Goodbye Togo

Heya Everybody!!!

So it's been a crazy ten months spent with these amazing and wonderful people here in Togo, but the call came and I am off to Benin. I will be serving in Calavi, which I think is where Elder Lynch is so we will be reunited after all this time!!! I may fall over like an over-excited dog as one pours his food. :) My companion will be Elder Mou-tham, another Tahitian! I am super sad that I won't be able to finish the training with Elder Florion, but he is already a great missionary so I need not fear for my son. Crazy huh!?!? When next I write I will be in another country, another time zone, hearing another language that isn't Ewe, funny how the mission changes so quickly.

The week has been pretty slow going, but the amis that we have are pretty dang awesome, progressing and getting ready for baptism. It is a bit of a heartbreak as I see these wonderful people come so close to baptism after I have worked in this secteur for 5 1/2 months and not a ton of visible proof of advancement was made. Elder Florion and his new companion will be left with a field loved and labored and they will be able to harvest, the satisfaction comes with knowing that no matter what missionary finishes the labor the "job" is done. It was hard bearing my last testimony in Sacrament meeting... I hate that feeling of bitter sweetness, you just don't know if the good outweighs the bad, but I accepted to go willingly and faithfully where ever the Lord would send me and that will forever remain my disposition to the Lord.

I have tried countless times to download photos, but the internet seems to be rotting away the longer I stay here in Bè-Kpota, but I will be heading over to the university in Calavi, but I don't know if that means anything, but it makes sense that universities have better connection... wouldn't be the first time if rational thinking was proved wrong though. I have AMAZING things that I want to show all ya'll, but some things we need to wait to appreciate together. 

We were teaching a few of our progressing investigators, and we were at that point where the heartfelt invitation to be baptized was coming, and they knew it. They were smiling, they began joking around a bit which is the natural reaction for all of us as we sense the situation thicken, but they accepted. They were prepared. The golden investigators exist! Testimony received yet again! I love my mission! 

Aside from these things nothing big has really happened, a couple journal moments that require moments of reflection before I share those moments with others, but always a moment to grow spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Finding out more and more who I was before, who I am, and where I want myself to go and become with God's help and approval. Thanks for the love and prayers! Love you all!

-- 

Sincerely,

Elder Robert Haggard

Mission Bénin Cotonou

Cadjehoun Lot°1158 Bloc F

01 BP 3323 

Cotonou, Bénin

Since I Have Been Gone.... (Sorry the power and Energy from Nigeria isn't that Stable....)‏

Hey Everybody... long time no word from Elder Haggard....

Well, I am alive, and I am also in Benin which isn't Togo, funny that. Life is going pretty dang sweet and I have been enjoying life here in this new and exciting area! I also enjoyed reading all of your letters from past weeks that the internet has been refusing to let me read, I am *SUPER*happy that you are all doing so amazingly and wonderfully in

your lives! Your optimism is well-received here in Africa and it is always the charge I

need for my spiritual batteries!!

Just for all of you to know, I have been serving with an awesome Elder from

Tahiti, Elder Mou-Tham, and it has been great! After Three or four weeks the President has decided to send him away to the far off land of Togo, as well as Elder Lynch who will be going to Bè-Kpota (he is lucky!! Amazingness awaits him!) So I will be getting my new companion, Elder Yamapia, this upcoming Friday. I have done an exchange with Elder Yamapia before since he was in my zone over in Togo. He is Congolais, so since my return it will be the first time working with someone from the Congo. Sad to see Elder Mou-Tham go, especially since I am not too sure on how well I know the secteur since we haven't really adventured in it....

I was sick one of these past weeks with malaria-like symptoms, but we are going to say it was the flu! :) I am alive despite whatever no internet and power says to all of you that feel neglected to not have heard from me! Love you tons and bunches and more tons again! It is not only annoying to be sick and uncomfortable in Africa, but especially as a missionary when being cooped up inside is YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE!!! (At least for some missionaries.... like me!)

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELDER HALE!!!!! ::D* I have not forgotten! He is turning/now turned 21!!! Super craziness!!! We are all getting old!!! Good news is that he will still be 21 when my pretty little face gets back home!

AND!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOODRUFF TWINS!!!! :D

Just in case you were wondering, giving blood samples in an African clinic is a strange experience and WAS NOT on my bucket list, but still can check that off. I spent Elder Hale's birthday at the doctor's being examined, and no matter how many times you say "don't worry I am a professional" you are still in West Africa, and having medical issues is not pleasant. (Memories and Souvenirs make the mission.)

Calavi is kind of awesome, despite us having nobody to teach, everything else seems to be good. I like working in groups to see the growth and progression of the Church, it often times makes me feel like one of the original members in the Church in Kirtland following the prophet and praying for miracles. You remember the comfort and the reality of where this will all be going, and eventually in the years to come you can look here to Benin and Togo and not see the difference between them and Provo, Utah. Maybe one day they will have a temple here on water like the city of

Ganvia just next to us here in Calavi (not sure on the spelling), but then I think about the whole "built upon a sure foundation" and I realize that wooden pillars plunged into water might be more foolish than building your "house upon the sand."

The group is held in our living room, so every Saturday we do a magically transformation (deep cleaning) of the salon into a chapel! It is another reminder of those meetings in upper rooms and parlors in the early days of these latter-days. I don't know if the other missionaries that I am serving with fully appreciate it as much as I am, but I have had the opportunity to serve in two groups now and I learned from my first time how I should appreciate and savor the moments here.

OH!!!! *Congratulations to Austin and Karenna on their engagement!!!* I too am sad I won't be there for it, but I am sure you'll be happy either way! ;) West Africa has its needs as Austin you well know! And not to be rude, but I much preferred your photo of spirit over the other, and thanks for sending it!!! Love ya! YOU'RE GETTING HITCHED!!!!

Aside from all that jazz I don't have much going on. Just know that I am sorry that I am living in the third world and the luxuries of stable power and internet are reserved for Ghana and Togo (since they get their power from Ghana), and that Benin and Nigeria are having a little tantrum against each other. I will be alive until you receive further word on the subject! I send to you all my love and prayers! Be safer than me! I will try to write you all next week!

--

Sincerely,

Elder Robert Haggard

Mission Bénin Cotonou

Cadjehoun Lot°1158 Bloc F

01 BP 3323

Cotonou, Bénin

Pictures of The Life in Benin

Waiting for a taxi after Reunion de Coordination

Dream Car

Impromptu Photo Shoot

Photo Shoot

Public Buses with Elder Brou and Elder Rakotoarison

Meat, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Meat, Fried Onions/Gizzards

KPALIME (Pally-may)

Dearest Loved Ones,

Please don't take it personally if I do not respond to you personally because I don't have much time, nor does the internet much enjoy working at the moment. Know that I love you all and I hope for the best for each and every one of you!!

Today, being Monday March 17 2014 we had an activity for all the missionaries here in Togo where we went and visited Kpalimé, it was AWESOME!!! I finally got to see a part of Africa that tourists all dream to see. Kpalimé are the cascades, or waterfalls, north of Lomé in a jungle-y area, there were sadly no monkey sightings (if we don't include those normally in shirts and ties). I am thoroughly content, and physically drained from the hike.

I don't know if I can explain how gorgeous the hike was, nor the beauty of the sounds that created the atmosphere. It was great! I will do my best to try and attach one photo, but no promises.

The week has been a pretty good week all-in-all, plenty of people taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and myself counted amongst the crowd. Every day there are new things that take me to higher plains of thought, not difficult but it nevertheless happens! I learn how to better my life and grow closer to my Savior, so the only hope is that I will keep this habit with me throughout my entire life. My companion, Elder Florion, and I are getting along splendidly as we turn this secteur around! The lessons keep rolling and they keep coming to Church, so I have nothing to complain about. I have an achy body and due to consistent laziness that pain may last a little while.

 OH WELL!! :D :D

Life is trucking along! I had an experience this week that taught me an important lesson. In regards to the "Law of Chastity" (sp? My English-dar is off) and how the majority of the world has no idea what abstinence is! Crazy, huh? They just think of it as a natural compulsion that needs to be sated, they seem to forget the powers attached to this act. As we sat there explaining the issues that so easily envelope the carnal world, we spoke of the beauty of the family. We showed our investigators what President Kimball called a "glimpse of heaven" and it was beautiful. I have gained a love for the family, the idea and that of my own, through this mission, the love that God has for each of us can be made manifest when the sanctity of the family rests intact and we strive for the purity of heart that is necessary in loving our spouse and our children. It is a good lesson for all of us to learn.

Well, thanks for listening to my rants. I am tired, and have no time, but I love you all!! Don't worry about me, and don't think that because I couldn't write you all it means I am mad at you or upset, thank you all for writing me! Love you!!!

Sincerely,

Elder Robert Haggard

Mission Bénin Cotonou

Cadjehoun Lot°1158 Bloc F

01 BP 3323

Cotonou, Bénin