Hey family,
This week I was stripped from my home and family of Nueva Santa Rosa. However, just to my luck, Peronia is AWESOME!!!!!!
My companion is Elder Diaz . . . my brother!!!!!!
He is not my brother in mission terms (the other trainee of my trainer), but he was my very best pal in the CCM (Missionary Training Center). I am so happy to be with him. He is so incredibly special. He did not have quite the fortune in his history of companions that I have had. A few of them have been very aggressive with him, more or less killing his excitement and energy. Also, they took the missionaries out of Peronia 1 Area and combined this area with ours so he is a little intimidated. We are working each day in working a little bit harder and with more energy and excitement. He is from El Salvador as well. His life growing up was incredibly rough. I would like to write more to help you understand him, but I feel as though it would be violating his privacy. Just know it was hard.
On Monday, we went out to President Virula's house and his land. We said bye bye to only a few people for the time.
On Tuesday I was introduced to the "land of stairs" - Peronia. This is technically in the capital, but it's on the outskirts. It's like Nueva in that the people are pretty poor, but it has lots of capital influences. This city is purely on a grad hill or mountain so the roads . . . are stair cases. . . But I love it!
On Wednesday, we had divisions with Jerusalem (it was about a 12 hour flight . . . not!!!!!!) our neighbor area is "Jerusalen" (in Spanish). They are our Zone leaders. I went with Elder Hendersen from Idaho. This area is really neat. What I love the most about the areas are the members . . . especially the really super old ones that want to leave with us and hike up and down stairs like crazy to get get to church.
An interesting point. The Lord has asked that I serve as District Leader (normally a huge responsibility in charge or in service of 8 missionaries). My district consists of Elder Diaz and me . . . and our two zone leaders. But I know I have a lot to learn from this experience.
On Friday, we went to the Temple with a 70 year old convert to participate in Baptisms for the Dead. The Temple is so incredible gorgeous. GO TO THE TEMPLE!!!! If you can't go in, stay outside and ENJOY IT!!!! The temple is the house of the Lord. It was a very special experience.
Afterwards, we went to a gas station to grab something small to eat. I saw some bags of pistachios, trail mix, and the ones that mom loves so much . . . oh! cashews. I was considering buying one of them so I took the three of them up to see how much they cost. . . EXPENSIVE!!! As I turned back to put them in their place, the man behind me said, "No. Put them up there. (to the cashier) . . . I want to pay for this Elder. (to me) One time the Elders protected me. I want to help you." He then asked me to pray for him. His name is Mario. Then he said, "Don't just pray for me . . . pray for all of the Marios".
Well I love my area. It is amazing. The missionary life is amazing. It's tough, but that makes it even better!!!
I love you all. There was something else that I wanted to tell y'all, but it slipped my mind. Til next week :)
And, I LOVE BANANAS!
-Elder Olson
