Gathering Israel: Updates from Our Missionaries

Elder Flory video chats with family weekly, where they learn about how things are going. He writes to his siblings sometimes, but so far, the letters/emails are few. Here is an update from his mom: Today’s call came later than expected. From Carter: “I leave in 1 week. I practically own this place.” :) They only have 1 shower per bedroom, so that they have to share and take turns This week went by so fast. Now that he has gotten used to it, it flies by for him. It went slower when he first got there. Next week is his last week at the MTC! He travels to Cote D'Ivoire next Thursday/Wednesday. He doesn't have his travel schedule yet and has not been receiving any communications from this mission field/president. We hope to have that corrected soon. Carter is sad that he is leaving because he has made good friends. He likes the MTC and it is nice there. Plus, he is one of only a few missionaries going to Abidjan North Mission since others go to other locations. He has lots of homework this coming week to test his French proficiency. He often helps the teachers since his language skills and writing skills are good. His handwriting is legible. He has been studying Gospel French and it is easy since there are often 5 phrases for the same meaning. He even taught a whole lesson for church for 40 minutes in French. He is studying, reading, and listening a lot about the gospel of Jesus Christ and is learning. He has some deep questions that he is seeking answers to. His teachers and leaders encourage him to pray and study for answers. He hopes that Louis and Wyatt continue to learn French so that he can keep his language skills when he returns. Then he can speak with them. Wyatt interjected that they’re making Epic Mickey for the Switch. Carter shared some other fun games for Wyatt to try. He asked about how everyone is doing. When he leaves next week, he will fly there (2 hours) and they pick you up to go where you are intended. They will probably do a currency exchange at the airport. He has decreased some of his baggage goods, but the missionary books have accumulated. He wonders how that will work when he gets there. Someone mentioned that his eyes are more blue now—very, very blue now. His thumb still hurts from his wrist injury, but there is not much he can do about it right now. Elder Ayoko joined in the chat again. He is very funny and light hearted. He liked meeting Wyatt or “another Flory”. He requested that Wyatt send his glasses so that he has another Flory with him. He looks like a younger Carter. Wyatt spoke French to him and he was impressed since he knows so much already. He also enjoyed seeing Willy. He hasn't slept in 3 days. He leaves the same day as Carter. He will miss Carter and has become good friends. Carter and he are like brothers. He is the first person Carter met at the airport. He will get everyone’s address and contact info to stay in touch. He talks with people a lot and is very social. After Elder Ayoko's mission, he is uncertain of his plan. Wyatt thinks he is a ‘G’. Michelle suggested he come to BYU to be his roommate and study. After dinner on Wednesday night, they have a celebration. They give out BYU Pathway shirts to all for people leaving the MTC. The Ghana MTC is connected to the BYUI - Pathways program. We saw pictures of Carter sitting in the congregation learning on church social media. Elder Bednar posted it on the church website. Next week, his PDay is Wednesday and we will talk to him then. Thursday evening he leaves. Everyone will leave earlier on Thursday. If Carter arrives later, he gets to stay in a hotel so he is hoping for that before he enters the field. The other night, there was a fireworks show for unknown reasons. Since his room is on the top floor (5th), he got to watch it and enjoyed it. He spoke French to us for a few minutes and his accent was good. He also has many African mannerisms like saying "eh?" when he needs something repeated. Carter likes yellow rice, stewed rice, and spicy food. He was told that he was so well mannered at first that they thought he was British. He was using his utensils and napkins a lot, dabbing the corners of his mouth. Now, he just eats with his fingers and hands. He eats cassava and sticks his entire hand in his mouth to get the rice, peppers, meat, juices, and dough; it is called "garbage" where you grab a dough ball, mop it up in the juices on a shared plate of meat/rice/sauce and then stuff your face with it. It's really good. Their chocolate is crunchy. American food is very sugary, he has noticed. The pineapple is white, not yellow and oranges are Grapefruit-Orange Papaya. And mangoe? He likes them! Sometimes he gets the Papaya and Mango mixed up and gets frustrated and spits out the papaya's. 😀 Carter's mom asked about seeing bugs. Carter shared a picture of a lizard. Mostly he has seen flies. His roommate is chill and sleeps a lot. He sometimes sleeps in class and will wake up with a joke. One roommate is from Tanzania and the other from Madagascar. “Good Morning Elder Flory, how are you?” (in their local accent). Elder Pedro, Elder Sean, Elder Carter are amongst close friends. There was a lot of laughing and joking around for a while. It seemed to lift his Spirits.