Mason's letter -- May 17, 2010

Hey family,

Well my first week in San Pedro was kinda difficult, but it was alright. We worked hard and got 5 people to come to church... which is a lot better than the 1 that came to church last week. We tried to teach a lot of new people, but unfortunately most of the appointments fell through. That always happens though when you set up appointments on the streets and stuff. So we had to do a lot of improvising. But we have some good possibitilies right now, so we will see what happens.

I was worried about leaving this month without a baptism, seeing how nobody had come to church for a while. But we found a lady that has gone to church a lot and my comp thought she was a member... turns out she's not. She's really poor and lives in a really poor area. I think the last missionary didn't baptize her or say anything because he was scared of what the bishop would say (he said he doesn't want us preaching to the poor people that live in that area). I dunno the bishop here is kind of weird and says stuff a lot to make you feel stupid. haha so we will see. But she is a blessing and we will baptize her this month.

We also are teaching a family where the daughter has received an answer about the Book of Mormon. She had a dream where a person in white came down from the heavens with 2 books... the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and he told her they both were the word of God. So she knows the church is true and the kids all want to go to church, and the mom wants them all to grow up in the church. But the dad won't let them go. So we went by on Sunday morning to take them to church, and unluckily, the dad was there (he usually never is in the house because he works). So he just told us they weren't going and just said stupid stuff about the church. We tried to talk to him all nice and stuff and work it out. But he just kept on. So I don't know what we are going to do with them. We will keep visiting them and hope that one day the father changes.

Other than that we knocked on a ton of doors and tried to get references from a bunch of members. I get frustrated sometimes because the fruits of my labor don't come as quick as I want them to. I have to remind myself a lot to be patient and diligent. The people will come little by little and we will have success here.

My comp is still good. He walks really slow everywhere, which kinda gets on my nerves... But he's good. We get along fine.

Apparently this week they raised the light bill on us, so our bill is a little high. I wish they would have told us and we wouldn't have let the air conditioner go on as long. But still the air is worth it, even though the heat is going down a little bit. I don't sweat as much anymore or get as burned. It even rained for a few hours this week... the first rain for months. Also we ate a lot of good food this week. It sure is a difference from bean and hot dog sandwiches with moldy cheese! We had members buy us Popeye's and hot dogs and a lot of good food. The members here are well to do. Last night we ate in a house that was huge! Like it is even huge compared to an American home. They have their own personal guard out front with a huge sawed off shotgun. haha so yeah they are legit.

But other than that I got no news. Sorry this letter isn't really exciting. Thanks for all your letters and support. I love you all very much and am always grateful for a great family.

love Elder Mason Cardon