Hosting the Mayor of Lilongwe, Pledging their Support, 17 Baptisms on Christmas Eve and Johnny Cash

Ok here it goes what a week it has been. The whole week was pretty crazy. Still trying to juggle three combined areas as a tripanionship but we had some good lessons despite the crazy schedule.

Most of our time was spent preparing for the Christmas open house that we hosted on Christmas eve. We cleaned the entire building and had to empty the pool out so we could refill it with water for baptisms bucket at a time and we all got sun burned in the processes. We then spent another couple hours decorating the place and filling it with the Christmas spirit . The activity itself was a huge success we had over 200 people come enjoy music, food, games, and a santa visit. We also hosted the mayor of Lilongwe and his press who pledged their support to our missionary efforts here which is a really great opportunity for the church in Malawi.
To top it off we, as a zone, we had 17 baptisms as a gift for the Savior. I was very privileged to baptize our own Christmas miracle in the kindest and most loving man here who had been investigating the church for over five years. It was just amazing to be a part of. then after words me and my companions went crazy and blew through some dough on junk food and had a merry little Christmas Eve.
On Sunday morning we had a very small turn up at church but there was a special spirit as we sang and I got to speak to the faithful few at our branch.Then we went out to the senior couples house for a celebration and had a lazy Christmas Sunday afternoon were I ate way too much (I need to as i'm going back to my old flat that never has power) and I ended up sitting with Elder Hull our senior missionary as he strummed the guitar and we sang a ton of old Johnny Cash.
As far as transfer news: Turns out i'm staying here in Lilongwe and Elder Tidwell will be heading to Blantyre. I haven't confirmed it but I think my new companion is Elder ketchum's previous companion so im excited i've heard good things about him he's from Zimbabwe.
 Anyway I love you all sooo much! may this next year bring all smiles, laughs, and many good memories. I know i am looking forward to my only full calender year out on a mission and all the miracles that are in store.

with love 

Elder lusk