Turkey Slaughtering

Brian before the turkey slaughter

It was another great week out here. One thing I have learned about the
people out here is they feed us so much. I thought two dinners was a
lot. We were fed three times by the members the other day. I don't
even have time to prepare for it either. We just stop by someone's
house and they'll have like a full meal prepared for you. So I'll eat
a huge meal with a dinner appointment right after. At least the food
is super good. It's a lot different than Puerto Rico though. We'd
rarely get fed over there. We also got to slaughter and feather some
turkey's. One of our investigators raises rabbits, chickens, turkeys,
and other types of animals. So we get to help them out whenever they
need it. It's actually super easy to slaughter and feather a turkey.
It's just super bloody. I also let the member do all of the gutting. I
wasn't willing to stick my hand and pull all of those out. That was a
first time for me though. Our work is also going pretty good out here.
We had an open house at the church this week. It was a great
turnout.... for the members. We only had a few people that weren't
members show up and check out the church. We do have four people on
baptismal date though so that's pretty good. Three of which are for
next week so hopefully all of those work out. I also think my Spanish
is getting a lot better. It's definitely going to be harder to pick up
out here where a lot of people speak English though. For the most part
I usually know what's going on though. Until they start using slang
though. Then I'm just lost. But I'm getting better each day.

We had our entire zone come out to
Chaparral to hand out flyers to everyone for our church's open house
next week. We have a branch of anywhere between 40-80 active members
so hopefully that activity brings in a bunch of people. I'm also
starting to realize how many dogs are here. We had two dog's join us
as we were passing out flyers for a couple of hours. It was nice cause
they kept the other dog's from attacking us, but they kept coming up
to all the doorsteps with us which got a little bit annoying. There
are a bunch of stray dogs here though, and everyone has like at least
four dogs. I also learned how to sew out here. Well I don't really
know if I did it right, but my pocket isn't hanging off my shirt
anymore. They also have so many of these stickers that get stuck in my
shoe and all over my pants. I have like a hundred little thorns stuck
in my shoe now. Besides that the work has been going great out here
and the time is flying by. It feels like my last P-day was just
yesterday.

Brian with companion with their Tundra truck

The effects of the Habanero pepper

The after effects of eating the hottest pepper in the world

It was a super cool week out here. I'm finally getting into the
routine of things. I'm loving getting fed here though. We get fed by
members or investigators every single dinner. Matter of fact yesterday
we had two dinners. I was so full. We ate some food with one family
and then went right on to the next family. We had some kind of soup
for dinner but I didn't know what it was. I kept asking but the only
answer I got was in spanish. Although there were a few chewy things in
it, I thought it tasted pretty good but when I finally got to the end
of my meal, my comp told me it was cow stomach soup. I was also given
a Habanero pepper by an investigator. He told me not to eat it. He
said it would kill me. Apparently they are one of the hottest peppers
in the world. 

Habanero pepper

I thought he was exaggerating. I thought I was gonna die
after I ate that thing though. It's not only for a few minutes either.
I was in pain for about an hour. The problem with them is that once
you eat one, you can't change your decision. Your stuck suffering in
pain. I haven't cried in forever until then. Anyways the pain is gone
now, but I'm a little worried for how it's gonna feel like coming out
the other end. One of our other dinners we were also invited to a
little girls birthday party. We didn't know that's what it was gonna
be though. They just told us we had dinner with them. It was a little
funky being the only two Elders eating at the pink birthday table.

My area is super cool. We live in a trailer park. It's super cold in
the mornings though. The other day when we woke up it was 54 degrees
in our trailer. There's not too much insulation. Our Branch is pretty
cool too. We have about 30 - 70 active members. Everyone is super nice
as well. We have a truck so we get to drive around to all of our
appointments as well. I'm still trying to learn the people out here
and get to know everyone. I'm loving it out here though. I'll try to
send some photos of my trailer as well, but a lot of them aren't going
though.

Personal experience of Puerto Rico devastation

Helping Hands in Puerto Rico

Well believe it or not, I'm living in a trailer in Chaparral right on
the border of New Mexico and Texas now. The whole mission is closed in
Puerto Rico for the time being because of hurricane Maria. I could be
in my new area for the rest of my mission, or they could also send me
back to Puerto Rico once they get things running there again. So
anyways, this was kind of a crazy couple weeks. I was actually in the
shower when my old comp came banging on my shower telling me we needed
to pack up and leave. So I quickly got out and threw a couple things
in one of my suitcases. We then got a ride over to one of the chapels
with all of the other missionaries there. We were planning on spending
a night or two there while the hurricane passed. We brought some food
and some water for that. However, we ended up staying a lot more than
a night there. The hurricane ended up hitting pretty hard. Our food
was cut back to tiny rations, and we could only have a little water
because we didn't have a bunch. We had a generator running but it kept
breaking. So we ended up sleeping on the tile floor with a hundred
other missionaries with little food and water sweating constantly in
the humidity in a cement building for about a week. Our bathrooms
didn't work either, but we didn't really eat enough to need to go.
Right after the hurricane hit also, we immediately went out and
started clearing all the trees from the roads and stuff. It was
actually super cool. Everybody was pulling their car over and thanking
us. People became like a hundred times more friendly, and were
literally asking us for Book of Mormons. That was also how I got most
of my drinking water. When people offered us some, because I only had
about 4 liters of water. I'm pretty sure I got severely dehydrated.
I'm all good now though. Oh yeah we also had to shower in the
janitor's closet. Well, until the water started coming out brown. Then
we just couldn't shower. I didn't have any clean clothes to change
into anyways. Overall it was definitely not a super fun experience,
but I was definitely humbled by it. I will never take food or water
for granted ever again. We also had to siphon gas between all the cars
so we would have enough gas to get to the airport. The lines for gas
were miles long. I wouldn't be surprised if you had to wait overnight
for the gas. We kept getting up at like four in the morning because we
thought we would be leaving, only to be told that we couldn't leave
yet. We finally got to leave after a week. The church sent a private
airplane over to pick us up, and we had only about seven gallons of
water for all of the missionaries so we kind of needed it. We made it
safely out and everyone got assigned to new missions while they sent a
couple of the older missionaries home.

Anyways I learned a couple different points because of this hurricane.
One is that I need to be grateful for what I have. I only have a few
belongings after the hurricane, but the things I lost can be replaced.
Many people lost their homes and all of their belongings. Many people
are going to have to suffer in those terrible conditions for a lot
longer than I had to. I also learned that if we serve others, we will
have the strength to overcome our own challenges. This was something
said in General Conference, but I learned it before I heard it there.
I felt absolutely terrible. I was sunburned, had barely any food,
super dehydrated, and felt super dirty and gross. However, it was
probably one of the greatest feelings ever to be serving every one in
need. We were also offered some water while we served, and we found
coconuts to eat. In the end all of my needs were met and I was able to
get through all of my challenges.

Heading out to El Paso - Brian's new area

Miraculous save from devastation of hurricane Maria

According to Sister Smart's Instagram posted yesterday: "Two days before hurricane Maria, President Smart and his wife received a strong confirmation from the Lord: 'bring them home'. They then decided to bring the 55 sisters to the mission home, and the 100 elders to the mission office. If that counsel had not been given, there would have been different results. Amidst chaos, there were miracles too many to mention here. The missionaries are all temporarily assigned to serve stateside."


Brian slept on a tile floor for 6 days with just a duffle bag for a pillow. Food and water had to be rationed among the elders and sisters. Despite these circumstances, the elders would serve during the day by clearing the streets of debris. Here is an excerpted account from the Puerto Rico mission Facebook group: "More about the elders. Today they were serving near a high rise building and as they would haul out the broken limbs and debris from a neighboring property the people in the tall building would applaud and cheer them on. It must have been an amazing experience. Towards the end, when Pres. Smart arrived, they sang for the people Called to Serve. The spirit was strong and it was a beautiful way for the elders to thank those people for their encouragement."

Brian boards plane in Puerto Rico heading to states

Surviving Hurricane Maria and its Aftermath

Brian had only been in Puerto Rico for one week before the entire mission of elders and sisters had to be evacuated from their locations to the mission home and office to prepare for the onslaught of the biggest and most devastating hurricane Puerto Rico has ever experienced in nearly 90 years. The next evening after the hurricane hit the island, Brian was able to call home and the first question he asked us was "did you guys know that we just got hit by a category 5 hurricane?" as if we it hadn't been all over the news! He and the other missionaries brought what food they had from their apartments and boarded up the windows of the mission office. 

These updates are from a senior couple serving in the mission office, the daughter of whom spoke to them on the phone that continued to work pretty well because of a generator hook-up...

Update on Paul and Nancy Wilde: I just spoke with my mom. They are ok. The roof is leaking a little bit, but overall they are good. They are in the thick of it right now, but the hurricane downgraded to a Cat 4. Not much difference, but something. I'll keep you guys posted.😊

Update for Paul and Nancy Wilde: they are experiencing the worst winds they've ever had. The rain is coming down hard. Their car and one other has been hit by tree limbs and damaged. They are in good spirits and making breakfast for the 100 missionaries they are supervising.

Update #3 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: the eye of the storm is moving off of Puerto Rico. They have very minor flooding in the cultural hall of the building they are in. The rain is blowing through the cracks in the door, so it's not true rising water flooding. Text, Facebook, messaging is all down. Mom was able to call me to give me an update, but it was spotty. Communication is tricky. The storm will continue most the day. I'll keep you all updated.

Update #4 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: I got a phone call not too long ago from my mom. Their water isn't working. She's asking for prayers that it comes back on quickly. Also, it looks like power is spotty. They have a generator there, but I don't have a lot of info. They are still well, but are asking for continued prayers. Thank you!❤️

Update #5 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: I just got off the phone with them. Cell coverage and super spotty. Mom said the all the young men with them have been stellar during the whole ordeal. My dad took a drive out trying to get back to the apartment during a lull and couldn't get there due to high water on the roads. Lots of damage to the island, but the building they are in is fine. Trees, power lines, houses are down all over the place. It's not completely gone, yet, but by late tonight it will be. Huge blessings that they are all safe and no real harm has come to the building they are in! Oh, and the generator is working again and the water is back, but not a lot of pressure. Miracles!!

Update #6 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: I spoke with my parents this morning. Their generator is still working today and they have some water, but it's limited. The parking lot is a mess and they are trying to clear it a bit this morning. Everyone is in good spirits and uninjured. The mission president was able to make it to the office this morning so I have word that the sisters are well if a bit worn and ragged. The generator on the mission home blew off the roof along with part of the roof. There was some leaking in the home. They don't have power or water there, but my parents and the elders sent hot cakes and warm spam to them so they had a hot meal this morning. They are looking for a place with running water to get a shower. I'm praying that they find one!! I'm so happy to know that all are well and safe there! We were worried when my parents couldn't get ahold of the president all day, but all is well! Blessings! ❤️

Update #7 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: I just got off the phone with my parents. They are doing well. The missionaries spent the day in service to the community and started the clean up process. They even got showers!!🎉 That was definitely a highlight for the elders and my parents.😁 The mission office still has running water from the city. They do have a backup water system if the city fails them. Tomorrow will be filled with service. The sisters are at the mission home still and are in good spirits. They also spent the day in service.❤️ It looks like the elders that were on Dominica are being evacuated tomorrow on a ship. They are well and will hopefully be off that island in the morning. I will keep updating as the news comes in from my parents. Feel free to share if you want to. Many tender mercies today.

Update #8 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: this morning was full of miracles! My parents found an open grocery store and filled 3 baskets with food. When they got to checkout they realized they only had $100 cash. My dad had to put the stuff away and run to the office to get more cash. During that time my mom found an awesome employee there who helped her fill the baskets again and when my dad got there took them to an unopened register and checked them out quickly. They ended up with 4 baskets of food for all those elders at the office!🎉 the elders were able to go out and serve and were offered a place to wash their clothes. Another miracle! They are also getting showers again today. I haven't heard back from my mom about the sisters, but when I do I will put up another update. The Lord is certainly taking care of His messengers.❤️

Update #9 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: THE SISTERS! I got an update just now and to quote Pres. Smart, "The sisters are wonderful!" They are in a more upscale neighborhood doing service for those affected there. It has truly softened the hearts of those who were hesitant to listen before.❤️ Pres. And Sis. Smart have spoken to many people in the neighborhood who are impressed with the service and attitudes of the sister missionaries. A doctor who lives there has offered his services if needed, although he has not been needed.😊 Another family opened their home to the sisters to use their pool water to wash their clothes and bathe. They haul buckets of water into the home and use a large bath for their washing. What a blessing!! The sisters are in great spirits and are an influence for good there.❤️

More about the elders. Today they were serving near a high rise building and as they would haul out the broken limbs and debris from a neighboring property the people in the tall building would applaud and cheer them on. It must have been an amazing experience. Towards the end, when Pres. Smart arrived, they sang for the people Called to Serve. Pres. Smart was able to get a video! If I can get ahold of it I will post it.😊 The spirit was strong and it was a beautiful way for the elders to thank those people for their encouragement. There was also a news crew that interviewed some of the elders. I don't know which station, but if I find out I'll let you know. Another service that the elders are doing is cooking for the sisters. They really appreciate the opportunity to serve the sisters by cooking for them.😍 It sounds like it's been a glorious day there amidst all the tragedy and chaos.❤️

Update #10 for Paul and Nancy Wilde:  I just spoke with my dad. The sisters will be evacuated tomorrow first thing. If seats free up they will start flying out the elders. There are around 150 missionaries that they are trying to get out in the next few days. The sooner the better. It's very bittersweet for them all as they love to serve the people of Puerto Rico and it's hard to leave them in such dire circumstances.❤️ The elders on Dominica were unable to get off the island this morning due to damage on all the roads leading to the airport. The ferry service will be picking them up on their side of the island tomorrow. Many prayers that it will work seamlessly for them! My parents will probably be staying on the island to close up loose ends for the leases on the apartments that the missionaries stayed in. It could be a week to three weeks before they get back stateside. President and Sister Smart will be staying in Puerto Rico for the duration. When they deem it safe they will start bringing the missionaries back. Please, feel free to share the updates!😊 If you have any questions, let me know and I will see if I can find answers. ❤️ Many prayers are needed that the evacuation goes smoothly over the next few days.

Update #11 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: I was able to talk to my parents early this morning. The sisters are getting on a plane first thing this morning and heading off to Atlanta. The church was able to get them on a plane that was bringing relief workers to PR. Thank you Delta!! They will then board other planes to reach their new assignments. The elders will get out as seats come available on the flights. I'm sure another miracle will happen and they will get off sooner rather than later. 

My parents are asking for prayers! They need enough gas to get to and from the airport several times over the next couple days. The gas lines are crazy long right now and gas will run out soon. Please add your prayers to ours that the gas will last.❤️

My mom was able to organize and distribute all the passports and travel paperwork last night as she worked through the night to get it done. A sweet Elder woke up at 3 and helped her finish up.❤️ Such a tender mercy. She was also able to make sure all the sisters were squared away with their emergent items such as medications. 

The elders are in good hands while they are waiting to be evacuated off the island. They are all still in good spirits and serving the community around them.❤️

Update #12 for Paul and Nancy Wilde. I know there are a lot of parents out there concerned right now about your kids. Just know that the mission president and his wife and my parents have be taking great care with your children! They love them like their own and are making sure each of them are safe and provided for. 

We have three sets of missionaries still on islands stuck and waiting to get off. Two senior couples and one set of elders. The elders are at the evacuation point, after finally finding a route there!🎉 Many tender mercies in finding their way there. They are unharmed, in good spirits, and waiting for the next available helicopter or ferry to get off the island. Communications are very difficult now for all of Puerto Rico and surrounding islands. We are blessed to be getting this information!❤️

The senior couple on St. Croix is trying to find a safe way to the airport right now. We are praying that they find a safe path there!❤️ The senior couple on St. Kitts have been in contact with the mission office, but communication is spotty at best for them. They are working on making their way off the island as well. None of the missionaries have been injured. All were protected during the storm and that is a true blessing and miracle!

Please share this so that those who have family they are concerned about will see this!❤️

Update #13 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: Last night the elders decided to hold a testimony meeting. The spirit was so strong and it lasted for an hour and a half. I wish I could have listened in and felt that. I bet it was wonderful! 

My parents are running low on energy as my mom didn't sleep last night trying to get everyone's paperwork in order and my dad only got about 3 hours of sleep. They are older so it's taking a bit of a toll on their body. I am praying that they both are able to get a good nights sleep tonight along with the elders.❤️ 

Great news, the generator is working once again! Yay!🎉🎉 They are able to cook better now.

Progress has been made and about half the sisters have left PR on flights this afternoon. Continue to pray that the rest of them will be able to as well! ❤️ 

Please, have a special prayer in your heart that Pres. and Sister Smart and my parents will have the strength and energy the need to continue with the work that needs to be done.❤️ I know you are all praying for the missionaries, I am as well, but they are in good spirits and have food and water and now power. I'm sure they will be good for the night.

Update #14 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: The missionaries that did not leave today spent the day clearing roads so cars have better access. Their service is certainly a blessing to the area! They are all in good spirits! They are focusing on the good and what they can do to help. They are amazing!

My mom had all the elders write down the tender mercies and miracles that they were witnesses to. She will compile them all into one document and get it out to all the missionaries to remember the many blessings of the Lord. 

All but 17 sisters made it off the island today. All the missionaries, except the seniors and President and matron, have tickets to leave the island by Tuesday. Many prayers have been answered, but let's continue to pray that the flights will not get cancelled.❤️

My parents have been scheduled to leave by the first week in October. The people of PR are in dire straights and the less mouths to feed there the better. My parents will donate all left over food to the people in the area to help them get through.

So many miracles have happened to keep these missionaries safe. We continue to pray for the elders who were serving in Dominica that the way will ease and they will make it back to PR tomorrow.❤️ 

Thank you for all the kind words that you have shared about my parents and the Smarts! My heart is full hearing your kind words and I am writing them all down to share with my parents when they finally make it state side.

Update #15 for Paul and Nancy Wilde: this will be a long one so bare with me, please. 

❤️First, if your daughter has not gotten off Puerto Rico and you do not know where she is going, yet. Please, PM me. ❤️ All the sisters fly out tomorrow.🎉 My dad just confirmed that to me.

Second, if you haven't heard where your son is going, please PM me. I have a list of some of the elders now. Also, if you are concerned about elders or sisters who do not have support from home, please PM me.😊

My heart is so full right now after speaking with my parents. The island was in a communication blackout all day and I was finally able to speak to them just now. I want you all to know how well they are doing!❤️ I was able to hear the elders interacting with my mom and each other and there was a lot of laughter and good spirits.💕 They are happy and making the best of a hard situation.

The Sacrament Meeting today was so powerful. My mom said the spirit was strong and so moving. There were four speakers with President Smart closing the meeting out. I don't know what the talks were about as my mom doesn't speak Spanish😁, but the room was full of light and peace.

The rest of the day has been spent studying, bonding, and playing games. It has been a well deserved day of rest for them. 

They have been working so hard on the property for the group home. It is 15 acres of land and every single tree was blown down and needed to be removed. The elders have worked tirelessly to clear the land and have been a blessing to those people.

My mom has them continuing to write their memories down. She says that she will compile them all and either create a website or post them to the San Juan Puerto Rico Mission group on Facebook.

Today they ate oatmeal for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly for lunch and are having grilled chicken with stew for dinner. She says that the "kitchen crew" has been amazing and have made the best food. The crew includes Elders Barker, Allen, Brenchley, Strohecker, Hales, Smith, Bradford, and Degn. They have been a blessing to help my mom cook for all the elders.💕

Elder Russell has been an amazing leader who has helped keep the generator going and been my mom's right hand man. Elder Morrow has headed up all the inventory for food and creating lists of things to be completed. Elder D. Peterson has helped with the inventory and set up his hammock to take a nap today.😁 Elder Autrey has become an assistant secretary and handled a lot of calls and paperwork with my mom. 

A quick side note. A different Elder Peterson was able to get on a flight today and is headed home. 🎉He was the one who organized the cleaning of the bathrooms and really did an amazing job with it!

All your kids are well and doing amazing things! My mom got a little emotional as she said this, and I'm going to quote her directly, "Not only do we have 3 sons, but we love these men, and they are men now, as if they are our own. We have 103 sons now." She can't say enough good things about each and every one of your sons and daughters.❤️

I was able to speak with my dad for just a minute before President and Sister Smart showed up and he had to meet with them. He said he will call back with more information about the sisters. Please, PM me with any questions you might have. I have to say that the mom in me was bursting at hearing the happy conversations on the other end of the line today. They are well and good!❤️

First companion in Puerto Rico is from Dominican Republic

Well I finally made it out to Puerto Rico, and I'm typing with a

Spanish keyboard so I don't know how to use apostrophes or if any of
the words I write are correctly spelled. I've been spelling some things
way funky after learning Spanish. Anyways, its pretty cool out here.
Not only did I get a Spanish speaking companion, I got a Dominican who
speaks super fast and only the two of us live in the apartment. I
guess I kind of have to learn Spanish now. My area I got placed in is
called Luquillo. Its right by the beach and it looks super cool here.
I got to drive over the bridge from fast and furious when we drove to
my apartment. The humidity and heat doesn't really bother me that much
either. I was a little tired after the first couple days because we
did a lot of service putting trees back up from the hurricane. There's
also supposed to be another hurricane hitting Wednesday so that should
be fun. There's only one thing I don't really like here though. The
mosquitoes. They suck. I've probably been bit like a thousand times. My
apartment is actually one of the best ones cause it has
airconditioning in the bedroom. Without it, its about 95 degrees in
the house. It gets down to a cool 80 though with it though haha. I got
a lot of fans to so that helps.

It was actually a pretty good week. The church in my area is a branch
that only has about fifteen active members. Apparently this is a
pretty hard area, but we set two baptismal dates this week. Hopefully
those follow through. Anyways I don't have a bunch of time to write
today so I'll try to write more next week. One thing I've learned this
week is poco a poco. I need to learn little by little each day. Of the
language and how to teach.

Brian & companion from Dominican

Brian made it to Puerto Rico!

Here is an email message we received from Brian's Puerto Rico Mission President and wife:

Hi Brother and Sister Busco,

We are happy to report that your son arrived in Puerto Rico. We know there has been a lot of news reports regarding Hurricane Irma, but please know PR is safe. Although some of the missionaries are without electricity and water, they all have safe shelter. All their needs are taken care of by either the members or the mission office. Personally, we think challenges help develop character and Christlike attributes.

Sister Smart has told the missionaries that because they were saved from a natural disaster, they now need to save another. We are looking forward to miracles and many baptisms. Look for the blessing in your life because of your son's service. And when you write your weekly letters to your son, please let him know how his service is blessing your family. Keep your letters upbeat and encouraging. 

Five minutes with Elder Busco and we knew what an outstanding young man he is and what a great missionary he will be. We're so excited to have him in our mission.

Love,
President and Sister Smart

Brian with President & Sister Smart