Week 87: Self-referral(!), an Arizonian, and Conferences

Hello everyone!

I really don't have much time at all, so this is going to be short. I apologize.

Tuesday we went with the Deckers to renew their visas, but ran into some problems. We went to visit some members with them, and it was wonderful. These people are great.

Wednesday of course included District Meeting, and a fair amount of contacting. It was really hot. We played basketball for "sports night" that evening, and there was a group of guys that seemed to be gymnasts, practicing at a nearby set of gymnastics bars.

Thursday included some phone calls, and then visiting that guy that texted us on Sunday from an unknown number asking for a copy of the Book of Mormon. We were initially at the wrong door, but once we found the right one we had a wonderful lesson, and he's looking very promising! He knows the Bible really well and is willing to really listen to what we say, and understands it all very well. That was exciting. Later on in the day we visited some other members and did more contacting.

Me and some other missionaries, including the Christensens, a senior missionary couple.

Friday was Zone Conferences! We loaded up in the car and drove to Belgrade. We had great messages from all of our leaders, plus of course great socialization at lunch and briefly after the meetings. We also got to hear a wonderful testimony from our departing friend, Elder Rasmussen, who goes home next week. That night the two normal Assistants to the President (APs) stayed the night with us, including a certain 3rd elder that'll officially be revealed this week with transfer announcements.

Saturday included getting lunch with the APs, as well as the Christensens, a senior couple that recently arrived in the mission that was passing through. The weather was really really good, and the lemonade I got was wonderful.

Sunday was District Conference! That's like stake conference, but we don't have a stake. So, all of Serbia gathered to the Belgrade church. For our branch, that included taking a rented 21-seater minibus so that people had transportation. Right as we arrived, a man speaking English asked me where the church was. Turns out he's a member from Arizona, so I showed him in and we became pretty good friends. After lunch, for the second half of the conference, a number of us missionaries helped out in the nursery. Man, those kids are LOUD. It was fun though. It was also really good at the conference to see members from Novi Sad that I haven't seen in over a year.

We got to visit a Serbian National Park...Fruška Gora is a mountain that used to be an island.

Today we got haircuts and went to a Serbian National park! I'm sorry that I don't have photos right now, I'll send them with next week's email! Gotta go now! Have a great week!

--

Elder Ryan Echols
Adriatic North Mission
Svačićev Trg 3/1
HR-10000 Zagreb
Croatia