Welcome New Area

I am going to add a few more details to Elder Long's letter this week. All of this information came from our e-mail time today.

After 6 months in his past area he has moved to another area just south (about 15 miles according to Google Maps...he said 30 miles in his letter) of where he was. It is a village similar in many ways. As his letter stated, the center of town appears to have more signs of economic strength but in the areas that him and his companion are concentrating on and teaching in, is very similar to where he came from.

He said it is way hotter, more humid and lots of tall mountains that they climb daily. They carry their machete most days, as there are tons of snakes, many poisonous. I hope they got that in their missionary training…how to detect a poisonous snake and how to kill one fast and furious! He said you are on your tiptoes at all times. He said, “Mom I’m not going to lie, there are lots of poisonous ones but I live my life every day so that the spirit can lead and guide me. The Lord has my back.”

He lives in nice conditions. He has running water, warm water to boot. But after they get home he is so hot he wants to take a nice cold shower! They have beds they sleep in. He didn’t answer of my question about how they wash their clothing…

He said there is so much work to be done that every minute of every day they will be working hard. Elder L. his new companion is awesome and is ready and willing to work his tail off. He comes from an all member family and is a super nice guy. We actually get to speak English again…although I want to keep strengthening my Spanish. We will do both to help one another out with our second languages.

Elder Long is especially grateful to the many friends he left behind. He said a mission blesses his life in so many different ways it is amazing. He has seen things and experienced things to change him for the better and he has a different view of things after all the incredible experiences he is having.

He again thanks everyone for their love and support. He said there is nothing greater than getting an e-mail or letter from a family member or a friend. It’s the small things Mom…