Blast of a week...

Hey Everybody!

This was a blast of a week, full of awesome member referrals, horrible food and skeevy French drunk guys.

Great family that is unfortunately moving to another town. Luckily, the missionaries there are ready to teach them. (Beranger's Family)

Tahiana's B-day, so we egged and floured him during the Lunydah's family soiree!

Elder Shai getting man-handled by Sandratra.

Missionary Work:

We got a referral from the Branch President's wife, a couple--Fidy and Lanto. They came to church yesterday, and Fidy came to help clean the church on Saturday! They both teach at junior high school--Fidy being a science teacher and Lanto, Physical Education.

Our investigator Germain recently, and unexpectedly, flipped the switch from being a self-proclaimed bad boy to a spiritual baller! He used to move from girl to girl and never be serious about anything. But now, he openly expresses his love to his wife all the time, cleans the church every Saturday, makes comments when church is done like, "That was done too fast!" Germain also gave us his 3rd referral on Sunday. During the lesson, I asked him to teach Apostasy. He taught it so well that I desperately wrote down all the phrases he used. Over the past 3 months, it seemed unreal to me how Germain used to fight with me about how there couldn't be a prophet again here on earth, and now, he wants all his relatives to know about Restoration. I love what the Spirit can do!

The Worst Food:

On Saturday, we had a soiree with Lunydah's family, one of the best member families in Madagascar. They were actually on vacation in my previous area (Tamatave) while I was there, and then they followed me here to Mahajanga, their hometown, so we're really close, like two overlapping fingers or something. Usually, they make delicious foods like fried chicken or spaghetti; so I was super jazzed about the soiree. But this time, they decided to apostasize and replicate an old, traditional Malagasy dish--mashed rice, eggs and flour. Somehow, it tasted like athlete's pig foot. I can't explain to you guys how bad it was. It smelt like dust; the texture was pithy, and it was impossible to swallow. Lunydah knew it was horrible, but I think I offended her when I called it 'pimple pudding.' Heh heh. That's the worst food I've had so far in my life.

French Kiss:

We tracted into a French man who bragged he once kissed a short, American Mormon missionary a couple years back. Him saying that instantly made us friends. He continued to say that he was drunk at the time and didn't know what he was doing, which makes sense because he was also clearly struggling to stand while talking to us. But man, whoever that missionary is has a great story!

I'd Rather You Not:

Here's something I've learned. A spontaneous testimony, if shared in the right situation, can deeply inspire a another to change their ways or be a great, sincere expression of love. But, you gotta have nuance.

There's a couple odd-ducks in our ward who, on a good note, are deeply converted and have a great desire to share their testimony. But on a bad note, whether there's sunshine, rain or you're literally trying run away from them, these members need to share their most personal feelings with you no matter what. First example of this is Rakotomalala, who with deep-set eyes made huge by thick glasses, this guy looks perpetually confused or lost. And, his main hobby is preaching the gospel on the street to anybody willing or unwilling to hear.

On Sunday, before third hour, he promptly sat next to our best new investigator, Fidy. At first, I didn't think too much of it, but after a little 'where ya from, what's yer name' chit-chat, Rakotomalala decided to go off and loudly testify to Fidy about his conversion story. Rakotomalala's face began to look angry as he repeatedly jammed his finger into the Book of Mormon on Fidy's lap, spouting off about how the BoM is the key to salvation. As a terrified Fidy would lean away to get personal space, the red-hot Rakotomalala would fill it and force himself closer, eventually creating an awkward 45 degree angle between them, which I heard is not a safe preaching angle. Not wanting Fidy to be scared away from the church forever, I ran over and asked Rakotomalala if he could go get a couple extra chairs with me. He seemed conflicted, but he said to Fidy, "We'll talk later," and Rakotomalala quickly followed me. Fidy's cool, so he gave me a thumbs-up and later said thanks.

Malagasy Morsel of the Week - Makafoka:

Slang for 'lame,' or 'hungover.'

Stories for Next Week

-Personal Concert

-Cecilia

-I'd Rather You Not 2

Love you all!

Elder Soper