19 Oct 2015

19 October 2015

This week, among other things, we spent time assisting Joren and inspecting apartments.

Joren and her two boys come over for dinner and a missionary lesson.  We have had her show us how to make an African dish which we were suitably impressed by.  She is progressing and will hopefully be ready for baptism on November 7.  After which the older Sister missionaries who were here before us, are going to take her and her boys to Utah.  They are going to try to help her live there.  It’s a noble gesture but fraught with difficulties.

We also had a birthday dinner for Joren’s youngest son Lucas.  She and her two boys, another African man named Norbert, and the Elders came over.  We played animal guessing game and reverse Jinga and everyone had a blast.  Afterwards Joren texted us and said she had not laughed in a long time, so we think it was a success. 

We had dinner with an inactive member from Brooklyn New York and his wife from California—Yolanda and Victor George.  She has been a caterer and once catered Morgan Freeman and Mike Tysom.  We enjoyed our visit and read the Book of Mormon with them.  They committed to read with us. 

I had an interesting experience.  I went to pic up the Elders for a meeting with Joren.  The Elders were not there and while waiting for them I talked to a young student who was questioning what his purpose is on earth.  He told me he had contemplated suicide multiple times.  We talked about various philosophies and got around to Joseph Smith, the pre-existence and the Book of Mormon.  This young man lives up the street from the Elders.  Hopefully they will be able to talk to him again.  Interestingly, the Elders said they texted me and told me they would meet us at our apartment for the dinner but I never got the text.  Had I gotten the text I wouldn’t have gone to pic up the Elders and met this young man. 

We also went on an apartment and car inspection tour.  We loved being with the missionaries but some of the dwelling places left a lot to be desired.  We have made an incentive program for getting cleaner apartments and cars.  We took some pictures of beautiful countryside.

We’ve been working with a man named John.   The Bishop wanted us to work with him.  He is from Idaho, has been living in a Motel 6, has been addicted to pain meds and is looking for a job.  We think he was one of Mike’s patients…..Anyway he’s making some progress and enjoyed Church yesterday. 

We are teaching an English class at the Community Center.  So far it has been enjoyable.  This week we have some folks from Angola.  

We miss you all and pray for you

A pond by our apartment

Eastern Trail while inspecting apartments

Joren, Marc, Lucas and Sandy

The Elders with Norbert