Eya, my friends, this week has been crazy! Not as crazy as last week, but still...
So a decision was made on Thursday about what to do with us; because Tuesday night a group of thieves decided to try robbing the Elders' flat again, but there were guards and even a dog, so they got chased away. But it made President Padovich very certain in what we're doing. So, they had us all pack up and took us down to Blantyre!
The work here is not flourishing so much as it is in Lilongwe, and the focus here is Less Active members (that list is longer than the Investigators, and it breaks my heart!). Most of these people have powerful testimonies, but they have concerns like football on Sunday, or maybe they don't have friends in the branch, or they just can't get transportation. Our duty here, for the next three weeks, is to find those concerns and eliminate them. We can find Investigators when we've got nothing else to do, but President said the branches need to be stable before we can bring in many more members.
Sister N and I did find one sister this week; Her name is T, and she's what we call a 'dry Mormon' (just add water). She's so well acquainted with the scriptures, and she is so open to the teachings! What's better is her younger brother is a member, and preparing to serve a mission, and we've assigned him to help her in any way he can.
My favorite thing about the people here is how friendly and open they are. Everything about this place is putting things in perspective for me, and I'm starting to understand more and more about how the Gospel blesses our lives. It shows us how to put aside the little things that don't really matter and helps us focus on what's most important. Just remember that, and you'll be sorted for life!
Cars are certainly useful in getting around quick. In Lilongwe, us sisters had to rely on the Elders for rides, but here in Blantyre we have our own truck! There's 7 of us, so two of us have to ride in the back, but it's nice. We all leave the flat at the same time, and then we're taken to our areas in almost no time at all! It's much better than riding the mini-buses... they're often over-crowded, over-priced, and falling apart (if you saw these driving around, I'm pretty sure you would cry). One we went on was terrible--the door was literally falling off!
Let me tell you about panga knives. They are long, sharp, and usually look dirty and/or rusty. Also, they are a favorite toy of these people called the Ngulwankulo. These people are in every sense traditional Africans. They dress up in costumes, have ritual clothing and dances and--get this--they live in a GRAVEYARD.
I haven't seen them up close, because my companion is scared to death of them! I've tried to convince her to let me get a closer look, but she won't let me... Apparently they come up to people and dance around them with their panga knives, and if you give them money they go away.
But the freakiest thing about them is this--Do you remember on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, when the people brainwash Indy after they kidnap him? I've heard they do that too! If you don't give these people money, they'll take you to their graveyard, and make you one of them! We have a member in Lilongwe who says it's happened to him before.
It's funny that you mentioned the Gadianton Robbers... Pres. Padovich has said just about the same thing; that they were there from the beginning of time, and they'll be there until the 2nd coming. He said he's got no doubt that Satan is furious with the progress of the Church in Lilongwe, and he's trying to drive us out. But like Elder Holland once said, "the Church of God will never again flee!"
Something we also talk about in relation to Lilongwe, is that it's 1833 for the church. It's brand new there (there's not even proper church buildings, just houses!), and that because it's new there are no real anti-mormon groups, which is really nice.
This Sunday was wonderful--President talked about when you're riding a bike, and you look directly in front of you to avoid holes and things that could damage your tires. He told us that we should be like that in life; not looking so far down the road that we can't see the danger right in front of us.
Well, I love you all! Remember, obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience with a willing heart brings miracles!
Love,
Sister Adams
No comments:
Post a Comment