Well first off, this week has been so ridiculously fast. I swear I just stood up after finishing the last email. Time here is bizare. It really is. I feel like I never have enough time for anything.
We've done alot of teaching this week. And alot of contacting. One day we went out tracting. In Russia everyone lives in appartment buildings that are like twelve stories high, so to tract, you hike all the way to the top floor then start your way down, door by door. When Elder Kimball and I were at about floor 9 on our way up, a lady coming down the stairs stopped us and friendly asked who we were. We said we were missionaries. She was no longer friendly.
She started babling in the fastest Russian i've ever heard. Actually, bad word choice. I said babling. Let me say ranting. She was practically yelling at us. Demanding that we leave, get out of the building, and stop bothering people. She was apparently a very zealous Russian Orthodox. And she didn't like the idea of her neighbors changing their beliefs.
At first we resisted. But when she pulled out the cell phone and started threatening to call the police, we gave in not wanting to make a scene. She then walked us to the door. Then she just stood there. And would not budge until she was sure that we were actually going to leave.
Oh, and speaking of cops. We had a minor run in while contacting people on the street. We were just walking around talking to people, when a younger looking cop decided that he wanted to have some fun. Its not very difficult to see that we are foreigners, so he demanded to see our passports and documents. We obliged. Pulled them out, unfolded everything, and held them up for him to see. We are supposed to not give our documents to anyone. Ands it's our right to not comply if a cop demands to actually touch our passports (which are apparently worth about $8,000 dollars on the blackmarket). But he demanded. And said "I can do whatever I want. This is Russia. Not America." We didn't have the number on hand for our lawyers, so we just let him hold them. Nothing happened of course. And we walked away fine, but it was still funny.
The little Russian children are so cute in their suits. I loved seeing them on Sunday. Our members here are so strong. It would be so hard to be in a branch of only thirty active members, all so spaced out. But these pioneers just keep moving forward.
Oh, by the way dad. All the Russians think that the photo i have of mom is my sister. I just think she's a kind lady. They think she's gorgeous.
As far as the photos go, I'm still figuring all that out. I'll let you know. But I do have a dad duty for you. My visa (personal) card is not working. And I need some personal money. So if you could go to my bank and talk with them that would be great. Maybe mom will have to go. I"m not sure if you are cosigned on yet or not
We've done alot of teaching this week. And alot of contacting. One day we went out tracting. In Russia everyone lives in appartment buildings that are like twelve stories high, so to tract, you hike all the way to the top floor then start your way down, door by door. When Elder Kimball and I were at about floor 9 on our way up, a lady coming down the stairs stopped us and friendly asked who we were. We said we were missionaries. She was no longer friendly.
She started babling in the fastest Russian i've ever heard. Actually, bad word choice. I said babling. Let me say ranting. She was practically yelling at us. Demanding that we leave, get out of the building, and stop bothering people. She was apparently a very zealous Russian Orthodox. And she didn't like the idea of her neighbors changing their beliefs.
At first we resisted. But when she pulled out the cell phone and started threatening to call the police, we gave in not wanting to make a scene. She then walked us to the door. Then she just stood there. And would not budge until she was sure that we were actually going to leave.
Oh, and speaking of cops. We had a minor run in while contacting people on the street. We were just walking around talking to people, when a younger looking cop decided that he wanted to have some fun. Its not very difficult to see that we are foreigners, so he demanded to see our passports and documents. We obliged. Pulled them out, unfolded everything, and held them up for him to see. We are supposed to not give our documents to anyone. Ands it's our right to not comply if a cop demands to actually touch our passports (which are apparently worth about $8,000 dollars on the blackmarket). But he demanded. And said "I can do whatever I want. This is Russia. Not America." We didn't have the number on hand for our lawyers, so we just let him hold them. Nothing happened of course. And we walked away fine, but it was still funny.
The little Russian children are so cute in their suits. I loved seeing them on Sunday. Our members here are so strong. It would be so hard to be in a branch of only thirty active members, all so spaced out. But these pioneers just keep moving forward.
Oh, by the way dad. All the Russians think that the photo i have of mom is my sister. I just think she's a kind lady. They think she's gorgeous.
As far as the photos go, I'm still figuring all that out. I'll let you know. But I do have a dad duty for you. My visa (personal) card is not working. And I need some personal money. So if you could go to my bank and talk with them that would be great. Maybe mom will have to go. I"m not sure if you are cosigned on yet or not
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