Some Pictures from this weekend. #413 and 414 are of my scriptures that I had redone in croc skin. 

Picture 415 is Sister Cornelius and I in front of the Robert's Chocolate Factory. We purchased a number of pieces that will look good on us.

 #418 is us at a hotel Cafe Called Jinger Chicks we got some great Fried Chicken. The first that we have eaten in six months or more. 

This trip was in an area called tobacco or (Slums). I do not even want to try to explain how bad that place is. There are hundreds of thousands of people living in this area. I am sure this is the poorest area in the country. Very sad. The mission and the Humanitarian people do a ton of work in this area. Elder Seifert said he loved this area more than any of his mission because the people are so humble. We did not take any pictures down there though. We love you all so very much. 

First of all we would like to wish a Happy Father's Day to all you fathers, hope you have a great day. This week has been busy at the Mission Office with emails, helping missionaries, and recording Baptism records for Sister Cornelius. Elder Cornelius has been busy with apartments, paying bills and answering questions. The weather is getting cooler with highs in the mid 60's and lows in the lower 50's. We are in the dry season now with not much rain and a lot of pollution. Today we had our office meeting with the President, couples, A.P's and Office Elders there. We all share what is happening in the mission as far as our areas are concerned. The scripture for today was found in D&C 64, "When ye are on the Lord's errand he requires a willing heart and mind." Madagascar is third in our area for baptisms so far this year and we are on track to meet the President's goal of 2012 baptisms. We average about 100 per month. The work is going forth and the people here have set a goal for a Temple to be built here someday. We will get our new mission President, President Adams, here on June 30. We will be sorry to see President & Sister Donnelly leave. They have become good friends to us. They have lifted our spirits and shared many wonderful experiences with us that we wouldn't have had otherwise. They will return to live in South Africa and he will be working for the church in Public Relations for all of South Africa. We wouldn't be surprised to see him become a Seventy in the future. He is a spiritual giant, who is so close to our Savior in many aspects. Our final thought to you is this quote from a General Conference talk given by Elder Koelliker, "The feeling of love from our Heavenly Father is like a gravitational pull from heaven. As we remove the distractions that pull us toward the world and exercise our agency to seek Him, we open our hearts to a celestial force which draws us toward Him." We send our love and prayers to all of you and we want you to know of our great love for our Savior. Love,
Elder & Sister Cornelius
Picture 066 is of a market where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables.

Picture 067 is a bread truck full of french bread that he will take to a market. Notice they don't use boxes they just load the bread in the back.

Picture 259 is The Fareea's, Marcellin, us and Sister Donnelly at the beach in Fort Dauphin.

The last picture is some of the cute Malagasy children

Trip to Fort Dauphin

Last week Elder Cornelius left on Monday for a trip to Fort Dauphin, which is at the south west end of the island. They went in four wheel drives as the roads are dirt, rock and sometimes there is no road. They had to cross 10 large rivers on barges, and about 60 smaller rivers. On one particular crossing the mud filled one of the vehicles. They met many wonderful people who were surprised to see 4 Americans, 1 Englishman, and two Tahitians traveling near their villages.

They were also surprised as they spoke Malagasy and French to them. They slept in grass huts with no electricity or water.

They cleaned themselves by pouring cold water over their heads. I didn't go because I was told of the possible conditions but Sister Fareea from Tahiti did. Sister Donnelly and I flew down on Thursday morning. We were the smart ones, I think. On Saturday we attended an open house at the Branch, a baptism, a Zone Conference, and a Fireside to honor the Donnnellys. At the fireside they did traditional dancing, gave Bruce a hat & scarf, and they gave me a lamba, which is colorful material that
you wrap around your body to made a dress or skirt.

We danced and sang with them and took pictures. It was a wonderful, but busy day. On Sunday we went to Branch Conference for 2 hours, with wonderful talks and they sang I Need Thee Every Hour in English for us. We cried when we heard them sing, it was beautiful. Bruce then taught the Elders Quorum lesson on Priesthood ordinances, and I taught the Relief Society lesson on Martha & Mary and the lessons Jesus taught us through their story. That evening we drove to a beach and collected shells and more pictures.

Then we went to the Branch Presidents home for dinner and shared favorite scriptures and bore
testimony.

It was a wonderful weekend with many spiritual experiences. We feel blessed that President and Sister Donnelly have included us in these experiences. It has given us some different
missionary experiences that we wouldn't get here at the office. We will miss them when they leave on July 2, they have become good friends and we would never have had these wonderful experiences, or
met such wonderful humble people, if we hadn't chosen to serve a mission. We have been very blessed. We love all of you and appreciate your emails and prayers. May God bless all of you.
Elder & Sister Cornelius