July 24, 2013 "The House, the Water and the Sun"

July 24, 2013

 

Dear Family,

 

My first week here in Licey has been less than ideal, and quite comical if you ask me. when I first got here a week ago I thought that I was in a really nice house but looks can be deceiving...

my second day here it rained really hard and despite the fact that I closed my window next to my bed water still got in due to the gomer pile that did a shoddy job sealing the window. it got my blanket wet and sleeping that night wasn´t as comfortable.

That same day our water pipes to the house got cut due to the construction on the street right in front of the house. We´ve not had water in the house for a week. We have had to travel to other missionaries houses to shower and wash clothes and have even gone to the mission home to shower...on saturday we learned that it´s jsut our side of the street that doesn´t have water and thanks to good dominican neighbors that know what it´s like not to have water that live across the street we were able to fill up every water jug, 5 gallon bucket, and garbage can in the house. generally speaking here in the D.R. there is at least one day in which the people don´t have water or at least a few hours in a day and just as all our water ran out our friendly neighbors took their turn on the don´t have water shift...we had to walk quarter to half a mile to find someone with water and fill up all our jugs again. I almost killed myself trying to carry 2-5 gallon buckets at the same time. the construction guys say that they´ll start puttin in the water pipes today or tomorrow so hopefully we´re seeing th light at the end of the tunnel. I don´t write all these things to complain rather to help you all share these hiloariously ridiculous experiences with me.

I had forgotten how much hotter it is here in Santiago...The sun is very hot and I´m more sunburned.....

On Sunday I got a call from Elder De La Cruz and he told me that one of the investigators that we taught together in Conani is getting baptized on Saturday! He had to have an intgerview with Pres. Douglas because he was involved in a big gun fight 10 years ago and someone was killed. he had a gun and he fired a few shots and it all happened so fast that he is unsure if he killed the guy. there wqas another guy that was convicted for the murder and that whole thing has been resolved for a long time. nevertheless he still felt uneasy about it and it´s necessary for anyone that has killed a person to talk with mission president before being baptized. The good news is that he didn´t kill anyone and he´s getting baptized. in the interview the investigator asked Pres. Douglas for a favor: that I can go to his baptism! President said yes and I called our investigator after talking to Elder De La Cruz and he asked me to baptize him. it´s a very humbling thing when asked to baptize someone. It´s very special. In my mission I´ve only ever personally baptized one person and it was enmanuel in San Francisco. My comp and I will be making a trip to La Vega on saturday.

This is a good area. It is huge and we walk a ton but it´s good.

Despite all the difficulties and challenges I am happy and we are working.

Elder Robinson the second is in the MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need his email.

Elder Robinson

July 17, 2013 'On the Road Again'

July 17, 2013

Dear Family,

So on thursday President Douglas called: Elder Robinson I know you wanted to stay with Elder De La Cruz one more transfer but I have need for you somewhere else.¨ He then told Elder De La Cruz that he will be training this transfer. He´s a little nervous to train but I know he will be great.

I am now in my new area Licey A in Santiago. I´m back to the city baby! My new comp is Elder Alvarado from El Salvador and he´s 23 years old. He´s a pretty cool guy and I think we´ll get along just fine. He has just 3 months in the mission which means I´m his step-dad (second comp in the mission field) for the second time. from what he tells me the area is big and we´ll walk a lot and we have several baptisms coming up! It is a ward not a branch which will be a good change I´m sure.

I didn´t want to leave Conani mostly because of my amazing comp, seriously Elder De La Cruz is my best comp, and for the investigators. One has a baptismal date for the 27 and didn´t smoke a single cigarrette yesterday! The couple we have been working with are strong in the church and are working toward marriage and baptism. We held a branch council and all agreed to chip in to give them the 2000 pesos they need to get their little business up and running which will facilitate getting back on their feet and getting married. I have no doubt that they will get baptized but I really wanted to see them enter the bonds of marriage and the waters of baptism... I feel that I worked hard in Conani and am able to say that I am leaving the area better than when I found it.

Transfers always helps me realize I have way too much junk. I´m gonna get rid of a ton!

Happy and sweaty

Elder Robinson

July 10, 2013 "The Triumphant (and soaked) return to San Fransisco'

July 10, 2013

Dear Family,

I am currently in San Francisco with Elder Johnson. He goes home next thursday so today was our last chance to come. the hurricane would have stopped us but it was the last possible chance to see Elder Johnson and visit San Fran before he heads home. We were able to visit a couple converts (anny leydy and the luna family) and it has been good. We are wet and cold and I may or may not get sick due to all the rain I´ve absorbed today. There´s lots of rain and lots of lightning and thunder and we are currently waiting for the bus to fill up so we can go to La Vega......

The hurricane is here and everything is very wet. Nothing too bad from what I´ve seen but lots of rain and some flooded streets. I think of many people I know that live in poor circumstances and know that they probably won´t have a warm and dry place to sleep tonight.....

As far as the car wash for our investigators' wedding is concerned it´s a no go. We suggested the idea and he is a strong and independent man that doesn´t want help. the also say they arent´ready to get married because they want to get back on their feet enough to move out of his mom´s house and get some money together to be able to be independent. So we´re at a stand still with them....

My birthday was great. I invited Elders Fabian and Mercedez to come and celebrate with me and my comp. I got the package and baked the cake and we had a good time together singing and goofing around. thanks a lot for the package it had a lot of great stuff. I´ll probably be able to use all the party gear again because Elder Mercedez´s birthday is coming up.

Transfers are next week and I told Pres. Douglas that I want to stay in Conani with Elder De la Cruz.

the work goes on and we are constantly trying to help the members get animated about mission work and try to maintain the sheep that are already here.

Elder Johnson is going to try and make a trip to PG before Taft leaves so he can meet the family. he seriously is my best friend from the mission.

Elder Robinson

Email letter dated July 3, 2013 " July!? What the Heck?!

July 3, 2013

Dear Family,

It's already July?! Man, I feel like june just barely started yesterday. Time really is flying.

I would like to apologize for not sending pictures for so long...I did try a few times but as you probably know Gmail changed a few things about the website and I just barely figured out how to upload pictures effectively. I know I'm slow....

I realized that by the time I get back and am geting ready to go to college it will have been 4 years since I was in school and that really freaks me out because I'm scared that I've forgotten everything I learned.....I've "helped" a couple people with homework and I know I'm in trouble when I see math that know I learned but don't understand any of it....I'll need to do some serious reviewing.

HAPPY 4 OF JULY TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have planned to do the Car Wash on saturday the 13 of July to raise funds so our investigators can get married!!!!! I'm a little nervous that they just want to get married to be baptized and that they don't truly think/wish their marriage to last forever. It's something we gotta check up on.

Our other investigator is doing really well at leaving behind cigarettes. He used to smoke like 20 a day but now he is smoking 2-5 a day which is a big improvement. The goal is 0.

our branch mission leader is entering the Santiago, Dominican Republic mission today so we will be without a branch mission leader so we are going to have to help some of the members get active and excited to be a branch mission leader.

Life is chugging along at an amazing pace and I am happy. A little tired and stressed but that's good because if I wasn't it would mean that I'm not working and that I don't care about these members and this branch.

I really hope that Pres. Douglas lets me and Elder De La Cruz stay together for another transfer. transfers aren't until July 17 but we work so well together and get along so well I don't want to get split up.

Elder Robinson

Email letter dated June 26, 2013 'Stayed in La Vega'

June 26, 2013

Dear Family,

Well friends the great return of Elders Robinson and J to San Francisco was canceled due to diarrhea and vomit. on Elder J's part. We got up at 6 this morning so we could catch the first bus to Santiago but while we were getting ready to go Elder J called me an told me that he has diarrhea and is throwing up.......so we went and played baseball instead.

I pride myself in being able to hit the ball. I can't catch or throw worth a darn but I can at least bat and get on base.

We are trying to help some investigators get married and we are thinking about doing a car wash to raise funds. We could just give them the money to get married but we don't want them to think that they can turn to the church to get money. They need to do everything possible to do their part and then we can step in and help if it is needed. I think that if they can put enough money to buy soap and sponges and towels and come and help wash cars and motorcycles then it would be a valiant and worthy effort. We still need to run the idea by the branch President to get authorization. I think it's a great idea. We'll see how it works out.

We have another investigator and I'm not sure if I've talked about him....he's very humble and he wants to change hsi life. He smokes and that was one of the first things he told us when we met him: "i want to quit smoking" we hadn't even taught him yet and he could maybe sense that the gospel is what will help him with that. He has kind of a strange goal to live to be 120 and quiting smoking will definitely help him with that. haha. He has a baptismal date for the 20 of July and we are really working hard to help him get there.

Another investigator is stuck in a tough spot. He knows what he should do but he's not sure if he wants to do it. He's young and has a lot of decisions to make and is fighting to know what to do. We are trying to help him but sometimes it seems he doesn't want to help himself...

we were able to see the worldwide broadcast on sunday and it was incredible!!!! so inspiring!

I'll be honest and say that I felt a little discouraged as we watched the videos of huge success taking place in the world with the members and missionaries working together because it just doesn't happen like that here. but I realize that it is that attitude and discouragement that will prohibit things to change to be like those successful branches and wards. so I'm trying to focus on the inspiration I felt during the devotional. and praying to know how we can help this branch become a successful strong branch.

Elder Robinson

Email letter dated June 12, 2013 'Elder De La Cruz'

June 12, 2013

Dear Family,

Wow this week has been amazing. Ever since the day I received my new comp Elder De La Cruz one week ago things have been great. There´s always a little fear when you receive a new comp that you won´t get along or he´ll be disobedient but I´m pleased to say that Elder De La Cruz and Í couldn´t get along any better. We are great friends and we only have a week together. The best part is that he and I both have the same expectations for ourselves and for one another. We work well together and teach well together. I´m technically Senior Comp but I am learning a ton from my comp who has a little over 7 months in the mission. He is Dominican so he is familiar with the problems that are here in the D.R. as far as the church is concerned and he has had callings and experience in fixing the problems and it appears to be his attention to detail that makes all the difference. We are working hard and are feeling the spirit strongly everyday.

I am the most obedient and the most happy that I've ever been in my mission. 

On Sunday President and Sister Douglas came and attended church here in Conani which I´m pretty sure was a big surprise for everyone because I think they came unannounced. Sister Douglas plays the violin and she always brings it to play the hymns wherever she goes. It was fun to see everyone in the congregation mesmerized and in some kind of trance as they watched her movements as she played her violin. There were 75 people in church which is the highest number of people that I´ve seen attend church here in Conani. Ramon and Rosi and Gabriel came and it was awesome. Elder De La Cruz gave an awesome gospel principles class for the investigators and the spirit was very strong. 

I was so happy that day I couldn't help but smile really really big. It was the strongest I've been able to feel the spirit in this branch.

The work is going forward and we are working really hard to find new people to teach. Elder De La Cruz is 25 and he definitely came prepared to the mission. He is strong and is super knowledgeable. 

keep on keepin on and smile every day because I know I am.

Elder Robinson

Email letter dated June 5, 2013 'A New Transfer'

June 5, 2013

Hey all,

It is yet another transfer and I have yet another new comp. His name is Elder De la Cruz. He's Dominican and has about 7 months in the mission. Here you have a few pictures. One is a baptism that we had a few weeks ago. one is of my district  one of of me posing as Malfoy because I'm wearing my Slytherin tie. and the other is of me and Elder De la Cruz

Email letter dated June 5, 2013 'The Spirit'

June 5, 2013

Dear Family,

We had a very interesting experience this week: As you all know we are teaching Ramonand his "wife" Rosi. They have progressed a lot and always read and have received confirmation from the spirit of the Almighty God that what we are teaching is true. Due to work and other things that have come up they have not been able to come to church. Ramon did come once but has had to work on sunday recently.

This transfer is coming to an end in just a week and things are constantly changing. It's really weird as each transfer ends and people I know go home. Elder Johnson has just one more transfer before he goes home and I feel really weird and old knowing that my first comp in the mission field is going home. such is life in the mission...

It's raining a ton lately and we enjoyed an awesome lightning and thunder storm the other night. Life is good.

In other news I'M DEBT FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

I WANNA DO THE DAVE RAMSAY DEBT FREE SCREAM!

I am finally finished paying my debt for all the loving and thoughtful packages that hav been sent to me. I love packages and wouldn't mind receiving more as long as they are sent to the proper address:
Dominican Republic Santiago Mission

Ave. Estrella Sadhalá #10, 2ndo piso

Frente a UTESA

Santiago, Rep. Dom. 51000

Email letter dated May 22, 2013 'The Cell Phone'

May 22, 2013

 

Dear Family,

 

On Saturday we helped a member in the zone leader's area move to a new house. We got her and her kids all situated and helped clean up the little patch of land in front of the house with machetes and a shovel. It was a good opportunity to serve. We did it in record time.

There was a baptism here in the branch scheduled for later that night so we went from the move to fill the baptismal font. We cleaned it up a little and turned on the water and left the water running while we went home to make pizza. it turned out great by the way. after lunch we went back to the chapel to check on the water. it was really low still so once again we left the water running and went home to shower and get ready to go out and teach. As we got home I threw my jeans into the washer that already had some of my other clothes and I turned it on. I took a shower and got ready to go and was sitting at the table studying when I heard thudding sounds coming from the washer. I thought to myself "it always makes that sound when I put my jeans in there because it has a metal button that hits and scrapes the washer as it moves around. As I got ready to leave I realized I didn't have my lucky rock in my pocket and thought "oh it's in the washer making all that noise" and sure enough when I reached my arm into the washer I pulled out my lucky rock. we were ready to go and we knelt at the front door and prayed and as we stood my comp asked me if I had the cell phone. I said no and we went in search of the cell phone. after about five minutes I said out loud "I cant' be dumb enough to have thrown it in the washer." As I plunged my hand into the water I screamed "NOOOOOOOO!!!" as my hand touched the cell phone.

yes, I sent our cell phone scuba diving......

I've always prided myself for never having dropped my cellphone in the toilet or drowning until today....

so we were without a cell phone for 2 days but in the end it was good because the phone I drowned was super old and a piece of junk and hardly worked and we had previously asked for a new one.

That same day we had a meeting with area seventy Elder Dominguez (his wife was sis hamilton's companion and the one that received the necklace I brought) It was an amazing meeting.
Pres. Douglas talked about tithing and it's amazing how you can gain a strong testimony of tithing when as missionaries we generally don't pay tithing. but some of the things he said were very powerful: "if I earn 1000 pesos and pay 100 pesos in tithing I will only have 900 pesos. but it's 900 pesos with the window of heaven open. to have 1000 pesos is good but to have 900 pesos with the windows of heaven open is better." So awesome!

Everyone can and should pay tithing. it is a matter of faith and can be a great trial of faith but we receive our testimony of all gospel doctrine and principles after the trial of our faith. Ether 12:6

Hey taft, just so you know, when you accepted your call to serve a mission you also accepted the call to be a marriage counselor. Buckel up little buddy. haha.

things are good and really rainy. we are getting wet just about daily.

Elder Robinson

Email letter dated May 15, 2013, 'Moving'

May 15, 2013

 

Dear Family,

 

Well we are no longer living in a house of 4 missionaries. We moved yesterday to our old house again. I´ll be honest and say that I´m tired of packing and unpacking my suitcases and moving houses. We have moved twice in just 3 weeks and as a missionary you usually don´t have to pack up and move unless you get transferred to another area but we have packed up and moved twice without even leaving the area! I`m just tired of lugging my heavy suitcases up and down stairs...

Life is good and a little bit better now that we are in our own house again. it was interesting and fun to be in a house of 4 but it was a little inconvenient: sharing the house, the washer, plates, stove, oven, fridge......and there are more potential distractions. It was good because we could hang out with the other elders and that was fun and we were able to coordinate our efforts in the work a little better since we were living together. we are mostly happy because the old house is close to the church, a super nice colmado, a butcher shop, internet center, barbershop, and it´s actually in our area. so ultimately, better in just about every way.

Our lessons with Ramon just get better and better. We talked about the 10 commandments yesterday with him and his wife Rosi (she is progressing too and is just as awesome as Ramon). As we talked about the commandment to not have any more gods before God he immediately stood up and took a big framed painting of Michael the archangel off the wall. He explained that he had prayed to the painting before and needs to obey the commandments. He and his wife are so open to truth they seem to be willing to keep every commandment once they understand it. He is so passionate about keeping the sabbath day holy and is worried about his unemployment and a security job that might make it difficult to come to church. the only hang up that we see is that he and his wife are not married.......We are going to talk to them about chastity tomorrow so we shall see how it goes. They get me so stoked and excited to teach!

Sis Douglas is super famous and knows the sculptor that made all the amazing statues of the life of Christ and she asked her (I think it´s a woman) to make a special statue for the mission. It is a statue of Christ cleaning Peter´s feet. this has a lot of special significance for Sis. Douglas because one of the things they do in here charity in India is clean the wounds on the feet of the people in the leper colonies and it is apparently an amazing experience. She showed us a couple videos and it looks like an amazing thing that she has going on in India. It´s a one of a kind statue that was made especially for the Santiago, Dominican Republic mission. Oh the things you can do when you are famous and have connections. haha.

We are seeing progress and are still working with many people to help them come unto Christ. It´s unfortunate when someone decides that they don´t want to. Such seems to be the case with the Lopez family. they were doing so well and  progressing and a couple of them were coming to church but now all progress has stopped and now we feel that we are essentially fighting against their free will to get them to progress. So we feel that it isn´t their time right now and that in some future day they may make the necessary sacrifices to gain a real testimony.

for that reason the mission is difficult; you meet so many good people and you do everything you can to help them come unto Christ and when it comes to a point that they just don´t want to anymore it´s hard...

Such is life-there must be opposition in all things. keep on keeping on.

Elder Robinson