many unrelated events that all happened in one week

Dear Family,

I've decided that Monday is not the best day to report on the previous week. Most of my reflecting on the past week happens on Sunday night, followed by a determined resolution to do better the following week. Last week becomes the past, and my focus is on making today better. Like Pumbaa said, "You've gotta put your behind in your past!"

On Tuesday, we had interviews with President Mora. My interview was brief, but since there are 22 missionaries in our zone, the meeting was a long one. I got to enjoy some conversation with Elder Burrup again, which revived the lightheartedness (not lightmindedness, mind you) and renewed our zeal for the work. During a short recess, I played the piano and sang the song whose lyrics I wrote for you last week. I received some helpful criticism from my companions, which is helping the song come along.

I've been assigned to organize a musical number for an upcoming zone conference with Elder Gavarret, the Second Counselor in our Area Presidency. On Wednesday, we had a quick rehearsal with our little choir. The said zone conference was planned to take place on Thursday, so I was quite stressed, since they told me last Sunday night that I had to organize this, leaving me with 4 days to do it. I prayed for more time to put it together, and on Tuesday we got the notice that Elder Gavarret couldn't come for another 3 weeks. It was kinda sad for everyone but me.

I only have a few minutes left, so I just want to talk about a few people that we're teaching. Last Sunday, the Bishop in our ward took us to the family of a man he works with. Guillermo and Vita are the parents, with Guillermo (19), Sheila (17), Elvis (15) and Jean Cristian (13), their children. Guillermo (dad) was the national boxing champion, Sheila is one belt shy of black in karate, and Guillermo (son) is a policeman. Elvis is also doing karate, but he isn't as far along as Sheila. They all have different questions and opinions about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. Yesterday, we spent a long while helping them understand the difference between the Bible and the Book of Mormon. After a long lesson, my companion asked to use their bathroom, and in the meantime we were nearly eaten alive by their Rot Weiler-something-else-mix (named Colita) that, fortunately, was chained to the wall. That was an adventure.

Jean Claude (14) was baptized this week. His dad is a member, and now only his mother is waiting to be baptized. They need to formalize their marriage first, but that shouldn't take too long. Jean Claude started attending seminary, and he's reading the Book of Mormon more faithfully than most. I loaned my baptismal pants so that the Second Counselor in the Bishopric could perform the baptism. They allowed me the privilege to do the confirmation. Jean Claude is from Iquitos, up north-east in the jungle. Apparently there are as many monkeys in the streets there as there are dogs around here. I'm going to attach the picture now, because time's up.

Thanks for writing to me and letting me know how things are going.

Love,
Elder Withers