Hey, everyone, got some exciting stuff to talk about in this edition of the "weekly" DR update. This is an exciting one, as I just said, so let's get right into it.
Let's start off with a funny story before getting to the exciting part. Elder Funk tried chicken feet with yuca and we had to sprint home because he started not feeling too well. He threw up on arrival at the house. Pictures below. Of the food not the throw up.
And yeah, that's right, I'm one of the first in history to be a part of the new Santo Domingo North Mission here in the Dominican Republic. The DR just got its 4th mission in the country last week officially, and the Lord has chosen me - along with many other amazing missionaries - through his living apostles today to open it up. I am so honored and even more excited for this great opportunity. I'm super hyped to see new places and to meet people I've never seen or heard of before.
Last Friday, we got to go meet the new mission president, and my 3rd president in the mission, Presidente Stroud, and his wife. These are some amazing folks, and I'm really excited to get to know them more and to work with them in this gran obra. Another funny story, me and my comp were the first missionaries in the West mission to meet the new president. Last Friday, we all get to the big chapel in Los Alcarrizos (maybe the biggest chapel in the country) to have our meeting with the new presidente. There's like 50 missionaries there, and they're all from the West mission. President hasn't showed up yet, so me and Elder Funk leave to go get some water. We go out into the hall to drink some water, but there's no cups to drink from. Elder Funk just says, "Screw it" and kneels down and puts his mouth under the water jug dispenser and proceeds to dispense the water into his mouth. Not three seconds later and guess who comes around the corner. That's right, Sister Stroud, the President's wife. I was shocked, because I saw a Spanish lady with a tag on but couldn't tell if it was actually her. When I realized it actually was, I didn't know what to say, and see Funk scrambling to his feet to say hi as well. Right after that, Presidente Stroud himself comes around. He says hi to us and tries to remember our names from our faces. He said my name FIRST, ya boy Elder Barlow.
Anyway, we proceed to have a mini-conference, and President and his wife introduce themselves as well as their family to all of us. After that, he taught about our missionary purpose, and made us think about what kind of missionaries do we really want to be by the end of our mission. He spoke powerfully and with a lot of excitement, I could feel it. It's like he was George Washington leading us into battle. I saw this because he literally looks like if George Washington were alive today, and I just think that's the coolest thing ever.
I know I've said many times now, but I truly am so excited to see what the future holds. One missionary told me recently, "I learned from my dad that the most memorable part of your mission is the last 6 months." I believe it, and here I am about to spend the last 6 months of my mission in a whole new place, with new people to meet and learn from. I feel so blessed to be a part of this great opportunity.
That's all for now, and the next email you get from me might be from a completely different part of the DR, so stay tuned. Thank you all for your prayers and support!
I must go -Elder Barlow
No comments:
Post a Comment