Elder
Shoemaker will simply be leaving the offices. He's still got plenty of time
left in the mission. Elder Garity is the secretary of finances and Elder
Vasquez is the secretary to the President so they're actually not in training
right now. There's typically 3 secretaries that know what's going on and one
that is being trained. I think I'll be able to enjoy the job, but there's
definitely a lot to learn and a lot of responsibility that I'll be left with.
I'm basically in charge of making sure that everything we do is recorded in
some way (baptisms, house contracts, etc.) as well as making sure every
missionary has what they need (clothes racks, mattresses, Books of Mormon,
etc.). In regards to "better food" let's just say I had a good fresh
carrot this week so I'm happy. I haven't had Birria de res. I've spent the
majority of the mission in areas too poor for carne de res. We can talk chicken
though.
I
found out a little more about what I'll be doing as a missionary in this area. Basically I'm
in Los Lagos right now. Natura is typically the secretary's area, but I'm
pretty much purely in Los Lagos for now while Elder Garity and Elder Vasquez
take care of Natura. My suitcases are in Natura though so I'm really in between
the two for where I sleep. The good thing is that the house in Natura is close
to the offices so it's not hard to run over there to get clothes while I'm
around the office. We have a couple of families that we're teaching as well as
several individuals. We baptized Diego this weekend and should have some more
baptisms on the 9th, but we'll wait and see. Diego has a difficult story, but
he's made some serious changes in his life. I wasn't here to see much of the
change, but it's been neat getting to know the guy.
The
weather here is kind. Not too hot, and it hasn't really rained much. The area
is nice because the ward is super well organized and so it's easier to work
with them in some ways. I guess the negative side of the area would be that we
pay a lot more for taxis.
I
didn't have time to get Jose Emiliano a real present because I didn't have a
P-day between getting the news that I was leaving and actually leaving, but I
gave him a tie. Today we climbed a mountain with the AP's and the President's
son. Look up "Cofre de Perote". I should have pictures of it next
week probably (The President's son has them and will send them later I'm sure).
I'll
try to heed your challenge, but since becoming a secretary and living in
different houses it's become difficult to write in the ol' journal. Keep looking
for missionary opportunities. The members can have a huge impact on missionary
work if they have the desire and motivation.
Elder Finlinson
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