( In Swahili)Watch me mess with this mzungu"-some dude(also in Swahili) "Watch me mess with this African"-me

So what happened following this little incident, was this dude's jaw hit the floor, then I gave him and his friends pamphlets and taught them about god's love for them.  I don't know if they really understood what was happening, cause here was this white guy from america teaching them in their language but it was nice for me.  Anywho stories!

story 1: "look mom, i am a car!"-also me

So here in Kenya people don't know how to walk or drive, so pretty much you can walk anywhere or drive anywhere, including the sidewalks.  As well a lot of the time it is faster to walk in the road rather than try to navigate the people.  This week while walking through Nairobi I was feeling like having some fun. I walked in the middle of the road (traffic was at a standstill) and made race car noises, drifted around corners, it was super fun.  I got a lot of great looks, then some dude on the street started to follow me and pretend to be my conductor.  I love it when people play along with the game.

Story 2: Giraffes!

So while we were riding through the area of south lake in Naivasha, there are a lot of game parks.  but it is interesting because a lot of the time the animals like to get out and do there own thing.  Most of the time it is like zebras, the occasional impala. This time however there is this freakin HUGE giraffe just walking down the road, like it was a normal day, sadly the car was faster than my hands so I couldn't get a picture.  But still a cool thing, sometimes you forget you are in Africa then BAM some super weird thing happens and you are like, yo! I am in Kenya, totally spaced out there for like three weeks.  It is a fun time.

Anyways i am sure this email is full of typing and grammar errors (as mine do) but i went exceptionally fast today, so to all the english students who read this and kringe, but its what you get.

Have a great week, drive fast take chances

Elder Tucker

Mom,

Why do all the cool things keep happening in other people's mission? Would you stop praying so I can have some cool things too. Just kidding mom praying for all my friends, and those in the hurricanes, mud slides, and earthquakes. I will stay safe so you don't freak out. Or at least if I don't I will make sure the other elders know not to tell you if you happen to go out to lunch with them. 

I have done the dishes for 2 weeks. ( no one even asked me to) Can you believe that I have become a grown up. The president is making changes he opened 5 areas this and closed 4 that I know of. 

Otherwise I am having fun, keeping sane, learning about charity and humility.  I have been reading the book of Isaiah. Which is super confusing cause you have to keep up with 3 different time periods. 1) When he was receiving revelation. 2 The birth of Christ 3. The second coming. Interestingly enough, a lot of the circumstances apply for all 3. So it makes reading fun.  Teron

If she aint waiting, what is she doing at my homecoming!? Elder S.

So as elders, a lot of times we end up talking about girls, no surprise.  And at one point in the conversation, someone said something to the effect of "what if the girl you wanted to marry came to your homecoming with her fiance?"  title was Elder S.s response. After saying that I fell on the floor it was great. Well, let's get to some stories, sound good? Great, lets go.

Numero 1: "She better be freakin beautiful, Heavenly Father, we are talking jaw on the floor"- Elder S. as well
  

So this week I got to do exchanges with Elder S. so that is why he gets two quotes, he is a super fun dude, and he is slowly teaching me some xhosa; so I can have a basic conversation with my brother when I see him.  So we were in this appointment and we were teaching this mama about the plan of salvation,  and it started to rain a little.  We thought, little rain no big deal, so we finished the lesson, and had to go somewhere about an hour away. we had  a fifteen to twenty minute walk to the Matatu stage.  It was lightly raining, so we started leaving, and as soon as we get to the "Point Of No Return" from the house, it started to POUR. This was how Elder S. decided to respond to god's little joke.  On the bright side while seeking some shelter under a tree, we contacted a very nice old man, who is really excited to learn the restored gospel.

Numero 2: "Hey I know her!" -Me
  

 One of the perks of coming from Utah is that you sometimes get to see your friends in the Liahona or Ensign.  The Liahona and Ensigns are worshiped here, they are worth more than gold.  Usually you read it then use the pictures to decorate things like books, planners, scripture cases, etc.  Well, the October issue showed up and as always, we got one and looked for friends/beautiful girls.  And one of the elders, just got super excited and said "Guys, look at this gorgeous one!" followed by all of us running over to look at the picture.  Only come to find out it was none other than my best friend Lino! so shout out for 1. Looking GORGEOUS. 2. Having a fantastic answer on the importance of service.

That about somes it up for the week, have a good one, or two, or three.  But not four remember we are on a diet here.

Elder Tucker

Today is 9/11 NEVER FORGET

I would like to start off this email on a more serious note. I am so proud to be an American, it is fantastic.  Yes I love Kenya, and the people here, and it has become home for me.  But I will always remember where I am from and how much I truly love my country. I am very happy to come from such a great land, a land of freedom, and double bacon cheeseburgers.  We truly are blessed.  I thank all those who have served, are serving, or plan to serve to defend that freedom.  Now with that out of the way, (voice of miss frizzle) Its Storytime!!!

Story 1: "Here, no there, nope, put it back a little, nevermind"- Sister P.

So this week was mission tour with the area authorities.  We happened to be visited by Elder P.  He gave the "Then beholding him, loved him talk", great guy.  He talked to us about our purpose and while we are here, and all this cool missionary stuff that you guys don't really want to hear about, but it was awesome! The funny part was setting up the meeting. Me and about three other elders were helping the sisters set the chairs up and stuff, and we had to move rooms like three times.  Finally after moving all the tables and chairs, we got situated, then they came in and said "Thanks for all your help but we are going to the institute classroom, its already been set up, good work though!"  Needless to say it was fun to play musical rooms with the sisters.

Story 2: "You.... mormon!" - some guy on the street.

So here not many people really know we are called Mormons.  I thought it was funny because 1, he knew our nickname, and two he sounded exactly like the dude out of "Baptists at our Barbeque".  So when I heard this I broke down laughing my head off as he chased us down the street.  Turns out he has met us before, and needs help understanding the Book of Mormon more.  Funny guy.  Super interested though.

Well that is all I can really think of for this week. Due to the internet here, I don't think I can send any pictures.

Insert funny catchphrase probably from a sixties super hero show

Elder Tucker AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Welp this week has been pretty darn awesome.  I honestly can't complain, here in Kenya you don't get packages super often, so when they come its like Christmas. I got one this week and it was great here are the highlights.

Item 1: Goldfish

Now anyone who has ever talked to me for more than a minute knows that I am addicted to goldfish, in the package was in fact Three Cotsco bags of goldfish.  After finding said goldfish I proceeded to open the bag and lay down on the floor of the church, and feast open little cheesy crackers until my interview with president rolled around. It was magnificent.

Item 2: Baking goods

So my flat in this mission is one of kind living in it is a privilege. You see we live next to a deserted couples flat, and the mission told us they were closing it down.  So we did what every normal 19 year old missionaries living in Kenya would do, we ransacked everything and took all that we can lift, which includes but is not limited to, a clothes dryer, a washing machine (broken, don't worry Le Chem, I will keep my promise, hands only.)a few rugs, posters, new study desks, chairs, and finally AN OVEN.  In the package was brownie mix and muffin mix. Yesterday I made brownies from an oven for the first time in almost ten months. they were amazing, i drank them with milk in a bag, and it was great.  Also to show respect for my trainer ( cause I know he would've loved to be there), I cleaned the bowl with my magic tony the tiger spoon we fished out of a rice krispies box my first day in Kenya.  It too was magnificent.

Item 3: Double Stuff Oreos

Here in Kenya, regular oreos are pretty easy to come by, however double stuffed oreos are more precious to some of us mzungus than gold.  After opening the package of the delicious cookies, we ceremoniously passed them around the district and all thoroughly enjoyed, the chocolate icing. It too was magnificent. 

These were some of the highlights of my box, funny thing though, my body is used to african food now so after eating the brownies, I felt super sick, but it was soooooooooooo worth it.  It has been so long since I've had good brownies. I have most of them in a tupperware so I can share them with my district today.

Had an awesome baptism this week as well.

Elder Tucker

Momma-

Ok before you freak out let me give you the details of the whole Kenya politics.  The government as of now is Jubilee, mostly made of a tribe called the Kikuyu's.  The tribe I was adopted into. They have been in power for about ten years.  Now the other two major tribes the Luo's and the Luya's don't like giving the power to the Kikuyu's because they don't help all of Kenya as much as they help the Kikuyu's.  So when Jubilee won the election it went to court, and it was found out that somehow Jubilee cheated and rigged the election.  So another election will be held in two months because of the evidence found against Jubilee.  Mostly people have been super happy about it, and those who support Jubilee, have been peaceful so really everyone is safe and fine, there is no problem whatsoever as of now. We are all safe. Teron