09.16.09

Hey family!
So I guess you all have heard about my little incident last Monday. I tried to keep it from mom but unfortunately that didn't work. Mom, please don't worry. We had a little bit of a rough week last week all starting off on Monday, but we picked ourselves back up this week and had a great start. On Tuesday I went on a split with my DL (district leader) and he got sick so we went home early, then on Thursday my companion got sick and he has asthma so we ended up having to go to the doctor in Manhattan and the whole week went down the tubes. I did get in a ton of study time and I finished (the book) Jesus the Christ which was great.

We did have an amazing end of the week with the baptism and confirmation of Ral*h. My companion had to baptism him four times because Ral*h was having a bit of a hard time, but it's ok because now he is squeaky clean! We are trying to get him better involved with the ward because he is a little shy so we are doing everything we can for that. President Darger, one of our mission president's councilors, came to the service and after learning about what happened on Monday he slipped a twenty in my pocket. That same day we ran into a family from Utah who were all excited and giddy to see real missionaries in action, gave us each 20 bucks for lunch. 60 bucks in one day isn't too bad. We always try to say no many times but I've offended a few people so I don't put up too much of a fight if people want to give me money.

So now that rumors are flying around with everyone about the little incident on Monday I might as well tell you the whole story. Warning though, no one overreact and call President Smith and demand I come home. Ok? So on Monday around three o'clock Elder Wilkins and I where traveling to meet up with a referral that we had received from other missionaries. As we traveled to a far away place to where we usually wouldn't go to because of the lack of Spanish people, I told elder Wilkins that this was probably our most dangerous area. The people were all just looking at us all funny, probably because they have never seen white people, and no one looked happy.

Some kid asked me as we were walking if we had change for a twenty to which I replied no. I had the thought to not even look and just keep walking. So we kept walking and later I noticed a group of teenagers walking behind us for a while. They kept saying sir, sir so my companion turned around to ask them if they were talking to us. They surround us and acted all tough asking why we were there and everything in there Bronx slang; I didn't understand half of it. Then they said something to the translation of so you guys can get out your weapons or whatever you have but we want your money. At first I thought they were joking because it was in the middle of the day, people were out washing there cars and on the streets and we were just in some neighborhood. So when I found out that they were serious I asked them if they really wanted to rob men of God with His Son's name on our chest, fine you can have our money. We pulled out the whole 18 dollars we had and gave them the cash. One of them checked my comp's pocket but all that he got were flash cards. They told us we can call the cops or whatever we wanted and took off running.
So I called the cops who pulled together a team and took us around the area in their car arresting people along the way for whatever reason they could. It was kind of weird sitting in the back of a cop car but it's a good story. They cops told us not to go back into that area because that happens all of the time. Pres Smith said the same thing. But now the area is open again so we should be fine. We were pretty mad at the time, not because of the money, just lack of respect. but now it seems pretty funny and a great story to tell.

the following is pres's remarks about the incident in a weekly letter to the mission:
Hello Sisters and Elders,
Sister Smith arrived safely back in New York this past week. All went well in Idaho. On her return trip, she laid over a day and visited Elder Evans. He is doing well but the treatment is very difficult. He is courageous but is growing weary of having to stay close to home and focus on the treatment. Sister Smith gave him a copy of all of your letters. He was elated. I am sure he will spend hours perusing them and pondering of you and your success in the mission.
Local mission news includes the robbery of Elder Sorensen and Elder Wilkins. Three young men approached them and asked if they had any money. Elders Sorensen and Wilkins agreed to give them the money if they would accept a baptism date in September. (just kidding) However, Elder Sorensen did think that with a little work and refinement, he could develop the event into a new and effective way of contacting. Because Elder Wilkins is somewhat new to the work, the subsequent interview with police was viewed as the completion of successful lacing of the three robbers. I suggested that at this time they probably should not add the three young men to their new investigator list.
Seriously, please be very careful. The Lord watched over these good Elders. In addition they did their part in being smart and responsible. I know that one of the reasons the Elders were spared from danger was their cheerful attitude and their immediate wiliness to give up worldly things. If confronted, please do not argue or become defensive. Just become a good natured victim. It could save you from serious bodily harm. The police have asked the missionaries to avoid the area for a while. This is prudent and I have instructed them to follow the direction of the police.
Scripture to ponder:

34 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.
35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.

(Book of Mormon | Alma 31:34 - 35)

We love you and yearn for your success, good health and happiness.

Sincerely,
President and Sister Smith


So we found four news yesterday which was really great. We found this mom and her son who were really cool and hopefully go some where. We are trying to change our focus a little more with how PMG (Preach My Gospel) teaches us to do missionary work. I am really going to push to help the members learn their responability, and their covenants towards missionary work. My whole mission I have tried over and over to help the members understand but they never get it. Now that I have a long time in this area and that I know the members very well I am going to learn how to better work with them to get this work moving. I have to learn how to teach them to help me.

So anyways I hope everyone is doing really well and loving life. Please don't worry about me and my safety, worry about my investigators. I am proud of all the hard work that you are accomplishing and the example you are for me. I love you all and hope you have great week!

Elder Sorensen

P.S. As for the vacation next summer, I say come to new york, it would be a lot of fun, there is a ton to do.
I know what areas are good and what areas are bad. If we only go out during the day it would be fine. It doesn't really matter to me if you all want to pick me up here or whatever. I know I've said it's not very safe here but for the most parts during the day in a group we would be fine.
Elder Sorensen