Hello from the ghetto

I'm so excited to finally send out a long email from the bronx! It's nuts here.. seriously. The ward is so new and well, dysfunctional. The Bishop has only been a member for 4 years, and he was called to be bishop from the spanish branch. there are 4 sets of missionaries just for our ward, and the missionaries do all of the less active work and the home teaching, visiting teaching isn't even set up yet, and the missionaries teach most of the sunday school classes. Seriously.

At my first ward correlation, I got hit with the real world here. They talked about fellowshipping homeless people, and how we have to make sure they are clean and free of disease before they come to church... Um, is this for real?! Then they talked about the baptismal clothing (we share with the spanish ward) and how it's important to make sure they are clean. One member raised his hand and said "You never know what kind of background people have... they could have crabs or something and then it becomes a sanitation issue" Well dang. They just went there. I was DYING!

We teach a lot of less active members... It's hard here because no one has a big desire to improve their situation, spiritually or physically. One of my favorites is a kid named Kyle. He is 13 and he wants to go to fashion school.. his drawings are AWESOME! We teach about 12-14 lessons a week, and we only have one investigator. His name is Miguel, and his girlfriend is LDS.. they just had a baby and he met her parents. He said he LOVES the feeling in their home and how close their family is. He's read the whole Gospel Principles book... He read it before we even met with him! He just kept asking us "So what's the process? What does this take?" He's so ready!

 

We eat a lot of rice and beans, and indian food. Most of the people that cook for us are hispanic, but one is from Guyana and one is from Jamaica so it's all sorts of food. The lady from Guyana makes the spiciest food i've ever eaten. My poor companion's face was bright red and she was sweating. I couldn't help but laugh!

Yesterday on the bus this guy asked us if we were from salt lake... we said no and then he proceeded to tell us about an accident he was in where he got hit by a car. then he told us he was 39, single, and struggling to find a job. What a keeper!! He asked for our information, so we kindly gave him the address of the church ;) The other one was Mary.. she was disabled and in a "rough place" she asked us to pray for her.. people here are oh, so interesting!

Missionaries really are representatives of Jesus Christ. People notice us! We walk past this area that is under construction a few times a week. One day a construction worker walked up to us and told us which way we usually go and how often! People notice us, especially here. Most of the time it's awesome. Sometimes we attract some creeps, but it makes for a good time. ;)

I don't know if you guys heard about Tropical Storm Andrea. Holy cow. RAIN GALORE! I was soaked. My shoes took three days to dry and my rain coat soaked up water like a towel. There really is no such thing as bad weather for missionaries.

Well I can tell you it's definitely worth it. :) I think of how much i've learned in the last month and it's true when they say NO experience can teach you the things you will learn on a mission. I've learned how to truly love people, even if they have nothing in common with me. SERIOUSLY, nothing. I've also felt the love that Heavenly Father has for his children. That's the best feeling in the world. I love sharing messages about Christ and being His Representative. Just remember that when things get hard. :)

 

 

One thing I think I've emailed you about before, but I keep experiencing is about Faith.. Specifically having faith to make miracles happen. Pray like you KNOW your prayer will change lives. Start your day with the attitude that big things will happen today because you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. It will change your life! 

I've been out almost a month.. It's been the longest and shortest month of my life, but I wouldn't change it for anything! There is no way I could come home now, I'd be selling myself short and missing out on SO many opportunities.

I love you all and I pray for you. Hope everything is as exciting at home as it is here in Da Bronx!

Love, Sister Toone