36th Week

Well the baptism is an interesting story. To start it all out, someone didn't pay the water bill in the church awhile ago. So our building has not had water for three weeks. Well, it normally isn't a big deal because you are only in the building for three hours a week and such. Problem though is you can't baptize someone without water can you? I didn't think so and I appears you can't. So we worked the entire week trying to get them to turn on the water for us to pay the bill and such and each time we talked to someone they promised us it would be done on time and with no problems. So Friday night we realize, "WE STILL DON'T HAVE WATER!" So we start scrambling trying to find a new solution that would work. Sadly it was a no go and we had to cancel the baptism. I was really kind of frustrating with it at first but then when I calmed down I started to think and to ponder and to pray and then to read the scriptures looking for comfort. I mean you spend so much time working with someone you'd just want to see them be baptized. Well I started thinking about the Prophet Joesph Smith and his suffering in Liberty Jail and I realized that the same principle there applies here. Elder Nielson and Elder Wehl were not being punished but rather being taught. We were being prepared to better prepare for the next time to be ready for anything. Plus I think there was a lesson or two for the investigator. Sadly, she didn't come to church yesterday and we've not been able to contact her since Sunday, we were able to sit with her on Saturday after the the service was canceled, hopefully we can sit with here again soon. She still wants to be baptized though so we'll see what happens. Prayers appreciated.

The bike situation is about the same expect Brown Bear finally died on me again. I still haven't been able to find a new bike so I'm riding the Zone Leaders which is good but I know it is annoying for them because they have to drive everywhere now. I used to think driving was the best thing in the world, see Tennessee, but really I like being on bike a lot more now. It is easier to talk to people, a lot cheaper, and a better work out.

The food is what the food is! Today though I was able to find Hunt's BBQ sauce in a winkel (grocery store about the size of a 7-11). You don't find a lot of American food products here in Koewarasan so it was pretty excited. In the city it is no big deal but here it was like finding gold in the winkel shelves. I haven't been able to find anything that keeps me super excited but that is okay it is what it is. Maybe Elder Wehl can teach me to cook like a Surinamer?

Elder Wehl and I are doing good. I think it just takes time sometimes and a lot of patience. I think he's been the more patient of the two of us but so it is so it is. We keep working and I try to keep him focused. He only has three more transfers after this one ends (March 20th). So he's getting a bit trunkie on me but I'm working on him. Hopefully, we'll pull it together.
I'd write more but I'm out of time again. I hope all is well! Overall the work goes forth and I try not to destroy it. President said I can't so I take hope and faith in that.

Love
Elder Nathan John Nielson