Elder Stimpson is struggling with ear infection and is waiting for Mission President's wife's approval for him to go to the doctor.
He looks forward to next P-day when a member who is experienced in fishing will take them fishing. There's nothing better than experienced local fisherman with great local tips. We kidded around about fishing equipment since people in Dominican Republic used spark plugs as their weights. We kidded about catching electric eels to use as baits so Ian can electrocute fishes by just touching them. Of course, he won't do that- he is going to catch crabs and use them as bait then fish from ten feet high.
Elder Stimpson mentioned that missionaries there gets 4,500 pesos every two weeks to spend (in USA, the amount is equivalent to 230 dollars). He told me that groceries there are very expensive. Milk there are watered down and mixed with sugar, are sold for more than ten dollars equivalent. It was because cows are rare commodity on the island. However, they don't have same problem for chickens. It is typical to see chickens roaming all over streets. Elder Stimpson will never have egg shortage! There are few American brands in major grocery stores. Elder Stimpson have a new favorite drink that is made from chinola. He also enjoys eat other fruits that are popular down there- pineapple and mango. He also eats chinola. In our America, we call chinola Passion fruit. It isn't something you will find sitting in your local grocery store. He cannot afford ice cream down there, though. Freezing them really cost a great deal of money, thus the cause of it being so expensive.
Elder Stimpson spoke about a twenty-four years old investigator they found through tracting. She is very shy but has loud personality in her home. She is making amazing progress. They are helping her to become used to her local ward. Our hearts are with her. Prayers always are welcome.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
(5/13-5/20)
An apology in advance from mother for missing a week worth of post.
Elder Stimpson is doing good those two weeks. He is adjusting beautifully with his second trainer, Elder Jensen. Last week on P-day they went to beach because they lived near beach. They walked around, caught crabs and snails. They also found a sea urchin. They also went shopping for fishing equipment but they just found few things. They will need to find more items to make their rigs complete.
Elder Stimpson was grabbed by a guy on the street and it frightened his companion. They thought they were getting robbed. The guy told them that he was going to go to the church this Sunday and explained the reason why he missed the church last week (he got injured by washing his clothes. I am not sure how he got injured. They wash clothes differently in Dominican Republic). Elder Stimpson still is trying to get used to the culture there. Children walk around naked and it was typical. Children generally starts school at age of seven to eight years old and they don't go to school every day and just go for a couple of hours of day. People there usually have fourth to sixth grade education and got optional schooling after that.
Elder Stimpson gets sunburnt on regular basis. Fortunately, he never will have shortage of Aloe Vera plant everywhere.
Elder's work brings him to three type of people- none, Catholic or Evangelical. Elder Stimpson won't use bible while sharing gospel because it invites bible bashing and certain stubbornness. Elder Stimpson did meet with deaf people at store again. He learned few new signs. He continues in his eagerness to find deaf people and getting to know them.
Elder Stimpson is doing good those two weeks. He is adjusting beautifully with his second trainer, Elder Jensen. Last week on P-day they went to beach because they lived near beach. They walked around, caught crabs and snails. They also found a sea urchin. They also went shopping for fishing equipment but they just found few things. They will need to find more items to make their rigs complete.
Elder Stimpson was grabbed by a guy on the street and it frightened his companion. They thought they were getting robbed. The guy told them that he was going to go to the church this Sunday and explained the reason why he missed the church last week (he got injured by washing his clothes. I am not sure how he got injured. They wash clothes differently in Dominican Republic). Elder Stimpson still is trying to get used to the culture there. Children walk around naked and it was typical. Children generally starts school at age of seven to eight years old and they don't go to school every day and just go for a couple of hours of day. People there usually have fourth to sixth grade education and got optional schooling after that.
Elder Stimpson gets sunburnt on regular basis. Fortunately, he never will have shortage of Aloe Vera plant everywhere.
Elder's work brings him to three type of people- none, Catholic or Evangelical. Elder Stimpson won't use bible while sharing gospel because it invites bible bashing and certain stubbornness. Elder Stimpson did meet with deaf people at store again. He learned few new signs. He continues in his eagerness to find deaf people and getting to know them.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
What a nice privilege to have: we got to talk with our Elder Stimpson two days in row! Our elder is getting used to it in Dominican Republic, being privy to all tricks of trade in how to gain comfort in the country. According to our guy, Gold bond powder is the best thing all round for Elders. He also advised us to never put it on right after the shower. Ha ha.
Elder Stimpson is acclimating in very nicely to the point that his second trainer complimented him on his Spanish, saying that he didn't get that good until third month of his mission in field. Some latinos whispered that he sounds almost like one of them. Elder Stimpson works so hard, that's for certain! Elder Stimpson is beginning to teach regularly now that he is getting handle of Dominican Republican's Spanish.
I think Elder Stimpson is very excited to do some fishing. He is planning to rent equipments and get the feel of area before he gets to buy some fishing gear. He didn't get to fish yesterday as he hoped to because he and three other missionaries got into game called "Risk" and lost track of the time. Ha ha. We all normally only play "Risk" game on holidays- Thanksgiving and Christmas when we have plenty of time. It is awesome sort of game. A long game, nonetheless.
I got to chat with Ian on screen on mother's day and chat via hang out on Monday. Elder Stimpson usually uses Internet cafe on Mondays and occasionally at member's house. Internet sometimes are pretty sketchy, due to member's ability to afford a good internet. I counted my blessing on Mother's day when I got flawless reception from Elder Stimpson!
I told Elder Stimpson about that wonderful lady we met at temple on branch temple day- credit going to Mary Bonham for referral, who is from Dominican Republic- the sweetest soul we met on that day and we look forward to getting to know her.
A beautiful view of Dominican Republic and his second trainer, Elder Jensen from Preston, Idaho. Elder Stimpson informed me that he is planning to go to Utah State University as well and Elder Jensen offered to help him to pick out a rifle when he gets back home from mission. There are tons of adventure lying in wait, beginning with mission call. I can see how excited Elder Stimpson is about making his own future.
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
New Trainer
Elder Stimpson is doing fine. He just saw his trainer (who was in Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission for eight months, waiting for visa to Panama) off on transfer day yesterday. He received a trainer named Elder Jensen from Preston, Idaho and his trainer expects to go home December 2019. He is very excited!!! Because his trainer share same love for fishing as he. He also discovered that mission president is okay with them fishing on P-day.
Elder Stimpson sent me an email with pictures and a video:
things are going good. I got a new companion today on account of my other one leaving for panama soon because he finally got his visa after 8 months. his name is elder Jensen and he likes fishing almost as much as I do😁. I am able to go fishing on my mission I found out. so sometime soon I will be purchasing some stuff for fishing. language learning is going well. I can mostly understand everyone just some words here and there I do not know.
Elder Stimpson sent me an email with pictures and a video:
things are going good. I got a new companion today on account of my other one leaving for panama soon because he finally got his visa after 8 months. his name is elder Jensen and he likes fishing almost as much as I do😁. I am able to go fishing on my mission I found out. so sometime soon I will be purchasing some stuff for fishing. language learning is going well. I can mostly understand everyone just some words here and there I do not know.
my camera broke. I let a kid of a member play with it and that is the last time I let a kid here play with it.
Elders that lived with them but moved to their own apartment that is more in their area.
Member's house
When it rains, it pours in Dominican Republic!
Elder Stimpson's trainer who transferred to Panama.
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Q&A session
We didn't get any pictures this week but internet was very good on the day we talked. We were able to get some Q&A session in. It went as this:
Elder Stimpson: Exclaiming how much he misses it in Utah. He hates the climate in Dominican Republic- very humid and hot. He never stays dry after shower. He developed rashes on his arms from sweating so much. He want to have snow, swimming water, and chill of Utah so bad.
Q: (Mostly mom) Were you able to meet any deaf people?
A: Yeah. I found out that many deaf in Dominican Republic work as baggers. I got to talk one in ASL. I wasn't able to talk more because we had to leave. But it was really cool.
Q: Are you eating meals? Do you have any dinner appointments with members?
A: My trainer mostly teaches me how to cook Dominican Republic way. He was upset with me when one day I cooked rice for him. He hates white rice and had it cooked in proper way- spicy and mixed rice. I am going to cook an American Hamburger for him before he leaves for Panama. (His trainer was called to Panama so he had to wait for eight months for his visa to go thru. He will leave within a week from now).
Q: How did you get clean water?
A: Our mission adds filters to every faucet we have in our home. Kitchen faucet still leaks and because of it, our apartment floods on occasion. It did flood other elders' bedroom. Now, it really isn't a problem because they moved into a new home in their area. This apartment wasn't in their area.
Q: Are you able to sleep well?
A: Sure. My mission haven't added mosquito net to my bed yet. It is very humid and wet where I live so I can't really sleep with cover. My feet ended up being bit several times. They will put mosquito net up this upcoming transfer. I also want to put in a request with mission office that every missionary companions get an AC unit.
Q: Did your towel work very well for you? (Parents purchased him a specialized towel that can really dry you very quickly and dry quickly in any climate. It can fold very thin and is packable in the suitcases)?
A: Oh yeah!! I love it. It dries very quickly in Dominican Republic.
Q: Did you get to teach any people this week?
A: Yes! Because of my trainer, we befriended several families in the ward and they trusted us enough to introduce us to investigators/friends they invited to their dinners. We were able to get more investigators that way than going on the street and trying to contact them. The number of people we taught are very high within the history of our area.
Q: Did you get your birthday box?
A: I forgot to tell you two weeks ago that I did get it. It just took two weeks to get to the office. Because we live very close to office, we were able to get it very quickly. (note to myself, it will take longer if Elder Stimpson isn't living close to the office). I enjoyed them all. I'm not sure if I can cook my birthday cake because oven wasn't working very properly. My trainer saw a wrapped gift and became all excited, grabbed it and unwrapped it before I can tell him to wait. (LOL, LOL).
Q: How soon are your trainer going to transfer to Panama? Because he is your trainer just for short time, will you get another trainer?
A: We, in our mission family, call our trainers "father". Yeah, Elder Veloz will transfer in a week and I will get "step-father".
Q: How are you picking up with Spanish?
A: I do better with listening. I still have bad accent and I still speak broken Spanish. When I listen to my trainer teaching in Spanish, I take notes of new words then go home to study in dictionary on their meaning. I am improving very quickly and steadily.
Q: Are you dealing with roaches? It did concern me a bit because roaches can aggravate your asthma.
A: No worries. We are keeping our apartment very clean. We had to clean a great deal because different set of elders lived in it and they left big mess. We killed all of roaches and I just see one or two on random occasion. We still do struggle to remove some marks from other dirty elders, though. (MOM asked what mess? Elder Stimpson said greasy and dirty kitchen cabinets they can't really clean very well. Mom suggested that they use dawn dish soap, vinegar, and water to spray on and leave it for few minutes then wipe them down.) Elder Stimpson proceeds to talk about how creepy roaches are. Scrabbling on streets in late night when they walk home.
Q: Did you get to see doctor about your tight muscles in your shoulder?
A: No. They don't have any doctor that deal with that sort of problem. But I am doing better this week. No migraines or headaches. (MOM advises him to keep on stretching himself).
Mom proceeded to show him things in next box she is going to send to him. She had to order them off Amazon, have them to sent to her house then she sends them via DHL. No stores in America is willing to deliver to Dominican Republic.
Elder Stimpson: Exclaiming how much he misses it in Utah. He hates the climate in Dominican Republic- very humid and hot. He never stays dry after shower. He developed rashes on his arms from sweating so much. He want to have snow, swimming water, and chill of Utah so bad.
Q: (Mostly mom) Were you able to meet any deaf people?
A: Yeah. I found out that many deaf in Dominican Republic work as baggers. I got to talk one in ASL. I wasn't able to talk more because we had to leave. But it was really cool.
Q: Are you eating meals? Do you have any dinner appointments with members?
A: My trainer mostly teaches me how to cook Dominican Republic way. He was upset with me when one day I cooked rice for him. He hates white rice and had it cooked in proper way- spicy and mixed rice. I am going to cook an American Hamburger for him before he leaves for Panama. (His trainer was called to Panama so he had to wait for eight months for his visa to go thru. He will leave within a week from now).
Q: How did you get clean water?
A: Our mission adds filters to every faucet we have in our home. Kitchen faucet still leaks and because of it, our apartment floods on occasion. It did flood other elders' bedroom. Now, it really isn't a problem because they moved into a new home in their area. This apartment wasn't in their area.
Q: Are you able to sleep well?
A: Sure. My mission haven't added mosquito net to my bed yet. It is very humid and wet where I live so I can't really sleep with cover. My feet ended up being bit several times. They will put mosquito net up this upcoming transfer. I also want to put in a request with mission office that every missionary companions get an AC unit.
Q: Did your towel work very well for you? (Parents purchased him a specialized towel that can really dry you very quickly and dry quickly in any climate. It can fold very thin and is packable in the suitcases)?
A: Oh yeah!! I love it. It dries very quickly in Dominican Republic.
Q: Did you get to teach any people this week?
A: Yes! Because of my trainer, we befriended several families in the ward and they trusted us enough to introduce us to investigators/friends they invited to their dinners. We were able to get more investigators that way than going on the street and trying to contact them. The number of people we taught are very high within the history of our area.
Q: Did you get your birthday box?
A: I forgot to tell you two weeks ago that I did get it. It just took two weeks to get to the office. Because we live very close to office, we were able to get it very quickly. (note to myself, it will take longer if Elder Stimpson isn't living close to the office). I enjoyed them all. I'm not sure if I can cook my birthday cake because oven wasn't working very properly. My trainer saw a wrapped gift and became all excited, grabbed it and unwrapped it before I can tell him to wait. (LOL, LOL).
Q: How soon are your trainer going to transfer to Panama? Because he is your trainer just for short time, will you get another trainer?
A: We, in our mission family, call our trainers "father". Yeah, Elder Veloz will transfer in a week and I will get "step-father".
Q: How are you picking up with Spanish?
A: I do better with listening. I still have bad accent and I still speak broken Spanish. When I listen to my trainer teaching in Spanish, I take notes of new words then go home to study in dictionary on their meaning. I am improving very quickly and steadily.
Q: Are you dealing with roaches? It did concern me a bit because roaches can aggravate your asthma.
A: No worries. We are keeping our apartment very clean. We had to clean a great deal because different set of elders lived in it and they left big mess. We killed all of roaches and I just see one or two on random occasion. We still do struggle to remove some marks from other dirty elders, though. (MOM asked what mess? Elder Stimpson said greasy and dirty kitchen cabinets they can't really clean very well. Mom suggested that they use dawn dish soap, vinegar, and water to spray on and leave it for few minutes then wipe them down.) Elder Stimpson proceeds to talk about how creepy roaches are. Scrabbling on streets in late night when they walk home.
Q: Did you get to see doctor about your tight muscles in your shoulder?
A: No. They don't have any doctor that deal with that sort of problem. But I am doing better this week. No migraines or headaches. (MOM advises him to keep on stretching himself).
Mom proceeded to show him things in next box she is going to send to him. She had to order them off Amazon, have them to sent to her house then she sends them via DHL. No stores in America is willing to deliver to Dominican Republic.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
-
well hello there. things are good in the hood. I have been doing something in every prayer. I have been asking for exactly what I want. To f...
-
Elder Stimpson still is with his companion, Elder Bolman and very delighted about it. He is loving it at his area and said that he final...
-
February 10, 2020 hey, what's up? I'm doing pretty good. This week we had nothing happening until Thursday. Our zone leaders had p...
