It's Sunday. My first Sunday here and I am going to baptize. Even thought I haven't taught this particular couple at all, I still will feel good. The Mamanis will be real strong I think.
Missionary work is really different than what I expected. I really don't know where to begin. For one thing it is not all teach, preach and baptize. We have spent a lot of time as fix it men. We have repaired water heaters for the baptismal font, made an awkward reel for a movie projector.
We have done a lot of walking up here. The town is at about 15,000 feet and more or less divided into two halves. Since Elder Kupu and I are the only missionaries here we have to cover both parts. To avoid going down 500 feet or more and then up again, we skirt around the side of the mountain on sheep trails. It is about a mile and a half. It is not too bad during the day, but it can be pretty treacherous at night.
The people here are poor, real poor. We find families of 5 and 6 or more living in a room about 12 feet by 12 feet. They are usually kind and friendly, especially the members.
It is pretty cold up here. The wind was blowing yesterday and we really froze. There is not a paved road within 150 kilometers and the dust really gets bad. Speaking of yesterday, I was really depressed but I feel better today.
One thing that I don't think I will ever get tired of is the little kids and babies. Those big eyes and cheeks so red can just hold me spellbound. They are great examples of the innocence of children. Another thing that I don't think I will ever get tired of is the stars at night. They seem so close and innumerable and clear.
The week has really been a long one. Last Sunday at the temple with the Azul District seems years ago. I think that I am adjusting to life here, the food, the lack of showers and everything else so that I think this next week will go faster.
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