Hey Fam

Tue, Aug 17, 2010
Things are still good here in Old Harbour. I'm writing today because yesterday we had a meeting in Kingston. Elder Wilford Anderson came and spoke to us so all the missionaries on the island were there. He is in the area presidency over the Caribbean. It was pretty cool. I talked to him for a bit after the meeting and he was telling me how he knew Dad. Small world. Anyway, it was a good meeting and I learned a lot. Before the meeting though, a group of us went a Jamexican restaurant. It was good but it definitely wasn't Mexican food. Oh what I'd give for some good Mexican food!
Oh, speaking of food, add breadfruit, acki, and sweetsop to my list of fruits. Acki and saltfish is the "national dish." I wasn't a big fan at first, but its grown on me. Stewed pork is also a good one, as well as curried goat.

So, funny story about my machete (or cutlass as the Jamaicans say). We were chopping a yard for a sister in the branch a few days ago. It was a big yard with tall grass so I sharpened up my machete real nice. We chopped for a few hours and we were almost done when I over-swung and got my leg. It cut a hole right through my jeans and the top of my sock but luckily it stopped when it hit my shinbone. It's alright though. It's not as bad as it sounds and it hardly even hurt. We finished chopping went about our regular day. Luckily the sister we were chopping for wasn't home so I didn't have deal with anyone worrying over me.
So, fun fact of the day: There is this huge Jehovah's Witnesses Compound just down the street from our house. I guess it is their headquarters for the Caribbean. Needless to say, it makes things interesting.
We only caught 1 mouse this week - kind of disappointing. I'm not sure how many more there are.
Don't worry Karina. I'm not getting too fat. Elder Ronhaar and I get up at 6 so we can go running and workout. I don't know if you noticed from the pictures but he's a bit heavy so he's trying to slim down before he goes home in October. Next Monday is transfer day. I don't expect to move but if I email Tuesday you'll know why.
Our "golden" ivestigator, Melissa, who was a member referral and doing very well, started going to the Universal Church so that was a bit disappointing. Sister Follette (the long-time investigator who is quitting smoking) has been having some health problems and all kinds of things have come up as she is trying to prepare for baptism. Sister Kelly came to church and is doing really well except she is still living with a man. I guess they have been having some problems. Elder Ronhaar and I are now marriage counselors and are trying to get them to resolve their differences so they can get married and raise their kids as an intact family. (That is a very rare thing in Jamaica). Luckily it doesn't matter what the situations are or how much experience I have with dealing with them. We have the best answer and that is living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Well thanks for all the emails. I love you all.
Elder Kartchner