Training days

Family and Friends,

THis week we had changes and I now have a new companion. His name is Elder Dipko and he is from Saratoga Springs, Utah. He knows spanish very well, just coming out of the MTC. He went to BYU for a semester before leaving, and he studied spanish for 5 years at school. He is a new missionary and has about 5 days in Honduras, and I have the opportunity to train him. I am very excited and a little bit nervous too! I hoep that I can set a good example for him and teach him a bunch about this crazy country! I know I will learn alot from him too. 

This week was crazy as the transition to different companions has never been easy for me to do! haha I always get a little anxiety, and sometimes.. alot! But that doesn't take away from some of the great experiences that I have had this week. It was a little hard trying to find people to teach, but One of the experiences that i will share made all of these hard experiences worth it!

This week in church was fast and testimony meeting. I had challenged our recent converts Ashley, hazel, and gustavo to bare their testimonies. They were hesitant, but on Sunday, they told me that they would go if I went first. I always get a little nervous of messing up in spanish but I bore my testimony and felt good. After that, the other missionaries, my companion and the other 2 missionaries bore their testimonies. afterwards Gustavo, who is 11 years old, walked nervously up to the microphone. He said in front of everyone that he was grateful for me, and that I had taught him the gospel. He said that he has learned alot from me and that one day he wants to serve a mission too. He went on to bare his testimony. He said that he knows that the Church is the true church of Jesus Christ. He told everyone of his testimony of the book of mormon and of the prophet joseph smith. Many people after hearing his testimony spoke about how it impacted theirs. It was a very spiritual fast and testimony meeting. 

As far as the people who we are teaching, many are willing to be baptized, but their situations are a little bit difficult. Many are not married and 2 of them are even living with someone that is not their actual wife. they got seperated, but the paperwork never got done so that is a difficult situation. But an older lady named Argentina commited to be baptized on the 26th of march. We hope to be able to help her towards that date. 

I love this area here in Paraiso. I feel like I fit in and get along with the members and investigators that we have very well. I am excited to keep working here. I love and miss you guys! Send a few pics, I hope you guys are doing great! Have a great week!

Love

Elder Dowell

Growing in the mission

Dear Family and friends,

This week has been a week of what felt like a lot of work and not much pay off. We went out of our way to meet many new people, but were sad to find many unwilling to listen and unwilling to change. My view of missionary work has shifted a little bit in these past few months. At first I thought that the mission was just going and serving others, helping them with their problems and teaching them about Heavenly Father and the Plan of Salvation, but it is much more than that. Our main purpose is to help people to have faith and repent of their sins. There are many people who don't know how to repent, so we are able to teach them how. 

It feels so good when we find someone who wants to repent. For us, this week, that was one of our contacts. We had contacted him a while ago, and a member of the church told us that he wanted us to visit him as well, so we went like 3 times and he wasn't there. We were about to give up, but we prayed to encounter him and ended up teaching him how to repent. He opened up to us and told us that the lady that he is living with is just his girlfriend, and that he is technically still married with his ex wife and that he feels bad for that. We taught him that he needs to repent to feel better and he told us that that is something that he wants to do.
We teach 2 other families with a similar situation. In Honduras it is very hard to get married, and even harder to get divorced! So people just do what they want regardless of their status in the eyes of the law. 

We had a baptism scheduled for this Saturday, but when we went to swing by the houses of our investigators to bring them to church, each of them had a different excuse for why they couldn't go, even though they had told us the day before that we should swing by. I wasn't too surprised, as this has happened more than once, but I felt bad for Elder Dipko because he looked a little heart broken. I told him that we were going to learn a lot of patience here with these people haha.

We were happy to find out that one of our buddies that goes on visits with us will put his mission papers in soon! It made me think of Marshy, I am so proud of you Marshy!! I hope you get to come to San Pedro Sula!!! 

As far as the ward goes, I just had to laugh a little. Those who teach classes, with the exception of our  new convert, don't

prepare their classes and end up talking about opinions instead of the truth, or doctrine. The topic was the restoration, and the class ended up talking about a bunch of random stuff. 

Either way, I know that this church is true. I have felt the spirit testify to me many times that the work that we are doing is the work of the Lord, and that He puts us where we need to be to help His children. Have a great week everyone, I love you!!

Love

Elder Dowell

Getting Caught Up - A few weeks of letters

**Dad note, I have been busy travelling and savoring the notes home from travelling that I have not taken the time to update the blog.  Well, today is the day, Enjoy! - Rich**

Feb 15

Hey family and friends! 

It has been perfect weather here in the department of Cortes. From San Pedro Sula to where I am at now in a town called Portrerillos is about an hour and it has been rainy and cool weather!

I will share a few crazy experiences and then I will answer some questions that mom had! I was so sad this week to miss syds bday, moms bday, and valentines day! But know how much I love and miss you and pray for you! 

This week we visited with a few members and investigators. It is weird to see sometimes when people lose interest in the gospel. I always get sad and wonder what they are thinking.. but I guess everyone has their agency. we are goingto San Pedro this week to help the Family Humania get married and their baptism will be coming up to! Every time we go to their house they give us coconuts to drink. They dont have much, but they are an example of giving what little they have in gratitude to us. I am grateful for them and their example to me. 

Something that was of a little bit of concern was that a gang member in our area was killed and when that happens there is a little more tention.. but we were safe and so were the others in our area. It was a scary thing at first, but it died down after a day.

We also had the opportunity to hear from a general authority, Elder Alonzo, from the quorum of the 70. It was awesome to hear him speak at stake conference this week, he is good at delivering a message and joking with the people. He gave some great advice.. reminding the priesthood that they need to bring the bread to church, and that we should prepare ourselves spiritually to take the sacrament. Also that partaking of the sacrament is a vital part of the perfeccion of the saints, and that it is something that requires repetition. 

At the end of the priesthood session on Saturday I asked him if he could take a picture with me. He told me to wait until tomorrow.. I thought that meant no. So the next day I wasnt going to ask again, but my companion told me I should and so I stood outside the door waiting as they set apart the new stake president. when he stepped out of the room he said, ¨who wanted to take a picture?¨ I was really surprised that he remembered.. but I will attach the picture, it was a very cool experience. 

I am thankful for the people we encounter each day. They are crazy, but fun to talk to and be around. I have felt touched by the generosity many times. I know the church is true and in helpin gand teaching others, I can feel my own testimony grow as well. 

Who are you excited to teach again?  

the main people that are fun to teach are those who really listen to us and ask questions. not many people ask questions.. but there is a couple named judi and manuel. they both are married with other people and are living together.. but they have been going to church which is awesome. they even went to stake conference. 

When was the time you felt the spirit teaching this week?  

A time when I felt the spirit was when I was giving my testimony. I have felt peace when I bare my testimony with all my heart and I think it helps others as well to know that they can have a testimony through prayer and acting on the answer that they recieve. 

What did you learn in your scripture study this week? 

In scripture study I always feel like I can do better in contacting, or in delivering the initial message of the restoration. I studied how we can help others to realize that not everyone that screams into a microphone is a prophet, and that God choses his profets. I find myself learning how to teach stuff that I have known since I was little. I know that Heavenly Father uses profets to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but through studying I have gotten better at explaining that God has always chosen profets, and that he chose Joseph Smith in these latter days to act as a prophet. I alwyas think that if someone understands the great apostasy, they will feel the need for a restoration of the gospel. Amos 8.11 is one of those scriptures that talks about the apostasy.. after reading that we can explain the need for the restoration. I know a restoration of the gospel was necesary for us to act in Gods name, with His power on the earth again!

I love you guys.. have a great week this week!

Love

Elder Dowell

Feb 22

Family and friends,

This week we saw the fruits of many days of work here in Paraiso. The most rewarding of all was on Friday when the Humania family finally got married. We saw Heavenly Fathers help as we got their papers together. On wednesday morning we woke up at 4 to go stand in a long line in San Pedro Sula to take out the last of the papers that they needed. At 10 oclock the line hadnt moved and we were tired of sitting there so long. A street pastor even stood preaching from the hours of 8 oclock to 10 oclock because he knew we werent going to leave so he yelled at us to have the holy ghost. I always wonder what people´s perception of Heavenly Father is when they choose different ways to worship Him. At 11 o clock a nice guy told us that because brother humania is so old that he could cut to the front of the line. He saved us alot of time and trouble, and on Friday a member of the church that works at the courthouse helped us get them married quick. their baptism is scheduled for this saturday.

In trying to find people to teach this week we have encountered many people who are interested in hearing our message. One family in particular was of surprise to me because the dad was the one that was asking questions and wanted to hear us. I have noticed that the people that usually accept us are single women with a few kids whose dad doesnt live with them or doesnt stay in the house much. But this family was different. It makes such a big difference when the man of the house is interested, because he can help his family understand and be a good influence on them. They told us that they would read the pamphlet that we gave them and that they would pray to know if it is true that the gospel was restored through prophets in these latter days. I hope that they will follow up on that promise.

I am so thankful for the chance that we have to help others by sharing the gospel. There have been many times where I feel like I really am fighting for the right. Many people have a skewed vision of who God is and what we need to do to return to live in His presence. In studying and teaching, little by little I have learned that it really isnt that complicated, and that as imperfect human beings, we have a little wiggle room!

What I mean by this can be explained using one of my favorite scriptures. 

3 Nephi 31.12

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father givethe Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

 13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shallfollow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting nohypocrisy and no deception before God, but with realintent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, bybaptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh thebaptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

 14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.

 15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, thewords of my Beloved are true and faithful. He thatendureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

 16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following theexample of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.

At first this scripture seemed a little bit harsh to me. After I read it I thought about all the people who have not completed the steps of the Gospel of Christ. But afterwards, I tried to apply this scripture to my own life. In this scripture, Nephi explains the simplicity of the gospel of Christ, and what it is that we need to to to return to live with Heavenly Father. He is very clear to that those who do not follow these steps ¨cannot be saved¨. That was the part that seemed a little bit harsh to me. I began to think, what is my job? after having completed the first 4 steps, faith, repentance, baptism, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost my job is to endure to the end. This is the part that I think allows us a little wiggle room! Enduring to the end is hard, but I think it should be happy too. Enduring to the end is not being perfect, so each time that I feel like I don't get to talk as much as I want to in the lessons, or I mess up on a part in the lesson because I am still learning Spanish, or  have things that don't go my way, I am comforted to know that these situations have no effect on my chances of returning to live with Heavenly Father. What does matter is what I do. I think this can be applied to everyones life. Everyone feels inadequate at times, hearts get broken, things don't go our way, we want to have fun and it doesn't feel like were having fun, but these are things that Satan can use to distract us from our eternal purpose of being happy and returning to live with Heavenly Father. Comfort cannot be found in temporal things, but in following what Nephi has explained as the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I know this to be true. I love you guys and I hope you have a great week! Be safe and love one another, Ill try too! ha ha

Love

Elder Dowell

Feb 29

Dear Family and friends,

This week was another good one her in Paraiso. We were able to see all of our hard work pay off as the Humania family got baptized together this week! It was a humbling experience for me to see them be baptized, even when they dont have much. I know that they have much more prepared for them after this life.

I had the chance to baptize two people, and Elder Figueroa baptized three. Although it was a very cool experience, it had rained all day so everyone got to church all rainy and muddy, and the water in the baptismal font was freezing! I have gotten used to cold water a little bit from taking bucket showers in the morning, but I don't know if I would have gotten baptized in that water! haha 

One of my mission buddies Elder Palma who is from Honduras had to have transfers so our District Leader has been a third companion for a few days. I think we will stay a trio until changes next week. It has been a fun time to share the gospel and teach. Having 3 people adds a different element to teaching because all of us want to talk and explain. It reminds me a lot of living with Pete and Chinedu because sometimes it is 2 on 1. We have had much success in these past few weeks, more than I have seen in my whole mission. We have more people wanting to learn about our message and more people willing to open their door and their hearts as well. As to why, I don't know! I would like to say because of our obedience or hard work but I always feel like we are trying hard, so the most reasonable answer for that is that our prayers are being answered. I know that Jesus Christ is hastening His work, and that He has prepared people in different places and in different stages of their life, and I am very thankful to be apart of that. 

Yesterday we had the chance to explain Lehi's vision to a couple that we are teaching. They initially thought that the tree represented the tree of knowledge of good and bad.. We explained to them and drew them a picture of the dream, and got to explain to them that they need to hold on to the iron rod. I love that story because of its simplicity. They understood that they just need to hold on to the iron rod as tight as they can to reach the goal of Eternal life.

Each day I feel that the experience that I am having is helping me to grow, and I am so thankful for the people who are examples in my life. Mom and Dad, Marshy, Syd, and Savannah, Grandparents, aunts uncles, leaders, friends, teachers, and all those who have always lovingly counselled me to do what is right. I am full of gratitude because I know that I am not doing this alone. There are so many who have supported me and I am so thankful for that. I know that this church is true and I can testify of the happiness that comes from the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He lives!

Have a great week everyone! I love and miss you guys, 

Elder Dowell

Honduran Spaghetti

**Dad note, I have been slacking in getting these letters posted.  Here are the last two notes from Chandler**

Dear Family and friends,

I have had many funny experiences this week and also things that have helped my testimony grow.. and experiences that have pushed my buttons, but all in good fun.

We have many awesome members in our branch, many of which give us food and cook for us. On one occasion this week I helped make some Honduran spaghetti. I say Honduran spaghetti because it is different than any spaghetti that I have ever had. The noodles are normal, but as I watched the member make the sauce I was shocked! she started off with a little bit of tomato sauce and some oil.. pretty normal. she proceded to add water.. ok. then she added some mayonase and milk.. weird but not too bad. Then to finish she added a glass of coke. Only then did I understand why I love Honduran spaghetti. 

Some things as we were walking in the street that are out of the normal were a full on techno dance party in the evangelical church by where we live.. and something pretty normal is little kids shouting, asking us if we want coffee. I dont give it too much attention, its kinda funny I think.. but I think it makes my companion mad because he always says yes to see what they will say.

We also had a new investigator come to church with us! we have been offering her service and one morning we took her some firewood. She has 2 little kids who are a little bit crazy. I got to help her out with one of her kids during sacrament meeting and wow. I have no Idea how I will be a dad someday! 

It is normal for some people that we teach to not have a place to sit, so we find a rock or cement blocks nearby to pop a squat. It was so nice outside this week that I wore a sweater one of the days. I never thought I would use a longsleeve shirt but the weather makes all the difference. I think one can feel the spirit more in colder weather. Not doctrine, just opinion. 

This week was a milestone for me as well because I finished reading the book of Mormon in spanish! It took forever, but It really helped me to learn spanish better and to learn the book of mormon stories. I know it is true. I know that the book of mormon is true and It didnt take reading it in spanish for me to know that. Its teachings are based upon those of Jesus Christ. His teachings are perfect, and only through living what He taught will we reach our eternal goal of returning to live with Heavenly Father.

Along with teaching and trying to find new people to teach, it has been hard to be with my companion. That is something that every missionary will say so I wont spend too much time on that, but I was reading the general conference Liahona or Ensign and it was the talk, What Lack I Yet? I read the talk and did what it says to do. The answer that I got was to love my companion. 

This is one of the many things that Heavenly Father could have told me, but I know that if we really ask and have the desire to act on the answer, Heavenly Father will point us in the right direction. 

Mom asked me a few questions this week too so I will share my answers.

Where did you see the hand of the Lord in your life this week?

I saw Him in the weather this week. It could have been hot like any other week but my problems didnt seem as bad because the weather was perfect. It was a big blessing.. and reminded me of the AZ winter!

Where did you see the hand of the Lord in one of your investigators this week?

This week we had the opportunity to share the first vision with a few of our investigators. I was thankful that I could recite the first vision, its my favortie part. Our investigators rarely read what they ask them to and rarely pray to know that the message that we are giving is true. even after we explain it in simple terms, I feel that some people still dont understand why we are different than every other church. But, after explaining the first vision and asking a few questions, I could tell that they were thinking. They seemed like they were starting to understand the information that we gave them. Jesus Christ is able to help us understand through the spirit and when we learn something new, I think it is the spirit that makes them think and understand. In moments of true undertanding I think the Lord helps us with the spirit to understand.

What stuck out to you in your scripture study this week?

John 13.15

I have given you an example.

The gospel is so simple that its easy to get frustrated when peop`le dont understand.

faith in Jesus Christ leads us to repent of the bad things that we have done in our lives. Faith that we can be freed from our burdens, pains, and sins lead us to follow the commandments, repent, and be baptized. If we are baptized with the authortiy of God, we will recieve a remission of our sins. 

I learned of many instances in the scriptures that Jesus says Follow me, I am the way, Do as I do, etc.. but this is very misunderstood by our investigators. They think that being like Jesus means doing good deeds every now and then and then youll go to Heaven. There is some truth in this, but Jesus taught us to have faith unto repentance, be baptized with His authority that has been restored on the earth, recieve the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the end. Nothing more and nothing less can allow us to enter into His kindgdom. I know this is true.

 I love and miss you all at home.. enjoy the colder weather!

Love

Elder Dowell

Family and Friends,

This week has been a good week here in Paraiso. We have been trying to get a few people excited for baptism. We have been focusing on teaching repentace and baptism to our investigators so that they can understand the importance of making covenants with Heavenly Father. As we have been teaching, our investigators have had a few challenges. The first is an 18 year old. He is a very sincere guy and wants to be baptized. This past lesson he told us that his girlfriend might be having a baby, so we had the opportunity to teach him about the law of chastity, and the need for repentance to be baptized and be clean from his sins. He was very receptive and accepted a baptismal date in February. 

Another Investigator of ours was having challenges understanding some commandments that we have because her friends at her work were telling her a bunch of lies about the church. They were absolutely crazy things. One was that we have a steeple at the church because Joseph Smith was decapitated on a steeple. Another one was that after women get baptized, they are forced to marry a member of the church right after, even if they were married with someone who is not a member. The other lies were pretty normal to hear such as, we dont drink pop or eat meat. We were able to clear up her doubts and challenged her to pray for a baptismal date in February also.

This week we also had the opportunity to sell donuts to members of the church to raise money for the Family Humania who wants to be baptized soon. It was difficult because my companion had to get half of his toenail removed because it was an ingrown toenail.. It looked like it hurt really bad.

I am also convinced, after all my years of training for football, that there is no better way to train than going deep into a mountain to chop and haul wood. We helped out 2 young men from the church Jason and Jimmy(names not very hondureñan) get some firewood for their house so that they could cook. I weigh about 200 pounds and these guys are about 150 pounds and they were kicking my butt hauling this wood. it was probably around 50 pounds but it was rainy so the ground was slippery and I could tell they were laughing a little bit because I had never done it before, but they were good sports for letting us help them.

When we went to San Pedro Sula to go to the doctor for my companion I could help but smile the whole time.. I love it! It brought back alot of good memories from the first part of the mission and I loved being there for a bit. 

This week after church, the church bus got in a small accident. It was a big yellow school bus and nothing happened to us or anyone else on the bus.. we barely even felt anything, but a car had pushed a little taxi car into the back of the bus and the driver of the taxi shattered the windshield with his head and had to go to the hospital. That was a little bit scary. My companion thought it was his fault because one of our investigators was complaining that they wanted to buy watermelon and so he told the bus driver to stop.. I was like.. um its Sunday! It is true that everyone has their own thought of the rules of what is ok and whats not on the sabbath day. Keep it Holy! 

Have a great week, I love you guys!

con amor

Elder Dowell

A Real Honduran

This week was a little different than usual. I got called to go to San Pedro to take my picture for my residency so soon I will be an official Honduran! I don't know if I am ready for that title..

This week we have also been working with the branch for our activity to raise money for the Humaña family. They are a very poor family that we are teaching that wants to get baptized.. but they don't have the money to get married. It costs around 1500 limpiras which is about 75 bucks. We made 100 limpiras this week making and selling baleadas to the members.. so we are getting close to getting them married, although it is a little more difficult with getting the papers that they need (birth certificate etc).

We are planning to have one more small activity for them this week.. but we need to talk to the branch president first. The branch has helped us out a lot this week and there are tons of awesome people.. and many young men that are good friends with us. The youth this week went to SOY which is the central american EFY. It was funny to see them come back and bare their testimonies. I remember the great experiences at EFY and the Book of Mormon Journey and the role they play in my testimony today. I know I will say that about my experience now as well.

This bridge in our area is a little sketchy, but a great view

This coming week I will finish the Book of Mormon in Spanish! It feels like it has taken me forever.. but I am 3 chapters from the end. There was a promise made by a general authority that if you read the book of Mormon in your mission language that by the end you will be fluent in speaking. I don't know how to compare my fluency.. but I feel that I can express myself and what I want to say in Spanish.. although fully learning Spanish will be a life struggle! haha

    

My companion wanted to help a kid fix his kite so he fixed the kite and they flew it today. The wind stopped and the kite fell into someones yard. The kid ran to see where it was.. then ran back to us to tell us. When we got there someone had cut the string and the kite was gone.. we asked the people who lived there and they blamed it on the neighbors. We hung around for about 5 minutes and they brought it back out to us. It was very shameful.

Eating healthy!

It helps to have a companion that is from Honduras.. but he wasn't too motivated this last week so I guess I just gotta get him motivated for this next change! 

I love and miss you all and I hope you have a great week!

Love

One Year Down!

Hello family and friends!

This week is my one year mark! It is hard to believe all that has happened in this year and although the days feel long.. the year has gone by pretty quickly! I think I have learned more in this year of my life than all of the other years combined. Never in my life have I been so thankful for the scriptures, the church, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This experience is helping me to see a bigger picture of the plan that Heavenly Father has for each one of us. If we are going through hard times or just feel like we need a friend, Jesus Christ always has His hand extended for us.

This week on the year mark we had our interviews with the mission president. He told me that it is important to be patient through our times of trial. I asked him how we can know what Heavenly Father thinks of us. I have always wondered what Heavenly Father thinks of me. He told me that I will probably not receive a direct answer, but we can feel of his love and approval through words from family, friends, and from leaders.

We also had the opportunity to baptize 3 siblings.

The 11 year old boy and asked me to baptize him.  The girls are 16 and 19.. They are very smart and are setting an example for their parents who are not members of the church. I think because of their examples that they will hopefully take the lessons soon.

mini turtle

Yesterday I got sick and had to take a little rest.. but I am feeling better today. Looking back on this year there have been many ups and downs, but I know they are all helping me to grow closer to Heavenly Father. I am so thankful that I can be His servant during this time of my life. I love and miss you all at home! Have a great week this week!

Love

Elder Dowell

Those cool Santa Barbara nights

Hello Family and Friends,

It has been cooling down more and more here in Santa Barbara and each night I get to use the blanket that grandma made for me, I like the cold much better than the heat. I have had many experiences this week that have helped give me a greater perspective on missionary work, service, and life in general. 

I am very thankful for the experiences that I am having and for the help and support of those who have pushed and encouraged me, I know that these experiences and learning doesn't just happen for no reason.  I know Heavenly Father gives each one of us what we need and even the people that we need too. 

This week we spent an entire day helping the branch president, President Lopez, paint his house. It hurt our weekly stats a little bit, but we talked with him about the history of Santa Barbara and how far it has come in the church. Presidnet Lopez has been the branch prez for 3 years and when he arrived the church only had an asistance of 41 members, and they were basically teaching apostasy from what he tells us. Now we have around 120 attendance and will probably be a ward soon. 

This week, starting on the 4th, the fair came to Santa Barbara! Tons of people set up shop in el Centro ( our area) and sell stuff! food, souveniers, etc. It has been packed every single night and we have been handing out pass along cards to many people, although many of the people are not from here, we run into many people that do live in our area too. It is one of the many little culture things that I love about Santa Barbara. Some stuff I still dont like but it has grown on me alot. 

This week I have also been saying goodbye to many of the members because I will be changing areas tomorrow. I am very sad to leave Santa Barbara, but I know that change can help us grow. I have made some great friends here and I am very thankful for the relationships that I have made here. I hope that I have made as much an impact on them as they have on me. I am very thankful for the many relationships that I have had in my life. I didnt realize how important relationships with others are, but it is one of the most important things in this life. Jesus was a perfect example of making great relationships, although many rejected, he was the best friend anyone could ever ask for. I am so thankful for all of those who have been great friends to me, many of you have! and I will send some pictures of the friends I have made in my time here.

Mom and Dad asked me a few questions so I will conclude with a few answers.

How is Chandler doing?

You know me, I am doing fine. I worry all the time (like mom) but I think that is what it is. I am enjoying being in Honduras, more than I did before anyways. I hope that the ¨Chandler¨that you know is being changed. I often feel like I dont like the Chandler that you guys know, because he has many faults. So I am trying ( and usually failing) to improve the old Chandler so that I can be an improved version of myself.

Is he getting more comfortable with Spanish?

Yes. I found myself getting frustrated with spanish, but my companion Elder Markus reminded me that if I went back to get a job in the states, I would be able to do everything that I need to do. It is true. I make my way around, teach the lessons, buy what I need to buy, tell people what I need to tell them. I will continue to learn, but I am more comfortable than before.

What is the difference between learning to teach in the MTC and actually teaching?

Everything. If I had to pick to learn spanish in the street or in a book I would have never gone to the MTC. Teaching comes from practicing with real people. If I sit in the classroom and practice with my companion I will gain very little experience. For missionaries to learn the rules and get a few good meals the MTC is fine, but learning to teach comes from talking to the lady thats telling me that I am worshipping satan if I celebrate Christmas.

Are the people where you are poor?  How does that affect you?

Yes they are poor. Almost everyone makes money buy going up in the mountains and cutting coffee. they take the coffee plant and they pick the coffee beans off of it one by one. If its in season they can get about 9 bags. each bag they pick they get paid 30 limpiras for 9 bags thats about 13 bucks a day.  Right now it is not the season and they get about 3 bags a day which is about 4.50. They use that to buy food for their family. There is not much in the budget for much else. How does this effect me? everything is super cheap and I am gaining weight because I can buy a lot more food than I normally could. But it also helps me to be more willing to buy someone a baleada or give them a few limps.

Since you have learned the church in Honduras, what does it make you think about the Church here in America?

Although the culture is different, this is something that Elder Markus and I were discussing. My testimony has grown in part because the church is the same here and in the US. The people, no. But the same rules, handbooks, 3 hours of church, sacrament every week, president and his councilors, etc. The other churches may have some type of structure in the states but I dare you to come here and tell me that the catholic church teaches the same things in the US as they do here in Honduras, its just not the same. The church is true, no matter where you are!

What is the biggest difference(s) between Cedar City and San Pedro Sula?

Alot more drunk people in the street, and people are much more comfortable with confrontations here. It is alot more dirty here too. It is basically a giant trash can. But in San Pedro there are buildings and roads and normal things like that so maybe not too different. haha

I love you all and I hope you have a great week! I am thankful for all of you and for the relationship that we have!

Love

Elder Dowell