Week 31 - Atacames - ¡Semana Una en la Costa!

This week has been great as I am getting to see more of Ecuador. It has been absolutely beautiful the views we get to see, the people we get to meet, and the heat we experience. Everyone is so open to the message here, just we need to work on getting people married. 

To tell a little more about my area. We have a part of Atacames and a small town next to it called Tonsupa. Our sector is basically this long highway that has little streets shooting out from it. We get close to, but not close enough, to the beach. As missionaries we can't enter, but today we played beach volleyball. The majority of people here are African Americans which has been fun getting to talk with them about different beliefs. We take a bus even more than we did in Cotacachi, so we'll see how money goes!

For more about my companion. My companion is a really awesome guy and missionary. He is 23 years old and has already completed some years in a university. He lived just South of Guayaquil here in Ecuador. He is very humble and diligent which has helped me out to be humble and diligent. He also sings very well. I just have to remember to talk with him after my mission :). 

I was told before I came that the coast is like a new world and it really is. The people, the food, the streets, the night-life, the missionary work. I'm going to have to change a lot of things so I can adjust to the needs of people here, but I have a companion that will help me out!

Love you all! I know you all will want pictures, but due to people that think gringos are rich, I won't be taking it with me everywhere. Enjoy the snow!

--Elder Ogden--

FROM SHANE'S EMAIL:
SO we can be on the beach, like today, but we don't get close to the water. I just look at how beautiful it is and think, only a year and a half more! There are more options of fish if we eat out, but I can't say that we will eat fish here a lot. We are still being fed every day, just not as many potatoes as Cotacachi. My elbow made a huge breakthrough, I can extend it completely! I still can't put real heavy weight on it without it hurting, but I'm glad to see improvement. We are still using an internet cafe, but it has air conditioning! We share Atacames with the Hermanas. They have the majority of Atacames and we have the entrance of the city. The district is actually quite big. There are five or six companionships in just our district. Our zone is all on the coast. For that reason, we are practically sealed off from the rest of the mission and will only see the same 26 people for my time here, probably 6 months. Probably. 

My Last day in Cotacachi

Me and my companion

The marriage of one of our investigadors (he's getting married this upcoming Saturday!)

The General view of our house

The Beach. Only 17 more months

Here's a little information from questions Shane had asked:  SO we can be on the beach, like today, but we don't get close to the water. I just look at how beautiful it is and think, only a year and a half more! There is more options of fish, if we eat out, but I can't say that we will eat fish here a lot. We are still being fed everyday, just not as much potatos as Cotacachi. My elbow made a huge breakthrough, I can extend it completely! I still can't put real heavy weight on it without it hurting, but I'm glad to see improvement. We are still using an internet cafe, but it has air conditioning! We share Atacames with the Hermanas. They have the majority of Atacames and we have the entrance of the city. The district as actually quite big. There are five or six companionships in just our district. Our zone is all of the coast. For that reason, we are practically sealed off from the rest of the mission and will only see the same 26 people for my time here, probably 6 months. Probably. 

Week 30 - Atacames - Goodbye Cotacachi, Hello Coast!

We have received our changes and I am here in the coast of Ecuador! I am, and was, so excited for this huge change. It is crazy hot and humid here and I love it. We took a bus here into Atacames (our sector) and you could see the ocean just over the houses. So cool! My new companion is Elder Garces from Ecuador! He lives over by Guayaquil and just finished his training. I'm excited to learn from another trainee how other trainers teach.

But back to Cotacachi. We had a very slow week, as in not a lot of work. But, it is all good and that is how some weeks just go. 

But of course, I have to tell some good stories. The first was all in one day. We were traveling by bus to a family we eat lunch with. The bus suddenly stopped and everyone got up to see. I don't know why human nature is so nosey, but I had to stand up and see as well. Turns out, there were a bunch of trees that got destroyed and they were all over the road. I think it may have been the rain, but we ended up having to take an alternate route to the house. It was interesting and I had never seen that before in Cotacachi.

The other was in the same day. Once we were done eating lunch, we received a call that one of the members needed the church open to go and clean it. We had to almost run back, because it is about an hour's walk; downhill. We went as quickly as we could go to get back. We got there, opened up the doors, and decided to help them out until our appointment that we actually were going to have in the church. As we entered the sacrament room, we noticed that one of the windows on the door to enter the room from the outside was broken. To this day, we still have no idea why or how it was broken. You could tell someone, or thing, hit it from the center. Half of the glass was shattered on the ground inside and half was still in place but also shattered. Also something I had never seen before, and that includes that states. And so, President decided I was bad luck I guess.

But probably not. I hope that everyone is doing great and that you are enjoying the snow everyone has told me about as I am enjoying to heat and humidity. Love you all!

--Elder Ogden--

When I asked Stanley about his arm and possibly going back to verify there's not a break and also wishing him Happy Valentine's Day, this is what he responded with:

It is getting better every day. I have those thoughts every now and then, but I have the x-rays to show that nothing is broken. I think it may just be a little longer until it is 100%. I bought three tennis balls and practiced my recorder. I was with my two loves on Valentine's Day.

Week 29 - Cotacachi - Not as exciting week

Happy Carnaval. I hope all of you are enjoying to outdoors and doing stuff. I know we certainly have enjoyed our chess.

For an update on my arm, all is well, somewhat. I have ended my ten days, but I still can't extend my arm all the way and can't lift heavy things. I think it might be a while before my arm will be like it was before. But, I'll just have to make due.

We had companion exchanges and I went with my district leader, Elder Jensen. He actually is the same age as I am and we have a lot of the same interests. It was fun to talk with him and find out more about him. I think I did okay for the report he has to give!

This week we haven't had quite the success, if any. However, with a goal to baptize thousands, we know it won't be an easy task and that Satan will do anything to stop us from reaching that goal. We are continuing to learn more, especially these three days, and trying to become better missionaries.

Well, back to the jail! Love you all!

--Elder Ogden--

Our new sweatshirt for our district. It is a district of only Elders so Men In White "MIW"

A comparison and how large it was. This was taken the day after the accident. Not right now.

Week 28 - Cotacachi - Love y'all

Just to clarify, I love you all

I start out that way because I need to tell you all something I should have mentioned this last week. The only thing is, I ran out of time. All my loving friends and family will probably not understand how I could not mention this, but, that is the life of a missionary! We were playing soccer this last Monday and all was going pretty well. I did, however, get tripped up from behind and ended up falling down (many will recognize the name floor burn. same in soccer). I don't know why, but I ended up locking up my left arm and heard a slight pop. I instantly got really worried and didn't want to get up. I called our mission nurses and they said to just take some ibuprofen and put ice on it. I did that that night and the following morning. We were out contacting when I looked down at my arm and noticed it all was swollen up. My companion, being the loving companion he is, told me I should call them again. I was informed that they would call a clinic to see if they could look at it. It ended up getting set up for Wednesday. We went to Ibarra, a neighboring town, and met with a doctor. He asked me a few questions and moved my arm a bit (which hurt a lot). He then told me to get an X-Ray just to make sure that nothing was wrong with my bones. I got the X-Ray, returned to his office, and he studied the pictures. I have to say I got really worried as we looked back and forth at these two scans for two minutes. He then informed me that everything is fine and that it is just inflamed. He gave me instructions (one to not move my arm for ten days. I'm on day 4) and we went on our way. I have learned how to write, cook, clean, wash dishes, and study all with my right hand. For those that don't know, I'm left handed. It has been an interesting week. Just to clarify, yes there is still some pain now and then, but EVERYTHING IS FINE. I'm doing okay and we are continuing to work.

This last Sunday happened to be the elections here. It was interesting to hear how different politics and the voting systems are compared to the States. Sí won, whatever that means. 

This next weekend will be more interesting as we will be in a three day lock-in. Ecuador has a festival called carnaval (like carnival). Everyone just throws water balloons and put flour in everyone's hair. For our protection, we will be in our house Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. I believe that we will be able to write this next week. If not, I'm not dead. Wish us luck as we exercise, study, and play chess during these 72 hours. 

Love you all and hope you all have a good week!

--Elder Ogden--