Buenos dias to every one of my family and friends out there! I hope that everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season and is preparing for a great new year.
Things are going pretty much the same this week over here in Juticalpa. The work is advancing slowly but surely. This week I started to teach English here, and only 3 people showed up, but that's normal for the 1st week of every activity. Now we're just working on getting it published to the members and our investigators a little more. Eventually I'll be teaching English like a champion.
The search is still continuing for the golden family that I know is out there somewhere for me to find. I can feel it, and I'm doing all I can in order to find them and get to know them. Elder Lopez and I did find a family where 23 people live in the house and we have begun teaching them. Imagine that baptism if we ended up teaching them all?! There are only about 5 of them that are genuine investigators, but we´ll see right?
Ah, one other thing I haven't mentioned yet that was really awesome. On the 23rd of December we had a great activity that we did as a district. We borrowed the Santa suit from the Christmas dinner that was used, and used it to sing Christmas hymns all around Juticalpa. We made a route and went to all 3 of the companionships less active members and investigators, with the lovely Elder Cardon dressed up as 'Ol Saint Elder Nick. It was quite comical and we enjoyed all of it, and Elder Lopez and I even contacted a family on the street that wanted to listen to us. Who knows, maybe that will end up being the golden family I am looking for. But all in all the activity was a success and we all enjoyed it.
In this Christmas season I just want to leave my testimony with you all out there. In the mission I have come to know that Jesus Christ really does have an influence in all of our lives. I know that he is my Savior and Redeemer, and I know that he listens to us. I have received countless answers to my prayers, and I know that he does the same with all of you. Joseph Smith REALLY saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and spoke to him, this I also know to be true. It was not just some fictitious event that he made up, but really prayed in that garden, and what happened is a true and tangible event.
I love you all and I want you all to know that the Book of Mormon is the most true book ever written on the face of the earth. I have now become obsessed with reading it and my study time is my favorite part of the day. I challenge you all to read your scriptures daily. Seriously, if you do that, you will realize how blessed your lives really are. I love you all, and take care of yourselves.
Vaya Pues!
Elder Tinkham
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Merry Christmas to All!
Hello once again to all of my wonderful family and friends at this wonderful time of year! I'm still waiting for the snow to come here, but I guess my "White Christmas" will have to be satisfied through the baptismal font, if you know what I mean.
This week has been so so, but with a memorable trip that I won't ever forget. We had our Zone Conference this Thursday, so we got up at the butt crack of dawn, about 4 a.m. to catch the first bus from here to Tegucigalpa. It was a Multi-Zone Conference with all of the pueblos with a special Christmas theme. It was really awesome because I got to see every single companion I have had in the mission so far and talk to them about converts and all of that, plus like 6 of the gringos from my district in the MTC! All of the zones performed a drama in front of everybody to get in the Christmas spirit, and we performed the Tree of Life story in 1 Nephi 8 with a Christmas twist to it. I must say it was terrible, but hey what can you expect from the district MOST farthest from Tegucigalpa, and since all of the areas around here are really far from each other, we only had the opportunity to practice 1 time for about 15 minutes. But hey it turned out alright I guess.
Afterwords we enjoyed a great meal, and Christmas message from Pres. Flores. It ended at about 4:30, and the last bus that comes out here left at 5, so we tried to book it to the bus station but there wasn't a single taxi that wanted to take us over there. So we luckily ran in to Pres. Flores and Hma. Flores driving out and we asked him for a ride, so all 13 of us jumped in his van, with me laying on top of about 5 elders, it was very uncomfortable. OH! and by the way I was carrying about 5 packages with me too! THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE! All of my presents are just absolutely amazing! I'm overjoyed and extremely thankful to all of you. I definitely received by far the most in the entire conference. The only bad part about it was getting all of that stuff back to the house, yikes. But yeah anyways, we had everyone in the car, and didn't make the bus. So that night we ended up going to stay in the house of the Assistants, along with almost the entire conference! HAHA! About 35 of the Elders all missed their buses, so with about 8 beds and 2 couches we tried to fit everyone there that night, without clothes or anything to change into, eat, or any of that. It was quite the hilarious experience. So the next day we woke up about 4 a.m. AGAIN to catch an early bus outta there. We finally arrived in Juticalpa about 11:30 Friday afternoon. Whew what a time that was.
Other than that, the rest of the week has been work work work. It is quite difficult here in Juticalpa, because there is the rule in the mission that you can't enter the house of women when they are by themselves without a man above 18 years old. And since men do not exist here in Juticalpa, because they are either in the US, Tegucigalpa, or the mountains working all day. So...we have quite a bit of trouble getting a lot of lessons in, but were doing the best we can. With all of your prayers, I know I can find a family around here where the dad is around or at least wants to listen. We did find a family where about 23 people live in the house. So who knows, everyone pray for that and we might see a baptism of 20 plus!
This last Sunday we had the Christmas program at church, and it was all singing. The branch president selected a few families to sing for the program, and of course he wanted us too. So I played the piano while we sang ¨Cantan Santos Angeles¨ (umm... oh Angels We Have Heard on High...haha that's what it is in English). It turned out alright, but now my piano playing skills have been revealed to everyone here, so consequently I am playing the piano for the Branch Christmas Dinner on Tuesday, with no time to practice anything. We´ll see how that goes.
Anyways, that's all I've got for you guys this week. I'm looking forward to talking to a few of you guys this Friday! Until then! Vaya Pues! Take care of yourselves!
Elder Tinkham
This week has been so so, but with a memorable trip that I won't ever forget. We had our Zone Conference this Thursday, so we got up at the butt crack of dawn, about 4 a.m. to catch the first bus from here to Tegucigalpa. It was a Multi-Zone Conference with all of the pueblos with a special Christmas theme. It was really awesome because I got to see every single companion I have had in the mission so far and talk to them about converts and all of that, plus like 6 of the gringos from my district in the MTC! All of the zones performed a drama in front of everybody to get in the Christmas spirit, and we performed the Tree of Life story in 1 Nephi 8 with a Christmas twist to it. I must say it was terrible, but hey what can you expect from the district MOST farthest from Tegucigalpa, and since all of the areas around here are really far from each other, we only had the opportunity to practice 1 time for about 15 minutes. But hey it turned out alright I guess.
Afterwords we enjoyed a great meal, and Christmas message from Pres. Flores. It ended at about 4:30, and the last bus that comes out here left at 5, so we tried to book it to the bus station but there wasn't a single taxi that wanted to take us over there. So we luckily ran in to Pres. Flores and Hma. Flores driving out and we asked him for a ride, so all 13 of us jumped in his van, with me laying on top of about 5 elders, it was very uncomfortable. OH! and by the way I was carrying about 5 packages with me too! THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE! All of my presents are just absolutely amazing! I'm overjoyed and extremely thankful to all of you. I definitely received by far the most in the entire conference. The only bad part about it was getting all of that stuff back to the house, yikes. But yeah anyways, we had everyone in the car, and didn't make the bus. So that night we ended up going to stay in the house of the Assistants, along with almost the entire conference! HAHA! About 35 of the Elders all missed their buses, so with about 8 beds and 2 couches we tried to fit everyone there that night, without clothes or anything to change into, eat, or any of that. It was quite the hilarious experience. So the next day we woke up about 4 a.m. AGAIN to catch an early bus outta there. We finally arrived in Juticalpa about 11:30 Friday afternoon. Whew what a time that was.
Other than that, the rest of the week has been work work work. It is quite difficult here in Juticalpa, because there is the rule in the mission that you can't enter the house of women when they are by themselves without a man above 18 years old. And since men do not exist here in Juticalpa, because they are either in the US, Tegucigalpa, or the mountains working all day. So...we have quite a bit of trouble getting a lot of lessons in, but were doing the best we can. With all of your prayers, I know I can find a family around here where the dad is around or at least wants to listen. We did find a family where about 23 people live in the house. So who knows, everyone pray for that and we might see a baptism of 20 plus!
This last Sunday we had the Christmas program at church, and it was all singing. The branch president selected a few families to sing for the program, and of course he wanted us too. So I played the piano while we sang ¨Cantan Santos Angeles¨ (umm... oh Angels We Have Heard on High...haha that's what it is in English). It turned out alright, but now my piano playing skills have been revealed to everyone here, so consequently I am playing the piano for the Branch Christmas Dinner on Tuesday, with no time to practice anything. We´ll see how that goes.
Anyways, that's all I've got for you guys this week. I'm looking forward to talking to a few of you guys this Friday! Until then! Vaya Pues! Take care of yourselves!
Elder Tinkham
Monday, December 14, 2009
Greetings from Juticalpa!
Hello and a big Oy from Juticalpa! How are all of you doing? I hope you are all well and taking care of yourself.
So yes, I have been transferred, and I officially am in the city of Juticalpa, about 3 hours away from the capital and 7 from Comayagua. I am continuing my reign of pueblos, and this one is quite the pueblo I'll tell you what haha. This place is beautiful, with tons of hills (and I mean tons) and nothing but dirt roads everywhere. This would definitely be the Wyoming of Honduras, but don't really picture it with that cause its quite different haha.
Well anyways to start off, Tuesday was my farewell day where I went around running as fast as I could to all of the houses of the members and investigators to share a quick message and take a picture. It was pretty fine but the only family that I just did not want to leave their house and it broke my heart to do so was Fam. Ramos. They really have become a family to me, and they were really sad to see me go before their baptism and marriage. I told them I would try to come if I could get permission, but I seriously doubt I can go since I'm about 7 hours away. But I know they are in good hands and I await to hear about their baptism. My new companion Elder Lopez is this tiny little buddy from Nicaragua. He is going to have 1 year in the mission this week. He's a funny guy and we get along really well, and President Flores told me that he placed us together because we have both had a lot of success in our short time, and he needs our help here in Juticalpa, and that's what I'm here to do. Our house is actually very nice, and a great improvement from Comayagua, so I'm trying to be optimistic about what I've got here. Oh, and also, I have reunited with my companion Elder Cardon from the MTC as he is here in my district! It's quite the joyous experience being able to talk to him again, and we all had a great time going to a city called Catacamas today for P-day to play some soccer. Catacamas is the farthest away city in all of the mission.
Anyways, things are quite difficult here for Elder Lopez and I. We are both brand new in the area, and so we spent a whole lot of our time walking around trying to figure out where we are and what our area is, and looking for members to meet, and a whole lot of contacting. But there are a few golden gems I can mention for all of you guys, cause when there are rough times good things always happen.
There is one member that is our next door neighbor, whose name is Roni (Ronnie), and he is quite famous among the missionaries. He was baptized about 2 years ago, and ever since he has been like a constant companion of the missionaries. If it weren't for him, my companion and I would be utterly lost and confused here as to what to do. He has his own Preach My Gospel and is an awesome teacher, so thanks a lot to him we have "somewhat" of an idea of what we're doing. The last missionaries that were here didn't really have any investigators, and we were just left with a bunch of eternal investigators, or investigators that missionaries teach for years and nothing happens. So we are working on finding a lot of new people here. But amongst the difficulties, a miracle did happen. After three days, we ended up bringing an investigator to church.
Her name is Maryery (Margerie) and she's 25. We never even taught her a lesson before she came to church. We just contacted her at her friends house, and since there wasn't another guy in the house we couldn't enter, so we just left a pamphlet and asked her to read it and come to church. And wouldn't you know it, she came! Stuff like that just doesn't happen. So we acted as quickly as possible, and placed an appointment for that night. The lesson went great and she loved her experience at church, and I really think we're going to put a baptismal date in the 2nd lesson! We're going to pray about it and see what happens.
That's about all I have for you guys this week, be careful and drive safely in the snow. I'll try and keep the sunscreen thick and stay my distance from the giant bulls and iguanas over here. I'll talk to you all very soon. I love you and miss you all!
Vaya Pues!
Elder Tinkham
So yes, I have been transferred, and I officially am in the city of Juticalpa, about 3 hours away from the capital and 7 from Comayagua. I am continuing my reign of pueblos, and this one is quite the pueblo I'll tell you what haha. This place is beautiful, with tons of hills (and I mean tons) and nothing but dirt roads everywhere. This would definitely be the Wyoming of Honduras, but don't really picture it with that cause its quite different haha.
Well anyways to start off, Tuesday was my farewell day where I went around running as fast as I could to all of the houses of the members and investigators to share a quick message and take a picture. It was pretty fine but the only family that I just did not want to leave their house and it broke my heart to do so was Fam. Ramos. They really have become a family to me, and they were really sad to see me go before their baptism and marriage. I told them I would try to come if I could get permission, but I seriously doubt I can go since I'm about 7 hours away. But I know they are in good hands and I await to hear about their baptism. My new companion Elder Lopez is this tiny little buddy from Nicaragua. He is going to have 1 year in the mission this week. He's a funny guy and we get along really well, and President Flores told me that he placed us together because we have both had a lot of success in our short time, and he needs our help here in Juticalpa, and that's what I'm here to do. Our house is actually very nice, and a great improvement from Comayagua, so I'm trying to be optimistic about what I've got here. Oh, and also, I have reunited with my companion Elder Cardon from the MTC as he is here in my district! It's quite the joyous experience being able to talk to him again, and we all had a great time going to a city called Catacamas today for P-day to play some soccer. Catacamas is the farthest away city in all of the mission.
Anyways, things are quite difficult here for Elder Lopez and I. We are both brand new in the area, and so we spent a whole lot of our time walking around trying to figure out where we are and what our area is, and looking for members to meet, and a whole lot of contacting. But there are a few golden gems I can mention for all of you guys, cause when there are rough times good things always happen.
There is one member that is our next door neighbor, whose name is Roni (Ronnie), and he is quite famous among the missionaries. He was baptized about 2 years ago, and ever since he has been like a constant companion of the missionaries. If it weren't for him, my companion and I would be utterly lost and confused here as to what to do. He has his own Preach My Gospel and is an awesome teacher, so thanks a lot to him we have "somewhat" of an idea of what we're doing. The last missionaries that were here didn't really have any investigators, and we were just left with a bunch of eternal investigators, or investigators that missionaries teach for years and nothing happens. So we are working on finding a lot of new people here. But amongst the difficulties, a miracle did happen. After three days, we ended up bringing an investigator to church.
Her name is Maryery (Margerie) and she's 25. We never even taught her a lesson before she came to church. We just contacted her at her friends house, and since there wasn't another guy in the house we couldn't enter, so we just left a pamphlet and asked her to read it and come to church. And wouldn't you know it, she came! Stuff like that just doesn't happen. So we acted as quickly as possible, and placed an appointment for that night. The lesson went great and she loved her experience at church, and I really think we're going to put a baptismal date in the 2nd lesson! We're going to pray about it and see what happens.
That's about all I have for you guys this week, be careful and drive safely in the snow. I'll try and keep the sunscreen thick and stay my distance from the giant bulls and iguanas over here. I'll talk to you all very soon. I love you and miss you all!
Vaya Pues!
Elder Tinkham
Monday, December 7, 2009
NOO!! haha.. December 7th
Hello and a happy winter from a sun-burned Elder Tinkham. I hope everything is going well with you all back at home.
First and foremost...I have been transferred from Piedras Bonitas. I am very sad at the moment because I REALLY wanted to stay until Christmas, but I know the Lord has other things in mind for me. I am still a missionary of pure pueblos (very small towns)! I have been transferred to an area called Juticalpa. It is about a 7 hour bus ride from here...and I'll be going completely solo! My companion is going to be Elder Lopez from Nicaragua, so I'm still going on a companion tour of Central America as well. Neither of us know the area as we are going to be opening it, so it should be very interesting at first. I am still Junior companion, but my comp only has 11 months so we will have a lot of fun together.
Anyways, now about my week that I had. This week was absolutely amazing, which makes it all the more difficult for me to leave. Our investigators are progressing amazingly, especially Familia Ramos, they have been the light of my week. Firstly, there was a camp for all of the youth in Honduras this week, and with a lot of work we actually convinced the two teenagers Carlos and Josuè to go. It was amazing because originally they didn't want much to do with us while we were teaching, but with friends in the ward, and a lot of fasting, they are now asking US for chapters to read in the Book of Mormon. They got back from the camp and told us about all the fun they had, and we were overjoyed. We also finished all the work that was needed for the marriage of the parents as well, and they will be married the 19th of December.
Well, I can´t really remember much else about the week, except for yesterday, Sunday, so I will spend the rest of the time explaining that. Yesterday was the best day of my whole mission I would say. Why you ask? I´ll tell you.
Sunday we were excited to go to church because we didn't have meetings last week. We had a special fast for the Familia Ramos, because we planned on going to their house after church and placing a baptismal date. So, they came to church, and we were absolutely thrilled to have them come. They were welcomed by almost all of the branch, and the kids even went up and bore their testimony about the camp! Also, the Hermana Ela with whom we were working with the member of the High Council came to church as well. She was welcomed with tearful hugs from all the members that she had returned. I don't know if I told you before but she had retired from going to church because her husband was shot and murdered a year ago, and every time she went to church she thought about him and it hurt her too bad to go. After a lot of work and tearful lessons, she came to church.
I also got the opportunity to bear my testimony one last time to the Branch Piedras Bonitas. At the time I didn't know about the transfers (I found out about an hour ago), but it was still very special. After the meetings, we went over to the house of Fam. Ramos to watch The Testaments with them. After a very tense experience throughout the movie of finding the words to say to place the baptismal date, a thought came to my mind. "Elder, you're already a missionary, you're obedient, and working hard, what have you to fear?" After that, I forgot my fear, and we placed the date for the 26th of December, and they accepted it!!!! I won't be able to be here to see it, but I can't wait to see how it turns out later.
Then that night, my joy filled when we got the opportunity to watch the Christmas Devotional with the First Presidency. It was amazing to watch and I especially adored the music. The music is were I really felt the spirit in the devotional, and of course that of the prophet of God. Afterwards I had the opportunity to talk with many of the members that I have had such great friendships with, and everything I have done here. When I left the meeting, I really felt now like this place is my home. But you know what they say, as soon as that happens and the missionaries feel like that, that's when they ship you out. My joy has been completed here, and I am very sad to leave, but I'm ready to work hard again and give all that I have to the Lord.
That's all I have for you guys this week, I hope that you are all enjoying this beautiful time of the year, and I leave you with my love and thoughts. Please take care all of you, and Ill talk to you in Juticalpa!
Vaya Pues!
Elder Tinkham
First and foremost...I have been transferred from Piedras Bonitas. I am very sad at the moment because I REALLY wanted to stay until Christmas, but I know the Lord has other things in mind for me. I am still a missionary of pure pueblos (very small towns)! I have been transferred to an area called Juticalpa. It is about a 7 hour bus ride from here...and I'll be going completely solo! My companion is going to be Elder Lopez from Nicaragua, so I'm still going on a companion tour of Central America as well. Neither of us know the area as we are going to be opening it, so it should be very interesting at first. I am still Junior companion, but my comp only has 11 months so we will have a lot of fun together.
Anyways, now about my week that I had. This week was absolutely amazing, which makes it all the more difficult for me to leave. Our investigators are progressing amazingly, especially Familia Ramos, they have been the light of my week. Firstly, there was a camp for all of the youth in Honduras this week, and with a lot of work we actually convinced the two teenagers Carlos and Josuè to go. It was amazing because originally they didn't want much to do with us while we were teaching, but with friends in the ward, and a lot of fasting, they are now asking US for chapters to read in the Book of Mormon. They got back from the camp and told us about all the fun they had, and we were overjoyed. We also finished all the work that was needed for the marriage of the parents as well, and they will be married the 19th of December.
Well, I can´t really remember much else about the week, except for yesterday, Sunday, so I will spend the rest of the time explaining that. Yesterday was the best day of my whole mission I would say. Why you ask? I´ll tell you.
Sunday we were excited to go to church because we didn't have meetings last week. We had a special fast for the Familia Ramos, because we planned on going to their house after church and placing a baptismal date. So, they came to church, and we were absolutely thrilled to have them come. They were welcomed by almost all of the branch, and the kids even went up and bore their testimony about the camp! Also, the Hermana Ela with whom we were working with the member of the High Council came to church as well. She was welcomed with tearful hugs from all the members that she had returned. I don't know if I told you before but she had retired from going to church because her husband was shot and murdered a year ago, and every time she went to church she thought about him and it hurt her too bad to go. After a lot of work and tearful lessons, she came to church.
I also got the opportunity to bear my testimony one last time to the Branch Piedras Bonitas. At the time I didn't know about the transfers (I found out about an hour ago), but it was still very special. After the meetings, we went over to the house of Fam. Ramos to watch The Testaments with them. After a very tense experience throughout the movie of finding the words to say to place the baptismal date, a thought came to my mind. "Elder, you're already a missionary, you're obedient, and working hard, what have you to fear?" After that, I forgot my fear, and we placed the date for the 26th of December, and they accepted it!!!! I won't be able to be here to see it, but I can't wait to see how it turns out later.
Then that night, my joy filled when we got the opportunity to watch the Christmas Devotional with the First Presidency. It was amazing to watch and I especially adored the music. The music is were I really felt the spirit in the devotional, and of course that of the prophet of God. Afterwards I had the opportunity to talk with many of the members that I have had such great friendships with, and everything I have done here. When I left the meeting, I really felt now like this place is my home. But you know what they say, as soon as that happens and the missionaries feel like that, that's when they ship you out. My joy has been completed here, and I am very sad to leave, but I'm ready to work hard again and give all that I have to the Lord.
That's all I have for you guys this week, I hope that you are all enjoying this beautiful time of the year, and I leave you with my love and thoughts. Please take care all of you, and Ill talk to you in Juticalpa!
Vaya Pues!
Elder Tinkham
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
