Music of Ecuador. Ha.

Hola,

I'd like to take a minute to talk a little more about the music here because I THINK there's some things I haven't talked about.

Elder Cuberos is a huge fan of music as well as a large number of the people here in South America.  No one really minds music, so, people like to set their 9000w speakers outside of their house and blast whatever the heck they want for the whole town to hear while they sit in their house.  I'm still trying to understand this...  I explained that if a person did this in the united states, the people next door would call the cops.  People also like to set their 9000w speakers on top of their cars for both playing music and for selling things out of their trunk.  No one has problems with this.  I've had thoughts once of twice about buying a big speaker system and blasting MoTab from the deck of our apartment.

Shakira is super popular down here, turns out that she's Colombian.  There's also another song down here... not sure if it has reached the United States or not but it's basically the latino Gangnam Style and it's just as bad.  It's called Caballito de Palo and people play it all the time.  I'd be surprised if Lindsay didn't hear it in Peru.

Along with Shakira, caballito de palo, and the typical Latin artists that play on the radio on the buses, other music from home is here too, usually only the pop, but sometimes there's surprises.  I like it best when someone blasts One Republic... Mi Canta!
Me and my companion have also been comparing Disney movie titles are the lyrics of the songs.  It's interesting sometimes and sometimes super funny!

Every Monday we've been playing fútbol at the church in Quvedo as a Zone.  It's super fun but most of the time I'm really really bad at it.  I've been told I'm progressing though, so that's good.  To world cup is cool, but what's super fun is when missionaries from The United States, Columbia, Handores, Peru, Chile, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador all team together and play fútbol!  Good times in the mornings on P-day.

I really don't have much to report, which isn't a bad thing.  Things are good here in the Buena Fe Mission-  or so I call it as I've had three different companions but only one area.  My health is good both emotionally and physically.
Happy Birthday to mom!

I love you all!

Cameron

09/15/2014 - Guinea Pig, Weddings and Baptisms!

Ok, I took lots of pictures of this week that passed so this is going to be another series of photo emails!

Here we go!

This week we got the opportunity to eat Cuy out of special Request.  the week before I mentioned that I've never eaten Cuy and that if I was given the chance I would.  The Hermanas for Amuerzo on Wednesday took that as a challenge. Cuy isn't commonly eaten here as most people think it is.  this is due to the reason that it's expensive and isn't a meat people LOVE to eat.

Cuy means Guinea pig.  

Yes, it was good-  

But it wasn't great.

Yes, there was a wedding this week :D ...

...The city registy center isn't the greatest place to hold a wedding but I don't think anyone cared...

...the testigos signed some paper work, and...

...We payed the the money (they are very grateful), They filled out some paper work... 

...The nice lady of the registry stood up and pronounced them husband and wife

Awe.

Their families and the people waiting in line to get their ID pictures sat in the congregation.

I Insisted that they let me take this picture.

They're happy with it.

....Afterwards we went to Gissela's mom's house for cake and cola

In other news.  One of the new Misionaras in the ward had a Birthday. Some of the Hermanas in the ward (who's restaurant we eat at on Thursdays) Threw a surprise for her. This picture and the expressions on their faces shows how awesome the members here are.

...And here's a fantastic photo of me reading the Liahona during Carlos' Baptismal interview. No, no I'm not constantly tired.

...Shortly after (2 Days) followed the baptism.  :D

And to finish: Here's on of the giant grasshoppers that live here.
This one was on the wire in front of our window yesterday morning.

Love you all! Have a good week!

Elder Howell

09/08/2014 "This is not a toy"

Hi.

I really don't really know what to say in this email...  The past week hasn't been SUPER eventful.... This week however should consist of a wedding and two baptisms if all goes to plan!  Plans however are a fickle...  BUT THIS WEEK I'M HOPEFUL!

I've been reading a lot about Alma, Amulek, Ammon, the other sons of Mosiah because they were basically the BEST MISSIONARIES EVER.  I've been thinking to myself: "How the heck did they do the things they did?" Every time I think about making someone have a personal earthquake or making the dog that tries to attack me drop dead from the spirit like that man that tried to kill Ammon did I immediately remember that I'm tired and my back hurts like nothing else.  Miracles sound exhausting...  I also seem to remember that all the pictures of Ammon and Nephi depict them as SUPER buff.  I've also read in 1 Nephi that physical strength can be a fruit of the spirit when needed.  Therefore, I'm gonna continue trying to perfect myself and work to have the spirit not only with me but as my faithful companion.  One thing about the spirit, however, is that it's like a dove.  In fact the holy ghost has been shown in the form of a dove on a couple different occasions.  Like a dove, the spirit can be scared away if you make a wrong move, whether it's a little wrong move or a big wrong move.
My goal is for me to not only have that dove stand beside me but to sit on my shoulder.

For now, however, my back really hurts...

Things here are all good! I'll tell you all about the baptism next week!

~Love, Cameron

Elder Cuberos and I bought new rulers last week because rulers are cool things to have.  We've made a point in playing with our rulers as much as possible:  Sword fights, random thrashing, music sessions,  etc... Just for the spite of it!

Butterflies with eyeballs on their wings exist in real life, not only in National Geographic! Tell your friends.

When people die here, their friends and family walk them down the central street to the cemetery, normally against traffic. Jolexu was super special to the people in Buena Fe: she was a 17 year old cancer fighter who had a bionic leg.  She was made the "Rayna de Buena Fe"

The Tricimotos of Buena Fe blocked traffic for the procession.