The White Christmas Horse, The lesson the Elders Stood Still, and elamon McGay

Well I do hope that everyone had a splendid Christmas and that the joy of the season permeated your hearts and that the worn hands and long hours spent in service caused a warmness within your bosom that kept the chilly weather at bay.

Well as we were tracting in the beginning of this week we met this old baba that invited us in and we sat down with him and his son. We introduced ourselves and told them what we do. Then after the prayer this guy just started talking and talking. We couldn't get him to stop talking. He would just cut us off before we could even say a word. He talked non-stop for literally 25 minutes! My companion timed him. This guy dominated us. I felt kind of superfluous. This is was the lesson the elders stood still! But we managed to bring it back and commit him and that was good.

One day as we were contacting in toen we ran into one of our investigators and he was with his brother who was visiting for the holiday. And as we were talking our investigator went and introduced us to his brother. He introduced me as "elamon Mcgay"! Hahahahahahaha After they left I looked at my companion and asked if I heard correctly. He laughed and confirmed what he had said. It provided joy and conversation for the rest of the day! I am not sure why so many people have difficulty with my name. It is quite short and simple. Or at least I thought so. But it seems as if people can't get it right. But I guess I will just enjoy the random names I receive in lieu of my real one(lets be honest, my real name isn't that great either).

Then for the Christmas Holiday the Couple Missionaries came and took us to The White Horse Inn for Dinner on Christmas Eve. It was a nice place. We walked the grounds a bit and we had dinner. Then we went to their room and shared a Christmas story from the Ensign and sang some hymns. Then they gave us the stockings that the mission had prepared. I got some antiperspirant, two toothbrushes, toothpaste(don't worry I already had in my possession the aforementioned items), some socks, a tie, and a mission shirt! The shirt is too small, but it still has the name of the mission and the map of the countries in which I serve. So it is still awesome. Later after we left the mission couple told us that the people in the Inn had heard us singing hymns and they loved it.... apparently the window was open and outside and up a bit was the veranda and the restaurant where many people were. Kind of cool to know that just something normal we do at Christmas had further reaching effects than we had thought. They told us that the hymns had made Christmas for them.

Then the next day we watched Blind Side and Glory Road together. Good movies! Then my family called, it was a nice phone call I got to talk to my mom, dad, brother, and sister and kids. One thing that was really funny was they told me that I talk differently. Not just the accent but also how I create my sentences is just different than what I had done before. I am not sure if you can tell in email.... obviously not the accent part, but the other part.... ?????

The Manyande family is doing really well, they have been studying and loving everything. The children were even writing notes on the Plan of Salvation. They will be/are amazing members. We were going to tell Bro Manyande he should wear a white shirt to church, he has been wearing some other color of shirt(I don't know which color it is), but we weren't sure how to go about it. Then when we walk into their home he is already wearing a white shirt! He said his wife bought it for him and she wanted to get the son one as well! Yes wife! It was amazing, it is almost like they are a step ahead of us. They are so prepared! Such incredible people, they are going to be strong for generations I can just tell(as long as the Second Coming is far enough away...).

Thank you everyone who sent me something! It really meant a lot that you remembered me and you reminded me that I wasn't forgotten.
Love, elder Steven Gay

"Mother, Its the Mormons.", Baptisms, Oregon?, and "Ma Coloreds"

We had a very busy week and it was tiring and filled with so many things but it was a very good week over all. We had someone come to our house and ask us if we can come visit him and his family so we go and the father isn't there but we knock on the door and this girl comes out and in a very articulate manner, greets us and says, "Oh, Mother, its the Mormons." Hahahahahaha I laughed so hard(on the inside, because that would have been rude) but then the Mother comes out and I am expecting her to greet us in Shona but she greeted us in a very not Zimbabwean Accent and she is one of the most well spoken people I have ever met. This family is great. They invited us back and things were just awesome. They even kept their promise and I am very confident they will be baptized.

Then during the week we had some meetings and we had a lot to arrange because we took a missionary home and we had this and that and we had to prepare for the baptism on Saturday and things were very intense and it seems like we don't have enough time to do all that we need to do! But the baptism went very well. There were a few hiccups but nothing major and their testimonies were powerful. They are going to be very strong members of the church and they will be very active!

Last week in the email shop there was this white guy who talked very funny. He asked some of the workers if they knew someone who could type fast and they pointed at me! So he asks me if I can help him but we were just about to leave. But we talked for a bit, he is from Oregon and he is doing some welfare work and he has been here for about a month. His accent was so weird! I couldn't help thinking if that is how I used to talk.... I think I talk differently now but I guess we will find out on Sat when I call, do I talk funny? I was very surprised to meet someone from Oregon in Zimbabwe... strange!

Then just yesterday we went to a members home that had invited us and their daughter was very hyper. It was funny. Then she starting yelling, "Ma Coloreds! Ma coloreds aripo!" Colored is a term to describe a person with a black parent and a white parent. Making a light skinned black(don't worry it is a very normal and accepted term, not offensive in any way). But she was saying the coloreds are here! ahahahaha it was hilarious! My companion is light skinned as well. So we are both light skinned people! Yay!

So much has happened but I don't know how to put it in a letter! Merry Christmas!!!

Love, Elder Gay

The Other Steven, tears, fears, interviews, and Fire!

Well we were given a referral. His name was Steven. Which was strange enough. But when we go there, he comes out and says, "Where's my book?" He is just very prideful and talking about non sense and he doesn't even want us there. But his desire to show off his supposed knowledge overrode his desire to have us gone. And he was just talking about nothing but he still managed to talk a lot, in spite of not expressing a single coherent or relevant idea. Which is very impressive actually. But I was just laughing at him and he thought he was so cool. So anyway we left the book and hopefully when he reads he will be converted. Because great is the conversion power of the Book of Mormon!

Brother Manyande was reduced to tears in a lesson. When my companion asked what blessings he had received from exercising his faith. He sure has been blessed. I was kind of in shock. And his children were in more shock. The look on their faces was priceless! Their faces just shouted, "Is daddy really crying? Really???" It was great and also strange but mostly great. They all passed their interviews and they will be baptized this coming Saturday! Dad, Mom, and two kids! Yes! When they were being interviewed, we were talking about the Gospel and I was teaching the kids and the mom how to sing some of the hymns. And it just felt so perfect. We were in the church and it was just perfect. This family is great.

Then in another lesson we were teaching how to pray to receive an answer. And we asked him to give our closing prayer and he refused. We taught a bit more and asked again. He refused again. We kept trying and then he got angry! But he was fine. I guess he was afraid to pray. But we will follow up next time. He is a great man but I guess he has some fears. But he told us next time he would pray.

But Saturday was a day filled with interviews. We had 11 people interviewed! 11! Plus we will do more interviews tomorrow and Wednesday. A lot of interviews. Very busy day.

Also when we were on exchanges with the Assistants, we checked on a family that didn't come to church. We talked to them and we gave them fire! I mean, it wasn't harsh in any way but we just told them exactly why they needed to come to church and what they were missing because they hadn't come. By the end, two of them said they would definitely come to church. And they came! It was great because we had just had a training on how to get people to church and the Assistant we were with said that we handled that situation very well. And I was so happy that they came to church. Reproving sometimes with sharpness! But they knew why and that is why they came to church!

But this week was very busy with Zone Business and with these people we have been teaching and with the training we had. And many other things that just crowded our schedule! But wow I hope you all have a great week!

Love, Elder Gay

Bradley Glazer, CHASTITY, Dried Cockroach=YUM!, and throw up :D

So this week has been very busy. Seems like we are always getting called to do things and then we are busy with the area as well. Crazy! But someone looked at my tag and said Elder Glazer? Then he threw his hands in the air and told us he didn't want us there and we should leave and he was staring right at me. And his expression was horrified like I was a demon. I was so shocked. I just started laughing because I was so confused. Then as we were contacting people, this one drunk was holding a banana and so I asked if he was going to give me. He just laughed. Then as we were leaving, I hear a yell, "Bradley!" Surprisingly I turn around and the drunk runs and shows me the banana so I hold out my hand and then he just laughs and runs away again. Where on earth he got Bradley, I do not know. And why I responded to it, I have even less of a clue. So I am Bradley Glazer! Strange, huh?

Then we shared with the Manyande family about the Law of Chastity and the Word of Wisdom. It went well and then we came back later in the week for a return another lesson. We follow up with their prayers and they know it is all true! Then Bro. Manyande shares about reading the Chastity pamphlet with his family. He read how marriages should be legal. So he pulls a paper out of his pocket and says, "My wife doesn't know about this yet because I just got home. But I read that marriages should be by law and mine was a traditional wedding so I went to the courts and I legalized my marriage." !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT was awesome! He immediately legalized his marriage. This guy is converted to the Gospel already. Wow. Wow. WOW!

Anyway, we visited a member family and they had what is called ishwa. Which is essentially a very large flying ant. Looks kind of like a wasp and a cockroach mixed. The people here eat them. They had some that had been prepared and they offered me some. I tasted and they weren't bad. They weren't good either. But to me it kind of tasted a bit like popcorn. But they are very preservable so I am going to send some home for you all to try! YUM!!! Zimbabwean delicacy :) Ishwa!

That kid I felt prompted to ask directions from, Simbarashe and then we tracted into their house later that very day! We went back for a return appointment and they told us their dad told them that our doctrines do not agree. So they were told to give us back the Book of Mormon. I was shocked because I had definitely felt prompted to talk to him and to knock his gate. So I was thoroughly expecting things to work out but, I guess the Lord knows that now is not the time. But I was very surprised at the outcome. But I saw them in town and they waved and smiled and they still have some pamphlets. So one day they will be converted I know it! Maybe when they move away from their dad.

But I was somehow sick this week. This one morning I was throwing up and feeling not good. But now all is well. I don't know what it was because my companion wasn't sick so I guess it wasn't anything we ate. But it was a no biggie. Today we cleaned another room of our house! The house is getting to be very awesome. Very organized and clean and powerful. Yay!!!!

Love, Elder Steven Gay

Am I the Son of the Morning?, District Conference, and ginger what?

So this last week was entertaining and busy and a lot of other things. We went to that Game Reserve and didn't see anything. But we did do a lot of walking and saw some pretty good sights. They told us there were some cool things, like elephants, but I didn't see them. But we are going to a different and more reputable game reserve today and we are sure to see things so I will take pics!

In District Conference we had some very powerful instructions. It was a Continent wide broadcast by the Brethren and it was great. I learned a lot and there was some very specific instruction given concerning some traditions here. So it was a very good experience.

But this last week me and my companion both fell ill. We think it might be something we ate but we aren't sure what but we were both in trouble. Two runny stomachs, and one bathroom..... took some careful self control to prevent some undesirable things from happening. But we are told by some people that if we chew ginger it will help us. So we buy some ginger and we peel it and we boil it. I ask if we need all of it(it was a lot) my companion says the more the better! So I dump the whole thing into the boiling water. Then after a bit we drink it. It was terrible!!!!!! It was one of the strongest flavors I have ever tasted. ughhhhhhh! I didn't even bother finishing but it did help a bit. I felt better in the morning.

Guess what? A crazy woman hit me!!!! Kay so listen to this. We are standing and talking as our car is getting washed. I see this woman in an odd assortment of clothes and deduce that she is a homeless woman and return my attentions the conversation at hand. As I again peruse my surroundings, I again see this same woman and her eyes are fixed on me and she is walking towards me. I am still talking to my companion but as this woman gets closer my curiosity is heightened. What does she want. Her expression is one of happy delirium and at this point she is only a few feet away. She moves her arms and I think she is going to hug me or something so I kind of shy away. But then she hits my shoulder with the bag of chips she has in her hand, as she hisses, "Satan!" She raises the bag over her head tilts her head back and says, "Can I eat these?" I say, "Yea, sure..." She kindly replies, "Thank you," then she walks away. Down through an overgrown canal and across a small stream and up the other side and then she is gone! I was so confused, and my companion is laughing at me and I start laughing too and it was one of the best things that has ever happened to me! hahahahahah It was so funny!!!!!! I was and am still seriously confused. Am I the Son of the Morning? hahahahah this woman was seriously confused.

So this powerful family we are teaching got lost on their way to the Conference so they didn't make it but they are progressing so well and the father is just amazed at how simple all of it is and how it makes sense. He said, and I quote, "What you teach us. It is so... you say it so so soft but it pierces to the very center. It touches my heart and why is it that you seem so young and yet you know more than people who are old like me?" This guy is great!!!! I can't wait for him to be baptized. But I have to go look at African animals. So I will talk to you all next week!

Love,

Elder Gay

Solomon, the pastor, Mozambique, My way or Hardway? and, Will you be baptized on Dec. 4? No!

Well peoples it has been a very busy week. I came home every night and I was very tired. One night I cooked dinner and did my laundry after a very long day and after I just ended up putting dinner in the fridge. Because my companion was asleep and I was too exhausted to eat. So a lot happened this week. We were very busy.

So anyway we have this investigator, his name is Solomon and he is powerful. He has a gold medal from when he was on the Zimbabwean National Basketball team. The competition had about twelve African countries but he now teaches basketball at a church to help troubled youth stay away from bad things, he also works for the ministry of science. Let me tell you about a lesson we had with him. We went and we were sharing about the Restoration. We had in a previous lesson asked him to be baptized after we had explained the Book of Mormon but he had a question about the authority. So in this lesson we focused on Jesus Christ's Ministry and his church.

When we finish the lesson he is just looking at the Book of Mormon and the restoration Pamphlet and you can see that the Spirit has testified to him that it is true. He said, "I have learned something I didn't know. I didn't know this before. I have learned something today." He said he wants to know for himself and he said he would pray so he could find out for himself. This guy is a future Stake President or something! I also think he will teach me to play basketball.

Well this family that we found invited a pastor to a lesson without telling us so we found out when we got to their house. This poor pastor was so out of his league. He was being confounded. Even our investigator confounded him. So I am not sure what was up with him inviting the pastor but it was a really good lesson. But the pastor was confounded for sure. It was hilarious!

So on our way to a less active's house the branch missionary points to our left and say that is Mozambique. So we stop and we are in the mountain and we are looking down into a city in Mozambique. I tried to get a picture but it was night so it didn't turn out. But it was crazy that a city that was so close, was in a different country, with a completely different culture and language! All because of some imaginary line on the ground.

We have this new investigator named Hardway and he is great. He talks funny but he is powerful. He is keeping all the commitments we are leaving him with and he will be baptized on the Dec. 4!

This other investigator we have, the first time we went to see him, he had already talked to three friends and they were all interested so we showed up, expecting one, and found four! They are very enthusiastic and they were asking how they could be baptized and if they wanted their families baptized how would that happen, and when were we coming to their village and can we have some of these books we want to share them with our neighbors so when you come to the village we will have a congregation waiting to be baptized. In the first lesson! I was floored. I was not expecting that at all.

So we ask them to if they will be baptized on Dec. 4. They say no! They start discussing and they said it was too far! They want to be baptized sooner! Crazy, so we will be looking forward to that soon.

We had three exchanges this week. So we were always doing something. But yea anyway. this last week was busy and intense. I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Gay

Solomon, the pastor, Mozambique, My way or Hardway? and, Will you be baptized on Dec. 4? No!

Well peoples it has been a very busy week. I came home every night and I was very tired. One night I cooked dinner and did my laundry after a very long day and after I just ended up putting dinner in the fridge. Because my companion was asleep and I was too exhausted to eat. So a lot happened this week. We were very busy.

So anyway we have this investigator, his name is Solomon and he is powerful. He has a gold medal from when he was on the Zimbabwean National Basketball team. The competition had about twelve African countries but he now teaches basketball at a church to help troubled youth stay away from bad things, he also works for the ministry of science. Let me tell you about a lesson we had with him. We went and we were sharing about the Restoration. We had in a previous lesson asked him to be baptized after we had explained the Book of Mormon but he had a question about the authority. So in this lesson we focused on Jesus Christ's Ministry and his church.

When we finish the lesson he is just looking at the Book of Mormon and the restoration Pamphlet and you can see that the Spirit has testified to him that it is true. He said, "I have learned something I didn't know. I didn't know this before. I have learned something today." He said he wants to know for himself and he said he would pray so he could find out for himself. This guy is a future Stake President or something! I also think he will teach me to play basketball.

Well this family that we found invited a pastor to a lesson without telling us so we found out when we got to their house. This poor pastor was so out of his league. He was being confounded. Even our investigator confounded him. So I am not sure what was up with him inviting the pastor but it was a really good lesson. But the pastor was confounded for sure. It was hilarious!

So on our way to a less active's house the branch missionary points to our left and say that is Mozambique. So we stop and we are in the mountain and we are looking down into a city in Mozambique. I tried to get a picture but it was night so it didn't turn out. But it was crazy that a city that was so close, was in a different country, with a completely different culture and language! All because of some imaginary line on the ground.

We have this new investigator named Hardway and he is great. He talks funny but he is powerful. He is keeping all the commitments we are leaving him with and he will be baptized on the Dec. 4!

This other investigator we have, the first time we went to see him, he had already talked to three friends and they were all interested so we showed up, expecting one, and found four! They are very enthusiastic and they were asking how they could be baptized and if they wanted their families baptized how would that happen, and when were we coming to their village and can we have some of these books we want to share them with our neighbors so when you come to the village we will have a congregation waiting to be baptized. In the first lesson! I was floored. I was not expecting that at all.

So we ask them to if they will be baptized on Dec. 4. They say no! They start discussing and they said it was too far! They want to be baptized sooner! Crazy, so we will be looking forward to that soon.

We had three exchanges this week. So we were always doing something. But yea anyway. this last week was busy and intense. I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Gay

The Mayor, General Conference, and the Restaurant

Well in the beginning(actually the whole week) we were tracting and we came
across this house and they let us in and we had a lesson and it went well.
Then she tells us that she has a business. She sells sadza and relish and
meat. We look and she has a huge braai stand and she is cooking a lot of
food on it. We also see a lot of chairs and tables all over the yard. So we
tell her we will come back and so of course we did. We get our food and it
is quite busy there. There are quite a few people and cars. The food was
great! Wow, it was tasty, probably among the best I have had on mission. The
meat and the sauce were so rich and succulent. It was great. They even had
take-away. It was all on nice plates, and they were very courteous people
there. I enjoyed the food, the service, and the overall ambience. I give it
four stars!

We visited our Branch President this last week and while we were there the
family gave us two referrals. One was a friend who asked how he could get
baptized. We are seeing him tomorrow. Then the other also happens to be the
Mayor of the town. He has supposedly met with missionaries before and is
very accepting. we will see him at his office this week when we go to pay
the missionaries house bills. Did I mention he is white? Yea, I have never
taught a white person before, EVER! It will be kind of strange and I hope it
goes well. Because if the ayor gets baptized then not only will he receive
salvation but there will be a lot of press for the church. Which will help
to reduce the rumors and get it out of obscurity.

We tracted into the house of a hindu family and they very politely but
firmly told us no. They said, "Actually we are Hindu. We believe in
God and we believe there is only one. Whether it be Jesus, or allah or
whatever so thank you very much." I thought I recovered well, I asked
her about Hinduism and such to learn more about it and asked if there
was a time when we could come so I could learn more. But she told me
that Divali(Hindu Christmas) was soon and they were were very busy and
that maybe we could come back in December.... so if anything happens I
will let you know.

Tracting Moments!!!!!

*A guy told us he had grown up in the Gospel and that it was all
becoming rather monotonous and that the missionaries from Seventh day
Adventist were already coming so he didn't want to waste our time.

*A house was guarded by gnome sentinels! I was creeped out. They were
on either side of the gate on brick pillars. They were very creepy,
like they were ready to jump off and eat your soul...

*A dog almost broke through a small-ish hole in the gate and tried to
eat me. My companion was already halfway to the road by the time I had
to look around.

*We found a member!

*We got rejected. Multiple times, in a row, consistently and often!

Well I will try to remember all of the funny moments that occur.

We were able to watch three sessions of General Conference this last
Sat and Sun and it was great! It was kind of strange watching it
delayed but it was still great. I like President Uchtdorf's talk on
pride. It was humorous, eloquent, relevant, poignant, and thought
provoking!

Because I am now in the suburbs I have less of an opportunity to use
my Shona. Most are better educated and speak in English so I am trying
to still add to this foreign vocabulary but I have found that the
progress is retarding. But I will maintain my efforts and will fight
through this and will use it to my advantage. So please don't worry
too much about it, I will come off conqueror.

It is crazy that it is November! Where does the time go? But really,
where? I am striving to remember all that happened(I forgot my
journal...). We found a family that lives kind of far from town but it
is still our area so... Anyway we went there and they are great. They
have a real desire to learn more about the gospel and even why there
are so many churches. We are hoping they will progress because that
will be great.

A white man invited us over for tea. But he told us he is too old to
change churches but he is very curious about what we believe. But I
know the Spirit has that amazing ability to soften hearts and we hope
that as we share he will feel the Spirit and he will come to know and
have the desire to know more and even to be baptized. But he kept
saying 'cheerio' which was fun. he was shocked that I was an Elder. He
thought I was much too young.

I was given DVD's about the end of the world and about the new world
order by this guy after I gave him a pamphlet! It was kind of fun to
be given something for once. But it turns out that it is just some guy
talking and spouting false doctrines. Sad, isn't it? I thought so too.

I am doing well and I hope that you are too. If you want to know
anything specific that I am neglecting please feel free to send your
concerns to 65 enterprise Road, Highlands, Harare Zimbabwe. All
concerns and suggestions will be duly noted and will be sorted as soon
as possible(please account for mail travel time, and be assured that
all concerns will be addressed in time).

Love,

Elder Gay

The ministry of defense, uh... push start?, and Elder D. Todd Christofferson!

Don't worry everyone, we found that elder who was missing. His com-b had been stopped by the police and he had to catch another one and things were juts happening and so things got a little complicated but he is located and he is safe.

we had our Zone Meeting and it went well I thought. My companion had a good presentation on prayer. I felt edified. Then after we went tracting, because my new area is similar in receptiveness to a European mission. So we were tracting to find people! Yay!

But anyway we tract into this guy. He comes out and we introduce ourselves and things seem to be going well. Then he tells us he doesn't have time because he is at work. But I was confused because it looked like a house to me so I ask him what he does for work. He says he works for the ministry of defense... I am even more confused. SO I comment on the lack of a sign and the lack of his shoes. Yea he wasn't wearing shoes because of the "weather".... yea I don't know either but anyway. I asked if they were undercover or something because of the no sign thing and he says yes.... This guy is either a terrible liar or I don't even know but I wasn't buying this story but he said he lived somewhere outside of our area anyway so I don't know... But I uncovered the location of an undercover branch of the Ministry of Defense!!!! If I don't email next week please know that I was imprisoned for leaking national secrets:)

But enough about that. So we had an appointment with this guy so we meet him where we met him for the first time and he said he was lacking on time so we just had a short lesson in the car. But when I go to turn the car back on, nothing... So we try to push start it, but it just isn't working and so this guy decides there must be no petrol, which there is but he goes any way and brings us some petrol for which we are very grateful but it still isn't working. So they bring the battery out of their car connect it to our battery with two wrenches and we jump the car and it goes on just like that. Then we leave to ZL duties and what not. So that was fun....

But we left Mutare on Friday because Elder D. Todd Christofferson was coming to address us. So every single missionary in Zimbabwe is there in Harare and it is crazy and I am a little confused because ALL of my previous companions are there so that was strange. But the next day when he came we were all waiting at the Mbare chapel and we were set up for a picture and I end up dead center front row.... I don't know how. But Elder D. Todd Christofferson arrives with our mission president and some other General Authorities and they come for the picture and Elder D. Todd Christofferson comes right in front of me... They told me that the picture was suppose to be in the Ensign, but I don't know if that is just a rumor or what. But it was his first visit to Zimbabwe so it might be. So if you see a picture of him with a lot of missionaries look behind him and you should see me, but they might have cropped me out... So I am not sure what is going to happen with that.

But he addressed us and it was great. I felt like I learned a lot and it was good to see all of the elders that I know in the mission. But it felt good to come back to my area. But while we were there we were helping to get things ready and preparing things, and... who am I kidding? We were running errands. One of them was to go to the airport and collect a missionary returning home. So we were waiting and this couple comes through and addresses us as elders and they are talking and they ask if we are the ones that are suppose to collect them. I just look at my companion and turn back and say, "Not really... we are suppose to collect someone else but we can take you..." So they call and they figure things out and they said it was alright to leave them there but it still felt weird just leaving them like that....

We were in Harare for about three days. We left Mutare Friday morning, and spent all day Saturday, and then left Harare on Sunday afternoon. I am not sure I have ever done so much driving before in my life. I might have, I am not sure, but the proximity of the events make it seem larger in my memory. Kind of like if you are closer to an elephant it seems bigger than if you view it from afar. The size isn't changed just your perspective.... Sorry I got off on a tangent.

Some random events that made me happy-

>I got a caramel dipped ice cream cone!
>A less active called me mukwasha(son-in-law) the very first visit.
>I unpacked my stuff this morning!
>I got a letter.(thank you YW of the CV 3rd ward)
>Christmas is in two months!
>I got another letter.

Love,

Elder Steven Gay

Transfers, T-shirts, Remove thineself!, Boiling water, and Where in the World is The Elder who's from Kenya?(did I get the right amount of syllables

Well people, this week we got the phone call from President and he told us if we stay or if we go! Elder Shabangu, who is a Zone Leader, answered the phone(we were with the whole Zone), he is told that he will be staying and his new companion will be.... me. So I am now a Zone Leader and I left Chikanga to go to town. Those areas border each other so I haven't really gone far but yea, that was unexpected I hope I do it right! Also, he will be my sixth companion in seven transfers!

Also this week we were searching for this house and we asked these two sisters, is this house number so-and-so. They told us no, so we thank them and go and call this person we are suppose to be seeing. He walks out of the house with those same two sisters and invites us to come in. Oh yeah, the sisters refused to take Restoration pamphlets. Anyway we ask him if it is okay with his family if he meets with us and he says yea. So we commence the lesson and we are talking he is participating and he seems like he could be powerful.

Then he gets a phone call talks for a bit and then the call ends. Then we try to go with the lesson again but he is distracted, I can tell. Then he says, "Something just happened. That was my father." To which I reply, "He wants us to go doesn't he?" Melvin(the guy we are teaching) sadly responds, "That is what he said..." So we end with a prayer and we go... Remove thineself they said! And we removed!

We also received our zone t-shirts and they are sweet! They turned out awesome and they only have one minor flaw but honestly speaking they turned out better than I had hoped. I will try to send some pics next week.

Also I have discovered that I enjoy boiling water.... I know, I know I am weird but hear me out. I think it has something to do with 'being prepared' or something but anyway. I have found it strangely comforting to have boiling water on hand. :P I just get stranger every day, don't I? Changing my "2", boiling water... what will it be next week???? Stay tuned!

But anyway as part of zone leadership I have been helping in the transport of missionaries as they are changing areas and what not. So we were suppose to pick an elder at 12:30 about that was coming from Harare(about a three hour drive). They put him on the bus around 9 so we got there a little early to make sure that we would be able to find him. But we sat and sat and sat and sat. And NOTHING! Oh yeah did I mention he has the allotment for the entire zone? So we are all broke plus we waited for over two hours and we have not seen head nor tails of him. He's from Kenya, to explain the self explanatory subject reference I made :) Oh yeah again, he has no phone and he is all by himself and we have no idea where he is....

So we waited and waited but finally we left our contact details with some people at the bus rank and we came to the internet cafe and now I am emailing all of you!!!! And even right now as I am typing, I still don't know what happened to this elder.... so hopefully we find him soon! But we kind of have to go back and look for him, I am sure you understand. So I apologize for this being short and not as detailed as some of my previous emails!

Love,

Elder Gay

The # "2", Sis. Solomon, Fortunate, The Day the Area Fell Through, What the Prophet?, Plumbing, and Owen(DUN DUN DUN)

Well I am sorry that last week was so short of an email but I will make it up to you today. In case you haven't noticed from my incredibly long subject line but a LOT happened this week and I won't even be able to share it all with you so sorry but I will share what I can.

Well first off, I have decided I am going to change the way I write my two... normally I do the swirly one but I think I will change it to "2" for some reason it just appeals to me at this point in my life.... yea I am not sure why I shared this with you either :)

But sad news Sis Solomon told us she no longer wants to be baptized. Because a member in Sacrament was saying about how people were searching for the truth and they were going from church to church and that people needed to make a choice. It wasn't the most eloquent of talks but I didn't notice anything amiss. But I guess it stood out to her because she told us she needs to go back to her old church and decide where she belongs and she will give us a call when she knows. Which was killer because she was supposed to be interviewed on Sunday and baptized this very Saturday but unfortunately it seems as if she needs to do some pondering. But one day she will be a powerful member. Because she understands so well and she has the Book of Mormon so things will work out.

Now Fortunate is one of our investigators and several amusing occurrences happened this week with her. I'll elaborate further, shall I? I shall. SO the beginning of this week we were teaching her about baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost and how if we are worthy we are promised that the Spirit will always be with us. If it is done by Priesthood authority. She nods her head stays quiet for a bit. Then a peculiar and inquisitive expression alters her expression and she asks, "Do you have some Spirit with you right now?" Hahaha I wanted to laugh but I just calmly answered that we did and she pondered for a bit more and then she said, "Okay" and we moved on. Hahahaha

Then later on Sunday, we walked to her place to pick her up for church and she wasn't ready but she came out and she gave us the elevator eyes. And said, "You look smart(meaning nice or well dressed) today. Like even more than you usually do. You are going to church for sure." we started talking about church and if she was coming and she just repeated that we looked smart. I said thank you, and then she said, "I mean I have to appreciate when I see something good and I am appreciatin' You look good." Uh... awkward. Very complimentary but awkward all the same. She promised to follow us and she didn't but yea she is a very funny person and she enjoys talking.

Then this one day we had nine investigator lessons planned. And some member visits. It was going to be a good day. Then we went to our first appointment, he was gone. Next one, she was in town, next one also in town, next one gone to the unknown, next one unknown again, next one visiting family, next one we actually taught!!!!!!!! Next one, he was killing chickens and was busy(sadly I am being serious), next one still at work..... So this was The Day the Area Fell Through! Yea!!!!

The next day we went back to teach our prophet friend and the lesson started out well. But deteriorated quickly. He ended up saying "I follow Christ just not the Latter-day saint way" "This is Africa" The Holy Spirit descended in Zimbabwe because we have many prophets..." Anyway he is very confused and I am not entirely sure we will be visiting him again but yea....

I am so proud of myself!(pride is bad) Our kitchen sink was terrible it trickled and trickled and was awful. I was trying to find a plumber to come but it just never seemed to work out. So one day I was just staring at it and I turned it through the filter and the pressure was better... Which was backwards and so I started examining it and using my poor deductive skills to try and determine the problem(I have no previous experience with plumbing, absolutely NONE). But I determined that the problem must be in the last part of the tap. So I remove it and I see some tiny pebbles like grains of sand. But it still looked like it should flow all right. But I took it apart and I cleaned it using a needle and some thread(the holes were small). Then I reassembled it and reattached it. I turned it on and voila! It flowed like a teenagers hormones! In case that was too oblique, it worked very nicely now and I could fill cups now in seconds and not minutes. And it all took about five minutes to do and I have been suffering with that thing for almost three months! But now I have another newly acquired skill, however marginal it might be, plumbing!

Brace yourself for the story of Owen..... So I was on exchange and in the course of the day the missionary I am working with gets a phone asking for Elder What What the elder that used to be in my area(we had to switch phones because I am the District leader now). So he just hands it to me and I try to introduce myself but he cuts me off before I can even say my name and asks where the 'white' missionary is. I respond that he went to Malawi and I was working in Chikanga now and we would be happy to visit him and share the Gospel. He asks where I am from, at this point I sense something fishy... But I tell him the United States. He asks if I am white... I really am sensing something fishy now and things are getting awkward, but I answer I the affirmative. Then a pause on the other side of the line and I can almost hear the wheels turning in his head. Then he finally answers and says, are you ready for this? I don't think you are but I am going to tell you anyway, he says, "Well yea it is okay you can come and visit me, my name is Owen, my house number is what what in Phase 1. And you have my number just call me when you are coming. But come alone my room is small." What in the world is going on?!!? Is this going to be a theme of my mission? I didn't even say my name! This is becoming ridiculous but really? REALLY?!

But that has been my week so far. We have experienced a lot and hope to experience all things. But like I said some things cannot be written in this record but all things will be revealed in time. And if all the things that have occurred were to be written I would think that not even the world could contain the books that should be written. I hope you enjoy life and never look back!

Love,

Elder Gay

P.S. Happy Birthday Nicki!!

Special Training, Christian?, and (more)diamonds

Well in the beginning of this week I got a text from President Dube saying that he would be coming to do a specialized training with the missionaries and that I would be conducting.... That was interesting. Plus I messed it up. I announced at the improper times and I ended up having to get up AFTER President Dube to announce the closing hymn and prayer. Which by the way you aren't suppose to do. The Presiding authority should be the last on the program! Oops! Hopefully I won't have to do it again.

But anyway we were walkng and we saw this guy sitting down so obviously we went over and starting talking to him. And to preface this story let me just say that this is the most confused and lost guy I think I have ever met. Well we begin talking to him and asking about his beliefs. We asked if he believed in God and he said no. Not unheard of so I wasn't discouraged so we continued and we asked him what he did believe in. He answered, "I believe in drinking beer." Also not unheard so we continued and we were talking about his family and his wife who believes in Jesus Christ. I asked if he believed in Jesus Christ and he replied, "No, I believe in Christianity." At this point I am kind of lost. We keep talking to him and he repeated that over and over again and he refused to open up and talk or even to take anything to read. Finally I asked him(because he kept saying come back tomorrow), "Do you want us to leave?" To which he replied, "Yes," So we left. But I have met my first CHRISTIAN who DOES NOT believe in JESUS CHRIST! He was so confused and I hope he finds light one day because let me tell you, he is in darkness!

Also I saw more diamonds on the black market, this diamond was worth about $18,000. And the guy was just letting me examine it right out in the open. Which was strange but also powerful!

Do you remember Pride? He is powerful and we went to go teach him and his wife said he went to Harare to work for a month! This guy is probably one of our most powerful investigators! I was distraught(that is kind of dramatic and not entirely truthful in regards to my actual emotions but I like the word but know that I was disappointed!). So that night I prayed that the wife was just confused and that he would be back sooner. Prayer answered, the wife was confused!!! Yay!!! He is coming back this week!!!!

Also when President was here our houses were inspected by his wife and our house received the highest praise! They said we were very neat missionaries! Plus we got chocolate!

Some points to note-

* We discovered we live next to a less active, two actually
* Fasting was good, and long but fruitful I feel
* Love is good!
* Hate is bad!
* The sky is blue(most the time)
* I am in AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Elder Gay

p.s. Happy birthday in the following days to Cassie, Mike, and Nicki!!!!!! Have fun!

Working out, Madzi Baba Prophet, District meeting, church, and dating? Yes I said Dating....

Well this week we have been going to the gym in the mornings and exercising. Conveniently Godfrey is always gone, when we come for a lesson but he is ALWAYS there when we go to exercise.... coincidence? I think not! So whatever, I can still use his gym even if he isn't accepted into the Celestial Kingdom right?

But as I was doing some bench presses elder Butler made me laugh and I couldn't lift the stupid weight. I was just laughing and trying to lift it but I wasn't focused. So it took me a long time to finally get it off my chest, plus Elder Butler helped me. So that was good.

But we went to teach our Branch Mission leader's father this last week and he is seriously lost. For the first thing he is a "Prophet", also a pharisee because his Sabbath starts at Sundown on Friday, but he is also MUSLIM, because he prays every three hours and he faces east, even though mecca would technically be north from Zimbabwe.... We were trying to bring him to some epiphany but he already knew that the Book of Mormon is true and that our religion is different than all the others and he believes it to be to be true but he is afraid of leaving his church because he is their leader.

Also this week District meeting, was interesting I didn't feel like I was making much of an impact and that I was just rambling... you know? But anyway I went on an exchange and the elder said that the district meeting was inspired and that it felt like I was talking directly to him. Which was a testimony builder that really the Lord is in charge of the work and of these meetings even if we don't think we are making a difference. Woot!

Then Sister Solomon in a lesson was telling us about 2 Nephi 9. She read it and said it was the most powerful chapter she had ever read and how it was answering all her questions and concerns and she is just amazing! She needs to be Baptized so she can be Relief Society General President or something. Because she is amazing and yea pretty much.

But at church we go in and we prepare and Dickson walks in early! Yes one investigator at church! Then Sister AND Brother Solomon walk in! Three! And Brother Solomon is there too! Then Sister Marange comes in with her husband(who is a member). FOUR!! Then it begins and I am thrilled, then Pride and Tendai come in! SIX!!!! They all thoroughly loved Church and Sisiter Solomon was answering the questions about what they learned about last week, and all of them were participating in the lessons. Then at the end, Pride, Tendai and Dickson all say that next week they are bringing their wives to church!!!!!! I was so happy, you wouldn't believe. They are all amazing investigators and the members were talking with them all and it was just great.

I mean we have also seen an increase in the number of people who have dropped us, or who are hiding from us but still we are sifting the gold and diamonds from the poop colored soil. :) And I glory in the finding of the gold and diamonds(metaphorically speaking of course).

Then as we were contacting outside a shop, I went in to talk an investigator but I didn't find him so I was talking to a worker to see if the guy was there. But alas he wasn't, so I started to invite the worker(who is female) to church but I phrased it poorly, observe the awkward situation that arises.....

"So what are you up to tomorrow?" Says I. Can you already see my mistake....

"Well I am working from one till the evening," she says a little forlornly. I still haven't noticed anything amiss.

"Perfect!" I exclaim as she looks pleasantly surprised, "Because Church is from nine until twelve. Will you come?" Her face falls and a previously oblivious Elder Gay sees the signs, at long last.

"Church?" She says showing her disappointment.

"Yes church, it is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I am inviting you to come...." I paraphrased but you get my point, we talk for a bit more and I begin to walk away when she says, "Wait I didn't get your name..."

"My Name is Elder Gay."

"Elder Gay," She repeats under her breath as she smiles and waves good bye...

Awkward! She thought I was asking her out and I felt strange and I was just laughing because I think Church was far from her mind..... uh.... anyway.

I also met and taught Gouglet this week. He was a little drunk but a great guy and he was almost on the verge of tears as I was sharing with him and he was committing himself to be a better person for his family... But he didn't come to church and we went to his house and they said nobody by that name(and it is quite the unique name) stays there so.... I am not sure how sincere he really was.

Also our Zone is getting T-shirts and they are going to be awesome!

Love,

Elder Gay

P.S. Happy Birthday to Cassie(oct 6th) and Jay(oct 3rd) Get yourself something nice from me!!!

Sis. Solomon, Dickson Sibanda, and a dead battery

Well this last Monday we watched Toy Story 3!!! It was great. Parents please purchase it :) Then the next day we were going to the Zone Meeting and we get in the car turn the key and nothing. The battery is dead. So we try to push-start it and it isn't working. We must have pushed this car for two or three hundred meters in our suits! Finally, they ask me to try(I have never done it before, but I was the only other one certified to drive mission vehicles...). So I get in, they push it for about ten feet and I let go of the clutch and voila, the car starts! Woot! I don't know why it worked with me but whatever, I was just happy it started at all.

Then in a lesson with Sister Solomon, we were asking about her week and asking some questions about the Book of Mormon. The following is her account(as accurately as I can remember anyway...)

Well after church I came home and I was feeling down, just sad you know? I kind of felt like I should pray but I didn't feel like it. I sat there a long time with my Anesu(her son) and finally I just got up and went inside and I prayed. Then I started reading the Book of Mormon. And it just felt like this burden was lifted, I just felt light, you know? Then I get this call from my husband saying that he is coming back from traveling early and I was so happy because I wasn't expecting that. I just think that these are blessings from me keeping the Sabbath day holy. In fact, I actually prayed about the Book of Mormon and that is when I started to feel better.

Or something to that effect(a perfect memory I have not). But I was floored, I shared one of my experiences with prayer and the Spirit was very strong. We gave her a Baptismal date and she accepted on the basis that when she prayed she received a confirmation. Yes Baptism! Now on to the husband!

But this other lesson we were having during the week we met this guy named Dickson Sibanda. He has met a lot of missionaries in the past and one of them he said was an Elder Hansen and Elder Nick Hansen. So I am not sure but, Nick, do you remember this guy? Because he remembers you! Then during the week my comp got sick. But we were still out and teaching, so the Zone leaders brought the medicine to our area during a lesson and the next lesson we were going to was Dickson. So we show up and we find his mother who is telling about how she is a Preacher/Healer and she found her calling as a Prophetess at age thirteen when she was in grade seven... Anyway back to Dickson, as we are about to go my comp pulls out the medicine and is trying to figure out how many pills he needs to take.

But I was watching Dickson face as my companion did that. His whole demeanor changed. His posture became tight, and bowed and his face displayed a deep longing. He asked, "What are those? Can I take it too?" My companion said, "They are for a flu, do yo have a flu?" To which he quickly replied in the affirmative, accompanied by a very convincing cough to top it off. I added that my comp had to finish all the pills because they were a course and he needed to get welI(I had no idea whether or not they were a course by the way) I was just closing the option that we could give him some. I couldn't believe it! No one else seemed to notice and my companion was oblivious that is for sure. But I could see it, as clearly as if it had been branded on his forehead, this guy is a drug addict. I was shocked because he has a nice family, he is intelligent, and he is a very open person. But as soon as he saw those pills he was gone. Hopefully we will be able to help him.

There is a less active that we have been visiting that finally told me why she wasn't coming to church. She expressed that she hadn't ever told another missionary what she was telling me. Not even the one that worked with her for eight months, but she was telling me because she could she I was "concerned". She is a wonderful person and hopefully with this new open path of communication things will get resolved and she will come back to church. But I am just not really sure why she opened up finally. And to me. I haven't even been here two months.

But at church on Sunday Sis Solomon walked in and we waved and smiled and she sat down. As me and my companion started discussing who we should invite to sit next to her, a sister in front of her turned around and started to talk to her with a smile and they were playing with Anesu. Then across the row a few of the sisters turned and smiled and waved her to come sit in an open chair by them. Which Sis Solomon did and they started chatting as sisters do. I was just in shock, it was like an institute or church video on the perfect scenario for fellowshipping. It was pretty much the highlight of my week and it all lasted about ten seconds but it was fantastic!!!!!

We also started teaching this guy and he knows zero English. So this will be a little bit of a challenge. But he is a good guy, it seems promising. Also Dickson came to church, he was asking quite a number of questions which is good and he is such a good guy and in one of the classes he referred to the thief that was crucified by Christ, and he said that it was never too late to repent. So, it might be difficult to get him to leave his vices, but we come to find out that he is related to one of the members in our branch! Coincidence? I think not! But I think that was my week!(wait let me check my journal....)

I missed a few things actually

-When some bikes were dropped off(not for our area, I was on exchanges) We get on and start to ride off when I discover my back tire is flat. We discuss and we decide to just fill it in the area. Then I get on to go again and the pedal snaps clean off! I decide to just ride it without so we get on to go again and Elder Hewlett's bike seat falls all the way down! hahaha this bikes are not so great quality but they aren't for me, so... oh well!

-I got a letter! Good, right? But wait this letter was from an investigator. And it was very politely telling me that he no longer wished to continue our "bible studies"... Yea that wasn't so awesome. :P

-I found the black version of Chase Gluch! No joke this guy looks just like him!

But now I am finished!!!!!

Love,

Elder Gay

Training, Elder Hales, Birthday and building a house! And Godfrey.... DUN Dun dun....9/13/10

Well this week began with a training and I don't think I have ever sat that long on mission and I don't think I ever want to again. But it was powerful and I learned a lot. One day for lunch President Dube took us out to Dinner and it was to Blue Banana. We had a three course meal. I had chicken nuggets, sweet and sour chicken stir fry and a chocolate brownie with ice cream for dessert! Yum!

But while I was in Harare, the greenies were coming in and I keep getting told that an Elder Hales is looking for me. I am confused because I have no idea who he is but he finally finds me and tells me he knows my family in Ft Lauderdaile and things begin to piece together. He said my blog was inspired. Not that I can take credit because Pam made the blog but I thought that was kind of cool. He actually reminded me of some of my cousins.

But anyway, we drove back and Elder Butler is in my Zone now! You remember from when I fled the country to Zambia and I worked with him? Okay so you probably don't remember but suffice it to say that I am way stoked to be in his Zone!

But we get to the area and I find that one of our investigators has a birthday, on the next time we are scheduled to return(Sis. Solomon). So me and my companion plan to make her a cake. But when the day came, as with so many other days, no power... so we went to town and we bought her a cake! We sang Happy Birthday and we had cake and it was nice!

Also this we were suppose to do service at this one house but it fell through so I look for someone else we can help and we end up helping this guy build a house! I learned how to lay bricks and to align the bricks and the guy actually asked if I had done this before. I said no(because I really hadn't) but it was kind of cool to learn how to do brick laying even if it is a skill I will probably never use again. Woot!

But we were walking along this path and we found this athletic area and we find out there is a gym inside so I go and have a look and it is awesome so I was really excited about going there and getting back in shape. I talked to the owner and I told him we'd be back and I give him a pamphlet(this will prove to be relevant later in the email, don't worry).

Then after Church we were talking in our meeting with the leadership about Sis Solomon and I say that she was there at church that day. They start discussing and they pin point her and apparently everyone thought she was a member. Because in the Sunday School class she was making contributions and participating which really got the branch excited about fellowshipping her. So she will be baptized soon enough.

Then after church I get a text and I will write it exactly as I received it(if you you have small children reading this, tell them to turn away)

hello can Elder GAY
Come and discuss
the bible with me. i
have a problem.i am
a man but a lot of
other men are

So I see this page first and I am wondering who this is, I don't recognize the number and then I press down on the phone and I was incredibly shocked. Read and partake of my surprise

asking me to have
sex with them.

Are you shocked because I know I was! Really? Why me? Anyway so we call him back and I find out it is Godfrey, the guy at the gym I was so excited to go and use! So we might not be using the gym until we learn more about what is going on there. Anyway we plan to see him that very day. We go and my companion isn't saying anything. So I am trying my best to figure out his real concern because this statement I could tell was just the tip of the iceberg. A very large, ominous, fragmented, and looming iceberg. I have no idea why these things happen to me. Why couldn't they happen to someone without my last name? Because these things happening to me are just so ironic that they could make a stone cold killer cry with mirth. And me to cry with disbelief (ok so I really didn't cry but I was very shocked). He also said in a later text that, "love you my elders" Is anyone else concerned?!?!?! I am a little concerned and maybe even more than a little.

Also I found out that Brother Solomon is a diamond dealer! I mean it is all legal, but isn't that insane? He works in the diamond fields of Chiadzwa! Diamonds!!!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Steven Gay

Have a nice day!!!

Traveling, Baptism, and Crispen Sept 6th 2010

Well this last week has been very busy. Very.

We had a pretty regular and powerful P-day in which we watched Tarzan, played soccer and ate pizza. Then the next day we had a District meeting that was ok.... it could have been better but we had some good success and we found out that I am getting a new companion! Elder Xingashe, you say it with a sucking click noise in the beginning, but I have yet to meet him. Because of reasons that will be revealed later. Anyway, later that same day we were back from the day and we were planning, when we get a phone call. I answer, "Hello this is Elder Gay"

"Hello, uh you need to arrange a branch missionary for your companion you will be driving to Harare tomorrow for Zone Leader Council." Comes the response from the other side of the line.

"Uh ok," Says a perplexed Elder Gay, as he thinks but I am not a Zone Leader....

Anyway so I get a Branch missionary and I leave the next morning to Harare. we get there and we don't have really anything to do that night so I drove to Kuwadzana and I saw some of my converts! I felt good to see them.

But the next day we had the council and then we drove back. We had a baptism on Saturday of a girl named Shamiso, it was kind of a pentecostal baptism because it had to be repeated like five times...mostly because she would fight going down in the water and she wouldn't go all the way under.

Then I have to get a branch missionary because my companion was leaving to his new area and I end up working with Crsipen the person we just baptized on Sunday, he wasn't even confirmed yet! But it was powerful. But I am back in Harare for four or five more days for another leadership training. I am traveling so much but I am out of internet time!

Love,

Elder Gay

AHHH!! zone conference 8/23/10

Well this last week we traveled back to Harare for Zone Conference
because Elder Koelliker came. It was an amazing experience. He had
such great counsel and I feel like the work will shoot forward. We are
on the verge of Africa just exploding with missionary work I can feel
it! But somehow I got assigned to organize the photo so I was
instructing everyone to stand hither and thither which I thought was
kind of random. Then I somehow found myself setting up the food for
everyone and then after the Mission President called me out. So I was
wondering what was going on.... But to my surprise he wanted me to
dish the desserts... Then after I found myself back in the kitchen
cleaning ALL the dishes.... How did all these things happen, I don't
have a clue. I even ended up clearing the dishes and being a personal
waiter to the coupe missionaries, President and his wife and Elder and
Sister Koelliker. After all this was over I pondered on how these
things occurred. I have yet to determine a solution but I will
continue to ponder and pray about it.

Also driving in to the mission office we passed the guard who I
always thanked for opening the gate. She smiled accusingly and asked
me where I had been. I said, "Mutare." But I thought it was funny that
she remembered me and knew that I hadn't been around. I have only said
thank you to her. She is not a member but hopefully she will be soon.

But I got to talk to Elder Bonface(in kuwadzana) and he is saying they
have five baptisms this coming Sunday! All people I taught. He also
said that everyone is asking about me, even the drunks I always
invited to church. They are asking for me by name.... strange because
they could never seem to remember when church starts.... But it seems
like they are continuing with the good work! I hope sometime I get to
go back and visit there.

We just had Mormon Helping Hands all over Africa and we went to a deaf
center and we cleaned. Which was good, although sometimes when I tried
to talk to people they didn't respond because they were deaf...
awkward! But in the children's room I saw anti AIDS posters, good,
right? Wrong! They were very explicit pictures on the preventative
methods.... I was telling everyone there not to look at that side of
the room. It was in the children's rooms!!!!! I couldn't believe it.
Anyway this last week has been very busy with traveling and everything
but it is wonderful.

Love,

Elder Gay

P.S. Ricky and Mike, respond to my letters or dinokurova!(I'll beat you.)

Fire, Baptism, and Interview, Aug 30th

Well I am the District leader and the key indicators that were sent to me last week were terrible. So in the District Meeting I prepared what I felt to be an inspiring and edifying call for repentance! I was worried that the missionaries here were slothful and had poor attitudes. So that is what my District Meeting focused on, was diligence and maintaining a good attitude. I was kind of worried that I gave too much fire but then my fears were dispelled when I got this weeks indicators. The lessons more than doubled, we got our contacts, and our new investigators almost quadrupled! I was so much happier with these indicators. But I know we can do even better!

Then on Sunday we had a baptism of someone who was taught by the branch missionaries and we had one of our investigators interviewed and she will be baptized this coming Saturday! Woot! Her name is Shamiso Betserayi. Which is going to be great.

I went on exchanges this week and in one of our lessons this guy was saying he didn't like the Book of Mormon. So we were teaching him about it and we come to find out he had refused to read it because he thought it was the Book of Mammon. Which is understandable, I wouldn't want to read that book either. Then after the lesson I stood up and they all said wow, big guys. I just started laughing. Because I am smaller now than I have been. I need to find a gym.... anyway.

Also this week, in the morning I hear a knocking at our gate. I go out and it is a Sister who is hired by the church to clean the missionaries houses. So we let her in and she started cleaning. And I felt odd the whole time. It didn't sit well with me that someone else was cleaning my mess. Especially a Sister. I felt like I should be doing it. The house is incredibly clean now and I love it but it still felt off to let a Sister clean up after me. I think it goes back to when my Dad would make us clean the hotel rooms before we left. "Leave it better than you found it" he always said and I guess it stuck. Plus it almost felt like I was letting my Mom clean up after me, which should never happen. I don't know am I weird? I mean she was being paid but still.... it didn't feel right.

I have been learning so much from my study of the Scriptures and I find that it is just leading to more questions. The more I find out the more I realize I don't understand hardly anything but it is all right it just means that I won't run out of things to study. :) I love my study time!!! In fact I might need to repent because I feel kind of selfish about that time.... But I'm working on it!

But in one lesson we were having this guy had met the missionaries and had come to church for six months but said he still didn't know. We were addressing his concerns when someone who had joined us just for that day, said, "I think you need to go back to the Restoration.." hahahahaha I loved it. He was having these concerns because he wasn't sure about the Restoration and this guy who we only ever saw this once hit the nail on the head!

But we are finding successes in the area and I find it is because we are talking to everyone. They are starting to see what the Church really is. Also I have come to understand more and more that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has no interest in the Telestial or Terrestial kingdoms. Our only object is the Celestial kingdom! So we have been focused on finding only the best who are prepared and ready for the restored Gospel! We don't want merely to be saved, we want to be exalted! So next time I hear, "I have already been saved." I'll say, "Me too, but have you been exalted? I doubt that you have." Bam!

This work is awesome! Thank you for all the love and support!

Love,

Elder Steven Gay

P.S. Thank you Chase Gluch for the letter! It came all the way from Taiwan!

Aug 9th Letter

Satanism, not American, and Impromptu Speaking


So not a lot happened this week, other than the usual things so this might not be a very exciting email. But if you read on anyway I hope you'll enjoy anyway.

So this week we have been visiting some people and some new people have joined in. In the course of the lesson we find out that they wanted to see the Satanists and if we really suck blood. One of them was particularly funny. She asked why people called us that and what is the Book of Mormon really about. We start explaining and she seems to be accepting it all actually. But she told us that a few months before she had kicked the missionaries out of her property before when they had gone to teach her grown sons who really wanted to learn. She picked up their Book of Mormon, threw it down and yelled at them to, "get it out of the house because I don't want to die!" I started laughing and she said that she would read and pray and that her children would be shocked that she had the book. So hopefully that family will now receive the Gospel.

Also another story I heard from a member is they were at a funeral and there were a lot of non members. It got full and they were opening the cultural hall and, a woman startled at the noise, grabbed her hand and was saying, "I knew I shouldn't have come here. They are going to kill us and in such a beautiful building too. We are going to die! I knew I shouldn't have come here!" Anyway the member kindly explained they were creating more space for those that were standing and she was a member and she would take her on a tour of the building after the service... so unfortunately people have a slight misconception about the church.

Also no one here thinks I am American. People said that I am English, South African, Tongan, Swedish, Danish and yesterday I even heard someone saying he thought I was Korean. But I don't think a single person has said the USA. Do I look racially ambiguous? Or are these people just severely confused?

So then on Sunday at 9 o'clock we get called into the Branch President's office and they ask if we can give talks... we consent and I speak about forgiveness and it's role in repentance. I thought it went well actually.


But that has been the week! Thank you and mail here is slower so if you wrote me and you haven't received a response I might not have gotten your letter or my response might be in the mail.... sorry!

Love,

Elder Gay

Aug 2nd letter

Dear People!

Well this first night I was in my new area we had no water! Yay! But it wasn't that bad because we had buckets with water in them. And the water came back the next morning.

We have been working a lot with some branch missionaries because we didn't know the area yet. But one told me a story of when he went to a lion farm and he saw hundreds of lions and the owner had his arm bitten off by one of them and he sold them to the chinese because they liked the lion meat.... I kept thinking it sounded like a location for some horror movie. Anyway I contacted this guy who was telling us he liked to burn bibles... because he thought they were full of stories. But don't worry he believed in Christ, just not the one from the bible who was crucified... I was so confused. He was thrilled by the shock on our faces too. Satan has a powerful hold on that man. All I was thinking was, "uh.........." I really was very confused.

I taught my first district meeting and it went well. It seemed like it did anyway. But right out of the city there are diamond fields. Yes , I in fact did say diamond fields. The people who were living there had no idea of their value until a few years ago. But until then they had been using them as a currency. Like two diamonds for a loaf of bread... I KNOW, RIGHT?! I just couldn't believe it. The next day our branch missionary, brought his uncut and unpolished black diamond. Apparently a lot of the people here have diamonds but the government is controlling the whole thing rather harshly. So most are afraid to go after the diamonds. But apparently, in parts of that area you can just pick up hundreds of diamonds that are just on the top of the ground. Like pebbles, shiny, high carbon content, very expensive pebbles.

Also, I have been pretty successful in learning the new area. It is not nearly as large as the last area and there are mountains. Which help me out a lot, seeing as that is how I grew up and learned directions. So I can actually get almost anywhere in our area right now without getting lost even once! I was kind of proud of myself(pride is bad:)) Anyway we have been getting to know the members and our branch president. He seems reluctant to work with missionaries but that will change.

Yesterday we met a man named Endy. He was deaf, old, and I think a couple cards short of a whole deck if you know what I mean(in case you didn't, I mean he seemed slightly and quite literally insane). We tried to talk about the Book of Mormon and he started talking about baboons and tourism. Then we tried to pull it back then he went off on 'theology' and the 'phenomenon within the philosophy'. Yea I had no idea what he was talking about but he seemed to be enjoying himself. Then after he blathers on and on he says "Well our time is up but when you come back we will discuss even more." Then he shows us the door. I am not sure what happened during that visit.

But I know that the Church is true and that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer. Throughout mission I have come to believe Christ and not to just simply believe in Christ. Through him, everything is possible.

Love,

Elder Steven Gay

Transfers, Chaleka's, and driving to an unknown location

Dear Everyone!

Well this has been an interesting week. I am not sure what to really write actually because aside from being intense, I don't have my journal to remind myself of the week's happenings.

But to begin, I guess, I am emailing you from a different part of Zimbabwe... I was transferred and I am now in a city called Mutare. Which is on the side of Zimbabwe, very close to Mozambique. In fact, I could drive to Mozambique in ten or fifteen minutes. We were informed about transfers on Wednesday afternoon. We waited for the call for quite a while(three hours) and finally decided to call President Dube ourselves. I was informed that I would be leaving and I would be a district leader... honestly I can say that I don't feel prepared. I have only been out for six months. Everyone in my district(except one) has been on mission longer than me. And I am suppose to lead them?

It was difficult to say good bye to everyone in Kuwadzana. We had gotten very close and it was hard to leave. Especially all my recent converts but Elder Bonface is still there and he will take good care of them. But in my area I am also "white washing" which means they are putting two elders there who have not been serving there as opposed to just switching out one elder as is normally the case. So neither me or my new companion(Elder Blair) know anything about the area or the people. That will be difficult as well. Also as I try to be a good leader for the first time. There are a lot of new things to learn and to apply and I only hope that I am up to the task because right now I ain't to sure... but I will pray it out. Speaking of which, I have to teach a district meeting tomorrow... this is going to be intense.

Also the Chaleka's! They are one of the most powerful families that I have found and I had to leave. But they were at church on Sunday and they told me not to worry, because, and I quote, "Don't worry, me and my family will be baptized. But not before we know that we know what is expected of us, but we will be baptized." AHHHHHHH and I had to leave! But I am expecting that family to lead the church someday in Kuwadzana. but seriously.

I no longer have a washing machine and the persecution here is worse but I think we will find some people who are prepared if we work hard enough. But the house is powerful and I know that this transfer will be a huge learning experience. We confirmed those seven who were baptized last week and they went splendidly and the Branch is really getting on its feet I hope that near the end of my mission I can go back to Kuwadzana and see just how far it has come since I was first there.

But I got to drive to Mutare this morning. I had never been here before and it was three or fours away but we got here surprisingly because I really didn't know where I was going. But the drive was amazing. Africa is beautiful and I just hope that one day everyone gets to come and see for themselves. I got to look out over the whole city from the mountains. Also there were more baboons which is always fun!

But I will let you know how everything goes this week! I hope it goes well!

Love,

Elder Gay

Tapiwa, Baptisms, and Robbed again(again(again)) :)

Dear everyone!

Well this last week has been very good. It began with us going to Tapiwa's and he was very happy and we met with his family again(minus Dad). They were asking questions, participating, and it was great! Then we came back on Saturday and this time Dad was there. He asked for the Book of Mormon(he wasn't there when we taught it) and said that they had explained and that he had read it! We answered their questions and I was loving it.

Then we taught about the plan of salvation. And the dad gave them fire because they weren't prepared. So they all pulled out notebooks and they were taking notes the whole time! My companion was so happy he started crying. Then after the closing prayer, the dad, who we have only seen once after a conversation about missionaries and missionary work,

"So our church is really growing." He said casually.

"What?!" Comes the shocked reply from elder Bonface(my companion), as my head turns sharply.

"This church of ours it is really growing." Is the father's once again very casual reply.

He was saying OUR church! I couldn't believe it! Then he asked if he wanted to be baptized what would he have to do. I was stoked!

Then on Saturday I get a call from the Zone Leaders asking if there is anything we left in the house that is valuable... uh oh. I tell them my camera, and they find it in the top drawer of my desk. But the thieves got another camera, fuel coupons and forty dollars in cash. I couldn't believe it happened again and I have no idea HOW they are getting in! I have been locked out before and I could not get in, I could not see any weaknesses... but I guess I am not a thief... well according to that one police officer I am, but he is terribly confused.

Then yesterday we had our baptisms! Seven people! I was so happy. It was a lot of work and after the baptism I was exhausted but it was worth it. One of the kids we baptized, his whole family came. And they weren't even members!

But that has been my week and I am grateful for all the love and support!

Some highlights I forgot!

-My companion shoved sadza in his pocket because he couldn't finish it.
-I was forced to sing the National Anthem because it is in the hymn book for a recent convert family
-I was jumping into com-b to contact them
-The thief left his sandals so I am going to give them to Maxwell
-A less active made powerful food(very random but it was in my journal, so....)
-Our neighbors were incarcerated for the theft but were shortly released.


Love,

Elder Gay!

Lions, dead people, Talent and Tapiwa, and interviews

So last Monday we went and I played with "baby" lions again. But they took us in when they were eating, so they were kind of riled and vicious but it was still fun. We went around the rest of the park and I saw tons of animals like ostriches, zebra, springbok, baboons, hyenas, cheetahs, alligators, and some other things. Yes wildlife!

Also we hiked up this mountain and we looked out over this amazing view. Africa is really beautiful. I was kind of in awe over God's creations. Then we climbed some gigantic stacked rocks. I was making the other elders a little nervous because I was jumping and climbing over them and the drops were pretty far but I was having a blast(sorry mom I will be more careful though:)).

Then on our way home we passed an accident and I saw a dead woman with her head in a pool of blood. That brings the total amount of dead people I've seen to two! Which is something I never wanted. But Elder Packer(my old companion) said that a woman got shot five times ight in front of one of his appointments, by her husband who was also a police officer. Wow, Satan really? Really? It is a good thing these black badges protect us! Yea divine callings! Woot!

So we went to this one contacts house named Talent. And he was so excited to see us. He is eighteen and he was very very excited. He brought us in introduced us to his mom. It was intense. The lesson went very well and I felt prompted to include eternal families. I'm not really sure why, but my guess is I will find out later.

Also we went to another kids house, he is seventeen, and his name is Tapiwa. Also excited to see us but not even close to as excited as Talent. But he brought us in and also introduced us to his mom. I asked if she would like to join us and he left to ask. Then four men walk in and I find out the one is his dad, one is his Grandpa and two are his uncles. Then last came his mother with two of his little brothers. Wow. But the lesson went great! I was so happy! Also when he pulled out his bible, some zim money fell out and he just shoved it back in but I saw a lot of zeroes so I asked if I could see them. They were Ten Trillion dollar bills!!! I have been looking everywhere for those! And now I have seven! I am a multi-trillionaire. Aren't you jealous?

Also Anyway has a son named Gift who we have been teaching. This last lesson he was really getting it and Anyway was so proud of her son and excited that he was understanding the gospel. She was practically jumping up and down. But I realized I felt the same way. Which was odd because he was her son and he was what to me exactly? But that was the way I felt and feel every time an investigator gains a testimony of the restored gospel!

Also, don't you you love drunks? One said he would come to church and said and I quote, "I'll come! And you will bless me more than God Blessed Jesus? You know what I'm saying?" I had no idea what he was saying but it was funny! Also, also, one of our investigators was not convinced and was trying to bible bash to prove the Book Of Mormon is wrong. He also told me I wasn't convinced it was true... uh... what? Yea I left family, friends, work, school, gymnastics and everything else because I wasn't convinced? But anyway, we just kept telling him that he would have to read and pray for himself. But then he said that if he didn't get an answer when we came back were we willing to deny the Book Of Mormon. I paused and flatly responded, "No". I then bore my testimony that the truth of the Book of Mormon has been testified to me over and over again and nothing could change that. I explained that no matter how many people don't believe the truth, that it does not affect the unalterable fact that it is indeed the truth. Then he said he would come to chuch the following week. But I don't know if he is understanding these things. He might need time.

Then on Sunday we had Baptismal interviews and Maxwell got confirmed! Six of our seven passed and the one only failed because of translation error so we are having him interviewed again this coming Friday. So, on Sunday we will have seven baptisms! Victor and Vitalis (brothers), Gift and Sebastian(best friends), Dorcas, Vladmire, and Enesia who failed her last interview but passed with flying colors this time! Yea baptisms! Sunday was a powerful day.

Then yesterday we had Zone Conference which I always love. President said in my interview that I should enjoy Kuwadzana while I can, so I might be leaving. Which would be great but I would love to see how all these people I have been teaching progress!

Thank you for all the love and support!

Love,

Elder Gay

Malaria, "fixed power", and Unity

Malaria, "fixed power", and Unity

So the night after I emailed I sat in bed and I couldn't really fall asleep because I felt so full and I was kind of cold. I know I was actually cold. That should have warned me right off but it didn't. So I just tossed and turned and it got progressively worse and worse until I was very nauseated and I felt like I needed to vomit. So I called another elder from his room and he came out and was talking to me and brought me more blankets. So I had four blankets and a heater on me and I was STILL freezing. Finally I did throw up... a lot. And I felt much better and so I could fall asleep. The next day I felt pretty much normal, almost anyway but they forced me to go to the doctor.

The doctor told me that it was acute viral infection and it would pass on its own. But let me tell you I thought it was malaria. But whatever I feel much better now. But my companion also got checked and the doctor didn't know what to think of it, she said, "That's not normal." So we got some blood tests done and we are going to get the results later today so I will keep you informed next week about what happens.

So you know how our washing machine cord exploded? So Bro. Akili came and "fixed" it but we had no power when he came and later it came back and everything was good. Until the power went... but only to half of the house. Luckily everything in the kitchen still worked except the light so we could still cook!

So that side of the house didn't have power for a while but he came back and it is fine now. But now we are wondering what the next problem in the bathroom will be. Because right now everything is good and we all know that can't last for long.

But when I was in the area I saw a wedding invitation and it said "Love is forever" and it made me laugh and also a little sad. How sad it is that those people would separate at death without the proper authority. Also Alfred and Florence said they would wait even if it took ten years! Yes! They are the polygamists. The wife wanted to go to a different church but Alfred said he would only go to the "Latter Day Saint Church." He knows the truth and he cannot deny it!

Also I met a very arrogant person who wanted to teach me about the bible. But he did let me make a brick, by smashing cement into a mold which was fun.
Then Sunday was interesting. Maxwell didn't show up, I am not sure why. But I was very tired and then in Priesthood they started discussing families and it got way out of hand and they started discussing numbers of children and how many should you have and how you should provide if you have a lot. And someone said that poor people have more children because they can't afford other forms of entertainment.... in PRIESTHOOD! I was shocked and it just kept going from there. But our week has been really good and tiring and interesting.

Thank you for all the love and support!!!

Love,

Elder Gay

P.S. I am going to play with baby lions again today :)

Money fire, Maxwell, Robbed(again), Jehovah's Witnesses, and a gay muslim

Well I am sorry if this email is lame because I forgot my journal so I am not sure what happened this week.

Well last Monday my companion collapsed again at soccer, also again yesterday when we were driving to an activity so, we'll be taking him to the doctor any day now. :) I think I just might take every one of my companions to the doctor. That stinks.

Well we didn't have power for a very long time, which wasn't bad unless you wanted some heated food and a hot shower but I am pretty use to the whole no power thing. So our phone was dead and I am kind of glad because the other missionaries we were staying with were trying to call us. So we walk in and they just look defeated. Plus they tell me not to go into my study room. So of course I go straight there. And my desk is gone! And all my things are strewn about the floor. I go out and apparently we had been robbed, again. This time they got a camera(not mine and broken, so not big loss), an ancient cabinet, and $7. Also not a big loss but still, we got thieved again? Really??

I come to find out that the mission president's wife had been the one to send people to our house to collect "some things". I also learn that when the other missionaries collected the keys it was from the neighbors it was from the drunkard and wayward son that was the suspected culprit from the last robberies. So... yea that was kind of fun. I got my desk back but now it is broken and is slanted so now all my books slide to the right. :)

The next day Maxwell got interviewed for baptism! I confess I was nervous because he gets things messed up sometimes. He knows and lives all of it but sometimes he forgets which principles go to which law. But he passed and it was awesome!! But that morning he had some referrals for us. Turned out they were Jehovah's Witnesses' missionaries who were ancient. To give you a clue one said that he had been a member since 1935. Uh... yea but Maxwell gave them fire for all their false doctrine so it was still cool.

Then we came back to plan and the power was back after five days! So we begin planning and the other missionaries pull up and the power goes... I was not amused. So we all just sat in darkness for awhile, then power came back!!! So I start cooking dinner and before the meat is even browned the power goes again! I was less amused. So I start a fire in our fire place with a small brazier and I am burning the bills that one of our members gave us because she gave us a ridiculous amount and they are worthless anyway. So I cook my dinner on the flames fueled by billions of dollars :) Then after a long time, I put in on a plate and I sit down to eat and before I had taken a bite, the power came back... I was even less amused. But at this point I was past caring I had a cool story and I now had a warm meal finally.

Then the next day I get a phone call and it is one of our recent converts. The discussion is as follows.

"Happy Birthday!" Samantha says.

"What?" Is my automatic and confused response.

"Isn't it your birthday today?" She questions.

"Why yes. Yes it is!" So yeah I totally forgot that it was my birthday. But it was a powerful day we gave out some baptismal dates and had some pretty powerful lessons.

Then Sunday comes around and we are preparing for baptisms. Plus a girl I thought hated me came to church and said that she would be there next week too. Awesome so we are going to start teaching her. Then we get to the baptisms and the water was cold let me tell you. In fact, Sister Anyway came up gasping but it was still a valid baptism. Then after ward they both bear their testimonies about how the Gospel has them and their families. Maxwell says that the only reason he was there was because of me and that he owed me everything because I had pulled him from the darkness into the light. He gave me all the credit and I deserved none of it. But Sunday was one of the best days of my short twenty years. Yes Maxwell!

Also sorry this email is late but I was assaulted by a gay muslim. And sadly I am dead serious. He just kept hitting on me and not even subtly but blatantly so I tried to leave but he followed me and kept trying and I just told him off. I wanted to punch him or throw up on him or something. But he knows we always go to the email shop on that day so I might have to leave Harare because of a gay muslim stalker! I can't believe this! Why me? Why Elder Gay? Really? It had to be me?

But that has been my week also Maxwell taught me how to fix the alignment of bicycle tire spokes. I felt so cool, I did it myself and it was actually fixed at the end of my tampering!

Love,

Elder Gay

collapsing, slash and burn and anger :)

Collapsing, Slash and Burn, and Anger :)

So this week I have a new companion, his name is Elder Bonface and he is tiny and from Kenya. Well we were biking in the area and were going to an appointment when he asks if we can slow down. I look at the time and say that there isn't time to slow down. We keep biking but I see a member so I stop to talk to them. Then my comp pulls up next to me and we are talking when he collapses. He just passes out and falls on his face and starts seizing. I go to help but he has already regained consciousness and asks where he is. We take him inside and they feed us and then we take him home and I make him rest.

Then at a service project for the Elder's Quorum we went to the lands owned by the church for the chapel. Then we slashed the very large plants that were covering it but only around the borders to create a fire guard. It took a long time but not as long as I was expecting. Then we set fire to the rest! All the while this guy in the branch is catching the grasshoppers and rats that are trying to get away from the fire so he can cook them for dinner... uh yea that is what I thought too. Then he gutted them with his HANDS and stuck them in his POCKET!!!! I couldn't believe it.

The lessons this week have been pretty good and we had eight investigator's at church. All the people have been pretty good. But yesterday we were contacting and this guy calls me over and says "Do you understand the bible?" I told him I don't understand all of it. Then he says, "Come and I will teach you." I thought excuse me? But I maintain my smile and proceed to invite him to church and he fat out refuses and asks why we go to church on Sunday. I try to salvage something but I can tell this is going no where and so I pointed to my tag and said this is the church I have been called to represent and he looks at the tag and says, "That is nothing. That means nothing." And that is when I got upset. I didn't understand what I was feeling at first because it has been a while since I've been angry. But that is what I was. How dare he tell me that my tag represents nothing?! Basically I just cut it off at that point and I am pretty sure he misconstrued my silence as fear or insecurity. But I will see him in the Spirit World and he will remember meeting me and he will wish he had listened :)

On to a happier subject, Patience's Mom just passed her interview! She will be baptized next week. Next we have to convert the father! Yes converting families!

That has been my week!

Love,

Elder Gay

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Baptisms, Goodbyes, and death to poultry

Baptisms, Goodbyes , and death to poultry!We had a very good week. A lot of people are progressing. We got fed more than I ever have before in my life! I thought I would die! The whole week was a little bitter sweet because my comp is leaving.On the way home this guy stopped and asked us if we wanted a ride we said sure and jumped in the back of his truck and off we went into the African night in the back of a truck! I know it sounds dumb but it was sweet! I just couldn't believe I was riding in the back of a truck in Africa! Then he took us right to our gate!Then a little later we wanted to cook for a family and so we got there and guess what? I killed a chicken! Our investigators wanted us to prepare the family dinner. So they bought two chickens, me and my comp named them Frankie and Tameeka. Then they played in the garden and then I stepped on its feet and wings and cut off its head! I felt terrible. Then I defeathered it, I gutted it, I sliced it up, I cleaned the intestines(you know the things that carried the stuff that goes in the toilet? uh...yea), I cooked it and then I ate it! It was a very interesting process from live chicken to dinner plate but it sure was yummy! I couldn't believe I actually killed something. I have never killed anything before and I am not sure I ever want to again. But next the family wants me to kill a goat.... :( We'll see.Then on Saturday we had a very powerful day filled with powerful lessons and the last lesson was the most powerful lesson I have ever been in. The Spirit was so strong as we shared about the Restoration. Me and my companion were led by the Spirit and it will have a lasting effect on those people.On Sunday we had Baptisms! We had Admire and Patience and they both thanked us for changing their lives and in two weeks Patience's Mom will also be baptized! The joy the Gospel brings to people is incredible! I am so happy I can share it! Also a lot of investigator's came to church and it was a very good day. But unfortunately my companion was saying good bye to everyone and so the happy was tinged with sad. But I know the people will be okay as long as they stay in the church.I know that this Church is true and I am so grateful for all the prayers and support!

Love,Elder Gay