Anyway, things, as always, are going great out here in Tamatamave, and I'm really enjoying this area. But, sadly, this Saturday or so we will be getting transfer news and I will probably be leaving. At least, most likely. But we will see.
But, first off, something funny that happened to us this last week. Yesterday, actually. We had tracted into this family that accepted a return appointment from us for yesterday at 4:30 or so (it didn't turn into much of an actual teaching appointment, but that's beside the point). So when we get back there, some of the people are ready and waiting, and we sit down in their little tokantany (yard). As we sit down, this guy who is absolutely wasted comes walking up to us and sits right in front of us and tries to start talking to us. We were about to start talking with him, but then the people we were about to teach just cut us off and started telling the guy that we weren't good at Malagasy and were waiting for some translators to come. He got this way confused look on his face, and I'll admit that I was confused for a bit there. But then I realized they were trying to get the guy to leave so we could start teaching. I started laughing on the inside as they continued for about five minutes or so telling him and trying to convince him that we aren't good at Malagasy so he would leave. Eventually he did, and we started the lesson. I know that may not seem that funny, but I personally was pretty entertained listening to them trying and trying to convince him that we aren't good at Malagasy, especially since we spend half our time trying to convince people that we are. :)
Secondly, what I love most about President and Sister Foote. First and foremost, I love how personal they are with all the missionaries. They really, truly care about you personally and are willing to help you and take care of you. That's the biggest thing for me in an effective leader: they show you that they care, and thereby gain your trust and diligence in following them. I also love their relationship as a couple. They're so fun with each other, and just work well together in everything they do.
Third question: my favorite meal thus far on my mission. That's way hard. As far as meal in a restaurant goes, I would say Carnivore in Tana. But as far as a member-made meal would go, I would say President Paul (the District President here in Tamatave) takes the cake. Their consistency with regards to quality of the loaka as well as the jus they serve puts them on top. I'm really going to miss them when I leave here (not just because of their food though!).
Fourth question: updated info on our investigators. Don and Domoina are doing great, as well as their two sons. They will be getting baptized most likely on the 2nd of April, which is awesome. We are way excited for them. They have really shown true conversion, especially with some recent conflict and resistance from Don's parents and entire family really. They do not want him or his family to get baptized, and have literally laughed at them when Don and Domoina tried to give them a Book of Mormon. Way sad, but it's just a great confirmation to me that they are ready to be baptized. Also, we had kind of a heart to heart talk with our investigator Andronic last night. He is very diligent when it comes to reading the Book of Mormon, praying, and everything. The only problem is that he will not accept that this church might bring him closer to God. He has yet to attend church, and the rest of his family has just dropped out of the lessons. None of them are interested anymore. Andronic is very active in his current church. And even though he has said that his church's teachings are not sufficient, he will not accept the invitation to attend our church. And so we told him that our goal for him is just to help him come closer to God, and we know that by coming to church, he will do just that. So we bore testimony to him of the truth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and of the power of coming to church, and how he will come closer to God because of it. The Spirit was very strong, and he seemed to accept the invitation. But, if you all could pray for him to feel the spirit and act on that by coming to church, then that would be much appreciated.
Updates on investigators besides that would just be the upcoming baptism, where we will also baptize the mother of a current missionary, and another investigator, so that's six altogether coming up a week from this Saturday. Way excited for them, and they will all be great.
Last question: things I have learned about recognizing the Spirit. Honestly, people complicate this way too much. Here's my counsel, as well as the counsel that Elder Bednar gives a lot, from some of his talks I've heard. This is what you need to do: follow God's commandments, and when you get a thought to do something good, and something that feels right, then do it. That's the Spirit telling you to do something. That doesn't mean that some miracle is waiting at the other end of the action; God may just be testing you to see if you'll follow a prompting. But that's it. Just follow what you feel is right, and what you feel is good, and as you do so you will become more accustomed to recognizing those small promptings to do good, and will gain a greater ability to follow through on them.That's what I've tried to do out here, and it's worked out pretty good for me thus far. God guides our actions, if we are willing to keep His commandments and do what He tells us to do, even if it doesn't seem important.
Anyway, thank you all for your support and love. I love you all and hope you all have a fantastic week!
Am-pitiavagna,
Elder Snell
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| These are some bandys at our English class. All of the guys in this picture are pretty fluent. |
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| Playing Pool on P-day |
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| Elder Brown and Elder Nolan studying. |
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| A tired Elder Nolan :) |
