March 11, 2013- Livin' It Up In Tokoin!

Elder G is alive again this week. He's getting back into the groove in Tokoin. Besides the regular everyday missionary stuff...walking, teaching, studying...he may try and get some beans planted this week. It's super hot there and the rainy season is quickly approaching. Hopefully, it will provide a little relief.

He is enjoying his Pdays with Elder Hawkins. They pair off and do their Pday shopping at the good stores and then go somewhere good for lunch. This week was Akifs where he had an entire grilled chicken for lunch (no monkey!). He said it was really good. Nearly as good as when he would grill for us at home. It could've used some bbq sauce but you take what you can get in Africa.

He got the new grill set up at the apartment and had a chance to use it this week. The experience didn't go as well as planned and because they had company (the APs) they finally gave up and just ordered pizza instead. He plans on purchasing a live chicken in the near future and then using his hunter-gatherer life skills to get it cleaned and cooked. Can't wait to hear those stories... I also read on a couple other Elder updates that they slept on the roof the night the APs were there. I pray that the mosquitos didn't share malaria with him again (or anyone else for that matter)!

He sends a big THANK YOU to Kris Harrop and Jerine Price. Your kindness and thoughtfulness is so appreciated. He promises to buy good stuff with it. No packages again this week. He's still awaiting the arrival of his Christmas package (sent in October) and his picture book his sister made for him. Maybe this week? I'm still betting on Christmas in July.

He asks every week how much snow we still have, how everyone is doing and still doesn't say much of anything about the mission. I'm guessing at this point it's likely not to change.

I was visiting with a friend this week and mentioned how much I miss Elder G. In all his wisdom he told me that when he gets back I will still be missing him..."the boy we sent out is not the same as the man who will be returning home". It gave me a lot to think about. Although, I think the man that will be coming home will still continue to push my buttons. After all, he knows what they all are having been the one who installed them!

Thanks for all the prayers, emails of encouragement and letters. Until next week!

March 4, 2013- Doing Better!

Here's the Elder G update for the week!

He has adjusted to this last transfer really well and seemed really happy today. He and Elder Hawkins had some righteous Chinese food from the Lotus this week. Glad it righteous and that it wasn't Sodom and Gomorrah Chinese food. Missionaries should have righteous food. He said it's not exactly Mandarin Gardens but for Africa standards it was worth the walk.

He had two baptisms on Saturday. A teenager and a young adult. Sorry, no other detail than that. He hasn't had the time to start a garden at the apartment yet but had some good news about the seeds that my Mom sent him. He found a young mother in his area that plants and grows vegetables and sells them to support her family. He says she is very poor. He has been carrying the seeds in his suitcase looking for the right opportunity and has decided to give most of them to her. They will help her to support her family for a very long time. He's also going to teach her how to plant potatoes! I'm so happy that he's using his talents to help others and very happy that my Mom sent him the seeds!

He spent a bit of time today talking about all the fun things he wants to do when he gets home. He told me that he would take me to Mandarin Garden. He wants Star Wars bedding on his new bed and that the bed must be centered exactly on the east wall in his room (since it won't fit on the west wall). We are going to watch movies...at home. Last but not least he plans to visit Roy and Jennifer Manning for some cheesy rolls which he loves... a lot! They are sooooo good!

He sends a shout out "hello" to Camille Hunsaker Trimble and says he's glad that she's doing so much better.

He misses everyone, and mentioned that he has just about ten months left. He is making a list of the things he wants in a package. He knows he is probably only getting one or two more and wants to make them the best ever. He says he got two of them last week and that the hard candy filler had melted because it is so hot there. At least it may have kept the cans from shifting in the box! We have been putting extra money in his account to buy the more expensive American foods he can get over there. Much cheaper than shipping costs. He says that the cost to send handwritten letters is still the same and that he LOVES getting those because he can read them anytime (not just on pday). Take a few minutes and send him a letter this week...it would make his day in a month from now when he gets it.

Thanks to all for the prayers on his behalf. They sure helped a lot this week! Much love until next Pday!

February 25, 2013- Back in Tokoin!

Here's the update for Elder G this week. He's back in Tokoin and has a companion from Nigeria who has only been out twelve weeks. He didn't give his name...he was being a bit grumpy. I think the transfers are wearing him out. He said the garden spot was piled with trash and that he hadn't had a chance to do anything about it yet. He misses Lala, Baird and Kunz.

He ate at Akifs and said it was good as usual. He was planning to help Elder Hawkins find the good food at the store where he buys chocolate chip cookies and marshmallows. He's been looking for his beloved pineapple lady but hasn't found her yet. He's afraid someone ran her off. I hope he finds her again.

He uploaded a few pictures this week and that was our highlight. One of EVERYONE enjoying dinner at the same time didn't make the album. The everyone included an infant having dinner at the same time as their mom. Funny because here in the US that kind of thing is socially unacceptable for the most part around guests. In Togo, it's just how it is. I think he sent that picture for Wes' benefit!

As for the monkey in the tree, I asked what kind it was. He says it's the kind that sits in a tree. Not the edible kind. Good to know. I thought the monkey had a great moustache.

I hope that this next week is better and he adjusts to the area and the new companion quickly. I heard from a recently returned missionary that Elder G is a really good missionary and that he truly is loving what he is doing and he loves the people. It's just really hard to explain what goes on in the mission and that's why he doesn't write about it much.

By the way...it's 322 days until the two year mark. (0:

 

February 18, 2013-Transferred...AGAIN!

Elder Gundersen is alive this week...just not as happy as he was last week. He found out he's being transferred again. This makes three moves in one month. He is moving back to the first area he was in (Tokoin) and will no longer be with Elders Baird, Kunz or Lala. At least he had two weeks when he really loved Africa. I hope he enjoys the last day with his "homies" before transfers Wednesday. ...On the upside, this is the apartment where he planted his first garden in Africa so we know there's a place to grow "crops"!

He looked for the tractor in Lome that he took pictures of before being transferred to Benin. The pictures were corrupted on the SD card when it was put into devices that were not compatible. So far he has not been able to find it. Maybe he will get lucky this week.

Today for lunch he had charwarmas from Akif and said they were awesome. Akif sandwiches were served at zone conference last week too. He seems a bit happier with the food this week. He got his birthday package. Thanks to Dawni for the Papa Jays! The moonpies he requested were smooshed but he enjoyed them with a spoon anyway. Thanks to Aunt Bec as well for the Los Alamitos calendar. It's awesome too and it fared the shipping pretty well.

He talked mostly about home today and we made a few more plans for when he comes home. First stop is Texas Roadhouse...second stop is Smith and Edwards for warm clothes. At least his priorities are straight...food and shelter from the elements.

Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. He's going to need them with another transfer on his schedule this week. Perhaps he should just stop unpacking???!!??

 

-On the upside...he will be meeting Elder Hawkins!  I love his Mom- She makes me smile!

 

Some of the pictures below are from Elder Kunz!  Thanks to his Mom for sharing!

Smores-Mission style...Elder G sent this!

 Souza Netime Apartment

 Souza Netime Apartment- Notice the horse?

 Souza Netime

 Roof- unsure if it's the church or the apartment!

 Notice the font in the background?

Elder G and a few Elders and Members.

 Thinking about riding...

 Elder G and Elder Lala...pretending to break the rules!

Elder G and his Homies!

Back Row- L to R-Gundersen, Baird, Lala, Kunz

Front: Shearer??? Not 100% sure!

Feb 14, 2013- Souza Netime- Back to Togo!

A little late for the week, but here's the update for Elder Hunter Gundersen.

He's alive! After spending a few days in the new area of Kokokodji, he was transferred to Souza Netime in Lome, Togo. He had the opportunity to enjoy lunch at the Lotus Flower with the Leavitt's. He loved catching up with them...and really loved the food. He's also eaten at Akif's and had charwarmas...just as he planned. ...

After lunch with the Leavitt's, he was delivered to his new apartment and was reunited with his MTC companion, Elder Baird. He also met for the first time Elder Kunz from Riverton, Utah. He is paired with Elder Lala from France and says that he is really cool and that he loves spending time with him. This is the first time he has been in an apartment with Americans in months and he is really enjoying it. Hope it lasts!

He says that it is still really hot...miserably hot! He went to the store on Pday and when he arrived back at the apartment, his shirt was dripping with sweat. Gross! He found Dr. Pepper at the store this week and bought himself a can to enjoy at the cyber. Dr. Pepper is not something he usually drank at home. It's funny how he looks for anything "American" and buys it just because it's something from home. (He corrected me later and said that he LOVES Dr. Pepper...shows what I remember!)

The packages waiting for him at the mission home are still at the mission home. He was a bit disappointed that they didn't make it to him at the transfer time as he's all out of treasures from home. There's a conference this week and he's crossing his fingers that the packages are delivered then. He's a pretty spoiled missionary. It's hard not to spoil him...

He says he's feeling much better after the malaria. He caught it quicker this time so recovery was a bit faster. He's putting weight back on but he says it's all fat due to the high carb diet and the lack of strength building activity. He's ready to get back to work on the farm to regain the muscle and strength.

Speaking of farms...at the new apartment, there is space for some crops! He hasn't had time to start planting but is happy that Elder Kunz has "crop" experience. Gardening seems to be a therapeutic connection with home for him. I'm glad there is a spot for his therapy in this new area.

He was thrilled to hear that Camille is doing much better. He requested that I take her an old bike tire to curb her boredom. I'm not certain she would understand the joke. Perhaps a ball of tape on a string would be easier to explain. He has a warped sense of humor for sure.

I asked how things were going in the mission and if he was teaching anyone he would like to tell us about. He was in one of his moods and reminded me that asking about the mission was against the rules...sigh... Maybe next week!

He misses everyone and says not to worry. He will be home in no time. Love to all!

Here's a link to Elder Gundersen's favorite song- direct from Togo!
Yovo! Yovo!

Bissap!

I got a new treasure in the mail the other day...

 

So naturally I order the hibiscus flowers online to make Bissap!

 

2 c. Hibiscus Flowers-Roselle
1 1/2 c. Sugar- or to taste
1 small piece of ginger root
2 qt water

Quickly rinse flowers in cold water. Bring 2 quarts water to boil. Add flowers and simmer 3 minutes. Turn off heat, add ginger piece to pan and allow flowers to steep 10 minutes or until water is a deep purple color. Place 1 1/2 c sugar in pitcher. Pour steeped liquid into pitcher through fine strainer. Stir and chill. Don't add ice...that ruins it per Elder Gundersen.

Pretty simple!

It's chilling in the fridge for FHE!

 

February 4, 2013- Camping...

Elder Hunter Gundersen is alive and well this week. On Saturday he was transferred from Gbedjeromede. It was a teary farewell with the Eastmonds. Elder Eastmond says that the Elders did their job and got them trained and now it's time for them to train someone else. The Sister missionaries will be moving into that apartment this week. This will be the first time in over two years that Sisters will be serving in the area.

Elder Gundersen and his companions were moved to the village of Kokokojdi. This is the first time there have been missionaries in the area. Elder G says he's spent the last few days "camping". No power and fetching water from a well old school style. Wes teased that Gundersen is Latin for camp and Elder G insisted he was much more like me when it comes to camping. He mentioned the fact that he has not had a hot shower since March 28th 2012. He has had cold bucket showers so at least he doesn't smell like a mountain man! Besides having a well, the village of Kokokojdi also has a plethora of goats and chickens...no monkeys. I told him we ate at Maddox on Friday...he says that he ate on the street. (Worries me a bit!) On Sunday, he took a 45 minute ride to Cotonou in a sweltering hot taxi to attend church!

He received the news that he will be transferring again to Togo on Wednesday. He will be meeting the Leavitts at the border and will be assigned to the Souza Netime apartment. This is where Elder Kunz is! So exciting! Elder Gundersen's excited to be back in Togo and is looking forward to seeing the Leavitts and eating at Akifs. Akifs is a restaurant in Lome that has cheeseburgers, fries and charwarmas...tacos on steroids!

He sends his love to Camille Trimble and her family. He said the power of prayer and the priesthood is awesome...always has been. Keep praying for her everyone!

He received word he has several packages waiting for him and he hopes that they will bring them Wednesday when he transfers. He sends a big shout out to Jerine Price..."thanks and no monkey...got it!"

He loved the snow pictures this week...especially the frost covered trees. He says to enjoy the season, it's a beautiful time of year even if it is cold.

Love to all until next week!