Dear family & friends,
This week there hasn't been too much going on here in Madagascar. There was a truckers strike for one day, we saw trucks full of police returning to the police station as we were going home. We have been getting new phones in the mission office and have had people rewiring and connecting for several days. Elder Cornelius celebrated his birthday on Thursday. We had cake and went to an Italian restaurant for dinner with the A.P. 's and President & Sister Adams. The Adams told us they met a man in Tulear who was from Switzerland. Sister Adams was raised there. This man had traveled to 30 countries and he told them his favorite place to visit was Southern Utah. We do have some beautiful scenery there don't we? On Monday we had a couple's Family Home Evening together at the Grays' apartment. They are the Humanitarian couple from England. It was an enjoyable evening, with a spiritual thought, a treasure hunt, refreshments, and visiting with each other. On Saturday we had a nice dinner at Sister Scoville and Sister Florine's apartment. They are the P.E.F. sisters. We had Malagasy cooking, rice, chicken curry soup, papaya, avocado salad, a beef, tomato sauce, and fruit. We sang songs and visited. Both of these opportunities helped us to get to know each other better. We are excited to listen to conference in two weeks and hope to be able to read some of the talks before then. We did see the new announcement on the requirement age for missionaries being lowered. That is exciting news because more missionaries are definitely needed throughout the world.
When we consider all that we have been given by our loving Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ, we should be willing to do all that he asks us to do for him. We should be willing to follow his commandments, give of our time and talents in building up his kingdom on this earth. We should be willing to share the gospel with our neighbors and friends without being afraid or feeling embarrassed.  The reason we  allow doubt and fear to enter our hearts is because Satan is always there to make us feel unworthy. He wants us to not share what we know with others and will do anything he can to stop us. We need to be stronger than him and let the Spirit guide us in what we should do and say.
We send our love to each of you. May you be blessed in all you do. Elder & Sister Cornelius