N U I T
Well, if anyone is counting I reached 13 months. I usually don't think about it to much but once or twice a month I realize I am getting older and older and that things are moving dangerously quick.
But this week was a good one. On p-day I got another bad one dollar hair cut. The guy who cut it actually had some experience with 'white people hair' so he didn't just buzz it. But it is crazy uneven because he only had a razor to cut with. But as long as you don't look to close it actually looks pretty alright. All the other Americans told me there are some people in the city that know how to cut a lot better and have better stuff too.
This week for zone conference both the zone leaders and the assistants were in our house and both had exchanges with the other Elders, but neither had exchanges with us! I have no idea how we didn't have any exchanges this week but was quite grateful for the break.
Zone Conference was actually quite good. The morning we had a lot of good trainings. Sister Moraes' training was on vitamin C and peeing of all things. Apparently, there have been a lot of missionaries who have gotten urinary infections because they won't pee all day. It was a little funny but clearly something that needed talked about. The only trainings I didn't like were from the AP's but I will give them slack because they probably didn't pick their topics. It was on our morning schedule and reporting on area book. They are making our schedules super rigid and making us report lessons to the minute. They want us to pull out our phone before and after every lesson to mark exactly when it happened. Our mission has had some problems with missionaries not being super accountable and not working. It is obviously frustrating when extra rules get added for things you aren't doing. But it is going to be really fun (clearly)! But those were the only trainings I didn't like. After lunch we had some incredible trainings by president and sister Moraes. They just shared a lot of doctrine and brought the spirit. This is exactly what I have been wanting in zone conference and it was awesome finally getting it. They talked about living the gospel, choosing what is right, working hard and the importance of constant repentance. It was great. I was very happy with the closer emphasis on the why we do this and the spiritual side of our work.
Also during the morning break President Moraes talked to me and basically said "you have been here a while, don't worry you are going to get a change." So I guess I am probably leaving? We didn't talk about it all during our interview but I guess I should be leaving. We'll see.
The next day we planned to do an example of ministering with one of our members. So we took him to a family of recent converts that lives near by. We were planning having a short 10-15 minute lesson and stopping by some other members. But when we got there the family just starting unloading all the problems they have been having. It was really rough and I was shocked they told us all with the member there. It was super crazy and I think we kinda got things sorted out but it was really really rough. So it would be great if you all could pray for this family.
On a happier note we found out our two priests are actually beasts. They have made plans, completely on their own, to visit all the other youth members know and invite them back to church. All completely on their own. It was super sick and hopefully the youth in our ward will be able to grow a ton.
Sunday was good, we got some new people to show up at church but also a lot that didn't. Fasting was good, always not super easy but definitely important. Fasting has always been cool to me, it is an opportunity to sacrifice a little to the lord and give fast offerings (donations worth roughly about what you would have eaten). I love it because it helps me focus on what matters, and while I definitely get a little more irritable, it helps me control my emotions and be stronger. It is very simple and very powerful.
Until next time (hopefully next week),
Elder McDonald
But this week was a good one. On p-day I got another bad one dollar hair cut. The guy who cut it actually had some experience with 'white people hair' so he didn't just buzz it. But it is crazy uneven because he only had a razor to cut with. But as long as you don't look to close it actually looks pretty alright. All the other Americans told me there are some people in the city that know how to cut a lot better and have better stuff too.
This week for zone conference both the zone leaders and the assistants were in our house and both had exchanges with the other Elders, but neither had exchanges with us! I have no idea how we didn't have any exchanges this week but was quite grateful for the break.
Zone Conference was actually quite good. The morning we had a lot of good trainings. Sister Moraes' training was on vitamin C and peeing of all things. Apparently, there have been a lot of missionaries who have gotten urinary infections because they won't pee all day. It was a little funny but clearly something that needed talked about. The only trainings I didn't like were from the AP's but I will give them slack because they probably didn't pick their topics. It was on our morning schedule and reporting on area book. They are making our schedules super rigid and making us report lessons to the minute. They want us to pull out our phone before and after every lesson to mark exactly when it happened. Our mission has had some problems with missionaries not being super accountable and not working. It is obviously frustrating when extra rules get added for things you aren't doing. But it is going to be really fun (clearly)! But those were the only trainings I didn't like. After lunch we had some incredible trainings by president and sister Moraes. They just shared a lot of doctrine and brought the spirit. This is exactly what I have been wanting in zone conference and it was awesome finally getting it. They talked about living the gospel, choosing what is right, working hard and the importance of constant repentance. It was great. I was very happy with the closer emphasis on the why we do this and the spiritual side of our work.
Also during the morning break President Moraes talked to me and basically said "you have been here a while, don't worry you are going to get a change." So I guess I am probably leaving? We didn't talk about it all during our interview but I guess I should be leaving. We'll see.
The next day we planned to do an example of ministering with one of our members. So we took him to a family of recent converts that lives near by. We were planning having a short 10-15 minute lesson and stopping by some other members. But when we got there the family just starting unloading all the problems they have been having. It was really rough and I was shocked they told us all with the member there. It was super crazy and I think we kinda got things sorted out but it was really really rough. So it would be great if you all could pray for this family.
On a happier note we found out our two priests are actually beasts. They have made plans, completely on their own, to visit all the other youth members know and invite them back to church. All completely on their own. It was super sick and hopefully the youth in our ward will be able to grow a ton.
Sunday was good, we got some new people to show up at church but also a lot that didn't. Fasting was good, always not super easy but definitely important. Fasting has always been cool to me, it is an opportunity to sacrifice a little to the lord and give fast offerings (donations worth roughly about what you would have eaten). I love it because it helps me focus on what matters, and while I definitely get a little more irritable, it helps me control my emotions and be stronger. It is very simple and very powerful.
Until next time (hopefully next week),
Elder McDonald
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| Me with João NUIT |
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| Elder Jeremias and I |
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| A part of the area that was completely new to me (after 5 transfers) |
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| A part of the area that was completely new to me (after 5 transfers) |
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| A Mozambican 'candy' made by Elder De Almeida, it is basically just fried dough that is made with peanut or coconut water. It has a very subtle flavor but are pretty good. |
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| A Mozambican 'candy' made by Elder De Almeida, it is basically just fried dough that is made with peanut or coconut water. It has a very subtle flavor but are pretty good. |
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| A part of the area that was completely new to me (after 5 transfers) |
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