Zone Conference

We had a great week this week, but not if you look at the stats. It was a real downer in that category, but there were a lot of ups.

On Thursday we had an opportunity to eat lunch with Elder and Sister Todd. First off, Elder Todd says hi to you dad, but the lunch meeting was very productive. We were able to discuss the progress of this branch and things that could be done better. We also had the opportunity to help him with a project. We also got to read a case file that they made for a new building here in Antsirabe. They are looking to build a nice District/Stake center here in Antsirabe, really close to the church. They land is already purchased but they are still discussing the actual building of the building. But it was a very good case, and we shall see if we can get this building built soon.

On Saturday we had Zone Conference, which was extremely exciting and we heard and learned alot of different things. It was very inspiring and it always encourages me to be a better missionary. I will take the things we learned and try to apply it to my work here and in my life. There is so many resources that we have to help bring souls unto our Heavenly Father.

I must admit, speaking English can be hard, it is pretty hard to speak 100 percent in English and to not mix the languages. When speaking to missionaries it is no problem, but when speaking with President or Sister Adams, or the Todd's that is when I have to try and only speak English, but it is really hard. Translating is also hard, english to Malagasy is easier than the other way, but when the Todds and the Adams come to church, I have to translate for them.

Anyways, life is good. Life is great. Life is wonderful.

Elder Weber 

10 months and so many miracles

Letter from March 17, 2014

 

So this last Saturday I officially celebrated 10 months on a mission, very soon I will be singing the praises of 1 year serving a mission. Its not that far away. Life is so great serving a mission, serving Him.

Life is so happy, and there is nothing I receive more happiness from than seeing miracles in the lives of these people here in Madagascar. 

I am so happy to hear that people think that I have lost weight. I have not yet seen it in myself but we shall see.

I love teaching people about the fullness of the gospel that has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. It blesses lives.

A sad story this past week. Yesterday we had a random lady show up to church with two young children. She talked to us, and we found out that she has been living on the street with her two kids. She was carrying a small grocery bag, and that was all the possessions they owned. They had very obviously not bathed in an extremely long time. She had heard that if she came to church with us that she could receive help. I referred her to the branch president and we will see what we can do. Unfortunately, the church cannot just give money to these people, because if we do, then all of a sudden, everyone in the country is demanding money from the church. It is really unfortunate, but it is the way things must go right now. There is a lot of people here that hear about our church, and that tell others that this is the place to go. It is really sad to see what these people go through.

The one thing that continues to shock me is the difference in the money. The dollar is so so so so strong compared to the ariary. With a single dollar a person could buy so much. People say that most malagasy people live off of two dollars a day or less.

This morning we went to a mountain in Manadona and we hiked a waterfall. I have some good pictures for us all today. It was really good. It was a lot of fun, lots of good times spent together here in Madagascar and here in Antsirabe. This week we have a zone conference on Saturday, and some other cool things coming up. More on all of that next week. 

We are all servants in the Lord's vineyard, working to reap the harvest, we all need to serve the Lord and work hard to bring the results of the Lord's vineyard. It is a blessing to wake up every morning and serve in the vineyard.

The Lord blessing me everyday!

Elder Weber

Another Week, another email

HELLO EVERYBODY!!

This has been a good week! We worked hard and saw a lot of success. We ended up teaching 37 lessons, had 23 new investigators, 23 investigators at church, and more. 

We have been doing a lot of work with our branch in order to help them run more efficiently and also to help them understand their roles as leaders in Christ's church. So we have been helping each auxiliary have a more effective Presidency meeting every week.

I dont think that I have quite expressed my love for this country and the people here. Therefore the goal today is to try and express that love to you all today.

Malagasy people are just the absolutely most amazing people in the world. I love them so so much. They are happy people and they do not understand how much poverty they live in. Most people eat off of what they make, or find, that day. No work, no food. Most families live in small houses that they rent. Anywhere between 5thousand a month to about 40 thousands a month. That is between 2.5 dollars a month to about 20 dollars a month. The average is about 20,000 ariary a month. It is expensive for them to live nice. Those houses that they rent are one room houses for the average price, maybe 2 rooms for the more expensive ones. They are so humble, but are so happy in their lives. I really wish I could just help everyone out and help them with their problems. President Adams sometimes makes me laugh, because sometimes there will be a problem with money here, someone needs some amount of money or else something bad will happen. We as missionaries look at it and say, this family needs 30,000 ariary, and think that it is impossible for them to ever get that. And President's response is generally something like this, I take the liberty to paraphrase slightly. "Really, all this fuss over 15 dollars? Really?" It makes me laugh, but it is true, the money here has so little weight compared to the US. 

I really wish that I could just help solve Madagascar's economy problems. The problem is.... the government isnt helping at all, they are actually probably hurting the problem. And the other problem is the rich come here, and use their money to stay rich, but the poor have absolutely no way to ever grow. There is no opportunity. I have come to learn and understand about the vast amounts of opportunity that exists in the United States. But here that opportunity does not exist.

Anyways long story short, I love malagasy's and I would give the world to help them. They are an example of the attributes the world should embrace.

Anyways work always moves on and I will keep you updated on everything that happens. 

Love you all always!!

Elder Weber