Anyway, no questions for this week, so I will just talk about how it went and some stories that we had. First and foremost probably, we had a multi-zone basketball tournament this morning, with the Tana North and South Zones competing. We came up with teams of three and then went head to head. I was paired with Elder Sweeten (from Orem), and my trainee malalako Elder Leo. And, not to be prideful or anything, we won it all. So yeah yeah, we're pretty good, you could say.
Haha anyway, in all seriousness, this week was great. We got to know a missionaries' previous investigator who comes to church every week, and for whatever reason just never got baptized. But, as of last week, they passed their baptismal interview, and I will baptize them this upcoming Saturday. So that's fun news.
And also, with regards to news, there was some bad news this last week. Elder Leo's father in Samoa passed away last Friday or so. I could tell it was very hard for him, especially since it was mainly his father who was funding his mission, even though he was a non-member. So, when the payments stop or when his now widowed mother needs him, Elder Leo will go home. So it's been pretty rough with regards to that. Everyone's prayers in their behalf would be appreciated and would help immensely.
On a lighter note, I went on a companion exchange last week with Elder Razafindretsetra, one of my good friends out here. We worked here in 67Ha, and it was a great day.
On a final spiritual note, we've been doing some work with less-actives as of late, as that is a problem that runs rampant all over Madagascar. So this last week, we visited Frere Simon and his family, who have been members since the early days of the church here in Madagascar, and yet are currently less-active. The reason for this is that they had a family member in the position of the bishop last year who was removed early from his place for reasons unknown. And there was a bit of backlash and gossip about their entire family from some members, and they thus went into less activity. Frere Simon seems pretty ready to return now though, but his wife is not coming back. But what's incredible is that we have some recent converts, Frere Jocelyn and his wife Hanitra, who are very active, and yet Jocelyn and Simon are brothers, and got the exact same backlash and gossip. And even simply walking into their homes, you can feel the difference. There is a peace and happiness in the home of Jocelyn and Hanitra that just isn't present in that of Simon and his family. But what made the difference? The difference is simply willingness and conversion: a willingness to follow and do what they know is right, and the conversion to look beyond what they have endured and instead focus on the keeping of their covenant with God. Those who keep the covenant have the Spirit, and those who don't have a very apparent lack of that Spirit. So, as a little encouragement, let us all have the courage and willingness to keep our covenants and follow what God would have us do, no matter what trials and problems come into our life.
Anyway, that's all for this week. Not a whole lot of time for great details or anything, but I hope you all have a fantastic week! Trust in God, love Him, and follow Him. You WILL see the blessings from doing so.
Am-pitiavana, ka mandra-pihaontsika indray,
Elder Snell
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| Picture of the Rova from our church, as well as the "Antananarivo" sign |
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| Pictures from our basketball activity this morning |
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| Here is the winning team standing triumpantly |
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| The church where we had the basketball games |
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| A new jacket I got. I realize my pose is exactly the same in the two pictures. Just humor me. :P |
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| Elder Razafindretsetra and me |
