They introduced a couple ideas about teaching investigators. The main focus is making sure that "the branches grow at the same rate as the roots", which, unfortunately, doesn't happen often. We baptize and baptize 'til we have prune fingers, and then spend months and months reactivating.
So, yeah, the great and frustrating dilemma of this mission. You'd think that it would be remedied by ensuring conversion BEFORE baptism, but it really doesn't. People can seem very converted, and then a week later they are back in their old ways. It's annoying like nothing else, I tell you.
Uh, being with Elder Moss this week was insanely fun. That man is funny, and he and I (and Elder Wood) are in the same situation that we are aiming to follow in our father's footsteps regarding careers. His dad is a successful mechanic, and he wants to take it up after his father. Well, that's what I wanna do for my dad! ;)
We had a blast that day. He and I are heavily pressured as trainers and District Leaders (him more so, considering the stubbornness of his district!), and so it was super refreshing to be with someone that I could see eye-to-eye with. Then we had a burger and fries at a place called DeMoses. Obviously not American, but not bad at all. It was sweet. I really love that guy. He's such a great guy.
Yeah, we all laughed about Elder Stuart getting a hug from a debul. Those things are just so strange... They are supposed to be intimidating, but some of them just look silly. They just dance around, juju people, and somehow get money from it. The scary ones are the ones that cut themselves in the streets. As Joseph of the Old Testament, we flee from that sort of evil.
Elder Kenner is going home in 4 weeks. We've been living together for like 9 months now. Ha ha ha, man, a piece of me is going to die when he goes. I'm sure you'd love chatting with him when he gets back. He and I have talked about EVERYTHING, so, he can give you a clear picture of how I'm doing.
To answer Mom's question: Eastern Police isn't so bad anymore. Come to find out, the day that Elder Purcell and I had gone there was the day before the Ramadan Pray Day, which is the Muslim equivalent of Christmas (in size). So, THAT was why the place was so bad on that particular day. Even today, Brother Sanu and I went to the West to buy some things. It wasn't bad AT ALL compared to that day before. I got some sweet things (wait a year, you'll see! ;) ), and Bro. Sanu got all of his mission things, so he's set to go! He's so excited, so that helps a ton with the work, which at the moment, is not easy. Our pool is pretty much dry, so we're huffin' it to find more peeps to teach. Yeah, not fun. It's better than the states though. We do basketball contacting, wood-splitting-referral-collecting, and things like that. It's sweet. Except for blisters, which are not sweet.
Well, can't say a whole lot else about what's going on... We had a sweet zone conference last week with Elder Mensha of the third quorum of the seventy. It was good. I really liked president Roggia's instruction the most though. His are always deeply profound. There was an awful lot of talk about "cutting the strings", and keeping your eye single to the glory of God and focusing on mission. I guess it was good, considering that MORE THAN HALF OF THE MISSIONARIES IN THE ZONE ARE UNDER 6 MONTHS ON MISSION!! So, yeah, we occasionally have to deal with rudimentary problems. This mission might be a little stressed for a while while the new elders are reaching maturity as missionaries. Lets face it, none of us come perfect or perfectly prepared, so it'll take a little time to mature, but when it does, this place will be on fire!
I love you!! Have a great week! I promise I will too!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
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