Salama E!

Salama E!

Overall, I had awesome experiences this week. However, for other reasons, it turned out to be one of the harder weeks of my mission. I'mma share some good first, then the bad.

Elder Cyusa on his birthday in the fanciest (Malagasy, not French) restaurant in Antsirabe. It's about 6 dollars for a big, juicy steak.

• Good Ol' Guy Gilbert: This 65 year-old guy is a retired yoghurt-peddler, oddly successful--lives in quaint cottage with a gigantic TV. Every time we come over, he rolls his eyes and jokes, "Man, why do these teenagers keep bothering me?" Then, he laughs, coughs, spits and tells us to "Hurry and get in here!" Nearly everything he says isn't serious. Whenever we ask him a serious question, he'll either make a racist, sexist or sarcastic joke. A couple examples: he couldn't stop laughing during the Law of Chastity lesson; when we ask him to pray, he replies, "Women are better at praying. My wife should pray. I'm not going to the Celestial Kingdom anyway." In spite of all this, he continues to come to church, keep his commitments and progresses.

• Tough Aspects of the Week: Elder Andriantinarisoa's girlfriend 'Dear John'd' him last Monday. He called her and his friends one night, and now I have to help him stay focused.  In addition, we had to go to the doctor 3 times for him throughout the week during proselyting time for a undetectable knee problem (missed our best times). Then, when we get out to work, he either is extremely happy, or he walks slow, is irritable and a tough to work with. Sometimes, he's awesome, sometimes his bipolar mood swings are exasperating.

• Mpandainga: I've got a weird running joke with this one family that we consistently stop by to say hello throughout the day. As of now, they believe I can speak 6 languages fluently, was a bodybuilder before the mission and slept for 3 days straight without waking up once. They didn't believe that I've been to the moon or broken every single limb in a soccer game. Elder Andriantinarisoa and I brainstorm throughout the day to think up new, crazy things that have happened to me. I probably oughta come clean soon, but they are so respectful and trusting that it's too good of an opportunity to pass up. They don't know how boring I actually am.

• Lil' Testimony Mikasika the Family: After hearing about Haley's friend's kid that unexpectedly died and learning that one of my investigator's kids (in Ivandry) died from unknown causes as well, I've thought a lot about the worth of nurturing and developing a testimony about the Plan of Salvation. Like Dad said in a letter to me about the effects missions have on one's priorities, "I guess it just narrows things down to what matters.  Everything else starts to seem a bit frivolous." I've found that to be really true. When, I first came into country; it seemed all I missed was certain luxuries such as a comfy couch, TV, food, and time to be lazy. But as I've gained more and more experience alongside witnessing more and more miracles transpire on my mission, I start to realize how valuable and precious family is. The Plan of Salvation is my favorite lesson to teach because when the time comes nigh for the testimony, I start rapping in Malagasy with the spirit as my hype-man. 

Antsirabe is amazing! The work is a little slower down here than in Ivandry, but the people are genuine, humble and funny as flip. I still have a couple stories I need to tell from the week before, but I'll let my future self take care of it. Love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Soper