Hello there everyone,
Wow these weeks are so busy that its hard to remember everything that takes place, it all blurs together as one and then by the end of the week it's tough to remember all that was this week... Days fly by as though they are minutes, it's really crazy.
To start off, we have an awesome relationship with the couples and it really is so beneficial to the work and it sure makes are bellies happy! Last Monday after emailing' we had family home evening together with them and cooked for them Sukuma Wikii (collard greens) and Ugali (maize porridge), as the Peach Cobbler cooked in the oven! They surprisingly really enjoyed the sukuma and ugali. My companion and I can make a mean meal with no experience! We are always just trying fun and crazy things regardless of what they are. After dinner and dessert together, we watched Elder Bednar's talk "Come and See" together. It was a powerful talk! Wow for all those who are wondering about why we serve missions and knock your doors regularly, he gives the perfect answer. It's because we know that it's true, the gospel has given us a guide and eased the pains of life for us, so we desire to share the same with all of you who have not yet experienced what we have.
Well while doing our Monday night accounting of the day and planning for the day, I tossed the phone to my companion and well it came short and the receiver did his best, but end of the story, the phone, a Nokia, hit the ground and blew off the back cover and the battery. We figured well it's a Nokia, it's gone through millions of these falls, but when we tried to turn it on we got nothing... So phone busted.. Well as a missionary that's the worst because it puts you out of communication with everyone, and who knows what could happen.. Well next day comes around and after our comp study we went to the Church just to be told that the Horners (senior couple)were at the hospital... Uh oh, we thought, our worries were right haha, so we walked to the hospital and found out that Sister Horner had split her arm open while doing their morning work out, and needed stitches. So we came to give support and see how they were doing and also we needed to use their phone. Our couples are so awesome though, always thinking about others before themselves, really shows the Character of Christ. So after we left, we went to a fundi (shop) and he replaced the screen which he said had disconnected and prevented the normal function of the phone.
We had a powerful
lesson on the Word of Wisdom with a member this week. Many believe that as long
as they are not drinking it then they are obeying the commandment, but if we are
selling it then we are breaking it as well because we are supporting the use of
it by others and providing a means for them to do so. If we know its bad, then
why would we give it to a friend?.. So he ended up getting rid of all of the tea
that he was selling. We then went with him and taught a less active named Joel,
nice guy, just afraid to come to church fearing that if he does he won't make
enough money that day to pay for his kids' schooling. We made him the promise
that if he comes to church he will make more the coming week than if he hadn't.
That is the goodness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It enables us to know that
when we keep the commandments we are blessed, and that goes for all that keep
the commandments. On our way home we bought a bag of marshmellows and a success
card (cards wishing success on exams, the only cards sold in stores) for Sister
Horner, she was very appreciative of it.
Wednesday, we had our District Development Meeting in which the training was about how the Book of Mormon can be used effectively in teaching. It was a good training and then after we hurried to teach some investigators, but on our way there, each of them cancelled on us. So we dropped halfway at the big intersection and figured we could do some contacting in the market as we waited for our next appointment. We contacted many in the market, but many weren't serious, the hardest thing in contacting here is that many desire to know what the church can give them, not how they can come closer to Jesus Christ. We bought some chicken feet because we saw them for sale and then went and ate them with a nice soda. While sitting there, we had our best contact of the day, with a man named Kennedy. He showed genuine interest and even that night he called and said that he would be coming to church. That would have probably been a funny story from his point of view...met some missionaries, they were eating chicken feet as they talked to me about the gospel. We had a dinner appointment with sister Lilian, and as last time, she cooked tons of food. She is awesome and the dinner appointments are legendary.
Thursday, we worked with Brother Daniel again. He is a great guy to work with, really is having a hard time being back in Kenya. Everything is crumbling down for him, but his testimony in the gospel is firm and strong. It will be great for him before he leaves on his mission. We taught two lessons at the church with the couples and some of our investigators, The couples add great support and maturity in lessons, especially with the older investigators. We had two powerful lessons on the Book of mormon. We also went with Brother Daniel to teach Christine and Georgina. Georgina asks powerful questions, she hasn't been a member for a year yet, but her testimony is solid and she studies the scriptures so diligently. She fired question after question at us, not to break things apart, but really to learn. It was a busy day, lots of teaching.
Friday, was a day of correlation. We had our weekly planning in the morning which went very well. I always feel very spiritually uplifted after our weekly planning and comp inventory, but it hasn't always been like that in my mission. My companion is really loving and supportive of me trying to meet the goals I have for myself. Together we work very well in all aspects of the work. We then went and had a correlation meeting with our Branch Mission Leader. It was short but, we are trying to help the Branch Mission Leader learn his responsibilities so that he can be the needed bridge between us and the branch. We had one lesson with Brother Jehu, such a nice guy. I just wish he wasn't so busy with work so that he could come back to church, but that desire is deep down. It's just acting upon that desire that he needs to help with. When we returned to the church, we sat down with the couples and discussed how we can work together to help the branch gain strength and grow. We had a great correlation and much unity was built. Great things are able to come forward as we work together.
Saturday we were living on a prayer. We had tried to call everyone to schedule appointments, but only two picked up, so we went on faith to see people and Steve Boaz accompanied us, he was just recently called to serve in the Kenya Nairobi Mission and will leave on November 27. I'm excited for him and he is really excited too. He will add great strength to the mission. Everyone we went to go see ended up being there, so things worked out perfectly! While teaching brother Cyprian, a full on brawl happened between a 13 year old and a guy who was totally drunk and had just woken up. He stomped on the kid who we were trying to teach at the time and then went for a saw that was lying there, the kid knocked it out and then put him on the ground. Brother Cyprian who appears as a little old man who can't walk well was furious and walked straight up no cane needed and went and blasted the guy who was drunk... pretty intense situation. We have been visiting many less actives lately, there are a lot in the area, so it's really a priority for us to find them and bring them back, they are just as important as those new to the gospel. The Lord knows his sheep, he loves them and looks after them. We as his servants are in charge of bringing them back. The arms of the Lord are always open to us, all we must do is accept his love and we can receive the light back into our life.
Sunday was a baptism for the sisters. It was really a wonderful service, right after being baptized, she bowed her head in silent prayer. Really a touching sight that made me see just how serious baptism is and the mercy of the Lord in enabling us to be made clean through the cleansing waters of baptism by the proper authority. After the baptism we hurried out to Mamboleo to give sister Doreens child, Caline, a blessing. She has been throwing up all that she takes in for the last three days. She was crying during the blessing, but after, she was at perfect peace and didn't throw up at all even after taking milk. Priesthood blessings are real. The Priesthood is real and is God's power given to his children for the blessing of others and establishment of his kingdom on earth. Such a wonderful privilege it is to hold the priesthood and witness the Lord's healing power to his children. The church is True, and no matter who you are, you can come to know that for yourself. When we knock the lord opens always.
In my life, I have learned the truth of this great church, the succor to the soul it brings and the healing power of Savior and His atonement. We are never alone, we are never abandoned, and We are never out of reach of our Savior's love. Take hold of His hand and hold on, for He will never let go.
I am grateful for all the many of you who have blessed my life and continue to do so, thank you for supporting me and helping me to grow and become the man I am today.
I love you,Elder Rushton Jay Hiltbrand
Wednesday, we had our District Development Meeting in which the training was about how the Book of Mormon can be used effectively in teaching. It was a good training and then after we hurried to teach some investigators, but on our way there, each of them cancelled on us. So we dropped halfway at the big intersection and figured we could do some contacting in the market as we waited for our next appointment. We contacted many in the market, but many weren't serious, the hardest thing in contacting here is that many desire to know what the church can give them, not how they can come closer to Jesus Christ. We bought some chicken feet because we saw them for sale and then went and ate them with a nice soda. While sitting there, we had our best contact of the day, with a man named Kennedy. He showed genuine interest and even that night he called and said that he would be coming to church. That would have probably been a funny story from his point of view...met some missionaries, they were eating chicken feet as they talked to me about the gospel. We had a dinner appointment with sister Lilian, and as last time, she cooked tons of food. She is awesome and the dinner appointments are legendary.
Thursday, we worked with Brother Daniel again. He is a great guy to work with, really is having a hard time being back in Kenya. Everything is crumbling down for him, but his testimony in the gospel is firm and strong. It will be great for him before he leaves on his mission. We taught two lessons at the church with the couples and some of our investigators, The couples add great support and maturity in lessons, especially with the older investigators. We had two powerful lessons on the Book of mormon. We also went with Brother Daniel to teach Christine and Georgina. Georgina asks powerful questions, she hasn't been a member for a year yet, but her testimony is solid and she studies the scriptures so diligently. She fired question after question at us, not to break things apart, but really to learn. It was a busy day, lots of teaching.
Friday, was a day of correlation. We had our weekly planning in the morning which went very well. I always feel very spiritually uplifted after our weekly planning and comp inventory, but it hasn't always been like that in my mission. My companion is really loving and supportive of me trying to meet the goals I have for myself. Together we work very well in all aspects of the work. We then went and had a correlation meeting with our Branch Mission Leader. It was short but, we are trying to help the Branch Mission Leader learn his responsibilities so that he can be the needed bridge between us and the branch. We had one lesson with Brother Jehu, such a nice guy. I just wish he wasn't so busy with work so that he could come back to church, but that desire is deep down. It's just acting upon that desire that he needs to help with. When we returned to the church, we sat down with the couples and discussed how we can work together to help the branch gain strength and grow. We had a great correlation and much unity was built. Great things are able to come forward as we work together.
Saturday we were living on a prayer. We had tried to call everyone to schedule appointments, but only two picked up, so we went on faith to see people and Steve Boaz accompanied us, he was just recently called to serve in the Kenya Nairobi Mission and will leave on November 27. I'm excited for him and he is really excited too. He will add great strength to the mission. Everyone we went to go see ended up being there, so things worked out perfectly! While teaching brother Cyprian, a full on brawl happened between a 13 year old and a guy who was totally drunk and had just woken up. He stomped on the kid who we were trying to teach at the time and then went for a saw that was lying there, the kid knocked it out and then put him on the ground. Brother Cyprian who appears as a little old man who can't walk well was furious and walked straight up no cane needed and went and blasted the guy who was drunk... pretty intense situation. We have been visiting many less actives lately, there are a lot in the area, so it's really a priority for us to find them and bring them back, they are just as important as those new to the gospel. The Lord knows his sheep, he loves them and looks after them. We as his servants are in charge of bringing them back. The arms of the Lord are always open to us, all we must do is accept his love and we can receive the light back into our life.
Sunday was a baptism for the sisters. It was really a wonderful service, right after being baptized, she bowed her head in silent prayer. Really a touching sight that made me see just how serious baptism is and the mercy of the Lord in enabling us to be made clean through the cleansing waters of baptism by the proper authority. After the baptism we hurried out to Mamboleo to give sister Doreens child, Caline, a blessing. She has been throwing up all that she takes in for the last three days. She was crying during the blessing, but after, she was at perfect peace and didn't throw up at all even after taking milk. Priesthood blessings are real. The Priesthood is real and is God's power given to his children for the blessing of others and establishment of his kingdom on earth. Such a wonderful privilege it is to hold the priesthood and witness the Lord's healing power to his children. The church is True, and no matter who you are, you can come to know that for yourself. When we knock the lord opens always.
In my life, I have learned the truth of this great church, the succor to the soul it brings and the healing power of Savior and His atonement. We are never alone, we are never abandoned, and We are never out of reach of our Savior's love. Take hold of His hand and hold on, for He will never let go.
I am grateful for all the many of you who have blessed my life and continue to do so, thank you for supporting me and helping me to grow and become the man I am today.
I love you,Elder Rushton Jay Hiltbrand
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