I've said it before, but I'll say it again, this has been the longest week of my mission. Let's dive right in.
This week included transfers on Friday, and there was a lot of changes. Me and my comp, and one other companionship, were the only two companionships in the entire Zone (out of eight companionships) that DIDN'T have a change. A bunch of new people, which is pretty sick. I had to say goodbye to Elder Terry, who was the Zone Leader and kinda like my second dad here on the mission (the first being Elder Ross of course, big shout out to the beast), he taught me so much. We got a new zone leader, Elder Allen, who wears a cowboy hat all the time, which is interesting. I'm excited to get to know him, as well as the rest of the new people in the Zone. You already know, I'm running it up one more transfer here in Barahona, which is super exciting! This transfer for some reason I don't know, will be seven weeks instead of the usual six, so I'll be here until August 11, and then I'll get a new area and comp. Pretty cool stuff.
We, also, did a little service project for one of the members here, Verónica. It was kinda fun, we built this little shack-canopy thing outside of her house so she can sell ice cream. Not anything crazy, just a roof and two poles to hold it up, and the roof wasn't even fully done because they didn't buy enough roofing. The builder guy who was there was supposed to show us how to do it, and then let us do the rest, but then after he got done and we tried for like 30 seconds, he went "Pinewood Derby Dad" mode and just did the rest himself, and we watched. Fun fun.
It is literally getting so unbelievably, unfathomingably, unrealistically, unwelcomingably hot here. I didn't know the earth ever got this hot. I thought this was reserved for Mercury or something. It's crazy. I'm trying to drink lots of water, but ever cup I drink gets immediately sweat out of every pore of my body. Drenched from head to toe every day. They said it would rain like crazy because of a "hurricane that's coming, oh no, get inside no se muda!" But no, ni una raindrop fell from the sky, ni una cloud in sight. This is insane. Every day I ponder longingly on how it's possible that people live, grow up, and raise families in this weather. Honestly props to them for that.
With all the complaints I can muster about the weather or anything else, comes a reminder of why I'm here. Every time I feel like I'm about to faint or just die from heat exhaustion, I remember that I have been called to SERVE, and I know that that's what I'm doing. Knowing that God has me and is the reason I'm able to even stand up every time, keeps me going. I'm so glad I have a god to trust in, and a savior to look up to. These past couple weeks I've been super super tired and worn out, but I've also been strengthening my testimony in Jesus Christ, who through him and his great mercy, ALL will eventually work out. I learned that through FAITH in Christ, we can have HOPE for the future, and that good things will happen to us and our friends and family and those we pray for. It's so awesome to know that. I invite all of you to find ways to hear him, and to strengthen your testimony in Christ the Redeemer.
That's about it for this week. Thanks for reading and taking an interest, if you read until here, blessings! Thanks for all the support and prayers, I'm seeing good stuff happening here. I'll keep praying for all you guys, too. Don't you worry. "The size of your faith or degree of your knowledge is not the issue. It's the integrity you demonstrate towards the faith you do have and the truth you already know"- Jeffery R. Holland
I must go -Elder Barlow
(Not a lot of pictures here, but there were cool videos taken that are in the Google Photos!)
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