Bathing in a BUCKET? That's one BIG Bucket!!!

I have to preface this with a little history. Kevin has ALWAYS been a very picky eater. When he was young he did not like pizza or spaghetti. When we would get fast food we would most likely have to go somewhere completely different for Kevin. He also does not like to be dirty, sweaty, or stinky!While playing sports, it was not unusual for him to shower at least twice a day if not three! So hearing that he has eaten dog and is showering out of a bucket is quite surprising! My what a year away from home can do and especially a mission call from the Lord! I am so proud of the man he has become!
July 20, 2011

Hello!
Another interesting, busy but great week over here!
First off, yes I have eaten dog. And no it does not taste like Chicken, it tastes better! Just a little bit bony. Dont hate me forever for saying it, but it was really good. The food is all very spicy here, and up until last week I was yet to have a post- sambol filled meal stomach ache that was unbearable. But last week it ended as I ate just a little too much sambol, which is mashed up peppers and stuff, and I did not feel so great for the next day or so. For the most part I can handle it though, It is so hot but it tastes so good.
A little bit about my companion! Elder Marijanto is from Semarang which is on Java. He has been a member since he was young, but his family is a little interesting. About half of his family is Muslim, and the others are members. Pretty interesting. It is interesting because the way it works with the Indonesian missionaries is that they start their mission right after the graduate, so at age 18. He started his mission last october but his birthday is only 3 months before mine. Pretty interesting, He is awesome though, such a humble person. I have learned a ton from him already.
This past weekend President Groberg and his wife came up to Manado, which is pronounced kind of how it looks, in Indonesian the letter A is always pronounced like it is in the word All. AHHH. like that. haha. But it was good to have them up here because it helped the branch out a lot to have them come and ensure them that the church is strong. The branch here is really struggling, it is hard when the church is so small here but there are a ton of other churches that are Huge. The big ones are pentacostal, GMIM which is just an evangelical- protestant church, tiberias which is apostate to the extreme, it is very charismatic and Catholic. Also there are many advent churches too. With so many churches and things we meet a lot of different doctrinal understandings and things too. It is amazing what some people believe because their pendeta told them.
The language is still coming along, I am starting to feel a little bit more comfortable with it. The hardest thing is I struggle more with hearing than speaking and when an investigator is speaking about something really important that helps us know their needs, i miss it sometimes. But it really is getting better.
This week has been pretty challenging, people here are not very good about showing up for appointments and things! often they want to meet at the church, but then they dont show up, it gets very frustrating especially when it happens often. But even though it has been hard it is great when finally you find someone who is interested and willing. We got a referral from an investigator the other elders are teaching, it is the girl's relatives, and we met them on friday and on sunday one fo them came to church, usually they are very reluctant to come to church right away. So that was very exciting!
Novita is getting closer, we really just want to meet with her and her family and teach them all and just help a little bit. The thing is that her mom doesnt dislike this church, she just doesnt understand what is different about it that makes Novita want to join it. So yeah, we are just trying to help with all of that.
But It was great to hear from you!
I am doing well, I am now pretty much used to very different living conditions, no AC, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, showering with a bucket and being dirty all the time. now that I am used to all of that I am starting to love it here!!
Well I love you all! have another great week, Enjoy summer and all the fun that comes with it!
Kevin