Triple Baptism

Merry Christmas! it is snowing here in Lugansk haha It cleared up for a sec, then started to hail and snow so it is gettin kinda chilly again. First things first, we had a triple brotha baptism on Saturday it was really cool!

my district 

This week was kinda slow but the weekend was really good. We had to clean the branch buidling hall thing that leads to the basement because with kievs government they are trying to get more money so they do inspections, so we cleaned that Tuesday, oh and for Lunch that day the sister took us all out to lunch because they had some extra money from last month and it was really good, so that was nice of them. I also made german pancakes, and Elder Newey didn't want any so I ate the whole pan haha it was pretty dang good. We also had to rent the sauna for the baptism, the branch president didn't know the address ..only that is was by the 3rd hospital, so we took a little while to find that but thankfully we found it and got it rented. When asking for directions people that lived there also didn't know where it was haha it is funny that directions just arent peoples strong points here.

 We went to the Rinok (like a farmers market or a,( I cant think of the word..but it is like a bunch of people just sell stuff haha) anyway we bought some ties for the brothas and I got some sandals for the house, since all the rooms have wood floors it is nice to have sandals to keep your feet warm and so it is more comfy. My flip flops were nice, but they just werent doin it ha. On Thursday Elder Haddad and Newey interviewed our brothas and they all did well so it was exciting news. That night we also got transfer calls, Elder Newey is staying and I will be leaving Lugansk. I didn't think I would be sad but it was kinda sad saying bye to people at church yesterday thinking that I probably wont ever see some of these people ever again.

me and Семëн (Semion)

Friday we had district meeting and  I shared my pics and stuff for our weekly spotlight and I bought some peanut m and ms and shared them and such, I am glad they have them hear they are so good haha. then that night we met with Abraham and Azeez, which reminds me to set my Facebook setting to let people add me as a friend even if we dont have common friends..so if someone could do that that would be chilly! thanks. But we helped Abraham write his talk for the baptism and they are both cool brotha members. Then Saturday! It was a crazy day but it ended up being good. We told the brothas we would pick them up at noon, an hour before and take them in a taxi so we wouldnt be late, (brothas have a tendency for being a little late) but we got there and they said they were coming out and 30 minutes passed it was making us nervous ha but our taxi driver was cool we got his number and stuff and he told us to call him whenever we need a taxi and hopefully he will accept the gospel sometime cause he is way prepared and cool.

Lance, Elder Newey, Melvin, David, John, Me, Azeez 

Sister Tanner and Sister Reece

 But anyway the brothas finally came and we took them and Elder Newey baptized Melvin (sisters investigator) Lance (branch mission leader) baptized David(Melvin's friend) (whenever people call his name it always trips me out haha) and Azeez baptized our investigator John! I wish more people from the branch would have been there to support but that is alright, it still turned out nice. It is weird how things are more organized at baptisms back at home and meetings and everything it is just organized and everything haha but hey it worked out!

Us with John

Me, Elder Haddad, Elder Newey, Elder Lafontaine

 then Yesterday I was able to confirm David and give him the Holy Ghost. it was a pretty cool experience. Lance confirmed John and Newey confirmed Melvin. So it has been a good last couple days. oh yeah after the baptism there was a branch party for the Relief Society, there were more people there than a t the baptism, so it was sad but like I said hey it worked out, people have just seen that some brothas dont stay active but I think these brothas will, they are solid. Yesterday at church was good, Nadia and Olea were able to come so it was good to have them back! and plus Евгений showed up so that was nice. He was really happy because he said his wife works on Sunday in the mornings so he will be coming to church more. So that is good news. Things have quieted down only a bit then roared back up, with the Cream wanting to be part of Russia, the eastern part of Ukraine also wants their protection as well. We will see how things go though, we are still safe and able to meet with people but need to still be off the streets at nights and be careful. Everyone we talk to just wants to talk about the crisisthough so it is tough to do work but hey maybe this will soften peoples hearts and help them want to heard the gospel. We still are safe however and doing well. It will be sad to leave Lugansk but it will be good to see other parts of my mission as well. 

Love you all. I hope you have a good week. Thanks everyone for your prayers and such we know the Lord is watching over us. 

с любовью,

Elder David Witt