This Week was a busy one for sure, We were together with the Zone Monday through Wednesday for some various things before the end of the transfer.
Tuesday we had a zone blitz meaning that we all went down to a particular area to assist the work and contacted all the families that we could find and introduce them to the gospel. There was three companionships of missionaries and then because the sisters are in a threesome, they also had a member come with them so that they could split up. We were all in the sisters area for about 3 hours, and it turned out to be very effective. We got over 20 names and numbers and contacted about 40+ people. So hopefully it will help the sisters with their work. After the blitz we taught David with the Busia Elders about faith. It was a good lesson. He understands how faith is the essence of all we do, it's either we are exercising our faith, or choosing not to use our faith. The only faith that will ever be adequate to bring continual happiness in this life is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is what we must build our foundations upon, a foundation that will never fail. After Teaching David, Elder Obiko and I went out to Mbeme to drop off gifts for Sister Grace, it was racing against the Rain, so we were pretty much running with the pace we were at.
Wednesday we had our Zone Training Meeting, covering the topics which we had discussed prior at the MLC, it was a good meeting and we really tried our best to make it a council so that everyone could have a part in making decisions for the zone and bring their ideas, so that we can have increased unity within the zone. For Lunch the Horners had us come down for PB&J Sandwiches and Pumpkin cookies that they made from fresh Pumpkin! It was awesome!
Thursday we traveled up to Busia to do flat checks, we were only going on that errand, so we got there, checked the flat for cleanliness, food storage and medical and afterwards tried to go and visit the Imende family before heading back home. They were still in the up country, so we grabbed a quick lunch and returned home, 7 hours of bus riding sure is a lot for a day, We had some appointments scheduled at the church after wards, but only bummer about scheduling there, is a lot of times people get held up and arent able to come..
Friday we had another great lesson with David about Repentance, he asked Elder Horner "how many more syllabuses do I have?," Elder Horner told him how there is always more to learn, there is always more of the gospel to study, so as for syllabuses there are infinite, but as for the lessons taught before baptism, we still have a few remaining, but he is really progressing and doing well. He is drinking it all in and it's such a blessing to be able to see that. We taught Lavine and Jeremiah while out in Manyatta, They are interested when we come and visit, but they don't show a willingness to keep their commitments or even strive to progress in the gospel, So we are working to see how we can help them to realize all the goodness that the gospel can bring to their life and the lives of their families.
While having the Christmas Party on Saturday we were able to teach all those whom came, It's funny here how the activities are comprised of coming, making food, having a small activity then going home, not much pizazz to them, but the people still seem to love it! Near the end of the Christmas party it started to rain then turned into an absolute downpour in a matter of 2 minutes. We took shelter with Mary the Guard in the little tin hut, it was pretty funny, it was beginning to flood the roads super quickly, we thought it would come and go real quick, but it remained much longer than the normal storm. After the storm passed we hurried to the Stage to get a Matatu out to our last appointment, but all the roads were completely filled with water, just brown floods of water everywhere... There was such chaos and it was getting late so we had to reschedule our appointment for another day.
Sunday came transfer news, due to the christmas Holiday it was moved up a little bit so that everyone can be in their areas before the holiday. Both my companion and I will be staying the same, still serving here in Kisumu together. I was really excited about that, because I wanted to stay another transfer here. Sister Odundo was the only one to move from the zone. We will miss her, she is a powerful sister who isn't afraid to speak her mind about things. After church we had a great lesson with Molly, our new investigator whom we met last week while tracting, she had her sister there with her and both of them are filled with questions about confusions they have in the Bible, and from things they have seen. We felt prompted to share with them about the Book of Mormon, which provides a second witness of Jesus Christ and being a second witness of Him and the establishment of his church and gospel upon the earth, it is the best source available to confirm the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They were super excited to learn about it and next time we meet we will go into more depth about it. We really feel that she has been prepared to receive the gospel, she even committed to come to church this next week! After all was said and done we had a wonderful fish dinner with the Horners and they made peach cobbler for dessert, they insisted on doing so because they weren't sure what would happen with transfers because we didn't receive them till later.
Well everyone as we go forward with this Christmas season, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ into the world, it's during this time of the year that feelings of love, charity and good will towards all are felt, let us reach out and help those in need and seek to improve ourselves so that we can carry this spirit of Christmas with us throughout the New Year.
I love you all and are so grateful for the love and support you have given me during this last year, it is such a privilege to be able to serve the Lord here in Kenya.
Have a very merry Christmas!
Love, Elder Rushton Jay Hiltbrand
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