December 1, 2014 Letter

Ok so I am going to write what has happened before I read letters,  because it is super hard for me to focus on what has happened out here after reading about home.  So to start off, we didn't have the baptisms this week but hopefully they will happen  next week.  And health wise I will be honest, sometimes I miss how everything passed in America.  Basically I have never had the number 2 like this in my life… 

Another thing that happened this week is that we went to the waterfalls today with a bunch of members and investigators and I believe I sent about 2 of the pictures.  On the way back one of the members couldn't make it and started vomiting, then she laid down to sleep.  It was about a 9 mile hike, 4 and a half up and 4 and a half back and so that was a bit crazy,  It made the way coming down about 4 hours.  Then she couldn't keep going and was super sick so we called an ambulance,  which  never came.  And so, long story short, we ended up finding a medical board at the bottom and carrying her down to the bottom which was a bit of a lot of crazy.  Then we had this other super ghetto ambulance type thing come, and it died when it got here... So longer story short, be grateful for a reliable service forcé in United States.  Oh and I am so hungry, haha I still haven't had lunch which is the biggest meal of the day and it’s about 6:45 pm, because we had to do other stuff for the work earlier.  Can't wait to eat!  

So I am not sure if I sent this or not before,  so I am going to today.   I am going to recall my reactions to the field, because I don't think I did it justice before...  So I got here on the bus that I was on for 10 ish hours. I waited for my comp to come and to meet him.  We went in a taxi.  We hardly spoke because my Spanish was worse than it is now, which is a bit hard to believe sometimes, but I know I have improved a ton.  At this time, it was about 5:30 in the morning so that was fun too.  Then I realized that we were in Colombia, and realized how Colombians drive. They don't really use the white lines.  Anyway we got to the apartment, and I had until 8 to unpack and do all the stuff I needed to do. When I got here to the apartment, the bathroom was nasty!!!!  Then we had study which was good.  Then we went to all of the people's houses and there I learned that I am a bit out of place here.  Especially with the fact that everybody loved the last missionary.  This was pretty difficult to me.  

Anyway I just felt super out of place and awkward,  as you can see in the picture with the others at the baptism,  I definitely stand out.  But everything is good here!!!   Oh and the hot wáter doesn't exist here. Haha, but does  in other áreas where it is colder.  Yeah but oh well, I have gotten more used to it!!

 Nobody celebrated Thanksgiving here.  And as for the other Americans, other than the other missionaries, I have seen only 1 other gringo, and he said some very choice words to me for being Mormon.  But that just makes me glad that I can't understand the bad words that the natives say to me here!! HAHAHA 

 I have missed my steady diet of pizza here!!!! As I said above, my stomach almost can't handle all of the weird stuff here.  As for  music, my comp shared some with me so it really isn't really a big deal.  It is super expensive to ship stuff down there so don't do it!!  Even for the letter I sent home,  it was about 10 bucks!!! CRAZY!!  So yeah if you really want to send it, do it over email because it isn't worth the money to buy a flash drive and to send it.  But thanks!!!!!

 And the packages have not come yet.  If they don't arrive soon then I probably won't get them till after Christmas,  in January. 

 Anyway, one thing I wanted to share with you, is to go on YouTube to the homescreen on December 7th and take a picture or even better a screenshot, because The Church has bought the homepage  for that day for #ShareTheGift.  And as well, they have purchased one of the screens in New York City.  Also,  the Prophet has authorized that every missionary share the video.  So, if you see that on fb, thats why.  Anyway share it up!!

 I love you all and am soooooo grateful!!!

 Elder Hilton

p.s. Oh and one more thing, be grateful for walmart and how you can buy everything in one place!!!