Elder Plummer's new area, Dunellen - New Jersey, February 24, 2014

Hola familia,

  
The address Sister Gilbert gave you is correct. We can also receive packages. Well, we have been doing a lot of walking and teaching short messages to less active members and a few investigators.  Dunellen is an old town that has the 1950s feel and a lot of small businesses such as restaurants, delis', markets and laundry mats. About half of the signs here are in Spanish or Portuguese.  The people are so nice here and are hard working and humble people.  Many of the members live in very humble circumstances but I have felt the spirit very strongly in their homes.  The branch is very excited because they now have an extra set of missionaries assigned to their branch. Elder Jeffries has been in this are for about 7 to 8 months and knows the members and less actives very well.    We visited a recent convert family named the Manzanos.  They were baptized a year ago and have three elementary aged kids.  They are a great family and are excited to progress more in the gospel.  Yesterday was my first day in the branch we are assigned to, which has an average attendance of 25 to 45 people each Sunday.  Also Dad did you know a Brother Wilber Medina?  He served in Arequipa in 85 to 86 and we talked a little bit about President Young. 

       Our branch mission leader is great.  He is very organized and has a strong testimony.  I also introduced myself to the branch and told them I was half Peruvian.  A lot of the branch could not believe it.  The branch is very small and has many less actives but we will do our best to change that.  One way we have to contact investigators is by playing soccer every Saturday afternoon at a nearby chapel. It is so much fun but it can get intense.  We have two main investigators.  Our first one we have had for awhile, her name is Luz and she is from Colombia and has been Catholic all her life.  We feel that she does not want to change her lifestyle, she lives with her boyfriend who is less active. We committed her to read 3 Nephi last time and pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true.  She said she will do it.
        Our newest investigator is Santos from Guatemala.  He is here in the States to learn English and for work and recently just learned Spanish. He grew up speaking a local language back in Guatemala.  We had a first meeting with him last night and taught  him about the restoration and the Book of Mormon. The spirit was so strong as we testified to him about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  I got to teach a quarter of the lesson and felt I did good. He seemed very interested about our church and was excited to read the Book of Mormon.  We also set a baptismal date on March 16!  We are excited and hopefully he follows through.  The other night we visited a less active named Johnny who is from Peru.  He was telling us about his troubles at work and other financial and health challenges. He also told us the time the Gospel and the missionaries helped him in times of crisis. My companion felt inspired to offer to give him a blessing of health.  It was a beautiful blessing and felt the spirit strongly.  We committed him to come to church last Sunday and he came.  It was great to see him. I have felt the strength of the Lord and the love he has for these people.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve my Savior.  I love you all so very much.  I have learned so much the week I have been out here.  

I love you!

Elder Plummer

Ashton and his friend from High School, Elder Muro, it's amazing and wonderful that close friends can serve in the same mission!!