Teaching a 3 Time Village Chief

This week we taught the chief of 3 villages, although he didn't look the part. He was wearing a red and yellow puma jumpsuit. He invited us to teach him last Wednesday, but the rain kept us from going. More on that later. When we called him to reschedule the appointment, he was ecstatic. We went back and he again told us how he was the chief of 3 villages, and the names of them. We started our lesson, but he dominated with bizarre questions, and his scriptural knowledge. He was super nice and respectful though. The appointment didn't really go anywhere, and we didn't share what we had planned on sharing. After we had been there for an hour or so, we had to wrap things up and go to our next lesson. He offered us some "sodabi" which was his homemade alcohol. We had to politely refuse, to which he politely refused to which we politely refused again. It was a good experience, and now I can say I've taught a 3x village chief. 

So now on the rain. I guess we're in the rainy season now, considering that it rained every single day this last week. It has it's benefits, like the weather being cooler now, but also it's kind of annoying. It's harder to get missionary work done in the rain. I don't mind going out in the rain, but nobody here wants to speak to us when it's raining. We showed up to a friends house yesterday, a little wet from the rain, and they were almost like mad at us for coming in the rain. It's a little frustrating, but it's alright. We're going back to the waterfall next week, and it's gonna be HUGE from all the rain.

We are getting our friend, Victoire, ready for baptism this next Saturday. She is ready, and I'm excited to see her continue to grow and progress in the church. We found her my first week in Kpalime, so it's been nice to be here the whole time and see her entire progression. 

The only other big thing that happened this week was an exchange done on Thursday. I worked with Elder Rogers in his sector. It was a good exchange, despite the rain. We biked out to a super far area in our sector, that we wouldn't be able to walk there. I don't know if it's because I haven't biked in a while, or I'm just out of shape, but I was struggling on the bike haha. It was pretty tiring. The highlight of the exchange was when we ate a big pile of pate at 4, and then biked to another appointment and ate a big pile of foufou at 6. I was pretty proud of myself. 

That's about it for this week. Have a great week!

Elder Orchard

Sleeping on a broken couch (late post - from 6/13/2022)

This last week was a good one. We started off the week with Zone Conference. We went down to Lome on Monday afternoon, and we stayed in the Agoe apartment. Agoe's apartment only has 2 beds, and so we were going to bring down 2 more beds for the 4 of us, but it was raining, and so we couldn't transport the beds on the roof of the taxi. So, Elder Rogers and I let our companions use the beds, and we slept on the floor/couch. He took cushions off the chairs and used those as a bed, and I slept on the broken couch. Probably the worst night of sleep ever.

This last week, we found a ton a new people to teach, and a ton of potential families. We're gonna do our best to help them progress, and help them onto the covenant path.

At zone conference, we had a great discussion on the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, and what that really is. We also talked about how doctrine is accepted as doctrine, and so forth. The main points of the doctrine of Jesus Christ are faith in him, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endurance to the end. It was amazing to see that in just the last two years, our prophet Russell M. Nelson, has talked and taught about all these points. I know that he is truly a prophet called of God, and that he leads his children on this earth today.

Not too long of an email this week, not too much crazy happened. 

I hope everyone has a great week.

Elder Orchard

Close Encounter with a Bat

Hello Everyone!

This week was pretty normal, but some cool stuff happened, pretty much like every other week.

On Tuesday, I bought a ton of super cool pagne, African material. I gave some to the the tailor today to make some scriptures covers, and I'll use the others to make ties, shirts and other stuff. Super excited for that. 

Also on Tuesday, I got super sick. Again. I don't know what it is, but lately I've been getting more sick, and more often, and it's super frustrating. Its also tough being with Elder Mazunzu, a new missionary, and getting sick, because when I'm sick, we both have to stay in. I hate staying in more because it keeps him from going out to sector. So, we came back early on Tuesday, to find the power out. While the power was out, a bat flew into our house, and started getting a little to close. My companion chased it into the kitchen, where he hit it with a pack of spaghetti. It wasn't dead, but also not moving, so we got some dope pictures with it. Don't worry, I didn't eat it, and we washed our hands really well after.

We fixed the baptism date this week for Sr Victoire for the 25th of June. I'm super excited, and she is super ready. We're hoping to get some more candidates, but we'll see. Today we're heading down to Lomé for Zone Conference tomorrow. All 4 of us are staying at Agoe's Appartment, so that'll make 8 for one night. Should be pretty fun.

This last week, we were looking for a scripture to share with a friend that wasn't progressing at all. I'll be honest, I was frustrated, and I was looking for a good chastisement. I was searching in Alma 5, and if you know that chapter, you know what I was looking for haha. Anyways, I decided that wasn't the best, and so I searched the chapter for one that would work, and came across a scripture I really like, found in Alma 5:33:

33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

What a wonderful promise! We read this a lot, but it is so true. Our Prophet has invited us numerous times to partake in daily repentance, and to be clean. Sin makes us dirty, and pulls us away from our Heavenly Father. We all make mistakes, that's what makes us human. That doesn't mean we have to rest in the guilt of these errors, but we can have these burdens lifted from us. Repentance is a joyful process. It can be hard, and we can feel shame for the things we've done, but the moment we get on our knees, and open our mouths, the words will flow out, I promise. And the promise that follows, "I will receive you." His arms of mercy are extended towards us, we just have to repent, and be cleansed, and we will receive his embrace.

I know these things are true, I've come to love daily repentance. I make tons of mistakes, but I know that God will always forgive me, and he will forgive you as well.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Know that God loves you.

Elder Orchard

African Cuts

Hello Everyone!

Today I got a haircut. It's pretty bad, especially on top, but that's alright. The top is really short, so hopefully I can go the rest of my time without cutting the top.

Everything else is going good. The work is starting to progress, and the members are actually starting to help us a lot. We are still finding a lot of people on our own, although not a lot progress, we sometimes find a diamond in the rough.

Like this last week, when we found Fr Stan. We actually found him a couple of weeks ago, and he stopped us in the road to ask what we did. We set up an appointment with him, but he didn't keep it. In fact, we would try to call him, but the call would never go through. We almost let him go, but last week we tried again, and he finally set up an actual appointment with him. He was super receptive, and was basically teaching us the Restoration, from what he learned in the pamphlet. It was a great lesson, and he even came to church yesterday. He is super cool, and I'm excited to see his progression. 

We got a new missionary in our apartment, Elder Kasongo. He is from the Congo, and super cool. He is being trained by Elder Rogers. We have been cracking jokes, and having a good week.

I love the scripture found in Mormon 9:28

"Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God"

I love this reminder, as one of the last words of the Book of Mormon prophet, Mormon. We need to remember where our priorities are, and never let our guard down. We are put on this earth to serve our Heavenly Father, as our biggest goal should be to return in his presence. 

I love all of you, and hope you have a great week.

Elder Orchard

Food Poisoning .2

Hello Everyone!

This was a very long week. To start out, we went to the waterfall last P-Day, and it was amazing. Coolest thing I've seen so far in Togo. Luckily, we got transfer calls, and we're both staying, so we can go again sometime this next transfer. I'll attach some pictures.

We walked a lot to get to the waterfall, so for the whole week we were all pretty sore. This week went by very slow, with anxiousness for the call, and preparing for our baptism, and everything else going on. We did have a baptism service this last Saturday, which went well! The water doesn't work in our building, so we had to get water out of the well, put it into buckets, and then carry it over to the font. We did most of the work, and it was pretty tiring, but everything was ready for the baptism. We got this done at 9ish am, and then went home, got ready, and got back to the branch building at 2 pm. I was not very happy to see that the water had gone down another 2 feet or so, and then we had to get water out of the well again. However, everything worked out, and we were able to have our baptism service. 

That night, a member bought us some food, just a little bag of what looked like chips. It turns out, they were banana chips, and I really liked them. So, I bought 5 more bags, because they were super cheap. I ate two on the way home, and the other three at the house, before going out to sector Sunday afternoon. We started going to our first appointment, and upon arrival my stomach was hurting really bad. It was hard to focus on the lesson, it hurt so bad. After that appointment, we walked to our second, and luckily the person wasn't there, and we booked it back to the apartment. I went straight to the bathroom. Without being too gross, from 5pm to about 8pm, I threw up 9 times. I was going for 10, double digits, but unfortunately that didn't come. I called the Jeffcoats, the couple missionaries, and they thought that it could be food poisoning, and everything that was coming out of me was yellow, like the banana chips. That's when I made the connection, that the banana chips gave me food poisoning. Its not super surprising, they weren't made in a factory or anything, but by someone on the side of the road. Street food, you win some, you lose some. This one I definitely lost.

Like I said before, Elder Mazunzu and I are staying together, to complete his training. Elder Rogers is staying as well, and training a new missionary. I'm super excited for this next transfer, and to see where I'll go the transfer after that, for my last area and last companion. Pretty crazy to think about.

Whelp, that's it for me this week. I hope everyone has a great week! Hopefully I don't get food poisoning again next week.

Elder Orchard

Elder Allison has lost 35 pounds

Bonjour!

So, I don't have a lot of time today, so I'll just give a quick recap of our week!

We had interviews on Thursday, and those went super well. It's really weird to think I only have 2 more interviews left with President. Times going quick! President Proudfoot is awesome, and I've loved working with him.

I saw Elder Allison at interviews. He's lost 35 pounds!

We had a good week in general. Did a lot of finding, and preparing those we have found. Good things in the works!

Today, we spent all day at the waterfall, and it was gorgeous! We took all the photos with the Zone Leaders' phone, which I don't have yet, so I'll attach those next week. Coolest thing I've seen in Togo for sure. 

Like I said, just a short little email. I hope everyone is doing well!

Elder Orchard

No, you cut the tomatoes!

Bonjour!

This was a pretty eventful week, so I'll get right into it.

On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to do some service. We helped Fr. Honoré, the first counselor, with his job, which is basically yardwork/landscaping. We got some machetes and cut down some weeds, and other plants. Tigi was there to help us as well. I've never done this before, so I asked where I could cut to make sure I was doing it right. I start hashing, and then not even 30 seconds later Tigi yells "no you cut the tomatoes!" And not too much longer after that, Honoré comes by to make sure we are doing the job right, and I heard him say under his breath, "he cut the tomatoes." Sorry to whoever owns that land, but I cut your tomatoes.

On Thursday the Jeffcoats came to Kpalime, and we had the opportunity to go with them to visit a Nigerian family. It was just me and Elder Rogers who went, since we speak English. The family lives about 30 minutes north of Kpalime, in a village called Adeta. We had the opportunity to teach the whole family, and the father, who is not a member. Then, they gave us some amazing rice, and some beef that, for once, wasn't cooked passed well done. We also came back to Kpalime to see Barnaby, a friend of the Jeffcoats, who works at the Artisinal. We got to visit the Artisinal and see all the cool hand-made wood products, and paintings. We finished our exchange by finding some new people to teach, as well as taking some pictures with some random children.

Saturday night I felt really sick, and it continued into Sunday morning. Luckily, the Jeffcoats were still here, so I told them about it at church. I was honestly scared that it was malaria again, because it felt like the same symptoms, and it's been a while since the last time I had it. However, I got a malaria test, and it came back as negative, so it's just some sort of virus. We stayed in the whole day yesterday.

I love the Book of Mormon, especially when it talks about the atonement of Jesus Christ. I'll share one of my favorite scriptures on this subject:

"Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more." (2 Nephi 9:7)

The atonement is such an incredible and complex topic that it often appears incomprehensible. Often, we cannot understand how one man could do all of this for us. However, we know that it was done, and because of this, we are no longer subject to an endless and eternal torment. It is something I have grown more and more grateful for.

I hope that you are all doing well! Have a great week!

Elder Orchard

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