Mumford in Mada: The Great Cyclone of 2015

Hey hey everyone! Yep. As you can tell from the subject, we had a cyclone here. But no worries, it was just a wimpy one. Just lots and lots and lots of rain. So it's been an adventure trying to keep dry in this place. Crocs are ugly, but useful when you get to wade through knee deep water! So yeah, that's been the big news this week. But it's looking like it's drying up, so that's good. And I'm actually 100% healthy finally! No cold or anything like that, just back to good ole Elder Mumford.

This week started off interesting when we got our phone pick-pocketed! At least we think that's what happened. I didn't have the phone at the time. So we went a couple of days without being able to call anyone, but luckily the office had an extra one for us. That's another downside of the city, lots of sneaky people who know all the tricks to get your stuff! But we're being more careful about it.

The work has been going a little bit better this week. Whenever we have extra time we always try to get to know our members a little better and try to get contacts out of it. Door to door is necessary when you have absolutely nothing left, but usually we've been able to find more effective ways to do it. People here are a little more annoying on the streets here. More racial slurs thrown at us. But when you actually respond to them and make it known that you know exactly what they're saying they just put their head down in shame. Honestly it feels kinda good when that happens. We still don't really have a bishop. I mean he's there, he just doesn't do much. I don't quite know why we don't have a new one yet... There's even a counselor that doesn't even live in the ward technically but won't leave because he's about the only thing left that the ward is standing on. Haha. So the ward is struggling a little, but we're doing our best to be a blessing to it and help it get back where it needs to be.

I'm having a really hard time thinking of anything else that really happened this week... One morning the APs just randomly showed up at our house to do a split with us and the other Elders. We got to go with Elder Weber. He's in the same group as Elder Fisher and it was fun having him tag along all day. We talked a lot about what I think is gonna happen for transfer news. Still have a couple weeks, and I'm not going anywhere but it could still affect my future. We'll see what happens! Our shower broke. We had one of those wand things, but the hose burst. So now to take a shower we have to take a bucket and keep filling it up and dumping it on ourselves. It's pretty rad. Oh and I also have 6 months left on the mish this week. Pretty crazy to think about that, it's coming up so fast!! Just trying to enjoy every minute I have left and working hard at it.

Anyways, we're kinda rushed. Gotta get back to work. Love you all so much!! Have an awesome week. Oh and I also got pics up this week, so ankafizo that!! Tiako ianareo!

That vazongo in Mada,

Elder Mumford

Pictures from Mahajanga