Email: March 5, 2018 - Stoned, Sick and 57th Street
When I first told people I was getting transferred to Adams, I was told that this is where the crazy stuff happens. Last week didn't really live up to that expectation, but this week has surpassed it.
Tuesday: Today was supposed to be an awesome day. I woke up sick, but I was determined to go out since we had such good plans. We fortunately got our cards refilled today so we were able to go grocery shopping. We had 4 appointments lined up and we were ready to start the week off strong. Our first appointment in the morning fell through but it's no big deal. We went back to the apartment and had lunch. Afterwards we were going to head out to our next appointment but as we were waiting for the bus, a group of 4 guys walked up to the bus stop
As were sitting, minding our own business, I saw a pencil fly by me. That's when I knew things were going to get bad. Elder Patrick turned around and asked them nicely if they needed the pencil and the group instantly tried to egg on a fight. They were yelling and trying to get us mad. When they realized that wasn't working, they began throwing rocks at us. We decided we weren't having it, so we get got up and walked away. We were not about to deal with this the entire bus ride. Unfortunately, we were unable to call our investigator because we didn't have their number.
So we missed that appointment and began to walk to our next appointment on the other end of our area. After walking about an hour we get on to the street that our investigator lives on. Lo and behold, that same group of 4 guys come walking down the street towards us. I didn't think it was them at first, but by the time we realized it was them, it was too late. We walked right by them and rocks began to fall from the sky again.
We missed that lesson because we didn't have a male with us, so we would have to teach that investigator outside on her porch and we didn't want those guys to interrupt us. Fortunately, we were able to call her, but unfortunately, we never got a response. Oh, and did I mention it was raining the entire time we were walking as well?
So, after that, we walked to the church building which was about another hour of walking. We arrived, but we didn't have a church key which we have been trying to get a copy of but have not received it. The Adams 1 elders come and picked us up to take the 4 of us to a dinner appointment near downtown. But since it was after 5 there was basically no parking anywhere and we searched for about 40 minutes, so we just dropped the Adams 1 elders off and took the car since the dinner was in their area and we had a lesson we had to go to.
Fortunately, we were able to have that lesson with JP, but after that lesson we were just burnt out with our day and went home.
Wednesday: I woke up worse than I did Tuesday, but I was determined to go out since we had a lesson with our investigator David. However, my district leader Elder Taylor gave an executive order for me to stay in. Elder Kwon (one of the zone leaders) was also sick, so he came and picked me up and we spent the whole day together just being sick. I got to know him pretty well and he has some interesting stories and he is a cool guy. We were getting bored of the apartment, so we went out to Wing Stop for lunch. (hopefully that has some sentimental value to you Mom and Dad). We got some super spicy wings which were kind of a disappointment, but to be honest, they were still super good.
Elder Kwon began to feel much better than I did, and he realized that they had scheduled 2 appointments for 7, so he decided we would take it. So, we had to go back to my apartment to get my missionary clothes (because I was still in my pajamas), but we get there and no of the other elders were there, so we had no way of getting in. Fortunately for us, the investigator had to cancel anyway.
So we head back to the apartment and Elder Kwon realizes they also have ward coordination at 8 and he pretty much needs to be there. So I had the wonderful opportunity to sit awkwardly in a meeting that was being spoken in Spanish, while still being in my pajamas without a missionary tag. The ward members that were there just kind of stared at me and asked questions in Spanish that I couldn't answer. And even worse, one of the APs showed up at the church building and saw me, so yeah. But other than that, today was really fun and Elder Patrick and Elder Jones were able to set a baptism date with David for March 18th!
Thursday: Still a tad sick, but much better than yesterday and ready to roll. We had district meeting today and Elder Patrick and I gave the training. It was on setting expectations through commitments. I was told it was really good. We also had doughnuts which was fun. Since this week had kind of been a downer, we decided to go all out in our area (which is kind of difficult since we are still waiting on Adams 1 to send over to us all of the potentials and formers) but so we got the very bottom of our area and begin to work up. I had my first experience with a prostitute and it was really creepy because she didn't say anything and followed us for a couple streets until we dipped into a mini market and lost her in there.
We ended up walking down 57th street to visit a former who no longer lives there. As we were walking away from the house we heard a yell come from a car. Here is how this conversation went
Car: "HEY! ya’ll going to school?
Us: "What?"
Car: "Y’all working?"
Us: "No"
Car:"Religious?"
Us:"Yeah! We are the Mormon missionaries!"
Car:"....I LOVE to see ya’ll out here spreading that positivity!"
*we then walk up to the car*
Infintale:" Hi I'm infintale. Y’all live around here?
Us: "No, we live to the north west."
Infintale: "Oh cool cool, I run this block so I keep track of who is around"
Us:" Oh cool. I'm Elder Patrick. I'm Elder Barton"
Infintale: "Elder Barton? I LIKE THAT. You could go to Harvard with a name like that!"
Us: "haha thanks"
Infintale: " Well I always try to look out for my black brothas *looks at me* AND MY WHITE BROTHAS! You guys are always welcome on this block! Let me know if any messes with you!"
So basically, I think we got accepted into the local gang but hey whatever hastens the work right? Then right after that, another car pulled over towards us and asked if that guy (infintale) was giving us any problems. So basically 57th street is my favorite place now.
We ended up walking about 10 miles today. We started in south central and worked our way all the way up and through USC campus. I was more scared on USC than south central. It's college life and students can get crazy at times. I thought someone would come up and bash with us or some sorority girl would try and pull some joke on us. Fortunately, neither ended up happening and we were able to walk through with peace, but I couldn't help but think "we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death mixed with Babylon." but I think I'm just giving USC a bad rep. It's a really nice campus though.
So, if I had to choose between UCLA and USC I guess I would have to go with USC. Sorry Dad, I know you love your Bruins.
Friday: Today was kind of a nice slowed down day with weekly planning. We had the chance to give service at a local food bank. Turns out they work pretty closely with the Bishops Storehouse as well, so they love us over there. The best part though is after we give service they give us a bag and let us fill it up with whatever we want. So, we got a bunch of food, including some super good pastrami. I also took a picture with this super cool spray painted LA logo that most of you have probably already seen. Nothing crazy.
Saturday: We gave service at the food bank again since they asked us to come back. As we were riding bus to the church a guy sat down next to me on the bus. We exchanged greeting and right away he just kind of erupts. "WHAT? YOUR NOT GOING TO SHARE THE WORD OF GOD WITH ME?" It caught me super off guard because people in LA like their space. So I began to talk to him and he soon apologized but it kind of served as a wakeup call to me from Heavenly Father that I need to be giving 100% all the time. Even when on the bus. So I got this man’s information and Elder Patrick kind of left me out to dry. So I asked him about it. Elder Patrick was convinced that this man was Jehovah's Witness because he 1. Spotted me out as soon as he got on the bus. 2. Was in Sunday best on a Saturday (that's when JWs have church) 3. Knew where our stop was without even asking us. 4. Wasn't willing to give us his address because he "didn't know it by heart". I was convinced as well after that, but I figured we would still give him a call because he said he was close to giving up on God. So we gave him a call and he said he was at work and couldn’t talk and that we should call him back late tonight. So we did, but he never answered
We went back down to south central and worked up again. This time we followed Vermont rather than Figueroa. But since it was a Saturday night pretty much all the churches on Vermont (they are all basically the same) were having a party. Each one we walked by was just blasting music and their congregations would be up and dancing and shaking their tambourines.
Sunday: We had a good fast Sunday. David came to church again and it was good to hear the testimonies of the congregation. Our apartment manager (he and his wife are members in the Wilshire ward) threw a barbeque for us. It was super good food and it was nice to be able to sit down with them and get to know them more.
That's all for this week. Sorry for the crazy long email but there is so much that is worth sharing. I'm so glad I get to have this experience out here and I'm so grateful for the continued support from everyone because it does get rough out here and although I'm with someone 24/7 it still gets lonely. So, keep emailing me! and if you haven't please do so. I would love to hear from everyone no matter how short the email is.
Elder Kyle Barton
Tuesday: Today was supposed to be an awesome day. I woke up sick, but I was determined to go out since we had such good plans. We fortunately got our cards refilled today so we were able to go grocery shopping. We had 4 appointments lined up and we were ready to start the week off strong. Our first appointment in the morning fell through but it's no big deal. We went back to the apartment and had lunch. Afterwards we were going to head out to our next appointment but as we were waiting for the bus, a group of 4 guys walked up to the bus stop
As were sitting, minding our own business, I saw a pencil fly by me. That's when I knew things were going to get bad. Elder Patrick turned around and asked them nicely if they needed the pencil and the group instantly tried to egg on a fight. They were yelling and trying to get us mad. When they realized that wasn't working, they began throwing rocks at us. We decided we weren't having it, so we get got up and walked away. We were not about to deal with this the entire bus ride. Unfortunately, we were unable to call our investigator because we didn't have their number.
So we missed that appointment and began to walk to our next appointment on the other end of our area. After walking about an hour we get on to the street that our investigator lives on. Lo and behold, that same group of 4 guys come walking down the street towards us. I didn't think it was them at first, but by the time we realized it was them, it was too late. We walked right by them and rocks began to fall from the sky again.
We missed that lesson because we didn't have a male with us, so we would have to teach that investigator outside on her porch and we didn't want those guys to interrupt us. Fortunately, we were able to call her, but unfortunately, we never got a response. Oh, and did I mention it was raining the entire time we were walking as well?
So, after that, we walked to the church building which was about another hour of walking. We arrived, but we didn't have a church key which we have been trying to get a copy of but have not received it. The Adams 1 elders come and picked us up to take the 4 of us to a dinner appointment near downtown. But since it was after 5 there was basically no parking anywhere and we searched for about 40 minutes, so we just dropped the Adams 1 elders off and took the car since the dinner was in their area and we had a lesson we had to go to.
Fortunately, we were able to have that lesson with JP, but after that lesson we were just burnt out with our day and went home.
Wednesday: I woke up worse than I did Tuesday, but I was determined to go out since we had a lesson with our investigator David. However, my district leader Elder Taylor gave an executive order for me to stay in. Elder Kwon (one of the zone leaders) was also sick, so he came and picked me up and we spent the whole day together just being sick. I got to know him pretty well and he has some interesting stories and he is a cool guy. We were getting bored of the apartment, so we went out to Wing Stop for lunch. (hopefully that has some sentimental value to you Mom and Dad). We got some super spicy wings which were kind of a disappointment, but to be honest, they were still super good.
Elder Kwon began to feel much better than I did, and he realized that they had scheduled 2 appointments for 7, so he decided we would take it. So, we had to go back to my apartment to get my missionary clothes (because I was still in my pajamas), but we get there and no of the other elders were there, so we had no way of getting in. Fortunately for us, the investigator had to cancel anyway.
So we head back to the apartment and Elder Kwon realizes they also have ward coordination at 8 and he pretty much needs to be there. So I had the wonderful opportunity to sit awkwardly in a meeting that was being spoken in Spanish, while still being in my pajamas without a missionary tag. The ward members that were there just kind of stared at me and asked questions in Spanish that I couldn't answer. And even worse, one of the APs showed up at the church building and saw me, so yeah. But other than that, today was really fun and Elder Patrick and Elder Jones were able to set a baptism date with David for March 18th!
Thursday: Still a tad sick, but much better than yesterday and ready to roll. We had district meeting today and Elder Patrick and I gave the training. It was on setting expectations through commitments. I was told it was really good. We also had doughnuts which was fun. Since this week had kind of been a downer, we decided to go all out in our area (which is kind of difficult since we are still waiting on Adams 1 to send over to us all of the potentials and formers) but so we got the very bottom of our area and begin to work up. I had my first experience with a prostitute and it was really creepy because she didn't say anything and followed us for a couple streets until we dipped into a mini market and lost her in there.
We ended up walking down 57th street to visit a former who no longer lives there. As we were walking away from the house we heard a yell come from a car. Here is how this conversation went
Car: "HEY! ya’ll going to school?
Us: "What?"
Car: "Y’all working?"
Us: "No"
Car:"Religious?"
Us:"Yeah! We are the Mormon missionaries!"
Car:"....I LOVE to see ya’ll out here spreading that positivity!"
*we then walk up to the car*
Infintale:" Hi I'm infintale. Y’all live around here?
Us: "No, we live to the north west."
Infintale: "Oh cool cool, I run this block so I keep track of who is around"
Us:" Oh cool. I'm Elder Patrick. I'm Elder Barton"
Infintale: "Elder Barton? I LIKE THAT. You could go to Harvard with a name like that!"
Us: "haha thanks"
Infintale: " Well I always try to look out for my black brothas *looks at me* AND MY WHITE BROTHAS! You guys are always welcome on this block! Let me know if any messes with you!"
So basically, I think we got accepted into the local gang but hey whatever hastens the work right? Then right after that, another car pulled over towards us and asked if that guy (infintale) was giving us any problems. So basically 57th street is my favorite place now.
We ended up walking about 10 miles today. We started in south central and worked our way all the way up and through USC campus. I was more scared on USC than south central. It's college life and students can get crazy at times. I thought someone would come up and bash with us or some sorority girl would try and pull some joke on us. Fortunately, neither ended up happening and we were able to walk through with peace, but I couldn't help but think "we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death mixed with Babylon." but I think I'm just giving USC a bad rep. It's a really nice campus though.
So, if I had to choose between UCLA and USC I guess I would have to go with USC. Sorry Dad, I know you love your Bruins.
Friday: Today was kind of a nice slowed down day with weekly planning. We had the chance to give service at a local food bank. Turns out they work pretty closely with the Bishops Storehouse as well, so they love us over there. The best part though is after we give service they give us a bag and let us fill it up with whatever we want. So, we got a bunch of food, including some super good pastrami. I also took a picture with this super cool spray painted LA logo that most of you have probably already seen. Nothing crazy.
Saturday: We gave service at the food bank again since they asked us to come back. As we were riding bus to the church a guy sat down next to me on the bus. We exchanged greeting and right away he just kind of erupts. "WHAT? YOUR NOT GOING TO SHARE THE WORD OF GOD WITH ME?" It caught me super off guard because people in LA like their space. So I began to talk to him and he soon apologized but it kind of served as a wakeup call to me from Heavenly Father that I need to be giving 100% all the time. Even when on the bus. So I got this man’s information and Elder Patrick kind of left me out to dry. So I asked him about it. Elder Patrick was convinced that this man was Jehovah's Witness because he 1. Spotted me out as soon as he got on the bus. 2. Was in Sunday best on a Saturday (that's when JWs have church) 3. Knew where our stop was without even asking us. 4. Wasn't willing to give us his address because he "didn't know it by heart". I was convinced as well after that, but I figured we would still give him a call because he said he was close to giving up on God. So we gave him a call and he said he was at work and couldn’t talk and that we should call him back late tonight. So we did, but he never answered
We went back down to south central and worked up again. This time we followed Vermont rather than Figueroa. But since it was a Saturday night pretty much all the churches on Vermont (they are all basically the same) were having a party. Each one we walked by was just blasting music and their congregations would be up and dancing and shaking their tambourines.
Sunday: We had a good fast Sunday. David came to church again and it was good to hear the testimonies of the congregation. Our apartment manager (he and his wife are members in the Wilshire ward) threw a barbeque for us. It was super good food and it was nice to be able to sit down with them and get to know them more.
That's all for this week. Sorry for the crazy long email but there is so much that is worth sharing. I'm so glad I get to have this experience out here and I'm so grateful for the continued support from everyone because it does get rough out here and although I'm with someone 24/7 it still gets lonely. So, keep emailing me! and if you haven't please do so. I would love to hear from everyone no matter how short the email is.
Elder Kyle Barton
 |
| We bought a lot of groceries |
 |
| Probably the worst way I have seen anyone spell my name |
 |
| Wing stop is super good |
 |
| My horrible attempt at being a local |
 |
| LA graffiti |
Comments
Post a Comment