New Address:
Elder Truman Burgess
Subject: "Sizzling Cement Adventures"
There aren't many more stark differences than the Shenandoah Valley and the ghetto suburbs of Baltimore. After the two and a half hour drive transfer, I was looking forward to seeing what Randallstown in the Eldersburg, Maryland Ward was like. Boy did I get thrown a new one.
Generally, I'm the type of guy who says hi to strangers. Back in VA I developed a habit of always waving to cars and people passing by, regardless of if I knew them or not. Everyone seems to have their own wave out there that they stick with; some wave with a full pass of the hand, some shoot up a quick hand, some nod their head, etc. Though I didn't realize it, my wave was a nod of the head and an index finger extension.
So here I am ten minutes in a fresh new area comprised of refugees and impoverished city folk, I a clear minority in a 100% black population all hustling and bustling in borderline suicidal j-walks and by far the most aggressive driving I've seen in my life, and my companion Elder Wind hands me the keys with a mischievous grin on his face and says, "You get to drive this transfer."
First stop was the grocery store. Wave #1, wave #2, wave #3, "How's it going's" were thrown out left and right, and I got the consistent, disgusted looks of death shot at me. Man, I thought the whole world was hating me. Then I realized I was giving the point, thanks to a head's-up from Elder Wind. Apparently the people around here don't like being casually pointed at by a caucasian male in official dress shirt and tie. And, sure enough, as soon as I stopped the point and cut back on the greetings, I flowed on with the hustle current.
It's a little strange acclimating to a faster rhythm of life. The first couple days were rough, but now I zoom in and out of traffic like a pro, connect with hoodlums on the same wavelength, and teach repentance like nobody's business with Elder Wind. Though the concrete mixed with buffering heat waves are a bit jarring, the amount of investigators and people that want to honestly listen to and commit to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is amazing. All but one of the people we are teaching are African immigrants, and a couple are refugees. Their stories are humbling to hear, but their journeys of pain and hardship have led them to seek out God with all of their hearts. I've never taught people so ready to feast on the good word of God on such a regular basis my whole mission. Recognizing the words of eternal life streaming out of my mouth and directly into the heart of a brother or sister in need is an experience I will always remember for the rest of my life.
Thank you for all of your support!
xoxo
Elder Burgess
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