Elder Masse Baptism Sept 2014

Elder Masse Baptism Sept 2014

Monday, August 26, 2013

August 26, 2013-coconut hunting, sugar cane, adventuring, people love God here and they love to pray

coconut hunting, sugar cane, adventuring, 

people love God here and they love to pray

Date: August 26, 2013 
Area: Douala, Cameroon in Bonaberi 1 Sector - AFRICA 
Companion: Elder Casey Garland

​Aug 26, 2013
Dearest Mother, 
It's been a fun week. Here are some answers though in the meantime! 
1.       Tell me something funny that happened this week at the apt.
 I learned how to make beans actually. Not really funny, but pretty cool. Elder Garland and I walked through a flooded swamp basically. That was pretty cool. Elder Nyom learned how a hot water heater works. Ha ha. 
2.       Tell me something you walk by, frequently.
 I love walking passed any fruit bearing trees. Fidelis is going to help us go coconut hunting this week so that will be a lot of fun. Elder Garland and I are prettyexcited. 
3.    Tell me about the people you teach.
People love God here and they love to pray. It has been rare for me that someone doesn't want to pray. It's really cool listening to people pray in their own languages and stuff, which happens from time to time. I heard a woman pray in Douala once, and that was really cool. 
4.    Tell me about your roommates.
I love the Elders and I love our investigators and recent converts. All of them are so nice and are willing to do almost anything we ask them. I love teaching recent converts the after-baptism lessons and answering all their questions. It's one of my favorite parts of missionary work actually - answering questions. 
5.       Tell me how the people see the missionaries there.
Honestly, people believe that we have some higher power or something. They believe that our priesthood is better than the other leaders in our branch. Everyone loves the missionaries though. 
6.       Tell me how you see them.
They are ready and prepared. It's hard, life is hard, learning the Gospel is hard, but they love it. They love the church and are so ready. I have seen that especially with Soeur Ortance. She is the most prepared investigator I have ever met in my life. 
7.       What was the funnest thing you did this week?
Fidelis went out into his backyard with a machete, hacked down a stalk of sugar cane, and Elder Garland and I started eating it! That was pretty awesome. We also found a massive snail that we took a picture of. 
8.       What have you been taking pictures of?
I have been taking pictures of the other Elders, wildlife, trees, investigators, crazy things I find or see, etc. 
9.       Tell me places you went this week.
Elder Garland and I found the river that feeds in the estuary after getting lost on purpose solely for adventuring purposes. That was super cool. We found a lot more shortcuts in the quartier this week thanks to Fidelis showing us around that was nice. 
10.   Tell me something you love about your brothers.
 The Massé bros? They are amazing. All of us are awesome and it will be fun to hang out together again. 
I received the package this week from you with the gum, Taco Bell sauce, colored pencils, pens, and sloppy joe sauce mix! We already used the Taco Bell sauce last night for Taco night! It was amazing! Thank you so much for sending that! Thank you so much for that and the pens! 
 I hope all is well and that you are doing wonderful. It sounds like it, and I am glad. 

Love you Mother. Have a great week!
 

Until next time,
 

Love Elder
 Massé

Monday, August 19, 2013

AUG 19, 2013 -PICS FROM ELDER NASH -soccer, eating crocodile, huge zone party, cinder blocks and tin roofs, Ortance, Africa teaches you to be patient,



soccer, eating crocodile, huge zone party, 

cinder blocks and tin roofs, Ortance, Africa 

teaches you to be patient,

(THANKS TO ELDER NASH FOR SENDING THESE PHOTOS FROM LAST YEAR!!)
Date: August 19, 2013 
Area: Douala, Cameroon in Bonaberi 1 Sector - AFRICA 
Companion: Elder Casey Garland

Aug 19, 2013

Dearest Mother,

I thought for today I would start with questions.  Here are some answers! 

1. What did you do today?
Well I played an awesome game of soccer today. That was pretty cool. Pretty good for a kid who never played soccer in his entire life I might add. 

2.  What’s something interesting that happened this week?
Well I actually got to eat crocodile. It tasted good. I only got a little bit given the price, but now I can say I ate some crocodile. 

3.  What made you laugh out loud?

 We had a huge zone party last night. Needless to say, it was awesome and amazing. One of the most memorable nights of my mission. 
4.  What was your favorite day this week?
Yesterday, or today. I guess today doesn't really count does it. Ha ha. Yesterday. 
5. What is it like being a missionary in Africa?

 It's crazy.  Africa really just teaches you to be patient - definitely something I need. Cameroon is really unlike other African countries in terms of church growth actually. I think a lot of it contributes to the fact that this country is actually pretty wealthy and rich in terms of resources, compared to the rest of Africa. The people have food on the table. It's not like that for everyone, but for the majority, the people here are actually very well off. It's surprising actually.

6. What is something that happened this week that you don’t ever want to forget?

 Playing zombies with nine other people and getting completely scared and screaming.  I cannot emphasize enough how fun that was. All of us really enjoyed it. 
7. What are the people’s homes like that you visited this week?

Most peoples' houses are cinder block walls and tin roofs. That is pretty standard with everyone. It doesn't vary too much. People who have more money have paint. That is a big sign. Other than that though, mostly cinder block and tin roofs. 

8.  Baptisms?  
There was a whole family who got baptized. It was a family of about six or seven people so it was pretty cool. 
9. Tell me anything!!

We recently started teaching this woman named Ortance. She is the most prepared person for the gospel I have ever met. She is amazing and I cannot even tell you how crazy it is. She is eating the gospel up. Everything we have taught, she said, just makes sense to her. She loves the church and has a baptismal date for the 7th so I hope that all goes well with that. She is one of the coolest people I have ever met on my mission. 

I love you Mother and hope you have a great week! 

Love, 

Elder Massé

Monday, August 12, 2013

AUG 12, 2013- Elder Garland plays guitar, yogurt, never take taxis, the bridge, Elder Nyom, baptism



Elder Garland plays guitar, yogurt, never take

 taxis, the bridge, Elder Nyom, baptism

(THANKS TO THE WHITESIDES FOR THESE PICS!)

Date: August 12, 2013 
Area: Douala, Cameroon in Bonaberi 1 Sector - AFRICA 
Companion: Elder Casey Garland (Washington)

August 12, 2013 


Dearest Mother,
I had a great week. And for the moment, I will start with questions today! It always seems to work out best for me when I do that. 

1. Where is Elder Garland from?
Elder Garland is actually from Washington. He spent some time in France on an exchange program and that is how he learned French. 

2.  Is there something unique about your new sector?
We never take taxis! We walk just about everywhere. It's rare for us to ever take a taxi.
3. What is something “unusual” they sell at the marche?
Well they sell crocodile, if you know where to look, and basically all the other crazy stuff I told you about. You can find porcupine and snake meat, but it's a little more rare. 

4. Is there a family or person you especially are fond of, in Douala?
I do actually! There is a really cool family who just got baptized that Elder Thibault I and taught two times a week. It was a joy and pleasure to go over to their house and spend time with them. I loved it so much. Jacky was baptized in Belarus actually and then she came back to Cameroon. Low and behold, the church is actually like a two minute walk from her house! Pretty cool. The rest of her family was baptized a little before I got here. I love them.Â
5. What was the best part of your week?
 Going to the baptism, going to the wedding party after the baptism, and getting to know Elder Garland. He is one of the most talented and awesome kids I know. I love him.Â
6. What’s something that you love about Douala?
 I actually really like seeing the estuary. It's been pretty rare to see something like here so it was really cool the first time I saw it and still is every time I cross the bridge. I love it.Â
7. Tell me something about your roommates.
Elder Nyom can't sleep in the cold because he is African. Elder Thibault loves to make yogurt every P-day and Elder Garland plays the guitar for all of us at night when we have time.Â
8. Did anything interesting happen while you were teaching this week?
Elder Garland and I taught a sweet first lesson to this man named Gustav who is truly searching for the truth. I am glad to be helping him in his journey.Â
9.What made you laugh out loud?
 Watching Elder Thibault trying to open a tomato paste can and having in explode all over him and the kitchen. And me! 

10. Did anything happen you were super excited about? – Something new?
 Probably Elder Garland actually. I am super stoked to be his comp. He is just such a cool guy.Â
So that was my week! Elder Garland is awesome, time is flying by, and life seems to be going pretty well. Hope you have a great week Mother. 

Sangalipe
Love Elder Masse

Monday, August 5, 2013

AUG 5, 2013 - Transfers, Jokes, Bonaberi, African joke, Love the rain, what it means to be a Masse missionary





Transfers, Jokes, Bonaberi, African joke, Love 

the rain, what it means to be a Masse 

missionary

(THANKS TO THE WHITESIDES FOR THE GREAT PICS!)

Date: August 05, 2013 
Area: Douala, Cameroon in Bonaberi 1 Sector - AFRICA 
Companion: Elder Philippe Thibault

Current Comp: Elder
Philippe Thibault in Douala, Cameroon;  Bonaberi Sector 1





 August 5, 2013


“Dearest Mother,


 The week has been a
really strange week and just a strange time for me in general. This transfer is
over and it felt like it just started. I have really appreciated the
opportunity that I have had to work with Elder Thibault. He is a wonderful missionary
and sadly tomorrow will be the last day that we are companions. 


Yes it is true! I am
getting a new companion! Here is what is going down.  (I’m still in
Africa, still in Cameroon, still in Douala (by the ocean), and still in his
same part of the city and the same apartment… just working on the other part of
the sector with my new comp)


New Companion: Elder Casey
Garland (Canadian)


Serving in Douala, Cameroon
in Bonaberi Sector 2





 1. TRANSFERS!!


 I am staying in
Bonaberi, but I am switching sectors. Elder Andriamamonjy is going home this
Thursday and Elder Colindres is going to the other side of the city to work
with Elder Stephens in Bonapriso. Elder Thibault is staying in Bonaberi with me
and a branch missionary is coming to work with Elder Thibault for this
transfer. Elder Garland is my new companion! He is coming over from Bonapriso
to work with me so that should be really exciting. I will be working with him
in Bonaberi 2, and it's still one branch so I will see everyone every week on
Sunday. By everyone I mean all the investigators and people I have come to
love. So that is transfers! The rest is pretty cut and dry. We received five
new Elders and the entire mission is training minus three companionships.
Pretty nuts. That is transfers though! I don't have much else to say about that
so I will move on. 





2. Your new
comp? 


 Elder Garland is an
amazing missionary and it will be exciting working with him. 





3. How are you
feeling?


I am feeling just great!
It's a strange time, and the fact that ten months was a couple days ago hit me
pretty hard. It's just hard to believe where I am and how far I have
come. 





4.  What is
something  AMAZING that happened this week? 


 My sister became a
Missionary! That is pretty amazing! Everything else that happened with me
pretty much pales in comparison the glory of my sister becoming a
missionary! 





5. Tell me an
African joke- or something you do that makes others smile…


One of my favorite jokes
though is the following. 





What is green and has
wheels? 


...


Grass. I lied about the
wheels. Ha ha. 





6. What are you
doing today?


We woke up and cleaned the
apartment. I cleaned the kitchen and it looks pretty good now. We just finished
at the marche and now I am emailing you. After this we will head over to an
investigators house for a mangez-vous and a goodbye party for Elder
Andriamamonjy. 


Following that we will
probably be heading home to make yogurt, cook dinner if we aren't full, and
just hang out at the apartment before bed. That looks like our day. We might
make cookies too if we have time. 





7. What was your
favorite food this week?


I made a weird white sauce
with tomatoes and potatoes over rice that we used as filling for tortillas we
made. That as actually pretty good. I was surprised. I have become quite the
chef in the kitchen thanks to lots of experimenting and my trainer Elder
Nash. 





8. What are some
sites that are near your apartment?  Or things you walk by everyday?


The biggest noticeable
thing is probably the bridge, but we are pretty far from that even. There
aren't a lot of landmarks per se that I can give you. There is the boulangerie
called the Luafor we go to.  





9. Tell me
something about Africa.


The weather right now
actually reminds me a lot of Oregon. It's exactly the same. It's been cloudy for
weeks, rainy, (which I love), and cold! The only real difference right now is
the humidity and heat that comes and goes. 





10. Tell me
something about what it means to be a Masse` missionary. 


You are determined and
don't ever quit.  Being a Massé is a complicated thing to explain. I am
not even sure I can really explain. 





11. Tell me
something you want me to tell everyone at home?





What smells like red paint
and looks like blue paint? 





Blue paint. Lol. 








Hope you are doing well and
that you had a great time in Utah. Heavenly Father is watching you at all
times. 





Until next week, 





Love Elder Massé