Dear Family,
Wow, what a week. First, I need to apologize for not writing that much last week. I will do better at that, I promise! Secondly, I need to kind of prepare you all for this weeks letter. I am going to blow your minds with the story that I have for this week. Now, before I start with that I just want to say that I love you all and that I hope you are all happy and healthy!
So I am going to start with the big story that I have. Wednesday, January 28th 2015. Elder Herrin and Elder Yeagley were coming home from a great days work. Like six times of teaching and over 5 hours of proselyting time. We were quite happy with our day. As we were walking up the stairs to our house we could tell that something wasnt quite right... We walked in the door and the two other elders were in there with panicked looks on thier faces. They immediately said "We were robbed, everything is gone, the window is open...." Yaa so my heart kind of sank and I ran into my room. My camera was gone, the little amount of money that I had was gone, my camera cards, the dvd player that we use, I mean anything that you can think of was gone. They got a good amount of my stuff. So I quickly scanned and noticed that it was true, we had been robbed. I quickly walked into the living room where the other elders stood in confusion. Elder Fisher, the oldest of us all, said something rather wise. He stated that he knew who the bandit was. And after that we all left. We went to chase down our bandit. I will have you know that it is now about 10 at night. We went to one house, not there. However, someone knew where he was. We didnt share the reason that we were searching for our friend, just that it was quite important. (I should note, that this man we are looking for is a less active member of the other branch in Fort Dauphin) So we were on the road with a guy who said he knew where we could find Olivier. Thats the kids name who Elder Fisher figured stole from our house. We showed up to his house and ... he was not home. By this time the malagasies could tell something was up so everyone and thier mom were out of their house. We talked to the landlord (if thats what you wanna call it) and we asked if it would be ok if we entered the home of this young man named Olivier. He said of course and let us in. What would you know, we came across the majority of our stuff in this small little shack of a home. We found my chapstick, my companions tooth brush, three of the four cameras, a bag of ours, basically most of the stuff. I sat in the house with Elder Fisher while the other two went back to our house to get the phone charger. While they were out we talked to our mission pres, and branch pres. We had the branch pres, and the police coming. Ill get back to the police in a sec. So while I was waiting in the house I heard a really big russel outside the house. Appearently, Olivier had come home and had seen the big crowd of people at his house. First instict... RUN. Not on Elder Johnsons watch. Elder Johnson, in flip flops and pros clothes on, leaped and tackled the bandit to the ground. There was some resistance, but I tell you, "Johny" wrapped him up with great form so that he could not get away. The next hour and half, Elder Fisher and I sat in Oliviers house with him. He denied having part in any of the breaking and stealing... So now to the police. Elder Johnson went and got picked up by our Branch President to go pick up the Police. Yes, to GO PICK UP THE POLICE. They informed us when we called that they had no working vehicles at the moment so they needed a ride... Oh Madagascar! So Elder J and Y went to pick them up. They showed up to the scene in shorts, flip flops, holding an AK - 47. I was astonished, but whatever works right. The first thing they did is hand cuffed the Bandit. Then we left to where the Bandit said the "real bandits" were. We walked to another house and we didnt walk in, just the police. They came out ten minutes later with some the rest of our stuff and about a fifth of the money that we lost. And two more small teenagers in handcuffs. We walked (now about 11:30) to the car that picked us up to go to the police station. Talk about an awkward bus ride. All the missionaries, 3 bondis, a driver and branch president. When we got to the Police station we just dropped off the kids and basically left. We were told to come back first thing in the morning to do the paperwork, the statement, the whole deal. As we got in the car to drive away, we saw the very sad way the Gov. runs here. The 3 teenagers were starting to get beat by the six drunk police officers that were there. It literally was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to witness. I felt so bad for those young men. So the next morning we were at the Police Station for about 5 hours. We sat for a lot of it. Then we had to give a statement, retrieve our stolen items and do all that annoying stuff. There should be a trial, but Im not sure if they are going to do one. Anyway, that happened. Fun times. We also had a baptism this week. I was able to baptize an 11 year old who is in a part member family. His name is Bien Venue. Great kid. Then we got transfer news. I unfortunately am leaving Fort Dauphin. I am going to another beach province but its just not the same as Fort Dizzle. I am so great though. No one can take my spirirt from me. Thats all that I need here in Mada. I mean, its nice with a camera, and money, but none of that stuff goes with us to heaven right? I love you all so much and send my love from here in Mada.
Elder Herrin
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