Hello, friends (and maybe some enemies)
Well once again I got tricked by President. I thought it was impossible that I would stay but I was wrong. I am staying in Napipine for a fifth transfer. I will be here for almost 8 months. That's a while. My trainer Elder Alberto left for Caia and he came in my second transfer. I was pretty ready to leave because I was sure I would. So I had to re-psych myself up to serve six weeks more here.
The day I found out I was staying was going pretty well, we had some good lessons and things were moving along. Our district leader called us but we were in a lesson and I didn't notice. Afterwards I checked and saw the call and called him, no answer. Then we started our next lesson and he called again during that lesson. We went back and forth until we finally were both able to talk. Well, he asked me if I got any news. We hadn't. He told me basically the whole district had been called and that it meant we would be staying. My heart dropped. I definitely had been building up the certainty that I was leaving, afterall, everyone told me I would. So when I found I wouldn't be leaving, it was difficult to take.
Since then it has been a lot better. Once I got over that shocker (that I had setup for myself), I adjusted to the idea of one more transfer here. The next day Elder Alberto left and Elder Higgins replaced him in Napipine 1, he is super cool. It is his last transfer and he is just a stud. It has been really good.
Now for a story. We were knocking doors on some of the nice houses in our area and a lady let us in. We talked to her and found out that they are Muslim and that she has eight kids. She was happy to have us share a message but wanted her husband to approve it first. Well, her husband wasn't there. So while we were getting ready to leave, one of her kids walked in with, of all things, a Rubik's cube. This was the first time I have seen anyone here besides missionaries with a Rubik's cube. I asked if he knew how to solve it. He didn't. I offered to solve it for him and he let me. First off, it was definitely the worst Rubik's cube I have ever used, it practically didn't work. But Elder Jeremias was able to chat a little longer while I solved the cube. After a bit I managed to solve it, which definitely scored some points with the mom. Then the kid immediately left and showed it to his friends, I definitely made that kid's week. We will see how it will go with them in the future.
One problem that has presented itself recently with a lot of people we are finding is that they go to another church but are still down to talk and visit with us. They have no desire to leave their church but they won't say no to a message about Jesus Christ. We have one guy that is a preacher for a different church, is actively building a chapel for his church and is still happy to meet with us (he also is from the Congo and speaks Swahili). Africa is bizarre.
I think that is about it for this week. We had a baptism for the nephew of one of our recent converts. It was pretty good. The attendance at our baptisms have been a little lacking (usually about 8 people) but they are running smoothly.
I should share some sort of spiritual thought so I will talk about something we have been struggling a little with, church attendance. It doesn't matter who you are, going to church will help you. It is a perfect opportunity to learn and grow with people who believe in similar things to you. It brings people together in a selfless, powerful way. Every can learn from each other and work to help those around them. It harmonizes your life with good ideals and good people. It is easy to think that there are better things to do or that it isn't important but simply, that's wrong. If you don't think church is important then you don't understand the purpose of church. Where else can you unify with your community and learn and do good together? Where else can you remember and build good life principles that do nothing than make you a better person? Just go to church, it's good for you. And if you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, definitely go to church. There are members and missionaries thinking about you. Save them some effort and just go to church.
Anyway, thanks, have a good week,
Elder McDonald
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| This is a new shirt made with African fabric, Capulana, but I did borrow the hat from another missionary |
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| With Elder Jeremias |
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| With Elder Higgins and Jeremias |
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| Village from above |
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| Another village |
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| Old cemetery |
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