Mother's Day video chat and awkward group hug for the WIN!

Hello Elder Troy followers!

We had a GREAT video chat with Elder Troy yesterday for Mother’s Day.  As you know, we are able to email him each week, but it’s the only day, except Christmas day, that we get to video chat, so it was pretty special!  We noticed his distinctive Texas “twang” this time and of course had to tease him about it.  He tells us nothing compares to his wonderful bishop and his accent.  

He filled us in on all that was happening with him, his companion, their investigators as well as things in the local area and mission.  For those of you following his letters closely, you know that they have had quite a few problems with their crazy, violent neighbors.  We are happy to report that the neighbors are now gone (possibly in jail) and the missionaries have been moved to another area of the complex.  Hurray!  

Elder Troy says it is VERY hot with high humidity right now and that makes for sweaty, sticky days.  He does NOT love this.  Although the people are wonderful, he is not a fan of the big city and pollution.  He really hopes to get back to the small towns and farms at some point.  He bore a beautiful testimony to us about the Book of Mormon and even taught us before we were able to have family prayer together and an awkward but necessary group hug with the computer screen and rest of the family (mom always insists on this).  

Below is the short message we got for you today.  From today’s pictures, it looks like he visited some kind of an animal refuge recently.

We are so grateful for the tender mercy of seeing our son and how happy he is to be a missionary for Jesus Christ right now.  Please continue to pray for him.  He feels your love and prayers.

We appreciate and love you all!

JD & Terri

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Howdy Y’All!

Finally moving today, so not much time to write. We did get to go to the Safari in Franklin, which was cool, and the first big p-day activity of this area.

Love Y’all!

Elder Derek Troy