"I Will Play for Gumbo"

Andy Hopes to Have a Baptism Saturday
Like His Friend Chas (same mission)

The brother and sister that we were teaching were always nice, but we had to drop them because they were not keeping their assignments. We invited and invited them to church and then even came to pick them up the day of church, and they were there but she said she had just woke up...thats how it is here. Alot are willing to listen and they are even interested, but the difference between those that are ready and those that are not is in the committments. M aybe someday though...man that seems so long ago to me!

This week a great week though! I dont know what it is but i have been really fired up lately...maybe its cuz the utes are doing so well.... MAKE SURE NO ONE TELLS ME THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME (the Elders get to watch video of the game as a zone)! I have been trying my hardest to contact everyone, and it has really helped the french and the work. Moule is doing good, the work is coming and we are seeing a lot of changes in the attitudes of the members and it feels like everything is coming together thanks to the Lord's hand.

We had a lesson with Louisante this week and we had a prayer on the run about what we should teach. We both had the same answer of faith unto action, and that action was baptism. It was the best. He almost commited to last saturday, but we felt he still needed to be taught more. So, it's this saturday. He is the most shy man I have ever met. In fact this morning we had an early lesson with him and he explained his concern of speaking in church and really doesnt want to. haha. We told him he wouldnt have to speak for his baptism. He is also scared because he can't read and is worried some callings in the branch might require it. So, his concerns are good ones and not anything to worry about... I'm stoked though!

The language is coming alright. I'm having trouble delevolping my vocabulary outside of church things, but this week i made a deal with Elder Garotta that if he speaks french all the time I'll do something for him...so that should help. The elders here are really lazy about french study, and so I need to try and not fall into their tradition. I was expecting to get here and never speak english, but we always do...so....ya, its coming though. I'm also learning a little creole...just phrases really. Everyone laughs when I speak it to them so its a good conversation starter...

Elder Garotta is getting better and better at keeping up with me (running). Today we got a good hour in right along the beach! Pinch me...but yeah he is doing good, and now he has even starting helping me with the diet...sometimes when we go to the other missionary apartments its ridiculous when you compare it to us. The other elders are all about the snacks...the cookies, pastries, fries, the soda, nutella. haha One of the elders even makes his own reeces peanut butter cup by putting one spoonful of peanut butter and nutella in his mouth at the same time haha...Actually its pretty dang good (I had to try it once).

Oh guess who sent me the letter of this week this week....Aunt Carol! haha It was awesome, had like 6 sports articles! Family is the best! MOM....haha ben is an animal give him a hello for me. I'm glad to hear Trent is finding some good work; I miss my boxy....I miss everyone actually.

This week you will appreciate that I had my first real creole meal...We got invited to our landlord's family party this week where they were celebrating their ancestors. We walk in and there are these piles of food set up against the fire place for apparently as sacrifices to their ancestors....after they took us outside and the entire family and us sat down on cinderblocks and they placed these huge banana leaves in front of each person. I had no idea what was going on...then they came around with these huge buckets of rice and just placed it on our leaves and then around again with chicken and sauce....everybody started eating with their hands, it was the messiest meal I've ever had, so good! Chicken Gulumbo. Ok love everyone but gotta go!