Calgary skyline

Calgary skyline

Monday, April 29, 2013

The Dirty East


April 29, 2013


Hey Family!

How has Idaho been treating all of you? I hope that you have been doing okay without the best dish-doer of the family not there. ;) The house must get pretty messy, I don't even want to think of the kitchen! ;)
So, I made it! I am now in a different country. Crazy to me that I am in my mission field. I've been dreaming of this moment since I was a young buck (still am) I can't believe that it is here! I have really enjoyed it so far.
We got in around 1:30ish, and took awhile to get through customs. It was a little nerve racking to tell this visa officer why I was here, and why I needed a visa. They weren't very friendly... But, I got through okay. :) We got our luggage, and was greeted by Pres. Nicholas and Sis. Nicholas. They are so nice! I was very surprised how nice and helpful they were. I already have a love for them. They have only been mission presidents for like 8 months. So, I will have the pleasure to have him as my president my whole mission. They will be going home in July, 2015, right after me.
We loaded up into 2 fifteen passenger vans, and headed towards a nearby church building. It was great to get to see the city of Calgary. Ha, it was snowing pretty hard to boot. It was Canada's way of saying: "WELCOME!" We went through an orientation, then ate dinner. After dinner, we gathered in the chapel to find out where our first area will be. This was a lot of excitement. Guess who is my trainer?! Elder Bickmore!!! The one I was telling you all about. His step dad is the one who worked at Policy Tech. Small world, eh?
My first area is in Calgary. The east zone, that is. It’s nickname is "The Dirty East". There are a lot of different people here let’s just say. Not to mention, lots of poverty. I have been humbled already by the goodness of the members and their willingness to serve anyone! Although, they don't have much either. It is a pretty rough town too. I have been yelled at, cussed at, and things thrown at me already. Not fun... This place is kinda like Duluth, and maybe Lorca too. It is a hard place, but I love it! :)
We are working a lot with less-active's. There are 438 members in the ward that we serve in, but only 110 are active. Sunday was a very interesting experience, I'll have to tell you guys when we get to skype later. Anyway, E. Bickmore and I have been going around to every neighborhood lately, and contacting these less-actives. I gotta tell ya, no one is interested in anything we have to say! Really frustrating, but, as Dad would say, "It's good for you!";) You have to have a hard shell while serving in the Dirty East, or you'll collapse. People really don't like us here very much. But hey, gotta still love them. :)
We have 2 investigators right now, one is Anthony, and the other is named Kristine. Anthony is from Jamaica, and so cool! I love him so much. He's like a bro to me. ;) Kristine is from Canada, and is very sincere and sweet. She doesn't want to go to church, though... We will have to work on that. ;)
Well, keep praying for me as I am in my first area. I need all the prayers I can get. I love you all so much and miss everyone. Especially Mom. :) Have a great week in Idaho, and don't forget to write!
Love,
Elder Browning II ;)



That's the view outside our appartment, coolest thing ever!


1 comment:

  1. Yippee! It is so wonderful to read these words and feel the growth that is taking place in Elder Browning. This area sounds a wee bit difficult, but what a way to start out! He will learn to work hard without much reward and it will train him to work hard and love hard for the whole two years.

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