Phone Call Home: Monday, December 19, 2022

The many faces of Tyler this week. :)

This week wasn't a long call because Elder Garcia is now 8 hours ahead of us here at home and also I had a fabulous start to my week by having to go to the Periodontist bright  and early. :/ That didn't mean though that we didn't get a chance to catch up and hear about the new things going on in Benin!! Some highlights from the week:

- Elder Garcia had to take a long old ride in order to get to Benin.

- When they got to the border, the patrol agents there took all of their passports, looked them over, gave the immediate ok to the Africans and kept the Americans standing there while they walked away with the passports. Elder Garcia said he just kind of stood there but then they started to ask him questions like "How long will you be in Benin" "What are you doing in Benin" and so on. After I guess answering them the correct way, passports were handed over and they continued on their way. (I would have been freaking out so I am sure glad it wasn't me in this position!)

- Elder Garcia received his Christmas package that had a bag of candy (Halloween because that is how long ago I had to send it) and a big order of the WWJD bracelets he asked for. Yay!

- Elder Garcia said they toured this new apartment that has never even been lived in yet in Agla. That is a small area in Cotonou. Anyways, it was way nice! It had 4 bedrooms that comfortably fit 2 beds. Each bedroom had 2 fans (I guess that is a big deal) and there were also 5 bathrooms that each had a shower and bath in each one. This apartment also had a huge kitchen too. Needless to say, Elder Garcia was surprised at how nice it was and a little sad that he won't be staying there.

- This new area he is in has its own language and it is not French nor does it come close to Ewe either. This makes it so Elder Garcia is back to learning new and going to have to work hard in order to be able to communicate and even approach those around. 

- Plenty of Voodoo here! I guess children (and adults I am sure) will dress up in costume and will come up and just kind of stare you down. If you pay them they will do a dance for you. CRAZY! There is a big celebration coming up in January Elder Garcia says and it is all to celebrate the Voodoo. Elder Garcia says that if you are talking with someone you just let them know right away that you don't believe in it and for the most part they will then open up and talk with you. 

Elder Garcia is faced with a mountain to climb while in Benin. There are only 5 members where he is so he has a branch to create and a legacy to leave behind. I am stoked for the experience for him and for us here at home too. 

I am so proud of you. Keep working hard. I love you,

Mom