2007 December 10--Fruits of His Labor

Hi there,

Snow? We're in the humid 90's down here and I'm sweating as I write this. Christmas just isn't the same here. I'm hoping the Mission office will just leave us alone this year. I don't really feel like Christmas caroling in this kind of weather ( that and I've had people throw rocks at my head for just walking down the street, I don't want to know what would happen to the white guy that was singing down the street here.)

Anyway, this week was good. Yesterday, We had 5 baptisms. Elder W was able to baptize someone and give a talk in Malagasy, both for the first time. He did a good job.

As I was sitting at church yesterday, I realized that many of the people in attendance were people that I had taught at some point during my time here in this ward. I realized that most of them were already, or on their way to being baptized. I decided to write a list of names of people that I had taught who have been baptized since I've moved into this ward. I was amazed. Chronologically (sort of):

Njara, Aina, Andre, Rahasoa, Serphine, Marie, Lydia, Jacky, Lala, Lova, Esther, Fanja, Ilay Kely, Vivian, Rahavavy hafan'ny Lova, Eddy, Claudine, Toby, Vonjy, Vero, Lea, Bean, Ernest and Estelle

I have taught all of these people from the time I was with Wg until now in this ward and I've been privileged to see all of them be baptized. ( I've even baptized a few of them), and there are more people I'm teaching right now that I hope to see baptized at the beginning of the year. And all of those just named were at sacrament meeting yesterday. I just feel blessed is all. I've been working so hard and I haven't had too much time to sit back and think about it. Some days, I feel like I'm not really making that much of a difference, and every district meeting and zone conference is on "what are we doing wrong?" or " the missionaries in "such-and-such" place are such better missionaries than you are, they always do... they never do...... and blah blah blah." Why can't we just have a meeting that says " hooray for our side!" or " good job Elders, keep up the good work"? ( or better yet, how about " no meeting at all" this week, see ya next week:)

Anyway, I love you all. It will be nice to talk to you all on Christmas. I'll send you the information next week. OK then, Veloma!

Elder Draper

2007 December 3--Alive and a bit Happier

Well hi.

This has been a long week. I am fine, just tired. I'm enjoying my companion. He's a pleasant sort of person. First impressions aside, he's a likable guy, and we have quite a lot in common.This is a good thing. I love you all. I've got to end this very quick, but I want to thank you all for the E-mails and the pictures and stuff, it's wonderful - I really appreciate it.

I love this country, and I love being a missionary. It's beautiful to see how the gospel really does change people's lives for the better. I love our family.

You might possibly get a more detailed letter tomorrow during my lunch hour, if time and circumstance allow. Until then, Tiako Ianareo! Veloma!

Elder Draper

(P.S. Thomas, I will answer your questions, sorry for the delay. I'm busy and disorganized : a lethal combination in correspondence. but I'm working on it.)

2007 November 26--Cake to Go

Well hi,

Thanksgiving was good. We ate at the Kartchner's and it was delicious.

I'll start by telling you last week's "funny" story. On Tuesday,the day after my birthday, we were having a terrible day. None of our appointments were going through, it rained, then it was hot and miserable, and we were walking everywhere. So, the only appointment that went through was the very last one; a sort of "family-home-evening" with the ward missionaries.

We got there and I was already fed up with the day, but nobody at the appointment was taking charge or trying to get things going, so I took over and used what little enthusiasm I had left from the long day to jump-start the party. And it worked, for a bit, but it was not self-sustaining and mellowed down to a silent room again. Nobody else had any ideas for a game or anything to make it fun, so I decided to end the "party" ( or rather, the "anti-party") and call it a night. As soon as I did so, the entire room stood up and walked out fairly abruptly ( especially for Malagasy who love to linger longer most of the time) before I could shake hands and say "veloma". I was I little thrown off by this, but I followed them out to say good bye, and I was attacked ....... by several handfulls of flour, and then somebody yelled "happy birffffday!" and then nailed me in the back of the head with an egg, it stung (either he had a good arm, or he was 3 feet away from me, or both.)

I was confused, and a little distraught (apparently, this is a Malagasy "fomba" or tradition, but I was unaware of this until after the fact. I thought they were just being mean; "We didn't make you a cake, but here's all the ingredients! IN YOUR FACE! HAHAHA ".)

I stood there speechless for a bit, with a confused look on my face, and then I started walking in the general direction of home, without saying anything. I think I scared the ward missionaries to death, "OH NO! Elder Jean Pierre is mad at us! what do we do?!" In reality, I wasn't angry, it had just been a long day, and I had nothing more to say, so I started walking home.

Our "member-present" stats went down that week - I think the ward missionaries were scared of me and avoiding me for as long as possible. Then I finally called them, and told them it was alright, and then they started coming with us again. Now everything's back to normal.

Yesterday, we had another baptism. Rasoamboavonjy Marie Iharinala was baptized by her husband, the long time member, Baly. We've been teaching Vonjy ( Baly's wife) for 4 months now, and it's great to see her baptized. Baly is 45 , and 5' 4'' . Vonjy is 21 and almost 6' . So basically, Baly married a woman half his age and twice his size. Funny how things balance each other out huh? He wanted me to baptize her, but I insisted that he should, and reassured him that, "people are lighter in the water". He did a good job; she went all the way down, and, with some struggle and a funny distressed Baly's face, she came all the way back up again.

Ok, I'm out of time, I love you all. Have a nice week.

Veloma!

Elder Draper

2007 November 19--Alive

This will have to be another one of those "I'm Alive" messages again. But I love you all. Thanks for all of the E-mails, that was nice.

All is well. My companion is doing good. I think he's starting to get into the swing of things here. So Thanks again. I will include the funny stories from this week ( well at least I thought they were funny) in next week's e-mail ( which is good just in case something terribly anti-funny happens this week and I write you something depressing, you'll have something happy alongside it. But I'll try to prevent any such eventuality and you could get just an all around "happy" E-mail). OK then,

Veloma!

Elder Draper

2007 November 12--Happy Birthday

Hey there,

Well it's my birthday, but it certainly doesn't feel like it. But this is a good thing because I'm not presupposing it's gonna be a good day. So I can relax and enjoy myself, and not feel cheated. I don't know if that makes sense.

The rain has begun. We went to an appointment yesterday and walked through some rice paddies to get there. During the appointment, it started raining ( to put it lightly). After the appointment, we attempted to go back the way we came, but where there was once a rice paddy, there ran a muddy Mississippi river. I stood at the side of this river for some time in the rain, thinking for a bit, my companion waiting for my decision. I said," I think we have to cancel our next few appointments, cuz they're all on the other side of that river."

We took the long way home. I've started teaching guitar to another "American" kid, this one not a member, but he's a friend of the Kartchners. He's technically from Ghana but he was adopted, and it's really weird to see a black kid speak perfect English. Everybody keeps trying to speak Malagasy to him. The Malagasy equation goes: He's black, he's a Malagasy. He's White, he's rich and French. There are no other options. So this new kid from Ghana, Simon, is confusing a lot of people. It's funny.

The kartchners gave me a birthday package yesterday. Bacon. I haven't had bacon since I've been out here. I'm so happy. So I like the Karthners. (Honestly, I liked them before). So thanks for all of the letters. It's wonderful to hear from all of you. I will make sure to enjoy this day, for all of you . It's been pretty good so far.

My companion's getting much better. He's still got that obnoxious "I'm not from Utah" pride though. I'm not worried, it won't be long until he discovers that all of the worst "bubble boys" in this mission are NOT from Utah.

I love you all. Life's wonderful Veloma! Elder Draper

2007 November 5--Happy Halloween

Well hi, Happy Halloween! - which they don't really have here. On Nov 1 they have sort of a memorial day. Although, frankly, ny Famadian' ny Maty ( the turning of the dead) which happens in August through September, is more morbid in many ways ( and probably not half as fun). I'm sorry I missed Halloween. It would seem I have missed two of the best ones. I hope we can match them next year, I'll start thinking of some good ideas.

This week went alright. I'm still working on a way to connect with my new companion, I don't want simply to endure this transfer, I want to enjoy it. I'm a little sad because two weeks ago, I was in a house with 2 of my best friends, but in one fell swoop, gone. Now I walk in silence in between appointments because I have no idea what to talk about with my companion. I'm still working on it, he's a nice enough guy, I just don't know how to relate to him as of yet (and it's a bit of a struggle that I've become good friends and get along great with his MTC companion whom he hates.)

In other news, on Friday we caught 3 big chameleons and put them in a box in our house. Their names are Clive, Frank, and George ( I named them all before someone else named them something like "Spike" or "T-Rex" or some other such typical boring lizard name). The other guys liked the names and they've stuck. It's funny to say things like " .....so yeah, Clive got pretty ticked at George the other day and almost bit his nose off...." to people who have no idea who Clive and George are. They escaped their boxed bondage on Sunday while we were at church so now we have a fun 3-dimensional "Where's Waldo?" (or "where's Clive?" if you will) to come home to every time we walk in the house.

And to top off the week, we baptised 7 people yesterday, 5 of whom I had the opportunity to teach. Toby was baptised by our bishop, Vincent du Paul. And I was privileged to baptise 9-year-old Rakotodrabe Nomenjanahary Vahatriniaina. She was all of 3 feet tall with hair almost two thirds as long as she was. It was a peaceful experience. I'm not afraid that I'll mispronounce the prayer or the names anymore. They roll off the tongue quite nicely now.

After the baptism, we ate a delicious American meal at the Kartchners. My companion is doing well. he hasn't gotten sick yet, and it's fun to see him be fascinated by all of the crazy stuff that happens here all the time. He's not as excited to speak as I was. In his first few days, he might be described as a "deer in the headlights." I have seen many a "blank-stare" and the "I'm confused" face sent in my direction from both him and the investigators demanding from me some clarification or an out-right translation. He follows me so closely everywhere I go it's disconcerting at times. I never appreciated my need for personal space until now. I turn around and his head's right there "WHOA"- it's jumpy. But he says he's starting to like it here, and I've seen him relax a little bit in this first week.

Well, I've gotta go. I love you all. Have a nice day. Veloma!

Elder Draper

2007 October 29--Toby is a "Dad"

Well hi,

What a day. Everything seemed to go wrong today to where it was almost funny (but it all worked out good.) After today I can say I have eaten Crocodile meat, and played with Lemurs. I took my "kid" to a cool place for his first P-day. I'll only have a very short time to write today, so this may end up being little more than an "I'm alive" e-mail. But all that aside, it's great to hear from all of you.

My new companion is Elder W, who, upon my initial observance, reminds me a whole lot of Elder S. We'll see how much I've matured since then. One of the first things he said to me was "OK, before I have to answer the same question for the 7th time, YES, I come from money" (indicating, I suppose, that his family is wealthy - which apparently 7 other people felt compelled to ask him about. I don't think I would have been the 8th, but maybe he's sensitive about it or something.) His statement was confirmed by the Christmas package he proceeded to open and the pictures of his condo on a ski resort in Colorado. But anyway, it's too early to tell. I'm looking forward to plunging into a whole bunch of goals in this next transfer. It's funny, my MTC companion and good friend, Elder Sr, is also training, and he happens to be training my kid's MTC companion. Apparently they didn't get along as well as Sr and I did. Elder W didn't have a lot of nice things to say about Elder Se, his MTC companion. But I met Elder Se on Saturday, and the first thing he says to me is "Do you like the band Muse?" I replied in the enthusiastic affirmative and he gave me a hug. We were fast friends after that. Elder B, the Dibbley's friend, works in Mahamasina. This is cool because Elder St, my most recent and among my favorite companions, just went senior companion over him. He seems like a cool guy I'll say hi to him for the Dibbleys.

Alright then. I don't know if there's any questions I have left unanswered, but I'm outa time so, I love you all. Veloma!
Elder Draper

2007 October 22--Listen to "John Pierre"

Where do I start?

Earlier in the week, we had an earlier-in-the-transfer experience come back to haunt us. It was from the "week of unwarranted confessions" or " dark secret week." A few weeks ago, we stopped by a member, and gave a short spiritual thought. After the thought, we sat and talked for a bit, during which time, the member told us something he was doing at his work that was more than questionably unethical, if not out right illegal ( although I'm not sure about the legality of anything in this country to be honest.) Anyway, he told us all of this and then requested a blessing of comfort from us that he might be able to continue on in his ways and be unaffected by any changes in his work. I really felt like he should talk to the bishop first and told him so. He responded, " I'd prefer not to tell a Malagasy about this." (red flag.) But I persisted and said I wouldn't give him a blessing until he talked to the bishop first. He didn't seem to think that he was doing anything wrong. We left the house and I'm pretty sure he liked me a little less after that. Time passed. Then, on Thursday of this week, we had to stop by this same member's house again. We walked into the gate and were greeted by the the member from the third story of his fairly large house. The conversation was pleasant for the first 3 minutes but a little strained ( He's been learning English, and insists on speaking it every time we're there - but it takes him a long time to say an incomplete sentence. " I..................... haive..................................geeft..........weef......a..... lawnguages." he says.( Just smile and nod, Elder)) and we had to strain our necks just to listen to him. He seemed happy enough, and kept laughing and smiling all the while, but then he stopped and told us to wait while he came down to get a blessing from us. I immediately asked him if he had already talked to the bishop about his problem - then he got mad, but nothing changed in the tone of his voice -it just got louder was all."You refused to give me a blessing last time!"(which was not technically true, but whatever.) Then he went off on us and told us what lousy missionaries we were ( mostly how lousy I was) and how all the other missionaries had always given him blessings, and how well he knew the church's doctrine and how I was a big sinner for not fulfilling his request on his terms and blah blah blah blah blah and "GET OUT!" "LEAVE!" I really didn't know what to say. But we complied and smiled and waved before we left, but I was bothered. Later that evening, we read the white handbook about "giving blessings of comfort to members" and confirmed that such blessings should be given under the direction of the bishop. We decided to visit him again in the coming week and explain why we felt he should see the bishop first, and hoped that he wouldn't be too bitter about our last encounter. But then came Sunday. And it was off to church for us. And who do you thing was sitting on the stand waiting to give a talk for Sacrament Meeting? Yup, you guessed it, none other than our questionably-ethical-"geefted" -"English-speaking" member friend. And he spoke last and went overtime.

His talk was on "obedience" and I was just waiting for the part were he points over to me and tells the whole ward how terrible I am ( and I was more than a little interested just how he would tie that to his talk.) Then it came - but with an odd twist. At the very end of his talk, he said "I have a confession to make" and proceeded to tell the ward what happened on Thursday. He talked about how "the missionaries" came over on Thursday, then he just gave up the generalities and pointed straight at me and said "OK, it was Elder Jean Pierre" - at which point, all eyes became fixed on me. It was bit awkward. I was thinking "oh no, this could go really bad"(and for some reason the bishop had left the stand before the talk and was nowhere to be seen.) But, he proceeded to tell how bad he felt after we left, and then asked himself "shouldn't I believe what the missionaries say?" and then decided to go see the bishop. Then, he publicly thanked and apologized to me. He added at the end " so when Elder Jean Pierre says something, listen to him" ( not bad, certainly better than "Don't listen to anything that guy says" but it's a little heavy to carry, if that makes sense.) I let out a sigh of relief after he said "amen." Then I had the whole ward making fun of me after sacrament, "Give me a blessing! or should I go to the bishop? Hahahahaha!" or " whatever you say, Jean Pierre. Hahahahah!" (this is the extent of most Malagasy humor.) But we survived. So that is that.

In other news, transfers are here again and S will be leaving to work in Mahamasina. I'm sad to see him go. We had a great transfer and got a lot of work done. But I'll still get to see him on P-days. Another of my best friends on the mission, Elder SA, is leaving to finish the last 2 months of his mission in La Reunion. This was very unexpected, and usually doesn't happen, I'm sad to see him go, but I'm excited for him too. He'll really get to speak French there, and he'll live in a tropical 1st world country. Cool.

As for me, I don't know who I'll be getting this next transfer. I do know that he'll be straight from the Empty Sea, and I'm gonna "train" him as it were. In the mission lingo, I'm gonna be a father. So people are excited for me. A lot of missionaries never get a chance to train, so this is an opportunity to be fascinated by everything in Madagascar all over again. This could be good, but it's up in the air. I have more to tell but I'm out of time so, I love you all. Have a nice day.

Veloma!


Elder Draper (Jean Pierre)

2007 Oct 15 Blue Village People

Here's a picture of my favorite district at Ambohimanga (the blue village)

2007 October 15-In Praise of Tana

Hi,

This week, we went to "The Place of Much Salt" ( "Antsirabe") which is about 3 hours south of "The City of a Thousand" ( "Antananarivo".) This is the farthest away I have ever traveled from Tana. Antsirabe is vaguely reminiscent of a low-income neighborhood in Florida - perhaps a little more shabby. That said, it kicks Antananarivo's trash (and there's a lot of trash to kick there) in almost every way. Modern Antsirabe was planned and built by Norwegians. Modern Antananarivo was.... ignored and neglected by the French. The contrast today is striking. It made me proud to be Scandinavian.

I have to admit though, I love Antananarivo. It's dirty, it smells, it's chaotic, the traffic is terrible, the roads don't make any sense, the housing placements make even less sense, and a whole lotta other stuff I could mention, BUT I love it. This place is beautiful in spite of itself, and I enjoy that. Every so often, I still have to stop my companion so we can step back and enjoy the view for a bit.

I'm suffering from severe writer's block right now, a severe lack of time, and a severe lack of anything interesting to say , so you'll have to forgive me. But I thought I'd try to write something anyway.

Thanks for the letters. Thank you Thomas for all the details. To answer your question about spiders, Thomas: When I lived in Ankadindramamy, on the third floor, outside on the clothes-rack there was a HUGE spider with the biggest web I have ever seen. We caught flies everyday and fed them to it. Once, I caught a small lizard and threw it on the web, and the spider completely destroyed it. It was intense.

I'm really excited for you. You sound very ambitious about doing lots of cool things. You'll have to let me in on some of it when I get back. I can teach you guitar - I'll have to get better at it again, but maybe you can help me with that too.

OK then, I love you all. I'll try to write something good next week. Veloma!

Elder Draper