I could die Im so tired right now. This area back in the day used to support 3 companionships very easily, all with bikes. Now we are the only ones, and for a reason we do not know yet, we have no bikes. So we walk around, lost, all day. As I mentioned last week, we dont have any investigators really, and all the directions for some of the old inves that we decided to visit dont make any sense so we couldnt find them. So it just turned into more walking in the ridiculous sun. And all the water in our area just makes the humidity worse. But I honestly love this branch. They are extremely amazing people here, and from what I can tell, came from very humbly beginings.
And I was just informed that I swore hard core in my last letter. My bad, I will try and type more carefully haha
So this week, I hit my one year mark. Im pretty excited, but like a few of you mentioned in your letters, it seems bitter sweet. I feel like im just getting started, and now its half way over. Time has gone by so fast. I though about what I wanted to write to mark it, and something happened this week that goes right along with what I wanted to talk about.
I try my best not to write negative things home about my comps. No matter who they are, or how we get along, I try and remind myself that I dont know what types of things they have had to deal with and although sometimes the way they are drives me insane, I dont see it as an exuse to complain. But what happened this week with Elder Martinez strengthened us both, so I want to share it. Right from the start Elder Martinez and I got along amazingly well. Hes hilarious and really super outgoing and we gained eachothers trust very quickily. Consequently, he began sharing with me his methods of missionary work, which seemed to be more play and less work. I laughed with about it, but wasnt about to let him start doing any of that. Friday afternoon rolled around, and our only appointment within 4 hours ahad fallen. It was 2:30, and as hot as I have ever felt it get here in my whole mission. We had nothing, and to top it of, we were lost. We sat down for a seond after knocking for a little while to get out of the sun in the shade of a house. He seemingly jonking told me he saw an internet café a few blocks back with AC, and that we could kill some time there. I laughed and didnt say anything. He brought it back up a few minutes later. I told him we werent going to do that. Then he began saying how tired he was, and that going back to the house to take a nap was a good option. I said no. "Arent you tired Elder Kitterman?" I thought for a second and answered "yes, very". "But you dont want to sleep?"...."Nope". He laughed a little then became somewhat annoyed. "Who understands you Elder Kitterman? Your tired but wont sleep. Your burnt red but wont stop walking around in the sun. Why do you do this?". It was a valid question. I sat there thinking for a few seconds. Its almost sensless inst it? I live a tiny house, in a hammock that I cant lay completely flat in because the walls are too cose together. Its usually hotter inside our cramped house at night than outside, and thats hot. Our bathroom is hanging on by a thread, and despite the fact that Im burnt, lost all day with nothing to do, and thoudands of miles away from what I know, I go out everyday to do the same things. Teach the gospel. Why do I support some much adversity? I sat there thinking about Elder Martinez´s question for quite some time. And then it hit me. I finally had my answer. "Because I love the Lord".
There is plenty of reasons why I came out on a mission. Any common reason seems to be one of many reaons why I personally came on a mission. All those reasons are still valid today. But you know what? None of those are why I stay. I stay because I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I know he loves me. I desire to share that love with everybody, no matter where they are. Its why we do what we do as members of His church, even if we dont realize it. It is the greatest commandment and needs to be our motivation for why we keep his commandments, and suffer all things with patience and humility.
I wish I could tell you that when we got up from that shady spot in some random street, we found a family of 6 that was beyond prepared. But we didnt. We didnt find anybody.
Later that night, on our way to our only other appointment, Elder Martinez apologized, and shared his testimony of why we are here. He told me that we represent Christ, His church, and our families, and for that reason we had nothing more to do than work. He told me we were going to do amazing things here in this area, and that it would be because we loved the Lord. I couldnt do anything but smile and tell him that I loved him. He made a turn around that night that, if he continues following, will change his life forever. Its changed mine.
Elder Martinez is in what we could call a "rehabilatation stage". Sometimes it takes a little bit of pushing to get him going again, but once we are moving, man are we moving.
When I left one year ago, I had no idea what was ahead of me. I though that after a long 2 years, I would return and pick up my life, with a new language and a slightly different person. But within this first year I realized that is exaclty what I want to avoid. I have left behind the things of my past, only to enter into the work of God, and its not a 2 two trip. The things I have learned have changed me and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. I am so grateful for everything everyone has done for me back home. Thank you Dad for all your advice and help, even in the roughest parts you helped me find a way through. Thank you Mom, for having patience and a big enough heart to always put up with my many complaints, and especially for your genuine desire to help not only me, but everyone around me. Your charity is surely a testimony to me that it really is "the pure love of Christ". Thank you Kim and Nick for all the many ties and photos, but even more than that, thank you for always sharing your testimony and words of encouragment. I realize I have never told you, but they have served me countless times in my work here. Sorry Nick, that I havent written you more brother, but that will change in this next year. Thank you Sierra for holding true and faithful, even when the path got dark, and you couldnt see the rod. I know the Lord is extremely pleased with the progress you have made, and just know that if I can do, you surely can. And last but not least, thank you everyone that has ever written me, prayed for me, or even thought of me while Ive been away. Your thoughts and prayers have never gone to waste, as I have truly felt guided by the holy ghost, even at times when I was down and couldnt seem to find my way. I wish I could name names, but Im too afraid to miss somebody, or simply run out of time.
I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that he loves us.
Love,
Elder Kitterman
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