Week 34

Sorry about last week's email. There aren't any computers in Parika. So we have to go an hour and a half to Georgetown to use those ones. And the other Elder's needed to use them as well.

Parika! Brand new area. Last transfer it opened after 10 years of no missionaries. The last missionary (last transfer) here did a good job. We are working hard on the area book and have been making a big map so we don't miss anybody when we go out trying to meet everyone! It's really exciting. The other part is that there isn't a Branch in Parika. So we are tasked with finding members and setting one up. So far we have found a President and other faithful members. Now all we need to do is get chairs, Hymn books, and other supplies for the church. (which will be held out back of a member's home!) Then we need to get the Branch President sustained by the members in La Grange Branch (an hour and a half away!) Then we can help tons of people to get baptized! God has really prepared this place and it is exciting to see everyone so prepared. It's fun to be a part of such a great work!

Elder Nuttall! Nutter Butter is one of the coolest missionaries in the whole world! He is super knowledgeable of the scriptures. Elder Nuttall is from San Luis Obispo. His favorite colors are red/brown/orange.

Spiritual experience. This week we were out contacting in a place we named Nuketown USA. And we met this really awesome family that was using the bible to help us teach the message of the Restoration. "God loves everyone, right? He loved the people when Moses was around. Do you think he loves us the same?" "Yes! God is the same yesterday, today and forever!" It was so cool! I love this awesome work! I love you guys too! Have a great week!

People do celebrate Valentine's Day here by taking off all of their clothes and "dancing." Gross.

Love,
Elder Andrus

Week 33

The new area is so great! District Leader is super fun! We collect numbers and do lots of other stuff like interview baptismal candidates. There are no sisters in Guyana. We have the nicest apartment in Guyana! My new companion is so cool! He is from LA and we are getting along great! We are far away from the Peterson's. My old DL is in my district, so he helps me a lot!
Love,
Elder Andrus

Week 32

7 and ½ months. That’s not a long time. However, I do feel like I’ve been here for about “a long time”. LOL I’ve been given the assignment to move to Parika! It’s a long way away! I’m excited for the change. My companion is Elder Nuttall! He is a funny guy! I think President Egbert maybe has lost his marbles a little bit, because he has asked me to be the District Leader. O.o And we are also opening a branch there! We will see all the adventures to come! But I am very excited and optimistic and ready to work hard!

This week was really exciting. We met a really cool guy named Stephan. We talked to him. Contacted him. Taught him the first lesson. Gave him a Book of Mormon. He read it as we were riding away! It was a really neat experience to see him use so much faith! I wish I could stay and see him grow more. But that’s ok!

This week was a little (lot) sad saying goodbye to all my friends I’ve made over this short time. I felt bad that people feel sad. Sheena bore her testimony and really testified of Christ. Even though she hasn’t’ got baptized yet. We have done EVERYTHING imaginable. So it’s not our time, it’s God’s time. Which is a lesson in and of itself. But it is exciting. I know she will be baptized when God needs her to be.

These last 5 transfers and 4 companions have really helped me learn and grow. It’s been exciting! I love you all so much! Nest week you’ll hear from me from Parika! 

I love ya'll!

-Elder Andrus

Week 31

Well, this week was certainly an adventure! Maybe not the most fun kind unfortunately…but that is ok! We learned a lot this week. Stay tuned for adventures at Rosehall.

Tuesday: Exchange. And District Meeting. I was with Elder Cooper. All of a sudden I feel a need to go potty. Then disaster struck. Double Dragon.

Needless to say we didn’t do much that day. We did however have a fun time sleeping, talking, listening to music, and watching conference. That night before bed I asked Elder Cooper for a blessing. As he was giving me a beautiful blessing I had the distinct impression that the blessing was promised on my faith. As I pondered my faith, and what builds faith, I remembered that Book of Mormon. We don’t know if it’s true or false, we must have faith in it.

I felt healing when I pondered the reality of the Book of Mormon. I know that it is real, that it is true, that it is sure. It truly testifies of Jesus our Savior. I love him. He can heal us. I know it!

I am all better and unfortunately, Sheena was not baptized on Saturday. Hopefully this Saturday. {I really don’t like how the government makes it so hard for people to get married. It really is a bummer. I won’t be baptizing her, the rule is that members do the baptizing because it creates a better relationship and it is more lasting.} But wish us luck and pray your hearts out for us! {I really like praying! People here always ask us to pray for them. So we teach them that they can pray for themselves.}

I love you all so much!

Elder Andrus  

{these are excerpts from William’s letters to us}