Big Changes

Bonjour!

How is everyone? Things are going pretty good over here, and some big changes are coming, especially with the recent transfer calls. I'll jump right into it. 

So, first of all, these were a pretty good last few weeks. We did a lot of good work, and saw a lot of blessings. We were able to realize the baptisms of two of the people we were teaching, both children. They are the children of members, some less active families, so we were happy we could help out there. We didn't have too much success with our own efforts, but that's alright.

Last Saturday, we got the calls from the assistants. For once, i get to stay in my area haha. Elder Malenga is transferred to Tokoin, which is in the same district, so we'll still see each other often. Then, for me, I get to train again, this time an American. I'm super excited to train, and teach this greenie the celestial language of French. He won't get here until Friday, so until then, I get to chill with Elder Oler. 

Well, that's about it, just a short update for transfers. I hope everyone is doing well, and the new year has started off great!

Until next time,

Elder Orchard

Hospitalized. And Happy New Year!

Bonjour,

I'll just get right into it. This last week, on Monday, I tested at the apartment for malaria, and tested positive. Well, I figured that was coming, giving my symptoms and everything. So, we stayed in all day, and I even thought I was feeling better.

Then, I went to bed, and Tuesday at 1:45 am, I woke up, and felt absolutely terrible. My head and stomach felt like they were going to explode, and I felt like I couldn't really move my legs. So, I called the office couple, and thankfully they picked up in the middle of the night. They ended up taking me to the emergency room, where they tested me for malaria, again. This time, it came back negative, but they tested my blood again, and it was positive. They also ended up doing a bunch of other tests, and giving me an IV will we waited. We were there from 2ish am to 8:30 am Tuesday morning. Yeah, so we didn't go out and work that day.

Thankfully, I'm feeling a lot better now. I ended up getting some injections for malaria, and they even tripled the dose haha. We ended up going out these last couple of days, and preparing some of the people we're teaching for baptism. We didn't do anything crazy for the new year. Everyone was telling us that the new year celebration was gonna be crazy, and people were going to be partying until the 6th of January, but everything is pretty much normal still. 

I can't believe it's 2022 already. It's crazy to think that I'll be going home THIS year, in August. I have completed my full year of service, 2021, to the Lord. I can't wait to see what 2022 has in store.

I hope everyone has a good year! Just a quick update over here.

Have a Happy New Year,

Elder Orchard

Here are a few pictures. Unfortunately, none from the hospital.

A CRAZY Week!

Bonjour!

How is everyone? I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I'll let you know how things are going over here. 

So, this was a very event filled week. So, to start out, we had our Christmas activity for the mission on Tuesday, and it was a blast. We sang, ate, and got some gifts. It was awesome. We also met the new couple missionaries for Togo, and they are literally the nicest people ever. They are named the Jeffcoats, the first time I talked to Sister Jeffcoat, she literally invited us over for Christmas. More on that later.

On Wednesday, my companion had his birthday! And to celebrate, he accidentally spilled some oil on the gas fire, causing a 10 ft tall flame in our kitchen, and he also burned his hand pretty bad. Happy Birthday Elder Malenga, but in all seriousness, his hand is doing alright.

I got to go on exchanges with Elder Anwaucha, my man. We lived together last transfer, and he's awesome. We had a great time together. On Christmas Eve, we had a ward Christmas party, and it was super fun! It was mainly for the kids, but I still felt the  Christmas spirit. I also participated in a game of musical chairs, where I lost first round haha.

Christmas day was pretty awesome! Like I said, the Jeffcoats invited us over, along with the Office Elders. We went there from 11-5, and they were way to nice to us. We talked a little, shared Christmas traditions, and then ate the best meal I've eaten since being here. Chicken, potatoes, green beans, and a whole bunch of other stuff. We also played a dice game, I always knew it as farkle, but there's other names for it too. And then they gave us the nicest chocolate I've ever eaten, brought from England. They are so awesome, and so nice to us.

Well, this week kinda ended bad. I wasn't feeling good yesterday, so I took my temp, and it was 103.5° F, so that's not good. I called the Jeffcoats, and they are coming tomorrow to give me a malaria, and Covid test. So, well see how that goes. 

Well, that's it for me. All in all, a pretty solid week.

Until next time, 

Elder Orchard

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

Another New Area

Bonjour, 

How's everyone doing? A lot of things have been happening, so I'll get right into it. 

First of all, I got transferred again. This will make for the 4th area in the last 5 transfers. I thought for sure that I was going to stay in Agoè for a while, but I guess not. I got transferred to an area called Doumassessé, and it's right in the heart of Lomé, the capital of Togo. Like, the apartment is on a paved road,  which is a first for me in Togo.

My new companion is Elder Malenga. He is from Congo Kinshasa, and is on his 4th transfer, so pretty new. I'm excited to work with him, and I've heard good things. Elder Dje is staying in Agoè. Although he was a hard companion, I learned some things from him. I am now in an apartment of 2, instead of 4, which will be a change. I like apartments of 4 better, but I'm excited nonetheless. 

This last week, two big things happened. First of all, we had a collective baptism, and 6 of our friends got baptized! It was so awesome to see them take this step in their lives. I'm excited for them, and for all those who got baptized. Secondly, Elder Fowers finished his mission, and is on his way home right now. He was in the other companionship in the apartment. It was awesome seeing the impact he had on the people here, and he really will be missed.

Other than that, nothing too crazy. I'll try to update this more often, and keep you updated. Christmas is coming!!

Have a good one 

Elder Orchard

Agoe

Bonjour,

Hey everyone. I know it's been a while, but I'll send a quick update.

So, I am in the sector of Agoè now. This sector has a lot more restaurants, a big market, and even a supermarket. Also, the work seems to be progressing a lot better here.

This last weekend, we were able to baptize our friend, Deborah. It was a little rushed, but she is gonna be traveling here soon, and wanted to get baptized before that. Also, her husband is a returned missionary, and an awesome member, so I have no worries about her conversion. She is awesome.

We are preparing a lot more people for a collective baptism for our Stake, to be held on December 4. We have some awesome candidates, and I can't wait to see them make their first covenant with our Heavenly Father.

This last week, I read in the Bible about the Widow of Nain. Her only son passed, but miraculously Christ was able to arrive, just before they buried him. Through his love, he brought back to live the son, and he was reunited with his mother. This is a simple, but remarkable story that shows the love of Christ. He loves each and every one of us, and i testify that he knows us personally.

That's if for this week, more to come in the coming weeks.

Elder Orchard

Transferred Again!

Bonjour!!

How is everyone? I am doing great, and I'll update you on these last couple of weeks!

So, first of all, we got transfer news. Unfortunately, Elder Ntumba and I are both leaving Hedzranawoe. He got called to go to Kegue to be an office Elder, which he is not too happy about, but I'm sure that he'll do great. I got called to go to Agoé, another sector in our Zone. Agoé is a branch, and the first branch I'll get to serve in here, so that will be interesting! It's also a 2 companionship apartment, and the other companionship is the Zone Leaders, so that will be fun. I also got called to be District leader, so that's new. It will be good to take on some responsibility, although, I am a little nervous. It should be a great transfer!

We finished up work here in our sector, and unfortunately we weren't able to get any baptisms. Sr Yawa ended up having a problem with her marriage, and some other problems, so we had to push that back. The other friends in our sector just aren't ready yet. Cool story though, one day we were looking for people to teach, and this man who is a Muslim calls us out. He tells us to teach him the work of God. Well, it's hard to teach Muslim, because their beliefs are much different than ours. Also, the key element of our message is the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and they believe in Jesus Christ, which makes that hard. Anyways, we have a chat with this man, and it actually goes really well! We invited him to church, and he came! When we taught him again, he was talking about how he is ready to accept Jesus Christ, and let go of his old religion. This guy is seriously so golden, it's too bad we both have to leave the sector though. I'm sure the next missionaries will take great care of him though.

Other than that, nothing crazy happened. I got to go on an exchange with Elder Robinson, and see a tiny village, which was super cool. My companion had his birthday a while ago, so we celebrated that. But yeah, that's about it. I'm excited to go to Agoé, and see what's in store for me over there.

I hope everyone has a great day!

Au revoir,

Elder Orchard