It was requested that we go to the binnenland (inland country) before the end of the transfer. 90% of the country of Suriname is uninhabited Tropical Rainforest. We went to a part of the inhabited rainforest this morning. Elder Guinn and I spent some time making plans and phone calls this week and got permission to go to the interior and we did, at about 6:30 this morning. We drove out there with the bus, I was driving, and the Jansens in the truck and a member guide. We took off for what we thought would be a great day. We planned to go up there, do a hike to a waterfall, eat some lunch and then come back and be home around two. Notice it is now 5.
About 20 Kilometers before you reach the parking place, you begin on a dirt road. Dirt roads in the Amazon are awesome, massive massive puddles of water. The issue is that this water got into our engine, and about half way in the car stopped in a big puddle, not so deep that we couldn't get out, but it was stopped. Everyone started flipping out, and wondering what we were going to do. Our guide, who is Broeder Holman, (whose name when spoken sounds similar to my name and I kept getting confused), took out the filter, and sprayed some aerosal bug spray into the engine and got the car running again. So, we continued deeper into the jungle. Then we got to this big big hill, with big ruts and a very steep decline on the left side. As we drove, the bus lost traction and slid into the rut and we got stuck. (I'm sorry that this story isn't written in a way that is fun to read, but I'm trying to type quickly.) Now some of the Elders were getting somewhat uncomfortable. I was loving the whole thing. Just giggling about the entire experience, being in the middle of the jungle with one local and a bunch of white people. It was decided that we'd ditch the bus after getting it unstuck, and walk the rest of the way to the parking lot. I took a picture of a monkey, but have no way to send pictures. It was a nice walk, and at the parking lot they had these crazy birds that I don't think can fly. They are black, about as big as a chicken, and have this helmet of grey feathers. They also have some green and purple on their neck (think male mallard). They make noises like the sound effects on the Donkey Kong game for Super Nintendo. By the time we got to the place, we had time to eat lunch, hike back, and go home. We didn't really have time, because we were way late, but we did it anyway. There was a nice lookout at the parking lot though, that was cool.
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| Photos stolen by VaLene without permission from Sis. Jansen's Facebook |
The whole experience really proved the point that sometimes what you planned simply doesn't happen. But if you go about yourself enjoying it, it ends up being way more fun that what you had expected. But I still got scared because president Gamiette told us specifically to be home before 2, but we didn't even go home yet and it's 5:40. What a great adventure. We have to personally fund the fuel and stuff (we have to buy the car a new filter I think).
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| Must be the monkey Xander spoke of |
President Gamiette tried to teach me this principle, and I've been experiencing it ever since. This principle I will explain right now:
There are two factors, circumstance, and faith. Circumstance can come in many forms; i.e., you were placed in a bad branch or area, you don't like your companion, the members aren't helpful, your plans fell through, you can't reach your daily goals, etc. Now, circumstance like this is unavoidable, nothing will work out perfectly. The choice we have is how we react. If I get to my 5pm appointment and it falls through, and the member who was going to come bailed and everything falls to pieces, this is a bad circumstance. This is where faith can come in. My desires, my thoughts, and my actions if mixed together becomes my faith. If I desire to still have a good day, I'll think about what I can do to create it, and then I'll perform in a way that brings a good day. If my desires are to chill, or simply do mediocre missionary work, or anything like that, I'll think about those things and act accordingly. Abraham 3:23. God made us his rulers. If I choose to rule the situation, I become this ruler, this creator. If I choose to let the situation rule me, I'm wasting God's time. I have loved experimenting with this principle all week.
Marina is going to be baptized on the 6th of August. I don't know how she'll get free from her chinese boss, but we'll figure something out. I'm so glad to be seeing her progress. Zuma taught the best Law of Chastity lesson ever on Sunday. It's not quite as monumental as what happened with you home boys on Sunday, but I enjoyed it. We also had Brother Chin give one of the best talks I've ever heard, he spoke about work. How it is a principle of the Gospel. He's been a member longer than anyone in the branch, he's also been less active for longer than anyone else has been a member. He was ordained to be a priest last week, and is doing well.
I'm doing very well, I'm busy but good. I love you all a ton. Thanks for the Birthday whatups.
-Elder Hulme
my hands hurt from typing
That principle his president is something I've been thinking lots about lately. I think he put it in a very good way. Oh, and your caption under the first picture made me laugh.
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