A branch of 17 souls!

Dear Hosford Family,

I’m here in Crotone now. It’s my second Sunday here in a tiny branch. There were 17 here last Sunday. The work here is really good. We don’t really do a lot of finding, but we have a lot of appointments. It’s a pretty city. Right on the beach. I am very tempted to go to the beach. I won’t though.

My new companion is Anziano Kafel from Genova. His accent if really different from Anziano Furia’s. That’s not the problem for me. The problem for me is the Calabrian accent. It’s hard for me to understand. I already miss Sicily, however, there is one thing here that I ate in Caserta (Napoli) that I really like. It’s called Nduja. It’s a meat with lots of oil and hot red peppers. It’s really unhealthy, but I love it on sandwiches.

The work here is fun and crazy. We have three new converts we are working with. One is great and is going to the temple in November. The other two would be able to go, but we are helping them overcome some things first.

Then we have 4 baptismal dates as well. One of them I haven’t met yet because she’s really busy, but her date is in September. The other if for a guy named Pino. I don’t think he’ll make his date for this month. It’s okay however. He was taught everything in Rome then moved back to Crotone. We want to reteach everything. Then we have Giuseppe, who is 21 and told us the Book of Mormon was true during out last appointment. We are jus waiting for him to tell us when. Then last Sunday a member brought a friend to church and she wants to get baptized now. Her date is August 11th. We need to see her more often to get her ready. It will be difficult because we are out of town for 6 workdays over the next 2 weeks.

We picked up a less active family yesterday. Mother and daughter and we might have the opportunity to teach their boyfriends. We will see.

Hope everyone is well at home. Look forward to getting everyone’s letters … if they come. I sent home a box, but I have no idea when it will come. Love everyone lots.

Anziano Hosford

The car Mitchell and his new companion are standing in is used for handy man stuff. cars are very different here. You don’t see this one often though. We rode in the back of it. Here are some photos of me, AnzianoKkafel, and a new convert name Vincenzo...in the back of an ape ... the name of the car.  (ah pay) instead of ape.

Mitchell with Elder Kafel and Vincenzo

Mitchell says this utility "vehicle" is called an APE -
pronounced "ah pay" in Italiano

Transferred to Crotone!

Mitchell was transferred from Siracusa to Crotone last week. It’s a small town of about 60,000 with a branch of less than 20. The economy is very depressed in Crotone and has been since the late 80s when several business shut down. He hasn’t said much about the people yet. His emails are very cryptic but here’s a little from the last email.

My new comp’s name is Anziano Munir Kafel. He’s half Italian and half Moroccan so he’s taller than Anz. Furia.
Me and my companion never stop talking. We are always saying something. We have three baptismal dates right now. Crotone, is actually the smallest branch in the smallest district in Europe. We had 17 people in church but we have the best work in our zone right now. We have 3 dates. one for july 28...which will get moved back. another for 

august 11th which we set Sunday...and another for September 27th or so. The work is great...I am just really really tired.

Well...I haven’t done finding in a week. we have a member that does it for us. all of these are referrals. i have never seen anything like it before. The branch is great cause of this member. i will tell more about him and our work here in the letter.

I haven’t found my slot here yet. I don’t think I’ll be here long. It feel s a lot like Caserta. I will go to state...in puglia for my first time while my comp goes to Rome for a zone leader conference. my comp tells me that i will be training soon. i hope not.

So we look forward to a letter instead of his short emails. Patti

The car Mitchell and his new companion are standing in is used for little handy man stuff. cars are very different here. you don’t see this one often though. we rode in the back of it. here are some photos of me, anziano kafel, and a new convert name vincenzo...in the back of an ape...is the name of the car. (ah pay) instead of ape.

Mitchell was transferred from Siracusa to Crotone last week.  It’s a small town of about 60,000 with a branch of less than 20.  The economy is very depressed in Crotone and has been since the late 80s when several business shut down.  He hasn’t said much about the people yet.  His emails are very cryptic but here’s a little from the last email.

My new comp’s name is Anziano Munir Kafel.  He’s half Italian and half Moroccan so he’s taller than Anz. Furia. Me and my companion never stop talking. We are always saying something. We have three baptismal dates right now. Crotone, is actually the smallest branch in the smallest district in Europe. We had 17 people in church but we have the best work in our zone right now. We have 3 dates. one for july 28...which will get moved back. another for august 11th which we set Sunday...and another for September 27th or so. The work is great...I am just really really tired.

Well...I haven’t done finding in a week. we have a member that does it for us. all of these are referrals. i have never seen anything like it before. The branch is great cause of this member. i will tell more about him and our work here in the letter.

I haven’t found my slot here yet.  I don’t think I’ll be here long. It feel s a lot like Caserta.  I will go to state...in puglia for my first time while my comp goes to Rome for a zone leader conference. my comp tells me that i will be training soon. i hope not.

  

Crotone address

Either ways tomorrow i will be by myself for 7 hours on the train.

The photos are of Mitchell's last p-day in Siracusa, Sicily. He was transferred to Crotone. His address is:

Via Torino 119A
Crotone, KR 88900
Italia

From what he says Crotone is a town of about 70,000 with a branch of 15! It's going to be a hard place to serve so please write to him. His new companion is Italian and grew up in the same stake as his last companion, Anziano Furia. Mitchell should come home speaking muy bien Italiano.

Extreme ropes

Yesterday we went to an extreme ropes course
that made the one a Grimes look weak.
its hard to explain with words.

To buy or not to buy ... another soccer jersey

Hosford Family,

Sorry it;s once again taken me a while to write. It's not that we have been super busy, we have just had a really strange schedule lately.

We watched almost every Italino soccer game for the European Cup.  We didn't watch the first two.  We say Italy beat Ireland 1-0, England 4-2 in a shoot out, Germany 2-1, and then we lost to Spain 4-0.  It's a long story.  We were very surprised Italy made it to the finals.  We are shocked they even made it out of the initial bracket.  I was fun to watch even though we were out late for about every game. It was good cultural study for me. I am contemplating buying an Italy jersey. I think I am going to because I was here for the Cup and I don't think I will get another chance. It would be my 4th jersey (2 Napoli jerseys, 1 Siracusa, and maybe this one.)

Work has been slow.  Marysel dropped us.  We have investigators. Its just hard to see them. We are doing a lot of finding. We are burning here. Its hot and humid. I am wet about all day nonstop. However, I love it.

I am almost done with the Old Testament. I have read every book but Ezekiel which I am finding interesting.

We receive transfer calls in 4 days. I hope to be transferred.  Its about time for me to go. I have to buy a new suitcase though.

Either ways.  Hope everyone is doing well at home.  Love all of you.

Anziano Hosford