It RAINED!!!

 (Collin and Elder Walker in Sechura - I'm working on Collin to step it up in the sending new pictures department :)

Hello family!

Well all is just fine and dandy here in Tambo Grande! Probably one of the most wonderful things that has happened is that it RAINED!!! Last night and the night before it rained, and it feels so nice, the nights are always pretty cool and it always feels so nice. I sure do love the weather here, although the mornings can get pretty hot and humid!

Well, one fun thing we do on P Days is we go and play soccer with some members and their friends, this including, for the most part, little kids, most around 7 years old or something. haha it's fun, and it helps me not look TOO terrible at soccer. :)

Bummer you couldn't find Guaraguas on the Internet... Maybe villages with 40ish families are hard to come up. haha! The thing is, it is within the branch area but I don't know if it is within our area of proselyting or not. It´s possible, since missionaries used to spend two days a week over there, but we actually went with the permission of the Mission President. But we are planning another Branch visit and also President Rowley of the mission plans to come visit them with us one of these days too! I am super excited for that!

Here in Tambo Grande we are working well! We have good investigators, all with their own problems for why they can't get baptized just yet, but we are working on all we can. From marriage to parent approval to constantly harvesting Mangos, we are trying to figure things out. Yesterday we actually found a new investigator that was a reference from a member, and I think and really hope that we can get some good progress with her. She is really cool and I am excited to get to know her!

Well, a little about the branch. There are a little over 300 members. Currently, about 40-50 tops, are attending. That is because it is Mango season. I hear after March, they all start to come back, or start working in the Avocado season that follows. haha so since that is the big industry here, there is a lack of Church attendance. The leaders who attend are SUPER AWESOME. They work very hard and are enthusiastic in the work. 

This week I attended a District Leader Training Meeting and that was VERY amazing. I learned a LOT and it's helping me feel like I can do this a little bit more effectively! I am far from perfect but everyone is being patient with me! One thing I learned during the meeting, I appear to have the least amount of time that any of the others have, and it is very rare that I haven't been a trainer before District Leader. I know God called me to be District Leader for a reason. And I think more than anything it is so that I can learn and be taught and humbled. I am growing, I am realizing my weaknesses. And that is just like Ether 12:27. So off I go to have Him help me grow, and I am so grateful for all of His help. I know I couldn't get through this life without my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost who helps me know they are there.

Well, I love you all! Thank you mom for the Valentine Package! I actually got it my last week in Sechura! And one thing I learned, the people here LOVE tootsie rolls, especially my Pensionista, it would appear! hahaha! So thank you, and we might need some more tootsie rolls, since I ran out rather quickly... :)

I love you, keep reading the scriptures and praying. I am learning how much I depend on Prayer now. It is awesome, the Lord really does help when you pray and ask for help. I feel like I am growing and learning every day, and I hope I am helping Tambo Grande, since it sure has been awesome!

Love you, it is great to hear from you all! Keep up the great emails. I always LOVE getting the details of back home life!

Con amor y felicidad,

Elder Collin Russell