"The love of fruit is a connection that transcends all languages"

Hello!

Two Tahitian missionaries stayed in our apartment for the last three days of their mission, and they were both so good humored, polite, and they bought and shared a lot of pineapple and watermelon with the other members of our apartment. One of the Elders left his baptismal pants in our apartment, and I attached a picture of me wearing them.

LEARNING ABOUT MY COMPANION

I had several long conversations with my companion where I learned a lot about the completely different culture that he grew up in. While Elder Kanyesa and I have very different personalities, I loved it as we were laughing about stories of what mischief he and his friends did when they were in elementary school.

We discussed the history of Africa, specifically with colonization and religion, and it struck me how the African people have a history that makes them who they are, and it is very different from the history of the United States, that makes Americans how they are. Me, Elder Evans came over to the Ivory Coast, knowing only the way of life of the people of Provo, Utah and Frankfort, Illinois...which is so tiny. A lot of my mission has been learning to respect and even love the quick, heated style of talking, love of their food, relaxed schedule, and other ways of life here.

Anyways, I felt a greater love and respect for my companion as we talked about how he grew up and about African culture.

CRITICISM AND NEGATIVITY

A member of our Stake Presidency recently shared advice that came from an Area Seventy,

"If you want to distance yourself from Satan, avoid two things:

Criticism and Negativity."

Criticism usually feels pretty validating in the moment, but people who make mistakes still deserve our love. Because we are people that make mistakes too. Criticism feels like the opposite of trying to understand someone.

FRUIT

Because I am a loyal and constant customer, I am becoming friends with a woman who sells fruit near our apartment.

"The love of fruit is a connection that transcends all languages."

Love you all,

Elder Evans