Phone Call Home: Monday, May 9, 2022

Today was a good day listening to Elder Garcia talk about what is going on in his mission, how he is working and learning as a District Leader, and mostly just to hear that he seems happy and that life where he is at this moment really is very sweet. As a recap, here are some key moments we talked about:

- Elder Garcia gave his first ever baptismal interview. He said he was super nervous going into it and was unsure of how to actually ask the questions but he was pleasantly surprised when the Spirit took over and overall he had a very good experience.

- Elder Johnson left the apartment on Tuesday and a new Elder from the Congo has joined them. His French is coming along, he is a super nice guy, he is a bit shy as he is just out of the MTC, he is 22 years old, has done quite a bit of his schooling to be a teacher, and is still trying to get comfortable around the other Elders in the apartment so he hasn't fully opened up about family details, etc.

- The meeting that was supposed to be just leaders on Saturday ended up being with all the missionaries in the District instead. They have set a goal to try and split the branches by November which means that they need at least 300 baptisms between now and then. Elder Garcia just shakes his head but says he is willing to go to work and do what he can in order to see if that is something that can happen. He also is conflicted in that President Proudfoot has asked that as a missionary they focus on baptizing true converts rather than just working towards a number. After this meeting it seems to Elder Garcia that they are focused on the number. He is looking forward to interviews this next week to help gain some clarification on the approach of this goal. 

- As they were out and about this last week they ran into two (2) random ladies who started talking to them about how much they love Jesus. Elder Garcia and his companion exchanged information with both of them and invited them to church. Guess what? They showed up! They haven't even had one lesson and they showed up. :) Elder Garcia says they have an appointment on Wednesday to start teaching them. 

- Elder Garcia also has two (2) ami's who come to church but they have no record of them ever working with missionaries or having any lessons with missionaries. These two ami's have asked about baptism and would like to be baptized as soon as they can. Elder Garcia has a baptism date scheduled for this month on the 21st and he is hopeful that they can work with these two ami's and get them scheduled for that date.

- Elder Garcia says that they have lofty goals this week and that their schedule is very full. He is feeling a little overwhelmed and wondering how it will all work out but I tried to remind him that as he is on the Lords errand, He will make up the difference so long as the missionaries are doing all they can in order to help His work move forward.

This was a great week for Elder Garcia and to be able to catch up with him. I will keep him and his schedule in our prayers as well as those he is working hard with in order to be able to participate in the baptism that is scheduled for the 21st. Life seems to be good in Africa and that truly is all that matters. Until next week, I love you for forever and for always.

Mom