EMAIL... Week 3

Hola from Nicaragua!

     Crazy week! Well we finally got all of our stuff delivered yesterday, only a week late. That's Nicaragua! We had 7 loads of wash to do, with the smaller version of a washing machine, so we did it Thursday and Friday mornings, while we were having our study time. We lucked out both days and only had to pull the last batch yesterday off the line due to rain. Our water shuts off about 6, and then switches to a tank, so we have to do it in the mornings. We're getting the hang of hanging clothes, boiling water to rinse our washed dishes, and using bottled water to brush our teeth.

     We spent the last 2 afternoons/evenings visiting less actives and investigators of the Rosario Branch (1 of the barrios in Esteli) with the sister missionaries. The hermanas are awesome, one from Highland, Utah and the other from El Salvador. They all speak very rapidly, so it is hard to understand what they're saying, but the spirit is there and we love them! Most are so poor, they have dirt floors, gaps under their doors, and tiny areas with many people living together. We are so blessed to have the many comforts and opportunities we enjoy in the US. We're hoping that the ones who committed to coming tomorrow, will show.

     We had P day today and went to the waterfall here with the Bells. It was a crazy, steep, very rocky road, but we made it to the place of entry. We had to hike down a fairly rugged path to the bottom of the falls. There was a big natural pool at the bottom. It was beautiful! We saw two girls at the top, so we decided we wanted to climb up there. They came down and showed us where the hidden path up started...talk about rough...super steep, slippery rocks and dirt, grasping trees and bushes to help ourselves up, under and over 3 sets of barbed wire, through a green bean garden, over the big rocks and stream leading to the falls, rock climbing to get to the edge, and we finally made it! Not bad for Senior Missionaries. The best part, besides the amazing view from the top and the feeling of accomplishment, was that we found a way back to the car much easier than the crazy way down and up we had just experienced.

We love you all!

Elder and Hermana Koelliker