Reunion Life as a Missionary

Ok so Reunion is great! I'm not as in love with it as I am France and Paris but I'm hoping I get there. So a little more description of what I see day to day. I am in the largest city of Reunion, St Denis which actually isnt all that big. Its probably not bigger than the city of Rocklin but idk because I'm just guestimating here. You should google up my facts. But mostly all day we're walking around apartment buildings because it also isn't very "city like" because there arent any skyscrapers or like busy busy traffic. I mean its an ocean town so its probably more like SoCal then it is like New York for sure. The biggest store/mall-like thing that they have here is called Carrefour and its basically like a Super Walmart - but a little classier and it has like a yogurt shop nearby and a clothes shop so that is the biggest shopping place. So if you are trying to think of a mental picture of me then just imagine me walking up steep curving streets of San Francisco but knocking on apartment buildings in Southern California...if that mede any sense. I've heard there are some really nice parts of town up on the mountain but we are walking around and finding people and porting at pretty run down apartments and most are government housing (you know because France is socialist so everyone I think can afford to live in some place). Some are pretty gross I'll admit and I wont even start on the smells. But it's all good. We ride the bus several times a day but then we also walk a lot because we still need to get to specific houses from bus stops and sometimes its more efficient than waiting for a bus for 30 minutes "ain't nobody got time for that" 

I'm actually really proud of our companionship because we just take the bus and plan around our schedule and walk up long hills and thats what we do. Not really any whining or complaining. Usually I'm the one who's dying the most because I am not used to walking up mountains but you know I survive. And then one day my companions wanted to run down and then BACK UP our mountain for our morning excersize. Halfway on the way up I had to tap out, so Sister Packer would run to the corners and then jog in place while we walked up. I sort of felt like a wuss but also I couldn't stop thinking about what intense excersize it is to RUN UP A MOUNTAIN. So then I felt better. Plus I ran all the way down and was sore for three days after - I couldn't walk straight because my hip flexers were so sore. I absolutely LOVE my companions. I'm in love with my companionship. A little description of them.

Sister Packer - has been out 6 months and she's our trainer and she's awesome. She is the one that gets us to run up mountains. I asked her how she does it and she just said "Well I hated running when I got here but then I needed a form of excersize so I started doing it and when you get used to walking everywhere running is no big deal" Which made me laugh so hard because I doubt I'll be able to do that no matter how much walking I do. She's really mellow but also totally helps lead us in lessons and everything. And she's always doing little things to help out like she does the dishes all the time without ever saying anything - we'll just have finished dinner and I'll think "ahh we gotta do that" and she'll already be halfway done. And probably 3-4 times I've waken up and she's made me breakfast and she's made all of us something different based on our likes. I get yogurt and granola :) She makes our companionship light hearted and fun. She also loves One Direction and Taylor Swift so we love trying to remember our favorite songs and rock out to them. We just got down "Best Song Ever" because we couldn't remember all the lyrics - especially because she never heard it before she left so I taught it to her! :) And it was indeed the best song ever haha

Sister Gardiner - is also the best. She was the first American sister to go to the Ghana MTC and I was the second so we instantly bonded over that. She was a violin major at BYU and she brought her violin and she is AMAZING. Every now and then she'll take it out and play something and she can pretty much play anything from ear so I can request things and she'll play them. Dad you'll be glad to know that she brought the essential collection of Joshua Bell and he's signed a couple of them so we have that. She and I are constantly cracking each other up and we both have said how we're a little nervous about the rest of our mission because we have SO much fun out here. We have this running joke that she and I are like the same person because of all our uncanny similarities like get this: SHE PLAYS NANCY DREW COMPUTER GAMES!!! We have spent quite q few hours tqlking qbout all of them and our favorites and all the funny things. Clearly we were destined for friendship.

That is just the type of this perfect missionary trio - we are the new three musketeers. I hear all companions get sick of each other though so hopefully that's not our case and in 3 months I'm not telling you how crazy we drive each other.

We only serve in one branch so that's all I've met and the members are great. There are quite a few families and then some older couples - last week we had 74 people there! It felt full. Everything is very normal - except we bisous all the women when we greet them. And Sister Hart always leaves lipstick on us on accident and she never notices - so thats a running joke. I have only eaten at 2 members house. I think its been a lot more frequent in the past but it just depends. 

The first time I went over to this families named La Tchan (which is so ironic because in french its pronounced la chinois which means chinese and they are chinese. I thought my companion was joking the first time she told me their name) and we were starving because it was nearly 2 by the time the food was ready and she brought it all out and I thought "I hope this is enough" Because there were two of them and their two investigator friends and a set of elders and us three girls. And so I dug in (it was super normal food, potatoes and green beans and pork and salad and bread - of course there is always bread) and everything was delicious. I finished my plate and Sister La Tchwan was like "oh eat more, eat more" so then I took a little bit more because I had pretty much taken what would fill me up. And then when any ones plate was clear or looking empty they would say "oh but eat more, eat more - Elders you must be hungry!" And everyone was stuffed but somehow there was more food! And they would look right at your plat and right at you and say "oh but you should eat more, don't you want more?" And us sisters tried to put the pressure on the Elders and say that our tiny stomachs were full but the Elders probably could eat more and the Elders meanwhile were trying to take only two potatoes at a time and eat them because they couldn't fit anymore in! Hahah it was quite funny. 

So for the most part no crazy food stories. We almost always make our own dinner and we have been packing or eating out. When we ate out we found an amazing chinese restaurant!! Although one thing about the food here is that they love this thing called Pimiente. And its basically a pepper that they make into a sort of salsa:sauce. But there are tons of types of pimiente: green and red and whatever else. And sometimes it just looks like tomatoe salsa but it is NOT. It is SO SO hot. And they love it! And they put it on practically everything! Like every restaurant is like - do you want pimiente on that? Even for sandwhichs - and that chinese place I just talked about. So I will try and send some eventually and you can see what I mean. Also just google it. 

I don't know exactly how conference is going to work here - my companion said that we have to wait a couple of weeks and then we watch it another weekend later once they have the dubbing in French or something. I don't know but if so I am REALLY going to miss listening to the voices of the prophet and apostles. Already we have some old talks that we listen to and I just miss hearing Thomas S Monson or Jeffrey R Holland - they just have the best voice! But I'll let you know how it goes. It sounds like really good stuff for the kids are happening. Grandma and Grandpa told me that they're coming over soon and that Kalen will be on his Princeton visit? Crazy stuff. 

Every week I think of a thousand things to tell you guys and then I come here and try and type on this wacky keyboard and I get only 35 percent of it out. But the most exciting news WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BAPTISM!!! There is a woman here who has been an investigator for like 6 years and has had a REALLY strong testimony and even said she wants to go on a mission but hasnt gotten baptized because her family disapproves. Even though shes like 24. But we talked to her again and testified to her of the importance of baptism and how she should follow how she feels. If she has a testimony and feels like baptism is the right thing then she should do it - we also shared tons of scriptures. And at the end of the lesson she set a date!!!!! In two weeks!! Also one of our amis (investigators) came to church!! We only taught him one lesson and he already came! Which is like huge because we still have difficulty getting members to come! Plus we have taught some super amazing people and we feel really good about. These people are interested and open - it is so amazing and exciting!! I can't wait to tell you more solid good news. But we are inviting 5 more people to baptism this week so hopefully some accept!

Dear All

Dear All,

A few quick facts about Reunion:

There are 5 branches on Reunion - no wards.

They are in the 5 biggest cities which are St Marie, St Pierre, St Paul, St Porte, St Denis

The biggest branch is St Denis and average attendance is in the 60s

The smallest branch is St Paul which only averages in the 20s most Sundays

There are nearly 600 members in Reunion but only about 250 are active - so we do a lot of reactivation work here

I am in the biggest city which is St Denis and has 5 missionaries stationed there. My companionship of three shares it with a pair of elders

There are only two missionary districs and only 18 missionaries total on the island right now. 5 sisters and then 13 elders

 

Reunion itself is a fairly small island. Most of the cities are on the outskirts near the coast with the exception of only two towns. There are three "cirques" on the island. Which are where volcanoes imploded and now are valleys - you'll see them on the map. Inside some of the Cirques are some people who live there but it is impossible to get inside the cirques by car so many of them have never seen the ocean. Don't ask me what its like up there because I havent been yet so I have no clue. But I'm pretty sure that even without car access people still live fairly modern lives - its not like tents and tribes up there still...at least so I think. All the missionary companionships on the Island have a car - except for those who have gotten in an accident recently and lost their privelidge... which would be my trainer. So we walk and take the bus everywhere. If you look at a picture of St Denis you'll see that the city is built into the side of a "hill"/ montain. So many of the streets are like those in San Francisco - steep steep and windy windy windy. Our mission is a "porting" mission so our mission goal is to have 20 porting hours a week. Porting is zhen ze go door to door or try and contact people on the street. So we do a lot of that and a lot of walking. The apartment is pretty nice and we definitely have a shower and everything - it's like living in France. Sorry I didn't get pictures up this week but I'm working on it. We hiked up to a waterfall today for a zone activity (which includes both districts = all the missionaries on the island) It was super beautiful - can't wait to show you!

Love,

Soeur Stewart

I Made It!!!

I made it!! Back on Wednesday but this is the first opportunity I've had to e-mail. I got in Wednesday night and this time everything went smoothly with the flights - I even flew first class for one! It was amazing and Kalen I will tell you all about it on Monday in my e-mail. So I've been in the field for three days now and things have been good but also rough. The airline lost my bags. So all I've had is my carry on for the past week. Which of course means no hair supplies or body wash or clothes. Luckily I packed one extra set of clothes in my carry on "just in case" but since I left on Monday I've switched between them a lot more than once. Luckily my companions are amazing and have helped me out with almost everything that I don't have. The airline is "looking" for my bags but each day says they don't know where they are because of the canceled flight and everything. I'm trying to remain optimistic and possibly tomorrow is the day I will be reunited with my belongings. I will definitely cry when it finally happens. Already things have been tough! But I guess if this is as bad as its going to get then I only have uphill from here. You would be amazed by how much you can enjoy the little things though. Since I've tried to keep a positive attitude I've still been having a good time. I LOVE my companions (I have two) and I've had fun speaking French and trying to find people to teach (that part is difficult sometimes!). Also there is a view of the ocean no matter where we go in the city and we have one from our apartment so it's hard to complain. Oh and it's France so I can have my cheese and baguettes again! Vive la France! I love you guys and will write probably the longest e-mail in the world on Monday! There is so much to say! Pray for me and my bags - tomorrow could be the day!

Love,

Soeur Stewart

Night in the Airport

Boy, it does seem like an awful long time ago since I left. I was looking at a picture I had taken in the airport on my first day gone and now that seems like MONTHS ago. So I have some really exciting news! I left the MTC YESTERDAY! Yeah, because of flights it turns out I was the first one to leave - so I really only spent 10 days in there! But it feels like half a lifetime, haha. So I caught my first flight last night, it was delayed two hours so I left at midnight and flew for 6 hours to Johannesburg. Once here I was supposed to catch a flight to Madagascar and meet my mission president in the airport during my four hour layover before catching another flight to Reunion. Alas. There have been some bumps in the road. I made it to Johannesburg, South Africa and was notified that my flight to Madagascar had been canceled. Completely. 100%. I don't know why. But the next time they can send me on a flight is tomorrow! So I have to stay the night in the airport transit hotel and then catch the flight in the morning. I'm working on contacting my mission president but I don't have his number and also have to convince them to let me call out of the country...I am working on finding his number online but it's not even listen on the missionary website. Luckily, I do have a few travel numbers, even of someone in south Africa so if needbe I can call them and have them call the mission president. Good thing I packed a change of clothes and my toothbrush in my carry on! No hair supplies but hey, I guess that's what a bun and a headband are for right? Don't worry about me though because I know that I will make it to my destination. Even if worse case scenario I go out to Reunion without them expecting me I have an address and can find my way. I was originally panicked but then I thought of Paul - one of the greatest missionaries of all time. In 2 Corinthians he says "And thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned. Thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep" and I thought of all the other missionaries of the church, like the early saints who left with nothing and made it through their journeys. If Paul can be shipwrecked three times while on the Lord's errand - I think I can endure a canceled flight and one night in an airport hotel and two meals and a new flight. The Lord has given a promise in D&C 84:88 - and it has become one of my favorite verses:

"For I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and y Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." And I know that is absolutely true. Now since leaving the MTC I fully appreciate and recognize my purpose. I am a servant of the Lord. I am here to do His work. I speak the words of His gospel and He will protect me and uphold me. Of this I am sure - for "faith replaces fear". I've been working on that. Replacing my fear with faith. And that's what I'm doing now - "The Lord is my light, so why should I fear" I know I'll make it to Reunion. Right now it's just a matter of time and of flights.

I have already learned so many lessons, not really from the classes (though I've learned a lot their too) but about faith in the Lord and the significance of missionary work. Attached to my electronic ticket was a small receipt with sum and total - and my mind was flabbergasted by the amount the Church has paid to send me out to Reunion. For ONE trip. Not even my return trip home. I pondered all that the Church does and all the resources it expends to send us missionaries out - for no monetary gain. What work is soo crucial that the Church spends thousands of dollars and two years of mens' lives? They send missionaries out from all over the world to other parts of the world. It would have been thousands of dollars cheaper for me to stay in the States - why, if it was only about "selling" as many people on the gospel - would they have chosen to send me somewhere so financially inconvenient? Because it is not the work of men but the work of the Lord. Because I was called of God to go to a specific place to teach a specific people. Because the Lord cherishes his children SO much that He will do everything - including sending a young girl from the United States all the way to Africa because there are people there that it is VITAL that I find and teach. D&C 18:10. I can not wait to meet and love and teach these people. Because as I come to see how much the Lord cares about them - I care for them, even though I haven't even met them yet!

I'm not going to pretend that everyday has been easy. It's been ups and downs, a bit of a rollercoaster for emotions but at the end of the day, I will push on. Because I have the strength of the Savior and because this is where I'm meant to be. Gordon B. Hinckley said "Try everyday a little harder to be a little better" That's my challenge to myself and my challenge to all of you.

Leaving the MTC was actually very bittersweet for me. One week ago Sister Graham (the president’s wife) stood up and told us that we would be sad to leave the MTC and that we would feel like family. I thought that I would be quite the exception as my couple of days there had left me with only a strong desire to leave. However. She was right. I have talked to almost all of the Elders and gotten to really know most of them. I have made friends and the missionaries have touched my heart. When my district said goodbye to me, each of them gave a little 30 second message of advice or encouragement in our last class. My eyes began tearing up, especially when Elder Randrainosolo who is from Madagascar and speaks NO French, read a scripture since he couldn’t communicate otherwise. It was Helaman 5:12, a favorite scripture mastery of mine. Even that Elder who couldn’t even talk in French, left me with a message. I began crying in earnest when my companion Soeur Teuira began to say her goodbye. Saying goodbye to a companion felt like saying goodbye to a leg or an arm at this point. Even though we have only been together for 10 days we are ALWAYS together. We do everything together. We eat together, we sit together, we share a room together, we even make trips to the bathroom together. We have each been there for support and encouragement. They feel like a part of your own self. Some of the other Elders from the MTC lined the hallway to shake my hand goodbye before I left. And my little district followed me all the way to the entrance and outside to the car to see me off. These people, these missionaries have been a part of my life, a part of my MTC memories forever. And it is likely that I may not see any of them again. But I know that I go one to the next chapter the Lord has waiting for me. I am sad to close this last one and say goodbye to some amazing people but I know that the Lord has great things that lie ahead.

“Shall we not go on in so great a work?”

The plane that took me out here was AMAZING!!!!  First off it was HUGE and second off it was luxurious. Even for economy. Each seat had its own individual screen. And not just any screen. But a TOUCH screen. With a selection of movies and music and TV shows. And even an interactive map so you could look at any place on the globe or track the planes progress. And the TVs had these little detachable remotes?! And on the side was this little knob meant for hanging a shirt or suit coat or something. All in Economy! Oh and the seats really reclined! They didn’t become beds but they did do a good 45% angle back. I mean…. WHAT?!? I know you might not be able to picture how amazing it was – but just try. In addition I was in the middle group of seats (it went 2 by 4 by 2) and NO ONE else was in my row?!? Best. Flight. Ever. Except of course I couldn’t use the TV for anything other than the map – strict obedience bring miracles. But the fact that it was there made me so happy. Plus the food was delicious and the blankets were big enough to cover your entire body and were actually nice and made of warm cloth instead of the normal ones that feel about as warm and thick as Saran Wrap. And you know what made the flight even better?! There was a guy sitting behind me and we started talking (no not like THAT) and of course I told him I was a missionary and then later on he wanted to see my scriptures since I was reading out of the huge hulking quad. (Which P.S. has been the best gift ever because I can carry it around in my purse and use it for English references since I also carry around a large set of the two in Book of Mormon. But especially because the French books don’t have a topical guide or Bible dictionary!!!!! I have NO idea how they find anything. I think they are all miny scriptorians because you just have to memorize references and verses. You can’t be like – oh I’ll just look under this topic or key word to find that scripture on “other sheep”. No! They have to know them off the top of their heads. I’m so impressed. I still cheat with my English scriptures.) But the guy started talking to me about religion and I was able to tell him all about what we believe! He was from Ghana and his name was Fausta, and I told him all about the Book of Mormon and the Plan of Salvation and he said he will look up and try and get a Book of Mormon when he gets home!!!! I hope he does because I want him to be able to read and pray himself to know if it is true. I told him that I couldn’t tell him what to believe, and that I couldn’t make him believe what I say is true – nor would I want to. That’s why it’s so wonderful that God has promised everyone and anyone that they can read and pray directly to Him and receive an answer. I just thought what a great blessing that was to already be able to talk to people. Although I was pretty nervous! My first real time talking to someone and without a companion!

Blessings. Blessings. Blessings. I hope I am always able to appreciate the blessings the Lord gives us ESPECIALLY in times of trouble and difficulty. Cause I know they’re coming. I know there will be times when things will get hard. And then things will get even HARDER. But I pray that I’ll still put 100% of my faith in the Lord and accept and learn from the tribulations with patience. But I’m working on the patience. That might be why my flight is canceled and I have to wait a day. The Lord’s helping me practice my patience.

I love you all. 

All my love,

Soeur Stewar

First Week in the MTC!!!

Hi there!!

So the MTC is going well. At first it was a HUGE adjustment. I think mostly because of the whole Africa thing. The first day - honestly - was way tough because I just felt so out of place. I'm the only American sister and I was put in a 6 week french course with people who didn't speak ANY french. Plus my companions were both from Nigeria so they had a sort of rapport between them. And sometimes they talked to each other in a native dialect.

They have only just started up the language course a month ago at the Ghana MTC. Before that they didn't teach ANY languages - it was only for people going somewhere in West Africa speaking their native dialect. That's why they didn't do any language assessments. So the first day we spent over an hour going over the basics like "What's your name"  and "My name is" and "Where are you from". Anyway I felt a little discouraged at the idea of being in the MTC for 6 weeks when I know french already. But I knew that I had so much to learn about teaching that I knew my time wouldn't be wasted. And by the second day I had started to get to know my classmates - who are also your district - and started to enjoy spending time with them. However, I told the President of the MTC about my language training and asked if it might be better for me to go into the native french class. The native french speakers have their own class and are the ones who only stay here for 12 days. I went into that class and was assigned a "temporary" companion, which was another sister in a companion of 3. The native class went really well! Even though I was nervous about being out of my depth but surprisingly ever since arriving my french has gone really well. It's just seemed so much more natural! I know it's the work of the Lord because even in France it seemed more difficult. I think it also helps that everyone is speaking "African french" which is a lot less exact than French French. So they don't notice all my errors - or so I hope. So then after talking to the President again I was permanently assigned to the French district and my new companion!! Which means I'll be leaving the MTC in only 9 days YAYAYAYAYAYSAYAY!! If you think that I'm being a little overenthusiastic think about the fact that I would be here for a month after that. And that seems like forever right now. I am soo excited that I'll be out in the field so quickly! I'll be going straight to Reunion!! AHH

Ok general information about Ghana/Africa. We went to the temple today and honestly driving down the road was like being in a movie. The red dirt and shanties and people all look straight out of a movie. It was almost weird. Also the accents here are insane. Like my first two companions spoke English as their first language but over half the time I could NOT understand it. Honestly, it's easier for me to understand French here than it is English. The food consists mostly of rice and sauce and chicken. The sauce is this red spicy sauce - kinda like Indian food. So I'm not really complaining. Though it's day four and we get that for lunch and dinner so I think it might start wearing on me soon. They also serve us SOOO much. About two cups of rice for every meal. So I've started asking for way smaller portions - and the Africans look at me like I'm crazy. But that's easy for them to say. All the African missionaries are the size of twigs. Even the guys are way thin. But I guess that's the benefit of having ancestors that have had to outrun lions to survive. And most are pretty short too. Some of them look like they are only 15 - but they're actually older than me! I can't wait to send you pictures so you see what I mean. Seriously they look like they're in middle school but then they're like 22 years old. Breakfast typically consists of 3 slices of loaf bread (which isn't as soft as our white bread) with butter, a boiled egg and hot chocolate. Sometimes they serve oatmeal with it too. I also can't complain about that because when you're hungry you'll eat almost anything. So surprisingly I now have a taste for boiled eggs.

There are a couple of missionaries from Madagascar. Two sisters and 5 Elders. But only 3 of them speak french. The others really only speak Malagasy. Which is rough for them since they are all supposed to speak French. It makes me nervous about Madagascar because apparently no one really speaks French - and right now that's all I can handle! Also I asked them if Malagasy is similar and they said "Not at all" and I asked them which language is similar and they said "None". So that's comforting haha. Maybe I'll never need to cross that bridge. I think I'm the only missionary who speaks both French and English. Which is way ironic since when I was in Europe I was like an idiot for only speaking one language and now I am smart for knowing two! But the whole MTC is interesting in the fact that about half of the missionaries only speak English and half of them only speak French so we operate in both languages. We have separate sacrament meetings and other classes. And when its necessary for everyone to be in one - the French speakers wear headphones for translation. The President and about half of the teachers (there are around 8) speak both but I've still been used to translate from time to time. By french missionaries who need to say something to the cooks or English teachers who need to tell French missionaries in the computer room something. It's just so odd being the only missionary. But I love translating because it makes me work and really think about the French and grammar. It's the best type of practice.

My companion is amazing!!! Her name is Soeur Teuira and she is from Tahiti. I think at first we both felt out of place because we are the only sisters from our companion and French is a second language for us. But together we are great. She is so smiley and laughing all the time which is awesome because my first companions (and all the Africans) can be a little sever sometime. Not like strict about rules, just they don't seem to crack a smile much. I wish I could write more about my companion and district and everything but I'm out of time! And I super love you guys and wish you WOULD WRITE ME. I heard from Grandpa and Grandma - both of them. Write. Do it.

Hopefully I'lll have a PDay next week but I think it's possible I won't since I might be travelling to Reunion. So don't be alarmed if I don't write back. But still WRITE!

All my love,

Soeur Stewart

Hi,

 So I made it to the Ghana MTC. Safe and sound. There was one other Elder headed this way on my flight out of Sacramento. And then one we met in Minneapolis. And then at New York there were a total of 22!! All headed to the Ghana MTC. And most of them were assigned to the Ghana Accra mission. But no other sisters. And no one going to Madagascar. The flight was fairly long but I had someone really neat to sit next to. It was another girl who was going on a mission trip to Liberia (not an LDS mission, just a mission trip). Anyway, finally we got here and met up with even more missionaries who had flown in from different parts of Africa - mostly Madagascar (Yay!). And finally 3 other sisters. Then we had a crazy car trip here - seriously everyone drives as dangerously as people say, I was afraid of dying about several times a minute. Or if not dying at least crashing into someone and then being seriously maimed. I'm at the MTC now and am all checked in. Turns out I will be here 6 weeks instead of 2...That's because all french speakers stay here for 6 I guess - unless you're native. So I'm a little disapointed about that but that just means I get more time to learn and prepare to be a great missionary. I got my tags so it's official! My companions have not arrived yet - which is unfortunate. There are going to be 3 of us in the entire district and we're all companions so I guess we'll really get to know each other for 6 weeks. That one Elder was right. The first day does give you lots of time to think about home and everything you're missing. I guess that means I'll just need to stay busy. I'm taking it one day at a time. Sometimes one hour at a time. I love you guys and hope that things are going well. Pray for me.

Love,

Soeur Stewart

See Ya in 2015

Here's something to make you smile and remember me by! From now on my blog will (hopefully) be kept up to date by my little sister Kylee who will post my letters and pictures! I want to say thank you for all the support and friendship you guys have given me. And if you feel so inclined to write me a letter or drop me an e-mail - I'll be sure to send out some sweet postcards from Madagascar! 

I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and His children in Madagascar. I believe in the Book of Mormon. I believe it is the word of God and that it was translated by Joseph Smith many years ago. I believe that this church is led by Jesus Christ through His prophets and apostles in the modern day. And I believe that Christ lives. He lives and loves us and exhorts all to come unto Him. Amen.