June 2

What a week.

I'll have to be quick...on Monday, we made a ton of cookies at our
apartment and went over to Mpaka to eat pizza together to share one
last meal/activity before our Burundi friend Elder Ndayizeye left to
go back to Kinshasa.  He was a great Elder.  We'll miss him, and I'm
excited to keep in touch with him.  He didn't eat all his cookies
though, so that was also a blessing.

On Tuesday Elder Hatch came back over to Foucks, and we went out and
taught people for the first half of the day and then got ratéd for the
second half.  We got up from the church and started walking away when
we got a call from a recent convert who said he'd just been inspired
that the elders would be at the church - we had only been gone for
probably 2 minutes, so we came back and talked with him for a while
about what's been going on in his life.  Great kid.  His name is Van.
So yeah.

We had our first district meeting without the Baileys on Wednesday,
but it was still awesome.  Elder Johnston talked about charity, so
that's always a fresh reminder :) Our Wednesday program is solid, so
we got to see everyone we had planned - except for the last guy who
had just ratéd us the day before but called to excuse himself.  He was
tired. -__-

In our taxi ride coming home a plane landed probably 50 over our
heads, it was so impressive.  I loved it.  I wish I had 2 lives so I
could be a pilot in one and lead a normal family life in the next.

Our Thursday was pretty awesome, despite a rough Tuesday which follows
the same schedule.  On our way from our second rendezvous to the
church I heard some people playing drums and thought it was a church,
but when we turned the corner we saw a bunch of kids playing a trash
can and water bottles.  They were so good for how old they were.  I
asked if I could play the broken trash can and they just about died
when I busted out a sweet drum solo.  They all wanted hi fives.  I
could hardly resist.  At the end of the day, Jhostavie said during one
of our lessons I had said something that was an answer to his prayer.
It was really touching.  I think as missionaries we talk about some
things like obedience, prayer, scripture study and whatnot that it
becomes natural and of course God blesses us when we're obedient, but
I guess he'd had a question about that a week ago and I happened to
answer it in the middle of a lesson!  In any case, I was very touched.
 It's not often that someone tells me I've answered their prayer.  In
fact, I think that's the only time that's happened...

We went to the Bailey's so we could catch a ride home since they were
heading there anyway to pick up Elder Wright and Elder Etherington and
bring them to Mpaka.  Sister Bailey sent us back with a tub of the
most delicious peanut butter brownie bars - I had to steal the recipe.
 It was sad to say goodbye to the other elders, but I know they'll do
great in Mpaka.  I was moving my fan back into my room (it has to
follow me everywhere or I just sweat and sweat and sweat) and when I
put the plug in the whole thing exploded in my hand.  Amazingly, it
didn't hurt, and left nothing but a silhouette of the plug in silver
powder in my hand!  I was super thankful that evening.

We had an awesome Friday as we went to Darcyne's to help them
rearrange some stuff in the corner of her parcelle.  She had this
whole work force there cleaning, painting, filling the pool, redoing
the electricity, gardening, all this stuff to prepare for the party
after the baptism.  Afterwards, she gave us each these little sand
paintings that are so cool, it was a wonderful surprise.  We went
straight to pick up Elder Johnston's new trainee Elder Bybee, and he
seems like a great kid.  He's been in Douala working in Bonabéri with
my good friend Elder Brockbank in my old sector!  He gave me the best
news in the world - the Moumé parents that has son is on a mission in
Côte d'Ivoire, who I used to teach with Elder Massé, ARE GETTING
BAPTIZED!  I was so happy, I can't even explain.  How beautiful.

Meanwhile, I miraculously copied the exact same corn chowder that
Sister Bailey made for us, except this time with bread bowls.  It was
so good, I can't even explain.  I'll make it for my homecoming haha.
Elder Hatch and I officially started our Cantique Countdown.
Scary...204 days and not counting.

Saturday was crazy.  We got ripped off another couple rendezvous at
the beginning of the day, but we were already at the church so we
helped set up for the baptism, which went perfectly.  Darcyne asked me
to baptize her, as well as Giorgio, so that was really special for me.
 Afterwards, we joined their family in a huge party at their house.
It was incredible.  There were so many people there.  There was so
much food.  We had giant prawns, fried chicken, sakasaka, watermelon,
yoghurt, fries, fruit kebobs, rice and beans, Coke, juice - that had
it all.  I was mostly happy for Darcyne, Giorgio, and Laura.  They
looked so happy.  I can't explain the look on their faces.  The second
best thing were the 2 French people, a guy and his girl partner (not
married), who randomly came.  I was so scared to talk to them, but
somehow they appeared behind me while I was cutting the watermelon so
I basically HAD to say something.  I'm glad I did.  I was able to go
the whole time without finding out the girl's name.  Incredible.
They're awesome.  They're here on work, but want to live the African
culture, so they shop at the same places we do and live with Africans
and stuff like that.  I was able to invite them to come to church, and
they said they would come with Maya, Darcyne's daughter !  I was
hopeful, but not too hopeful.

That night, it took an eternity to get home, and the power was off.  I
couldn't find the key to get into the generator cage to check the gas,
so I stood in my doorway while the other elders were downstairs
waiting to watch how it works and I said a prayer by myself.  I looked
one more time on my desk and heard, "check under that box!" so I did
of course, and there it was!  Incredible.  We started the generator,
but the power wasn't coming on.  We checked and flipped and switched
everything - nothing.  Coming back down the stairs I prayed again by
myself and 5 seconds later the pump turned on and the lights flickered
back to life.  Incredible.  I was in awe.  PRAYING WORKS.  The real
power even came back on a couple minutes later, so I'm pretty
convinced God just wanted me to see how He's in control.  It was a
wonderful lesson.

Everyone was confirmed no problem on Sunday.  The best part - our
French friends came!!! AND they agreed to sit down with us on
Wednesday! It was another miracle.  We had another 22 people there, 6
for their first time.  AMAZING.  I love this work.

I love you, and I pray for you.  Have a wonderful week.  If French
people can come to church, SO CAN YOU!

Elder Garland