Week #5 - Salton City - San Bernardino, CA Mission

Hey everyone!

This week has been another great time down here in Salton City and in Borrego. Next where I live, Salton City, is a big lake called the Salton sea. Salton city is hot and humid and the lake stinks. Ive always wondered why and I've heard so many explanations from ancient Indians cursing the water against European settlers to Mexico pumping their sewage into it. The most plausible of these explanations I think is that the water smells bad because it has no run off. Just like the Dead Sea, water may come in during the wet season, but the lake has no rivers or streams as an outlet. The lake is actually the remnant of a really big flood from a river. Since the lake doesnt have outlets, the salt content is really high. The farmers also drain there pesticides into the lake which adds to the stink. What's interesting is there is a way to fix it, but its expensive and I don't know when or if it will be implemented. 

Besides uncovering the mystery of the Salton sea, we have had a lot if miracles this week. 

First of all, Manuel, which we've been teaching ever since I got here, has been doing well. He was going through a really, really rough time, but the last time we visited him he appeared better and happier. He has been praying really hard and now listens to the Book of Mormon regularly. We've also been giving him priesthood blessings and he has gained great faith in them. His faith in the atoning power of Christ is growing and he is finding greater peace because of it.  It is so wonderful to see this great change in him.

Another miracle is that we knocked on this one less active member's door and we didn't find her. However, we found a guy that my companion Elder Rodriguez has been looking for since he arrived which is about three months. It turns our that he loves the Book of Mormon and believes in the restoration. He's been going through trials too and it looks like we may have to re-teach the missionary lessons, but at least we found him. 

The last great experience this week I had was teaching the sister that we miraculously found a couple of weeks ago. We taught her about the restoration and she loved it. She also liked the restoration of the sealing power. She also asked if we could teach a friend of hers and her son.

Again, this week has been a great week and I have gained a stronger testimony that the Lord fulfills his promise of peace and joy in this life as we live the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Love you guys!

Elder Green

1. A rainbow cloud! (It came out after an awesome lesson)

2. The Salton Sea at sunrise 

3-5 photos of a mansion we had a zone Activity in.