Well, we went to Buruburu today. There was an activity there and my comp wanted to go. E.Cole wasn't there - so I wasn't really that interested in going. We chatted some with the other missionaries and I talked with E. Bamongo and E. Tshangu to check in on how Lucky Summer was doing. They started talking about one of the investigators and my response was: "when are going to drop that guy? He's not progressing, he's not keeping commitments, and he's not coming to church."Apparently, it's this guy's greatest ambition to become a Pastor... Apparently, E. Tshangu had to re-teach the great Apostasy, and he and E. Bamongo were planning on blasting this guy next time they saw him. My response was still: "Drop him.
"Nothing else much for the day. We just cybered.
9/17
Well, today was stressful. First thing in the morning at least. We had to go pick up allotment. I wasn't planning on it taking fairly long since I knew of an ATM nearby, but E. Mukendi failed to inform me that his card and that specific ATM don't get along. So I got everything just fine, but we had to speed-walk for over an hour to reach one that would work with his card. I had a "we need to find another ATM for you, this one is way too fetching far."
Something funny I've found in this area is that if I put my mind to it I can find things I want. The first example was with the cyber. I wanted a better, cheaper one - so I found two (and approximately four more today alone). I want an ATM closer to the flat that E. Mukendi can use - I found three potentials. I hope this skill translates well for when I get back home. It'll make looking for an eternal companion much easier.
Anyway, the reason why this was stressful to me is because I still place a lot of importance on punctuality - even if no one else here does. We had an appointment at 11 that bounced us. He might have been there if we were on time, but we were late and he wasn't there. *sigh*...there's no point wasting my time on "what ifs.
"We had to run back to the flat quick after that bounce and came back to the church. I had a quick lunch and E. Mukendi decided to forgo lunch with me by having a snack while we were at the flat. Well, not that it could really be called lunch anyway.
After lunch we taught two good appointments. I was really working with the spirit today, and asked some interesting questions I've never asked before. "Do you believe what we're teaching you could be possible?""Do you thing God could call another prophet?"and others. I always ask questions, but today's were rather pointed. It wasn't hard to figure out that this guy wasn't believing a word of what we were teaching him - spirit of discernment and all that. I'm reasonably sure that we're going to lose this guy, but it all depends on what he does once he's on his own. IF he prays he'll stick around. IF not he'll be gone like the expiration date on last year's cheese.
The second lesson was kinda hard. This lady broke down crying. I tried my best, but I'm not exactly the best at comfort in these kind of situations. She's a powerful lady though, she wants to be washed free of all her sins so badly, and she wants the same for all her children. Powerful.
We contacted after that then came back. My comp was in bed before 9 because he was exhausted from all the walking today. I'm pretty tired too, but I'm not weak enough to do something as out of character as going to sleep early. That said, I do need sleep - badly. Night.
9/19
For today we started off by being bounced - twice - both the primary and back-up weren't there.
We went contacting, had lunch, and headed to the church for our second appointment - who did show on time - I was honestly surprised this guy came at all. I had asked him last time we taught him if he thought that it was possible for God to do all the things that would make it possible for the Restoration - he said no....I kinda thought we lost this guy after that. It's why I like teaching the Restoration first. It weeds through all those who think revelation and miracles no longer apply to our time - they usually leave. Well, this guy stuck around so we taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I was internally chanting when E. Mukendi was teaching him Baptism: "Don't give him a date. Don't give him a date."Why? Well, this guy has told us he wants to be Baptized already, but I'm not gonna do it until I see the fruits of Repentance and Conversion.
After this guy we went to see a Recent Convert who was brought to the church by her son after he was converted, but her son has since gone less active while she's going strong. Funny situation, she literally pointed this out to us. We taught her about the temple and reminded her about family history, then we were outta there.
Our last appointment of the day was to see S. Angela and her family. It was a nice Dinner Appointment. I threw E. Mukendi under the bus this morning during planning and told him that he was in charge of the spiritual thought, so I got to sit back in amusement. Fortunately, I had the decency to give him an eight hour or so warning. Sometimes missionaries will look at each other (especially when there's more than one companionship) trying to figure out who'll do it while a spokesman is buying time for them to sell out one of their companions, or for one brave soul to step forward. I think it's funny.
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