Hey everyone! WHAT A WEEK! Wow. After about 6 1/2 months spent in the mission office I have been shipped to the farthest area in my mission. SAMANÁ! It is by far the hardest area I have ever had and the toughest thing I've ever done. It's only been a week. Let's get into it.
Monday we were driving to the store. Elder Wight, President Bretón, and me. President Bretón got in the truck and first thing he said was "Elder Wilde tomorrow you are leaving the office." Me: "to where?" Him: "Samaná!" Me: "..." yes speechless lol. He then proceeded to tell me how I need to work super hard and how Samaná needs help. He wasn't wrong.
I got here on Tuesday. Back story on Samaná. It is a very very touristy place. Absolutely beautiful. Stunning. Everything is mountains and hills. Then the beautiful sea. It is awesome. But so hard. We "walk" up mountains ALL DAY LONG. Basically hiking. It is kinda awesome. Makes for some super pretty views. The people here, so so kind. The gospel here, so so weak. A whopping 8 members attend the house of prayer every week. Yes, it is literally a house. It's awesome.
We have some friends we are teaching. Most of them not progressing that fast. But yesterday at church we found out that this 13 year old girl who is the daughter of a member is for some reason not baptized. She will be soon. We have faith! Most people here don't want to come to church cause they are lazy. But we are praying for them. Also fun fact about Samaná, there are so many different churches. Makes the work so easy.. kidding. It’s super hard. But that's okay. If it doesn't challenge you it doesn't change you. Shoutout to my brother Carter for giving me a card that says that when he was on his mission.
Overall I love Samaná. The first 3 days were HARD. Missing my buddies from the office. Also Samaná is LONELY. We are an hour and a half away from the next closest missionaries. 4 hours from the mission home and offices. It’s interesting. But I have grown so much already and have much more time here to grow.
Yesterday at church we had a special guest. Elder Villanueva of the seventy. He has spoke in conference before and gave a prayer in the last one. Basically a celebrity. Kidding. But he is an amazing man. Was so kind to us and shared a very powerful testimony of ministering and paying tithing and serving others. May or May not have teared up a few times. We had about 20 people or so in the church yesterday. Very decent number for Samaná apparently. Lots of people have been baptized here. All inactive. We are working hard to get convert baptisms.
Sorry for such a long email. If you read it great. If not. Oh well. Love you all! Miss Utah and the cold. Samaná is an oven. Hope you guys are doing good and always remember Jesus Christ.
Elder Wilde
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