ELDER RHONDEAU

Hey hey hey! 

This week was good! I got to go to Berlin for another two days for an exchange with Elder Ringger and it was fun. Literally everywhere you turn there is something historical or from the Wall. So so cool. AND THE MCDONALDS HERE ARE SO NICE WHAT?? The weather is warming up and it's starting to get sunny and sometimes rainy and I love the new weather. It's sweater weather:) News of the week: I have to get glasses to read ... we went to get eye tests and the doctor was like yeah your farsightedness and reading up close needs some help. So I got some Ray Bans and the best part is I don't pay for them:)) but now I have to wear glasses sometimes, sooooo idk if that's fun or not yet. PDAY was fun today. We went to all the historical sites in Berlin with another companionship. Then I'm in Berlin/Glienicke for another 2 days helping another companionship. Glienicke is the rich schoolgirl/schoolboy part of Berlin and is sooooo nice. I will send pictures next week.

Funny story: Elder Mika and I were both SO TIRED earlier this week and were studying and he said "I can't do this, man" and then I said, "Never give up, never surrender" in the Galaxy Quest voice and he goes “Wait”... and we both look up from studying super slow and he goes "YOU'VE SEEN THAT?!" Studying quickly turned into quoting the whole entire movie. "Have you even seen the show?" It was great.

The people here are so nice and some are very ready to hear the gospel, but most just want someone to talk to or teach them which is ok. The language is tough but I have a new language study plan that should be good! I'm starting to get up at 6:00 to study more language and because I want to help so badly but I can't say a lot. So I just sit there like Truly [our dog] would sit there in a lesson: "I want to help help help you but I can't so I'll just love love love you from a distance and listen to your wants and hopes.”

I taught my first lesson and we committed him to read and get baptized. He said yes! His name is Tobias and he is 30ish I think and is a cool guy. The coolest part about teaching and the mission so far is the people you meet. Everyone is so different and the love you feel for them when they tell you about their struggles and life is way cool. We also taught German to this family from Syria and also two brothers from Syria. They had to leave their families 4 years ago because of the crisis, and it is truly amazing to hear and to see how humble they are. Haven’t talked to their family since then. We aren't allowed to teach them about the church unless they ask, because it is so dangerous for us and also for them if friends of their faith find out. But they give us cake and juice and it's basically all they have, and they insist we eat it; such nice people. Also we saw Isaac, and he invited us over with his family and it was a good experience. I gave him a Book of Mormon but he leaves for Uganda so I don't know what's going on with that. He said "I'm an open-minded guy, I'll give it a shot.” Sooooo who knows.
Meeting with the brothers from Syria reminds me of the scripture in DC 61:37: "And inasmuch as you have humbled yourselves before me, the blessings of the kingdom are yours". All He asks is for us to be humble. I've had to really work on humility here and try to be stronger. Everyone has to work on that. It's human nature usually to not be humble, but to see these people so humble and seeing what I need to work on from them has been such a blessing. Look for the little things you need to work on, and it helps you.

I was also reading Alma 19:6 and it is such an underrated verse. It tells you exactly what will happen in detail when you know for yourself and come to the Lord. Very, very good--probably one of my favorites in the whole Book of Mormon.


So fun to hear about where everyone is going to school next year and everyone's plans! Oh and the study abroads are coming up. Crazy how this is my 4th week in Germany. Hope everything back home is great. Still praying for all of you, and thank you for the emails, letters and support throughout the week. Danke! Bis Nächste Woche!

Elder Rhondeau


PS: A new church video came out about the refugee camps from Elder Kearon’s talk in General Conference Remember that? It's great...I cried…