Brownsville, Letter 1

Sister Clarke is serving in the Brownsville 1 ward. From the quick Google Hangout chat today, we learned that it takes one hour to travel from one end of the ward to another. Brownsville has 950 members on the lists and only 150 are active. The area hasn't had any baptisms for quite a while. She says that she has a lot of work to do. She and her trainer are the only sisters assigned to the ward. She is using both her English and her Spanish to communicate with people out there, as she is literally next to the border. She sees the border fence every day. She also says that she has never seen so many cats and dogs in her entire life. (Hahaha! I remember all those stray dogs!!) Sister Clarke sounds very happy--but super busy this week. She is very eager to work hard. Here's the email she sent out. It's a short email. I guess that means that she's busy and losing herself in the work, right? 
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Rachelle and her trainer, Sister Riley from Meteetsee, Wyoming.

Rachelle's welcome note from Sister Riley

I'm guessing this is Rachelle's first shopping trip in a Texas supermarket.

Hola Familia y Amigos!

Time is short, but there is so much I wish to tell you all.  This week has been so FULL!  Full of learning experiences, work and miracles!  I also find it funny that we live on a street called Coffee Port Road.  The street names here are crazy.

My first area is Brownsville - which is the most southern area in our mission.  It's extremely diverse, and more than a little bit sketchy, but it is a blast to be here! The other day we were out doing some visits in a neighborhood and my companion turned to me and said "Hey, you see that fence?  That's the border!"  Haha so maybe for our service projects we can help build the wall... Just kidding.  :)

These first few days in the mission field have been filled with small miracles.  We do some work in some pretty sketchy areas, and I have been amazed at how the Spirit guides and protects.  We know that if we heed its promptings we will always be safe.

People  here are very open to religion - almost every time we talk to someone new, they are happy to talk with us about their belief in Jesus.  The hard part is helping them understand why our message is so important, and why it's different than any other.  But many people are accepting of the message, and finding those who are prepared to hear the message has been an incredible experience.  One family who's special to me that we found this week is a young single father named Lynol who has two daughters, and who is so open and ready and prepared to hear the truth.  I have loved being able to teach of this amazing gospel!

So sorry this is so short - but I am loving everything I am learning about missionary work.  I am loving the work and being able to help people to know Christ - we have had some lessons where I am overwhelmed at how Christ has given these people strength to go through the worst of times.  I see that and I am so grateful to be able to bring that message to others.

I love you all, I wish I had more time but I don't - Love the Lord and His work!

Con todo mi amor,

Hermana Clarke