April 14, 2014 - Staying in Yaounde! Service Project! The Fourth Missionary!

Area: Yaounde, Cameroon

Comp: Elder Jake Naughton

Dearest Mother,

The week went well and it was honestly the fastest week and the fastest transfer of my entire life. We got transfers today and there is nothing happening so... nothing is happening. Ha ha. I am still in Yaoundé, I am still with Elder Naughton and nothing has changed. I will get to see Elder Lavering die and go home! Sweet! That will be exciting. 

Despite having an awesome week, and a quick one at that, we did some service with an investigator this week and ended up with some blisters and sunburns… but other than that, that was it. Not much really happened. 

Here we go! 

1. How was your week?

The week was great! Everything went really well and it really was the fastest week of my entire life. I was emailing you just yesterday it seems. 

2. What adventures have you had lately?

The only adventure we really had was the service project and going up to a quartier in Yaounde called Melen. It's a really nice quartier and I had the thought that if I ever owned a house or something I would want to live there. It's really nice and really tranquil. Cool place. 

3. Seen any new places? Where did you go?

 Melen was the only new place this week. 

4. What service did you do this week?

We dug some earth for 14 hours over the span of two days. It was awesome. 

5. Tell me about your apartment

The apartment is doing good. We have water, we have power, and we have hot water as well. The light in our room turns on about half the time but it's all good. 

6. Who is someone you love to visit?

I love visiting M. and Jn J. We have recently begun teaching them. They listen, they are attentive, and they loved the commitments that we left with them last time. We also taught them how to pray and both of them tried and said it was so simple and easy. They loved the idea that we talk to our Father as if he is right there in front of us. Very cool. 

7. How do you want people to remember “Elder Masse”?

I just want people to remember that I loved them, that I was a hard worker, and that I was obedient. 

8. Do you have hot showers?  Air conditioning?  What floor is your apartment on?

Our apartment is on the third floor and we still have air conditioning and hot water. 

9. Tell me something in French

Bon. J'ai voulu te dire que je suis toujours avec Elder Naughton et que tout va bien ici a Yaounde. Il n'y a pas vraiment les problèmes pour lemoment, mais je suis contente que tu aies la santé et la force do travailler si dur pour la mission and pour notre famille. 

10. Tell me about your roommates

Elder Naughton is a gymnast. Elder Tripp played baseball in high school. Elder Laverin wants to major in exercise science. Elder Rakoto has 19 characters in his name. And Elder Zeregui is just starting to learn English. 

11. How are you feeling?

I feel great! 

12. What made you laugh out loud?

Too many times to count on four hands. I love this apartment and I am glad it is staying the same. 

I read “The Fourth Missionary” by Lawrence E. Coburn.  I would encourage you to read this talk eventhough its 23 pages long, it has changed my mission.  Love it. 

And I guess that is it. Not a whole lot happened this week, it just went really really fast. I love you Mom!

Until next time,

Love Elder Massé

-----------------------------------------------

Hey Dad,

I just have one story to tell for today. On Tuesday and Wednesday all six of us went to help an investigator move a pile of dirt that was 6.5 feet high, 25 feet long, and 4 feet deep. I ended up with several blisters, and a nice sunburn that has peeled wonderfully. We dug so much dirt. I wish I had taken a picture so that I could have shown you. We dug an unbelievably large amount of dirt. And it took 14 hours between the six of us. Nuts. We worked so hard, and it was interesting to see how each of the Elders worked. 

It felt SO NICE to go out in the sun and work hard. I miss it. I miss getting dirty, and working in the yard, and mowing grass, and destroying weeds, and digging holes, and doing all sorts of random things around the house. I miss it and it was incredibly nice to do that again. I love proselyting, I love missionary work, but my favorite thing to do for people is to do them some physical service that they couldn't have finished or done for themselves. I know the Gospel is the best thing I could ever give people, but I still enjoy working for people, sweating for people, getting dirty, being of service, and working hard. 

I have missed it. I worked hard this week and I loved it. 

I hope you are doing well Dad. I love you. Have a great week. 

Until next time,

Love Elder Massé