Here is the latest letter from Sam. We didn't get it until Tuesday morning, so I had already informed those on the group e-mail that I hadn't received anything this week. It was unexpected and exciting to get his e-mail when we thought we'd have to wait another week. It's so exciting that he is loving Togo and doing so well.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Hey familly!

I've now had a month here in Togo and i have loved every minute of it. First, i'll try to do my best to reply to your emails.

Mom-I'm doing just fine healthwise! No bad side effects from the malaria pills or anything! Haha i see everywhere mamas with giant bowls on their heads and babies on their back, its very cool. We did baptize two more people last saturday (Mama Ahoefas sons Samuel and Daniel) and we have 5 or 6 more planned for the 19th but ill talk more about that later.

Great job on the csap jack! Yes, i mess up on french all the time, I don't know if i've sealed anyone to the churh yet-i'll have to keep them active, i love my companion we have a lot of fun; weirdest thing i've eaten so far...hmmm...thats hard because a lot of times i dont know what im eating...something we eat pretty often is just an entire fish (scales, eyes and all, the entire thing) just fried in a pan and cut into thirds which isn't too bad if you get the middle piece haha. The weather here is already starting to heat up, it gets pretty hot now, especially with the humitity.

Yes I got moms package thank you very much! The credit card was there and it was perfect timing with the candy- im teaching primary this sunday! Although next time dont send it express, i guess if you dont pick it up within 5 days they send it back to the us and the zone leaders barely got it in time.

Tell the Sollees I love them for me. That must be so hard but I have always admired their faith and testimonies. Bishop Sollee did a lot to help me gain a testimony and really helped me grow in the church and I will be praying for them.

Dang i'm sad i missed that game! it sounded awesome. Now i only hope OK actually turns out to be good and byu doesn't look past tulane next week. Dang im excited for the season and im not even there!

I have been invited to eat with members a few times and ive loved it every time but once. I loved something called pate rouge and these bean concoction i ate but there was only once were i really had to struggle to get it down. Im still not sure what it was but i really hope i dont have to eat it again- it was kinda soupy and very white and sweet with white chunks in it. I have no problem with the water here- our filter works fine and we can but PureWater anywhere just on the street too that is good. We can soft drinks pretty easily too, its bottled here which i like. The foods not too expensive, we get by pretty easily on the equivilant of 66 dollars for every two weeks.

We dont explore too much during pday but ive discovered my area is the furthest from the ocean but still only like 20 min a way. It goes ocean then lome branch then tokoin branch then us. We are kinda isolated here; the other branches are more in the city but we're just surrounded by houses for the must part.

Greatest impression- I love the people here. They have so little but are always so happy. They love to see us missionaries. It makes me realize all i took for granted in the us, i could be happy with so much less than what i had. Most people here live in little one room homes with a mattress for a bed and not a whole lot more but they always take good care of what they do have, and are always happy.

Greatest Challenge- Hmmm...the culture as a whole was a little difficult to adjust too but for the most part everything has gone smoothly. The language made it a bit hard at the beginning and the internet not working and getting pick pocketed didnt help but i really have been well taken care of. I owe so much to Heavenly Father.

Well thats all i have time for! I love you all! Sorry you didnt get to go to disneyland!

Love,
Elder Bertoch


PS Fr Garret i dont know if you actually read these but i heard Elder Cruz is coming to Togo too so go a head and pass that a long to him! Tell him he should be excitied! The plan right now is for Elder Carver to train him (he says you taught his class for like a week before becoming our teacher, je ne sais pas si vous vous lui rappellez)