Sept. 28th - "HEY CHILI, TIENE MUCHO DINERO!"

COMO ESTA FAMILIA?  It's really good to hear that you all are doing really good in Utah. Not gonna lie this week was pretty ballin it picked up a lot. We had a lot more success this week than I think of any other. On Wednesday I saw all the guys from my first district, it was pretty cool at a trainers meeting.  I have pics. We also have 2 baptisms this week. We pray that they won't fall through, but I feel like they won't because the people are super positive and have came to church.  So that's good news! 

 

Also, me and my companion were making pupusas with some less active members but they absolutely love the missionaries.  It was hilarious!  They were telling us why they weren't coming to church. They said it's because they don't want to pay their tithing.  But we told them you can still come to church though and they said I don't know. 

 

I've said this once before but I'll say it again...I think I'm the only white guy in this town, Hahaha!! So when me and my trainer pass by all the drunk people they come up to me and and say...."Hey chili tiene mucho dinero."  Which means you have a lot of money.  My trainer is a champ because he yells at them and says leave us alone, we don't have money and you wouldn't steal from God would you?  They said no....and then he replyed then you definitely wouldn't steal from His children then, would you? Hahaha!!  He's so balling and he is such a good teacher.  When we teach, he helps me a ton with Spanish and when ever I stumble on a word.  I picked up a ton of Spanish this week.  I can understand it a lot better... more then ever and its so freaking sick to know that you can speak the language.

 

Anyways,  I pray that the baptisms don't fall through this week...so pray for that.  I love you guys and pray for you always.

Oh! we are going to watch general conference at Santa  Techla, it's the area near the beach,

Te Amo Ustedes!

Elder Gee

The women walk around with the buckets on their heads.

Making Papusa dough with some members.

 

Sept. 21st - DID YOU WALK OR SWIM UP HERE?

Hey! What's up?  So this week was freaking crazy. We transferred to another area in our zone, Hoyas de Ceren, and I'm staying with my trainer at least until the next transfer so that's really good.  We are cherros aka homies!   We had to come down here because some elders weren't getting along and they switched areas.  Since they were the only missionaries in that area we had to fill in that spot.  It's only me and Elder A. so it's not so bad.  Were the only missionaries in the ward,  Hahaha! 

 

So,  yeah I got to talk to Jergensen and I was so excited... President Hintze came up to me and said, "Hey,  Elder Gee, I got someone who wants to talk to you"...so that was freaking awesome! He sounds like he's doing really good.  I love Kevin!

 

The next 3 days weren't very exciting, just teaching and walking up freaking mountains, Hahaha!  This new area has mountain sides and we have to walk up them all the time.  I remember one time we were walking up the mountain and it was about 3 miles up hill, when we got to the top we were soaked with sweat.  The lady that lives up there felt so bad she gave us towel to wipe our faces.  So joked with us saying..."did you walk or did you swim up here?"  I will send you pics.

 

Also, we are teaching this family of 12.  We have a baptismal date with one of them...he's the oldest and he's about 16.  The rest are younger then 8. 

 

Friday night we had to go to San Salvador for my immigration papers and I passed,  Hahaha!!. We had to go back the next day because Elder A. needed more medicine for his eye so we went back AGAIN!!  Afterwards, we went to McDonald's and I was watching some of the highlights of the Chiefs-Broncos game on T.V... it was so freaking cool to see actual football again.  Afterwards, we were going back and it was pouring rain.  So the taxi cab driver who works for the church said,  "Hey, if you don't want to wait 30 minutes in the rain for the bus you can come with me to drop off some things in a another area." So we did...and it turns out went to Santa Techla, which is a area on the beach Hahaha!!  So we stopped and took a picture of the beach and we bought something called a Mahombre, which is a slushie but with bananas coconuts and pineapples with lots of syrup and it was AMAZING!!

Love you momma a ton and I pray for you always. I love seeing your letters...they are great! It's p-day so I gotta go eat and play soccer after...I love you!

Te Amo!!

Elder Gee

 

 

Sept. 14th - I'M OUTTA HERE!

What's up?  So I've got some pretty bad news. Today I have an emergency transfer...meaning me and Elder A. are no longer companions.  I'm not quiet sure why and the other 2 elders stay.  We find out more after lunch today.  We just barely found out this morning and to be completely honest,  I'm a little nervous because I'm not sure what's going to happen.  I don't know who's going to be my companion.  Me and Elder A. had like 5 baptismal dates for this month and the next and I'm not sure if we get to do them now.  I am pretty nervous where my new area is going to be because I love my area, my companion and the people here in Opico.
  
But other than that,  this week has been pretty good and I've learned a ton on how to teach in Spanish. I can teach fine.  I just can't express myself like the Latinos.  I only speak in simple sentences. The goal in the mission is to teach 25 lessons a week, 25 to 30 people. I was freaking awesome like usual. We taught a lot of new investigators, all in which were positive.  So it just sucks to leave them.

I am just a little devastated because I really like where I am right now and now I have to change for whatever reason. but I know the Lord is looking out for me and knows what I should do, what I can do and where I should be.  So pray that its a good area with a good companion. 

The pupusas are amazing! We eat like a thousand a day with a coke.  Coke goes down like freakin water here...and they are like 50 cents for 2 liters...Hahaha!!

I love all your guys updates, they bring the biggest smile to my face.  I love all of you and pray for all you guys daily and remember who I am representing out here.
 

I gotta go Momma,  I love you so much and pray for you always.  Love you tons.

 

Te Amo

Elder Gee


EXCERPT FROM MOMMA:

Later on that day I received a text that had a picture of Kyle and a man with sunglasses.  I wasn't even sure who had sent me the pic.  I later found out it was a friend from the ward who happens to know President Hintze very well.  He sent the pic to our friend, Kevin and he forwarded it to me.  Also, President Hintze called Kevin that afternoon and let him talk to Kyle.  Kyle told Kevin that his companion was still Elder A. and that they were moving to a different area which was still in their district.  Kevin came over that night to tell us and it was such a tender mercy...I was going to be a wreck all week not knowing where and who he was going to be with. So, so grateful!!

 

  

This is President Hintze escorting Kyle and his companion to his  new area!

 

 

Sept. 7th - 1ST AREA: SAN JUAN OPICO

Que Pasa?

 

How's everyone doing?  How's boring old k-town?  Well,  I know you all have lots of questions so I'm just going to get straight to it. When I found out who my companion was,  Elder A.....he got so excited he picked me up and gave me a hug and President Hinzte and everybody in the mission laughed!  Hahaha!  My area is a little town called San Juan Opico and its about an hour west by bus of San Salvador.  Theres a lot of poverty so theres a lot of people who love to hear the gospel. But there is like 5 different churches here and it's messed up.  I remember one said....The Church of the Gods.

  

Well there is me, Elder A.,  Elder J. who is from Arizona (he has been out a month longer then me) and its funny because he went to Provo MTC and the natives always make fun of him because my Spanish is way better then his. But he talks it like a champ and likes to have fun as well.  And there is another elder from Honduras. He's freaking funny and way good at soccer.

 

This week has been full of adventure and I can't even write it all down,  Hahaha!   Me and Elder A. have 2 baptismal dates this month and I'm super excited about that.  Hermana R. and Hermano U.  They're both super good people and their families are not members so we are working with them.

 

Every Friday night it's about 1 dollar to play a pick up basketball games with the locals its sooooo fun.  Elder A. balls.  He was in the Guatemala draft for professional basketball but he decided to go on a mission.  He had like 7 blocks last Friday,  Hahaha!  We killed them like 56 to 20,  Hahaha!!  It's all fun here tho...everybody has a good spirit. and I love my mission and everybody in it.

 

se que la iglesia es verdadera. se que e espiritu santo es muy muy fuerta agui. yo entiendo el evangelio en ingles. pero el senor respuesta oraciones en espanol. es e broma aqui. se que jose smith fue a profeta de dios y thomas s monson es e profeta ahora. se que el libro de mormon es la palabra de dios.

 

Te Amo,

Elder Gee

Me and my comp Elder A.

 

Elder Shirley heading back home the day I arrive!
He is the son of a good friend of my mom and dad.

 

Church with my room mates

 


Stabbed him with a El Salvador flag pole!

Sept 4th - LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

MISIÓN EL SALVADOR

SAN SALVADOR OESTE/BELICE

Boulevard del Hipódromo No. 537

Colonia San Benito

San Salvador, El Salvador C.A.

Tel.: (503) 2524-4800, Fax: (503) 2524-4800

Apartado Postal #81 Correos Multiplaza, S.S.

e-mail: 2011271@ldschurch.org

                                                                                                                    September 3, 2015

                               

Dear Gee Family,

 

We are pleased to inform you that Elder Gee has arrived safely in the El Salvador San Salvador West/Belize Mission.  We are excited to have him join our mission family, and can see that he is well prepared to start serving.

 

He is serving in the Arce Zone, and in the Opico 2 Area, with his trainer Elder Arriola from Guatemala.

               

Elder Gee will be able to e-mail or write to you every Monday.  Letters from home are a very important part of missionary life.  Please write weekly and focus on positive and uplifting things to help him maintain a healthy attitude.  The mail system in El Salvador is reliable.  If you wish to send packages they can be sent to the mission office.  Address them to:

 

Elder Kyle Roland Gee

Misión El Salvador San Salvador Oeste/Belice

Apartado Postal #81, Correos Multiplaza

San Salvador, El Salvador

 

We know the Lord will bless you and him as he faithfully dedicates this time to teaching others to follow the Savior Jesus Christ.

                                                                                  

Very cordially,

President & Sister Hintze

 

 

Elder Gee and his companion Elder A., and President and Sister Hintze



                                                   

Que Pasa?

 

How's everyone doing?  How's boring old k-town?  Well,  I know you all have lots of questions so I'm just going to get straight to it. When I found out who my companion was,  Elder A.....he got so excited he picked me up and gave me a hug and President Hinzte and everybody in the mission laughed!  Hahaha!  My area is a little town called San Juan Opico and its about an hour west by bus of San Salvador.  Theres a lot of poverty so theres a lot of people who love to hear the gospel. But there is like 5 different churches here and it's messed up.  I remember one said....The Church of the Gods.

  

Well there is me, Elder A.,  Elder J. who is from Arizona (he has been out a month longer then me) and its funny because he went to Provo MTC and the natives always make fun of him because my Spanish is way better then his. But he talks it like a champ and likes to have fun as well.  And there is another elder from Honduras. He's freaking funny and way good at soccer.

 

This week has been full of adventure and I can't even write it all down,  Hahaha!   Me and Elder A. have 2 baptismal dates this month and I'm super excited about that.  Hermana R. and Hermano U.  They're both super good people and their families are not members so we are working with them.

 

Every Friday night it's about 1 dollar to play a pick up basketball games with the locals its sooooo 

fun.  Elder A. balls.  He was in the Guatemala draft for professional basketball but he decided to go on a mission.  He had like 7 blocks last Friday,  Hahaha!  We killed them like 56 to 20,  Hahaha!!  It's all fun here tho...everybody has a good spirit. and I love my mission and everybody in it.

 

se que la iglesia es verdadera. se que e espiritu santo es muy muy fuerta agui. yo entiendo el evangelio en ingles. pero el senor respuesta oraciones en espanol. es e broma aqui. se que jose smith fue a profeta de dios y thomas s monson es e profeta ahora. se que el libro de mormon es la palabra de dios.

 

Te Amo,

Elder Gee

Sept. 3rd - FIRST LETTER FROM EL SALVADOR!

Hey Momma, what's up?  I am sorry I couldn't call by that's against the rules here so I didn't and we didn't have time to send our family anything.  So right now is my second day in the mission field and its sooooo much more different than the MTC,  but I love it because its real down here.

 

My trainer is native....his name is Elder A.  He is like 6'2 and I heard from President Hintze that he plays basketball.  He is way cool and he speaks really good English so he helps me a ton.  Right now I'm in a pretty poor area, its not the nicest but its differently not the worst.  I have 4 elders from my MTC zone in my area, so thats pretty cool.  President Hintze is freakin ballin and so is his wife.  The best way to put the mission right now is that its way relax and the Hintzes aren't too strict. 

 

Anyways I am here right now because my companion is filling out paper work because last week he had to get eye surgery. He was playing basketball here and got scratched and cut his eye. So I'm able to check my email right now, Hahaha!   But my p-day is Monday at 9 o'clock for an hour and a half.

And tomorrow we have to go to the big city and get Elder A's eye checked, so it's field trip for me, Hahaha!!  

 

Anyways,  I love you and I don't have much time right now to explain everything because we actually flew into San Salvador not by a bus because the riots,  Hahaha!  

So I love you more then words can describe....yesterday I felt a little homesick because everything is new again for me and I almost cried because I wish I could hug you, but I'm hanging in there.  It gets easier everyday and everyday we get closer to persevering to the end!

 

I love you and I promise to write more on Monday.

 

Elder Gee

 

P.S.: tell the family I love them sooo much.

Sept 1st - LEAVING GUATEMALA

 

EXCERPT FROM MOMMA GEE:

Tyler had a friend from his office that was heading down to the Guatemala MTC the same day Kyle was leaving.  What a tender mercy!! She was kind enough to take a package to him (and two other missionaries) just as they were heading out.  She and her husband took these pictures of Kyle and his companion Elder Hallman.



 

 

 

The elders left the MTC on a bus (pictured on the left) and headed to El Salvador.  It is about a 4 hour drive.  As they were leaving the city of Guatemala, the riots and protesting were so bad in the streets that they couldn't drive.  The bus driver told the boys that they are turning around and heading back to the MTC.  They were sad and didn't want to.  After an hour of driving around, the bus driver dropped all 34 missionaries off at the airport.  There was someone from the church meeting them there and purchased airfare for them all.  They had to wait 6 hours until the flight left.  They ended up arriving in El Salvador 8 hours later than scheduled. 

The bus ride!
(Photo Credit: Elder Eggers)
 

Getting dropped of at the airport.
(Photo credit: Elder Eggers)

FINALLY...arriving in El Salvador!!
(Photo Credit: Elder Eggers)