Happy Thanksgiving

November 25, 2013

                                                      Hey everyone,

This week was such a great week, you know you have been in Africa to long when your companion sings the McDonalds jingle and you ask where is that from.   I forgot but I think I remember.   Well no baptisms but I'm okay with that we have some great ones coming up and they are truly converted to the Gospel and that's all that matters.   Elder Backman is doing fantastic with missionary work and adjusting, I know its going to be a lil difficult to be away from home on Christmas, but things will be alright.

  Training is one of the funnest things I have done on my mission.   Its difficult sometimes but its always an adventure and an opportunity to learn more.   Beatrice is doing well, we met with her husband on Saturday and taught him the restoration, and went through a detailed lesson on the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Before we met with him he had such a terrible feeling against the latter day saints and their other book, and all the things people say about us here, when really they have no clue at all what happens in our churches.   Anyways we were able to help a man understand who didn't have that desire really to learn,  something he had heard from some random person, after the lesson which was so spiritually profound he wanted to read the Book of Mormon and learn more.   It was a great miracle, a huge prayer answered for the both of us. I know as he prays to know if this church is true that he will gain a divine witness that it is True, the lord does what he needs to do to bring forth righteousness.   I know he will receive an answer.   Steven came to church and is working hard, he will be baptized on the 7th of DEC,  cause we have a district conference with Elder Dube this weekend.  We have received new and amazing investigators, ones name is Morris Blew he is one great guy, he wants to be baptized already and become a member of the church, Sunday was his first time to ever come to a church in his life since birth.   He already knows and has a testimony that it is true, people have persecuted him for wanting to come to the saviors church, and he takes that as proof that it must be true for people to say bad things about it, he says Satan is trying to keep him from the truth.   We haven't even taught him a whole lesson or principal yet, great guy high hopes for him. The Christmas signs are here, lights, Trees, Santa clauses haha they go all out over here, only difference is its hot not cold. oh yeah Happy Thanks Giving Everyone :) the holidays are a little difficult, but honestly they aren't going to be hard, I know if a missionary has love for his people, it wont be hard but it will be a blessing for the missionary and those he serves. Oh snap Hoovers, that's the first place I am eating at when we get home in Piute.  I'm glad you are all enjoying home and the festivities and all the wrestling, ahhhh cant believe its wrestling season again, that's so unreal, Benton good luck, pin the kid, and don't take it easy no matter who, do your best :).   Yeah last week our Primary did a program it was so sweet, not like home but wow for Africa I am impressed with our branch, I think Doe Community will become one of the first wards when we get a stake.  well I gotta go I love you all have a great week and Enjoy Thanksgiving, Love Elder Erickson

Here are a few pictures of what the roads look like in Doe Community during the rainy season!