Week 3 in Douala: Goat Fight!

Bonjour amis et familles!

I've made it through half a transfer here in Douala, and yes, it's still too hot. It was 86 yesterday but with the humidity it felt like 97. We did so much walking this week. There was only 2 days where we took a taxi anywhere. I'm exhausted but 'twas a great week!

WHEN IN AFRICA 

Some quick statistics:
Kids who hugged me: 3
Goats seen fighting on their hind legs: 2
People who yelled out "White!" to me: Lost track
Miles walked: Don't even wanna know

MISSIONARY MOMENTS OF THE WEEK 

We had some fun member visits this week, which I hadn't done since getting here. We visited this one family all 6 of us over the branch, where we had what is called Ndole, a green pasty concoction served with fufu. It looks like something Ron Swanson would say 'I am not a rabbit' to. Elder Mbaya was saying that the leaf they make it out of exists in the DRC but kids are told it will kill them if they eat it. Given these 2 descriptions, it wasn't that bad. Sadly I don't have a picture. 

We had a great lesson with this guy named Luc. We'd been teaching him here and there for a bit, and then on Saturday we had a great Gospel of Christ lesson. When we started talking about baptism, he told us he'd been baptized in another church, but something about that baptism 'didn't feel right.' We talked about the importance of Priesthood authority and what baptism really means. We invited him to church to see what it was like, and he came! He told us he liked the atmosphere of the meeting. All of this is quite promising!

FUNNY QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

"À de-pied!"

French pun lesson time:
À demain = see you tomorrow 
main = hand 
pied = foot
So our Branch President said this to us, exchanging 'main' in 'à demain' with 'pied.' I hope y'all understand because it was quite hilarious. 

SCRIPTURE/SPIRITUAL THOUGHT OF THE WEEK 

D&C 101:16:

"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God."

The historical context of this section in the Doctrine and Covenants is the Saints in Zion, in Jackson County, Missouri, are being forced to leave their settlement (and eventually the state). The Lord gives the Saints counsel and comfort, especially in this verse. I love the phrase 'be still and know that I am God.' When any of us are facing trials and hardship, if we trust in the Lord, we can receive comfort, knowing that whatever happens, He is with us, even spiritually holding us in His hands. We can have the faith that everything will all work out in the end, because God loves us.

Je vous aime tous! 
Elder May

PICTURES:
View from the apartment, chicken and pancakes (since waffles don't exist here), selfie, and a goat (this one wasn't fighting, sorry)






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