It's only been a few days and me and the other U.S. elders are getting used to the heat; if fact, we actually are starting to like it. The MTC has AC in all the rooms and so it's nice to get some fresh, cool air every now and then, but we usually end up turning it off because we get really cold.
French is coming along really great; over the past few days I've been
learning how to make casual conversation, how to pray, and how to teach/testify
in French. I can really feel the Spirit working with me and the other elders who
are also learning French because when I had to testify to one of our teachers to
see how much I've learned so far, the Spirit brought to my rememberance of all
sorts of things that I've read in the scriptures in the past. I wasn't
even regularly studying the words I said and I was still able to speak the words
clearly and with great pronounciation. Tell you what, the Spirit can do some
pretty amazing things through us.
I went to the Accra Ghana Temple today and I was able to go through an Endowment session. It
was really great, although, I kept dozing off during the session cause the
French-speaking African Elders woke me up at 3:30 a.m. this morning as they were getting ready for the day. Usually
the Elders get up around 5:00 a.m. before the sun rises at 6:00 a.m., but we were supposed to get up early
(for the U.S. Elders) at 5:30 a.m. to go to the temple and come back for lunch,
but the others got up extra early and decided to slam the door and yell just
like they do every day. Its actually fairly tolerable (except when it's 3:30 in
the morning), once you get to know them; besides, ever since I got over the jet
lag, I don't even sleep in past 6:00 a.m. anymore.
Accra city is absolutely ridiculous! The place is jam packed with
people! Hundreds of merchants stand in the middle of the street during traffic
with huge baskets of merchandise on their heads selling said merch while
hundreds of other people are walking everywhere else. And if you think Utah
driving/traffic is bad, then you haven't seen the worst of it. There are
definately cars here, and everyone drives very aggressively. But despite all
the craziness and the weird stares we white boys recieved constantly, we made it
to the temple safe and sound and we had a great experience. We were also given
three pairs of garments for free at the distribution center across the street
from the temple which is SO NICE!!!
Well anyway, I just wanted to let you know
that things are going so great over here and I absolutely love it. Learning
French can be a bit frusturating at times, but it's all a part of the process.
Me and the other six U.S. Elders, along with two African elders are in a study
group named "Abinadi" and we are as cheerful and happy as can be. Well, I'm out
of time so I've got to go.
Je vous aimez avec tout mon
coeur et je prier pour vous tout les jours.
Take care and I hope things are going well for you guys!
Avec amour,
-Elder Gonzales
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