Santa Baca (Holy Cow, but that isnt a phrase here...) I'm in Honduras

                                                                      August 25,2014
Hey All,

I'M IN HONDURAS. Like for real. This is insane. Rule number one of Honduras, there are no laws in Honduras. None. Stops signs are literal jokes. One member said, ´I haven´t stopped at a stop sign in 6 days, but my record is 9.´

I´m in Olanchito, look it up. They have two branches Olanchito and Buena Vista. My companion is Elder Diaz, and he is the most kind man I have ever met. I honestly can´t even describe him to you. I love him to death. I'm in the same zone as Elder Saunders of the CCM, and Elder Gibbons is in my district. I am honestly so grateful for him. He keeps my spirits lifted and he´s super funny.

I have taught lots of lessons, experienced the high of obtaining a baptism date, and the low of the lady skipping out on church the next day. However, the most important thing is that I scored three goals in soccer Saturday night against Latinos. We played Gringos vs. Latinos. Latinos killed us, but I scored on an all Latin team. I was stoked, to say the least.

Our house smells really bad. I wish there was a better way to say it, but there isn´t. I have 6 pet lizards in my house, and my record for cockroaches killed in one night is 6. It would've been seven, but one cowardly one got out the door before I could squish him. I shower from a bucket with a bowl in a eeny shower. Water comes from a hole in the wall with the broken end of a broomstick shoved into it.

Our cocerina is amazing. She is so nice, and her food is amazing. Actually, all the food here is dope. "Dope" is word here, but only for mssionaries. So is "freaking", but no one uses it right. It´s absolutely hilarious. I can speak the language! but only that. I surprise people when I speak, because it takes so long for me to understand what they are saying. But once I know, I speak fast and clearly, and I even surprised our zone leader. I´m pretty pumped.

The lights go out about twice a day. Once around 10am and again around 6:30 pm. The sun goes down around 6, so when the lights go out at 6:30, we´re in for the night, which is kinda nice right now because even though I'm in the safest area of Honduras, safe is a relative term. I'm sure that will be more disappointing when I feel more comfortable. I love emails. Even short, dinky, "Hey Man, We miss you."

Anyways, that´s all my info for today. I love you all tons. I look forward to talking next week.

-Elder Aldrich

Giving Away the Book of Mormon

                                                                                                              August 12, 2014

Hey All,

So for all of you that were wondering, I leave the CCM at 3 in the morning next Tuesday. Get out a map really quick, because this makes me laugh. We ride in a bus from Guatemala City to San Salvador, El Salvador, then jump on a teeny plan to San Pedro Sula. The buss ride is 7 hours and the flight is four. They have to bus us to El Salvador because the planes in Guatemala are too big to land in the airport. My guess is it isn't even paved, so that'll be a pretty sick story.

So for my first update of the Week, I gave away two Books of Mormon with Elder Adams. Let me tell you, it absolutely terrifying. I actually seriously disliked it up until this guy accepted it and actually asked when we could tell him more. We took his address and gave it to the missionaries. The second time was better, but I was still terrified. I said a short prayer as we walked up asking for help with speaking, and my prayer was answered, but in an unexpected way. Elder Adams and I talked to this guy (or at least tried really hard) for like five minutes before we realized it wasn't gonna work. He spoke too quietly and we had no idea. Right as we were about to give up, a member walked up, and bore her testimony to this man and the Spirit was so strong! Now I'm not as terrified to talk to people because I know that we are out trying to help people find salvation, and God won't just let us fail.

Oh and our weekly total is 15.

We went to the market on Tuesday, and it was super cool. Elder Adams and I are seriously kicking butt with this whole Spanish thing. We talked to people and Elder Adams even negotiated with someone to get his bag for cheaper. Haha. We had Wendy's and I took a sweet picture of Elder Adams teaching Elder Cox how to give away Books of Mormon.

Ok, my companion is so awesome, he really deserves his own paragraph. This kid seriously works his butt off, talks to everyone, and pushes me to do even better than I already do. hahaha. I don't really have a ton to say about him, but it's worth mentioning that he's the man.

Finally, I'd like to end with a Spiritual thought. It isn't long, but it's something to think about. This Sunday we watched Zion's Camp, which is a super cool movie. Anyway, when they ask these guys who leads the camp, one boy steps out and says, "The God of Israel leads the camp." And that struck me. Along with my story about the lady, there are countless stories about miracles happening to help progress the work.Heavenly Father leads the Camp, and he leads the Missionary Effort. Whether you're on a mission or at home, if you try to spread the gospel, Heavenly Father will lead you through it somehow, and it probably won't be how you expect it.

Alright. I love you all, and I'm keeping you in my prayers. I love reading your emails.

Stay Strong,
Elder Caleb Aldrich

Learning the Language

     

                                                                                                       August 4, 2014
Hello All,

We are going to the Central Market tomorrow, and on a tour of the city, so I am on earlier than normal. 

First off, the Frat Casa is still a dump, but our district placed 6 Books of Mormon this week, so its worth how dumpy it is. The water only works every once and a while, and today it turned off when I was all soapy, so I smell extra soapy today. Also, I've stopped seeing bugs all together, which sounds good, but I'm pretty sure it just means that I'll get to meet the one eating all of the little spiders. And for the final comment on the Frat Casa, when we walked in on Friday night, we were welcomed by 15 of the most ancient people I have ever seen, all in their nicest garments. That was something I didn't want to see, and hope I never witness again.

I accidentally swore at my teacher during a lesson this week. Punto means point, but if you forget the N, its a no no word, so that was funny. Hermano Morales just laughed for fifteen minutes, so we ended and decided to try again later hahaha. Oh, and I would like to share the only 3 English phrases he knows.

1. Is important. It's and is are the same word for him, and he says this fifty times per day.

2. I tink is a good idea. "Th" is not a sound in Spanish, so he can't figure out how to say it. This is used only slightly less than is important,.

3. You need to help the persons, always. This is my favorite, not only because its important, but because its funny with his accent.

Oh, and he makes us pay him under the table with Peanut M&Ms which he just calls peanuts.

When we talk to Latinos from San Pedro Sula, they always apologize, then try their very hardest to explain ridiculous heat and gigantic spiders in broken English

Finally, I really hurt my back playing basketball on Saturday. Like, I could barely breath, and I could barely walk to the nurses office. Even she didn't know what to do. So she gave me some ibuprofen and some ice. After an hour of that not helping, I decided to have Elder Adams give me a blessing. It was so cool. I wish I could explain the Spirit in the room as he put his hands on my head and gave me a blessing. It immediately got better, and hasn't given me any problems since. 

Anyway, that's it for this week. I am so excited to finally get out of here so I can teach some people and send some pictures. I love you all so much.

-Elder Caleb Aldrich