Mason's letter -- June 28, 2010

Hey family what is goin on?

Sounds like everyone is doing really good over there. Everyone sounds really busy with stuff going on, but that's a good thing. And yes the world cup is huge down here and we have been kept well updated by every single person in Honduras. haha When Honduras plays, the whole world stops here. Schools get out early, Stores close, and everyone locks themselves up in their houses. When you walk on the street you can hear the game from every radio and TV in the city. And if you are too poor for a TV, you just go to Burger King where there is a television haha. We went to Burger King last Monday during the game and there were no seats or space because there was about 200 Hondurans huddled around the BK TV cheering and stuff. Too bad they got poned. And unfortunately I saw the USA lose. We entered a house to teach a guy and he had the TV on and it was the USA vs Ghana game. So I just snuck a peak at the TV to see the score and stuff and right as I looked, Ghana scored the 2nd goal to win.... so yeah, apparently I was punished by God for breaking a mission rule and looking at the TV. I should've known better haha.

But this week was pretty dang normal for me. We left the month with only 1 baptism... the most of my whole district haha, So the zone of San Pedro Sula is having some hard times with baptizing right now. But this month will be a lot better. I'm sure of that. This week we taught the most lessons that we have taught in a single week here, So we are making improvements and we will have a baptism this Saturday to start out the new month. President Cruz leaves this week for his house and the gringo pres arrives. So that should be cool, maybe I will meet him in church next Sunday. I asked Pres Cruz if he could give us bikes in my area cause it's super huge and all the roads are paved and perfect for a bike... So maybe he will do that one last thing before leaving haha we will see. but I really think bikes would be a great idea to help us teach more in a day.

But I think I have really helped my companion this week with his testimony. I try to bear him mine everyday and make him bear his to me and to a lot of people in the lessons, and I always challenge him to find his testimony, because he really wants a strong one. But he has begun to testify with power now. I taught him to look at people straight in their eyes and say a bold testimony, and he has really improved. He never really liked to contact but the other day he told me how happy he was to be out talking to people and how it was the first time he has actually liked it. So our relationship has grown a lot.

We continue doing a lot of service here in the area. Lots of people are really hard hearted here in the city, but nothing can soften a heart like showing them love through service. One day we saw 2 guys pushing a big old truck down the highway that had run out of gas and we just started pushing for them so they could have a break cause one of them was fat haha. So we pushed a truck about a half mile to the gas station on the freeway haha. Also we helped some people move one day. So I think that the service is at least making a good name for the church.

But I continue to enjoy the mission and all of the trials that we have here. Each and every one makes me stronger as a person. Oh, we were contacting the other day and we came across a gringo from Georgia who was on vacation. Apparently he was a missionary for some other Christian church and he wanted to talk to me about the church. So we sat on the curb and he began throwing a ton of questions at me. At first I think he wanted to catch something wrong with the Mormons, But all of my answers were good and surprised him because he actually liked what we believe. I felt the spirit guiding my answers and sealing my testimonies. At the end he was really impressed and commented on the confidence and strength that we have as missionaries. So it turned out really good and I could see him really thinking about the things I said to him. it was a cool experience.

But I love you all. I'm jealous that I will miss Bear Lake, but tell everyone I said hi.

Love Elder Mason Cardon