This week was pretty similar to last week, we taught
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and then we will again teach tomorrow.
Monday was our usual office day. We put together the mission
totals for numbers, created some new procedures for Items such as Food Storage
and Medical Kits, and met with President Hicken. President Hicken loves to
train and teach us whenever he gets the chance, so when available, he will have
us come into his office then he will talk with us about various items and
recently he has been using some films to teach us. True stories that teach
gospel principles. It's really powerful, shows you how watching a movie can be
so much more than just watching, it can be a time filled with principle
learning and growth. I've really been enjoying these training sessions he has
with us, I feel it's helping me grow a lot.
Tuesday we were on exchanges with the Office Elders, I was
with Elder Griffiths and my companion went with Elder Wambete. It was a great
exchange, we began in the morning with Companionship Study and were on
exchanges until the evening. Due to the driving situation, Elder Griffiths and
I went out to Zimmerman, while our companions worked in Upperhill. We had a
really successful day, met with some new investigators, one named Alfred and
another named Esther, then taught Emmanuel. We were blessed to work throughout
the day with Wycliff and Steven. We had them contacting and teaching with us,
they were great! They were totally fearless when it came to contacting, they
would talk to everyone! We took them out for a small lunch because it was a hot
day and it turned out that it would be Wycliff's last day working with us for
the next 2 months because he is going away for school. It felt a lot like
being back in Kisumu with Elder Griffiths, a lot of fun, but at the same time
working hard.
Wednesday we had DDM (District Development Meeting) then got stuck in major traffic going
out to an appointment... we got into our proselyting area around 4, then our
5:00 appointment was also stuck in traffic, so we weren't able to meet. We were
able to talk to many people on the street though as we waited. Due to traffic
here in Nairobi, we have to leave our Proselyting area at 4:30 - 5:00 at
the latest in order to make it home before curfew at 7:00, yeah traffic gets
pretty exhausting, but I've learned to find peace in it and not get frustrated.
Reading talks and listening to music helps keep things mellow, so that's really
nice.
Thursday was an office day, but we first had to take Linda
(the same Linda from when I was in Kisumu) to the airport to send her off to the Ghana MTC.
Its crazy how 9 months ago I was first meeting her there in Kisumu and now she
is on a mission. Time flies! We then had the rest of the day in the office, met
with President about some things in preparation for the upcoming mission tour
in May, and then he finished training us with the Office Elders using a video
by John Wooden former UCLA Basket Ball coach's pyramid of success. Really great
teachings from the video. President Hicken would stop after each one and
discuss what Gospel Principle applies to it. All that is good in the world, that
is in line with Gospel Principles has been revealed by the spirit. Many, many
people around the world, members and non-members have been enlightened by the
spirit to accomplish a certain task, such as the case with the founding fathers
in establishing the Constitution, or Christopher Columbus in is expedition that
found the Americas. There is so much good and truth in the world, revealed by
the spirit, we just have to have the spiritual eyes to recognize it.
Friday we had our Weekly Planning, then were able to teach in
Zimmerman. We had a lesson with Florence and her daughter who has just returned
home from boarding school. We discussed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how it's
a continuous process that we live for the rest of our lives. Florence and
her daughter Fiona are both on Date for April 19th. That will be a great
blessing to their family and then Florence and Brother Ndete can plan to go to the
temple 1 year after. I love seeing families come together in the Gospel, the
joy and direction that it brings to them for the rest of their lives and the
eternities. Florence fed us a delicious meal of Meat soup with cilantro, and
chapatis, it was super nice. After our teaching Florence we then rushed back to
Upperhill to pick up the office Elders before going to another Dinner
Appointment at the Baddu's. Last time we were at the Baddu's it was my
birthday. They are such a great family. We always have a good time going there,
and the food they prepare is superb! They cooked Chicken, and three different
types of beef with french fries and then ice cream afterwards. The food is
great, but its also means a lot to visit a family that is so solidly rooted in
the gospel, you can just feel the spirit in their home. When we were leaving,
Brother Baddu came down to the car with us and expressed his gratitude for
having us,. He said that it's always a pleasure to have missionaries over because
it's a great time, but more importantly it sets an example for his 3 sons to
show them the need to serve missions and help to develop that desire within
them from watching our example. I was really touched by that, I can still
remember many of the missionaries who would come and eat at my home as I grew
up and the example they set for me all those years. Missionary work isn't only done
in word, but more often it is done simply in our actions. The way we act, the
way we treat others, how we present ourselves, and who we have become through
the gospel. It's such a wonderful privilege to be here in Kenya teaching the
Gospel. I have met so many wonderful people and made eternal friendships, while
at the same time learning so much about the Savior, myself, and who my Heavenly
Father wants me to become. It's an Experience I wouldn't trade for
anything.
Thank you for all your support, and I hope you have a
wonderful Easter as we remember the Resurrection of our savior, opening the way
for each of us to conquer physical death. I encourage you if you have not
already seen to watch the "BecauseHeLives"
video
Love Always,
Elder Rushton Jay Hiltbrand
So in regards to the shootings that took place at the
University in Garrisa, Kenya. Yesterday there was a reported 146 dead from the
incident.. It's north eastern from Nairobi and we currently don't have any
missionaries nor branches that side. The place of the incident is about 90
miles from Somalia. It's a terribly sad thing to imagine the inhumanity of
people to do that to others. We're okay this side though.
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