Where has the time gone?

Bonjour tout le monde!!

Well, today is 20 months on the mission. I can't believe it has gone by this fast. Not a lot of time left, but still a lot of work to do. This week was pretty normal, but I'll give a quick summary.

This past week, we tried to continue finding new people to teach, and helping those we have to teach already. We worked a lot with Fr Tigi, an awesome member. It's much easier when we have someone to translate the language for us. I'm not quite fluent yet in Ewe, but it's coming. That's a joke, I don't know that much. 

Last night, we broke our fast by eating Congelese FouFou, prepared by my companion Elder Mazunzu. He prepares a ton of FouFou, and then divides it into these giant FouFou balls. They are huge, and even at a very hungry state, I ate 2.5. My companion also ate 2.5, and another missionary, Elder Kouadio ate almost 4. Well, we all get done eating, and the last one left is the other American, Elder Rogers. He is the slowest eater I've ever seen, by the time we're all done, he's finishing his 2nd ball. There are 2 left, and his companion jokes and says, "companion, these 2 are for you." To which Elder Rogers accepts the challenge. Slowly but surely, he finishes the 4, and his companion was more than surprised. He held his head up high for the rest of the night. 

This last week, I've been reading a lot from the Book of Mormon. I've always been impressed with the faith of Nephi, even when things are not going good for him. For example, when his brothers tie him up on the ship for multiple days, instead of ever complaining about his state, he prays and thanks God.  And at the end, when his brother finally releases his, he says the following:

"Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions."

Everything that God does is for our well being, even the things that are hard in life. Sometimes we just need a trial, or a struggle to make us stronger, or to bring a new opportunity into our lives. We should accept these things, and praise our Heavenly Father for loving us enough to direct us in the right path.

God loves you, and wants what's best for you. Never forget that you are the son or daughter of a loving Father in Heaven.

Elder Orchard