Transferred to the Bronx (January 12, 2020)

Transfers happened.  I'm in the Bronx now.  I'm not sure how best to describe it but it's something like take the "rougher" part of town of every city in America and suddenly boom, the Bronx is born.

New Apartment, new companion, new area, pretty much new everything and yet same old work eh?  Except not because "this ain't the Spanish they taught in the MTC".

We teach mostly Dominicans here and they have a way with Spanish similar to how mustard has a way with vanilla ice cream.  Very hard to get used to.

I thought that I would get right into it, as this will be a bit of a shorter email, but one to get you to the next one am I right?

I thought I would share an experience I had about my 3rd day here.  My companion decided that I should try an authentic New York "chopped cheese".  Sounds enticing.  

Anyway, we are at the Deli waiting on the sAnDwicHeS when eventually a guy turns around after about to leave the store and goes,

Him: "What you all do?"

Us: "We're missionaries."

Him: "You all work for Trump?"

Us: "No, we are missionaries."

Him: "Good, cause you wouldn't be leaving this store if you did."

. . . . . . . 

What, you going to murder us in cold blood at 2 in the afternoon?  That's a bit spicy, even for the Bronx.

A confusing individual, to say the least.

Today, however, we were visiting the famous "Joker Staircase" and Yankee Stadium, and on the way back we were sitting in the front of a train car.  For those of you who don't know there is a space between each car, a very wobbly bridge if you will, for emergencies.  They are not to be used for any other situation.  But there I was looking at the train car in front of us in this tunnel we were in, and a guy just opens up his train car's door to smoke a cigarette outside.

???

When we were almost to a stop he quickly jumped in our car so the workers wouldn't see him.  Then he started talking to us,

"You all missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?"

Me:  "Yeah, have you met some missionaries before?"

Him:  "***** yeah, you guys are awesome ya'll do some good work."

Another interesting individual.

It was such a completely different experience for each different person and I think that is really the beauty of New York City.  It definitely isn't found in it's garbage ridden streets, or in the graffiti exhibits, it's in the people.  Each one has a little light in them, and the world is so much brighter when they choose to let it shine.

Although I know that I may be ridiculed, threatened, or have some "hard words" thrown in my direction, it's worth it, for those little moments where I see light beaming from the soul of another person.

We live in uneasy times, so let your light so shine before each and every person.  Who knows, you might make their day.

Sincerely your, El Nuevo Misionero, Elder Baird

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