Monday, October 2 to Sunday, October 8, 2017

Monday, October 2, 2017

Today was a long day of running errands. We began at the Presidents house for our office staff meeting. He had invited 3 companionships for dinner. Each of these companionships had baptized every week last month so they were invited to the President's house to celebrate. That is why we had the meeting at the Presidents house. We discussed the calendar and then Sister Bell talked about the need to purchase pills to put in the pill boxes (Each apartment has a pill box with a variety of common drugs. This was started before we arrived. The missionaries are supposed to buy a replacement pill when they use one, but very few do it, so once a year, we buy replacement pills). She also talked about the need to have a few filter bottles on hand for those missionaries that arrive without one. Only the missionaries from the Brazilian MTC don’t receive a bottle. During the discussion, the office missionaries and assistants told us that many missionaries don’t use them. This is very disappointing and alarming since the most common health problem is stomach issues. A quarter of all health problems is stomach problems. Costa Rica, which has treated tap water, has a third of the stomach problems that we have. This is why we were so disappointed to hear that many missionaries are not careful with the water they drink. President approved purchasing 10.

After the meeting, we went to SINSA to pay our rent, then to Metrocentral to find a missionary there that was having ear problems. Sister Bell held a little clinic at the Mall, which entailed looking in his ears.

We then went home for lunch. After lunch we went to the distribution center, then to the dentist office next to the hospital to make an appointment for a missionary, then to the office. We didn’t get home until about 7pm.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

I took the truck in for service this morning. After dropping the truck off, I caught a taxi home. In talking with the taxi driver, I asked him if he knew much about the Mormon Church. He said that the missionaries had passed by his house in the past and gave him a pamphlet. I asked if they gave him a Book of Mormon. He said no. So I explained a little about the Book of Mormon and told him if he would drop me off in front of my house, I would give him a copy. So he did. I ran into the house and got him a book. He seemed pleased and interested. I showed him where the story of when Christ visited the Americas and marked it so he could find it again. Then off he went to find another customer.

After getting our car back, we went to the office. Sister Bell wanted to visit with a few of the leaders. They were having their Leader Council today. While we were waiting for the meeting to end, we tidied up the bunker. Elder Lee kept this bunker pretty tidy, but since he left, it has not gotten very much attention. The mission has a goal of baptizing 130 new converts this month. At the end of the leaders’ council, President Poncio had all the leader sit on the floor in formation to make the number 130.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

We had the new missionary meeting today. There were 20 companionships in attendance. We had 5 new Elders and 15 new sisters. Sister Bell taught the lesson about healthy diets. We also had a quiz at the end; showing a food, and the missionary who knew the food group and how many portions they should eat each day, got a mini chocolate bar. Treats are always well received.

Sister Bell had several consultations with the missionaries. We also got a few doctor appointments set up. We also made a run to a local pharmacy to buy medicine for some of the missionaries. We felt good about the day.

Thursday, October 5, 2017 (by Sister Bell)

Yesterday one of the missionaries had the complaint of not being able to hear out of one ear.  He had no pain and had not been sick.  When I looked in his ear, I could see a cerumen (ear wax) plug that was completely blocking his ear canal.  I told him that to get better, he needed to put baby oil in the ear for 30 minutes and then flush out the ear with a syringe of tepid pure water until the plug washed out and that it would be like a miracle and he would be able to hear.

This morning he called and was discouraged.  He still could not hear and had flushed his ear 20 times.  I told him to be patient and continue as directed and that it really would work.  About an hour later, I received this text.  “Ya salio muchas Gracias!”  (Now it has left, thank you) I texted back to him “Esta

bien.  Puede oir?”  (That is good.  Can you hear?)  He replied per text “un milagro”.  These missionaries can be pretty cute.

Tonight was our play date with the Helbergs from the Nicaragua Managua South Mission.  They picked us up and we went to dinner at Ole Verde which is a very healthy Mediterranean restaurant.  The food was good, the music was good, the art work left something to be desired, and the company was great.  We then came to our house and played a few rounds of golf (card game) and then home they went.  It was lovely evening.  It was my lucky night – I won every round.  I usually lose, so it was a fun experience.

Friday, October 6, 2017

We picked up bedsheets and checked for bed bugs in one house this morning. Then we went by another to check the ears of another missionary. Then to the office. We then went home for lunch. Afterward we went to a local pharmacy to order pills for the missionary pill boxes, then to the bank to cash a check and pay our internet bill. Then home. I spent the afternoon preparing lessons for tomorrow and then sorting clothes. The sisters, when they go home, will leave some of their clothes. We collect them and give them to some of our sisters up north who can use them, especially those who are preparing to go to the temple. Many of these sisters don’t have modest clothes and can’t afford to buy them. So they are happy to get hand me downs, especially those that are modest.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Sister Bell had a good piano lesson with Maria Clara. While she was teaching, I visited with President Cruz. We had a leisurely lunch at Rosti Pollo en Esteli. Then we picked up Pedro Castillo, the District Secretary and took him with us to Somoto. We met Elder Gharring and Davidson at the Church and Pedro gave them instructions on how to process funds and membership information. President Alaniz and I talked about several things, including who might be ready to go to the temple in December and how to call members to callings.

We ended up at Pueblo Nuevo where we showed the Women’s session of Conference. Hermana Nubia, Dania and Arelys attended with Sister Bell, Pedro and myself.

We ate dinner in Condega (Smoothies all around) and got to the Koellikers about 10pm. It was a long day, but we love these days where we are working with the members and missionaries.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

We made an early morning run to Ocotal to give money to an Elder who needed to pay for a dentist appointment tomorrow. We then went to Somoto. We picked up Sister Alaniz and Juanito at their house and took them to Church. One of the highlights was that they started on time. I couldn’t believe it and was very proud of President Alaniz for doing that. There were a few members and investigators in attendance when the meeting started. By the end of the meeting, we had about 45 people that attended. Sister Bell and I bore our testimonies in fast and testimony meeting. There was a sweet spirit at the meeting. Another highlight of the meeting was when Sister Bell went into the primary with her piano and taught them “El arroyito da”. She said it was like a little bit of Heaven. She loved it and the kids really responded to her and singing this song. Azaria is the primary president. She appreciated having Sister Bell come in. She had already taught them a lesson and did an activity. Singing was the next perfect thing.