10/19/2019 -- We were blessed today

10/18
Sho!

We were blessed today, we got 4 new Investigators.

First up, we visited a Recent Convert named Stephen (Steven?) who has had some hard circumstances in life, but things are looking up for him, so it was a nice lesson.

After that, we stopped by a Fundi wa Viatoo (Fixer of Shoes) we contacted a few days a ago, and started to teach him a lesson with two other people just joining in. It was funny how it happened. One just started listening in, then the next just wandered in, another man wandered in, took one look at the crowded room, and left.

It was funny.

From there, we met with yet another new person who is experiencing some hard family circumstances.

We ended the day with a visit to the Kasanga family. The eldest daughter is considering a mission, the mother is certain. I told them to just work on the passport, since they take a long time here.

10/19
"Shifting Tides of War"

Three Christians and a Muslim, two missionaries and a Muslim vs another Christian who was stubborn in his belief of the Trinity, and also stubborn in ignoring the direct proofs contrary.

We started the discussion outside a shop owned by this Muslim lady, and she joined in on our side. It was funny. The Muslim belief surrounding Jesus is that he is something like the Greatest Prophet, but he isn't the Son of God, so she was completely on our side when this guy tried to say that God and Jesus were the same. It was funny, we mutually agreed to disagree and just stared at this one guy as he continued to confuse himself.

I told him to his face several times that he was confusing himself, but he refused to believe it, and ignored me when I brought up the Stoning of Steven.

The whole mess lasted a good half hour and we walked away in exasperation, but with no hard feelings.

For the rest of today, we visited Brother Benson and his wife Georgina. I ended up playing with their little girl while E. Mukendi had to teach them what Family Home Evening was in Swahili since they missed the finer points of my English, but oh well.

We got rained on, and taught a Sister named Mary who is a Recent Convert. We read 2 Nephi 30 with her, and that ended our day.

10/17/2019 -- it's moments like these that make being a missionary worthwhile

10/12
Hakuna stima.

Okay, conference so far was very good. I have a rather long list of talks I need to revisit, and it turns out my mother and father were very correct when they mentioned to me that Africa came up a lot. I mostly heard about DRC and Ghana though – not Kenya.

I think I’ll need to relisten to Elder Renlund’s talk. Between this one and Abound with Blessings he’s shown himself to be a worthwhile speaker to go back and listen to.

Elder Bednar’s was fun. The cheetas provided a very good image for explaining the adversary.

I thought the Australian had a fun talk too, and the Colombian guy had a hard accent to follow, but his conversion story had me doubled over in laughter. Even E. Cole was looking at me with some level of concern when I was still giggling a few minutes later. I think it’s been too long since I had a good laugh.

Overall, the two sessions I saw were very good. I look forward to going back to see what else I can glean from them.

Next two tomorrow!

10/14
Cybered, Called home.

10/15
It was a good day today. The Lord blessed us and we randomly got a new investigator when this guy named Gideon just walked up to us while we were standing outside the chuch trying to call the person we were supposed to be meeting at that time. Well, it wasn't hard for us to switch our sights to him.

We taught the guy, and I tried a strategy I've been wanting to for a while: teaching the Book of Mormon first lesson. More specifically, I wanted to try hooking this guy in. We hit him with some information that some people have a hard time accepting (Prophets, God still speaks, we belive in Miracles, etc.) when he asked what the difference was between us and the Pentecostal church. It was a good lesson, we'll see if he comes back.

S. Emmaqulate also passed her interview today! So she should be baptized this week barring any issues. It was fun chatting with E. McGee for the time we had waiting for her to come.

Last thing, since it's week 6 I justified ordering pizza, and I wasn't the only one. E. Smith and E. Segale both had the same idea and when E. Mukendi and I went out to pick up our pizza they just randomly handed me one with Segale on in and really confused me for a long minute there before those two walked up. Fun. I'm not even too mad that they messed up my order.

10/17
"How to Kill a Congolieze"

Give them American candy.
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Well, yesterday was okay. We had DDM, then E. Mukendi and I taught a lesson with a brother named Julius. I'm still waiting to see if this guy will progress, but I'm not sure yet.

For today, we got bounced a few times, got a new investigator when a guy who can't keep time or remember appointments (he had even forgotten today, our call reminded him) showed up with his friend.

I don't know how the lesson was, all I know is that E. Mukendi started begging me to learn Swahili when it was over.

Fun.

We also visited a Recent Convert named Esther and re-taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ to help her review. We also learned that she'd been thinking long and hard about going back to her old church, but then she read Elder Cristofferson's talk: "Standing firm in the Testimony of Christ" and realized that she couldn't leave. Powerful, it's moments like these that make being a missionary worthwhile.

10/11/2019 -- I haven’t had a day that full since...

10/6
Ugh. Long day. We found someone new to teach, but time will tell as we start to work with her and her husband. She isn't happy with the way her pastor is doing things, but she goes to his church almost every day of the week.

Aside from that, we were bounced three times and had a meeting with the Bishop that I've elected to count as correlation despite the fact that we just walked into his office to talk to him when he showed up at the church to do some work. Fun.

I'm currently wiped, night.

10/6
Aish. Slow, long, day. Fast Sunday always kills as a missionary. We taught a lesson with S. Emmaqulate and had her meet with the Bishop to see if there might be any potential issues with something she mentioned to us, but there's no issue. So we are currently a-go for her Baptism on the 20th. We just need to use that time wisely to help her understand and grow her testimony.

Aside from that, nothing much. I had some extra minutes, so I gave E. Cole a call to chat with him. It was fun.

10/11
Well, I haven’t updated for a few days. No excuse, it just didn’t happen.

Oh, here’s an excuse: I was so overwhelmed by something I saw on Tuesday that I forgot to update for a few days: I just had to stop and appreciate the guy bouncing down the street on the back of a camel. I’ve seen cows wandering around the streets, goats and chickens are common place, and let’s not even talk about cats and dogs, but I’ve never seen a camel. I just had to take a moment to appreciate what I was seeing.

Anyway, for this week things have been up and down. We met a new guy named Ben, but this guy has made me mad because he’ll tell you a certain time, you call and he’ll say he’s coming, you’ll give up and walk away, and he’ll call an hour later to tell you he’s at the church.

My opinion of this guy is low right now. We met with him once and had a Swahili-only lesson. When we set up an appointment for him today he asked us to buy him lunch – something President made very clear we’re not to do – so we told him we couldn’t. When we arrived at the church today we waited for him, and waited, and waited. The member we brought with us was so patient as we waited for 3+ hours. I’m pretty sure the Bishop thinks we’re lazy now. The fact that we waited so long for this guy was due to the fact that everytime we called him to check on him he said he was “almost there” or “five minutes away” eventually, his phone was switched off when we called. That’s when I had a “forget this!” moment and we gave up on waiting for him. I told my companion as we left the church that we wouldn’t be meeting with this guy today even if he called us to say he was at the church. I was done with him wasting our time, and E. Mukendi agreed.

That was the lowest point of the week. The second lowest point was this lady who just decided not to come to church because she prefers locking herself in the house to worship Jesus. I just had to stop talking during that lesson after a certain point. I need E. Mukendi’s permission before I can really give fire. It’s a mutual “do or die” time if that happens. Either it’ll wake them up or it’ll chase them off. Either way, we’ll only do it as a last resort.

Anyway, those were the two lowest points of my week. The rest of my week was boom, boom, boom, and boom! We found a new investigator, taught a fun former investigator (he gives E. Mukendi a headache), worked with a member, helped out the Bishop, contacted, and just overall had a much better week for work than any other. Thursday was even so full it almost killed me. I haven’t had a day that full since my time with E. Kanda in Lucky Summer. It was really nice.

I also had a really amusing conversation today with a matatu driver. E. Mukendi and I had sat in the front next to this guy and he started ranting about bangi (weed) and we taught a mini version of the word of wisdom as the guy almost got us in an accident three times during the five – ten minute drive. We left him with a Restoration pamphlet and we’ll see what happens.

All I can say for now: I’m really pumped up for conference.

10/4/2019 -- The other lessons was with a guy I'm low-key frustrated with

10/1
Anger down. I repeat, Anger down.

We were able to teach a few lessons today: the first with S. Emmaqulate where we taught the Law of Chastity - may be problems there, but we'll see. She understood it well, and we gave her more stuff to read in the Book of Mormon.

The other lessons was with a guy I'm low-key frustrated with. He's the one who doesn't see an issue with all these churches since "they all teach of Jesus Christ." Fortunately, he seems to be getting it now, but only time will tell.

He said he got an answer to his prayers and that Joseph Smith was a prophet and the Book of Mormon is truly scripture. My response was that was great and since he founded truth he didn't need to go anywhere else to find it. *sigh* It remains to be seen with this guy how things will go.

We also got pizza today. That helped my mood quite a bit since I wasn't able to last week.

10/2
DDM today. The Zone Leaders weren't there because they went to Mlolongo for exchanges. I spent some time hanging out with E. Clegg and E. McGee because we all grabbed lunch together.

After that E. Mukendi and I came back and did some contacting. We got bounced, then helped get some confusion worked out with someone's Baptismal Record, then we went to see a member.

We shared a thought about Blessings and the Importance of the Sacrament when we're facing Trials. I referenced E. Renlund's talk: Abound with Blessings, and we read Doctrine and Covenants Section 122 with them. It was nice, but it made us late getting back to the flat.

Well, that isn't too much of an issue anymore: President changed Home Safe. It's still 7, but if you have appointments you can stay out till 8. You just have to let your District Leader know in advance.

10/3
Well, not much for today. Our usual weekly DA was cancelled and we got bounced. I had a headache, stuffy nose, and low energy and E. Mukendi had a headache, so our mutual desire to work hard today was cut down. We still taught a good lesson with a Recent Convert named S. Esther about the Kingdoms of Glory, so that was nice.

What's annoying me right now is the amount of mosquitoes I've killed in the past two hours. It's at least in the double digits. Geh! Some of them are immortal too, so it takes a few good smacks to kill them. In the past few minutes I've been writing this I've killed four, so I'm really mad about that now. Hate mosquitoes.

10/4
We met with a B. named Melik today. His father doesn't like the church, so we're trying to set up a meeting with his father.

While I would love it if this guy became converted, I will take him allowing his son to come to church. It'll be enough for me. Aside from that, not much today. We contacted some and my comp showed me around a bit more of the area. Neither of us are feeling that well. Head colds.

8/20/2019 -- Photo of Elder Benson with kids in Lucky Summer

Elder Benson with kids in Lucky Summer.

10/1/2019 -- We also had a heart attack moment

9/27
I was wrong, there was no fun to be had today. There were a few good moments, but nothing seriously fun in the end. *sigh*

The best part of my day is that I got both Saints: The Standard of Truth and Jesus The Christ for less than $7. I happily told the guy behind the register at the distribution center, "I love how true the church is."

I got Saints alone for 60 Bob. I'm really happy about that. I'll finish it soon. Who knows when?
...
Tonight. I just finished it.

9/28
Well, I'm mad. A lot of stinking time was wasted while I was stuck at the hospital today. I wasn't going to go, but when the Mission President's Wife says, you go. Plus, I didn't have grounds to refuse. I've been having issues all week. I tried to beg off or delay, but symptoms started showing by the time we reached the church after weekly planning, so I waved the white flag and went.

What did they find? Nobody knows. There don't seem to be any parasites, but they gave me something to treat for them - just in case. They said they'd have lab results in four days, so hopefully I'm better by then and it's not an issue.

The doctor I talked to seemed to think it was the Doxy's fault though. Apparently, it can mess up your system. I'll believe that, but it shouldn't apply to me - I've been taking Doxy for eight months now. Geh.

Anyway, we did have one lesson today. We met with a Recent Convert to discuss some issues he was facing, and to invite them back to church. He and his wife haven't been in a while.

We also had a heart attack moment when a woman E. Mukendi called in Swahili mentioned something about burning a Book of Mormon, but we hauled in E. Segale and worked things out. This lady's friend discovered that she was attending this church - told her it was a Devil Worshiping church and that she should burn the Book of Mormon.

Before that misunderstanding was cleared up I was spitting mad. This lady is a recent convert and the story seemed to be something along the lines of: "my friend told me that the church I've been attending for a few months now is actually a devil worshiper church, so I'm leaving the church and burning the Book of Mormon" kind of story. The saddest thing is that it's a believable story. It happens.

9/30
Well, not much today. We had church, taught a lesson, attended Ward Council, and chatted. Pretty much every other Sunday here. I miss the ones in Lucky Summer, they were always super busy.

10/1
Well, people really like to make me mad, don't they? I got a text first thing in the morning from a guy asking my comp and I to come unlock the church. We told him that we could be there at 11 and he agreed.

When we got there we waited for a fundi to show up and take care of the things, but when we called it turns out the guy texted the wrong pair of missionaries - so I started my day in a foul mood. The worst part of the whole thing? I even doubled checked several times that this guy was looking for Kayole 2nd ward. SEVERAL TIMES. Eventually he asked me if we were at the South B chapel, and that's when my annoyance turned to anger. GEH!!!

Nothing else interesting for today, we cybered, I called home.

9/26/2019 -- the Lord blessed me

9/23
Well, my once-a-transfer routine of getting sick has reared it's ugly head yet again. Last night sucked. Not much for today, we just cybered.

Cyber cafe.  Awaiting a computer.

Fluffy kitties -- cannot touch!

9/24
Well, we tried to work. We taught a lesson, set up some appointments, contacted a bit, then had to come back early because of me.

The lesson we taught was with a guy who gave me a neat little headache because he exemplified several traits that I dislike about the people in my mission. 1: Money and/or Job. Even though it's been explained to him several times it's easy to tell that this guy is holding out a spark of hope that we'll give him one of those two things. 2: They all believe in Jesus Christ, does it matter which church I go to?
...
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Okay, this is an attitude I've found here that I really, really hate. A lot of people aren't even looking for truth, they're just looking for a church to pray at or whatever. They don't really care that these churches all teach different things or whatever, they just don't care. The only church they seem to care about here is Jehovah's Witnesses. That "care" is an oddly omnipresent hatred for them. I had one guy explain that they don't teach things like the Bible explains them, so that's why he hated them, but I still don't really get it. Aigh...

Anyway, we just couldn't get it into this guy's head that, yes, there is ONE true church. I just waived the white flag in the end and just told him that he doesn't need to believe what we were saying, but he needs to ask God if it's true. He agreed to do so, we'll see what happens.
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HOW DO THE PEOPLE HERE REALLY SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH ALL THESE CHURCHES AND ALL THIS CONFUSION??????????

Study room at Kayole 2 flat

Kayole 2 flat

Elder Mukendi

Elders Benson & Mukendi

9/25
Nothing today. We went to immigration first thing in the morning for my companion. We had planning on going to the Distribution center as well, but I said nope to that because of how miserable I feel. We've just been at the flat all day.

9/26
Well, we actually worked today. It almost killed me at two points, but we got things done.

We met with S. Emmaqulate this morning -she's the only one we have on date- and taught the rest of the Plan of Salvation. She's kinda having a hard time understanding this one, so we're having to take it slow, but we'll review next time to make sure she remembers and understands.

We went to see a member after that. She'd been wanting to have us over for a while, but she was always busy, so we went to see her today. This is the first point where I almost died: she whipped out food. My stomach isn't doing too good at this point, but I tried my best. I didn't feel too good after that, but the Lord blessed me and we were still able to share a good spiritual thought. We talked about making the sacrament more meaningful. It was pretty nice.

From there we had a decent walk to yet another member's home. This one is a standing weekly appointment and we had to follow up on a referral they'd given us last week, and see if they had anyone else they wanted to introduce us to. The answer to the first one is that we actually need to give that referral as a referral to the Mlolongo Elders. The answer to the second one is "yes," but they didn't come to church last Sunday like this family was hoping. Nice.

They also fed us, but I took one bit and waved the white flag. I wasn't as strong as I thought, and my illness overpowered me. Bleh. No, I didn't puke, but I did have to stop.

I explained the situation to this member and she was very understanding - still felt like dying.

I had the Spiritual Thought for this lesson so I pulled from Moroni 7 and talked about our ability to judge between good and evil, and tied that to what President Nelson has counseled us about in these last days, that "we won't be able to survive spiritually without...the Holy Ghost." It was a nice little thought.

Zone Conference tomorrow. My little playground. So long as I'm not too sick I'll have fun.

Elder Bamongo, Lucky Summer companion