J.J.'s Mission

6 October 2008 update from Elder Green

J.J. has sent his weekly e-mail to us yesterday. He even got it sent out on his P-day like we expect each week! He is doing fine as usual. He will keep his companion Elder Crispin for another "change" as they call them in Mexico. So it will be another six weeks with Elder Crispin. They are both happy about this. Seems they are getting along very well. They never have the same companion for more than two changes (twelve weeks) he says. They find out on Sunday about changes. Then they happen on Tuesdays. That gives them Monday to pack and say their goodbyes to those in their area they are leaving.

They were able to go to the Stake Center to watch General Conference. The Stake Center is 1.5 hours from where his area is. All the members have to go there to watch Conference. They have an "English room" where Conference can be watched in English. Four Elders where in there watching Conference including J.J.

He says he is going to send more photos and a video. We are EAGER to see more photos and especially the video. They are still getting fed every day at 2:00 PM. Members feed the missionaries every day. He says he is getting "tons of food, don't worry".

One of his friends in the mission - Elder Sorensen who he knew before his mission has just completed his mission. J.J. says Elder Sorensen helped him "learn a lot and we had tons of fun". He was sad to see Elder Sorensen go home. In fact, Elder Sorensen only lives about a mile away from us here in Sandy, Utah. We plan to talk to him once he gets home to hear more details about J.J.

The sisters he baptized gave him a sweater as a gift to say thanks for baptizing them. That was very good timing, as J.J. says it is starting to get colder now and the sweater will come in handy. He did say he bought a pillow when he first got there. That's it though. His companion has 5 or 6 blankets. So on cold nights J.J. borrows an extra one from him as the one he has is not enough.

J.J. had heard about the Utah vs. Oregon State game before we told him. Yes, we do have to keep him up to date on how his beloved Utes are doing. Just a few worldly items to keep him sane... He said he was "SOO excited" to hear about the Utes win over Oregon State. He was happy that his Dad and Chez were able to attend the game and watch the exciting win.

We have sent him four packages so far. The first one made it. We don't think the 2nd and 3rd packages are going to arrive. It's been weeks since we sent them. Let's hope the 4th one makes it. It is a nice necktie his sister Amberlee purchased for him in Taiwan with Chinese writing on it. The mail system in Mexico is not reliable. From now on we are supposed to cover the packages with the Virgin Guadalupe on them. This he says "has a better chance of getting here". It gets there faster and they won't open it up and take the stuff. He said "they worship the Virgin Mary and Virgin Guadalupe. but they respect Guadalupe more". So we have to cover the packages with the Virgin Guadalupe from now on.

J.J. did find out there are twelve Sister missionaries in his mission. They are not in his Zone and he has not met them. He likes receiving e-mails as they are sure to get to him. Letters and packages are questionable at best. He is eager to hear from his brother Chez and his sister Shantaye. So they had better write him an e-mail soon! Get on it Chez and Shantaye!!!

He says the language is coming along. He can understand "about 50% of the conversation, not a ton. They talk fast here, but when they slow down I can get a lot of it". He has only been in the mission for six weeks so he feels he is doing fine with the lingo.

They still do their wash each week at a member's home. He is looking forward to another baptism or two. He says they are close to more baptisms with a few people. Their goal is to get eight baptisms per month. He says they are working hard to that goal.

Sorry, no photos as he didn't send any. Funny how his family is SO EAGER to receive photos from him...

He is doing fine, really enjoys his companion Elder Crispin and his area and all is well in the Mexico, Mexico City West Mission.