Email from Dec 15

I'M FREE!!!!

No longer Executive Secretary. What a load lifted off of my shoulders! Wow, it's so nice. I'm not worried about any office related things. I sleep by 10:30 and get decent hours. I'm thankful. My time in the office was the best, don't get me wrong. It has changed me and prepared me in ways i never could have imagined. Working so close to the Markhams, the Broughs, and the Laws has really been an indescribable blessing.

Now, i'm Zone Leader in a place called Tiquisate. It's hot. With that description, i've said it all. It's 'winter time' and it's 92 degrees outside like every day. Winter? yea. The sun is strong, not a cloud in the sky. I absolutely love it. I'm sweating so much it's ridiculous. My companion is Elder Quispe from Peru. I love this guy. We're always laughing and having a good time. We go to bed at like 10:30, like we should be lay in our beds talking until like 11:30. He's such a great guy with an amazing back story. I'm here for a few reasons: to baptize, retain, and reactivate. (Also, to get skinny and tan. haha.) But really, to liven this place up. Here, it's a District that is not progressing to becoming a Stake. Church meetings are depressing, not uplifting. The leaders are tired and you can see it by looking at them. I'm ready to just be here and liven the people up. We can't sleep in the time of the Restoration!

This Sunday, we had a baptism. He's the cutest little old guy. He was married to his wife on Friday. She'll be getting baptized on the 28th with their grand-daughter. I would attach a picture, but my camera battery is dead and a long story. I'll send them next week. He's a goat herder and is like 76 years old. His name is Victor Marques and his wife, Delfina. They are going to be super faithful in the church. They love everything we teach. He's the oldest person i've baptized, it's great. He's so cute!

I can't end describing how relieved i feel to be here as a Zone Leader. 100% focused on preaching the gospel and helping other missionaries to be better. It's interesting to see missionaries see me when i walk into a meeting or something. People look up to me, it's strange. Like, they know the calling i'm coming from and where i am now so it seems to give me more validity to the things i say. But, i am really working on leading by example and correcting with love. I'm trying to help the missionaries be more animated and excited about the work that we're doing. Afterall, it's the work of the Lord. Being in the field again has helped me  get back focused on the mission the office, there are things constantly reminding a missionary of home and what not. here, no. It's all 100% missionary work, non stop.

I love y'all and miss y'all. But, i'm not ready to come home. There's too much to do. Too many lives to change, especially my own.

-Elder Hunt

Zone Leader letter

Dear family of Elder Harold James Hunt,

It is with appreciation that I inform you that Elder Hunt, has been called to serve as a Zone Leader in the Guatemala, Guatemala City Central Mission.  This comes as a result of revelation from the Lord. He has demonstrated diligence, hard work, faith, love and has obtained the respect of the rest of the missionaries.

As a Zone Leader, I will work closely with him to motivate and influence the rest of the missionaries in his zone. At the same time, Elder Hunt will be expected to lead and exemplify every aspect of missionary work.

I appreciate having Elder Hunt as a servant of God here in the mission field. I truly know that he is a special son of God.

Yours faithfully,

Melvin G. Markham 

Mission President

Email from Dec 8

Well, it's only been two days since i've written last, but i need to take advantage of the time i have. This week, i'll have no p-day! woo! That means i'll have no internet time! woo! So, in order to send my weekly letter, i'm writing write now. It was a good weekend. For only two days, a lot has happened.

Saturday was interesting. A lot of time spent driving thanks to a couple of emergency things! We left in the morning to head over to a place called Antigua to drop off beds, a fridge, and all that kinda stuff to furnish a house. That went without a problem. We got there, dropped the stuff back and headed back. But heading back was way fun. Here in Guatemala, they tend to set up random police checkpoints where they pull over random cars to check if we have anything we're not supposed to have with us. I've driven by many without getting pulled over. It's done randomly without any kind of system. This time, they caught us. They pulled us over. I rolled down the window and the guy asked for my license. I just responded, here's my American license. He nervously responded, i noticed. He did not mean to pull over a car full of North American Missionaries. It was so funny. He like didn't know what to do. He left and went to his chief guy and asked what to do. He came back, looked at our passports then just let us go. It was super funny and super pointless.

On the way home after that, we stopped at Little Ceasar's (yes, they have that here!). We took the food home and ate. Then we got interesting fone calls. We had to take a surprise road trip to a place called Patzicia, in Zone Sololá, which is like the farthest zone from here (three hours with light traffic). Since i'm leaving the office, i offered to go in a heartbeat because i won't have these experiences anymore after! I loaded up the car with Elder Roney, the financial secretary, and we hit the road! Elder Hansen, my companion, stayed behind to work in the area because there were important people to visit. We left the house at like 2:05 pm and got back at 8:30 pm. It was fantastic! Here are a couple of pictures taken while on the way: (Santa! Happy Birthday, Jesus! Waffle House?)

Sunday was a long one! Church from 10am-2pm like normal. After, we had a baptismal service for a man named Carlos Catalán. He's incredible. We found him knocking on doors one day. He let us in. He's a 60 year old man that had recently quit his job to watch over his grandchildren while their parents worked. Really a nice guy. He told us of how he has been wanting to join a church, for that, he was really receptive! He accepted everything we taught, and loved the thought of getting baptized. When we left him the commitment to live the Word of Wisdom, or stop drinking tea and coffee, he answered in this way, "Well, if i'm getting baptized into your church, i need to start living it's rules, don't i?!" No hesitation or doubt. From that moment on, he's been living the Word of Wisdom. His baptismal service was great. He's going to be a great member and really wants the daughter and son-in-law he lives with to join too. Right now, we're teaching them, and their progressing nicely for baptism on the 21st of this month.

Picture from baptism

Then after that, we had the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was a nice excuse to just hang out. Here, we watched it in Spanish. I was too tired to even try to pay attention to the Spanish over voice. It was bad. I just kinda slept there the whole time. It was nice. The music came through really bad so we couldn't even enjoy the MoTab singing. But, it was great.

Wow, i can't believe i'm leaving. I've worked in this area with this ward for 14 months! That's an incredibly long time. I literally love these people and they have grown to love me..or at least tolerate me, right? There are many people here i'll never forget. On Wednesday, i'm taking my bags and heading out...to be a Zone Leader in a place called Tiquisate! yea! I am really excited to get outta here though. It's been a long time. I need to get in the field, out of the office, and 100 refocused on pure missionary work. Not worrying about travel plans, visas, fone problems, etc. It's gonna be nice. Also, to lose the weight i've added while being here in the office. It'll be a fun change and i'll let y'all know more about it later on. Like next week.

Love y'all!!

-Elder Hunt

Email from Dec 2

This week has been strange. It's been calm. Too calm. Stuff has happened, but everything has remained calm. I'm not sure if i like it. I feel like next week will hit me and it'll be such a big surprise. Really, i'm nervous to leave the office because i won't have so much stuff occupying my mind all the time. I'll be 100% focused on preaching the gospel. I do know where i'm going. I've known for a little more than 2 weeks where i'll be going. I pretty much chose the area where i'll be going. It'll be hot and far from the capital. I'll tell you where in like 2 weeks when i'm out in the area after changes.

It's been a really good week. The work is progressing nicely. Now, there's a new initiative by the called 'He is the Gift'. Find it, watch it, and share it. It's a great video! i love it and use it all the time. It brings the Spirit in really strong when we share it with the people. Watching that video allowed me to put a baptismal date with an investigator for the 14th. When the Spirit is strong, people just can't reject baptism and then it's all about them not losing that feeling and enjoying it always. Baptism is so beautiful. How someone can change their life in the matter of weeks and follow more correctly the pathway to God. I'm so thankful for each person that I've helped in this journey.

Right now, i'm in my last five months of the mission. I don't want it to end. That day will be super hard. It'll be weird too because i'll probably fly solo from here to Georgia. A lot of time to reflect. But, i'm not focusing on the end. As a wise man said, 'Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.' I have five months to get more involved and put everything into practice. I'll have a lot of those opportunities between now and the end. President says that i'll probably train again before leaving the mission. That sounds good to me. Training is super fun and it's easy to see fruits of it.

This email is awful. I just can't think of what's happened in this week. Maybe that's because i've slacked so much on writing in my journal. Without writing it, i forget it. I should probably do better at that.

So, this email has just been to say that i'm still alive. Also, i won't write for like 2 weeks. I just won't have internet time. Don't be worried, i'll be alive. It's just a weird transaction from the office to the field. Also, i'll have no P-Day next week, so that'll be exhausting!!

Something fun. As a mission, we have to read Enos every day, the whole chapter. That chapter is amazing. It's so incredible. Every time i read it, i feel the Spirit. Sharing it with investigators is also truly amazing because it's showing how you must pray with faith and answers come. I love it. I'd recommend doing the same thing.

Love y'all!

Elder Hunt

Email from Nov 28 and photos

This week has been amazing. Afterall, it was Thanksgiving week! woo!

On Sunday, we had another baptism! She was a really special case. Her name is Camila. Her mom is not a member because she lives with someone she can't marry. All of her sisters are members and her aunt is the Primary President of the ward. A few months ago, her mom came up to us and was like, "My daughter is turning 8 on the 22 of November. I need y'all to come baptize her." It was super strange but awesome. Her mom, a non member, realizing the importance of the step of baptism. Her service was pleasant. It's nice to know that she has such a great support system behind her. Her aunt is the Primary President for Pete's Sake! Some times, God just smiles upon us and blesses us with easiness in life. We just need to thank Him and He gives more.

This week, it's been a nice opportunity to think upon the many blessings I receive every day. When one is thankful, one is happy. It doesn't matter if you have a lot or a little, if you're thankful, you're happy. if your not, you're not. It's as simple as that.

Thanksgiving was good here! We had breakfast with a Senior Couple of missionaries, The Laws. Then we had dinner with the Markhams. It was certainly the baggiest day of my mission. It was awesome. Thursdays are the days we have P-Day here in the office because it's usually one of the calmest days in the week. This P-Day, we started off by going to look for a new pair of shoes for me. I found a nice pair for $4!! That's it. They are in super nice condition too. They won't be very nice for long, but that's fine. They were only $4 after all. Then we came into the capital to the Laws to have breakfast. A couple of days before, i made a comment of how i really missed biscuits and gravy. What did she make for breakfast? Biscuits and gravy!! It was SO good. I LOVE southern food! It's just so comforting. So, i threw it down in breakfast. I was absolutely stuffed. So, i went and took a little nap on the Laws' extra bed that they have. The bed has a memory foam pad on it. It was the softest bed i had tried out in 18 months. it was heavenly. But then the rest of the gang came and woke me up.

But, at least it shows that they love me, right? 

After the huge breakfast, the rest of the Elders left, but Elder Roney and i stayed behind. We wanted to help Sister Law make the pies for the dinner that night. So, we turned up the Christmas music, washed our hands, and got to work! It was a super nostalgic moment as if we were helping our moms or grandmothers in the kitchen during holiday season. It was great! (Pictures will be at the end of the post.)

Between breakfast and dinner, i ate nothing! I was stuffed all day. Dinner was at 9:30 at President's house. We got there and there was turkey, creamed corn, homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, dressing (stuffing), fruits, green beans, and pies. It was heaven! So, we dug in and ate til we couldn't eat any more, like you're supposed to do on Thanksgiving, right? It was a great time. We got home at about 11.20 that night and went straight to bed. I love being part of the Office, it's so fun. But also, i'm ready to get back out in the field all day every day. (Less than two weeks before i'm in the field again!!)

One of the most Spiritual Experiences happened on Wednesday of this week. It was amazing. It happened with a 19 year old guy named Pablo Chiquin. We saw a miracle. As we talked to him, he received his answer from Heavenly Father. He had been investigating the church for 1.5 years without receiving an answer. That night, he received it. We were teaching by the Spirit about the Spirit. One of the most powerful lessons i've ever taught. I felt ''the surge'' every time i testified. Then the moment happened. I looked at him. Paused. Then said, ''you're fear for getting baptized is...and then told him.'' He sat there impacted by the Spirit, because no man made me know these things, but the Spirit. His eyes shot open and his jaw dropped. I then testified and resolved his doubt. Then silence. In that moment, the Spirit penetrated his heart. He grabbed his chest and said, "i feel peace..............I feel as though God just forgave me and i have forgiven everybody else.............i haven't felt a peace like this in 8 years.............i feel peace." For like 10 minutes, we just sat there. Nobody said anything. Pablo was crying, i was crying, Elder Hansen was crying, and Pablo's girlfriend was crying. It was a miracle. It was an incredible experience that has changed my life. This email doesn't do it justice. At whatever moment during the mission, i will be ready to share this experience. God answers prayers. Of that, I testify and promise as a Representative of Jesus Christ.

In this Thanksgiving Spirit, I would like to say one thing that I'm thankful. I'm thankful for so many things, but at this time, I'm thankful especially for one. I'm thankful for the way the mission has changed, is changing, and will change me. The mission is a miracle that changes people, if they let it. I can promise, I will not come home the same person I was before. Count your blessings. It really will surprise you what the Lord has done. 

i love y'all! I love the mission. I never want to leave. When i talk about home, i don't think about it as a 'Finally!' I think about it as a 'Oh no, i still have so much to get done!' Time is fast and short. Appreciate it and take advantage of every moment given. 

Y'all be safe now, ya hear?!

-Elder Hunt

 Elder Hansen and Elder Santiago

 Camila's baptism

 Making pies

 Pies made

 Dinner with President Markham

 Free shoe shine

 Fell asleep waiting for church to start after a big lunch

Biscuits and gravy

Email from Nov 17

Things have been so great here! Really, it couldn't get too much better.

On Saturday, I completed 18 months in the mission! It's crazy. I can't even believe how fast the time has just flown by. It's amazing to stop and think about how i've changed as a person as I've been here in Guatemala. The most important thing that i've learned: to love. That's the key to success in anything. If the motive isn't love, the success wanted won't be the success received. My testimony has strengthed so much and my knowledge of the gospel has deepened. I have a focus that i never really thought I'd have. It's all about making goals and reaching them. Not all of them though. We always need to have some goals that are unreachable so that we can try as hard as we can and still have space to improve. If all goals are reached, we didn't expect us to reach our full potential. But, as with the rest of the traditions. I burned my pair of pants to mark 18 months! Here's the picture:

Sunday was a great day. A day of baptisms, to say the least. It was a super long day. We got to the church building at like 9:20 am and we left at like 7:20 pm. We didn't leave the church property for all that time. Church from 10-1, baptismal service, church from 2-5, baptismal service. It was a tiring day. Anyway, the people that we baptized are really special. 

At 1 in the afternoon, we baptized a young woman and young man. For a lot of past history issues and law of chastity problems, the parents couldn't get baptized even though they really like the church and what we teach and represent. But, the kids love reading the Book of Mormon and were really, really excited to be baptized. We had the help of a ward family that had them at Family Home Evenings and everything. Their names are Katherine and Brayan Poou Ramirez. Pictures sent in other email.

At 5:30, we baptized a really special. I imagine I've mentioned a Familia Camey. The dad, Oswaldo, the mom, Angelica, and the kids, Fernando, Bylly, and Flor de Maria. They have found a special place in my heart. Their road to baptism has been a long and difficult one. They met the missionaries 8 years ago. I visited them like 15 months ago and again like 2.5 months ago. Angelica asked for three signs from God before she would get baptized. Ever since I went back like 2.5 months ago, Oswaldo was ready to get baptized, just waiting on his wife to make the choice for herself. Also, the son Fernando was down to get dunked. Now that they've been baptized, Angelica shared with us the 3 signs she received from God through me especifically. It's truly humbling and awe-striking. God answers prayers in misterious ways, but He answers, that's the most important thing. They were so beautiful and excited as they were dressed in white waiting to enter the waters of baptism and come out new creatures, being born again. They have the goal of getting sealed in the temple, and just saw baptism as a necessary step to get to bigger and better goals for the family. This will probably be one of my most memorable baptisms of the mission.

My mission hasn't been easy, that's what i realize as i look back over these 18 months. The Lord has asked a lot of me, and He's helped me to reach it. If my mission was easy, i wouldn't have progressed as far as i have until right now. There's still a long way to go and much more time to be refined by my loving Heavenly Father. I'm not the best missionary or the perfect missionary, but I strive to be obedient in all things that I do. I try to show diligence in all tasks that i'm given. 

This week, it's been pretty calm. Things have happened, yes, but it's normal now. But in about 3 weeks, i'll be in a new area doing new things, so that'll be fun. After all, i've been in Boca del Monte for 14 months of my mission just about (10 transfer cycles). I love change. My mission is not going to get any easier from here on out, and i'm excited about that. I don't want it to be easier, because easy doesn't cause progression how i want it. 

I love y'all!!

--Elder Hunt

Pictures from Antigua

Email from Nov 10

Everything is going quite nicely here in Guatemala. I love it here. The people are the best. It's been crazy to see my view of the Guatemalan people as I've been here. President Markham talks about the theme 'Faith in Every Footstep' and says that now, it's not sufficient. We're not here to have faith in every footstep. Now, we must have 'Charity in Every Footstep.' That's what I've learned on the mission. I don't work as hard as I do to impress others or just to pass the time. I work as hard as I do because I love these people. When I see people progress, it makes me truly happy because they will receive the blessings that my family has received. When they decide not to do what we invite them to do, it's heartbreaking because they're missing out. Charity, that's the difference. That's the motor of missionary work.

This past Tuesday, we went to Antigua, Guatemala again. I love Antigua. It's super pretty. It's also fun to see a lot of 'white' people. Usually, they're not even from the States. I say hi to some and they respond in French or German or who knows what. Once, I talked to someone from Tennessee and the accent took me home, it was great. This time, we didn't just go to the market, we went up to a hill that has a view of all of Antigua with the volcano. It is absolutely beautiful. I love natural beauty. It's a testament that it was all made by God.

But, since we were in Antigua, I had to take advantage and buy a couple things. As of right now, i don't think i need anything else from Guatemala. I have all that i need and want. Sure, there's still a lot I could buy, but i'm good with what I have. I have a few things that I really do like and am super excited about. Plus, it's just super hard to decide on what to buy from here. Because the market is crazy packed of goodness.

This Sunday, there will be baptisms. We will be baptizing a super special family. So, as maybe you should know, i'm working in the area that I started in. The same exact place. Anyway, back when I was here my first time (a little more than a year ago) I taught a family once. To be honest, they were not that positive. Super nice, yes. But positive to receive the gospel at that time, no. (discernment by the Spirit). So we didn't try hard to make them progress. But among entering into this colony one time, I was remembered of them. They were a referral from a member family that they have been trying with for several years. They are the Camey Family. They will be baptized this Sunday. But the little daughter is so cute. Last night, she said a prayer. She used to say 'God, Please buy me the two things. Amen.' But, as we've visited she's gotten better. (She's like 4). Last night, she wanted to say a long prayer. She started off fine by praying for her family and for us missionaries. Then, she started getting crazy. She was like 'Watch over the backpack of Elder Hunt. Watch over the backpack of Elder Hansen. Watch over my mom's lipstick.'  I couldn't handle it. I just busted out laughing. The mom did too and the dad chuckled a little bit. It was the cutest little prayer ever. This family is precious. I'll talk more about them next week after they get baptized so i can send pictures.

I complete 18 months in 2 days (on the 15th). I can't believe it. But, i'm not focusing on that. It just means that i have 5.5 months to do what i need to do. It's fun stuff. I will never regret having gone on a mission. But I will continually thank my Heavenly Father for this great blessing. It's the Lord's work, that's why it has yet to be frustrated.

Go do some good in the world today!

Love y'all!

--Elder Hunt

Email from Nov 3

I get all pictures that are sent my way and i love them. I love receiving pictures.

This week has been interesting. We've had to run a lot of errands to get a lot of random things done. But it's fine.

The missionary work is booming here in the area. There are so many people that want to listen to us and enjoy what we share. Many prayers are being answered. Right now, we have quite a few members presenting us to their friends. And these friends are really excited and love church. One thing that I have learned on my mission is to make friends with the people i serve here. It just seems like they love me, and i love them. That's probably the biggest way that i've grown. I actually care about and love these people here. Like, when I see them, I get really happy. When I don't, i feel like I'm missing something.

Fun stuff this week?

I got bit by a dog! For the second time on the mission. I don't even know why it happened. I was talking to somebody at their door, and a dog was passing by. But he was like 5 yards away and just walking past. I didn't bother him or anything. Out of nowhere, he changed his trajectory and pounced right at my left calf. It hurt quite bad, but I didn't hardly even react. He bit me and ran off. A couple days after the biting, we returned to this house to teach again. The dog walked past a few times like he was checking me out. Once, he came up pretty close while i was sitting down. It made me quite uncomfortable. To make it even worse, he started growling at my like he was about to attack again! I hate these dogs and they hate me.

We are teaching a really great family, the Camey Family. They are super pilas and I love them. They have the goal to get sealed in the temple even though they're not even baptized yet. They have invited me to the sealing and have offered to pay my plane ticket to come down! They're going to get baptized on the 16th of this month. They were going to get baptized this Sunday, but they've been drinking coffee. So, we told them we had to postpone it. I told them that they had to stop drinking coffee from that day on. The next day, the dad went the whole day a nervous wreck, biting his fingernails all day. He was just craving his coffee fix. But, he didn't drink it! Yea! When I went that night, I went with someone else that wasn't my companion. He asked, ¿oh, you drink coffee? The dad answered with confidence "I used to drink coffee. But not anymore." (in spanish. "Tomaba café, pero ya no.") It was so great.

I went and worked with the Zone Leader yesterday. It was a blast. He likes to work really hard and so do i. It was our 4th time working together over these past 6 months. We literally ran around all day. We showed up to the house that night at the last second because we ran like a mile and a half to get there. We found ourselves pretty far from home when 9:15 rolled around. We should up the the house absolutely destroyed fisically. It was great. Nothing feels better than getting home absolutely wrecked after a hard day of missionary work. There is no equal outside of the mission. I'm going to miss the feeling a lot when I'm back. Missionaries in whatever other mission, don't understand what we do here in the Guatemala City Central Mission, and that's okay. It's what we call "mission culture".

Stake Conference is this weekend! It'll be a blast.

Love y'all!

Elder Hunt

Email from Oct 27

This has been a crazy week. I hardly even know where to start, so much has happened. 

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak twice in church. I've been in one of these wards for 13 months, so i know it really well. I also know that there are many in the ward that are not helping us with missionary work. I said that to them. I was like 'I've been here for 13 months, and there are many of your houses that i've never been invited to. So it looks to me as if y'all aren't fulfilling y'all's callings as missionaries.' I was really direct with the ward during my talk. I based it off of David A. Bednar's talk from this last conference entitled 'Come and See.' Here's a little outline of my talk:

-2 Nefi 31:3 to warn them that I was going to be direct and clear with them. Why? Because that's how the Lord works, and I'm His representative. 
-The Church of Jesus Christ always has been and always will be a missionary church.
-Devoted disciples of Jesus Christ always have been and always will be valiant missionaries. A missionary is a follower of Christ who testifies of Him as the Redeemer and proclaims the truths of His gospel. 
-But our eagerness to declare this message is not merely the result of a sense of spiritual duty. Rather, our desire to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with you is a reflection of how important these truths are to us. (So, if your not sharing this gospel, it's not important to you.)
-Dyc 58: 26-29 explaining how they don't need to wait for us to ask them to participate, because that condemns them. they need to be anxiously engaged in the work. 
-Jacob 1:19 explaining that if they don't warn their fellow brother, the sins will come upon them.

This whole talk was direct and not very sugar coated. But, I also made sure to express my love to those participating and to thank them also. As the ward in whole, the talk was effective and accepted. After the Sacrament meeting, people came up and were like 'you should visit this person or the other' or just came up and thanked me for the talk. The talk was not received by the bishop in the slightest sense. hahahah. I felt crushed by the talk (Good!). He went up to Elder Clouse and Elder Roney (not to me) and said, 'you don't have the keys to say what you said.'. Uh....those aren't keys. I quoted an apostle and i quoted the scriptures. I don't need keys to do that. It was a great talk. Just for future reference, if you need someone to talk straightforward to a ward about missionary work, I'll volunteer. I've got my little talk ready. 

In the second ward I spoke in, I toned it down a little bit because i'm not as familiar with the people. I shared the same David A. Bednar quotes. I also shared DyC 58 and mentioned Jacob 1:19. But, I took a nicer approach and read also from DyC 80 and 81 and read 1 Nefi 2:16. This talk didn't have the same effect on the ward because everybody was asleep because church was at 2, right after lunch. But the people that paid attention appreciated it. Also, this Bishop really liked the talk. He thought it gave encouragment for the ward to do better. Score!

On Tuesday, we took out the new missionaries again. It's always fun because they try so hard but just can't keep up. We ended the night with a mile and a half run for the house. They were absolutely dead tired. We got to the house and there was pizza waiting for them. They were too tired and out of breathe and worn down to eat. They refused the pizza. But I ate it without a problem. I love working with the new missionaries. But anyway, a fun fact about this Tuesday, I slept less than an hour that night! woo! We had to go to the office to get ready for change meeting the next day because there was stuff to do. On the way to the office, we stopped by the gas station to fill up the Hi-Lux, a diesel truck. So we filled it up, went to the office, got stuff done, and left the office at like 2:05 am. We tried cranking up the truck, but it didn't go. The battery was charged. The tank was full. What's the problem? Who knows, it's Guatemala. So we wait for like 20 minutes, try again, and it fires up. Weird. We get home at like 2:45 am. Elder Clouse, who was going to leave the office, still hadn't packed his bags. So i stayed up with him while he packed his bags because i had to get up anyway at 3:30 to take a missionary to the airport by 4. It would have been the same as going to sleep anyway. So i stayed up. I took the missionary to the airport and got back home at like 5:30. In full mission attire, i went and laid on my bed for a second. When 6:25 rolled around, i was up and about again starting the day. We went to change meeting. After the meeting, we were on our way back to the office. I fought hard with the car to start for some reason, but I won. Also, the exhaust was letting out a lot of smoke. But, we cruised on to the office. Out of nowhere, the car stopped. It just shut off. So we were stuck. We called the car guy from the area office and he got the car towed off. The problem? The Elder that filled up the gas tank put in normal gas...it's a diesel truck. epic fail. When i found out, i died laughing. Rookie mistake. Putting normal gas in a diesel truck. Noob!

Fun News. I'm leaving the office in 6 weeks! After 14 months in Boca del Monte, I'll be saying goodbye and heading out to the normal mission field! I received my replacement Executive Secretary. His name is Elder Hansen, from Washington DC. I love him. We seem to get along quite well. I'm so excited to leave the office. I want to lose myself in missionary work again. It'll be so much less stressful. Now, I have to focus on office and field stuff. Soon, it'll just be field stuff. The excitement is to stay tuned as to where I go. One day, I'll be able to get like 7 hours of solid sleep a night. No more nights of 55 minutes! Wow, que rico.

Today, i started 6 weeks to sexy. woo! I hope I get sent to the coast so i can lose all the weight I put on here in the office. Only 6 months to go, that's crazy.

Anyway, this week has been crazy and that's just a sneak peek at what's gone on this week. I'm loving life. I love the mission. I know it's the work of the Lord so I'm not slowing down, just speeding up. 

On Thursday, the sister missionaries that entered with me in the mission went home. I took them to the airport. Crazy! I can't even believe it's been so long. 

I love y'all!

--Elder Hunt

PS: letters are always accepted.

Email from Oct 20

I haven't gotten any emails from new people these days. I've just been sticking with the same old people that i've been with for the last 17 months. It would be nice to receive emails from new people! (His email is harold.hunt@myldsmail.net)

So, there's a nice little story for this week. It's fun to play soccer here on our free days with some of the youth from the ward. We have a good time and it's nice to play soccer. When we play, everybody kinda has rotations playing different positions. At this moment, it was my turn to play goalie. woo! When I play, my volleyball reflexes come into action. I don't usually catch the ball, I just kind of deflect it high and controlled, then catch it. But it got to a play that was serious. It was like 3 against me. They were all super close to the goal. A guy on my left, the middle, and the right. The guy on the right shot it and i blocked it, but i fell to my knees and the ball went right to the middle guy. He kicked it, and some how, i blocked it again. This time, it bounced like two feet from me. It bounced like two feet from the guy on my left too. He wound up to kick it, i sprang over to grab it. Next thing you know, his foot makes contact with my hand. Out of the pain caused, i grab my right hand with my left. (right hand being hurt.). I thought my hand would be straight, but i felt something a little weird. You know how on your finger, you have three joints. Well, on my right index finger, at the second joint, my finger went straight up. Yup, dislocated finger right there. Without even thinking because I wanted to prevent further pain, I threw it quickly back into place. It was great! A dislocated finger while playing some friendly soccer. Just add that to the list of soccer injuries in my life!

But don't worry about me, it doesn't affect me too much. Really, it just makes it a little hard to write.

This week has been crazy. Today, I felt super important. I had a meeting in the Area Office about immigration stuff! It was weird to say that I had a meeting at 11 in the Area Office. Really, it wasn't anything exciting or new, but still- as a missionary, it was cool to say.

I have been receiving so much free food lately! It's the best. I love how Guatemalans show their love for you by giving you food. I know it's a great sign of love because these people don't normally have much. Guatemalans are just so cute. I have Domino's, pancakes, chuchitos, ham and vegetables, cookies, etc. I go home at night, plan, and just go to sleep. I don't need to cook dinner and it's such a treat to get a full night's sleep every now and again.

Sorry, this email is really short. It's just that next week we have changes. That means everything is hectic and so busy. I'll be getting a new companion. I kinda know who he is but not really. Next week, i'll write with more information and maybe even a picture. It'll be fun.

The mission is a blast! Next week, the sister missionaries that entered the mission with me will be going home! That's crazy to think about. In two months, i'll be skyping home. in 4 months, Ben will be going home. in 6 months, i'll be home. There's too much to do before this time rolls around! Good thing, that way it won't distract me.

I hope y'all are safe and enjoying the cooler temperatures to come. I'm super comfortable here in Guatemala....still sweating and it never gets cold enough not to sweat. Besides a dislocated finger, I've never been better!

Love y'all!!

Elder Hunt

An x-ray of Santiago's finger

Email from Oct 12

This week has been so crazy! I am so tired, I can't even believe it. A lot of early mornings and late nights. I've been really blessed to be here in the office for this time. It's super interesting to see the behind the scenes stuff of a mission. I just know it's preparing me for something later on life.

But thanks to all the craziness that's been happening, I've been able to see quite a bit of Guatemala. There's been a lot of going to certain places and switching missionaries around and all that good stuff. For instance, while on a trip last Saturday, we saw a quite interesting house. I think they really like to collect street signs. It's an interesting hobby, but the written messages on the signs are quite interesting. One of the best ones is the one that says "Una Via" or, "One Way". It saids, "Sex, drugs, alcohol, one way directly to hell." It made us all laugh. This house is like two houses down than two sister missionaries. It's too bad they have a really weird neighbor.

RIght now, I am so fisically tired. I can't even think about what has happened this past week. It has literally been crazy, but super fun. I would say my journal is better, but i haven't had time to write in it-
that's how hectic it has been. I've forgotten what mission life is like for a 'normal' missionary out in the field. I can't really remember the last time I had a my full night's rest. There are always things going on.

One of my new focuses on the mission is fitness. I kinda lost the drive for a little bit. But, as my companions often remind me, I'm going home in about 6 months. I need to start getting back in shape. Now, I jump rope every night, it doesn't even matter how tired my legs already are from a day of walking. Also, I'm taking advantage of the nice weight setup that we have in this house and am doing more than just the minimum 30 minutes. I would say I've started eating healthier...but seeing as how I'm in Guatemala, there's not such a thing. We eat what we're given and we don't complain.

Other exciting news! A Wal-Mart just opened up in our town! woohoo! That'll be really nice to get stuff I don't usually get. As far as the spiritual part of the mission goes, it's incredible. There are so many wonderful people here. There's a family that is progressing to be baptized this month. Another family that's getting things worked out to get married and baptized the next. And there are a few people scattered in there. Still, the search is on for families where not everyone is members. It's interesting. But, with the help of ward members, they come back and the rest of the family gets baptized. One of these days, I'll speak in church. I'll let y'all know a brief outline of what I say. I have 3 scriptures picked out and the filler will be guided by the Spirit. That's how it works, right? Writing talks word for word impede the Spirit to change your message.

Sorry for this awful email. I'll try to do better next time. Really, why write? I'm almost home anyway, right? That's a scary thought... But, i won't focus on that. There are more important things to focus on right now.


Love y'all!!

--Elder Hunt

Pictures!

Email from Oct 6

Okay, I don't really even know where to start for this week, because I'm not sure what i've told you.

Um, this last weekend was General Conference. I love General Conference. As always, you have to rate and see if Saturday was better than Sunday or vice versa. I definitely say that Saturday, as a whole, was way better than Sunday. Every talk on Saturday was super powerful and direct. In Priesthood Conference, I loved what Elder Uchtdorf spoke about "Lord, is it i?". Look in before looking out when problems or conflicts arise. But here's a little story of conference. On Saturday morning and afternoon, we went to the Stake Center to watch it in English (since it's the Language of the Restoration). I loved that people got to speak in their native tongues. Why? Because I hated when General Authorites would talk with Latin accents that nobody could even understand. But whenever a Latino would show up to give his talk in Spanish, we would all run out of the English room and over to the chapel to hear it in the guy's native tongue. It is just so much more powerful that way. I felt kind of silly getting up and changing rooms, but it was necessary. I am so glad a can understand English and Spanish as if I speak them both fluently. But anyway, when about 4:30 rolled around, we realized that time was winding down to Priesthood and that we'd been in the same building since like 10 am. We decided that we wanted to go watch Priesthood with President Markham. So, we called him asking if he could. He said yes! We loaded up the cars and headed over. There was dinner! and dessert! We hooked up a laptop to the projector and showed it on the wall. We organized the couches in a comfortable manner, and watched conference in style and comfrot. And to top it off, not only was President Markham there, but also the Mission Presidents of the South and East missions! Definitely a conference to remember.

Here, we love to play soccer with the young men. We play all the time with them, whenever we have energy to do it. Sometimes, on P-Day, we just sleep. Others, we play then sleep. Here's a couple pictures of our squads that have gotten together to play.I'm actually really glad that when we get together and play, I don't really embarrass myself. Sure, my touch isn't perfect, but I hold my own out there. It's a lot of fun.

We had a monumental day here in the office on Wednesday. We have been complaining about our computers because they were virus infested but nobody ever came to clean them off. Instead of coming to clean them off, the Area Office came and gave us brand new computers! But there not just normal desktops, they are touch screens! Yea! They're like huge Tablets with keyboards and a mouse. They are so sweet. Way nicer than the ones we had before. They're a lot faster...and bug free! It's strange to think that we have these in the office but have the crappiest fones still... But it's fine. If we had nicer fones, we'd get robbed more.

Speaking of getting robbed. Here's a fun story. A couple weeks ago, Elder Roney and Elder Clouse (two other secretaries) got robbed. Not much was taken, just their fones and like 3 Qetzales (or 40 cents). We kinda felt bad for them because the guy had a gun and they lost their fone. Anyway, we got everything back to normal. They had a new fone and were out working again. On Tuesday, they went up to the same neighborhood. The same guy comes out with the same gun pointed at them to rob them again! This time, the guy took their watches and like 30 Qetzales (or $4) and their fone--AGAIN. When they got home that night, I didn't believe them. I thought there were joking. Then they're like, if we didn't get robbed, where are our watches?! When I realized that, I believed them. And I just died laughing! The same 5'5" guy robbed them again! I love it. One of the best things ever.

Speaking of people bugging us in general. I have a nice little story. This happened Wednesday night. We had just finished with a Fellowshipping Fireside in the church building. It was about 8:30 or so and we were kinda on the way back home but were just talking to a few people in the streets to see who we could visit (gotta love street contacting!) Anyway, so as we're walking, we pass by a drunk guy that yells at us "Brothers, come here" (the come here part in Spanish). I just whistle a greeting and we keep walking because we can clearly see that he's super drunk. We keep on and he enters his car. We stop a little down the street and start talking to a family. The drunk guy, in his car, stops beside us and keeps yelling stuff. We quickly stop talking to the family and keep walking. We stop a gain a little ways up, but this time, we pullin a little alley to talk to a family (don't worry, the alley is well let and there are houses down there. they're not the alleys of the Bronx). The guy somehow gets his car up there too and keeps yelling at us! So we stop talking to the family and just run. He had his car crammed in there, so we kinda had to jump over the trunk part to be freed. He backed the car out and came after us! It was a hot pursuit! So, with some smart thinking, we turn down a One Way street going against the flow of traffic. This drunk guy followed us! He was dodging cars and everything. It was insane! So we were taking turns trying to lose him. We got to a point where he wasn't behind us anymore. So we stop in a little store on the road and hid out. Everybody was watching us because we were breathing super hard and peaking around the corner to see if he'd come. He turned on the road and started coming down to us. But, he didn't see us. Once again, we start booking it around a different corner. I remembered a family that lived closed and just prayed that the husband would be there so we could enter. He was and we entered. The guy drove past the door because we were peaking through the windows. It was crazy!! One of my new favorite stories of the mission.

Anyway, that's about all that's been happening lately! At the end of this month, the sister missionaries that enter with me will be going home. That means I'm almost at the 6 month til home mark! That's super crazy!

Love y'all!

--Elder Hunt

Email from Sept 27

Things have been so crazy, it's hard to even explain. I am fisically wrecked. When I get home from my mission, I will need to go to a chiropractor and a massage therapist. By body just doesn't function how it should. So, we need to get that planned in for the first week I'm back. In two days, I accumulated less than 5 hours of sleep! One night, I got home at 1 am and woke up at 4 am. The next night, I went to bed at like 1:15 and woke up at 3:45. Exhausting! All that because of so much stuff to do to get ready for transfers. Today, for P-Day, we just slept. From 8:30-4 we were all asleep. When we woke up, we showered, got ready, and then left to preach the gospel until 9. It was fantastic. Being in the mission takes such a spiritual, mental, and emotional toll on one's body. And being in this mission, it takes a fisical toll that nobody truly understands unless you've served here. It's mission culture and I love it.

Things have been going so well. The work is really progressing and good stories are being made. With all of this craziness that has been going on, I haven't had time to write in my journal. The only time I've found to write home is at 11 pm on a Thursday night. I don't have much time. Just writing to let y'all know that I'm alive.

If it's ever crossed y'all's minds, I do not want y'all to come down here and pick me up. It's a hassle. If you would want to come after, we can. But at the end of the two years, I'm just going to want to go home.

I love when the Lord reminds me that He is a God of Miracles. In just this week, I've seen so many that it is incredible. A miracle happens every day that I can even get up and do it all over again. The mission is the best. Through me, the Lord has changed a lot of lives. But the life he's changed the most has been mine. I'm not the same person anymore.

General Conference weekend is coming up! I love General Conference weekend! Why? Because we hardly work. It's a time to Come and Listen to a Profet's voice...and rest from all our labors.

There are miracles to be had. I need to go find them.

Love y'all!

-Elder Hunt

Email from Sept 22

This week has been a good one.  I'm trying to think about what's been going on, but not much comes to my mind...oops.

Last Wednesday, we had a fun little adventure. At about 6 in the evening, I get a call from Sister Markham telling me that a sister had just gotten stung by a scorpion and needed to be taken to the hospital to be treated. So we ran home, got the car, got the sister, and headed into the capital to get to a hospital. I was with one of the Assistants, Elder Hanson, and we thought we knew what was going on. So we entered the capital at about 7, and headed to where we thought the hospital was. It wasn't there. So we thought it was in a different place, it wasn't there. We started asking everybody for directions and they had no idea what was going on. Some people pointing one way, some pointing the other. So, we got lost in the capital with a sister missionary in the back seat that had just been stung by a scorpion. We then thought of the good idea to pay a Taxi. We paid a Taxi and followed him to the hospital. We walk into the hospital at about 8:55. Only a three hour process! Then we found out that it was not a big deal at all. The scorpion wasn't poisonous or anything. But it was better safe than sorry! Then we had to find a farmacy to buy some medicine. We stopped by Wendy's on the way home because we were all hungry. We got the sisters back home at about 11 pm and we got back at like 11:15. But that didn't end the night quite yet. The doctor at the hospital told us to put the scorpion in the microwave (because we had caught it in a cup). He says it sounds like popcorn. So, Elder Hanson and I did it. It was super cool!

Wednesday night, Elder Hernandez and I were in the colonia El Caminero (Where I lived for 6 months at the beginning of my mission) teaching a super pilas family (the Camey Family). So we taught the importance of putting into practice what we teach and what they learn from reading the Book of Mormon. We ended the lesson at about 6:45. At 7, we have a Fellowshipping Fireside at the church. So we thought we could leave and get on time to the fireside. Then, out of nowhere, this family gave us dinner! Tamales with Morcaff with Rice with milk. It was all steaming hot. We tried eating it as fast as we could, but it was not fast. I was burning my mouth, but i didn't care. So we left that house at like 7:15. I told the other missionaries not to start until we got there and that we'd get there in 10 minutes. Why did I say 10 minutes?! So I hang up the fone and we just ran all the way to the church. Down hill, up hill, flat ground. You name it, we ran it. We got there at exactly 10 minutes after the fone call. But we were worn out! Just drenched it sweat and we couldn't even breathe. But the good thing is, we made it on time. And by the way, this family is preparing for baptism in the month of October. They are really excited for church on Sunday.

Yesterday, we went and played soccer with some members of the ward on a turf field.

I have a testimony of reactivation of church members. Why? That's where you find many baptisms. There are so many families that have been inactive for like 2-5 years. They have kids that have turned 9 in this time span, so that means baptisms for the missionaries. Home teaching is so important for that. If home teachers visit their less actives then report to us missionaries anybody from the family that aren't members, we can go with them. We're baptizing this Sunday by reactivating a family and baptizing their kids. We found another family this week that has a daughter than just turned 9. They seem really positive for returning to church and letting their child get baptized. Mom and Dad, and other fellow members of the church, go look for less active families to be able to help out the missionaries!

Love y'all!

--Elder Hunt