Elder Chance Gunter: Karratha; Back in the Bush

The ups and the downs. It has been a while since I took the time to send a group email. Honestly these things are kinda useless in my opinion. Quick updates. I am out in the bush again. I am in a town called Karratha. It is a mining town that focuses on iron, salt, and natural gas. Everyone here works hard. It is a hard place to tract that is for sure. People don't mind chatting but religion is a very big turn off for most here. The town is a little worn down. Our flat included, we just found a mouse behind one of our electrical outlets.

There is a rock solid branch here though. The majority of them are return missionaries. And the majority flew up from New Zealand to work. The area is hard with just the bikes but then again if we had a car we would probably get into a tad bit of mischief ha-ha.

I enjoy it here in the land of red dirt. I don't know if I could live here, but it's not so bad for the moment. President Fife and Sister Fife are the head of the branches in Broome, Port Hedland, and Karratha. We were able to have a visit and study with them which is always a good experience.

I flew up here on this past Friday. Before that I just spent packing one bag to bring up here from Perth. I finished my time in Armadale doing some services and exchanges with our favorite District Leader Elder Lamosetellie.

I miss you all.

I was able to chat with him over Google Hangouts. Here are some notes of our conversation that might interest everyone.

Chance has been transferred to Karratha in Western Australia. It is about is about 15 hours by car North of Perth. He flew. It was a 2.5 hour flight. His new companion is Elder Mortensen. He is a nationally ranked motocross rider from Sacramento. So far, they seem to be getting a long good. Chance says that he is a solid missionary who just finished up his initial training. Chance is excited to start working in this new area. Chance calls this place the best area in the mission. It is right on the coast. He says he has been to see the ocean but the mission rules will not allow them to be on the beach. Chance said the water reminds him of Hawaii.

His District Leader is stationed in Broome which is 8 hours by car further up the coast. They do their District Meeting using Skype. There are also more missionaries in Port Hedland. The Zone Leader is actually South of Perth in Brunbury which makes them about 17 hours away by car from Chance. Neither of us have figured out how that makes any logistical sense, but I am sure there is a reason for that.

He said the branch in Karratha is mostly made up of islanders. Chance is getting fed by the members more as the islanders are not afraid to invite people over for food. He said the member have a good focus on missionary work so he was excited for that.

Chance said that his area includes some of the smaller towns outside of Karratha, but because they have only bikes it doesn’t make sense for them to go to the outlying areas. Somewhere along the line, Chance got some really nasty blisters on his feet while playing sports with no shoes. He says that they are all healed now, but they really looked nasty.

Chance got to go to the temple prior to leaving Perth. However, he will get to go again as they will be traveling down to a regional conference this coming Wednesday. Lots of flying.

He will be getting a new mission president in July. It is a man from Australia.

It is pretty hot there now. Chance says that the temperatures are in the mid 40’s C and only drops to the mid 30’s at night. They have air conditioning in their apartment so at least they can get some sleep. It is hot though as you can tell by the hats and the sunburns in the pictures.

Chance said that Karratha is way bigger than Narrogin the area that they cover but the town is about the size as Narrogin.

Chance has only really been in the area for a couple of days. He has started to meet the members and has started tracting. He says that they have a couple of people that they are working with so he is excited to teach them.

Chance said that there are a few good hiking or other places to see; Kimberlies and the Pilburah ranges are cool but they are just yonks away.

Chance indicated that most of the people there work in the mines and they make bank man like 80-120 an hour. However, part of the reason that they get paid so much is that all of the mines are about 45 minutes away where there are a lot of things that can kill them. Additionally, the cost of living is really high there. He is not sure why.

That’s all from our conversation.