Little House on the Prairie

Well, we had exchanges today, so I've been chilling with my broda Elder Huhtala for Preparation day. We'll be doing our exchange tomorrow.

Needless to say... I was pretty distracted and am just starting this now... Oops.

Anywho, shall we begin?

Last week, the week that I did not write an email, we had a meeting with the, priorly known as, Sister Campbell. She was our MTC teacher. It was the first time since I've really gotten the chance to speak to her since I returned as a missionary, and it was such a special opportunity. I still have a long way to go, but she was impressed with the progress I've made in my Greek. I think she and I both know I really struggled with the language in the MTC. I still struggle now. But I've just been trying hard, expecially in the latter half of my mission. I'm proud of how far I've come from where I started, but I can still see my goal. I'm going to fight for it. But meeting with Sister Campbell was super motivating.

On the same streak of things, Elder Bonney and I took our tech computer to get repaired, and we had a conversation in English with the technician. We left the computer there for the service, and they called us the next day.

Me, assuming it was a referral, open with a good ol', "γειά σας!"

They man goes, in Greek, "Oh you speak Greek?"

"Well we study it and but yeah."

"Is English or Greek better?"

"Both work."

And so we just spoke in Greek, and when we got to the shop to pick up the laptop, he asked who he was speaking with on the phone. He was shocked that we had been taking this effort to learn the language and couldn't believe at the point that we were at by the phone call. It was a nice affirmation that these efforts haven't been to waste.

But I share this, but I have to explain, I have so much further to go. I have not included the countless humbling moments where I walk out of a situation saying, "why in the world did I just say it like that?" or "Gosh! What is that WORD!?" But I've decided to not focus so much on those situations, since those have not been what has pushed me forward to learn. As I said to Sister Campbell, "My Greek is still horrible, but I'm progressing!" And we laughed.

But that's enough on that. I'm counting the minutes now before I gotta head to bed, so I gotta rush!

Elder Bonney got in contact with a member family living about 30 minutes outside of Nicosia. They are originally from Sri Lanka, but have moved here for work. Needless to say, their situation has not been easy. They work on a farm together as a couple, and are currently working so hard to come to church. So Elder Bonney organized a time for us to go visit them. I am so thankful he did.

We went out with the Lambs, the senior missionaries here, and ventured into the middle of nowhere in Cyprus.

We pull up to a small village and I mistakenly thought that was where the members lived.

"There he is!" Elder Bonney said as we came around a turn and saw a man leaning against a truck. We pull to the side, and that's when we realized that he was there to lead us to where his wife was.

So we hop back into the car and we follow his truck further into the farmlands of Cyprus. Which are, undoubtedly beautiful, I might add.

After about 15 minutes of driving on dirt roads, we pull up to the farm, and see a small freight container that has been converted into a small home.

I wish you could see the joy on their faces as we walked up to the door of their home. The joy that makes any trip worth it.

We cram into the small home, and... We'll talk. We talk about their contributions to the church in their home country, the sacrifice they made to be able to go into the Hong Kong Temple in 2013, which is the only opportunity they've had so far. They joined the church in 2006, and they have a son on a mission.

"You went to the temple?" Elder Lamb asked.

"Yes President, I have my temple recommend." He reaches into his pocket, takes out his wallet, and slides a well kept, and current, temple recommend. "We renewed ours before we left home."

Now, without a doubt, they knew there wasn't a temple here in Cyprus. Nor do they have the opportunity to leave the island as they work here.

I think we have some notes to take from this couple alone, without their children, and without a temple, to keep our temple recommends current. Because if is important to them to keep theirs current in this time, it must mean there is more to it than just physically being able to enter the temple. It's being always ready to enter God's presence.

I couldn't help but feel the emotions swell as we pulled way from that house and them waving goodbye. Oh how small it was. It could barely contain the spirit they brought to it.

**We totally didn't loose our way back and drove through a literal field...**

The spirit we have felt as we've taught those that are getting ready for baptism has been particularly special as well. Currently, we have 5 people we are getting ready for baptism, and each are such special people.

What they are willing to sacrifice to follow Jesus Christ is a testimony to me of his power.

No one could drop their old habits that fast. There is no way. And yet, I have watched it before my eyes.

"You're going to do the impossible through Christ," is a common phrase we say as we teach our friend Joel. What a blessing it has been to see the gospel exercised. I am honored to see it. It has changed me.

Well, I've got to get some rest, I'll need it for how much biking we do! We could average 10 to 15 kms a day, on a given day. It's been a huge blessing to have them, but man; I get tired. But every time we go out, it has been worth it.

The temperature has been getting hot though, we find ourselves biking in 103° F weather on the regular now. Let's just say, most meetings happen in the evening-- especially now. People just don't feel like meeting in this scorching heat.

Anyways, I should get to bed lol.

I hope y'all are doing well. Love y'all more than you might realize. Thank you for everything.

Elder Dylan Hansen

PS: Oh yeah we had some crazy adventures at the border and helping the sisters get ready for their baptism(which they did a great job on by the way) but you'll have to stay tuned for next week, I don't get time to write about that this time.
See ya!