dear mamie song
Dearest Family,
I shouldn’t have counted, but this is the fourth to last email I will send your way as a missionary; soon we will be able to have a conversation without the use of a modem. These are my final four weeks, and I am determined to make them the best. I plan to be exhausted when I arrive home, so have a bed ready. And, perhaps a doctor’s appointment. I am not sure what sort of effects these last eighteen months have tolled on my body, but they might need to be evaluated by a professional.
As for this week: The schools are on vacation (which is a common thing here - I am sure that they have the same amount of days in school as they do on vacation) and the members are free to go along with us. We had 14 member present lessons this week, which is another mission high for me. Cindy Ulivaka (the 18 year old daughter of our branch president) was able to go to work with us. She is a great missionary already and even went door-to-door knocking with us. We taught our ami Yannick who is not having much luck in life lately. He is not very loved at home by his wife and his relationship with his children is strained. He was attacked by a dog last week and his beloved canine was nearly killed in the attack. We attempted to comfort him with scriptures about Christ and His sufferings and how we can rely on Him in all our moments - those both joyous and painful. But, he was not in a state to be comforted.
After teaching with Cindy, we were able to study in Preach My Gospel together. As we talked, Cindy was able to be open with us about some difficulties she has been facing lately. There are not many active young adults in the Church here and she has seen many of her close friends from Church turn to the ways of the world. It's hard to stay strong in a culture that rejects Gospel principles so blatantly. I am glad that we can be Cindy's friends and strengthen her. But, in fact, it is her example that strengthens me.
We had great lessons with Fabienne and Gilles this week. As we taught about baptism Fabienne just squirmed in her seat; she wants to be baptized more than any other person I have ever met. When Gilles said that they would go to the town (la Mairie) hall and figure out when they could get married (you have to reserve a spot at la Mairie) she nearly passed out with joy.
We continue teaching Victoria and Roger. When we went there Monday evening, Victoria told us that she had stayed up until three in the morning reading the "Principles of the Gospel" book and looking up every scripture that it cites. Roger said that he enjoyed the Priesthood meeting with the brethern and then he said that he had the priesthood. We told him that he did not have it - after his baptism he would be able to receive it. Sometimes we have to be a little frank.
On Saturday night we had a FHE at the Ulivaka's with Fabianne and her little boy. Francois also came. It is good to see member integration among our amis.
I am glad to be a missionary.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
a dress shop en ville
Dearest Family,I shouldn’t have counted, but this is the fourth to last email I will send your way as a missionary; soon we will be able to have a conversation without the use of a modem. These are my final four weeks, and I am determined to make them the best. I plan to be exhausted when I arrive home, so have a bed ready. And, perhaps a doctor’s appointment. I am not sure what sort of effects these last eighteen months have tolled on my body, but they might need to be evaluated by a professional.
As for this week: The schools are on vacation (which is a common thing here - I am sure that they have the same amount of days in school as they do on vacation) and the members are free to go along with us. We had 14 member present lessons this week, which is another mission high for me. Cindy Ulivaka (the 18 year old daughter of our branch president) was able to go to work with us. She is a great missionary already and even went door-to-door knocking with us. We taught our ami Yannick who is not having much luck in life lately. He is not very loved at home by his wife and his relationship with his children is strained. He was attacked by a dog last week and his beloved canine was nearly killed in the attack. We attempted to comfort him with scriptures about Christ and His sufferings and how we can rely on Him in all our moments - those both joyous and painful. But, he was not in a state to be comforted.
After teaching with Cindy, we were able to study in Preach My Gospel together. As we talked, Cindy was able to be open with us about some difficulties she has been facing lately. There are not many active young adults in the Church here and she has seen many of her close friends from Church turn to the ways of the world. It's hard to stay strong in a culture that rejects Gospel principles so blatantly. I am glad that we can be Cindy's friends and strengthen her. But, in fact, it is her example that strengthens me.
We had great lessons with Fabienne and Gilles this week. As we taught about baptism Fabienne just squirmed in her seat; she wants to be baptized more than any other person I have ever met. When Gilles said that they would go to the town (la Mairie) hall and figure out when they could get married (you have to reserve a spot at la Mairie) she nearly passed out with joy.
We continue teaching Victoria and Roger. When we went there Monday evening, Victoria told us that she had stayed up until three in the morning reading the "Principles of the Gospel" book and looking up every scripture that it cites. Roger said that he enjoyed the Priesthood meeting with the brethern and then he said that he had the priesthood. We told him that he did not have it - after his baptism he would be able to receive it. Sometimes we have to be a little frank.
On Saturday night we had a FHE at the Ulivaka's with Fabianne and her little boy. Francois also came. It is good to see member integration among our amis.
I am glad to be a missionary.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
fhe at the ulivaka's
a dress shop en ville