October 15, 2008 e-mail

Billy writes that things are going well. He is still with his same companion. They are working hard, they are both recovering from being sick, but they have been keeping up on the work. Apparently part of the problem with the acceptance of Christianity and the people who preach it, stems from catholic missionaries paying people to convert.

He says that India is great. “I have already felt I have changes a lot.” He doesn’t understand how people in America can complain about their living conditions. Many people live in one bedroom or smaller, and have many family members with them. He says that the people are so loving and grateful for what they have. “Family is very important and I really hope our family can stay close like that.”

He says that the environment problems here in American are minimal compared to where he is. The pollution is pretty bad, and his white shirt looks black at the end of each day. In order to dispose of trash it is burned and the smell can be difficult to take at times.

Many people chew tobacco. He says that he is taking a new approach to missionary work. “Everyone I see that is chewing or smoking I approach. Teach them about the word of wisdom and how they are polluting a gift from God. One time I even went up to a stranger as he was about to put it in his mouth and I told him to throw it away and he did.” He goes on to say, “I really think that I want to come home and be a dentist.”

They took a zone trip to Ramiji Film Studio and he said that it was a lot of fun. “It was like a very very very small Hollywood. It was nice to take a break and see something that reminds me a little of American and home.”

He appreciates the care packages he has received. His favorite thing that we sent him was the peanut butter and jelly because he can’t get it over there.

“I love it here and I love studying the scriptures. The more I study the harder I desire to work. I realize that I am an unprofitable servant and I have a lot of debt to pay for the wonderful blessings I have received in my life. I love the gospel and it has helped me grow so much.”

He says that he has been trying to work out every morning but it is so hard because at the end of the day he is so tired and his body is so sore from all of the walking. “Missionary work is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it is so rewarding. Even on very hard days I am so grateful for the blessing of being on a mission.”

“There are a lot of times I miss home and wish I was back there but I know that this is more important. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family and I am so grateful for the love I feel.”

“We watched general conference last Sunday and I loved it. I learned so much. Please work hard to help with this great work and help bring this church to a unity of faith.”
With regards to the BYU football updates my dad sends Billy he says: “I loved dad’s e-mail report on the game. Man I am so happy BYU is doing great. For every door I knock BYU gains a yard. I promise to keep knocking on those doors.”

Finally Some Pictures!

Well, we finally got Billy's first REAL letter from India. It takes a little while for them to come. We have gotten a couple of short e-mails from him, but he says that he only gets 30 minutes on the computer once a week so there is not a lot of time to read and write e-mails. He appreciates everyone's letters and e-mails but again asks to please write him letters instead of e-mails since he is not allotted very much computer time.

Okay, I'm done lecturing onto some news! He says that things are going great. The people there stare at him and his companion because they are white. He said "it is neat to see how much people care about religion here. People would rather go to church than live in big homes. Above every door people hang flowers which represent what faith they believe in. Many people allow us in their homes, but they won't convert because their families do not support it. Family is huge here. Everyone lives together or around each other, and no one moves away." He says he feels like he can fit in because Ben and I are temporarily living in the same house as mom and dad (ha ha very funny Billy) and that the only difference is that the house the Indian people are sharing is about the size of our garage. He goes on to say "for being so poor the people here like to party a lot. They have many festivals, some of which restrict mission work."


There is no American food there and India has a different smell to it. He says that there does not seem to be any major effort to keep the land clean and free of litter, and personal hygiene traditions are different from Americans which takes some getting used to.


He is currently in Hyderabad which is the leading baptizing area in the mission. He has already taught many lessons and has a couple of baptism dates. He hopes that he will be able to baptize someone in the next six weeks. He really likes his companion although he will not be with him next transfer because his companion is a zone leader and he will be assigned another senior missionary in Hyderabad. He says he loves his area and hopes he won't be transferred yet.

Not long ago he and his companion had a dinner appointment with an Indian couple. It came out during dinner that the lady remembered meeting our dad four years ago when he was visiting India and spent sometime with the senior missionaries there. Billy was pretty excited about that. It definitely proves that it is a small world!

He says that it is sometimes very very hard and he wishes he could just come home. However, he says that "at the end of the day this is the most fulfilling work I have ever done. It is so amazing to see how much Heavenly Father helps me everyday. This is not my work, this is the Lord's work."

He asks that we all eat "cookies and good food" for him, and he sends his love!

Very QUICK Update!

Just so I don't have to take any of the blame on this one, this update is quick because Billy's last letter was really short!  He is doing well still and loving his mission.  He said that he feels that his speed has improved because of having to chase buses everyday, which he hopes will show on the lacrosse field when he gets back.  He has expressed an interest in studying to become a dentist having seen some of the people in India, and says that he would love to be able to return one day and help improve their quality of life.  He did say that he appreciates all of the e-mails, but he doesn't have much time to read and respond to them since their time on the computer is so limited.  He asked that people would please send hand-written letters instead and that he will try to respond in a timely manner.  He promised us pictures next week so we'll see if they come!    

INDIA!

Sorry guys, I know I've been shirking on my duties as Billy's blog manager but the new school year has been keeping me pretty busy. I promise I will try to be better about posting. In the meantime here is a nice update on what Billy has been up to...

Billy did leave for India last Wednesday, so he has officially been there one whole week! He called my parents from the airport in Salt Lake Wednesday morning, and then called us again from Germany at about 2:30AM. I had the pleasure of talking to him during the 2:30AM call although I don't recall much of the conversation except that he sounded very excited to be on his way to India and he was quite tired.

According to the e-mail from the Mission President he made it there safely. He spent a couple of days with the Mission President and his wife, and was able to attend a zone conference his first full day in India. He and Elder McKay were both sent via airplane to Hyderabad to meet up with the zone leaders who would be their companions.

Okay, so after hearing from the Mission President, we got an e-mail from Billy. He wants letters. He has already taught dozens of lessons and committed two people to baptism. His first baptism will be in a couple of weeks. He says that India is a very different since there are no traffic rules, and he says that "trying to cross the street should be done to the Indiana Jones theme song." He says, "I know why they send athletes here, you need to be able to run and jump to get on the bus and that's not even the hardest part, wait until you try to get off!" He also says that "there are a lot of cows roaming the streets and they are the only ones that get the right of way, no one will hit a cow."

He goes on to say that the people there are wonderful and that they come right up and hold your hand. They have been instructed not to wear their name badges and to be very careful because three days ago two of the elders were thrown in jail for being Christian missionaries and they are still there. He says that "the truth is spreading like wildfire and it is amazing seeing and being apart of this." Many stray dogs live on the streets and so do people. A lot of the people in his area live in apartments or tents. He says, "I'm living in the Ritz and it would still probably make mom cry."

He loves it there and he loves his mission. He said he is so happy to be there and that he loves the people and loves the gospel. He can't wait to send pictures soon and he promises they are coming.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Just a quick update. We got word that Billy and his companion will be heading to India on Wednesday September 3rd. He is really excited to finally be on his way and is glad that his companion is doing well after surgery.

Steadfast & Immovable

Billy waits for Elder McKay to recover from his operation last Tuesday. Billy's trip to India was delayed due Elder McKay's need for surgery before departure. Billy offered to stay behind with Elder McKay while he underwent surgery so that they could travel together upon his recovery. They are awaiting their departure date which will be sometime this week. Billy is enjoying his time in the MTC, and has expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the Lord. He continues to study diligently as he prepares to head to India.

Last Letter From The MTC!

Billy sent the family a care package from the MTC.  Mostly it was letters for everyone, however he included some black licorice for my mom and dad, some pictures, and a wonderful little newsletter he put together.

Click Here For Billy's Newsletter

Billy's 19th birthday was on August 8th, so he was sure to send pictures of himself opening the care package we sent him. We stuffed it with some of his favorite things such as twizzlers, beef jerky and homemade cookies. We also filled it with practical birthday presents such as speakers for his CD player, stationery, pens and highlighters. He seemed to enjoy what we sent him, and we are glad he got it in time for his birthday.



Billy is leaving the MTC for India bright and early Monday morning August 18th. He is really excited to get there, however I'm not sure he is so thrilled about his 30+ hour flight. If you are planning to write him make sure you write the India address (on the right hand side of this page) so he will get it!

BREAKING NEWS...

Billy just let the family know that he will be staying in the MTC an additional week.  One of the missionaries in his district needs to have surgery, and Billy volunteered to wait to leave so that the elder did not have to travel to India by himself.  So, if you want to get a quick letter to Billy while he's still at the MTC you have one more week.