This week sure was a nice one. It’s weeks like this one that really make missionary work a joyful experience. Now don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy all types of missionary work, but I'm sure if we talked to Alma (a prophet in the Book of Mormon), he would tell us the same sort of thing, there are really high joyful weeks, and there are also really low weeks, but they all come together for the good of me, the growth of the church, and the benefit of those I teach.
So to get straight to it, on Tuesday, it was a really powerful teaching day. Last week while at the cyber (cyber cafe to email), we got a call from a man named Daniel who desired to tour the church. We set up an appointment with him to do so the following day. So let me describe the experience we had with him. We met with Daniel as our first appointment of the day. He is an older man, probably around 60. He is a man of very high respect and has quite a bit of influence in the community and also his wife is running for MP (Member of Parliament – government official) so that adds to his influence. Anyways, we go into the chapel and begin the tour there, and he is right off the bat understanding everything (this is usually a bit rare, probably because of language barriers.) We discuss what takes place during sacrament meeting, how there is no pastor, no paid ministry, and the basic church functions. He then asks some really good questions. He was curious if this is a church for the younger generation or if it is for everyone. We explained the principles of the church, and how we are all seeking to come closer to Christ and in doing so seek exaltation, so everyone has the same goal, so it’s a church for everyone, old and young, white and black, poor and rich. He was very interested in where and how baptisms are done, so we toured him around the remainder of the church and explained everything. He really appreciated the tour and said he will surely be returning. We gave him a Book of Mormon, then set an appointment to meet again on Thursday. After teaching him we had to run back into Kisumu Ndogo real quick to go pick up a member, Brian, to assist us with teaching. We are trying to prepare him for a mission, so it really helps to have him there with us. We had an appointment arranged before Daniel, but they had bounced us. As we were running to Kisumu Ndogo, they called and said they were coming right now, so we told them Tutafika Dakika Kumi na tanu (we will arrive in 15 minutes.) I know Swahili numbers, times, and days really well, but the other stuff is coming slowly. Once we retrieved our member, Brian, we took the short cut back to the church. We met with Clement who also brought with him, his brother James. They were the first media referrals (someone who found the church on line) that I have received so far on my mission. I wasn’t so sure that was a possibility here. We had a really nice Lesson with them as we toured them through the church. They had first thought it was a school, and as we toured them through, they said it seemed a lot like a Muzungu (white man’s) school.. haha I guess in America we go to school in church like buildings. After touring them around we gave them Book of Mormons and arranged to meet with them later in the week. We then went with Brian and taught Peter, an 11 year old boy who is in a part member family. When it comes to children, they only need the simple doctrines of the church, everything else they will learn later on.
Wednesday was our first DDM (District Devepment Meeting) with the new zone of missionaries. It really had a whole different feel to it. We had asked the District leader and his comp to be there at 10:30 so that we could start at 11:00 exact. They did so, but we arrived a bit late, at 10:55. The Andersons, our senior missionary couple, saw great improvement with starting on time. The DDM was entirely led by the District leader just as it should be, and he really did a nice job. He brought up some of his own ideas for announcements and some things that we could work on as a district to make us the leading zone in the mission. If we can achieve our zone goals, we will be right there up top as the highest/ most frequent baptizing zone in the mission. The Anderson's gave the training this week, on the talk "Becoming a consecrated missionary". They really did a nice job. It was way good and we were able to feel the spirit and learn a lot. I'm super impressed with Elder Harding as our District leader, and so thankful for him, because I know he will do an awesome job and really assist in pushing the progress of the zone forward. After DDM, we had to go and fix some water bill issues for the Sosiani flat. The water company said they had used 23000 liters (6075 gallons)... When the man said that, "I didnt know we were filling swimming pools here" slipped out of my mouth... woops haha but seriously 23000 liters is too much and there is no way for that to be used in one month. We just paid it and settled the debt, but informed them that if it happens again we will have to find another method of receiving water. This is the third time they have charged us like that, one time they charged us for 72000 liters (19,020 gallons) in a single month. Once that was settled, we headed back to Langas and taught Simon while sitting in the grass, we had forgotten the keys to the church, so we got to improvise haha. It’s like Primary again when the teacher says we get to have a lesson outside.
Thursday once again was a powerful and inspiring teaching day. We first went and had service at the hospital. Elder Harding and Gitonga were totally on time to where we were to meet them, but Elder Nyirenda and I were once again running on Kamba time. We had a nice time at the hospital. Harding and Gitonga bought sweets for the children, but sadly weren’t able to give them to the kids because the kids are all on strict diets and can’t have sweets.. Afterwards, we went to lunch as a new Zone for the first time. We switched hotels (restaurants) and found a nicer but more expensive one to attend. We really do have a powerful zone now. Everyone gets along well and everyone has a great desire to work hard. On our way back to Langas, we met with our Branch Mission Leader in town and had a correlation meeting with him. He really does a good job even though he is working full time as a car mechanic/electrician and is always traveling. Oh also the other day I lost my clip on tag, but as we were walking, a mango seller came up to us and gave it to me!! Hope for Kenya! and God sure does answer prayers. We met once again with Daniel when we got back to Langas. He is sure a great guy to teach. He’s one of those people you really look forward to teaching and don’t want anything to interfere. He has already read like 25 chapters in the Book of Mormon and was explaining how he knows this is the true church and that the Book of Mormon is truly of God because it is pure and simple to understand. He understands there are errors to the Bible that have been causing many disputes across the religious world. We committed him to baptism for the 18th and he told us he is sharing the truth with all his friends. His daughters thought the church was a devil worshipers church, so they told him not to come, but he explained to them what he had seen and felt and they changed their view on it. After the appointment with him, I just had a massive smile that I couldn’t get rid of. Elder Nyirenda and I talked the whole way home of how God truly does prepare people to accept the gospel.
Friday we got bounced a lot, but that wasn’t too bad, because we were at the church with a Returned Missionary, the branch clerk, and he assisted with our first teaching appointment, then he told us tons of cool stories about his mission to Uganda/ Ethiopia. It’s amazing how different missions across the world are and how the gospel spreads in different countries. He gave us a lot of really good suggestions to help make the Zone progress even more. Afterward we taught Jones, who was baptized last week. He really is a powerful addition to the branch. He knows the truth of the gospel and continues to seek increased learning. Some just join to join, but others join because they really are seeking after a knowledge of the truth. We then went again to teach Peter with his sister Vivian so that he is prepared for his baptismal interview which was scheduled to take place on Saturday. We took Benson with us, he is quite shy, and afterwards while visiting with Vivian, he said he was from Nigeria.. his baptismal record definitely says Kenya. I guess thats how people flirt here, they say they aren’t kenyan so they are more unique.
Saturday we again had powerful lessons. There was a big YSA (Young Single Adult) activity to take place at the church, so we went to our "office". Because the building was built to accommodate 3 branches (congregations), we adopted one of the unused Bishop’s offices as our office for teaching and keeping teaching supplies. Our first appointment for the day was super powerful. It was with another older man named Francis, he really ponders things out in his mind before asking questions. We had a great lesson with him, it was just a bit long... 2.5 hours. He wanted us to continue teaching though for 4 hours. We explained we will teach him slowly so that he can fully grasp everything. That 2.5hours was entirely about the Godhead so he can understand what it means and who God is. After teaching, we went with the Sosiani elders to Peter’s interview. He passed with flying colors, then we returned to the church where we found the activity in progress. Clement and James were there. I first thought it was great to have them at the YSA activity, because that is their age group, but Clement informed us he was 25, married, and has a child. I guess YSA is not for him. We set up another appointment to meet with them after church, because Daniel soon arrived. We explained to Daniel the YSA activity was an event for those from 18 - 29 to be able to socialize and have fun in a clean environment. We had a really nice lesson with Daniel again, fully establishing the Godhead and the role of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Again we left with a smile.
Sunday was a really nice Sabbath. We had 16 investigators at church, including Daniel and Francis, both of them kept their study commitments and even wore suits to church. I was assigned to be the second speaker. I chose to speak on Faith. I included the subtopics of Faith in ourselves, faith in others, and faith in Jesus Christ. I felt I did a much better job than last time. I could feel the spirit speaking through me, and even though I just wrote up an outline, it all came together smoothly and the congregation seemed to be alert and learning. Slowly, slowly my public speaking is improving. Before we know it, I will be like Elder Holland (Enjoy his last talk from General Conference with this link). Just wait you'll see haha. Daniel and Francis both really enjoyed church and they participated a lot, adding much to each class and helping everyone to learn. After church we had the baptism of Peter. It went well and it allowed all our investigators to see how we really baptize here and to know that it is done exactly the same way as Christ’s baptism. During the baptism Peter kicked his legs up out of the water so it needed to be redone, but the witnesses didn’t notice, so there I was running up to the front where the guys were already drying off and told them it needed to be done again, the Branch President also agreed. This just goes to show that when performing an ordinance, it must be done exact, no other way is adequate.
It is really such a blessing to see the work of the Lord unfold here in Langas, and in the Eldoret Zone. President Hicken (the Mission President) himself wrote us saying "you now have a powerful zone." That’s what happens when obedience is put into effect and we diligently seek to do the will of the Lord.
Thank you all for your support, love and prayers. I can see those extra blessings in my life each day and know that it is from the prayers of all those around the world, so thank you for that.
Love always, Elder Rushton Jay Hiltbrand
No comments:
Post a Comment