Week 30: "Winter" is coming!

Another week has flown by, and with it goes the change.  I feel like every time I blink another month has gone by.  Before I know it I'll be an old man (in missionary years)!

We've been working like crazy this week, and it's paid off.  We found another family of new investigators.  They already attend another church, but they are really interested in the doctrine of eternal families, because that's something that their church doesn't teach.

Which brings us to something new that's going on in the mission.  President Vasquez has challenged us as missionaries to not just teach the missionary lessons, but to teach doctrine to our investigators, from the first contact.  Elder Yaxón and I have been doing that already by giving new contacts a DVD that talks about eternal families.  Presidente took it even further.  In a district meeting, he challenged us to teach about the House of Israel, and how we all can receive the blessings of one of the 12 Tribes.  We've seen a lot of success contacting that way.

Note for non-members: if you want to know more about eternal families or the 12 Tribes, light up the Bat Signal to call for Mormon Man. 

Now, the explanation for the title.  There aren't really seasons here.  The average temperature only varies by about 5 degrees Celsius throughout the year because, you know, tropical climate and all that.  The only difference is that here we have "summer" and "winter", or as gringoes say, the dry season and the rainy season.  Winter is a bit late in starting this year, but it's definitely on its way.  We got trapped in the church on Friday night by a torrential downpour that turned the streets into rivers.  No, I'm not kidding.  There was a good 5 inches of water in the gutters, overflowing the curb.  And the stormwater system was so over capacity that manhole covers got lifted by the water pressure, and a geyser started in the intersection by the church!  That's what the picture is.

Have a good week!

P.S.  The reason for last week's email title is this: in the ward here we have 5 different guys who go by the name "Tito."  So when someone says to talk to Tito, one always has to ask "Which Tito" (Cuál Tito?).

Elder Colton West

El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission

Editor's Note: We have received a LOT of pictures over the past 10 days or so from Melissa Vasquez, the mission president's daughter. (HOORAY! and THANK YOU MELISSA!!!) Whenever there is a zone or district meeting, a temple trip, or any other opportunity, this lovely young lady takes a ton of pics and puts them on Facebook for us missionary mommas to share!  I have so many that I think I will share a few each week for the next couple of weeks.  Elder West only sent one this week, of the flooded street, so these extras are a welcomed treat!

Temple Day 5.12.15
Ilopango Zone?

With President & Sister Vasquez

I believe this is Elder West's district in Ilopango.
He is directly behind the sister in the blue.

This is probably his district in Ilopango. Elder West, 2nd from left.
His companion, Elder Yaxon from Nicaragua, is center

Elder West having some fun with Melissa Vasquez,
mission president's daughter and photographer extraordinaire!

The storm-water system was so over capacity that manhole covers got lifted
by the water pressure, and a geyser started in the intersection by the church!