Week 1 in Libreville: I'm so hot I'm so hot I'm so hot I'm so...

 Bonjour amis et familles!


Wow! What a first full week in Gabon! I've made it! 

Due to a very-much-increased demand for answers to logistical questions, I'm deciding to add a section to my emails: it will be entitled: 

WHEN IN AFRICA

 - I'm still not used to the heat here (see subject line). I thought I was strong enough to wear my one long-sleeve white shirt yesterday for the Sabbath - I was wrong.
 - It's a cash-based economy here. I've attached a picture of some of the bills. Even the fanciest restaurants don't take cards. (the picture represents a little under $25).
 - My daily menu consists mostly of eggs, bread, and off-brand nutella (see pic). The occasional potatoes and chicken. Rice. But we have had some member meals where we've tried local classics such as 'fufu' (like a potato pastry that's dense as a neutron star) and this weird green puree you eat it with that they claimed is made from some part of a fish. It'll be an acquired taste.

MISSIONARY MOMENTS OF THE WEEK

Unlike in the States (or at least where I was), you can actually go door-to-door - which has been an awesome experience. Once you get off the main roads (the paved roads), you're basically hiking in the middle of the city - dirt paths lined with houses that still have modern amenities such as TVs. We've taught 3 lessons based off these finding excursions. One of them even turned into a second lesson. I've taught more lessons this last week than I would teach in 3 weeks in Louisiana. My ability to comprehend French has drastically improved over the past week. I was able to confidently answer a question about the Priesthood to the guy we had a second lesson with. That second lesson ended with him accepting a Book of Mormon. 
When we have gone out to find and teach, it's always been with a local member to help us when our French ability fails us. We've had this recent return missionary from the branch help us out a lot - sometimes he'll just show up at the apartment unannounced and say, "Vous êtes prêts?" (are you ready?) I've loved his enthusiasm. 

FUNNY QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Why do you come into this house if I just kill you?"

- Elder Meyer, to a swarm of mosquitoes as he was spraying them with heavy-duty bugspray.

SCRIPTURE/SPIRITUAL THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

3 Nephi 5:13:

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

There's so many great scriptures that can be tied to missionary work, but this one is one of the best. I wrote a note in my scriptures: 'insert "Elder May is" for "I am"'. Here I am, in this crazy place I only knew of before the mission because it's a national capital, because I am a disciple of Christ and I want to share His message, the most important message anyone can share, and I've already changed so many lives. 

If you have any questions, please ask away! That's what the 'when in Africa' section is for!

Je vous aime tous!

Elder May

PICTURES

1. Yard outside the apartment
2. Elder Merrill with a lizard that found its way in (we've had a few of those). I've seen lizards 5 times this size, though.
3. Me taking a picture of Elder Petrie taking a picture of some sheep that live by the apartment (notice that they're not big fluffy bois)
4. New transfer photo
5. "Money (that's what I want)"
6. Off-brand nutella





















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