Last week after coming home I was only able to do so much
with my pulled back, so we took advantage of the new rules concerning
PDays and asked the Baileys if we could watch the Lion King with them on
their computer. They graciously accepted and even made popcorn and
instead of waiting for us to make dinner just offered us some leftover
chicken noodle soup. Angels, I'm tellin ya. It was so fun. I laughed
at jokes I'd never noticed, I cried at nostalgic moments, it was just a
hallubaloo (sp?).
Otherwise, we had quite the week. We got stood up a
couple times, but that's pretty much normal. After seeing some of the
few people who got to see, we were planning on visiting a recent convert
but when we showed up there were a couple of their kids in a giant pit
digging out trash. We promptly put our bags down and jumped 6 feet into
the pit to help them. It was gross, shoveling out years' worth of
trash into big sacks, but it actually felt really good on my back and
hands to hold a shovel and do some physical labor. Plus, everyone
thought it was just hilarious to see white people working.
We went out to Mpaka for district meeting, which is
always fun. Despite the set back in time, we were able to see all the
people we wanted to after getting back. The best part was meeting Van's
younger siblings at his mom's house by Fall (another investigator) and
becoming immediate best friends with them. His mom wasn't there, but
now her kids love us. The youngest son's name is Monfils - yes, Myson.
Hilarious. While we were waiting for Van to bring us to his house, we
met the King of France - a crazy hobo man who doubles as the nicest guy
you ever met. He happens to also be the father of several political
figures including Barak Obama and Nicolas Sarcozy. He speaks fluent
English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and was 96 years old. Despite
the fact that he couldn't have been more than 40 or 50, he correctly
told us that his birthday was in 1918. He was walking around with an
empty paint bucket, and wearing a black, old-timey Napoleon Bonapart hat
that said "King of France" on it. He asked if we had Cameroonian
parents, asked how are families were doing, then was outta there. He
was so nice, and didn't ask for anything. I hope we see him again. I
wanna get a picture, at least. It's not every day that you meet
royalty!
We helped Sister Bailey translate as she trained the
newly called young women's presidency, when after an hour they finally
showed up. Otherwise, nothing big really happened that day.
Friday was one of our best proselyting days ever. We set Sophie's
baptismal date for the next Saturday when she told us there was nothing
left that was holding her back. We sat down with and were able to
strengthen a less-active guy that we're starting to work with. Lovely
is just as lovely as ever. We went back to Van's house and got to sit
down with his mom this time, only after having a dance and drawing
contest with her kids. She's super nice and received us really well.
We also met Van's older sister, sooo we've got another family to work
with! :) It was a wonderful day.
On Saturday one of the investigators I worked with for a
long time in this sector who had moved away and has been working with
Elder Etherington and Elder Naughton was supposed to be baptized, but
unfortunately he didn't show up - until 4 and a half hours later haha.
Sooo he'll be baptized next week probably. Great guy. We skipped out
of the opening exercises of the marriage of a couple we didn't know to
go visit Doretta in her new home and to ask her to set up a Family Home
Evening that we could assist and teach a friend of hers, and came back
to the church just in time to grab a bite to eat and a Sprite and mingle
with the members and friends who were there to celebrate with us.
Glade (pronounce Glad), one of our investigators even came and we were
able to pull him inside before English class to talk with him about the
Plan of Salvation. It was awesome. He asked some great questions and
then we went to English Class. I was requested to teach, and had a
blast doing so. We only had a few people there, but hopefully one of
them will turn into a new investigator! This girl who had spent 3 years
in South Africa, whose mom heard about the free classes at the church
and told her she can't forget her English so she needs to come talk with
us. We were like well hey, we'll just kill two birds with one stone
and teach you the Gospel in English! :) I think she was kinda creeped
out, but I also think I made enough jokes that she'll come back next
week and we'll be able to set up a program with her haha.
We also made the most fantastic mac 'n cheese you never
had - white cheddar, onions and garlic, bacon...what more could you ask
for?
Otherwise, Sunday was great. While we
were welcoming people outside Cecile, our recent convert, came up and
gave me this book (a condensed, Catholic picture/story book of the
Bible) in munukutuba! The same one that Elder Johnston has and that I
was drooling over a couple weeks ago! I was so excited and so
thankful. I've been pouring over it since yesterday. There's a lot of
great stuff, and I understand a lot, but a lot of it is pretty old
kikongo according to Paco and Jhostavie (with whom I often speak
kikongo). It's ok, no one in the States will know the difference haha.
I try not to think about the impending doom on my
departure, but the weeks just fly by without me noticing, and soon
enough I'll leave the Congo with only 2-3 transfers left. Elders Masse
and Gelinas go home in 2 months, and then I'm the oldest in the mission
with Elder Hatch. Incredible. All that being said, all my thoughts and
efforts are focused first and foremost on our investigators and their
spiritual well-being, as well as our recent converts. There are prayers
being sent your way as well, don't you worry. You are loved all across
the world, how cool is that? Even all across the universe, if you
consider that Heavenly Father loves you as well! :) That's a lot of
ground to cover. Good thing His love is infinite in length, depth,
width, and height! Not to mention the other units of measure! It's
just great. Why would you not want to be a part of the most amazing
organization on the planet where you know where you come from, who you
are and where you're going after you pass from this life into the next?
It's baffling. Well anyway. I love you. I miss you. I'll see you
soon!
Elder Garland
No comments:
Post a Comment