Dear Family,
How are you doing this week? I cant imagine that things can be that bad, it was just Christmas and the spirit during Christmas is just magical! I hope that you are all healthy, not to stuffed from all the sweets that come with Christmas time! I am so so so so grateful that we were able to skype. I dont know if you could tell how frustrated I was to not be able to skype in the morning, but I am so grateful that it started working in the evening. I didnt realize how lucky I was to skype that night until my comp tried like everyday and nothing would work for him. He finally got things to work this morning. As I speak, he is skyping his family. So happy for him!!
So this week... the work was hard. Malagasies do not exactly spend Christmas the way that we do in America. The Malagasy way is have some family over and you just enjoy some alcohol and just sit and talk. Now, I do understand that Americans do that, but its not as bad, trust me!! So, we tried to do our best with times and teaching. We taught 27 times this week, I think and only got about 25 hours worked. Usually we are in the 30s with both of those numbers. So, my Christmas was so great!! I will tell you about it! We got up, we had a wonderful breakfast... at least in terms of Malagasy food. We made pankakes and hash browns with some syrup and ketchup for our hash browns! After that, I cleaned the house. Just went crazy on the cleaning, we needed it. We cleaned, prepared food for dinner, for dessert, and got ready to go out to work. So, we planned on just eating lunch at one of the little hotely's and eating rice like a malagasy... but no one was open. What is this? Someone has got to feed the missionaries!! I guaruntee that Brock was fed like for every meal. The least that Madagascar could do is have an open hotely so we can buy rice and Laoka... hahahaha. So, yaa we found a stand where they had a cold bottle of juice, so my comp and I shared a cold bottle of fanta for lunch. Memorable. Then we went out to work. So, it being Christmas time and all, it was snowing and just freezing cold... Yaa then I woke up. So it was probably like solid 90's but 80% humidity... it was death. Merry Christmas though. We walked around trying to find people to teach. We had some times scheduled, but they werent home, and if they were, they were drinking and just havin a jolly ole christmas. Midway through the day we had planned to go to the local hospital and sing to the sick. Let me tell you, we did not sound good. Me and one other elder could hit notes... the other two are tone deaf... they did the best they could to make as little noise as possible while we sang silent night in english and malagasy mixed. Although we were not good at singing, the spirit was so strong! Even though we were singing to old men with cathiters in their stomach, to naked women, to kids who were sleeping, you would have been amazed at the spirit that was in the room as the parents and family of the sick thanked us for taking the time to visit. Meant a lot to them. The rest of the day we were running errands to prepare for the massive dinner we had planned. We got home after about 2 lessons that day and started getting dinner ready. One elder was preparing hawaiian haystacks, while the rest of us cleaned up and got ready for our guest. Yes, I know that guests are not allowed at the missionary home, but our leadership made an acception for the 1st counselor in our branch presidency! Odilon is the name. One of the nicest men I have met here in Mada! He was married about 5 months ago to a very nice woman. However, about 3 months ago his wife left to another part of Mada for work and still had not returned. He was going to be alone for Christmas... NOT ON MY WATCH! I had him over for dinner. I also took the liberty of getting a small gift for him. I bought him a nice little button up shirt. So we enjoyed our meal, talked in Malagasy and English because he can do both and just enjoyed company. Then he opened his gift. The light in Odilon's eyes just lit up. In English, he stated over and over, "thank you thank you" "oh man its wonderful, perfect" You know that spirit of Christmas that you can feel when you do something for another person, or you walk down the stairs on Christmas morning to the tree... I felt that, when Odilon asked if he could try it on and take a picture. He looked great in the shirt, perfect fit, great night. The rest is history. I hope that you were all able to feel the spirit of Christmas and remember the true meaning. As the new year roles around, I am reminded of goals that I made in the MTC... time to make some new ones. I love you all so much and hope that life will continue to be good to you. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Elder Herrin
Monday, December 29, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
The Transfer Week
Dear Family,
Ohh what a week it has been... I guess ill start from the beginning. However, like always, I like to start with saying how much I miss you. I hope that you are all happy, healthy, and enjoying this Christmas season with eachother. May you all remember the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of being unselfish. Not tryin to come down hard, but being here has really just made me appreciate what little I have as a missionary, and how much I have been blessed with. Look at where youre sitting... Its 100 times nicer than anything in Mada.
So anyways, this week was great!! Elder Lambert enjoyed his last 3 days here in Paradise by saying goodbye to many of the wonderful investigators that we are teaching. He was able to purchase items that he has been wanting for a while, to really just soak it all in before he left. Anyone who leaves Fort D is always pretty down in the dumps, but he held it in pretty well! So Wednesday we were able to say goodbye to all of our members because there was dance practice for the primary, ym/yw, and any of those who were performing in the Christmas party that happened this week. Our President showed up and said goodbye, and many pictures were taken. (I am like a professional photographer now) Thursday morning was the day! We were up at like 5:30 because the new elders were getting here at 6:45 and Lambert left at 7. We got to the airport and everyone and their mom was their because people were either leaving to go home to their family, or coming to see family for the holidays.... I was just recieving a new comp, which is almost as good as family. Elder Yeagley is the name!! He is a newer missionary than me. From Utah... every single american comp that I have had (all 3) have been from Utah... hahahah! He is so cool. He is a convert to the church of only 3 years and is now serving a mission at 22 years old. We get along great and I am really liking this transfer so far. Soo, Satruday the 20th. Maci's birthday!! Happy Happy Birthday from your older brother in Madagasikara. We actually had a huge party for your birthday. The activity was supposed to start at 2... so the missionaries showed up at 1:30 trying to be helpful right... we didnt start till about 3:45. Yaa it was stressful. But the activity was wonderful. It was basically a talent show where people danced and sang about Jesus Christ and his birth. So, quick little funny story... When Lambert was still here, we had sort of practiced a dance to do with some young women, but when we heard that he was leaving we just called it off... at least thats what I thought. In the middle of the primary and ym singing and dancing, we get told that we are up next... uhhhhhh! Soo, I threw on a nice little elf costume, my comp was santa, and we just wowed the malagsies with our white dancing! They loved it. The only thing that went wrong was the food. We had a solid 250 people at the activity. Probably 200 children... so when we passed out candy, brownies that I made, juice, kids were complaining that they didnt recieve their fair share. That it turned angered some parents and just not fun. But other than that, it was really good. Sunday rolled around and church was good. Both me and my companion were not feeling great, but we perservered and went out and taught some really great times. I do not know how well the work will go this week. Many people have already started partying and doing things that probably shouldnt be done, but we are going to do our best to tell everyone in Fort D about the birth of Jesus Christ! Oh, this gospel is so true! As I continue to listen to Christmas music, see families together, boy does it make me miss you guys. I remember the traditions that we had and still have. I sure hope that you are going to read in Luke, get in pj's and drive around to see the beautiful lights. I hope that Rhet, Maci, and Ty all sleep in the same room so you can all wake up together and feel the wonderful feeling that kids get Christmas morning. I hope that Mom and Dad are just so happy to see your face as you walk down the stairs and see the gifts that Santa has brought you. I also hope that you can feel of my love here from Madagasikara. I love you all so much. Thanks for love and support!!! See you on Thursday morning!!
All my Love
Elder Herrin
Ohh what a week it has been... I guess ill start from the beginning. However, like always, I like to start with saying how much I miss you. I hope that you are all happy, healthy, and enjoying this Christmas season with eachother. May you all remember the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of being unselfish. Not tryin to come down hard, but being here has really just made me appreciate what little I have as a missionary, and how much I have been blessed with. Look at where youre sitting... Its 100 times nicer than anything in Mada.
So anyways, this week was great!! Elder Lambert enjoyed his last 3 days here in Paradise by saying goodbye to many of the wonderful investigators that we are teaching. He was able to purchase items that he has been wanting for a while, to really just soak it all in before he left. Anyone who leaves Fort D is always pretty down in the dumps, but he held it in pretty well! So Wednesday we were able to say goodbye to all of our members because there was dance practice for the primary, ym/yw, and any of those who were performing in the Christmas party that happened this week. Our President showed up and said goodbye, and many pictures were taken. (I am like a professional photographer now) Thursday morning was the day! We were up at like 5:30 because the new elders were getting here at 6:45 and Lambert left at 7. We got to the airport and everyone and their mom was their because people were either leaving to go home to their family, or coming to see family for the holidays.... I was just recieving a new comp, which is almost as good as family. Elder Yeagley is the name!! He is a newer missionary than me. From Utah... every single american comp that I have had (all 3) have been from Utah... hahahah! He is so cool. He is a convert to the church of only 3 years and is now serving a mission at 22 years old. We get along great and I am really liking this transfer so far. Soo, Satruday the 20th. Maci's birthday!! Happy Happy Birthday from your older brother in Madagasikara. We actually had a huge party for your birthday. The activity was supposed to start at 2... so the missionaries showed up at 1:30 trying to be helpful right... we didnt start till about 3:45. Yaa it was stressful. But the activity was wonderful. It was basically a talent show where people danced and sang about Jesus Christ and his birth. So, quick little funny story... When Lambert was still here, we had sort of practiced a dance to do with some young women, but when we heard that he was leaving we just called it off... at least thats what I thought. In the middle of the primary and ym singing and dancing, we get told that we are up next... uhhhhhh! Soo, I threw on a nice little elf costume, my comp was santa, and we just wowed the malagsies with our white dancing! They loved it. The only thing that went wrong was the food. We had a solid 250 people at the activity. Probably 200 children... so when we passed out candy, brownies that I made, juice, kids were complaining that they didnt recieve their fair share. That it turned angered some parents and just not fun. But other than that, it was really good. Sunday rolled around and church was good. Both me and my companion were not feeling great, but we perservered and went out and taught some really great times. I do not know how well the work will go this week. Many people have already started partying and doing things that probably shouldnt be done, but we are going to do our best to tell everyone in Fort D about the birth of Jesus Christ! Oh, this gospel is so true! As I continue to listen to Christmas music, see families together, boy does it make me miss you guys. I remember the traditions that we had and still have. I sure hope that you are going to read in Luke, get in pj's and drive around to see the beautiful lights. I hope that Rhet, Maci, and Ty all sleep in the same room so you can all wake up together and feel the wonderful feeling that kids get Christmas morning. I hope that Mom and Dad are just so happy to see your face as you walk down the stairs and see the gifts that Santa has brought you. I also hope that you can feel of my love here from Madagasikara. I love you all so much. Thanks for love and support!!! See you on Thursday morning!!
All my Love
Elder Herrin
Monday, December 15, 2014
Another Week In Paradise
Dear Family,
How are we all doing this week? I sure have been thinking a lot about you as Christmas comes closer and closer. I hope that you are all getting into the spirit and thinking of others! There are kids in Africa who would love to be where you are... ok, thats harsh. I wont use that. I am doing just great and loving the work right now. This week was a solid week of work. Nothing to exciting, nothing to boring either. We are teaching a lot of great people right now who are so close to being ready to be baptized, except for one small problem. Either a drinking habit, or a marriage problem, work, just one small little thing that is holding them back. Its so great to be able to help them, but there just isnt much that we can do. Pray Hard.
So this week we taught some really good lessons that I think really helped our investigators. Its amazing how well the gospel of Jesus Christ is placed together. It makes so much sense, and when you have all the information in a book and you can read it. You know, this mission has just made me want to tell everyone about this message. Like, how on earth, would you now want to follow this..? Then I look at my life before my mission... hahah. So we had one lesson this week where we walked in and the father told us how the previous night he was not able to sleep. He read all of the first pamphlet and wrote down like 8 questions concerning Joseph Smith... I was so so happy! This week we also started preparing for our Christmas party. I am doing a dance with a couple of the ym/yw. Should be interesting to say the least. The only christmas music that malagasies have is like the music that the catholic church makes... and the kids do it. Very strange to say the least. Sundays are always great here in Fort D. Yesterday we had 24 investigators attend sacrament meeting! We also had our Young Mens President come for the first time since I have been here. He has been in jail because he hit a child, which really isnt anything abnormal, but the kid who he hit comes from a family of power... he is a cool guy! Then we had transfers... My companion is leaving me. I am getting a new kid. Not brand new, but newer than me... I am so so so scared. That also means that we wont have a santa any more cause elder Lambert was gonna be dada be noele here for the activity... so many things to work out because he is leaving. Lots to do, people to save, and salvation to teach! Hahaha. I miss you oh so much. I am doing all that I can to not be trunky this Christmas season. I am so excited to skype with you and see the love you all have. Thank you for all your love and support.
All my love
Elder Herrin
How are we all doing this week? I sure have been thinking a lot about you as Christmas comes closer and closer. I hope that you are all getting into the spirit and thinking of others! There are kids in Africa who would love to be where you are... ok, thats harsh. I wont use that. I am doing just great and loving the work right now. This week was a solid week of work. Nothing to exciting, nothing to boring either. We are teaching a lot of great people right now who are so close to being ready to be baptized, except for one small problem. Either a drinking habit, or a marriage problem, work, just one small little thing that is holding them back. Its so great to be able to help them, but there just isnt much that we can do. Pray Hard.
So this week we taught some really good lessons that I think really helped our investigators. Its amazing how well the gospel of Jesus Christ is placed together. It makes so much sense, and when you have all the information in a book and you can read it. You know, this mission has just made me want to tell everyone about this message. Like, how on earth, would you now want to follow this..? Then I look at my life before my mission... hahah. So we had one lesson this week where we walked in and the father told us how the previous night he was not able to sleep. He read all of the first pamphlet and wrote down like 8 questions concerning Joseph Smith... I was so so happy! This week we also started preparing for our Christmas party. I am doing a dance with a couple of the ym/yw. Should be interesting to say the least. The only christmas music that malagasies have is like the music that the catholic church makes... and the kids do it. Very strange to say the least. Sundays are always great here in Fort D. Yesterday we had 24 investigators attend sacrament meeting! We also had our Young Mens President come for the first time since I have been here. He has been in jail because he hit a child, which really isnt anything abnormal, but the kid who he hit comes from a family of power... he is a cool guy! Then we had transfers... My companion is leaving me. I am getting a new kid. Not brand new, but newer than me... I am so so so scared. That also means that we wont have a santa any more cause elder Lambert was gonna be dada be noele here for the activity... so many things to work out because he is leaving. Lots to do, people to save, and salvation to teach! Hahaha. I miss you oh so much. I am doing all that I can to not be trunky this Christmas season. I am so excited to skype with you and see the love you all have. Thank you for all your love and support.
All my love
Elder Herrin
Monday, December 8, 2014
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Dear Family,
How are you this early Christmas season!? I hope that you are getting into the Christmas spirit and listening to ole Frank sing, maybe the little chipmunk Alvin? Ohh I know that I have! We have Christmas music with lights that we bought this week and the 6 inch tree that we found! It looks so good with the two presents that I have underneath the tree! This week was another fabulous week! Not exactly the week that I had in mind, but when you look back, it was so wonderful! We started off the week pretty well. We went out and bought some Christmas lights and started the play of Christmas music!! I love it! On Tuesday we had a Zone Conference. How does that work you ask? So we had to do a skype call with all of the outlying areas like Mahajanga, Toliar, Mauritius, and then President and the AP's. Let me tell you how awkward it was. We started the skype call in the very busy cyber when President says, "So this morning we will start by singing hymn number ... Joy to the World"... Ummm, are you serious? All the other missionaries were in their church, so it was no big deal for them, but we were in a packed cyber... so we sang joy to the world as people just stared and laughed even. So me and my comp say at one computer and he had the headset the whole time so I just sat there and watched the screen not knowing what was going on. All of the sudden, my comp looks at me and says that Pres. is asking me a question... Oh man President Adams just grilled me with this deep doctrine question that I just tried to babble on about the topic and my Pres just kept responding with WHY? AHHHH, I dont know Pres... im sorry! Hahahah, he finally accepted one of my answers and said, can someone help him out? Hahahah, we finished the meeting with yet ANOTHER song... and he asked me to lead it... uhhh yaa ill wave my hand in front of the moniter. I got a laugh out of Pres as I waved my hand though, felt pretty good. So we had a couple of our investigators this week give us some pretty big news! Sadly, we wont have any baptisms on the 13... but, aza kivy! Our best investigator told us that he has decided to hold off baptism. We were shocked until he told us why. His wife hasnt been able to attend church because she works at a catholic school and if she attends a different church, she loses her job. Can you imagine? So Emille, the father, told us he is going to wait for his wife. He said that he wants to be married in the temple TOGETHER, and in order for that to happen, they need to be baptized TOGETHER. Such a testimony builder for a young 19 year old kid! I was so happy. Our other investigators are doing great also. One drank alcohol... so he is still trying to get off that habit. Our others just need to be legally married... Just playing the waiting game with them! So I just want to tell you about the strangest day that I had this week. Like the wierdest on my mission thus far. We had like 3 or 4 run ins with different gmas who just creeped us out. One was laying in the sand by her house when she saw us. She got up to her hands and knees and started to crawl toward us and scream at the top of her lungs in all the english and french that she knew and then malagasy by default. She was trying to say give me money... but he chased us a good 100 yards... we saw a naked gma in the backseat of a taxi with a look of "ive been kidnapped" as she clung to the window. We had some drunks talk to us in French, and one time I responded in Spanish... The drunk responded as if he gathered and understood what I said. Then we had a time with this crazy dad. First off he thought I was 31... thats a new one. Then we asked him to read a scripture. It was Alma 40:11 and 12 about the spirits of all people go to heaven. He like overly pronunciated every 3rd word and when he got to that third word he would look at us as if we were supposed to say "Halleluhah" But it was so hard not to laugh because his... yaa it was just hard. We ended the week well, 20 investagators at church and a really good testimony meeting! I am so grateful to be here right now. Each and every day, something happens that just makes me so happy and feel the spirit that my testimony is strengthened! I have no doubt in my mind that this church is true, that the gospel of Jesus Christ can bless our lives if we live it. I love serving here and coming to know these people. As the holidays roll around, a challenge you guys to do something to serve another. I promise you will feel better about your Christmas. I love you all so much and cant wati to skype!
Elder Herrin
How are you this early Christmas season!? I hope that you are getting into the Christmas spirit and listening to ole Frank sing, maybe the little chipmunk Alvin? Ohh I know that I have! We have Christmas music with lights that we bought this week and the 6 inch tree that we found! It looks so good with the two presents that I have underneath the tree! This week was another fabulous week! Not exactly the week that I had in mind, but when you look back, it was so wonderful! We started off the week pretty well. We went out and bought some Christmas lights and started the play of Christmas music!! I love it! On Tuesday we had a Zone Conference. How does that work you ask? So we had to do a skype call with all of the outlying areas like Mahajanga, Toliar, Mauritius, and then President and the AP's. Let me tell you how awkward it was. We started the skype call in the very busy cyber when President says, "So this morning we will start by singing hymn number ... Joy to the World"... Ummm, are you serious? All the other missionaries were in their church, so it was no big deal for them, but we were in a packed cyber... so we sang joy to the world as people just stared and laughed even. So me and my comp say at one computer and he had the headset the whole time so I just sat there and watched the screen not knowing what was going on. All of the sudden, my comp looks at me and says that Pres. is asking me a question... Oh man President Adams just grilled me with this deep doctrine question that I just tried to babble on about the topic and my Pres just kept responding with WHY? AHHHH, I dont know Pres... im sorry! Hahahah, he finally accepted one of my answers and said, can someone help him out? Hahahah, we finished the meeting with yet ANOTHER song... and he asked me to lead it... uhhh yaa ill wave my hand in front of the moniter. I got a laugh out of Pres as I waved my hand though, felt pretty good. So we had a couple of our investigators this week give us some pretty big news! Sadly, we wont have any baptisms on the 13... but, aza kivy! Our best investigator told us that he has decided to hold off baptism. We were shocked until he told us why. His wife hasnt been able to attend church because she works at a catholic school and if she attends a different church, she loses her job. Can you imagine? So Emille, the father, told us he is going to wait for his wife. He said that he wants to be married in the temple TOGETHER, and in order for that to happen, they need to be baptized TOGETHER. Such a testimony builder for a young 19 year old kid! I was so happy. Our other investigators are doing great also. One drank alcohol... so he is still trying to get off that habit. Our others just need to be legally married... Just playing the waiting game with them! So I just want to tell you about the strangest day that I had this week. Like the wierdest on my mission thus far. We had like 3 or 4 run ins with different gmas who just creeped us out. One was laying in the sand by her house when she saw us. She got up to her hands and knees and started to crawl toward us and scream at the top of her lungs in all the english and french that she knew and then malagasy by default. She was trying to say give me money... but he chased us a good 100 yards... we saw a naked gma in the backseat of a taxi with a look of "ive been kidnapped" as she clung to the window. We had some drunks talk to us in French, and one time I responded in Spanish... The drunk responded as if he gathered and understood what I said. Then we had a time with this crazy dad. First off he thought I was 31... thats a new one. Then we asked him to read a scripture. It was Alma 40:11 and 12 about the spirits of all people go to heaven. He like overly pronunciated every 3rd word and when he got to that third word he would look at us as if we were supposed to say "Halleluhah" But it was so hard not to laugh because his... yaa it was just hard. We ended the week well, 20 investagators at church and a really good testimony meeting! I am so grateful to be here right now. Each and every day, something happens that just makes me so happy and feel the spirit that my testimony is strengthened! I have no doubt in my mind that this church is true, that the gospel of Jesus Christ can bless our lives if we live it. I love serving here and coming to know these people. As the holidays roll around, a challenge you guys to do something to serve another. I promise you will feel better about your Christmas. I love you all so much and cant wati to skype!
Elder Herrin
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
An Eventful Week
Dear Family,
How are you all doing this wonderful week!? With the end of Thanksgiving and the start of December comes lots of food and Christmas music and hopefully lots of happy people! Here in Madagascar, no one knew what Thanksgiving was, and a select few people celebrate Christmas because no one really has the money to do anything. But, that does not get the missionaries down! I must start by sharing with you the wonderful week that I was blessed with! So, I told you all that last Monday we went crocodile hunting... well we at least set the trap for the crocs to bite on...The next morning we got up at 5:30 in the morning to hike out to the place that we set the trap! We got there and followed our member out into the swamp and trudged out to the spot where our traps were set. Before we could see the traps, our member kind of stopped and starred at the place where the traps were because he couldnt see the fish hanging from our trap. We were all behind him, having a slight heart attack and not knowing whether or not to run or to just stand still. He creeps up and we follow... NOTHING. The traps had like fallen over and no crocs were in sight. We had a sword in hand, and were ready to wrestle, so we took some pics and walked home... still a cool story to tell my grandchildren when im old and yucky! Then we came up to Thanksgiving day... we went all big here in Fort D. We bought a live turkey... like we literally bought it off the streets for 40 000 ar and brought it home with us. That night, our malagasy missionary killed him. I have a video, but I dont want to send it home, not only is it gross and disgusting, but the sounds that I make in the video make me want to puke... so we can just wait to see that when I get home. We worked a full day on Thanksgiving so we got home at 9:30, cooked everything and had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, cider, and I made a peanut butter cups type dessert for us! It was soo good! Saturday we had a church activity where we played musical chairs... My companion played the guitar while the little kids walked in a circle around the chairs. Every time someone would lose, the entire room would bust out in laughter and clapping and just love the hype of musical chairs! Malagasys are great in their way of making little things fun! So with all of this fun and excitement that I had this week, the work went along with it. This week we had some of our best investigators commit to a baptisimal date. One inparticular, who my companion had said already denied 2 dates, was totally ready to be baptized on the 27th of december! This branch hasnt had any baptisms since earlier this year, so the missionaries before me have been working really hard, and I am reaping their hard work. To top the wonderful week of work off, we had 19 investigators at church!! That is like insane! I also happened to be giving my first talk in country this week! I gave a talk about the work of (it doesnt really make sense in english, sorry) the missionary work inside the family! I talked about three main things that the family can do. 1... Pray for missionary experiences, or better yet, for the health and safety of our friends. 2...Serve our friends, and be an example to them. 3...when you get the chance, testify. Its the most important tool missionaries have. I did that all in malagasy... probably didnt make a lot of sense to the congregation, but i hope the spirit translated! My week was so wonderful, and getting your emails and pictures from thanksgiving put the cherry on the cake! Thank you so much for all of your love. I can feel it each and everyday! Keep the faith and know that Elder Herrin loves you all so much!
With Love
Elder Herrin
How are you all doing this wonderful week!? With the end of Thanksgiving and the start of December comes lots of food and Christmas music and hopefully lots of happy people! Here in Madagascar, no one knew what Thanksgiving was, and a select few people celebrate Christmas because no one really has the money to do anything. But, that does not get the missionaries down! I must start by sharing with you the wonderful week that I was blessed with! So, I told you all that last Monday we went crocodile hunting... well we at least set the trap for the crocs to bite on...The next morning we got up at 5:30 in the morning to hike out to the place that we set the trap! We got there and followed our member out into the swamp and trudged out to the spot where our traps were set. Before we could see the traps, our member kind of stopped and starred at the place where the traps were because he couldnt see the fish hanging from our trap. We were all behind him, having a slight heart attack and not knowing whether or not to run or to just stand still. He creeps up and we follow... NOTHING. The traps had like fallen over and no crocs were in sight. We had a sword in hand, and were ready to wrestle, so we took some pics and walked home... still a cool story to tell my grandchildren when im old and yucky! Then we came up to Thanksgiving day... we went all big here in Fort D. We bought a live turkey... like we literally bought it off the streets for 40 000 ar and brought it home with us. That night, our malagasy missionary killed him. I have a video, but I dont want to send it home, not only is it gross and disgusting, but the sounds that I make in the video make me want to puke... so we can just wait to see that when I get home. We worked a full day on Thanksgiving so we got home at 9:30, cooked everything and had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, cider, and I made a peanut butter cups type dessert for us! It was soo good! Saturday we had a church activity where we played musical chairs... My companion played the guitar while the little kids walked in a circle around the chairs. Every time someone would lose, the entire room would bust out in laughter and clapping and just love the hype of musical chairs! Malagasys are great in their way of making little things fun! So with all of this fun and excitement that I had this week, the work went along with it. This week we had some of our best investigators commit to a baptisimal date. One inparticular, who my companion had said already denied 2 dates, was totally ready to be baptized on the 27th of december! This branch hasnt had any baptisms since earlier this year, so the missionaries before me have been working really hard, and I am reaping their hard work. To top the wonderful week of work off, we had 19 investigators at church!! That is like insane! I also happened to be giving my first talk in country this week! I gave a talk about the work of (it doesnt really make sense in english, sorry) the missionary work inside the family! I talked about three main things that the family can do. 1... Pray for missionary experiences, or better yet, for the health and safety of our friends. 2...Serve our friends, and be an example to them. 3...when you get the chance, testify. Its the most important tool missionaries have. I did that all in malagasy... probably didnt make a lot of sense to the congregation, but i hope the spirit translated! My week was so wonderful, and getting your emails and pictures from thanksgiving put the cherry on the cake! Thank you so much for all of your love. I can feel it each and everyday! Keep the faith and know that Elder Herrin loves you all so much!
With Love
Elder Herrin
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