Elder Hernandez and I were blessed with a TON of rain this week. The heat was really killing us the first few days so I think the Lord had mercy on us and gave us 5 straight days of pouring rain haha. It felt so nice to just walk outside and take showers in the rain after a long day of work. On, I think it was Thursday, we were walking to the church for a meeting after a lunch appointment and out of nowhere it started pouring like it was Seattle! We had a solid hour walk (I guess you could call it a run) to the Church and man was I SOAKED! I don't think I've ever remembered a time where I got rained on that bad. The roads were absolutely flooded with about 6-10 inches of water depending on the area of the city we were in. I'll try and throw in some pictures tambien. But it was so fun to just run through the city and it really made me think of all the awesome experiences and memories that I'm going to have out here in the field. I know that it's times like that where I'll be able to have my share of fun and good times.
I really love the people here as well. The members are so nice and caring and they'd do anything for us Elders. We had a farewell fiesta for a soon-to-be missionary last night and we played soccer, football, and basketball out with the members and their kids outside in the rain. Such a good time! They don't have indoor hoops but the two churches here in Nogales both have outdoor ones so I've been able to play basketball a few times. Soccer and basketball are the two most popular sports here I would say.
Overall though (with the exception of wanting to move out and find another apartment to live in because ours is covered with insects and smells really bad), I would say I'm doing great! The food here is the bomb and I wish we could eat with the members for every meal haha. I've gone hungry a few times from not eating breakfast or dinner but we're going shopping tonight so that should change. Anyways, I'm absolutely loving it here and the work we're doing is incredible. So many people are open and accepting to talk about the gospel, it's insane. The first (and only) door we were able to knock on was super interested and we're coming back to teach her tomorrow! Before we went there that night, Elder Hernandez asked me, "Elder, which house do you want to baptize first?" and I thought about it for a minute and then a white house with blue trimming way down the road caught my eye and I said "that one." So we went there and she told us that she wanted us to come back! It was amazing to see how ready she was. I know that that's not much, but it's just a taste of what the Spirit can do and I'm hoping that we can bless that woman's life with the gospel.
Well, that about sums up this past week for me! It's been a lot of hard work and even more walking, but it's work that needs to be done and I couldn't be more happy to do it. I hope everything is going well back home for you guys! I appreciate and read all of your letters and updates and whatnot so thank you! I love you guys, have an awesome week and don't forget to pray!
Con amor,
Elder Thayne