This week has been physically and mentally draining. It's
been a hectic week, but at the same time it has been a really good week.
This week we did two exchanges, one on Tuesday and another
on Thursday. Giving us the chance to work more closely with the Zone Leaders
and assist in their training and development of Zones that can function
effectively and harmoniously within the standards which the Savior has given us
regarding his work.
Exchanges can really be a great building opportunity if used
properly, if not, they can be just another day with a different companion. Prior
to doing exchanges, Elder Nyirenda and I sat down together and discussed what we felt needed to be accomplished with each of the Zone Leader
companionship's during the exchange. We understand that every Zone is different
and has different needs, so we wanted to focus particularly on what could help
them most.
Monday night we switched for exchanges. Due to the transport
situation, my companion had to be the one to go to the other area because
otherwise they wouldn't be able to drive to our Area to proselyte. So Monday
night we dropped him off and picked up Elder Beacom. He is from my MTC group,
comes from South Africa, and is a really good missionary who knows how to have
fun. Monday night we had FHE at one of the couples, the Shakespeares. They are
a really fun couple, they love to entertain missionaries, and feed them. So
they cooked taco's for dinner and then Oreo and Snickers icecream, individual 500ml
containers for everyone. It was a combination of the office Elders, The
Christensens, The Leavitts, the Shakespeares, and us. Really a good
evening.
Tuesday we began the day with our studies. We had a great
comp study in which we discussed the necessity of Leaders leaving a lasting
impact through their example in such a way that it helps to set the stage for
upcoming leaders. This is really important because with our mission still
experiencing Visa issues, the number of missionaries will drop, so upcoming
leaders must be prepared to lead, and really push forward this work despite a
smaller number of missionaries. The Example we leave behind really sets a
standard to look to for those that follow. It's not a Pride matter, for if pride
is there than that person is immediately deemed unfit for Leadership, but
rather it must be out of a sincere desire to accept the responsibilities the
Lord entrusts us with then work with all diligence to magnify them. Due to some
unexpected tasks to come up regarding office work and helping the mission
President, we had to reschedule all of our appointments for the day so we could
do that. None the less it seemed to be a productive and successful Exchange. At
the end of the day just before going to switch my companion back, we closed the
exchange by discussing it, evaluating what was learned and what can be
improved, then closed with a kneeling prayer. Once we closed the exchange, we
then hoped to make good time getting to Elder Beacom's flat, but instead sat in 4
hours of traffic..
Wednesday we were in the office taking care of some things,
and dropping Elders at the bus stations. Then in the evening we went to drop
Elder Nyirenda in Eastlands to start exchanges there. I was to be with Elder
Bradford for Thursday. Due to our car needing to be serviced, we are driving a
manual truck, so I had to put in place the few training sessions I received
from other Elders and Elder Christensen. Personally I think I'm doing pretty
good. One thing is for sure though, it's exhausting haha, just a different feel
to it all.
Thursday was our exchanges with Eastlands. In the morning
we had more Elders around the flat due to interviews which would be done that
day. But we were able to have a good companionship study. We focused more
on Characteristics of a Zone Leader, and leading how Christ led, and how in
doing so persistently it can be of monumental impact to the zone. We had a good
proselyting day and were also able to do a lot of contacting. Elder Bradford
served 6 months in the Arcadia, California mission and has now been in Kenya for
about 8 months, he is a great Elder, really reminds me a lot of Jordan Sale, he
is tall and very smooth in talking to people. When contacting, he was fearless
and even stopped a big cargo truck (Lorry) that was coming down the hill next
to the church. We got a total of 104 contacts and ran out of pamphlets. We also
taught Moses who is a recent convert baptized in January, and Emmanuel, who is
scheduled for baptism on the 10th of May. Then in the evening taught Florence
and her daughter Fiona. They are still progressing to be baptized on the 19th
of April. After all our teaching we drove to Eastlands and dropped Elder
Bradford off, but before departing we went and closed the exchange. He is a
great leader and will really be of great help to the KNM going forward as he
will be here till February 2016.
Friday we were in the office, we used the morning to do our
weekly planning then go searching in town for some items we had been asked to
buy. Once we got to the office, President had us and the Office Elders come
into his office and he showed us Chariots of Fire and trained us throughout it.
Really a powerful movie, shows how when we choose righteousness, we are
blessed, and it leaves an impact on others.
Well now its Saturday, we did some shopping this morning for
souvenirs, things are quite a bit more expensive here in Nairobi.. great
quality, but expensive.
Well I hope you have all had a great week, thank you for all
your support.
Love,
Elder Rushton Jay Hiltbrand
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