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Zuster Mergenthaler in the Jungle

General letter:

Ok, before I do anything, I'm attaching all the pictures and videos I've taken these past few weeks. Above is the video of the spider the size of my face. We named it Fernando the 2nd.
Some things that happened this week....

-Our neighbor really likes to listen to this weird music that's a blend of Hindu, techno, and latin. It's actually the best. We're so close to him that when he plays it, you can hear it all over our house. It's loudest in the bathroom, so sometimes I just relish my time in there and dance my heart out. 

-The elders called us and asked us what "soda" they should use to make banana bread...they were debating between Root Beer and Sprite....I told them soda actually means baking soda. I feel so blessed to tell people truths they've never heard before!  Also, if you don't have baking soda, apparently Sprite works ok? Debatable...

-Zuster Woolsey broke our light doing a burpee. She's a violent exerciser.

-Our investigator Richard and a new convert (also my favorite person in Suriname) Justin have become best friends. Justin took Richard to church on Sunday! I loved watching those two goofy old men sit together and sing the hymns with their whole heart. It made my heart burst. 

-In Book of Mormon Study Class, a class we have with the members every Thursday, I learned it's ok to lie sometimes...all the missionaries were debating whether we should say something or not. Just to make it clear, we shouldn't lie. Not really in line with Heavenly Father's commandments. 

-Surinamers always say I have a really hard last name. They call me Zuster "laanganaam" which means Zuster long name. I don't understand it at all because one of their street names is literally "Djompofoetoestraat". It cracks me up. I love these people so much.


In terms of spiritual experiences, I have so many things every day that confirm to me that the gospel is true and God is leading this work that I have a hard time picking which one to share with you all! But this week I was studying in 2 Nephi and came across this scripture in verse 20. I love it. It says:

"And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea."

The Lord is constantly leading us to better lands. To be completely honest, I didn't always want to go on a mission. I felt kind of "driven" out of my personal land of inheritance--a land in which I felt very comfortable in. But, I have been led to a better land. It is the same with all the wonderful investigators we are teaching. Mike is being led to a better land by choosing to getting married and baptized. Richard is being led to a better land by coming to church. Chubby is being led to a better land by giving up alcohol. Izaak is being led to a better land by giving up drugs and partying. Rohan is being led to a better land by reading in his scriptures. Bianca is being led to a better land by paying her tithing. I see how the gospel leads the children of our Heavenly Father to better lands every single day. It is truly a miracle. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and our obedience to God's commandments, we will all be led to better lands. 

I love you all so much! I hope you have a fantistic week.
Zuster Mergenthaler
 Pic 1: The aftermath of New Years. Rubbish from all the bumbles.
Pic 2: This is how you work out in the jungle
Pic 3: My Surinamese dress! They wear the most beautiful colors here. 
Pic 4: We helped Keymanda, a new member, take out all her braids. She's such a cutie. 
Pic 5: Exchanges! Zuster Spencer is from Canada and she's awesome. I think I shocked her a little bit with my boldness in talking to people, but every time I hesitate talking to someone I just think about them coming up to me in Heaven and asking me why I didn't share the good news. It gets me motivated real fast.
Pic 6:This cow charged at me on my bike. I was scared.













Letter to family:

Hallo people! Love you guys. I had a great interview with president yesterday. I actually sent pics this week too! Not to cute, but I'm never that cute here in Suriname ;) your cute melts off by 8 o-clock in the morning! I love you guys so much. Glad to hear you're getting better Andrew. And basketball is going well Ricky! 

My mailing address is actually PO Box 2932 Paramaribo Suriname for mail and stuff, not the Trinidad mailing address. I don't need any money. MSF covers me and everything here is dirt cheap, so if I do want a souvenir, its like a buck.

I wish I could send ya'll individual emails, but I only have 8 minutes left. It's kinda hard to balance my time here, so sorry about that. It's good to hear you guys are doing good though. Also, sounds like there were a few party days with everyone home sick hehe. Fun times. And I'm glad you got to visit Aunt and Grandpa dad! Woohoo. 

I'm working on writing you all letters, so hopefully I'll get them sent out soon. I hope you have the BEST week ever! I promise to do the same. 

Also, random funny story about the Elders in Guyana (a part of our mission. Girls can't go there because it's probably 2 times as sketchy and Suriname is sketchy as it is haha. But totally safe where we are.) They fed this dying dog on the street and it ended up dead on their porch the next day. They don't really have good trash service here or in Guyana, so the Elders usually burn their trash. They tried to burn the dead dog with an old mattress. It didn't work. Gross, huh? I don't know why I think that's funny, but its just there's so many dying dogs here that I thought it was. Apparently it smelled awful. Next time they should just throw it in the Goot.




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