But no worries, my friends; nothing can stop this work!
We had a powerful week. You know, the kind that makes you so eternally grateful that you listened to the spirit (and in my case came on mission)? We had nail-biting times, when Brother L told us that he'd found a house closer to the church, but he'd also been offered a job by the airport which is across the city. My companion and I taught him a lesson on faith and went home crossing our fingers and praying. The next day we saw him in Makatani, looking cheerful as ever. He told us that he'd made a decision, and my comp and I were practically on our toes before he told us...
That he's moving to Kauma! He turned down the job (which is unheard of here!) and found a house that he's confident that he and his wife can afford. We were over the moon about it! And then on Sunday, he even brought his wife and young son along! We were so happy to meet them, and we know that this wonderful couple has been prepared by God Himself.
Some more wonderful-ness: Mission President came and we're having Zone Conference this week, and when President P leaves on Wednesday he might be taking some missionaries with him. I say might, because I know for a fact that for the next transfer I am staying right here in the Celestial area! I'm so happy, especially with the pending baptisms we have this next month (S, a 19-year-old on the 3rd, and the L's on the 17th--powerful, yeah?!). Also it would seem that I'll be 'killing' my mother (or trainer as some call them). She's leaving in April, and I think I'll be her last comp before she goes a week and a half in Zambia.
You know, the subject of this email means 'the azungu has a very bad cold', and when I read that scripture (Alma 26:27) I realized I wasn't bearing my afflictions with patience. I'll work on that this week. And Sister N and I have shared that scripture between ourselves many times, replacing Lamanites with Malawians. And right now I am really trying my level best, but this cold (beginning to think its something else) sometimes gets the better of me and I all but pass out during lessons. But don't worry, my mother is a loving one, and she encourages me every day just by getting me water when I start to cough.
The weather here feels like early May. I told my companion and she looked at me like I was crazy (because early May in South means winter is coming very soon). You know that feeling when it's the last couple days of school, and you know that there are just lazy days ahead? Somehow the weather has brought on the same kind of feeling for me. That's really the best I can describe it... (Sister N also looked at me like I was crazy when I told her).
As for the grossest thing I've eaten, or been offered, (and I'll get a lot of pouts from the villagers for saying this out loud) is nsima. Imagine taking corn flour, boiling water, and stirring the flour in until it makes a putty like substance. Then you eat it with random leaves you pull off the ground, or beans, or these little tiny fish the size of my pinky... yeah. I managed to eat half a lump my first time, but the second time I could hardly finish three fingerfuls. I've tried, though... it's just the consistency of salt dough and tastes about the same... I'm not complaining, its just my companion and I avoid eating in the area as much as possible!
I don't really have much else to report this week that I haven't already written, so I'll just say farewell by dropping a hymn: Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice. Love you!
**
My friends, this week's spiritual thought comes from hymn # 277, and the scriptures associated. We know that the Lord has commanded us to 'be ye therefore perfect', and sometimes we may wonder how on earth we can do so. Well, the answer is found in 2 Timothy 3:14-17. I'll just let you explore those scriptures freely, and let you come to your own conclusions. But don't forget to read!
Love you all!
Sister Adams
Monday, January 28, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
When on mission.....
...You have mission dreams. I dreamt a few nights ago that I was teaching Russel Brand about Law of Chastity. It was very strange.
In other news, there were some city wide demonstrations last Thursday, and President P didn't want us in the area. So instead of going out to work that day... We went to Lake Malawi!
It was such a wonderful day, full of sunshine, a cool breeze, a nice cook-out, and exploring over the rocks. At one point, there were even baboons crawling all over the trucks trying to get the food inside! It was so cool, and I found a stick and felt like I was Indiana Jones . The day was finished off by a wonderful dinner at the B's home.
In Relief Society on Sunday, we had a lesson on Learning by Faith. It helped me put a few of my life goals into perspective, and I would urge all who can to read the chapter by the same title from the Lorenzo Snow book they're using this year. We should always be learning, whether from the scriptures, or from textbooks, or even from other people. But keep this in mind: one of the only things we get to take with us once we depart from mortality is our knowledge, so do all you can to gather all you can!
Well, the toilet walls went up pretty quickly. Elder S said he felt like he was at scout camp, as he went around straightening sticks and tying complicated knots. He and Elder W did a good job! And yes, they are like the privacy part of an outhouse. Usually the walls are brick, but this one was just sticks with plastics stretched between. I can tell you right now I prefer the brick walls (yes, I've used the Hole several times).
If you ask a Malawian, they will tell you that yes, it gets cold. But if you ask someone who hikes around in the snow for fun (me) they will tell you that it's warm all the time and they don't even need the three jackets they brought.
The only thing that makes me sad here, is seeing the rock-bottom of poverty. Sometimes the only thing we can do is turn the other way. But one thing that motivates me is that when Malawi was dedicated for missionary work, it was promised that the country would rise out of poverty when everyone starts paying their tithing. Which gives us a lot of work to do! I know that this Gospel can help improve lives, and it's what gets me out of bed every day.
My companion and I got some wonderful news this week: We led the mission on our key indicators! It was such a shock, because we had basically two full days without lessons, but we've been working hard and I know that's the blessings coming from the Lord.
**
To finish off this week, I would like to share with you all a scripture from D&C 139:12, which says "He who is boring and is a robot, the same is not my disciple." (Section 139 as it is revealed to the missionaries of Zambia Lusaka Mission the GREAT)
Think about it though. Regimentation is the opposite of Revelation. And we need revelation to guide us in a life of discipleship. We need to have fun now and again to keep our spirits light and happy. The Lord has commanded us, in fact, to 'be of good cheer'! How can we pass up obeying such a commandment? So my friends, the song of the week is "Don't worry, Be Happy!"
I love you all,
Sister Adams
In other news, there were some city wide demonstrations last Thursday, and President P didn't want us in the area. So instead of going out to work that day... We went to Lake Malawi!
It was such a wonderful day, full of sunshine, a cool breeze, a nice cook-out, and exploring over the rocks. At one point, there were even baboons crawling all over the trucks trying to get the food inside! It was so cool, and I found a stick and felt like I was Indiana Jones . The day was finished off by a wonderful dinner at the B's home.
In Relief Society on Sunday, we had a lesson on Learning by Faith. It helped me put a few of my life goals into perspective, and I would urge all who can to read the chapter by the same title from the Lorenzo Snow book they're using this year. We should always be learning, whether from the scriptures, or from textbooks, or even from other people. But keep this in mind: one of the only things we get to take with us once we depart from mortality is our knowledge, so do all you can to gather all you can!
Well, the toilet walls went up pretty quickly. Elder S said he felt like he was at scout camp, as he went around straightening sticks and tying complicated knots. He and Elder W did a good job! And yes, they are like the privacy part of an outhouse. Usually the walls are brick, but this one was just sticks with plastics stretched between. I can tell you right now I prefer the brick walls (yes, I've used the Hole several times).
If you ask a Malawian, they will tell you that yes, it gets cold. But if you ask someone who hikes around in the snow for fun (me) they will tell you that it's warm all the time and they don't even need the three jackets they brought.
The only thing that makes me sad here, is seeing the rock-bottom of poverty. Sometimes the only thing we can do is turn the other way. But one thing that motivates me is that when Malawi was dedicated for missionary work, it was promised that the country would rise out of poverty when everyone starts paying their tithing. Which gives us a lot of work to do! I know that this Gospel can help improve lives, and it's what gets me out of bed every day.
My companion and I got some wonderful news this week: We led the mission on our key indicators! It was such a shock, because we had basically two full days without lessons, but we've been working hard and I know that's the blessings coming from the Lord.
**
To finish off this week, I would like to share with you all a scripture from D&C 139:12, which says "He who is boring and is a robot, the same is not my disciple." (Section 139 as it is revealed to the missionaries of Zambia Lusaka Mission the GREAT)
Think about it though. Regimentation is the opposite of Revelation. And we need revelation to guide us in a life of discipleship. We need to have fun now and again to keep our spirits light and happy. The Lord has commanded us, in fact, to 'be of good cheer'! How can we pass up obeying such a commandment? So my friends, the song of the week is "Don't worry, Be Happy!"
I love you all,
Sister Adams
Monday, January 14, 2013
Half-way through the transfer...
Do you know when you work hard, the Lord rewards you? This past week my companion and I did something incredible. Somehow, we managed to teach 36 lessons! This is a new record for us, and we were joking that this week we're aiming for 40! I'm telling you, the Lord's hand is in this work, and He really wants the people in Makatani and Kauma to know of His Gospel.
We found a wonderful family, the K's, who at first seemed just down in the world. We got to know them a little, especially the Abambo, and we started talking a little about the Plan of Salvation. He mentioned that he'd once asked someone where we go after we die, and they'd told him that death was the end. When we testified that it was not, his whole countenance lit up and he looked much happier! It's those kind of people that make me glad I get up every morning!
This Sunday every member got their own Lorenzo Snow book. The presidency went through and wrote their names on them, and passed them out during classes. What made me really grateful was that they even had one for a sister who hadn't come in months, and they had it ready for her like they expected her to come back! It really helped her feel welcome, and we as missionaries are going to serve her on Wednesday (building temporary walls for her toilet, as the last ones fell in the rain) and we're hoping that she'll once again warm up to the Church!
The sun only shines some times. It's the rainy season now, so everything is wet and muddy...
Here they have something like (Friday, the snow day in Davis County because of the storm). Whenever it rains the people just hide indoors (which is great because we always find families at home) and they have 'rain days'. Its not so good, though, when such a day is Sunday and the chapel is only half full. Then we have to go out and have a dozen Sabbath Day lessons, and listen to the people telling us about the mavuto that is the mvula. (I use chichewa words regularly out of habit, so you should get used to that!)
I love you very much!
**
Here's a little thought I'd like to share before I leave you lot for the week. I learned during personal study this week that when Christ accepted the role of Redeemer of us all, He could have, by personal revelation, known how to succor us when we went through trials and pain. But He loves us so much that He chose to physically go through those things, so that "His bowels may be filled with mercy." I testify that because of the Atonement, Jesus Christ truly knows each and every pain and affliction we can ever go through, and because of that we can rely on Him even if its something as insignificant as a headache. Don't try to 'tough it out' when you're going through pain; our Heavenly Father loves us too much for that. Let yourself be lifted from your sadness and be of good cheer (it's a commandment, after all!) and rely fully on the Savior for everything in your life.
I love you all, and I hope you can all keep smiling!
Sister Adams
We found a wonderful family, the K's, who at first seemed just down in the world. We got to know them a little, especially the Abambo, and we started talking a little about the Plan of Salvation. He mentioned that he'd once asked someone where we go after we die, and they'd told him that death was the end. When we testified that it was not, his whole countenance lit up and he looked much happier! It's those kind of people that make me glad I get up every morning!
This Sunday every member got their own Lorenzo Snow book. The presidency went through and wrote their names on them, and passed them out during classes. What made me really grateful was that they even had one for a sister who hadn't come in months, and they had it ready for her like they expected her to come back! It really helped her feel welcome, and we as missionaries are going to serve her on Wednesday (building temporary walls for her toilet, as the last ones fell in the rain) and we're hoping that she'll once again warm up to the Church!
The sun only shines some times. It's the rainy season now, so everything is wet and muddy...
Here they have something like (Friday, the snow day in Davis County because of the storm). Whenever it rains the people just hide indoors (which is great because we always find families at home) and they have 'rain days'. Its not so good, though, when such a day is Sunday and the chapel is only half full. Then we have to go out and have a dozen Sabbath Day lessons, and listen to the people telling us about the mavuto that is the mvula. (I use chichewa words regularly out of habit, so you should get used to that!)
I love you very much!
**
Here's a little thought I'd like to share before I leave you lot for the week. I learned during personal study this week that when Christ accepted the role of Redeemer of us all, He could have, by personal revelation, known how to succor us when we went through trials and pain. But He loves us so much that He chose to physically go through those things, so that "His bowels may be filled with mercy." I testify that because of the Atonement, Jesus Christ truly knows each and every pain and affliction we can ever go through, and because of that we can rely on Him even if its something as insignificant as a headache. Don't try to 'tough it out' when you're going through pain; our Heavenly Father loves us too much for that. Let yourself be lifted from your sadness and be of good cheer (it's a commandment, after all!) and rely fully on the Savior for everything in your life.
I love you all, and I hope you can all keep smiling!
Sister Adams
Monday, January 7, 2013
The Lord really prepares people...
Do you know, the Lord really prepares people! This Sunday my companion and I arrived to church earlier than we usually do, and we found a man sitting there alone, so we decided to go talk to him. He said he was willing to learn the Gospel, so we told him to wait after church and we could teach him. Well, come time to teach, we found out he'd met some Elders back in August who had given him a Restoration pamphlet and a Book of Mormon. He told us he'd read most of it, prayed about it with his wife, and they had both decided to learn more! It was actually quite funny, he practically taught us the restoration! We've already got him a baptismal date for the 3rd of February, and we're super excited to meet the wife and find out how she feels about all of this!
We also had a wonderful experience just after church this week: Sister N was baptized!! This woman once upon a time chased us away and said she wanted nothing to do with her 'husband's church'. On Sunday the two of them were smiling and holding each other like they were newlyweds! These things don't happen in Malawi! She bore a simple testimony, thanking God for her baptism, and sat down. But this woman is so wonderful, and I hope that one day I can have the same joy in the Gospel that she does (she comes and sits in any lessons that are near her house).
One thing I'm grateful for here is what everyone calls mvula gwambiri! (lots of rain) It helps the pollution stay down, so the air, though humid at times, is mostly clear. The rain scares most Malawian's indoors, so we're fortunate to find a lot of people at home when the rains come! Its after that we have to worry about... the ground gets soft and so many people leave to their farms to work after the rain.
It doesn't dampen our lessons, though! My companion and I counted and found we taught a total of 35 lessons this past week! It was really cool! And the people here are so teachable, they know they can hardly get by without help from God so they're really open when we say we're representatives of Jesus Christ.
**
One of my favorite things about this place is the humility and love of the people. They're not afraid to lend a hand when needed, and everyone greets everyone else in such a friendly manner. It is my hope that we can all become more Christlike, and at least smile at people we pass on the street. This is my challenge to all who read these words, is to say hello to at least three new faces each day. You never know, showing that kindness might just change someone's life!
All my love,
Sister Adams
One thing I'm grateful for here is what everyone calls mvula gwambiri! (lots of rain) It helps the pollution stay down, so the air, though humid at times, is mostly clear. The rain scares most Malawian's indoors, so we're fortunate to find a lot of people at home when the rains come! Its after that we have to worry about... the ground gets soft and so many people leave to their farms to work after the rain.
It doesn't dampen our lessons, though! My companion and I counted and found we taught a total of 35 lessons this past week! It was really cool! And the people here are so teachable, they know they can hardly get by without help from God so they're really open when we say we're representatives of Jesus Christ.
**
One of my favorite things about this place is the humility and love of the people. They're not afraid to lend a hand when needed, and everyone greets everyone else in such a friendly manner. It is my hope that we can all become more Christlike, and at least smile at people we pass on the street. This is my challenge to all who read these words, is to say hello to at least three new faces each day. You never know, showing that kindness might just change someone's life!
All my love,
Sister Adams
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