4/15 Blog Update
4/9
Today was good. The spirit gave me an idea last night, and we changed the way that we contacted people. Our old record was 4 in a day. Today was 23. I had asked my parents for advice about the area since it's very hard to find people. The both advised me to camp out in front of the University, but I ignored that and had an idea based of the foundation of that idea: a place where a lot of people are! So we went around to different bus stops (called "stages" here) and talked to everyone. It was a booming success. Now the question becomes: how many will we actually teach?
We also taught S.Veronica her last lesson, and went over the Baptismal Questions with her. She's ready. I'm rather happy for her.
4/10
Well, today was interesting for one reason: we have a new investigator, and we weren't expecting that. We had actually gone to teach a Recent Convert named Kevin. He's the one who translates for us when we teach S.Veronica, and he gave her name to us as a referral. He's solid, has the Aaronic Priesthood, a true desire to learn, and is working toward the temple in December this year, or January next year - can't remember which. Anyway, we headed to the meeting point: S.Veronica's shop, and called him. We sat on a concrete step, and contacted a guy who turned out to be Kevin's younger brother. We gave him a pamphlet, told him a little bit about it, then started teaching Kevin when he showed up. His brother (who's name I need more practice in saying, and I don't remember how it's spelled) stayed and listened as we taught B.Kevin, and asked questions. B.Kevin helped translate for us, and we taught them both at the same time. So we have a new investigator, his brother is a powerful convert, he asks a lot of questions, and he seems to be earnestly seeking faith in his life. Boys, we are in business. *Rubs hands together in glee*
4/11
*sigh* Today, was long. We went contacting and were able to contact 12 people. Not our record, but pretty good. We did that before lunch, then headed over to Kinondoni for interviews with President Msane. My interview was supposed to be at 6, and E.Phokane at 6:30, well, originally an hour earlier than that, but President's flight was delayed. So everything else was delayed, then interviews ran long, and blah, blah, blah. Point is, E.Phokane and I got our interviews rescheduled at the last possible second, and we got home 40 minutes after home safe. We spent an hour standing in a Daladala (couldn't get seats) as we worked our way home. It was a nightmare.
4/12
Zone Conference today. We left first thing in the morning (7:55ish), and got back at 8:30. Zone Conference itself was good. I was able to contribute a lot to the discussions, and a lot of good things were shared.
I did have a shock during lunch when they gave us tortillas and let us pick our own filling. "What's shocking about that?" Well, Tortillas look like this food here in Tanzania called: Chapate. I personally love Chapate, it's excellent. A tortilla, is like a sad, pathetic, lonely, dropped on it's head, abandoned, poor excuse for a Chapate look-alike. I had thought they were pretty much the same thing till I had that tortilla today, now I know they're not. I need to learn how to make Chapate.
Anyway, President Msane took the time to interview E.Phokane and I. It was nice. He's a good mission president, I'll miss him when he's gone, but I have heard good things about the up-coming President Mdletshe (I think that's spelled right? E.Phokane? "Yeah, that's it." Good.). E.Phokane told me that this was actually a really good zone conference too, people were actually engaged and talking. Apparently, they're usually quiet and boring affairs, but this one was nice. I dunno, this was my first one. I was sick in bed during the last zone conference.
4/13
It was quiet today, but still good. We were able to contact 10 people, which is precisely the amount of pamphlets I was carrying. Fun! Literally nothing else happened. I wasn't joking when I said that it was quiet. The local soccer club was playing, so everyone was "busy." (pronounce that "s" like a "z" and draw it out to say it like the people here.
4/14
We had a meeting after church today. The branch president and his two councelors were supposed to be there, but the only one who came was the first councelor. We were discussing missionary work here in Chang'ombe, hopefully the meeting will help things move in a better direction. I can't really share anything that was said, but it was good.
Aside from that, today was quiet. I was able to read (and finish) True to the Faith, and I plan on starting the "Teachings of the Presidents" series next week. I don't have access to them all here, but I'll get to read a few of the interesting ones.
By the way, I would encourage everyone to read President Ballard's talk during the October 2018 conference. I believe he only spoke once. I re-read it in the Liahona today, and it was fantastic. The Spirit was so touching and strong, I believe that reading it will comfort those who have recently lost a loved one. That belief, is strengthened by the spirit residing in my chest. President Ballard shared a heartfelt talk, one that he had a personal stake in, and the testimony of it was powerful because of that.
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