Election Week Still Affects Belize

I don't know how many times people have yelled "Donald Trump" at me this week. Many people down here are unhappy that he won because they think that he will throw everyone out of America that isn't white! It is amazing how the media confuses people into believing such things. I didn't even vote and as a missionary I need to stay quiet on my views because I'm a representative of the church. But that election has fired people up all over the place, it has caused some to harass me but it is more amusing than annoying. 

It was hot again, it always is. I love sunscreen, that is one of the great blessings in my life right now. The Belizean people don't use sunscreen, they just carry big umbrellas all day. I think that if I didin't have sunscreen I would do that to. Because sometimes, it is just so hot. 

I'm always enjoying the Belizean food, I eat pretty well here in San Ignacio thanks to a member who cooks for us named Sister Kay. I'm in good health and I've been blessed throughout my mission with good health in order to continue working hard. 

My companion has 24 days left, every morning he wakes up and screams the number of days that he has left. He also tells me how many days I have left in my mission in order to try and get me "trunky" as well  (I have just over 230 days left). 

We are progressing down here in Belize, little by little we are helping these people to change their lives and come closer to Christ. The only problem for us many times is that we cannot change people, we can invite them, explain the gospel to them, but in the end, they must decide. They must take the decision to accept Jesus Christ, and have the faith to ask God if the Book of Mormon is true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know how happy the gospel can make people and how much it can bless their lives, I just wish the people would see that and open their hearts. 

Have a great week, 

Elder Gardner

I Fall in a ditch, We visit the sick

Belize Police

crazy chinese sign

The zone

stepping in sewer

We had a good week. My companion is only 30 days away from going home and that occupies the large majority of his thoughts. He is very trunky, all day I get to hear how great Mexico is and how many different girls are waiting for him (I believe they are mostly imaginary). But anyways he is excited to go home, haha. 

I slipped on a rock and slipped into a little ditch, my left leg was submerged in the muck. It went in just below the knee, and when I pulled out my leg it had a thick coating of dark gray much all over it. My foot was covered in sewage, pretty nasty. I made a lot of people laugh and I was able to laugh it off as well .Some kids sprayed off my leg with a hose, so that was nice of them . I had to go back to the house and clean out my shoe becaue it was literally full of crap 

We are visiting a lot of great families. It is great to see how they learn more as they read the Book of Mormon. I love the Book of Mormon, I can show it to people and simply challenge them to figure out for themselves if it is true by reading it and asking God sincerely. If people do this they can know whether our message is true or not. I've read the Book of Mormon and I can still remember when I decided to figure out if it was true or not and I received and answer to my prayers. I challenge all people to read the Book of Mormon, it can help all of us to improve our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. 

I hope everyone is doing good back at home, when I tell people I have 8 months left they start to tease me and tell me I'm almost done. I still have plenty of time left and I hope I'll never become so pathetic in my attitude of "trunkiness" like my companion. I'm grateful to be on my mission, it  is a wonderful time. I hope that all of you have a good week. 

Elder Gardner

A New Transfer, I'm Going to Finish off Another Companion

Elder Wallentine

Elder Rojas

Bald Chicken- common in Belize

Elder Erickson

When you are a missionary's last companion in the mission they say that you "kill" them. If that is the case I'm a 3 time killer. 

I stayed here in San Ignacio. In this area I basically speak English to all of the people with a few exceptions and then I always speak spanish with my companion beause he can't speak english. So lots of times I end up doing all of the talking, I have a tendency to talk to much anyways so this is easy. But it is ideal when companions can take turns talking. 

We are teaching a lot of families and we are having some success with that. We are teacing them and they are receptive but it is very difficult for them to come to church.

I'm enjoying the opportunity to be here and I can feel the Spirit tell people that what we teach is true. I'm grateful to be a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm working hard down here in Belize under this hot hot sun. I'm enjoying each day and the time seems to fly by. I know of the reality of eternal families and I believe that through the gospel we can be united with our families for time and all eternity. This is the goal of our missionary efforts, to help people be with their families forever. 

Have a great week, 

Elder Gardner

6 More Weeks in San Ignacio

It was another great week down here in Belize. Another transfer cycle has passed by in the mission. I have 6 more transfers remaining in my mission. 

We had a busy week once again, my companion was very ill. He got a cold and had some serious headaches, but we treated him and now he is recovering well. So that is great news. 

We had a good sacrament meeting turnout today, 95 people came to church which is the highest attendance at church we've had during my time here. Hopefully with some more visits to the less active members we can get that number back up to 100!

We are still working with about 5 families here in San Igancio, we are progressing little by little with them. They are listening and reading the Book of Mormon, so I hope that they can continue to feel good about the message and come to know the truthfulness of it. 

Yesterday we did divisions with members, that is the first time that I'd done divisions in a long time, that allowed us to do double visits yesterday so it was particularly effective to split up and conquer. 

I'm enjoying the weather here more now, it has started to cool down a little bit. So we are hoping that it can stay a little bit cooler (although it is still very hot). 

We are working hard down here to Preach the Gospel to the people of Belize, sometimes people are noncommittal but we are trying to encourage them and help them to realize all of the blessings they can receive as they live the Gospel of Christ. I'm grateful to be a missionary, I'm grateful that God called Joseph smith to be a prophet and restore the Church of Jesus Christ here on the earth. 

Take Care everybody, 

Elder Gardner

home surgery for ingrown toenail

mastering omelets 

Caracol and Many Meetings

Last Monday we had a big P day activity as we went to a ruin called Caracol with the help of a senior couple, The Studebakers. It is the biggest ruin in Belize and it was fun to go visit and see that part of history and some monkeys as well. 

This week was very busy with several meetings in Belize City as well as here in San Ignacio. So it has been a very busy week here in San Ignacio. We are teaching several families the gospel but none of them came to church this week. But we are still doing good and it is a always a pleasure to serve regardless of the outcome. 

I've been working hard and I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have to be in a mission. Every day seems to bring new challenge and other obstacles but I know that a steady course forward in the gospel will allow us to overcome them. I know I'm kinda boring but I really don't have too much to say. 

Have a great week, 

Elder Gardner

Caracol ruins

We went to Caracol ruins today, they are the largest ruins in Belize and no missionaries have been there in 4 years. But Elder Studebaker pulled through for us and helped us make the trip. That guy is the man, without him we probably would never have gone to visit there. Also a member who helped excavate the site came along and explained everything to us. So it was super cool to see that. 

GC

General conference weekend was great, I really enjoyed listening to the talks of the leaders of the church. I didn't fully realize how great General Conference was until I got to the mission. Now, I love watching it and my testimony of living prophets is strengthened when I do. 

My companion and I are doing very well here in San Ignacio. We found a lot of new families to teach this week and I'm excited for some of the return appointments that we have, we have some very positive people to visit this week. We have been working hard and it has been good to see that some people that weren't active in the church before are starting to come back a little bit. 

This week I met a Scottish guy in the streets, he stopped me and starting trying to convince me fervently that God does not exist. This was an interesting experience, I could feel a darkness about the guy and he really didn't off positive vibes. It is much easier to doubt than to believe. It is also much better.

I'm doing good overall here in Belize. We are trying to help a lot of less actives to come back to church, we had 3 investigators come to church. We are hoping that they will read and pray with real intent, and thereby allow the Holy Ghost to testify of the truth to them. I know that the Gospel is true and the Plan of Salvation really is a merciful plan of our loving Heavenly Father.

Hope all have a good week.!!!!

pics, 

interchange with AP

Sis. Kay, the lady who makes us food! She's the best!

Sis. Kay, the lady who makes us food! She's the best!

interchange with AP