July 31, 2017 - It took two to perform the baptism

On Saturday I got to be a part of probably the most unique baptism I ever will be. We have been teaching a lady named Celine in Anjoma. She is paralyzed from the waist down. One of the counselors in the mission presidency came down with a mission car. picked us up and took us to Anjoma. He then took Celine to a place just outside of Anjoma (5-10 minute drive/ 40 minute walk). He shuttled some of the members out there and then the rest of us walked. Elder Christensen and I both held her and I got to be the one to say the prayer. It was a very neat experience. To make it complete the next day since her wheelchair is broken the young men brought her to church in a wheelbarrow. You might think that is embarrassing, but it is a poor town and people are very humble and friendly. We stopped by her home later that day on Sunday and asked her how she felt. She told us she was happy and felt blessed. I wish all of you could have come and seen her baptism and could meet her. It has been a humbling experience serving here in Ambositraz and Anjoma.

We spent the whole weekend in Anjoma and came back this morning. We slept at the Branch president's house which is a neat experience, but I'm looking forward to my own bed tonight.

That is kind of all I've got for the week. I love you all!! 

Word of the week is tara-masoandro which means sunlight. (masoandro means sun, though literally it is eye of the day)

I got the package you sent! and Wesley called me and said he would be stopping by in a week or 2.

The closest I'll ever get to swiming on my mission ! :( :)

July 24, 2017 - Very few times in my life have I felt the spirit so strong.

After telling you that I finally didn't lose a pen, that very night I lost the pen I had just bought. I guess I haven't changed after all.

We also got the Liahona finally!! The one from this past conference. However, we only got it in Malagasy. Luckily, for the first time reading the conference talk in Malagasy I actually understand pretty much everything. I remember in training trying to read the Liahona in Malagasy and feeling like I had to look up every other word in a dictionary.

Thursday, our investigator named Celine in Anjoma passed her baptismal interview. She will be getting baptized on Saturday. Fun fact about her is that she is paralyzed from the waist down. Also, in Anjoma there is no font so they get baptized in a mountain stream. Lucky for us a counselor in the mission presidency is going to be here in Ambositra anyways Saturday so, he will be able to take her up to where They do baptisms (usually it is an hour walk or so.)

Saturday we went on a hike to the top of the mountain/hill next to Ambositra with the young men and young women, it was lots of fun, and we got a little sunburned, but not too bad.

Yesterday, As we were leaving our house we learned that the brother of our landlord who lives upstairs died. We learned this by seeing his body laying there, because they were having the Malagasy funeral there. Then last night some ladies literally spent the whole night singing some hymns. I was touched, they were still going when we woke up this morning at 5 to catch a taxibe up to Antsirabe to go to lake Tritriva. (I assume Wesley took you there Mom and Dad.) It was really pretty.

As of late, I have been wanting to gain a stronger testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith, so I decided to read JS-History this week. Prior to reading it I asked in prayer for a confirmation that he was a prophet. I felt good as I read it, but nothing super special. I knew that it may take time to really realize my testimony. A few days after that however, we were finishing up a lesson and at the end as I testified of Joseph Smith being Prophet I truly felt a burning in my bosom. Very few times in my life have I felt the spirit so strong.

I also got my flight plans! It will take around 36 hours and 4 plane flights!

Words of the week: 

 Mahafoy tena means to sacrifice or more literally make oneself short

 Tsy mananm-paharoa means infinite or more literally Doesnt have a 2nd.

I love you!!

July 17, 2017 - ... asking me about and America and I just didn't know how to answer ...

This week started with us celebrating the 4th of July on the 11th by eating Mexican food. It was a lot of fun!

Friday was a really good day. We had a couple accept a baptismal date and the husband actually came to church on Sunday! Hopefully his wife comes next week. Also that day I sort of learned how to make something called Vary amin'ny ananana. It is kind of a soupy rice thing. Hopefully I will be able recreate it for you to try. I also finished a pen on Friday, first time ive ever done that. Usually I lose it before it runs out of ink.

Saturday and Sunday we spent out in Anjoma. We slept at the Branch President's house Saturday night and it wasn't cloudy like the last time so we got to see the beautiful stars. It is absolutely breath taking. 

An 8 yr girl got baptized Saturday in a stream. That was neat to see. I really enjoyed seeing her dad give her the holy ghost! (We should be having a convert baptism out there in a couple weeks.) 

Anjoma is a very small farming community. There are only a few houses that have a solar panel for electricity. It is a completely different world from where we live. Some of the member were asking me about and America and I just didn't know how to answer their questions. They have no idea the luxuries we have! Likewise, I also don't really know how to truly describe their lives to you.

Word of the week is Lanitra which means heaven or sky. In case I've already done that one, tsiky means smile.

I love you!!!

July 10 - taxibe to Anjoma

My comp & I waiting for the taxibe to go

So Tuesday morning, Elder Christensen and I made 30 tortillas and right as we were finishing up the Members called and said they couldn't do it. So we had a lot of tacos this week, It was delicious!

On Saturday we went out to Anjoma. We have an investigator there who is really progressing towards baptism. Hopefully it will happen at the end of this month!  

On the way back from Anjoma our taxibe broke down a little. Only a little, they got it running after about 30 minutes.

The chicken that rode with us from Anjoma

That is about it for the week. Not a very eventful week. I hope to finish the Doctrine and Covenants this week though, which I'm excited for.

I love you all!!!

Word of the week is varim-bahaza which means wheat. Literally translated it means closer to White person rice.

A pineapple plant

July 3, 2017 - history of the church in Madagascar ... in Malagasy

For the 4th of July tomorrow we are having tacos with a member family, and then we are going to go teach some people about the gospel. It sounds really neat that Nick is getting taught at our house! I hope to meet him! Hopefully he progresses and accepts the gospel. With members involved his chances go way up!!

Yesterday we were heading to a lesson and this guy (might have been drunk) started talking to us in what sounded like legitimate Chinese. It caught us way off guard because usually people try to speak French to us. As we thought about it we found it rather funny that someone who could speak Chinese couldn't tell that we were not Chinese. Well that is my fun story of the week.

Today we took a 3 hour taxibe ride up to Antsirabe to go to a grocery store. We don't have one here in Ambositra. The main goal was to get chocolate, cheddar cheese, and apple juice. (Mostly I wanted chocolate.) However the store was out of the chocolate I wanted so we got apple juice and cheese. Then we took a 3 hour taxibe ride back. That was our P-day!

Word of the week is dia which means trip. I love you!!!

Below is a history of the church in Madagascar, sorry it is only in French or Malagasy so you might need a translator.