Yesterday was a long day. We went to Akagera! The other four missionaries came over to my place Sunday night so we could leave by 6. It was about a 3 hour drive and then we drove around the park for about 7 hours. Then 3 hours back. I can't stand sitting that long. (Haha, that's kind of a funny sentence.) But it was really neat. Since it's the end of the dry season, everything was all yellow and dead, so it actually looked like what you would expect from Africa. We got to see a bunch of animals. The zebras were the best. They were standing right by the path we were driving on. We were hoping to see an elephant but it didn't happen. Probably for the best... I guess the last time some missionaries came to this park they were chased by an elephant. But we did get to see a lot of giraffes and cape buffalo and antelope and hippos and baboons.  It was great!

Sorry it's short today. Love ya all!

-Elder Collison

Email from March 9, 2015

 Welcome home Andrew! So happy for you guys!

Wednesday was a little tough... I had to just keep checking my watch all day, imagining what was happening there.

I have a few unhappy people... The other day we stopped this guy on the street and started talking about the church. He was fine at first and then he just snapped. Started shouting at us about how he was already born again. Stuff like that happens every once in a while. But mostly people are kind and accepting.

Man. Syrup season is my favorite! I'm really gonna miss that this year!

P-days we're mostly just waiting around the house. Our whole apartment place has one washer so we mostly just do a lot of waiting for it by playing cards or now Catan. 

I think next week we might go to Akagara. It's some sort of animal preserve. I'm excited about that! And some week soon we'll probably play some soccer with the members since everyone here is obsessed with "football".

For sacrament meetings we use translators for everything except prayers. So half of the time is just a repeat so there's usually only one speaker.

We've run a few times but now we've started this Insanity workout. It really is insane. Its like an 8 week course and our whole zone is kinda having a competition to see who can have the best looking six-pack by the end of it. :)

The new guy is Elder M from Zimbabwe. He got here on Sat. and it feels nice to not be the newest guy anymore! :)

The weather actually feels quite nice lately.  The rainy season is coming so its been really windy. That's my favorite. On a hot day when the cool, strong wind comes  and you can just smell the storm coming :)

Here's one of my cool teaching/spiritual experiences. So there's this guy I contacted on the streets. His name is Claver. We've met with him several times and he's even come to church for a couple weeks and he's super interested and always cheerful and grinny. The other day we were teaching him the Word of Wisdom. When we tell him about no coffee and tea he starts freaking out. In a good way. He said that just the day before he and his wife were talking about that and decide they wouldnt take coffee and tea anymore because they just didnt feel right about it.. We're planning for his baptism this month. He's a great guy and he's been really prepared for this and everything we teach him he accepts with an open mouth and slow nod like everything we say makes so much sense. And it does! The church is true!!

Love you all! And I want to see more pictures of you all together!

-Elder Collison