5/13
"A Difference of Accent"
Ever since I got here I have pronounced all the Swahili words like they were Japanese, and it's worked pretty well for me, but it's funny to watch E.Bailey. Nobody here can really understand his accent. Last Wednesday, we tried to buy some eggs. In Swahili, "egg" is "yai" and "eggs" is "mayai." E.Bailey tried a few times to buy them, and failed, so we left. We came back later, and I gave it a try. I pronounced it like it was Japanese, and this Ma-ma knew instantly what I wanted. First try. So, either my accent has changed without me noticing, or pronouncing everything Japanese works.
I remember a few times when I first got here, people not being able to understand what I was saying. It's gotten a little better since then, so my accent has probably changed. Well, so long as I don't lose my English, it'll be fine.
Anyway, we had choir practice today. I found it boring, so I pulled out the Old Testament and read as we sang. It wasn't hard, I know "God be with you till we meet again" a little too well by this point. It's super over-played by missionaries. I much prefer: "Lord, Bless Us Ere We Part" - seems less like a funeral, but I'm not the one picking the song, so whatever.
We hung out at E.Bailey's flat after that and had lunch. I had the pleasant experience of setting aside a chicken's bladder as I was trying not to thing too much about the fact that I was pulling meat off it's spine. Note to self: once home, always get boneless meat. Always.
E.Mathemera and I had to go hunting for a place to cyber too, our usual place was closed for no apparent reason, so we had to use one that the other Elders refuse to use because of how bad it is. I didn't have a horrible experience with it, but I know that trying to call home from the computer I was using would have been no good. Sore wa muri desu yo! Muri, muri, muri!
After that we did a deep cleaning of the flat. Well, "deep" being sweeping and mopping. I did the mopping if you're curious.
5/14
Another day, another visit to S.Veronica. We taught her from Moroni 6, and had some pretty good thoughts. She is very well prepared for her Baptism.
So, I forgot to mention this new habit I've developed. When we have extended moments of downtime, I whip out the Bible, and read from the Old Testament. I'm reading it like a book, and I'll probably have it finished by the end of the year. At the latest. I'm close to finishing Genesis now. This new habit came around after I got a new set of scriptures, a mini set for proselyting. When I showed them off to my parents they mentioned "The Military" so I assume they're a set normally given to soldiers. They're nice though. I like them.
Nothing else for today, E.Mathemera and I walked around the area to help him learn it better.
5/15
Had DDM today, then ate lunch with the Tabata sisters. It was nice enough, but I had to do the training during DDM today, so I talked about conversion. I sorta got a discussion running about conversion. My first question was: How do you check if people are converted? The biggest one mentioned was commitments. If they're keeping commitments, then it's a sign of a willingness to repent.
My second question was: How can we open people up to be converted? That one was mostly me talking since we were short on time. Essentially, you need to open them up to the spirit. I suggested that every opportunity during a lesson should be taken to help them feel the spirit. The first opportunity is the Opening Prayer, any time you testify, and when you share things of eternal truth. I also mentioned scriptures.
It was nice enough, but I only feel that it was "all right" the discussion got a little derailed at one point when everyone focused on an example I'd given, like it was how I actually taught, and spent way too much time on that.
After that, E.Mathemera and I took a Daladala back to our area, and had to wait a little while for our appointments to show up. Turns out, B.Ernest showed up two hours too early, and left. B.Dennis came two hours late, and we did end up teaching him. It was nice, but I had to haul E.Amegakpoe over to help me teach since E.Mathemera was busy doing an interview with E.Bailey (one of his duties as District Leader). Once they finished, E.Mathemera tagged in, and we taught the lesson. We're still learning how to work together, so today was a good learning opportunity.
We visited a Sister in the branch after that, and parted for the evening. E.Mathemera made dinner, and shared some with me. I did the dishes as thanks. It was a good day. I like it when they're busy.
5/16
Had a new student show up for English Class today. I had to teach her about "tenses." I kept it simple and talked about "past," "present," and "future" tenses. I didn't get any deeper. I defined some words for her after that, and she left. I still can't remember, nor say her name, but I'm pretty sure (99%) that she's Muslim. Pretty brave of her coming to a Christian Church - even if it was only for English Class.
We taught B.Ernest today, we're working over the Plan of Salvation with him, and he's an interesting one. We extended Baptism, but he told us that he'd already been Baptized. We didn't out right say anything like: "It doesn't count," but said it in a roundabout way, and re-explained about the priesthood. We didn't force him to give us another answer, but we did encourage him to pray about it. We also invited him to attend S.Veronica's Baptism on Sunday, and got a clear response that he'd be there after a little pushing. He gave us a non-committal answer, and I whipped out something that I've been waiting to use for a long time: 1 Nephi 3:7. Paraphrased: "The Lord always prepares a way for his commandments to be fulfilled." Since we are commanded to keep the Sabbath Day holy, the Lord will provide a way for us to keep it holy, so long as we exert all our efforts on our end to do so. We got a hard "yes" from him after that. Felt good. I've been waiting for a chance to use that one since my first transfer in the mission, never had a good opportunity.
We then traveled to Ma-ma Kawinga's place with the other Elders to visit her. It was a lot of traveling. Had to take two Daladala and a Bajaj, but we got there.
We shared a spiritual thought, ate dinner there, and left. That one sentence comprises about an hour and a half. Getting back was the reverse process of getting there: a Bajaj (finally learned how to spell that word while riding it), and two Daladala. Fortunately, we got seats for three of the four Daladala rides, but it still wasn't fun. At one point, I was standing butt to butt with one guy. Literally. There was no way to move, and nowhere to move to. It's always an exercise in agonizing discomfort when they're that full. It's worse about 3 pm when school is letting out.
E.Bailey has taken to referring to the school children as "cockroaches" and I'm inclined to agree. Take my previous descriptions of Daladalas, and combine it with what you know of cockroaches, then you'll understand why I agree.
When we got off the Daladala near our flat it was raining - hard. So we sprinted through the rain to get back. It lightened up as we got close to our flat, so we walked the rest of the way. We were both still completely soaked. Fun, fun, fun. -_-
5/17
MORE...RAIN>>>NOOOOOOO! JK. There was rain again today, but I'm not complaining. It beats the heat in my arrogant opinion. Apparently, winter is just starting here. It feels rather weird for me, seeing as this is when summer is just about to start. Not here.
Anyway, we taught S.Veronica today, and tried to teach another lesson, but the rain interfered. We'll try again tomorrow.
For how few tasks we completed today, it was very busy. I like that.
5/18
A slow day, for the first half. We held English Class, and B.John was the only one to show for it, at about 12:50 or so, right before it was supposed to end. I let it run over.
Fortunately, B.Robert was told about the Baptism after the fiasco last week with the bucket brigade, so the font was filled today. Now we just need the Couples to bring some Baptismal clothes, and we'll be good to go.
We got a call not too long after lunch by a Brother named Elias, so we paid a visit to him with a member showing the way and taught what I think was a good lesson. I can't be sure since it was all in Swahili, and I was the only one who needed a translator. I caught some of it though, so it seems like I'm learning Swahili the same way I learned Japanese: one word at a time, and with constant exposure. I do take a small amount of pride in being the best at Swahili time, but E.Bailey is about to surpass me, so it won't last long. He is actively studying though, so it's not too surprising.
We visited B.Steven after that, and shared a spiritual thought with him. It rained pretty hard while we were there, but fortunately stopped before we left.
We shared Alma 32:28-32. It compares faith (or the Word of God) to a seed. I like it, I've been using this a lot recently. This one, and Ether 12 are the really good ones for talking about faith. There are others, but these are the two I have memorized, and can whip out in a moments notice.
5/19
S.Veronica was Baptized today after church by a brother named Meshack. E.Bailey Baptized one of their Investigators named Hadija right afterward. It was a nice service.
S.Hadija cried during her testimony, and S.Veronica was crying after her testimony. Full on crying too, practically inconsolable. I was worried, but she looked so happy that even though I was worried, I couldn't stop smiling. E.Mathemera called her later this evening, and told me that she sounded very happy. I must say: I'm rather looking forward to the second half of her Baptism. The one of fire, and of the Holy Ghost. That will happen next Sunday.
We had a meeting with the Branch Leadership (literally just the first counselor, the branch clerk, and a member) discussing needs in the Chang'ombe Branch, as well as Missionary Work. We've now been given a side quest (which may turn out to be a story quest, depends on how the story progresses) about hunting down inactive members. It looks like it will be a lot of work. Fun, fun, fun.
We went and visited a member after that. I ate until bursting. I commented that I'd had too much food (or something in the spirit of that style of comment) and E.Bailey laughed at me saying that he would be fed four plates like I had back in Kenya. Apparently, the line: "Eat, Elders" is quite a fearsome one in Kenya. One of our host's sisters kept bugging me about being too quiet.
Everyone here thinks I'm super quiet. I personally don't think I am, I just don't talk unless I have something to say. People her just don't get that mentality, and I'm left wondering how many people back home thought I was quiet. I had a lot of people tell me I was quiet in the MTC. I also think I've gone off on this tangent before. Anyway, we were there for a long while, and headed back to the flat by Bajaj. They call them "Tuk Tuk" in Kenya. Try looking up a picture. They're loads of "fun." Still trying to figure out what we're gonna do tomorrow. Cleaning, certainly. What else? I dunno. Kariakoo?
5/20
Yep. Kariakoo. We headed there after a guy came and did maintenance on our a/c. It runs a little better now, so I'm happy. Right when it's the most useless: winter.
Anyway, Kariakoo was crazy. I ran into someone -who I think- is the same guy that grabbed me the first time I was there. Guess what he did? Grabbed me. My right shirt sleeve specifically, the first time.
So I was walking, and someone grabs my shirt sleeve hard. I look back and it's either the same guy, or a guy with the same look on his face. I grabbed the sleeve with my left hand, and jerked it out of his grip without hesitating. I've been through this song and dance once before, now that I have an appropriate response planned: I don't hesitate.
Caught up with the other Elders, and we stopped at another shop. E.Bailey was looking for a webcam. It wasn't there, so we moved on. As I turned to leave, this guy walks up and grabs my left arm. I jerk it free, and follow the other Elders. It was only a few minutes later that I realized that my left front pocket is empty.
That's the pocket I put my sweat rag in, and the way I fold it just so happens to make it look like the wallets they use here.
E.Bailey laughed when I mentioned the theft, but I hadn't taken it out of my pocket since I'd put it in this morning. So someone stole it, and I'm inclined to think that it happened when that guy grabbed my arm. Fun, right?
Nothing else happened today. Just some cleaning, went and cybered, some shopping, it was a pretty nice P-Day.
5/21
We got an SMS early this morning. One of our PIs was telling us that he'd meet us at 10 today. It took me a while to see this message, and E.Mathemera a while to remember that he'd seen this message, so we were rushing like crazy the second we remembered/saw.
We taught the guy, met up with the other Elders to exchange some paper work (more like the Devil's work) and grabbed lunch together.
Side note: we have a new investigator, his name is: Brown. ...I have long since stopped questioning the names here. You shouldn't ask either. It'll save your brains from over-heating.
After lunch, we headed over to the church to do some comp study, and E.Mathemera checked to see if the church computer was working. It does. They also installed Wi-fi last Saturday, and Sunday was the first day it was working, so the YSA will be a lot happier to attend from now on. I think you can find their FaceBook page if you search "Chang'ombe" on FaceBook. Apparently, you can find pictures from the Baptism on there. I haven't seen it, I've just heard about it. Though, it doesn't surprise me in the slightest.
We tried to visit S.Veronica today, but B.Kevin wasn't around to translate, so we decided to see her tomorrow instead.
Another side note: during the lesson with Brown, "I" came up with a pretty good analogy to explain the Priesthood. Essentially, God is like the Head Coach of a little league team. The Assistant Coach is like the Prophet (or other Priesthood holder) who carries out the Head Coach's instructions. While the kids listen to him, they don't respect him, but the Authority he has from the Head Coach. I did a better job explaining it during the lesson, but the Spirit was leading that one, so this is the best job I can do now.
5/22
Sho! I was boarding the flight here on this day 4 months ago. Time? Doesn't exist. It's already gone. The days are long, the weeks are short, the months are fast, and the years are already gone. I came up with that one (I think?).
Nothing much else today.
5/22
Slow day. We almost had a new Investigator, but he lives in the other Elder's area, so we passed him over to them. The funny thing is that he's sorta a referral. He's friends with B.Ernest, one of E.Mathemera and I's investigators.
B.Ernest told him about being taught, and this guy decided he liked the sound of it all, and came by the church today. He seems excited to learn, and I'm sad that I don't get to teach him, but so be it. So long as he's taught, it's fine. His name is Geoffrey.
We hit up a new grocery store today, and both wept in agony when we realized that it was better in every way than the one we usually use. The reason why the pain, is that it's a half hour walk there - one way. We only checked it out today since we were already close. We had tried to visit S.Veronica, but she wasn't around.
In any case, I was overjoyed to finally find chocolate that I'd been searching for for 9 or so weeks now. It may be cheap, but it's chocolate.
We had to walk back in the pouring rain, after the sun had set, so it was a bit miserable. We will be returning though. That place has everything we're after. Maybe once a week?
5/23
It rained this morning, so I was a little surprised when I had two students show up for English Class today. Taught them both, and the second one kept trying to pull the "just one more" to get me to extend the class time, but I ended it anyway because B.Ernest showed up for us to teach. Told the guy to wait till next time. Apparently, my English Class is one that keeps my students desperate for more...
Well, that weird guy aside, the lesson with B.Ernest went well. We decided that we would try and extend Baptism again, so we used the scriptures to teach so that he'd understand a little more about the priesthood. Apparently, we made it "too clear" and my companion said we "bombed" him with scriptures. We talked a bit more, and finished the Plan of Salvation, then we extended Baptism once more. He told us with a great amount of sincerity that he'd pray about it.
I have quite a bit of hope that he'll do it too, he's the only investigator (aside from S.Veronica) that I've had who so readily does their reading assignments. Most usually just give us excuses.
After that, a Brother named Okanda paid a visit. He's the one who referred B.Ernest to us (this was after Ernest had already left) to see if he'd come today. We chatted for a bit, and he left satisfied that Ernest had come.
5/24
We had correlation today, and it took a long time to finish. After that, we had to do weekly planning, so the day was pretty shot as far as the work. We ended up visiting a member, a brother named Luis. He's a nice guy, and he's the one who referred B.Kevin.
Aside from that, not much else to tell. Today was pretty busy, just light on variety of busy.
5/25
It was a very empty day. We spent most of it trapped at the church because of the rain. When it gets heavy enough, you don't play. It gets dangerous, and the traffic gets worse. It somehow goes from everyone driving like there's a mild disaster, to everyone driving like it's the end of the world. I don't get it, but that's how it goes.
Because of the rain, there were some cancelled plans and appointments, but we were finally able to see S.Veronica this evening. She's doing well, and she's ready for Confirmation.
5/26
Well, the Confirmations went well. Both S.Veronica and S.Hadija were Confirmed without any big issues. S.Hadija's Confirmation was very nice - it was in English. I assume S.Veronica's was very nice - it was in Swahili.
After church was over I moved quickly and got President Kawinga and B.Mhango to sign what they needed to. I don't play when it comes to paperwork. It may be annoying, but I recognize and understand the importance of it. Remember: If it isn't recorded on Earth, it won't be recorded in Heaven.
Anyway, after that E.Mathemera and I went with a large number of YSA to visit a less-active member. E.Bailey had to conduct an interview, so he couldn't tag along.
What little of the visit I understood was nice, but it was almost all in Swahili, and we had to spend an hour waiting for this brother to come back home. Swahili time is an hour late to everything I guess.
E.Mathemera and I visited Kevin in his home after that and they fed us dinner. I made it through the Ugali. Barely. Slowly getting used to it.
We did a quick visit to S.Veronica's home after that with Kevin tagging along. She wasn't feeling well, but we were able to share a pretty nice message before we left.
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