So I am starting this letter in Microsoft Word because there is no connection in our Cyber… So sorry for the fact that I am not addressing anything that was in your email because I have yet to read it, obviously. The guy that works here said that they should be working on it soon and it should be repaired. But as everything here in Africa, I highly doubt it. Anyways, I am sure that the letter that you guys sent me was very nice ! So… Thanks ! I imagine that you had a good Fathers Day! It was Fathers Day here as well in Benin, but of course they don’t do anything, ever. Haha unless it has to do with Jesus, they don’t celebrate it. Thus why they go crazy when Easter and Christmas comes around. Oh and deaths and marriages. They go crazy for those too. Kinda lame. They just set up big tents in the middle of the road and set up HUGE speakers and just blast African music for hours on end. It makes me laugh because the music is so loud, they can’t even talk to each other. They don’t understand that the fact that you have something that actually works, doesn't mean you have to use it so it breaks. Typical African ways. Of well… Not ALL of them are like that. But I would say that a really good percentage of them are. Like 98 percent. Gotta love em’ though eh ? If not, you’re sinning.
This week went by really fast which is always nice! Concerning the things that happened aren't really too exciting, but it was still pretty productive at the same time. We had a good number of lessons taught. Obot is progressing really well ! He really understands the message and that is a huge change from the people we teach who just want to argue with us. Which leads to nothing. He is on track to being baptized this Saturday, along with a 12 year old son of one of the members in the Branch. It is the son of Frère Santos’s wife. So his step son. He usually lives out in Porto Novo, but he came to live with them for a little while. So they wanted him to be baptized while he was here in Cotonou. I will take pictures of the baptism for sure and send them to you next week ! If the connection ever comes…
This Sunday at church, we had a total of 5 people from Nigeria come to church… Most of them are friends of members, and others are friends of those friends that are already members. Some of the time I try to avoid them, because some of the time they just want either money, or a job from you. But these people that have been coming have really showed interest and actually speak English that I can understand ! So Elder Baird and I in the third hour pulled them all aside and told them that we are going to start classes that are going to be just in English. Because as of right now, and before, I would just be whispering in their ears and translating what the teacher was teaching, or speaker was speaking. But we thought that it would be a lot better just to have our own classes if there are going to be more coming. We told them to invite more of their friends to come next week to church. So we will see how that goes ! Last Sunday, yesterday, we had a really good lesson about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is something about teaching and talking in English that just invites the spirit so much more than speaking in French. Like when I read the Book of Mormon in English, it seems so much more powerful in the way it it written. Where in French there is just french. No real «old fashion » French. I mean English IS the language of the Restoration of the Gospel… Let’s be honest ! We are excited about the class though and I will let you know how that goes.
So kind of a bummer, but I got an envelope all ready to send home with letters and a memory card to give to the Leavitts leaving on the 29th, when Elder Poll told me that they wouldn't be going back to Togo until after they left… I was so ticked !! That was my last chance to send something home before I myself am sent home. I thought that they were going to come back to Benin and fly out from here like all of the other Missionaries, but I guess they chose that they didn't want to come back to Benin, don’t blame them, and just fly out from Togo. So I won’t be able to send it home… Elder Poll told me that he would let me know if anyone was going over there or not or if something changed. So I mean there is a little chance, but let’s not get our hopes up… I will just keep the envelope sealed and I will give it to you as your Christmas present haha. What do you think about that ? Good idea ?
Well I think that I am going to leave you here. After the connection comes, I will read your letter and add some stuff if I have to. I have yet to get the package… But I am really excited for it ! I have been dreaming of Wingers sauce for a couple nights now! Well I love you all and hope that you all have a wonderful day and an even better week! I also give a shout out to all of those amazing Fathers out there that have been amazing examples to me in my life. You all know who you are… Okay have a good day and remember that God loves you.
Love your son,
Elder Landon Dean Layton
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