our first anything having to do with PEF since we have been here.  She will let us know next month when she is ready to pay again and I will help her set up an automatic withdrawel each month which is what she wants.
Friday we had district meeting and then we all got lunch like we usually do.  Then we went with the Sisters to visit Sis. Ezra.  She is struggling right now and says she is mad at God because she tries to do what is right and bad things keep happening to her.  Like, 2 Sunday's ago she came to church and when she went home almost all of her pigs (she raises them to sell to restuarants) we sick and then died.  And other things like that.  We gave her what comfort we could and let her know that we loved her and cared about her.  We then took the Sisters to another appointment but we did not go in because she was feeling a little pressured by other friends.  We waited in the car which our driver happened to park on a busy bridge.  It would shake every time a car or truck drove over it which was almost constantly.  There were alot of kids walking home from school and they would stop and laugh and talk to us.  They wanted to use their English that they all learn in school.  Some would leave and bring back more.  At one time we probably had up to 20 kids at the windows laughing and giggling.  Then we went back to the church for an appointment but she was an hour late so by 7:45 we left and let the young missionaries wait for her.  We had to stop at the store to get a few things we still needed to feed the missionaries on Sunday.  They wanted it again before Sister Jibson and Elder Murphy get transferred the beginning of March.

 

Elder took this picture from the window of the car.  These are just some of the many children that came to visit at our car windows.

Saturday we got to the church about noon and the cleaning had already been done by Sister Novita.  She is so good about always being there to make sure things are cleaned and set up for church each week.  She is also a PEF recipient and I think she feels it is one way to help give back, besides making her payments and having a calling.  She would like to serve a mission but she is the only member and her family is not happy about it and always give her a hard time.  She was baptized against their will because she was over 18 but here family wishes are so important.  We had 5 young girls show up and hour early for English so I taught them until the other English class was supposed to start and then I sent them on their way.  We had only two students show up and we think it is a carry over from last week when we had to cancel class because we all had gone up to deliver the humanitarian supplies near the volcano.  So we just visited and had them speak in English.
Sunday was interesting.  We had alot of regulars not there but we had 15 visitors.  Our numbers still can't break 60.  We have gotten so close a few times.  We then had Branch council and then the Presidency finished up some of their business and Pres. Rico drove us home.  We then got ready for the missionaries to come to dinner.  We did tacos, enchiladas, tortilla chips, refried beans and rice.  We made corn and flour tortillas to use and found some canned pinto beans at the store.  They were a bit pricey but we don't buy them often.  We then shared pictures using my computer since transfers are coming up.