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I'm pretty sure that is hello. But people here us it as welcome so I just
use it as both. It's so great to finally write home. It really has been such a
long week. I've missed home so much. So I'll start off at the MTC. We got here
and looked around. We literally have electric fences surrounding the entirety of
the MTC. The elders here are determined that the electric fences are to keep us
in instead of people getting in. We figured this because everyone in their right
mind hates this place. It is so small. There are three stories, the elders sleep
on the third, and there is the cafeteria on the bottom and one class on the
second floor. That's it. That is all that I venture to in one day. It is
ridiculous. There has been three consecutive days where I had not stepped
outside for a second. RIDICULOUS!!! THIS GUY NEEDS HIS EXERCISE!!!!!
So do you want to hear about my companion? Here it comes. This guy is no
elder money or elder aso. Elder Ehelofun is such a test of patience and kindness
for me. He is straight from Nigeria and he's been a member for a year. He knows
how to speak english but I have to ask him to repeat what he says three times
before I can actually figure out what he says. And this problem is only for him.
The rest of the nigerians are easy to talk to. But him, no one can communicate
with him. His accent is so thick that I can't understand it. He also doesn't
like being around me at all. He just walks off when I'm busy doing something and
I turn around and my companion is gone. Where did he go???? Also, he loves to
sing. But he can't sing. Like, not like me. I cant sing but I know the words and
can pronounce the words. It sounds like a moan half the time he sings. But he
will sing all the time all over the place. In the middle of class. during lunch.
during dinner,. right before bed. everywhere!!!! He also doesn't like to follow
the schedule. If we have to be in our rooms at 9:30, i try to be obedient to
that. I want to be exactly obedient. But he is too busy playing checkers till
9:40. I'm learning to love him though. It is very difficult. The lord is
definitely trying my patience and kindness.
Well, I was made the District Leader for my district. I think that it is
such a great blessing and feeling to know that the Lord trusts me to be a
leader. I just hope that I can do the best I can to fulfill what he wants me to
do. It is very difficult though to be an 18 year old missionary and in charge of
three nigerian missionaries, one south african, one ugandan, and the rest are
americans. It's difficult at times because i cannot understand a single word
half the time. I have to have them slow it down. Most of my responses are
questions half the time. For example, "turn off the air conditioning". Me :
"turn off the air conditioning?" Stuff like that for such a long time. It's
getting better though. I can do a pretty darn good african accent now. Pretty
believable too. And all the elders here are pickding up on stufff to fit in
more. Like handshakes now are some fancy snap the fingers thing. Weird but when
done right, amazing!!!!
So you may be wondering about the food. And I must say that Ben is right.
this food sucks!!!! SO MUCH!!!! I now understand why people lose so much weight.
But I'm trying to eat the most that I can because i know Katalina wants me to
maintain my 145 lbs frame. But what we have for breakfast every day is six
pieces of bread. not toast, just bread. With a hard boiled egg. And if we are
lucky, we get a bowl of rice mixed with some liquid we are afraid to ask what it
is. It's definitely adjusting. But the spirit is so strong here. You can feel it
in all the lessons. You can feel the strong unity between all of the elders. And
the one thing we cant wait for is to just get out there and teach. One week away
from today!! It's flying by. Next thing I'll know, I'll be out in the Bush
teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
So on a spiritual note, i was reading the first vision and I realized
something. When Joseph Smith was praying, he was tempted and pretty much
attacked by the powers of satan. So much that he almost caved. But he didn't. He
endured through that prayer, calling upon God with all of his strength. And
then, and only then, did God and Jesus Christ come. Only then did the greatest
vision and miracle that changed the world happened. That applies to us so much.
We face so many struggles and challenges in our lives. But when we call upon God
and endure, then that is where the miracles come. The lord tests us. But if we
rely on him, blessings and miracles come our way. I love you all. thank you for
the support. Cape Coast here i come.
Love,
Elder Treadway
