First Week in Africa

Well my first week here in Africa has come to an end. Things here are very different than what I was used to in the United States.  It's been pretty hard trying to get used to the new culture and how they do things here.  People here are a whole lot more open with their bodies; that is something that has been really hard to get used to.  The food here is very different, I already miss pizza and cheeseburgers, lol, but it's all good. I was looking forward to the change and I can't wait to show you the things I eat and drink on a daily basis.

Something here that has impressed me is how kind the people are, the members love the missionaries especially the ones from the United States.  The people here have treated me really well. I love to talk to them and it's really funny listening to them say Allred, haha. They can't say the r very well so they say it really different.

One of the highlights from this week is I already had my first baptism!  It was a girl named Brigette, she actually doesn't speak French so it was really hard to teach her.  But the baptism went really well. Things were hard this first week but it is for everyone.

I tell you right now that I will never be the same after my 2 years come to an end. People here live without things that in the United States would kill us if we didn't have.  I've seen things that have changed me, this place is very unique, it is very different, I'm learning to love it but its hard.

My companion is from Madagascar and he is really awesome. He has helped me quite a bit, his name is Elder Rago (his last name is longer than that but I don't know how to spell it). Anyway I hope everything is going well for you. Can't wait to hear from you next week.  I love you and thank you for all the support that you give me!

Love,

Elder Joseph D. Allred II