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Rug pijne, niet achter pijne!


Hello readers of my email! I hope all is great with you guys. This week was a roller coaster x2! Some things that happened:

-A guy brandished his machete at me! I was so scared man. I think he was just joking, but ya never know. I've never pedaled my little bike faster! 

-I made a pretty hilarious Dutch mistake. One of our amazing investigators, Mike, hurt his back and has been having "rug pijne" which is back pain. I prayed for his "achter pijne" which is bum pain...oops haha. Heavenly Father was laughing pretty hard at that one. Also Mike is definitely, actually getting married on the 20th and baptized on the 23rd *everyone give it up for MIIIIIKE* so that's awesome.

-I contacted someone biking next to them from work all the way to their house (he was on a bike too). Can't try to bike away from Zuster Mergenthaler! Haha, don't worry, he was totally chill with it. Was it against traffic laws? Definitely...if there were traffic laws in Suriname. Good thing we're clear there ;) But he's super chill and his name is Rodney.

-Caught our investigator Izaak spray painting the bridge we go over everyday. We couldn't even get mad at him because he was spray painting bible verses haha. 

-Learned the hard way that I'm allergic to coconut water. My belly just swells up a little and I look like I enjoy Roti a little too much. Here people just go to a nearby coconut tree, hack one off with their machete, and stick a straw in it for a little refreshment. It's the best.

-Talked to a Nederlander. WOW, they speak so fast. Holy cow. Ya'll in Nederland are geniuses and I'm so glad I'm here in Suriname with the rustig Dutch speakers. Also, his accent was so cool. I kinda wanted to follow him around all day to listen. 

We had so many miracle lessons, but I really want to share about Randy. He's an investigator from months ago that we just recently came into contact with again. He works in the Boutenland, so he's never home, but he's an awesome guy with a really sincere desire to learn more. We went to teach him about the Book of Mormon on Monday night. It was 8 oclock, so it was kinda dark because we were outside sitting on the hood of his car. We described to him what the Book of Mormon is and read 3 Ne 11 together. As we were reading, a visible light filled the space we were in. It was amazing. His dad rode up halfway through the chapter on his bromfiets, but Randy just kept reading. His dad quietly sat on his bromfiets, bowed his head, and listened without saying a word. He could sense how sacred the atmosphere was without even knowing what we were doing. I can't adequately describe the feeling that night; I can only testify that the Book of Mormon is absolutely the word of God. I will never again take this precious book for granted. There is an amazing power that flows into our lives when we read it regularly. I encourage each of you to take the time to read in the Book of Mormon every single day! 

I hope you all have an amazing week without "achter pijne" ! I love you guys and appreciate all your support. Feelin' the love man!

Zuster Mergenthaler


Pic 1: Zuster Orchard being adorable. We went to the ONLY Burger King in Suriname on P-day and it was AMAZING. I think it will remain one of my best mission memories, no joke.
Pic 2: Justin and his birdies. They have funny names, but I can't remember them.
Pic 3: The bridge Izaak "decorated"
Pic 4: Chobby getting a coconut for us.
Pic 5:Chobby's cutie patootie kid.
Pic 6:Sweaty selfie so you know I'm still alive! Not sure why my camera makes me look so pale.








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