*Because of the changes that were made this past week that now allow missionaries to call or video home each week, I received a call from Connor. I think originally he was going to email but after reading all the emails someone asked them for help and so the email I received said, "Something just happened I will email in a couple hours." But he didn't think he was going to make it back to the internet place so he used his neighbor's cell phone to call me. Thankfully he had an international plan. So I kept notes and here is some of our conversation:
Feelings regarding the new change in communication: First thought was it makes it less exciting to come home. Because you see and can hear your families voices. But he also thinks it is cool because it will make for better communication. Because it is hard to remember and write everything in an email. He also sees it as a sign of trust from our Heavenly Father to see who will be faithful. He isn't worried about the missionaries losing focus.
He is receiving a new companion to be a fellow zone leader. Elder Marines (his former companion) has been a zone leader for about 6 months and they wanted to give him a break. He will be going to Poza Rica to be a District Leader. Connor's new companion will be Elder Lobo. He really likes Elder Lobo and has served in the same areas with him for at least 5 or 6 transfers. They were both District Leaders in Xalapa at the same time (not companions) and between the two companionships they raised the baptismal rate significantly, so he is really excited to work with him and see what they can do with their zone. He loves that Elder Lobo is extra obedient. He says some don't get along with him very well because of it but Connor welcomes it and is excited that they will be companions. He says Elder Lobo is strong in organization and verification which has been a weakness in the zone. He thinks they will compliment each other well. They are opening a new area in their zone and need to find a house for the new companionship. They are hoping for some help from the other companionship in the area. But basically they have to walk around and look for rental signs. They found one but it had no electricity or water. So that was a no. So that will be one of the focuses of this week. There are 18 Elders and 2 sisters in their zone. When asked he said they didn't have very many sisters in the mission because I guess it is considered a more dangerous mission. But he said he really hasn't experienced or heard of others experiencing anything too awfully scary or bad.
Tomorrow he will spend the day at the bus stop with a few other missionaries waiting for the new arrivals to come before they send them off to their areas.
He was sick on his birthday. He woke up in the middle of the night with a dual problem of things coming from both ends. He said he was pretty weak but they still went to work and got things accomplished. He only had some crackers and water to celebrate. He did get sung to that was nice. The assistants came that night and they did splits the next day. Connor and Elder Goodman went to lots of areas to visit with baptismal candidates that didn't have dates yet. They were able to talk with a Mother who had not given her permission. The outcome was she would watch her daughter throughout the week and if she was well behaved she could be baptized.
He said they are struggling with church attendance in the zone. They had 17 scheduled for baptism in March but 14 have dropped off because of church attendance. So they will be working to strengthen that area.
He sends his love to all.
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