Zone Conference but not really . . .Sent January 29th, 2018
Hey everyone!
How are you all? I hope you are doing well. This week was a little crazy because I had to go to Guadaloupe for legalization and visa stuff while my zone was in Martinique for zone conference. So I spent a night in Guadaloupe, and a night in Martinique this week, and the rest of the time I was here in French Guiana. Also, I've been on my mission for six months already. That went by fast. Because of that, I thought of some cool things I've done on my mission that I could write about. Kind of like stuff I've done by the numbers or something like that.
Since I have started my mission I have:
Been on 16 airplanes.
Been in 6 countries/French territories. (Not including the US).
Had 5 companions, all who have been taller than me. (But have they been cooler or better looking? Doubtful.)
I have served in three diffirent areas, which have also all been in different countries. St. Vincent, St. Martin, and French Guiana.
Built one roof. That was fun.
Read the Book of Mormon about two times.
Given out Book of Mormon's in five languages (English, French, Haitian créole, Portugese, and spanish).
Seen 6 people get baptized.
Well, that's about all I have as far as numbers go, but I would also like to say that I have seen lots of miracles, and also my testimony has grown a lot since I've been out here. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that he loves all of us more than we even know. I know that as you strive to come closer to him, even/especially during your trials, you will have his help to build your own testimony and get through any hardships in your life. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that through Him we can repent and live again with our families forever in eternal joy. I also know that the Book of Mormon is true, and it is also freaking awesome! I love that book so much, and I know that you can find answers to your questions and prayers with it. I also know that we have a living prophet on the Earth today. The recent death of President Monson has helped me know that even more. There is no way an organization as big as the church could carry on perfectly fine with that much change in leadership unless it was led by direct revelation. So yeah, I know that this church is true, and I love being out here and sharing that with people every single day.
I challenge all of you to start or to continue reading the Book of Mormon prayerfully each day. Whether you have a strong testimony, a weak one, or none at all, I promise that if you do that you will see God's hand more in your life and will have more faith in Him. I love you all! Have a great week!
FROM HOLLY-- Doesn't McKade sound great? I also asked him several questions about his new area this week and he sent me some answers. I thought you all would be interested to read them.
1. What city do you live in and what does it look like? (old, new, colonial, urban, French, colorful, ghetto, etc.}
" I live in a place called Remire, and it is pretty cool. It is like a mix of St. Martin and St. Vincent, but more French. There are lots of appartment buildings and stuff like that, but it is also very foresty and open and has lots of poverty as well."
2. What is the average weather like there right now? Do you get thunder storms everyday? Do you wish you have some kind of rain jacket? Are you the only missionaries with cars on the island?
"It rains a lot, but probably not every day. It is pretty loud in our house, and it woke me up last night it was raining so hard. But we are in a car, and we have been pretty lucky because it hasn't rained really hard on us when we have been outside. "
3. What is your grocery shopping like? Do you have a lot available to you? Is it expensive? How often do you cook for your yourself, eat out, and get fed by members? Is the food different from St. Martin?
"The food is sometimes expensive, but we get a lot of money, so we are fine. We still normally feed ourselves, but every once in a while we get fed or we eat out. Similar food here, just French Brands."
4. What is the branch like? How many people? Is there a large diversity of language and ethnicity?
"This branch is a lot bigger, but the cool thing is that the building is exactly the same as in St. Martin. We actually have a full crowd here though during church, haha. There are lots of Haitians here, and people of African decent, but there are also lots of Brazilians and some white French people."
Hi, Dear Elder,
ReplyDeleteI do so enjoy reading your letters. What wonderful spiritual experiences you are having. I love it when you tell of the "Miracles" you had.
Today was fast and testimony meeting, of course, since it is the first Sunday in February. One brother who is married with children, bore a testimony that I just felt like you should hear. A few weeks ago he was surprised to receive a phone call from Sister Missionaries who are serving in Ohio -- in the same mission he served in 16 years ago. They gave him the marvelous news that a sister who he had taught there in Ohio -- 16 years ago, was ready for baptism. Apparently, he and his companion were the first elders to teach that sister, but at that time she was not ready for baptism -- and they didn't hold out hope that she would ever join the Church. -- But, now she is ready for baptism, and requested that her first Elders perform the baptism if possible. I'm sure permissions had to be arranged for, but he traveled to Ohio, as did his companion, and they baptized and confirmed that sister. What a reunion! What a miracle! After 16 years, he and his companion were able to baptize a sister they had taught all those years ago.
Sooooo, planting seeds is important, even if you think sometimes that your service isn't accomplishing what you had hoped for.
I hope you have been well, and are enjoying the new culture and languages.
Much love and Best Wishes for a wonderful productive and spiritual week.
Sister Burgoyne