March 29 2010 Letter

29 March 2010

Dear Everyone,

Monday

We went to the Mission Office and asked if we could use a car to go shopping. Because the Zone Leaders were suspended because the new one had an accident where a bee flew out of his shirt, he freaked and ran into a wall... I laughed so hard. But anyway we asked for a car and they gave us a truck to use but only if we took the sisters to Bindura, which is about an hour and a half away. So we took them and came back, yep.

Tuesday

We had a lesson with Dorcas, Tawanda and Zvikomborero(good luck with that one :)). We asked them to read the introduction and the testimonies in the Book of Mormon. We asked them what they learned and they launched into a very complete summary ending with their testimony that they had fasted and prayed and they all know that this book is true! I was so happy and a little shocked, actually. But they will be baptized in the coming month I think.

Wednesday

We taught Learnmore, who is a referral from another investigator we have named Garikai, we also left the introduction with him to read and the testimonies. He told us EVERYTHING, he basically taught us the restoration, he even named off the names of the eight witnesses from memory! He asked us quite a few questions, like where has this book been, does it go with the Bible, and some other things we explained about it and Joseph Smith and the First Vision. Then he asked when he could be baptized. What?! This is only the second time we've taught him! Anyway we told him there was still more to learn but that he could and would be baptized if that is what he really wants.

A family offered me some soda, I politely declined and asked for water. They politely declined and said that if I don't drink soda they could just get a Coke... Again I politely declined again they asked if Fanta was okay... Or creme soda? Oh I was so close to just taking one, but finally they offered me some Kool-Aid so it all worked out okay.

Thursday

This morning we went with President Dube to the bank because my companion's dad transferred him some money, but they didn't have the right number so... we left. But I have spoken with President more than a lot of the older missionaries, which I thought was interesting. Then we had a service project at a recent convert's home. Where we dressed in normal clothes... it felt so weird not to be in a white shirt and tie! I wasn't comfortable the whole time. But we get there and we organized a pile of rocks and bricks and then she takes us to the back where the chicken coop is... Can you sense where this is going? She then asks us to crawl under the coop and clean up the poo. We ask for some shovels and she just looked at us. Apparently they do it all by hand here... Again, can you see where this is going? So yes, in fact we did clean up a lot of chicken feces BY HAND! I can already sense your revulsion, trust me I was grossed out. I washed my hands so many times after that.

But on the way there our driver was smoking weed. We told ourselves that if we died we would go to the celestial Kingdom, but then we picked up a group of small children going to school... I was nervous for the small children but it all ended well.

Friday

We taught the Word of Wisdom to Florence and Alfred. Alfred has smoked since 1972. He said he wanted to stop and he wanted to be baptized but he wasn't sure he could stop because he's been doing it for so long. We expressed our complete confidence in him but he still seemed unsure.

Saturday

We had a lot of appointments scheduled but almost all of them fell through. Which was okay, we did manage to talk to a lot of people along the way though. Some even seemed like they would actually come to church.

Then we went to the Dandara family, a recent convert family and we are teaching their niece, they fed us Sudza, Kovo and fish. The sudza and kovo was great as always. But the fish I struggled with. I got the tail and had to suck the rotted fish meat off the tiny bones that crunched in your mouth and then you had to pick from between your teeth, want me to stop? Ok I will, but I really like the family and the niece is progressing well.

Sunday

We confirmed Paul and Lorainne today in church which was cool. Then after church we gave Sister Jack a blessing because she wasn't feeling very well and she was due any day now. Then we taught Garikai who will be interviewed this week for baptism. Then a little later we visited an inactive family. The parents were sealed in the Temple, but they have stopped coming to church because of failing health and a lack of money and desire. They are a great family and we taught them about faith and how when we have true faith it leads to action like keeping the commandments. They really latched on and enjoyed the lesson but I'm not sure when or if they'll come back. Hopefully that gave them something to think about.

So that was my week! How was yours? I hope everything is going well and you are all in my prayers.


Love,

Elder Gay

3/22/2010 letter

This last week has been very busy. We have taught a lot of lessons and we are preparing some people for baptism, so the work is going!In my area, Kuwadzana, water pipes have been bursting, so the entire area was without water for about a week. The people were really struggling but they managed and adjusted because they are used to these challenges. Luckily where I live we still had water but I felt terrible for those that were waterless. Because there are substitutes for electricity, there are no substitutes for water, especially when you have no money.We got a referral this week so we went and taught him. He brought up the scripture in Revelations about adding or subtracting to this book. And also some other common objections. We explained them all and made a return appointment where we go into his house and there are pictures of Moroni and Samuel and he tells us they were playing us and that he is a returned missionary! Oh man I was laughing so hard, I am so doing that when I get back home.Another day we went and taught a man named Kwenda. He is very religious and excited about maybe finding the truth but he talks for forever! And he asks so many questions. It is difficult to teach when you can't even talk. But we bore testimonies that kind of shut all his questions down. Hopefully he won't over think himself away from the truth. But we got there early, and there were some kids doing some handstands and some rolls, and since we were early I went over and started playing with them. Oh man, it was so much fun. The kids were very impressed and I helped a lot of them to do back flips and handstands. They started counting, 1! 2! 3! Go! And I would do a backflip, I did some other stuff, and there must have been twenty kids or so. The parents all came out and watched, so next time we go teach Kwenda I'm tracting in that area and teaching them all. Saying, "Remember me? I was that white guy doing some flips that one time? And I would like to share something with you is it all right if I come in?" Mass conversion! Well at least that's the plan.Also this week we found out transfers... and I am staying in my area! I was right! And my companion is staying too, but he is now a District leader! So things are still good. But one of my favorite people got transferred to Bulawayo, which was kind of sad but I'm sure I'll see him again. But this last Sunday, aka yesterday, church was awesome we had an investigator's class about Agency. We put a candy bar in one box and a Book of Mormon in the other and me and my companion tried to get an investigator to pick our respective boxes. I was representing Satan of course and my companion was the spirit and I totally won! She picked my box! But I'm not so sure that's a good thing... oh well it was an awesome lesson.Then in Elders quorum the teacher was spouting false doctrine right and left. Both my and my companion's shot into the air like five times each. Then the Mission President came in at the end and tried to fix it too, I'm not sure it worked. Then President Dube had an interview/training with my companion about being a District leader and then he drove us back. But in the car he was saying that I should learn from my companion while I can, because and I quote, "leadership comes early." Crap! I don't want to be a leader. I just want to be a regular missionary but it sounds like Pres. Dube has different plans for me. So pray for me please that I'll stay a regular old missionary. But this transfer we are getting seventeen new missionaries! Seventeen! That is a lot!Thanks for all the love and support!
Love, Elder Gay
P.S. I am 1/12 of the way through mission... it is going by so quickly! Tell my siblings they need to e-mail more often, except Pam, she is very good about e-mailing me.

3/15/2010 LETTER

Dear Peoples!

This last week has been very interesting. Because as you might or might not know I had Zone conference and then the next morning I drove to Zambia(about an eight or nine hour drive) because my visa was running out and I had to flee the country! I haven't heard from the police officer about my conviction so I guess he decided I'm not guilty. But yea I woke up at three thirty to get ready to drive out at five. We got everything and started driving. Not much happened for quite a while although I got a pretty freakin awesome picture of an African sunrise!We drove and I was just looking out the window looking at the amazing country side as it rolled by. Then towards the border we drove by Lake Kariba and that was a million dollar view. It was gorgeous, I got some pictures but I'm sure it won't be the same. But we had breakfast/lunch in a restaurant the was on the shore of the lake... wow! Very awesome. And then soon after we drove and there were totally baboons everywhere! They were just on the side of the road! I kind of freaked I was so excited I mad them stop the car so I could get some pictures, but they all ran away but I did get one very awesome picture! Those were the only animals we saw, apparently the elephants are in the bush this time of year, sad I know but still, baboons! Then we went through some awesome mountain ranges and then through the border. Which wasn't very exciting, just long. But in between the border gates was the Kariba Dam. And it had rained a lot and the lake was flooding so they opened the dam, and it was sweet! I am not sure I have ever seen so much turbulent water, of course I took pictures even if it was a "no photography or you will be shot" area, but again I'm not sure it will be the same.Then we passed into Zambia, where I saw a lot of goats. And I mean a lot. Then we drove to the missionaries' house where I would be staying. They were Elder Butler, and Elder Ndlovu. A Utahn and an African... I'll let you figure out who is from where. I worked with them for a week and I learned a lot, they are both older on mission than me. But we went to their investigators and less actives and recent converts. Very cool people, and at sacrament it was very well organized and there was a white person! I was shocked, until I found out he is an RM who returned to Zambia, and his new wife was in the branch he served in for nine months.... hahahaha. Funny, funny things. We went to visit a less active and when we got there we saw her foot was about triple the normal size. So we ask about it and she told us she was bitten by a snake! Oh man, I was so excited. So I went off asking questions about what snake bit her(she didn't know), how she was treated, which she wasn't because the doctors said the snake wasn't venomous... bull snapple! And her symptoms, I deduced that it was a smaller viper, hematoxin, and of course that she should go and demand anti-venom. But she told me that a gogo was coming to treat her by sucking out the venom and treating it with crushed plants on the wound.... I corrected those falsehoods quickly but I don't think she believed me. She is now doing much better after having followed my advice and going back to the hospital. We visited a few more times and she was telling me things the witches there could do, like fly on dinner plates... and that was the most believable of them so... yeah very odd things.Another family we visited loved to feed us. And they gave me the gizzard! Which means that I am the man of the house! Apparently it is a very big honor so I was very excited to receive it. It tasted good too, kind of like heart but bigger. I had a lot of fun while in Zambia and I even enjoyed going to another Zone Conference and seeing everyone. Everyone in my MTC group was there, except Sister Bandihai, but it was good to see them again. I really liked the chance to go with two other Elders and see how they work. They are good guys, I really enjoyed my time with them.The drive home was a lot shorter I am not sure why but it was. At the Zimbabwe side they said we had to go back to Lusaka(where we stayed in Zambia), because Elder Ndulu didn't have his vaccinations card. But by listening to the spirit and a little "righteous exchange" we were able to pass. But I have been granted my TEP! So I don't have to flee the country again!Transfers were supposed to be announced today but I haven't been told if I'm staying or going. But I feel like I'm staying, I'm not sure but it feels that way. I'll let you know next week if I'm wrong or not. Again the drive was very scenic and we past a street vendor who was selling a snake skin, so obviously I stopped and began to bargain. He wanted 250,000 Kwacha(about 5000 kwacha to a dollar) and I only had 40,000 so I told him that and he didn't want to sell for less because the snake had killed his goats and he needed the money but that's all I had! So I tried but we were in a hurry and we had to leave and I didn't get the snake skin. I was very distraught, because it was a beautiful skin and it was big. But I won't let that happen again the next time I see one I am not leaving without my 6M snake skin! And that is final! So that has been my week. How has yours been?Be Strong. Never Give Up. Endure to the End.Love,Elder Gay
P.S. Until I know differently all mail can be sent to
65 Enterprise RoadHighlands, HarareZimbabwe
Thanks for all the love!
Happy late Birthday Matt!

3/8/2010 letter

So quickly because I am in the mission office because I won't have a p-day this week because I will be driving to Zambia. So really quick this week has been very busy we have some more baptismal dates coming and I am very excited for those.I met more Jehovah's Witnesses who were actually very polite. My companion got sick so I was companions with our Zone leader and I had to show him the area(which I don't know), and lead all the lessons which actually wasn't that bad. On our way to the police station, to give our statements because we were robbed, we made a turn and we got in a car accident! I started laughing so hard! Our other Zone leader was driving and so we missed all our appointments and waited for the police to arrive. Don't worry it really wasn't a bad accident, just some damage to the front bumper and the other cars side doors. Then after we went to the other police station to give our statements. I was called into a the room first and the Sargent flat out told me that he thought I was the one who stole it all! So he charged me officially and I had to give my statement saying that I didn't, so... yay criminal charges!!!I had Zone Conference just barely and it was pretty awesome. Our area was one that was said to be doing really well. I bore my testimony, because I was "new", I thought it was okay... yep. I am going to miss Snake World because I am driving to Zambia. I know it's sad right? But I am sure I'll have a chance to go sometime. So hopefully I'll be able to e-mail you all next week, but if not you will hear from me in two weeks! And I am not sure why the pouch isn't working, maybe talk to Marla, she worked it out somehow... oh tell her that I used that poem she gave me in my investigator's class!Hopefully you'll here from me soon!Love,Elder Gay

3/1/10 letter

So this week has been filled with things. Tuesday we taught a woman named Dorcas. She is very intelligent, organizing self help groups and is on her way to getting an international work visa, after which she hopes to move and find a job in Canada... I have no idea why. But after our very first lesson she introduced us to her family and she wants us to teach them all.Then walking home we found a crab, we named him Jimmy, and we were taking him home but then we set him free instead.Wednesday we got robbed! Okay so it probably wasn't Wednesday we just discovered that twenty fuel coupons were missing, all in all about five or six hundred dollars worth which was hidden in a Book Of Mormon, so I checked my suit case where I had fifty dollars and it was gone! My first robbery! It was kind of cool but it also sucked, for obvious reasons. Then we went out to declare the Word, and one of our potential investigators is a Jehovah's Witness... yes! I thought that was awesome. But it started to rain so I brought out my umbrella which you fling to open and I did that and I totally scared some little kids. They thought I was going to beat them. So my companion stole my umbrella and did that all day. The little kids were so scared, but their parents just laughed.Thursday we had our regular morning except the APs came and sat in on companion study and weekly plan, I don't know why. But we had no money to get to our area and our service project fell through so we cleaned our flat. I mean we REALLY cleaned. It was so dirty but it looked so nice after we were done. I actually felt more tired after cleaning than a full day of teaching. But we rewarded ourselves with a killer dinner of mashed potatoes, chicken, corn, and blueberry muffins!(I even enjoyed the corn... I know, right?!)So apparently I'm driving to Zambia on the eighth because I don't have my TEP(Temporary Employment Permit) yet. So I have to leave the country to get another visitors Visa. So I had to get driving tested. Driving on the left was kind of weird but mostly I kept turning the wipers on(because I was trying to signal my turns, but it's on the wrong side). I also couldn't see the potholes or the road really, because people here don't know what their brights are for, so they ALWAYS have them on. ALWAYS. But I didn't crash! Yay! But when I go to Zambia I am going to be driving through game parks! So I'll be driving past elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes and who know what else! I am so stoked! I'll make sure I take pictures, even though I can't send them... but I have faith that I will be able to sometime!On Friday a "cop"(he didn't really look like one) came to get our statements about the robbery and totally threw off my schedule, I felt all skiwompus the entire day. But we taught Dorcas with her entire family which was awesome.Then we went to teach Solomon who was about to be interviewed for baptism, but during the lesson he said that he smoked again! He has been a chain smoker all his life(He is almost sixty) and he made it three weeks without a single cigarette but then he caught his daughter and her boyfriend doing some funny funny things and he told him to get out so the boy filed an assault charge and Solomon got taken to prison for the night and had to pay a fine of five dollars(which doesn't seem like a lot, but it is!) so he caved and bummed a smoke off someone and then he bought his own pack. So I traded him a sucker for his pack of cigarettes and recommitted him to live the Word Of Wisdom. We had to postpone his baptism but we really appreciated his honesty, I think he really understands the importance of it, so he wants to be ready. But now I have cigarettes... I destroyed them but I kept the box and put in my journal.But as we were walking to the com-b some super drunk guy invaded my space to share my umbrella(it was raining)! Can you believe the nerve?!Saturday we went to the Open House of the new Mbare Chapel. It is a very nice building, I would say it's nicer than the ones back home. It was so nice! But after I "got" to drive to Chitungwiza to take water to some Elders who didn't have any filtered drinking water. I drove for three hours... yay!(except not really)Sunday we confirmed Sister Muderikwa(Paul, Loraine, and Lloyd were late so they weren't). She was so happy! One of our investigators failed her baptismal interview, the District Leader said she needed a stronger testimony, which might be true, but she was distraught and she's been making a lot of progress lately so I felt really bad for her.But after we taught Garikai at Brother Mhlanga's and we gave him a baptismal date! But after we went to Paul and Loraine's(the couple I baptized), and had a lesson about Temples. I miss temples... anyway after the lesson they gave me chocolate cookies(because I said in the investigator's class that chocolate was my favorite food) and I felt awkward. Because they live in on room with everything they own and they got me chocolate cookies... I tried to refuse politely but they told me that if I rejected their cookies they would reject my word, so I took them. I was very humbled by their generosity. They were very delicious too!Tell Matt he needs to get over it. Six months isn't a very long time and the opportunities he will get will be worth that time. Change is all part of the Eternal Plan and if he quits now he'll regret it for the rest of his life.Thanks for all the love and support! Especially you Mom, have fun in Florida and make sure Matt does the right thing!I appreciate the e-mails and the stories from back home.Be Strong. Never Give Up. Endure to the End.

Love,Elder Gay

2/22/10 Letter

Dear Everyone!I am in my second week here in Zimbabwe and things are going great! The city is pretty nice, imagine a really ghetto L.A. but smaller. Yea for the camera I need a cord but that might be hard because you might not get the right one but maybe you could send a usb with a sd slot. You know? So we had a lot of lessons and I've met a lot of people. Mostly we have a lot of referrals so we don't tract too much. One of my favorite families is the Dandara family! They have been members for a little less than a year excepting a son, Cleopas, who was baptized a couple months ago. They have a rowdy family and it reminds me a little of our family... except ours is a lot rowdier. Oh and before I forget, Mom I have the perfect hobby(ies) for you! Catching up on my scrap book! Or making those quilts out of those clothes I left! Any way those are just ideas. Or just go to St. George for the cold winter.Yea we were teaching Paul and Loraine Singau (powerful family, they have a cute little baby) and they had a baptism date so we asked them who they wanted to perform the baptisms and so they made us draw lots! Paul wrote "yes" and "no" on two scraps and had us each pick one. Guess who picked "yes"? Me! I can't believe they did that. So on sunday I baptized them and my companion baptized Sister Muderikwa. We took pictures and I didn't even mess up during the baptisms!But during the week we had a lesson with the Utete family, only the little ones really understand English, but after the lesson GoGo Utete(gogo means grandma) asked us for a blessing. She is awesome, she doesn't speak a word of English but she is very friendly and she is 110 years old. Yes, in fact, I did say 110! It was not a typo! And she doesn't even walk with a cane. Wow. Anyway so I anointed and my companion gave the blessing.But at church I taught the investigators class. It was on the Sabbath day. I thought it went pretty well. I only said three sacrilegious things(not really). But one of the investigators, as we were talking about what NOT to do on the Sabbath, said that we shouldn't set our houses on fire. A valid point that needed to be discussed I think. So I told him he was right and that actually we probably shouldn't do that on any of the other days either.As we were walking from the Com-v's we past this guy who had a very long branch with something on the end of it... it was a cobra! He had found it in his yard and had killed it with a shovel. When we walked past he was putting it in a bucket! I took pictures of it... that I'll be able to send soon... I hope. I thought it was so cool but my companion was freaked out, he doesn't like snakes.Which reminds me, as we were walking to church a chameleon was crossing the path, I tried to picked it up and take it home with me but it tried to bite me so I let it be.I'm not sure a whole lot else happened...we visited a Less Active who was very lost and confused. I hope he figures out that he needs to continue in the church, but right now I'm not sure he even knows which way is up. It was really sad. We also taught Tatenda who wants to be a Pastor when he grows up, hopefully we can stop that. He is very bright though, he knows his bible very well. Give Todd & Nicki my best, I pray for him and Nicki everyday.Tell the Allred's I just got their letter today and I very much appreciate it. I'm planning on writing back but I don't know when it will get there.Also tell Matt I'm jealous(not of the soccer in any way) but that he gets to go to Europe! I've always wanted to go. And Dad, good luck with the new business! I hope it takes off and you start earning loads so you can come pick me up from Africa.Be Strong. Never Give Up. Endure to the End.Love,Elder GayP.S. I think letters are fine... but pouch might be a lot cheaper... so it is up to you!

2/15/10 letter

After I last e-mailed we continued in the MTC for a day. We had some packing and washing to do and some last minute classes. But mostly we just shared our testimonies and what we had learned. When asked what our companions had taught us, Elder Kongolo kind of got teary eyed and said that when he got here he wanted to go home because the language was hard. But he said the Lord prepared me and Elder Samoela to help him. He said that we would help no matter what and that we were the reason he was still here and not going home. I don't know if I was prepared to help him or not but I am very glad that he's staying and I am grateful for all the prayers.I flew into Zimbabwe on wednesday. The five of us got there and we got picked up by President Dube. We drove to the offices and they started processing us and getting our information. Then we were interviewed and asked about our families, then we got our very first assignments. And I am assignded to... Kuwadzana, Harare! My comapnion is Elder Crossley and he's from Pleasant Grove, Utah... I know, right? I thought for sure my companion would be A) Black and B) African. Not someone who lived ten minutes away.He worked at the pizza factory in Lindon with Aubrey's good friend Hillary so tell her hi from Elder Crossley. We had an excellent lunch and orientation. Then we went to President Dube's house for Dinner and a testimony meeting. After we went to my new flat(house).He took me around and said this is the bedroom(there were no beds), this is the bathroom(there is a live wire and the toilet doesn't have a handle), this is the study room, this is the main room(where the beds are), this is the kitchen and we have a toaster! Which is awesome because most places don't have a toaster. So the bedroom has no beds because the house is infested with ants and if you sleep in any room besides the main room you'll wake up with ants in your mouth, ears, and pretty much everywhere. So the four of us sleep in the main room(we live with the zone leaders). The wall spiders are awesome too! They are anywhere from regular size to about a circle of six quarters. One of the bigger ones was missing to of it's right legs so I named it lefty. But then the one I named Dean Cain(don't ask why) ate it I think. I miss lefty. We like the spiders because they eat the mosquitoes! The roaches aren't even that big, which is awesome. We even have power most of the time, which is pretty dang cool.We've already worked a lot in our area and the first day we traveled by com-v. Which is you go to a road hold out your hand and fifteen passengers vans stop and you hop on the one that's going to your area. The first one I got on had thirty one people in it. I kid you not. I don't know how, all I know is that it was awesome.We got to our area and we went around and let me tell you I am really in Africa now. Little kids came and yelled "Murungu! Murungu!"(white person) They all ran around us and gave us a "big up"(hitting fists). They even came and pushed us on our bikes. We talked to some recent converts during the week and they were all awesome. Most live in one room "apartments" most with entire families, but everyone had a picture of Christ taped to the bare concrete wall. They are amazing people. Especially Sister Mudarikwa, she's not a member yet, she's getting baptized this sunday but she is pretty much a member and she is so strong. It's not too hot actually. It's been pretty nice, only one day was really hot. In one area we were visiting a family(they've been without power for a year but they just got it back!), I met a guy named... Reynolds? and Emmanuel? Anyway they're beyond flaming. I mean they put Ricky to shame! It was so funny. Yesterday we went to church and it felt like I was back in Utah except all the people were black. I got to bless the Sacrament and my companion confirmed someone. We had three people get interviewed for baptism. Then after the block, they asked a little boy, named Nephi Solomoni, who he wanted to confirm him and the little traitor pointed to me! So I reviewed the process quickly and I gave the blessing. I even think it worked! That was very awesome.Anyway I am working my very hardest and I am trying to speak with as many people as possible. Everything is just amazing here and I hope I get to be here for a while.Tell Matt that he is doing something amazing that he will never ever forget and that he needs to live everyday without regrets. Mom you are amazing and I can't believe I got you to be my mom! Dad I can't even explain how great an example you are!Be Strong. Never Give Up. Endure to the End.
Love,Elder Gay

2/6/10 letter

So it hasn't been very long since I've e-mailed and it will be saturdays or maybe mondays from now on, I'm not sure yet. I forgot my cord for my camera so you might have to wait a couple years for pictures... :) Anyway I've been doing great I just got back from tracting and it went really well. Elder Kongolo went with the other missionary and after the missionary said it was the most spritual lesson and experience in a very long time.We talked to a lot of people and pretty much all the black people listened and only one white peron listened. After we talked to one white guy Elder Worth(the missionary we were with) said that talking to white people is scary. I thought that was interesting. We actually set up a lot of appointments. And we talked to a boy about twelve he looked who was converted to the church even though his mom wasn't. The strength of that little boy was incredible. To recognize the truth and to act when his mom wasn't pushing and might have been negative and he STILL joined the church is an amzing testimony of the power of the Lord's message.We have been learning a lot and everything is going really well. There is a South African game called fingerboard that apparently I'm really good at because I've beaten everyone here. The locals say I win by voodoo because no way an American comes in and beats the Africans on their own turf at their own game. It is a very fun game.For whatever reason an arm wrestling competition started up and I tried to stay out of it but I was coerced. Anyway I beat them but it's not as fun as fingerboard.Be Strong. Never Give Up. Endure to the End.Love,Elder Gayp.s. we had a health and safety fireside thingy and after the two hour presentation they asked for all the missionaries going to Zim to come up because there were three more papers worth of information they still had to go over, filled with all the fun diseases and parasites and how we can never go barefoot even in our own apartment, because if we do we'll get some kind of worms that will go to our brains. And that all made me so excited to get there! Anyway have fun in Utah.

2/5/10 letter

Well we went to the Temple and it was amazing there were some differences but it was the same experience. Except that a lot of the missionaries were getting their own endowments out and that was a really cool experience. Also the Celestial Room was smaller, I thought it might be bigger being one of three in all of Africa. The lessons are getting better (or maybe I am) and I am already going insane being stuck in this building.I have one more companion, Elder Kongolo, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo(DRC). He only speaks french wgich is proving difficult. And I already had to talk him into staying. He wanted to go home because he thought it was too hard. But Preseident Renlund of the Area Presidency and of the First Quorom of the Seventy was here and talked about how all our calls are directly from God and we're meant to be here and that helped I think.Oh yeah I was here and Elder Nixon was talking about our calls because Elder Hinckley is in his home ward. And you know how most the time the Twelve makes the assignments and the First Presidency just approves them or sends them back? Well apparently our calls came directly from President Monson.... interesting.Yeah besides the hymn book and my blessing it might be a good idea to just send letters because apparently the packages don't make it all the time. But yea can you ask Jay if he likes elephants, leopards, crcodile, giraffe, zebra, or ostriches more? :) We took some pictures at the temple and I took some of the room so next time I e-mail i'll send those. Probably on saturday and yea everyone in the fam can e-mail I think but I can only send them to you and Dad.Tell Matt that's awesome and just tell him that he has to be sure that's what he wants. If it is, tell him to work his butt off and then if it's suppose to happen it will. But make sure he knows just what a huge opportunity this is. There are tons of awesome people here I'll try to get a list of all twenty eight or something and where they're from.Tell Dad that Florida is hotter than South Africa, I think he'll enjoy that. Any way I think that is it. Actually I played basketball.... I know, right?! But it wasn't on P-day so I haven't let myself down too much.I got your letter and everyone was jealous cause I was the first to get mail. Then I got another letter today from Lexi, so I got two letters before everyone else. Oh man people were not happy with me. Never give up!

Love,Elder Gay