Guess what? I´m in Honduras, more
specifically, Santa Cruz de Yojoa. Yes, it´s true. I can´t believe it,
can you? Let me tell you, it´s absolutely crazy. HOLY COW! Uh huh, it´s
that crazy.
I´m sure the dogs in Honduras speak and understand
better Spanish than I do. No joke. It´s like they taught me Japanese in
the MTC. Well, not really, but you get the idea. The people here talk a
thousand miles an hour and pretty slurred. But I´m starting to
understand and it´s getting easier every day.
Let me tell you a little bit about the place I will
be calling home for the next two years. First off, it´s exactly opposite
of South Jordan. No joke. There are few paved roads and all the houses
are small, cinder-block houses. The water is not safe to drink (at all),
so we have to buy filtered water in bags from the Pulperias all over
town. There are chuchos (wild dogs) everywhere. They don´t do anything
though, so we´re safe. Every home here consists of one living area, a
tiny kitchen, a small bathroom, and one or two bedrooms. Every house has
a washing station outside to wash dishes, hands (though no one does),
and clothes. The food is pretty tasty, especially baleadas. Mmm...
Anyways, the people are nice and the church is beautiful. We have a
wonderful ward and I know a few members already.
It is beyond humid here. The heat, I can handle, but
the humidity is a new challenge. Luckily, I´m pretty used to it. Yay!
Just wait till it hits the ´hot season´... oh boy. It rains quite often
here at this time of year, but mostly in the evenings. We got caught in a
massive storm the other night after the power went out in half the city
and ended up wading in water up to our ankles at one point. We were
soaked afterwards to say the least. But what an adventure! I had fun.
My new companion is Elder Pacheco. He is a native
from Mexico and doesn't speak a lick of English. It´s quite a challenge
for me, because I can never say what I want to or share my feelings
because I don´t know how to say it in Español and he doesn't understand
my English. Oh well. I´m going to learn so fast, it´ll be fantastic!
Our first two nights, we stayed in the mission home.
We had some orientations with the APs, the Johns, and Presidente and
Sister Dester. We then ate at el casa del Presidente Dester. Man, that
place is huge and luxurious. It´s like a hotel. I really like the
Desters. They´re so so nice and courteous and I love them already.
Well, I don´t have much more time. We write from an Internet cafe and the time is limited.
Let
me just tell you how much I LOVE YOU! I am blessed to have the best
family in the world. I miss each and every one of you. You have done SO
much for me and sometimes I wasn't as appreciative as I should have
been. Life is so different here and I often miss (okay, always miss) the
loving hugs of a mother who truly cares, the reassurance of a caring
and loving father, and the best hermanos anyone could ask for. I´m
always thinking of you.
I love this work so much. It is truly God´s work. He
is with us as we share His gospel. I have witnessed so many miracles
and know I will witness so many more. I testify that Jesu Cristo es mi
Salvador, mi Redentor, and Hermano.
Thank you for everything!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Roberts
P.S. Did I mention how much I love you? Well, I do.
