Derek:Captain’s Log week 54: Sak ap fet.

"Paske m te resevwa otorite nan men Jezikri, m Batize ou nan non papa a, ak Pitit Gason an, ak Sentespri a. Amen." (D and C 20:73)

 So this week was super great. We spent the whole week trying to finish lessons and do interviews for our baptisms. Then on Saturday we had 3 baptisms. They were of Jimmy, Esaia, and Eclesiastes. So all three are Haitian speakers who know a broad spectrum of Creol, English and Spanish. So it was really cool because on Saturday I got to do the baptism of all 3 of them. With some practice I learned and recited the baptisimal prayer in Creol, which was a really cool experience. These 3 guys are super cool because all day yesterday at church they were constantly just saying how happy they were to be a part of the church and are always talking about the spirit they feel when they are there. 

So as I write this we currently don't know our transfers, which is tomorrow. So in other words, I don't know if I’m leaving yet and if I am, I will have about half a day to say goodbye to all my members and investigators and pack as well.  So other than that, not much has happened this week.  So yeah.

 A pile of trash

A river of trash

Me looking like trask (JK I look great in this suit but you can’t tell because the mirror is dirty)

I'm doing great! But we have transfers tomorrow and they still haven’t told us if I’m leaving yet.

Yeah, I already gave a half goodbye to most the members.

We might celebrate Thanksgiving. It depends on my next area. I may do something with the missionaries.

Gotta go. Love you!

Dylan: Walls Can’t Hold Back the Work

 Good day my fellow comrades, 

Well I'll just get right into it. Every week I feel like they come up with some new restriction; this time it's a big one. 

-They are taking down MLS in Russia in 2 weeks, so we will have no way to keep all any documents saved or do tithing, etc. We also have to get these papers out to every member within those two weeks and they have to fill it all out, and if they don't do it and turn it in, then we have to take out their records... So you can imagine there are a lot of inactives and they do not want to sign all these documents, and even the more active ones it's a struggle. So we've been with the branch presidents trying to help them put everything on MLS before then. We just found out yesterday.

-Also apparently they are going to make it where you can't keep any records of Russians, so this means that even if the members go to Ukraine and then go on Family Search to fill in their temple work they won't be able to do it there or anywhere. So we will see more about that later, and how that will all go down. As in the words of one of a member in the district presidency here, "Satan really doesn't want the church to be here in Russia."

-On Monday we had to go through the branch again and take out all Liahonas older than 2 months and a ton of other materials and shred them, and make all the BOMs and put stickers on all other materials we have. It took all day, and it broke my heart when some members walked in and they were shocked  because they made it the volunteers’ responsibilities and not the members so they didn't understand why we were doing it and got all mad and so forth.

- I had my first full week with my trainee and I think he got the real experience of a Russian mission, because we went finding all day and it was FREEZING and we stacked up our schedule with potentials to meet with and all of them did a no-show! Besides this one guy last night whom I found as a random number on the phone, because our phone has tons of contacts from all the people we've found since we've been here and before, but no one ever picks up or meets with us. So I decided to clear out the phone this week and called and went through way over 200 people, and just got wrecked over the phone! It was so funny. However out of all those contacts I told my companion toward the end that this I had faith in this contact having no idea who she was and she actually picked up and then said that she would go to our service project at the church that night, and she actually came! And our only meeting this week was another guy who I just found on the phone who wanted to meet with us! 

-We went to church in one of the far branches, and for Sunday school the teacher was trying to teach about some crazy false doctrine about the creation. It was just his idea but he was teaching everyone as if it was doctrine. And then everyone started to argue and bible bash and it was getting real ugly; it is something else to see Russians going off in an argument. Well, we had them cut the lesson short. 

I know some of you think that that probably doesn't seem like a good week, but I feel that it was. I believe that even though all these problems and obstacles are coming for the Russian people that it only means that God has something big planned for them. I don't know how much longer they and we are going to have to wander in the wilderness and how much worse it will and could get, but I know that there are miracles coming, big ones, lots of them, and God is only testing these people and us and our faith. And that some day, hopefully sooner than later, His work and blessings will slam open! The worse it gets, the closer I feel it is. So we must do all that we can until then.

Elder VanBuskirk

Wow, how many missionaries do we have from our stake right now? I think from Volgograd to where we live it’s like 12 hours difference, so I think I’m the furthest!

What in the world? That new volleyball court is crazy!

Derek: Captain’s Log Week 53: Elder Christofferson

 So this week was pretty good.  First things first; on Saturday we had the opportunity to hear and meet Elder D. Todd Christofferson.  So that was super cool.  We got to ask him questions and we learned more about the Plan of Salvation and our part in that, as well as the role of our Savior in helping us in every part of our path towards salvation.

So on Friday we had a really cool experience with two of our investigators. They were two brothers who decided, a few weeks ago, to come to church one day with out being invited or anything. So we meet them there and planned a lesson with them. They are really good investigators but they are nearly impossible to get in contact with. Anyways, in our lesson with them we found out that one day they had a random impression that they should go into the church and just happed to sit down right next the missionaries. Coincidence? I think not. Anyways he said that as he was sitting there that some girl was talking and he doesn't remember what she said, but he turned to his brother and told him that he felt a burning in his chest. He came to the conclusion that that is what the Bible meant when it says that the Holy Ghost feels like a burning in his bosom. He told me that right then was when he and his brother knew that the Church was true. So he didn't know much about baptism, but when we brought it up he told us that he wanted to be baptized as soon as possible. So we wrote down a few dates such as this Saturday and the next to Saturdays and he and his brother said that the would like to be baptized this Saturday. And that was only there second lesson so we have to teach all four of the commandments and have an interview before this Saturday. Which is possible, but as I said they are very hard to contact.

Man I hope I explained that correctly.

We also have an investigator with a baptism date for this Saturday. His name is Jimmy.  He is Haitian and we have been teaching him in English because he doesn't know much Spanish. But what he does know is that the Book of Mormon is true and that this is the true church. So with that in mind he is willing to go to church every Sunday and not understand much if, it means that he can receive the blessings that his Father has in store for him. And because of racism in this country it will be impossible in the near future to have any kind of Creole speaking ward. But it's ok, because I too learned Spanish by sitting in the back of the Church really confused on Sundays.

We also had the opportunity to do exchanges with the MTC kids as well.

With Elder Ball after the MTC splits

I bought a flamingo shirt

Here it is normal to sale sinks on the side of the freeway

Dylan: Confidence in the Work

Ladies and Gentlemen

This week has been insane!!! I'll give you some highlights! 

-Went on some bus finding to random parts of he city and I was standing right in front of a guy that was sitting on a bench and I just felt the need to stand there. Then this guy looked at me and was like “I know you”, and apparently it was the same guy I met in a store like a week ago in totally another part of the city! 

-Went on a midnight train to Saratov 8 hrs. (you know, where that kidnap movie was) and went there for splits with the ZL's and picked my trainee from the smallest most ghetto airport and had the craziest ZC!

-On splits, we went finding and no one wanted to talk to us. I saw a guy across the street walking my direction and I felt I needed to talk to him, and it all happened so fast. I stopped him right when he was passing me, but I didn't have enough time to think of a question or why I was stopping him, and I seemed to forget any Russian I knew. But as I panickingly spoke gibberish his whole gang of 8 came around him all quick, and they didn't look like they were with him. Anyways, ZL Weenig saved the day and asked a question . They looked like a bunch of punks but they actually were really respectful and they wanted to walk with us, so we walked and talked for about 2 hours, and got all of their numbers. 

-Splits again. We are sitting at a food court waiting for a potential to come and this guy looks at us and ask why we are speaking Russian with each other if we weren't from Russia. We told him how we were church volunteers and had a 3 min convo. He then gets up, asks if we will be staying there a bit, and leaves. He comes back 20 min later and drops 3 Provaslavnic Charm necklaces with Mary and baby Jesus on it on our table and says “best of luck to you” and leaves. We were shocked. All he knew was that we were church volunteers and he bought us all together over $30 from the jewelry store!

-Zone conference was something else. Our zone right now is incredible; everyone here in diligent and obedient, and I feel blessed to be part of such a powerful group of volunteers.

-I had my interview with President on my year mark and he let me know the pressure of training Elder Grover. He said that he was the only elder who came in this transfer and we won't have any others coming in for a while. He said that we have a whole mission full of elders who could train, and that I wasn't the most convenient option to have me train, and he doesn't know why he wants me, but that  my named popped up in his head. I really felt the pressure then. But I'm excited. Elder Grover is going to do great things.

-We went on Elder Grover’s first finding grind and he stepped in the flooded street and a drunk guy followed us so you can say it was a success! 

-We rushed back to Volgograd and had a talent show! We did a skit where the volunteers got ready for the day, so we had our comps sit in a chair and we would sit behind them with our arms as their arms and we were blind folded. So you better guess that I shoved that whole banana down my comp’s throat and slapped that shaving cream on him. 

-Church was insanely good! In the Russian meeting, the branch President just had us have a special meeting on hymns and different people came up and talked about the favorite hymn and why, and then we would all sing the 1st verse. There was also a temple fireside and WOW! So they all went on a temple trip to Ukraine for the past 2 weeks. These people's faith is amazing they are the pioneers of Russia, I wish you could all hear their testimonies and the things they go through. They want this temple so bad, and if the rest Russia would want it as much as the leaders in Volgograd do, I have no doubt that the Lord would just drop a temple from the heavens this instant on Russia.

9 For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them.

10 But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.

I love this scripture! This really is a great and marvelous work we are doing! I feel the excitement of the work in my soul and it makes me want to work harder and just proclaim it to everyone! I find myself in a strange state: we have absolutely no investigators because we gave any we had to the sisters, and it is getting cold and dark, and I feel like any  person with the right state of mind would be discouraged at the current status, but I feel far from that. I feel so good and confident about the work, and feel that it is all in the Lord's hands and he has some great miracles coming our way! I feel like as it gets colder and the work gets harder it makes me want to rise up against it even more. It's crazy to me because I don't feel any confidence in myself, because I learned that I can't do any of this work by myself, that I am to weak. But I feel so good about it and confident and I know that it is confidence in the Lord because His wisdom is greater than all! I just love my mission, even though it's seems as though we are just wandering through the woods (the Russian woods), but I feel so strongly that the Lord has his hand in it, and we will see some marvelous works and wonders, and that makes me want to work so hard and gives me strength not of my own!

Elder VanBuskirk

This is your favorite son.  No way!  So he made varsity in wrestling!!  That’s awesome! He can learn a lot form Troy. Does Troy remember me? He’s going to do so good!  That’s a hard weight class!  I only weigh 165 right now.  I’m going to try to pack on that muscle through so I can wrestle Caleb when I get back!

It was supposed to be, but they are changing a transfer from 6 to 3 weeks so we can be on the same time with the other missions. so I don't know if I'll be later are earlier. I hope later!

That’s cool. Thanks mom. You are a sweetheart.  I love you so much. Less than a year and I’ll be home and you will have the whole family together!

Derek: Captain's log week 51: A Good Surprise

So this week was pretty goof. We started off by getting a surprise trip to the temple. For those of you who don’t know, the temple is a wonderful beautiful place where we can make sacred covenants with God and feel closer to Him. So obviously it was super great and was a really good surprise.  We got to do a session, then we had pizza and got to hang out with the other missionaries.

Other than that not much happened. We has a good week of preaching the gospel, thinking that our investigators where going to progress and then almost none of them went to church. But apparently they were all sick, soooo. I found Martin was just a little scared for the commitment of baptism, but we planned another baptism date for the next Saturday. We also had some lessons with some Haitians that we are teaching. The one that I have been teaching in English has a baptism date for next week too. And the other ones who just showed up to church out of the blue and took a pic with us are now also progressing as well. I also will be spending this week trying to get permission to baptize some kids that I have been teaching in my time here. Also our new convert of last week also baore his testimony yesterday, so that’s great.

The mission has also been preparing for the visit of the Apostle Elder D. Todd Christofferson this Saturday, so I’m excited for that.

Dylan: Trio Life

 YELLLOWWW! It's been a week, I've been in a trio with the other Elder but my trainee should come this week, and I'll pick him up at Zone Conference in Saratov! I'll just hit the points because I know you only look at the pics and I can't download pics here.

-Sisters came in this week (from Germany and New Zealand) so they are young on the mission and whitewashing and ready to kill it! 

- We moved all their stuff that we stored in our apartment from the old sisters’ apartment to their new one, and we would carry loads over to their place all day. But the first load I was carrying a bag of church videos and books and these cops and military officers were sitting on a bench and right as I passed them, the bag broke and all these DVDs and books with Christ and temples and so fourth spilled all over the road! The cops didn't seem to notice much, which was a miracle because it was right in front of them. It was sooo funny. 

-We met the coolest 2 guys from Syria and they were just the nicest people I've met, and when they asked if we knew anything about Syria the only thing that could pop in my head was that America just bombed them up and because of that we had to stay in our apartments all day, but I managed to go with out telling them that. I feel like I've met someone from almost every country from the middle east so far, and they have all been the nicest people. 

- We cleaned the branch because we got there late and realized no one cleaned it yet. Then as we are finishing this guy and his wife come, and are first mad that we cleaned for them. But I have never seen them in my life! They must be way inactive members who don't want us to know about them because I kept asking for the guy’s name, but he would change the conversation and wouldn't give it to me, probably so we won't track them down. 

-We went over an hour to a branch and they had 4 members there, it was a great meeting though, I really love these people; their faith is so humbling. It's crazy how much they are pumping up the temple in Russia! They want it so badly, and the leaders are doing all they can, but there are so many less actives who aren't pulling the weight.

-I meet this guy on the street and he sang for me in English "I'm a dwarf and I'm digging a hole" song. Also we met the nicest guy on the bus that I swear I've seen him before. Crazy how the Lord puts you in the right place right time.

-We went on a find grind with an Elder who was here for the day (he's German and just finished training). It was way fun, and got him on that finding high! 

Well I can't believe my year mark is on Thursday. This will be a crazy week!

Much Love,

 Elder VanBuskirk

Hi mom.  I love your roast. My comp thought that last one was funny. 

Derek: Captain’s Log Week 50: Clase de Inglés

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6)

So first off, I am exactly 1 year and one day from being home. So that’s pretty exciting. But in the meantime, I have a lot of work to do.

So this week was good. On Thursday we had an English class. So as you all well know, I'm fluent in English, but I have no clue how to teach it. So I started by just teaching the basics, but it was really boring. But then one of my friends came in. His name is Ivan and he is not a member or an investigator, just one of those friends. Any ways he is also an English teacher here, so he came in and just completely took over, which was so amazing. He definitely embarrassed me, but within seconds everyone was smiling and laughing and learning English. It was great. So to thank him afterwards we went across the street and I bought him a burrito. And honestly the hardest part about the class was that nobody there knew Spanish. They were all Haitians. So it was super hard to communicate. And it was kind of funny because afterwards they all come up to us and nobody said thank you. They where just asking if we could make it longer and 2 or 3 times a week. And I said no, because we have an actual purpose here and teaching English is just a way to serve. But this guy kept saying, “no, we'll take about it later.” Like, I already said no, and you didn't say thank you. 

So yesterday this random Haitian dude just came into church and started talking to me in almost perfect English. I am not really sure why this guy decided to show up yet, but he is super cool. After the first hour of the church he went all the way to his house and back to get his phone so we can take a picture in front of the church sign together. And this is the second time this has happened. So now I’m teaching 2 different Haitian dudes in English and they can barely understand what is going on in church, but I’m sure they feel a definite spirit there, and are willing to go through that to be a part of the church. And plus, I learned Spanish sitting in a church not knowing what was going on, so I know that they will be able to too.

There was also this dude last week in the street who pulled me over and asked to see my Bible. So I took it out and handed it to him (just so you know most missionaries here don't carry a bible with them, but I found that it’s handy). He was like, “wow this bible is super thick”. And I said, "yeah but this book is a lot smaller" as I showed him my Book of Mormon. (I just had to plug that in there) Then he started talking about Armagedden with China, Russua, and the USA, and the book of Revelations and I was like, “oh, not one of these guys”. And my comp was just standing there trying to ignore the guy. But I decided to put one more plug in there about the authority of God. And now he is progressing and has read the phamplet I left him. So that’s cool.

Also we had 2 baptisms planned for this weekend, but we thought they where going to fall though because one of them didn't have his answer yet. But, we sat him down on Saturday and went over the baptism interview questions with him and he knew everything. He even said that he believes Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God. And when I asked how he knew that, he said that it was because of how he felt when he was reading the scriptures and at the Church. And I told him that that was his answer and that that was how I also received mine; not through just one moment of feeling the Holy Ghost, but as it slowly testified to me throughout my life and I never really noticed until I started looking back. So now both feel ready and if everything goes well we will be having two baptisms this Saturday.

Well that’s pretty much it. Love you all. 

Me being a Pana (Guatamalan for boss)

English class

Cool Haitian dude

Switerland

I’m on mom. More voice messages are being downloaded and one of them is my explaining my day in Spanish. Oh, and Elder Christoffeson will be here in a few weeks.

That’s super cool about Josh going to Mexico. Its about time he learns Spanish, haha. McKee just sent me an email saying that Josh, Winder, and I will be able to talk together and he and Reed and Dylan will have no idea what we are saying. Yep. Haha

Hey, I gotta go.  Love you a lot.

Dylan: Service!

HEY! Thank you family for the package. I love it and love you! 

16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
I have been really digging deep in service this week (physically and in the scriptures) to understand how we can do more from the new approach and to prepare for a talk for sacrament meeting. I love the words of Mosiah. He really figured it out, that sincere service out of love is how we can feel God's love for his children and us. After much thought and prayer on the matter, his words became even more obvious; that when we serve others we humble ourselves, if our hearts are in the right place when we serve. And we get the opportunity to forget ourselves and to really grow a love for the other person and for God, to really take into account how we are nothing and God really does give us everything. And when we serve others and humble ourselves we gain wisdom, because we are able to look outside of ourselves to look through the eyes of others and the bigger picture, and we are able to make wise and proper decisions. Through true Humility comes great Wisdom.

We had the most tenacious service project this past week. We served the branch president by shoveling concrete into the walls of the base of his home. Except they didn't have tons of tools so they just poured the concrete mixture into the home from the truck, except it was a wrong mixture so it filled the whole house and was almost knee high, so we went to work and started shoveling it into the walls. It was CRAZY, but so much fun! With every shovel it became harder and harder to shovel the concrete into the walls. After more than 2 hours we some how got it all in, even though by the end we were practically picking at it. It was something else I can't really describe, but President was very grateful, as he has been very busy because his wife just had a baby and is in the hospital. I love service, and I know that as we serve others we serve our God.

 After I realized my hands and feet were burning and realized that all the skin on my hand and feet had rubbed of and were bleeding, because they were really dry before, and the shoveling didn't help. Elder Hays had is huge first aid kit on him like a true eagle scout and scrubbed my hands as if he was peeling potatoes so it wouldn't get infected, but geeeeez, I'm sure he got some much needed anger out on me with that. 

After being in some serious pain the next couple days, and not being able to walk too well or use my hands, I went though the huge list of "potentials" that we had received their numbers since I've been here, and at least 10 of them when I said, " Hey this is Van, the American guy you met, how are you?" They hung up so fast, and then continued to block my number, which is surprising because they were all very cool when we met and were very interested in doing something, but they probably all went online or talked to their friends and found out that we are an "American cult that wants to steal all there money and make them worship the devil with us". It's just crazy because we don't even talk to them about church and they still act as if we are the plague. So I was feeling down and feeling bad about myself, and realized that since I've been on the mish I've only see a few people come close and at the last second they become against and block us and want nothing to do with us. And I feel like I work hard all day and everyday and give an honest sacrifice but it always comes down. But I know I need to keep trying to convince myself that we are doing a great work here and nothing goes in vain, I know that this is the greatest work there is and I was able to pump myself back up again. We went on a surprise last-second to the District President’s house last night to drop of a gift for all they do and seeing their amazing family always brings me hope and joy. I know that the Lord has some souls in this land who are in need of the Gospel, and I will do all that I can to try to humble myself and work hard so we can find that soul who is ready. 

-Ст. ВанБускирк

Hey Mom, I love you so much! I hope you are having fun at NY. There are many Russians I meet who want to go there. Thank you so much for the package! I love it. I didn't get to look at all the letters because I haven't had much time, but thank you! The book is really funny. I like the captions, and the pictures bring back great memories. I am so grateful for all that you and Dad have given me for all the opportunities and love that you freely give. Thank you for letting me have the best childhood I could! I am so grateful for all the sacrifices that you and Dad do for us, and I don't even know half of them I'm sure.

We have game nights every Friday and I was wondering if you had any fun games like interactive one that we could play, that everyone can do. I want to spice them up a bit so people will want to come and come again, but I feel like it is the same thing evey week. I just love your ideas. Also we want to plan an activity for the YSAs and the English Group; any ideas? 

I love you and Dad so much! 

Thanks Mom!  Well, I think we will start an English night! Thanks, and if you can come up with anything else.  I love you.

Derek: Captain’s Log week 49: Campanero Nuevo

So this week I have received a new companion. I didn’t hear a lot of good things about him before, but contrary to popular belief, he does shower, so I really can’t complain too much.  It’s just weird because he knows fluent Spanish but literally doesn’t do any of the talking or teaching, no even his testimony.  So  guess I’m going to get a lot of Spanish practiced between talking with him in the house and doing all the teaching.  And he has 20 months, and lets just day that the branch president has already complained about him to the mission president and my zone leaders.  But, obviously, we still get along because he is still a good person.

Anyway, enough about that. On Tuesday we did transfers, and I was told then that I would be district leader. I was like “ok sweet. cool.” Then that night I got a text that for now we didn't have a district leader and that we would have to call the zone leaders. All right, whatever. Then 2 days later we have a district meeting ran by the zone leader. Then a few hours later I got a call and a group text to the whole district saying that I would be district leader. So we get home that night a little bit early so I can be there when everyone calls me to let me know they where home, I was going to ask about themselves and their investigators and be the best district leader ever. But, then I got a group text after 9 saying that there has been changes and we need to call the zone leaders, I call them, and they tell me that I am no longer district leader, and that they were just as confused as I was. So I think I got some kind of record to be called and released as district leader twice in a period of 3 days. And now the zone leaders are also the district leader, which is obviously a little insulting because it means that they don't think anyone in my district should be district leader right now.  But whatever, I’m over it. 

Also both of our baptisms planned for this Saturday backed out. One was because he didn't go to church and the other because he still hasn't received his answer; even though he has been reading and praying and we have fasted for him. But everything will all happen it the Lord’s timing, I’m sure of it. 

We have been teaching this guy in English this week because he knows Creol and English and French, but not Spanish. So it’s funny because we are talking in English, his Book of Mormon is in Creol, his pamphlets are in French, and my comp prays in Spanish. It would just be a lot easier if we had help from the members to translate, but they all seem to be busy. 

We have also been planning to teach an English class on Thursdays and apparently a lot of people will be there. And I have no idea what I’m doing. 

I also participated in a zumba thing here at the church, which was kinda fun. My comp and the seminary kids laughed at me, but when I baptize the zumba instructor, then we'll see who will be laughing.

I tried making homemade butterfingers, but thanks to my 3rd world freezer and my 3rd world chocolate, that didn’t work. 

I also asked this guy to pray to know if he should get baptized in the church on a contact, so...

So yeah we have been working really hard this week, and I know that right now its hard, but in no time I'll be reaping the seeds that I’m sowing.