Well hey! So right now it is easter monday and everything is closed here the only place that is open is this creepy dungeons and dragons gamer cybercafe where we can do our emails! I am surrounded by fat, smelly, 40 year old men playing world of war craft. Sad life. Anyway this here are going great. I dont know why you guys haven't gotten my package yet. Aftie just got some Chocolates that i sent so maybe it is just delayed. the French Post isn't what we'd call state of the Art but it works. honestly i think what the problem is is that it has gotten held up at customs in the states. I sent it and on the customs declaration i didn't write with a ball point pen in some parts. it was just on the important parts you know like a return address and what was inside where i wrote in ink instead of the Ball point pen. so yeah i hope it gets there. The post in Cherbourg stamped it so i know they cleared it but who knows. I hope you get it soon. I am so happy to hear how busy Dad is and i am so happy to hear about all the fun emotions at the Easter Pageant.
Those missionaries there don't know how blessed they are to have an easter pageant! I don't think they realize the blessing it is to be state size. Europe is a tough place for so many different reasons. Absolutely worth it but so difficult at the same time. When people fall out of the church here it is not an easy fall. They just try to take everyone down with them! Honestly the Church here in Europe is so fragile and it is in large part because people here are so sceptecal (i dont know how you spell that) of religion thanks to a church "who cannot be named." However the Lord wants this place to be strong and so we will keep working as hard as we can. This transfer we finished with a big 53 lessons! I am so happy with that! We taught only 3 in week one and know this week and last we taught 14 and 13! How cool!? I won't attempt to compare our numbers with those of South America and The U.S But for us in our situation we are doing really well. We lead our district in numbers and that is so cool. We are really just working the best we can and letting God take care of the miracles. Sorry that was me going on a tangent. Sorry.
But this week like i said was so great. We found out that Elder Silvester will now be moving to Troyes the furthest East in our mission until July! He is going with a swiss missionary! That is something he really needed because his french needs work and he will excel so much faster with a francophone companion. Me i am going Senior Comp on Elder Awerkamp who is actually from Arizona too! One of 6 in the Mission and 2 of them are in Limoges WOO HOO!!!! He is from Gilbert and graduated from Mesquite. Maybe i played him in Baseball!? He knows the members of a band i played a concert with. Pawn takes King!? Does that ring a bell? It was one of the only shows where we played on a stage in a backyard!? any way he knows them! so i am stoked! I am so ready for a change. It has been a tiring transfer. So yeah he leaves Wednesday. Also this week we taught 13 lessons and also had one of the best sacrament lessons i have ever attended. I dont know why but it was so spiritually nourishing. I loved it and felt so good inside after. Sacrament meetings like that are so good. Also at Sacrament was one of our Amis Ahmada. Let me tell you about ahmada.
Ahmada has an amzing spirit. Ahmada came here from the Comoro Islands. he came here in search of a better life but didn't do all the research neccesary. He got here and couldn't do anything. He had no legality at all. He has no where to live or to eat. He however continues to search where to eat and to sleep. Luckily for him He has a good base of Native Commorians who are here also but they are all muslim. We contacted Ahmada and mentioned a living prophet and immediately he was hooked. He has been searching for the truth and until then didn't know where to find it. This has been such a blessing for him but the thing is, is that, that is creating tension between him and all of his muslim friends. He has now been kicked out of two homes because they dont like him and his new found belief. Understand that Ahmada is the nicest guy and wouldn't hurt a fly. He was kicked out of the one house because he asked the people if they could be quiter because it was really loud for him at 3 in the morning. They Kicked him out. Next home he asked the same question to some visitors in the apartment. They kicked him out. Then Saturday night he recieved a call that his grandson had died. Ahmada can't catch a break but still is trying all that he can to retain the teachings and become a member. Never take for granted the blessing of the church in our lives. We live such an easy life compared to some and even though some people just have different struggles we must always be grateful. If my mission has taught me anything so far, it has taught me that this is Gods true church on the Earth and that i can never ever again take it for granted. Love the gospel and give all that you can to be a missionary. Give those who don't have the Gospel the only chance they may ever get by sharing it with them. I love you all and am so thankful for your prayers. I can feel your love always. Even though i am far away i feel very close in love and spirit. Happy Easter! Take maybe a little time if you haven't already on what the Lord sacrificed for you. Think of all you can be because of him! I like that thought! Lol! I love you and pray for you daily!
TTYL
Elder Hoopes
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