Week # 15 Adventures!

Feeling Heavenly About Our Chocolate!

Okay kids, story time:

#1: I was almost kissed on the street this week by a drunk, 90+ year old man in his traditional german clothing.  No exaggerations folks, it was VERY close. #gottalovegermany

#2: We got locked out of our apartment this week.  The key broke in half #germanyproblems and we were left outside with our laundry and no phone.  Luckily we live pretty close to our church so we decided to put our laundry in the basement and walk over to the church to use the phone there.  SCARIEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE.  No jokes, we have a dungeon in our basement.  It looks like a cross between a medievel dungeon and the basement in Goonies.  Kein problem, We just went very fast and prayed that there were no german monsters in the depths of our deep dark damp basement.  We made it though, only heard a couple suspicious noises and shadowy figures, and hopefully we never have to go back to our cellar again!

#3: Immer noch in Spandau and immer noch lost.  Got on the wrong bus to one of our regular appointments, but then we were able to talk to the bus driver alone which never happens and he was super friendly and excited.  Also, it is illegal to preach on the buses here, but we can answers questions asked of us.  So this week, we saw this lady staring at our tags on the bus.  We went up and asked her where she got her jacket.  She responded that we were missionaries and she had seen us when she lived in Ghana, and asked us if she could give us her address so that we could come teach her and her family.  I guess that'd be no problem...!  Isn't that the best!  Gosh, Heavenly Father prepares His children and then puts His missionaries in their path.  I know that this is the work of God, and that winter blasts and the german bus system cannot stop the mormon missionaries!

#4: I had my first Fu Fu which was the BEST!  Seriously, it was delicious!  We had a Fu Fu Fest in Neuköln on Friday, so this week was comprised of finding as many African people as possible to invite to that.  It was a big Afrikan party with free food, music, and some presentations on African culture.  It was great success and loads of fun.  We ate and danced and sang together, and ate lots of fu fu!  I love the Afrikaners here!  They are SO faithful and fun and excited about the gospel!  Sister Jardine and I are so grateful everyday that we live next to an afro shop.  I loove these people, and between the africans and the russians and the romanians and the egyptians, we are most definitely teaching more foreigners than germans.  I love it though, these people are all so faithful and ready for the gospel!

#5: Okay, speaking of foreigners, Sister Stringham was humbled this week.  We just found a refugee camp in the area.  It is full of humble refugees from countries all over the world who have come to Germany to escape war and, in many cases, persecution for their Christianity.  As we walk down the street, people flock to us to hear our message.  As they listen, parents send their children running to get all of their friends and families and neighbors.  They are so faithful and want peace and the love of Jesus Christ so desperately.  It is very humbling to be just two young girls in the midst of people who have experienced so much. But we are called as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, to proclaim to all the world that He lives and He loves us.  As they see our name tags, they bring us into their tiny rooms where they are sharing beds and trying to survive, and show us their crosses and their bibles.  They want to know more about Him and they want to teach their children.  It is humbling to know that Heavenly Father has trusted us with this very precious part of His vineyard.  I really am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary.

That's it kids. Sister Stringham is working hard preaching and teaching and saving the souls of men. I see miracles every single day, and I know with all my heart this is the work of the living God. I love being a missionary and I love all of you!  I miss you and I am thinking of you and praying for you!  Write me and tell me about your lives, and keep smiling and know you are in the hands of God!

Love, Sister Stringham

Created our own chocolate at the chocolate factory with Marina from our ward....just about cried, it was the best thing of my life...nothing on this good earth beats german chocolate!