That's My Boy, The Cat and I Were Both Happy, Running Cross Country, My Own Galilee, Oh, and Boss Chili

hey family! So, it felt like i was just emailing you and somehow a whole week passed by but that's how it goes so here. 

We ended up having the most lessons ever this week after a really slow start which was great. We had our recent convert pass the sacrament for the first time which was great to see him in his new shirt and tie fufilling his new priesthood responsibility. I kinda had a sentimental dad "thats my boy" moment and we celebrated with them after church with a big meal of nshima and fish (actually not a big fan of the fish so i ate the nshima and their cat sat on my lap and i fed it the fish so we where both happy).

The big thing, though, was a surprise rainstorm that came early on Friday.  The rains were not supposed to start for two weeks but we were sitting in a home teaching a great family about the Book of Mormon when suddenly the skies opened up and didnt stop. We ended up waiting for and hour...eating a snack (best apple i have had in a while) and playing with the kids and getting to know them better but two problems, one it was getting late and two,  we still needed to go to the store to get some bread. So we ended up running like 2.5 miles through the mud and rain to get to the store. It was honestly a blast! my companion was a runner in high school as well and we had been running together so we had the awesome mud filled xc course along the side of the road in the middle of Africa singing the rocky theme song. We ended the night by buying a pizza, drinking hot chocolate and watching bible videos while our stuff dried off.

 Spiritually, as I  have been studying the Savior's life, I've seen many parallels to my own mission. Jesus walked among the people and taught in the streets, hills, small homes, and over many meals.  He taught rich and poor alike and loved all. The children where always near to his heart. That how it is here.  The dusty roads of Lilongwe have become my own Galilee. We are even teaching a family with a lot of energetic kids by using primary songs and picture books. The savior taught to people's understanding  whether it was scriptures, farming, fishing, or whatever. Thats something I have been trying to learn to do more to help people learn more. So the work here is great and I'm having a blast. The other night i made a boss chili and home fries that was super good..a bit spicier than i intended but still very good. Love you all

Elder lusk