Internet Has Returned - Lots of Pictures

Hello,
There is finally full internet connection back here in Madagascar. This transfer has been going by so fast it is already almost done. We had 8 people planned with  baptism dates for the end of this transfer but only 3 are going to catch them for sure; Roger, Tsiory, and Franky. I thought we would get 5 for sure but things happen.

There was a family that was very awesome and ready for baptism and they had been coming to church but all we needed to do was help them get legally married first. They were supposed to come to church this Sunday to get help with that from people in our ward but they did not show up. We visited their house after church and only found the wife. About a week before this, we tried to visit them but the husband was not there.  She said she has not seen him for like 2 days we thought that was kind of weird but this is Madagascar so we did not worry. Just this last Sunday we asked her if he ever returned. She told us he didn't because he is in jail right now, but we could see him this Friday at his trial... I had no idea what to say after that. I told here I was really sorry and that we would try and visit them still. He might be in jail for a couple of months, so hopefully the future missionaries go find him again when he gets out. I am trying to get his wife and daughter to still come to church but they are a ittle busy right now so i am not sure what is going to happen to them any more.

Funny Story: The other day i went on a split with Elder Bingham in my area. We tracted into a very nice old guy that was holding a toddler while we taught him. During the whole lesson the little kid would get out of his arms and walk around on the table and go back into his arms. Half way through the lesson the man looks over and starts having a fit. I looked over at Elder Bingham and asked him what is going on. He just answered, the kid just pooped on the table. I look over at the kid and a giant pile of poo is under his legs. It had fallen out of his shorts pant leg. The man says sorry and takes the kid under his arm grabs the entire table cloth and walks out. I started laughing way hard with Bingham. The man returned and we just continued the lesson. It was way funny.

Lately, I have been teaching a lot of Plan of Salvation lessons.  I love to think about the pre-existence.  Our Heavenly Father sent us down to earth so that we may be able to learn and grow in this life.  But like a loving earthly father, he does not leave us alone to figure it out.  He wants us to learn and grow through failure and trials, but honestly he has given us all the help we need to be successful in life and have complete joy.  It all depends on our choices, we choose whether we follow his guidance and use the tools he has given us.  I know this life is for our benefit and happiness.  I am so grateful for all the help from our Heavenly Father like the gospel, scriptures, and prophets and even prayer.  I am eternally grateful for everything I have learned from my parents.  I know I seem homesick at times, but don't worry, it's just because I have the greatest family and friends.  That does not mean that I don't love being here in Madagascar too.  I love it here and all the things I am learning.

Love you guys and miss you lots.
Elder Allen

The picture with the family was a soiree with a family in the ward.  The lady in stripes, we are teaching and she is getting baptized pretty soon.  Her husband is already a member.

fingernail or pick for playing guitar?? :)

bug bite...

Light saber is actually a crayon highlighter that looks like that in photos.

Lemur Park

Pray and Ask God and Please be Sincere

Hello,

This week was a good one. One of my favorite investigators came to church this Sunday. His name is Franky and he told me that the only reason he has not already been baptized is because of his wife. But we just found out that she has been cheating on him. But now he knows about that he finally decided to come. The sad part is he came alone. But we have the coolest member named Fr. Tolotra who is about 3 1/2 feet tall and walks with a cane because of his legs that sits and talks with all of our investigators, nicest little guy. I am telling you, the members make it or break it. I am grateful for the ones that make it.

The other day I was on a split when I tracted into a big families house. They let us in but seemed a little off. When I asked if they had a faith, this really proud woman answered, "Yeah we are JDUBS and actually I am a missionary like you guys but for my church." My first thoughts were, Oh S#@~.. We had just walked into a lions den. But I kept it cool. I decided right then and there I was not going to bible bash with this family because it is a waste of time and you don't return after anyway.  So i just told her, "Oh that is cool."  Then told her our purpose and then shared a simple sweet message trying to not be too deep with doctrine because I knew she would just argue about it. I told them what the gospel was and how it is like a path but if the path is lost or losing some parts then we cannot make it to our destination. I explained the apostasy and how it happened. Then brought up, because of that there must be a restoration. I explained Joseph Smith and then asked if there were any questions. Some of the guys actually said, "that makes a lot of sense". But then the girl just went off trying to explain to those guys why it is actually wrong. The things she said were the craziest things I have ever heard but I did not want to argue so I just listened. But my comp could not help it. He went off countering everything she said. And then I sat through like 30 min of war. I stopped it and just told them we have to go now but if you really want to know truth then you should pray and ask God if Joseph Smith is a Prophet and to please be sincere.

Funny Story: I was walking down a path and a little kid yelled JACK at me. I did not understand why but then my Malagasy Comp who did not know how to explain in words pulled out his planner and drew a big boat and wrote TITANIC. Apparently I look like Leonardo DeCaprio to a lot of people here. That was the second time some one had told me that.

Quote:"Families are not just meant to make things run smoothly here on earth and to be cast off when we get to heaven. Rather, they are the order of heaven. They are an echo of a celestial pattern and an emulation of God's eternal family."

Love,
Elder Allen

His Whole Family Said YES

Hello,

Our lessons this week have been awesome. We have this investigator named Franky who has already almost finished reading the Book of Mormon. We have only taught him and his family like three times but he has done all the work in finding the truth for himself. Last time we visited him I asked him if he knew the Book of Mormon was true. He said yes. Then I asked him if he knew the teachings of Jesus Christ would bless his life. He said yes. Instantly after that I asked him if he would then follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by some one holding the priesthood authority of God. His whole family said yes. The spirit in that room was so strong it made me cry.

I know that as a missionary it is not my job to convince people or do the work for them. All I do is invite, and give them a Book that if they read they will instantly know how true it is. The Book of Mormon is the evidence of the Restoration of the Gospel. If anyone wants to know if Joseph Smith was a Prophet or not, all you have to do is read the Book of Mormon.

Halloween here was just like every other day, except there is a day of the dead the day after Halloween. No decorations, just a lot of drunk guys on the streets.

Today for P-day we are buy groceries for the week.  I am going to make brownies and banana muffins today for Swarays this week.  Those are when you eat at a members house. This upcoming week is my comps birthday. We are eating good. We are going to go eat at a way good place.  We are going to a 5 star restaurant in Mada called the Carlton. It is pretty expensive there, like 17,000 Ar for a burger. I think that is like 5 or 6 bucks.  Then probably just chill for the day.

Next P-day we are planning on going to a Crock farm.  You get to throw a chicken in and watch the crocks hunt it down.  I will probably bribe the guys there to let the lemurs climb on me.  That it is how the zoos here work.  They charge 500 Ar for the malagasys but 10,000 Ar for Vazas and you have to bribe the workers if you want to go into the cage with the monkeys.  I will try to take a lot more pictures this week.

I am very grateful for Madagascar. It is definitely changing my perspective.
Love,
Elder Allen

Today at the cyber cafe. 

A Silent Charlie Chaplin film poster.  The Malagasys put their own dialogue to it.