Another Transfer Down!

Hola Family,

How is everything going? Well things are going quite... interesting here in trinidad... So this week, they actually decided to move transfers up a couple of days because of some things that are going on in Guyana, so on tuesday we got our transfer calls! Well, I am staying in Siparia again, but I am with an Elder named Elder Bracken. He is on his 3rd transfer, and is quite an interesting fellow. He is like 26 years old, and doesnt really like being told what to do by a 19 year old. It has been difficult, but I am sure it will get better. I also got called to be the district leader, but that is a small thing. Well this week was pretty good. Right now, we are still working with alot of the same people, but this week we were not able to see mary at all. She was working all week, so that was a little bit disappointing. We were also able to find some pretty awesome people too. Last week, we tracted into a lady named Kizzy. She had never met with missionaries before, but had seen them around. We shared about the book of mormon with them, and it went really well. When we went back this week, we shared the restoration with her and her 2 kids. They are really cool, and I am really excited about them. So this week, on Thursday, we had a District meeting at the mission home, and had the opportunity to learn from President Gamiette and his Assistants. It was amazing! We learned alot about Faith and Repentance, and how that is really what we need to be teaching with everyone that we teach, whether it is less active members, active members, or investigators. It was an awesome meeting, and the spirit was so strong there, and it has really helped me to look at the way that I am teaching. When we really look at it though, everything that we teach and even believe, leads back to faith and repentance. As a mission, we have set a goal for 99+1 baptisms in December. To be honest it is going to be alot of work, especially because in the west indies, December is usually the slowest month of the year when it comest to baptisms. From what I have heard, people just run for their rum, instead of wanting to hear about the gospel. I do know that the goal that we have set is reachable though, and I am excited to see miracles happen over the next coming weeks to make it happen. On Friday, Elder Rodney and I went on a trade off with the Assistants. It was a really good day, and we were really able to learn alot. On Saturday, Elder Bracken came to siparia, and then on Saturday night, we had our branch christmas party. It was great, and I am really beginning to love the members here in Siparia! The party was really good, and after the little program, they fed us a delicious dinner. We had a really good turn out, but I think alot of the members decided that they were going to come to the christmas party on saturday night instead of church on Sunday morning, because at church, we only had about half of the people that we had there the night before! Sometimes I just dont know what to do with these people! Well thats about all that happened here in Trinidad this week. It sounds like you guys had a great week at home. Mom, I cannot believe you got an Iphone also! It seems like you guys are just getting younger, not older! Hahaha I am glad to hear that you had a wonderful birthday though. It sounds like you really got spoiled. Oh I almost forgot! This week, I got a boil, in a very bad place! It was horrible, lets just say that I have not been able to sit down comfortably for a couple of days now, it is starting to get better now though. Well, I hope you guys had a wonderful thanksgiving, because while you were eating turkey, I was eating burger king! I better get going though, I love you all and I am so greatful for all the love and support that you show towards me!

Love you tons,

Elder Gines

Pictures of our Christmas Party, Elder Rodney and me, and My tie burning ceremony.