General Conference!!

Bonjour!

A lot of things happened this past week, and so I'll get right into it. 

First of all, I got to go on an exchange with the Zone Leaders. I went to Agoe and worked with Elder Deafon. I don't know who remembers, but I worked in the Agoe and so it was a weird feeling going back there. It's the first time I've been back to a sector after I've already left. It was awesome though, I got to see some of my converts, and it was a good exchange too. Elder Deafon is from Cote D'Ivoire and a really good missionary. 

We had interviews with President on Thursday, and those went well. It's weird, because Sister Proudfoot was just talking to me about going home stuff, and I was thinking, that's so far off, but it's actually coming up. It's weird to think about.

I do have one cool story from this past week. We were planning on meeting a friend, Patrick, to meet with some of his family. Well, he wasn't there, but his sister was. We talked to her for a while, and then she invited us to come in, and we met with their father, who I would say is almost 80 or so. We started talking with him, and when he found out we were American, he was ecstatic. When I said I've been here for over a year, they started clapping and saying Bravo haha. Then, after talking for a while, he started praying for us out loud, saying some interesting things. They also gave us some soda, so that was pretty cool. We just sat, and talked, and he basically told us his whole story. I love meeting with people, and just talking with them. It's amazing hearing other people's stories.

The big highlight of the week was general conference yesterday and Saturday. For the first time in a while, I actually got to watch all the sessions. It was an amazing conference. I especially loved Elder Holland's talk, as is the case every year. I love how he declared that each of us is a child of a Heavenly Father, and that each one of us is precious to him. Through Jesus Christ, we can overcome these trials that we may feel overtake us. His message of love and peace is something I think, or I hope, we all search for. I know that Christ lives, and that through him, we can overcome all that comes our way. There isn't something we suffer that he hasn't suffered already. He's the only person that knows us perfectly, and so we need to turn to him when we feel as if there is no one else to turn to. 

Well, this is the last week of the transfer, and the last week of training for my companion, Elder Allison. It has been a pleasure training him, and the time has gone by way too quick. It'll be interesting to see where I'll be going, and who'll be my companion this next transfer. 

That's about if for me. I hope you were all able to watch General Conference, and if not, I would invite you to do so. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04?lang=eng

I love you all, and I know our Heavenly Father loves you with a perfect love.

À la prochaine fois,

Elder Orchard 

- a box we left at the office elders apartment 

- how we watched conference at the church

- me and my "genealogy" the two missionaries I've trained, and the missionary being trained by one of those missionaries

Not a Soccer Player

Hey everyone,

I'll make this one quick, I'm pretty tired this week. So, here's a couple highlights from this past week:

Last P-Day, I got a haircut and also went to the couple missionaries apartment to do some stuff on their computers. They were too nice, and gave us ice cream, and a whole lot of other things, all while chilling in air conditioning. 

We did an exchange this week, and I worked with Elder Obeya. We got along, and just got to work really. He is an awesome missionary, and a great example of Christ. 

We met a French guy the other day in sector, and got to speak with him. He said I speak very good French, so I give myself a pat on the back for that one.

Today was a zone activity, with a large zone vs. zone soccer match. It ultimately ended in a tie, and a whole lot of white guys getting sunburned. It was a lot of fun though, especially hanging out with the guys from the other zone.

That's about it. We are preparing some people for a baptismal service the weekend of the 9th, so I'm looking forward to that.

I hope everyone is doing great. I'll attach some pictures below.

À bientôt, 

Elder Orchard

English Class

Bonjour!

This past week hasn't been anything too crazy, but it was still a fun and challenging week.

A big event this week was Zone Conference, which was on Wednesday. It was a really good zone conference, and I can tell that the messages given to us are always inspired. The assistants gave a training on how to better contact and keep in contact with those we are teaching. We also, of course, had a great lunch of atcheké, and Ivorian dish, and a classic hamburger. Also, I got sung to, and got to pick out a present, which i picked a tie. I'll attach a photo down below, it's probably the coolest tie have.

Also this week, we taught an English class. Unfortunately, we didn't have that many people attend. However, we are trying to find ways to get more people involved. It was a good class though, and we went over just some basic stuff, like introductions, giving your phone number, address, and stuff like that. We also got some cool photos afterwards.

This next transfer, we will be getting upwards of 20 new missionaries, just here in Togo. That means that every area that was closed will be open, and some areas will be opened for the first time. I talked to the zone leaders about how here in Doumassesse, our sector is huge, and we don't have the means to take care of this whole sector ourselves. Therefore, we need another companionship here. They seemed super cool with that, and I think it'll happen. 

Other than that, not much else is going on. We have stake conference next weekend, and then general conference the weekend after that, and I'm looking forward to both. Having an American companion, I may get to watch general conference in English for the first time in my mission, but we'll see. 

I hope you are all doing well, and don't be afraid to reach out!

au revoir,

Elder Orchard

It's getting HOT over here

Bonjour!!

I hope everyone is doing well, and that the week is treating you well. There's not much this week, but I'll get into it anyways. 

So, this past week we worked a lot with Tako, a recent convert, to find people to teach this past week. He has been in the same area since he was a kid, so he knows a lot of people. Honestly, a lot of people he gives us don't seem very interested in our message, but I love that he takes an interest in spreading the gospel, and that is what counts.

We had a baptism this past week, for two children who are in a part member family. We honestly didn't do much, other than teach them the lessons. Either way, it was great to see them enter the baptismal waters.

We found this guy that is really interested, and his name is Deni. He bought a triple combo, and is flying through it. He feels that every other religion he's been a part of is wrong, but he says that he has a good feeling with us. Let's hope that things stay good.

In other news, it's getting super hot out here. It rained a couple of days ago, and now, not only is it super hot, its also super humid. I think it'll be like this for a while, because the rainy season is coming up soon. It's very hot out haha

Other than that, not much else is going on. But, like I said, there wasn't much this week. I'm trying to be better at updating this more often, as in weekly.

I'll attach some pictures down below. I hope everyone is doing good!

Until next time,

Elder Orchard

No Longer a Teenager

Bonjour!!

Well, this week has been pretty good! I'll jump right into it.

So, today I get to celebrate my 20th birthday, and my second time celebrating a birthday in Africa. I still feel like I'm 18 haha. It's crazy to think that my entire 19th year was spent as a missionary, just a cool thought. I'll probably just get a nice burger, and make some no-bake cookies to celebrate.

This last week was pretty normal, nothing too crazy. I do have a couple cool stories though. So, on Tuesday, we went to teach a new convert, Fr Tako. Afterwords, we played foosball just outside his house. The machine took 25 cfa, so we got some change, and played around 30 rounds or so. It was fun playing with Fr Tako, and we had the whole neighborhood watching and cheering us on. I got a pretty cool picture that I'll put down below.

A couple of days later, we were walking down a sketchy road, and this guy stopped us, and asked us to teach him. He was normal, not drunk, but then a very drunk guy came up to me and asked me to drink Gin with him. I told him no, and that I don't drink. He didn't like that, so he kept insisting. I actually got him to calm down a little, until this other guy came over and yelled at us to leave, and go back where we came from, and that they don't want us here. I politely told him that I would like to stay, and that these people did in fact want to talk to us. Then he left, only to come back 5 minutes later with his buddy, who proceeded to tell us the same thing, and I told him the same thing. They both got really mad, and one started pushing me, but I kinda just stepped back a little, and they ended up leaving. Pretty crazy, and probably won't take that route for a while.

This last week we also prepared some of our candidates for an upcoming baptism this Saturday. It looked like we were gonna have to postpone the baptism, but we didn't have to. I've seen in my mission that when I'm obedient, doing what I need to do, I'm more receptive to the Holy Ghost, and to seeing miracles in my life. It's crazy the difference that it makes, and it not only applies to missionary work, but to our lives in general. Be obedient, and then you'll receive blessings. It's mind blowing how simple it is, but it can still be hard to do. We just need to try our best, and the Lord will bless us for our efforts.

I hope you all have a great day!!

Elder Orchard

- sorry for the bad quality photos, our camera is cracked haha

18 Months, Wow

Bonjour a tous!

Hello! I hope that everyone is doing well. I am doing pretty well myself. These past few weeks have been alright, nothing too crazy, but I'll jump right into it. 

These past few weeks, we've been preparing some people for their baptisms. We had a service for one young man, Gedeon, but not for anyone else this past weekend. They're not ready yet, but they will be soon. We also got transfer news, and to no surprise, Elder Allison and I are staying together, to finish his training.

I had an exchange this past week with Elder Hansen, a zone leader. He is really awesome, and probably the nicest guy I've ever met in my life. He taught me a lot, and we had a great day, and worked really hard. 

This week I will officially 18 months on my mission, a big milestone. I remember getting here to Togo, at about 5 months, wondering if I'd ever get to the end of my mission haha. I saw the guys that had 18+ months and thought, ''I'll never be there'' but here I am! It's crazy how the mission can change your perspective on something. I remember at the beginning, just wanting to be done already, to now, not knowing if I'll have enough time to finish everything I need to do.

I love all of you, just as our Heavenly Father loves us. I was reading a talk this last week, written by Richard G. Scott, that talks a lot about the Atonement. He says, ''The Redeemer will safely lead you over the most difficult obstacles of life. His laws are absolutely secure anchors of protection that dispel fear and assure success in an otherwise dangerous world. Such a life will certainly provide you peace and happiness.''

I think a lot of times we think of commandments, or rules, as laws, only there to tell us not to do, and we may even think of them as restricting. Here, we can realize that His laws ensure success, and protection that can lead to everlasting joy in our lives. I know that as we follow His example, we will have this happiness and joy, without end.

I know our Savior lives and is there to lead, and guide us today.

I hope you all have a great day, and week ahead of you,

Elder Orchard

Two Americans

Bonjour!

How is everything going? I am doing pretty well! I'm loving the mission right now, so I'll get right into that.

Well, having two white guys walking around has been quite the experience. Other than just some exchanges, I've never had a white companion, so this is a different experience. It's just a lot of people calling us out, and stuff like that. A lot of people think that we are students from some international school, and we've even increased the amount of marriage proposals we've had. If that was only a key indicator haha. 

Anyways, these past few weeks have been good. A lot of crazy things have happened in sector, but I won't get into all of that, or this email would be too long. We had this investigator, named Marc, that was progressing super well. He loved our message, he was reading the Book of Mormon, and he even came to church. Well, I thought things were going really well with him, until he told us he had some sad news. He told us he was moving to Attiegou in one week. That honestly made me super sad, and now he is gone. It was a really great experience to teach him, and I loved answering his questions. However, where he moved to has missionaries, and I know he will continue to work with them, and I was lucky to even meet him.

This last week I studied a talk from President Thomas S Monson, from October 2003, titled ''The Bridge Builder.'' In this talk, he compares Jesus Christ to someone who has built us bridges. Not bridges over rivers or valleys, but over death. President Monson stated ''He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves; hence, mankind can cross the bridges he built - into life eternal.'' I love reading the words of modern prophets, because they put these large, complex ideas into these simple analogies, making it possible for anyone to understand. I testify that Jesus Christ really has built the ultimate bridge, and that through crossing this bridge, we will have eternal life.

I love reading the words of our modern prophets, and I invite each of you to read their words as well. 

I hope you all have a great week, and I'll attach some pics down below.

Ayzonday!

Elder Orchard