Joyeux Noël !

Bonjour !

First of all, I wanna wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I can't believe that it's already this Saturday, time is flying by over here! 

Over here, things are going pretty good, and not too much to complain about. I'll give a rundown on the past couple of weeks.

So, I am not settled in with my new companion here in Doumassessé. Things have been so-so with the sector. We are finding a lot, and teaching a lot, but we kinda had to reset the sector because there wasn't much good left for us. However, it's been a good experience and it will improve. 

Elder Malenga is pretty chill. He likes to work, and doesn't complain, so no complaints for me. Also, he literally doesn't let me help cook, or clean, so he's been doing it all for us. That's cool I guess, but I also feel bad. He's super nice though, and it's been awesome working with him. 

Being in an apartment of 2 has been a blessing. When there was 4, there was always at least 1 other American, and given that, I would talk English, like only English I the apartment. Looking back on that, it not only weakened my French, but also excluded my companion. Now, I'm forced to speak French, and I see it steadily improving. What a blessing! Also, we're both pretty quiet, so we've both been studying a lot more, also a blessing.

One cool story from the last couple weeks. So, we visited a member the other day, just a normal visit, to get to know her, the family, the house, all that. Then, we asked if we could do anything for her. She said sure, fetch some water out of our well, and fill this bucket. We look in the well, and it's a solid 50 feet deep. To get the water out, we have a 1-2 gallon bucket, attached to a rope. She then proceeds to show us how to do it, and does a round or two. She's struggling, getting the bucket maybe halfway full. Then my companion does it, same thing. I said "hey let me try" and everyone is like no, not this guy, he's white, and kinda making fun of me. Now, I've never done this before, but I can't let them know that. So, with some convincing, they let me. I lower the bucket to the bottom, and give the rope a tug before releasing. I wait a few seconds, and then start pulling it up. It was heavy haha, and I knew it was full. I even said that, and no one believed me, until I pulled the bucket all the way to the top. When they saw it was full, they lost it haha, it was awesome. Definitely not something I'll forget. 

Other than that, everything is going good. Nothing crazy going on, just working, and enjoying it. Let me know if anything cool is going on over there!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and invite us all the remember the true reason to celebrate! I know he lives!

Merry Christmas!

Elder Orchard