I am the Coconut Man!

Bonjour,

How is everyone doing? I am doing pretty well. A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks, so I'll get right into it.

My companion, who I am training, is doing well. He is learning a lot and making a lot of progress in the mission. The Africans that come on the mission are like pre-trained, so I guess that helps too haha. It's a little weird, because I am 19, and have almost a year on the mission, and he is 24  and just started. It's also kinda weird "training" someone who is 5 years older than me. However, we get along great and are doing a lot of work. 

Our week started out amazing, and then just kinda went downhill really fast. First of all, it started out great because we found 7 new people to teach this week. Some of them were people we found last week, and taught for the first time this week. But, we found this one family that we introduced our message too, and asked if there was a day we could come back, and they told us "right now" haha so we taught them right then and there. Also, earlier this week, we fixed a baptism date for someone we are teaching. She had accepted baptism with the last missionaries, but just before the baptism she got cold feet, and backed out. Over time, we were able to talk to her, and eventually fix a baptism date again!

So, those were the highlights of this week. That was the beginning of the week, and the week didn't end too well. To start off, on Saturday, we had 6 appointments scheduled for the day, and all 6 of them canceled on us. Some of them just weren't there, but some of them just straight up told us they were busy, after we walked all the way to their house. Then, on Sunday, after we invited all of our friends to church, not a single one came. We had 0 friends at church yesterday. And too add to that, all our appointments yesterday fell though as well. Those are kind of the lowlights for this week. 

Some other fun stuff happened this week as well. Like when we went to an appointment that canceled on us, we ended up playing a little soccer with these super nice kids across the street. They took a bunch of photos with us, and it was super fun. It was nice to meet with some kids that loved us, especially after an appointment canceled on us. We also have a coconut tree in our courtyard, so that's been fun to smash some coconuts and eat/drink them. 

Other than that, just living the life out here. I'm having a pretty good time, French is pretty good, and I'm used to living out here, which I never thought I'd be haha.

I hope everyone has a great week, and a great day.

Peace,

Elder Orchard

Training?

Bonjour,

I hope everyone is doing well. I have had quite the interesting week, so I'll just get right into that. 

First of all, from what I was told, I'd be getting a companion from the Congo, but that I wouldn't be training. I had assumed that meant he had already received his training, and he was just delayed getting here, which we have had situations like that before, so I thought nothing of it. I was told that there would be a new trainers meeting on Saturday, but I thought nothing of it because I am in an apartment with someone who is training. Come to find out, on Wednesday night, from the senior missionary couple that my companion would arrive the next day, and that he is new, so I would be training. I was a little surprised to be training, especially since no one told me I would be. But, it's been awesome so far, and my new trainee is Elder Ntumba!

It's been a little bit difficult because we are both new to the area, and trying to run it. The last set of Elders kept a good area book, but it's still difficult. Because there are no addresses here, the location of all our friends are pinpointed on the map, and we use Google Maps to find them all. But...it's not always the best at giving the location. We've had many times looking for our friends, and getting to where the map says they are, and either no one lives there or the person that does live there isn't them. We can try to call them, and have them describe where they live, but then again, I'm new to the area, and wouldn't understand. That doesn't mean we've had no success so far. We've been able to find some of their old friends, and find some new ones on our own too. Overall, it hasn't been to bad, and I'm excited to continue the work. 

My companion is pretty cool. I sat him down the first day, and said something about how I really wanted to work hard, and he responded by saying that he does too, so that was awesome. It's funny because he just kinda follows me around, and I cook all the meals, and all that stuff, and I remember that I literally was doing all those things that he is doing when I first got here. We also have Elder Kempe in our apartment, a brand new American. His French is not the best haha, but I was literally where he was when I got here. It's been cool to be able to translate for him, and just be that "cool old American" in the apartment haha.

Overall, the sector is going good, and it's been a good week. Can't wait to continue the work in Hedzranawoe.

Have a good week everyone!

Elder Orchard

11 Months!!

Bonjour,

How is everyone doing? I'm doing pretty good. Not a lot has happened, but we got some big news this week, so I'll fill you in on that.

As for the sector, not much has happened. We just got a bunch of work done this week, and found some new people to teach, as usual. Also, today I have 11 months on the mission, which is crazy! The time has for sure flown by over here. This next transfer, I'll hit my year mark, which is crazy to think about. I still feel like a new missionary haha.

As for this transfer, it has come to an end this week. We got our transfer calls on Saturday night, and got some exciting news. So, I am getting transferred to the Hedzranaweo Ward, and getting a new missionary from the Congo. He is not a new missionary, but new to the mission, so I'll have to show him how this mission works. We are both going to be new to the area, which should he fun. In our apartment, we have another companionship as well. One elder from the Congo is staying there, and he will be training a brand new missionary from the United States, so that should be fun. I'm a little worried about the move, but I'm sure it will be fine.

As for my companion right now, Elder Mahoungou, he will be staying in this area, and training a new missionary. That means that he will be in this area for about 7 months in total, which is why I was surprised that I was getting moved, and not him. Nonetheless, I know he'll be a great trainer, and he shouldn't have any problems. 

Other than that, things are going pretty good so far. I'm enjoying the work, and time is flying by, so I can't complain. I hope everyone is having a great summer, and a great day. 

Peace and blessings, 

Elder Orchard