Monday, May 31, 2010

May 24-May 31, 2010

hello my dear family and loved ones,

 this first full week in togo was still pretty dang awesome. it rained alot, and since the roads aren't paved, that creates many problems, but we managed to teach plenty. we have tons of investigators here, compared to cocody,because they are even more receptive here than in ivory coast. we will baptize two on saturday, and then the following saturday, a family of seven. they're nigerian, so ive been teaching in english, which is so incredibly hard now...

 so your probably asking yourselves why i said "yikes" in the subjject box... well i had a nice little conversation with the zone leaders and the first councilor in the mission presidency, president attiogbé, and they told me some things that rattled my cages a little bit...

 1) president wants my branch to be divided by the end of july

 2) to do this, i need to baptize at least 6 people each month, and reactivate 3 families each month, and i need to get the sacrament meeting attendance up to at least 100 each week.

 3) i need to look for investigators that can become future leaders, because since the church is so new in togo, the branches are not very strong. i need to "train" my branch presidency and totally remodel our branch mission plan before next saturday (the 12th)

 i hate to ask lots of questions, but WHY IN THE HECK IS IT ME?????!!!!

 i will do my best i guess, and keep on putting my faith in the Lord, pretty much all i can do.

 on a lighter note, me and my companion get along very well. we laugh alot and work hard. he's been the most obedient missionary that i've worked with so far, and its only been a week. i like him alot.

 i STILL dont know my address here, so try to email the baileys...

 oh yeh, HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYONE!!! wish i could be there for the picnic, but i will be there for the next one!!!

 well thats really all i can say this week. togo is awesome, but now the work is alot harder, and in stead having the pressure off of me a little, it has been dumped on even heavier, but thats alright. well just know that i love you all, and that i think of you constantly. i cant wait to talk to you all next week.

 much love,

 elder call

Saturday, May 29, 2010

PICTURES!

May 17th - May 24, 2010

MMMM..... GOOOOD!

hey family

so day four in Togo, and it owns. its very warm, but lots of wind, so not too terribly hot. its very different here, for sure. there are motorcycles everywhere, the dirt and dust is very red, and it feels alot more like real africa. its very pretty here. church on sunday was interesting. its just a branch, and its very small and new, so the members are still trying to get the hang of things. the missionaries are very heavily depended upon. so i am one of ten missionaries serving here in togo, and our zone is very closely knit. the missionaries here are great. i have heard alot of negative things about my companion, but i will wait to judge him for myself. so far he's been good.

the appartment rocks, there's running water, and its very big. however, no air conditioning as was promised, but at least i am already used to that. kelli, no microwave, and yes send me whatever ties you like. i have not yet received the address for togo, but the bailey's said they'd send it to you. maybe they forgot... i will try and find it.

so everyone has said that hedzranawoé is the hardest secteur in Togo. AWESOME. not sure why i keep getting sent to the toughest areas... guess we'll see.

leaving cote d'ivoire was alot harder than i thought. especially angré. i just missed the baptism of three families i taught. one of which made me an african suit. i will send pictures later. its waay cool.

today, we played soccer as a zone, i suck by the way, then we went to a restaurant and i ate a real cheeseburger, and then we went to a real supermarket. yup, i love togo.

well family, since its only been a few days, i am sure i will have more details next week. just know that i love you all sooo very much, i miss you all, and i cant wait til next week!!

all my love,

elder call

Monday, May 24, 2010

The Bailey's Say Fairwell to Elder Call


Brother and Sister Call,

We wanted to send you a little note to let you know that Elder Call arrived in Togo, has settled in and is loving his new assignment. We had the priviledge to spend time with him and the other Elders going to Togo and Benin on Friday and are sending our "farewell" pictures for you.

There is a couple that has been called to come to Togo named "The Herr's", they will arrive next Friday. This is their third mission having served in Russia and Kenya. So the Elders will be in great hands being so far away from the Mission Home, and President Ayekoue.

We want you to know that your dear son in one of our very favorite missionaries we have come to love deeply. He is a "great" missionary who serves with obedience and sacrifice. He gets along with everyone and brings such a spirit of joy wherever he is. We will miss him and his wonderful French. He was our translator for our "Monday night dinners and discussions".
Thank-you so very much for raising such a fine son for the Lord. You should be very,very proud of Elder Call and the example he is to everyone here in the Ivory Coast MIssion.

We are scheduled to go home on August 7th, and will miss these "Mission Sons" that we have come to love so much. Please keep in touch with us as we would love to hear any news about our dear Elder Call.

Sincerely,

Elder and Sister Bailey