Elder Huffaker

Elder Huffaker

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

What a WEEK!

This week, we've had our share of excitement and activities.

First off, Elder Jarman played a local board game called Ludi (lou - dee) with a few Jamaicans. Ludi is a game for up to four players. We've played it and thought we were pretty darn good. So we challenged a couple of Jamaicans to a game. They are friends of a member here. We made a deal. We win they come to church, they win, we give em a small pack of cookies. Let's just say the game didn't turn out in our favor. It was a very close game though.

Wednesday we had our second district meeting EVER this transfer. We played a game of Fly-up afterwards. It was pretty fun. I then went on a tradeoff with one of the Boulevard Elders, Elder Brough. Elder Ostberg stayed in Yallahs with Elder Jarman. I had a great time with Elder Brough. This included a reuniting with a very sorely missed "friend" (see pics). I couldn't believe it. Over 18 months and I finally got a taste of Dr. Pepper! I was so stoked that Elder Ostberg was so nice. Then I saw... their tower. Now I wonder if he really was being nice.

Yesterday, Sunday, I was sustained as the local branch clerk as well. Now I have a calling here, so I figured I must be staying for transfers, which are this week. It didn't surprise me too much, other than, I'm a missionary and we get moved around. However, I've been acting as the branch clerk since I arrived.

Then, we got our transfer calls last night. I will be staying in Yallahs, but not with Elder Jarman. I have been asked to train a new missionary, again. I couldn't believe it! Elder Jarman is being sent to Sav la Mar! I know he's gonna have a good time there. Elder Brough, who is in my district, is also training. That's 2 out of the 3 new missionaries coming.


From Marilyn: Apparently Brandon could not get his photos uploaded; we'll watch for them next week!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

wHaT!?

Well, as I'm sure you are all aware. We had a tropical storm/hurricane. So last Monday was prepping for the storm and getting all our supplies. AND WE WAIT.

Wednesday I went into Kingston for a leadership meeting with Pres. Hendricks and the Assistants. It was pretty good, except for the fact that I pretty much sat there all day. Elder Jarman went to Portmore for the day. When I finally got Elder Jarman back and reached Yallahs, it was 7:30 at night, and we left out at 5:00 in the morning. LONG DAY!

Then we had our "storm". Thursday was as quiet as all get out! I've never seen a place in Jamaica so quiet. We couldn't really teach anyone because they would lock themselves in their homes. This storm was supposed to hit Thursday morning, then Thursday afternoon, and then Friday morning. I'm sittin' here thinkin'.... what storm? It just drizzled a little and they got everyone worried about that. Well, I guess you can never really predict these things, better safe than sorry. But I'm still trying to figure out where the storm went.

Apparently it turned into a hurricane after it passed Jamaica and was on it's way to Haiti.

Friday was kinda interesting at our Friday night activity. We had two investigators that came (we had more than two but these two made it interesting) that also happen to be sisters. Well every game we played, I think they were out to get each other. Especially when it came to a water game. They just gave it! It was pretty funny to watch. AWWW Family love!

Lastly for this week. ITS 18 MONTHS!!!! This means I burn a pair of pants! WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Please see photos:

Elder Huffaker

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Tropical Storm Tomas

From Marilyn:
Just a quick update on the weather in Brandon's area for you.

Hurricane Tomas, which is downgraded to a tropical storm (up to 74 mph winds), but expected to gain intensity, ..... is starting to affect the eastern parishes (like counties) of Jamaica today. All small craft & fishing boats have been called back to safe harbor. Brandon is inYallahs, which is in St. Thomas parish, on the south eastern coast of the island. Schools and courts are closed tomorrow. High winds and heavy rain are expected tonight and tomorrow as the storm passes through. After seeing the damage in Kingston from Tropical Storm Nicole, we know that this storm has potential to bring a great deal of harm, not only to Jamaica, but also Haiti, the Bahamas, and the Turks & Caicos islands (the last two are also part of Brandon's mission). The mission office will instruct all the missionaries about where to be, and we know Brandon will be smart about hunkering down when necessary. Please keep him and the missionaries and people there in your thoughts and prayers. We hope Brandon can be a blessing to those where he is serving now.

It's a Wonderful Life

Well, I may not be in a black and white film that takes place at Christmas time, but being a missionary is great!

Tuesday, Elder Jarman and I had an adventure of putting up two and a half walls of a house. We used two 4 x 8 sheets of plywood, two hammers, a half lb bag of 2 in. nails, and 3 hand saws. This "little" adventure took all afternoon and left me with a blister. I remember that when it neared 5:30 p.m. all I wanted was to finish this and die! At first I kinda made light of it, but as we went along, it took its toll on me.
Wednesday we had a zone conference in Kingston. We had the area doctor, Elder Kilgore, visiting. He gave a little instruction on missionary health. He told us to drink more water. We need to be drinking 4 liters of water a day, I was at about 2. DOUBLE IT! So Thursday I did, and I've seen more bushes and walls in one day than I normally did in one week. This little fiasco is no good on my body that is used to a lower intake. So when we bussed on Saturday for a baptism (which I'll get to in a minute) I actually had to stop the bus so I could get off and go. Elder Jarman had to as well. We ended paying an extra $80 each. I'll pay an extra bit of cash as long as I don't have a wet spot on my pants by the time I arrive in Kingston.

Saturday was a baptism. Arleen Francis, who lives in Morant Bay, that we did the service project for on Tuesday, was baptized. Elder Jarman performed the ordinance. I think he was really nervous about it, because he kept asking me about it.

I'm sending pics of this week plus a few other pics I bummed off Elder Jarman.
Pictures include my white shirt after Tuesday's project, Friday Night Activity where we floured a member for his birthday, some red pea soup, our project on Tuesday, and the baptism.


I'll have to send the other pictures I got from Elder Jarman next week (red pea soup and the project)