Hello?!
Well we had the great opportunity of focusing our studies this last week on the Book of Mormon and what a week it was. We experienced some strange set backs and interesting turn of events and some tender mercies.
Well this last week in the city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe they re-opened a park and the City Council invited the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to participate on the program. The opening prayer was given by Elder Allen to open the proceedings. Oh yea the Mayor was also in attendance. Then a quintet of missionaries namely, Elder Skwati, Elder Allen, Elder Chikota, Elder Finn and myself, sang Silent Night. I guess they were impressed because they invited us to a celebration for the city to be held at the city council building and to have us sing again. So that was really exciting and we are getting the name of the church out there! We are bringing the church out of obscurity! Woot!
We also had a Christmas Devotion at church which was well attended and people walked away very full! But at church like we said there weren't many who came at all. But after church we brought to light that the Magudu family was struggling to put food on the table. So immediately Bishop gave us food stuffs and sent us to their home(our bags were pretty heavy....). When we got there they started telling us about this program they had seen on TV about the Church, I guess they had Elder Holland and he talked about the Church and where it came from and its history in Africa and the welfare programs and the pioneers and the missionary program and Temples. Actually I think they talked about everything.
This family was so excited and they said they loved the program and they said they really understand now. They even told us thye had seen an anti mormon movie that spoke very poorly about the church and they were very scared and that is why their progress has been slow. But they said they now see the church as it really is and they were very touched. Brother Magudu was very touched by how beautiful the Salt Lake Temple is and how the pioneers walked 2000 kms across the plains and Sister Magudu said she cried as she saw and heard about the welfare programs of the church. They actually missed church because of this program but all things considered the Lord knew where they needed to be. Then we gave them the food stuffs and they almost cried again, saying, "I was just thinking about what we would eat today. The Lord really is mindful of us." Thank you Elder Holland, you answered our prayers and the prayers of this wonderful family!
Something they said that I echo and bear testimony of is, "How great it feels to be a part of such a great organization!" And truly it is. Hold On. Stand Fast. The clouds will pass and the blessings will shine through. "....the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men."(Alma 5:50)
ELDER GAY
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Miracle 1 and Miracle 2
Alright people,
So this week was really exciting and a bit hectic which is always good. We had Zone Conference. Which was pretty much amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed and we also had some of the new missionaries bear their incoming testimonies. President stands to give the closing remarks to the meeting and starts talking to me. Telling me that I have accomplished a lot and he also told me that my first area, Kuwadzana has a Chapel now and it is really exciting. The attendance was 170!!!! I was thrilled and he said that I should be wearing a big smile for leaving that area better than I found it. I didn't really do much but it was great to hear about its growth.
Also a new couple missionary told us that the first time they were released and they took off his tag the pain was excruciating and they couldn't wait to have that tag back. And it was then in my less than stable state(as I also envisioned someone taking my tag....) that President then asked me to bear my outgoing testimony. I was shocked. This couldn't be the last Zone conference, I still have a lot to do and people to share with....... so I gave my testimony and it was strange. Very Strange, but no worries it is still far away. In fact it is still next year!
We have still been working with the Magudu family and they are learning and progressing but it is a bit slow. They are still in the world and we are doing our best to help them. BUt they are a great family. I have really enjoyed them. Then on Saturday we receive a referral from a member who recently returned to church and his brother is on mission and when we asked him which church he went to he said, "Latter-day Saints". So we told him he would be baptized the next day. He knew everything and he had been coming to church as well but he just hadn't been baptized. So that was really great and we were really excited for him. Then something else happened.........
A miracle happened this last week. One I will always remember and I will always be grateful. Mncedisi, one of the very first people I met when I arrived in this area. I contacted him and he told me that he became familiar with the church in the late 1990's when he and his friend, started investigating. His friend was baptized and went on mission and introduced many of the current members of the ward to the Gospel. The following day I met him again and he approached me and told me that his father had passed away that very day. I truly felt like he was being prepared to receive the Gospel and that I would witness it when it happened. We began to teach him. He was doing well in lessons but then wouldn't be around when we would set appointments and I had a feeling that he was avoiding us a bit. His family are all strong members in another church and he used to live in South Africa where he had a very good job but he was a drunkard and then moved back here. He was drinking a lot and smoking up to two packs a day when we met him. He also struggled with commitments and when he said he had read he would struggle to explain what he had read to the point where I would question if he had read at all. He also did not attend church for 4 weeks concurrently. Always with good reasons..... I admit I began to question if I truly felt prompted to teach him. For weeks we would discuss him in District Meetings with the other missionaries to see if there was something that we were not doing. The only reply that came was, "Drop him." In spite of my doubts I did not feel comfortable doing that.
But at times he would bring questions like, "Why do we worship on Sunday" and "why don't women receive the Priesthood?" And as best as we did to answer him sometimes he would still want more to help him understand. I decided that we would do our best to share what was important and focus on reading the Book of Mormon together. I even gave him my favorite highlighter so that we could see if he was marking and therefore reading. Then he began to read. But still would not come to church. It came to the point where I said, if he doesn't come to church this Sunday then we will have to drop him. I felt conflicted about this because of the prompting I had felt when we had first met him. But I knew that no one could be helped until they wanted to be helped. That Sunday, the service started and still no Mncedisi. I was sad. But then I see him through the window walking up the Chapel and he came the next Sunday as well. It was then that my current companion came and he asked us in a lesson, "When is the next baptism?" I rejoiced because he had given up his addictions and he was ready.
Then that Sunday he did not come to church and we were told he had gone to the rural home where his phone would not work. They kept telling us to call on this day and that he would be back. But every day we called they would postpone and tell us he had not yet returned. I began to grow concerned, small doubts began to form. Was he avoiding us? Is the family not telling us the whole truth? What if he has fallen into old habits again? What if.... What if.... What if.... began to plague my mind.
Then in Friday nightly planning session I felt determined to go to his house for our last appointment on Saturday at 8 pm. My companion wanted to call and set the appointment but I knew his phone wasn't working so I suggested otherwise. We wrote his name down and we planned for him. Earlier in the day we passed by close to his home and my companion suggested that we go see if he was around. Again I suggested that we continue to our appointment suggesting that we had already set the appointment for 8.
That night at exactly 8:02 pm we were walking up to his home when he saw us and walked back to us. We began talking and he said he had just arrived home and set his suit out for church the next day and was going to sort some things when he saw us and walked back. I began to vocalize my concerns about his falling into old habits and if he was reading. He smiled and said that he had taken his books with him and that he was free from his old habits. Again he asked when is the next baptism. we replied, "tomorrow." He said "Am I ready?" We called the Zone Leaders to do an interview for us and he was interviewed and he passed! I was unbelievably happy. He asked me to perform the baptism. I was a bit surprised but happy as I accepted. As we were sitting in Church that day I saw as he held his Book of Mormon and that highlighter that I had given him so many week before.
He came up slowly from the water and we walked from the font and he wiped his face that was wet with water and a few tears. Extended his hand and said, "Thank you. It has been a long road." I took his hand and we embraced. He couldn't stop saying he couldn't wait to get back in the water when he would be baptizing someone and that he felt great. He said he wished this feeling could last forever. He asked me how it felt to help someone to this day and said he wasn't sure if it could compare to how he felt right then. Miracles happen. There is truly no greater work than this. I cannot express how happy I am right now. How great is our joy.
The Church is true and people do change under the power of the Gospel.
ELDER GAY
So this week was really exciting and a bit hectic which is always good. We had Zone Conference. Which was pretty much amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed and we also had some of the new missionaries bear their incoming testimonies. President stands to give the closing remarks to the meeting and starts talking to me. Telling me that I have accomplished a lot and he also told me that my first area, Kuwadzana has a Chapel now and it is really exciting. The attendance was 170!!!! I was thrilled and he said that I should be wearing a big smile for leaving that area better than I found it. I didn't really do much but it was great to hear about its growth.
Also a new couple missionary told us that the first time they were released and they took off his tag the pain was excruciating and they couldn't wait to have that tag back. And it was then in my less than stable state(as I also envisioned someone taking my tag....) that President then asked me to bear my outgoing testimony. I was shocked. This couldn't be the last Zone conference, I still have a lot to do and people to share with....... so I gave my testimony and it was strange. Very Strange, but no worries it is still far away. In fact it is still next year!
We have still been working with the Magudu family and they are learning and progressing but it is a bit slow. They are still in the world and we are doing our best to help them. BUt they are a great family. I have really enjoyed them. Then on Saturday we receive a referral from a member who recently returned to church and his brother is on mission and when we asked him which church he went to he said, "Latter-day Saints". So we told him he would be baptized the next day. He knew everything and he had been coming to church as well but he just hadn't been baptized. So that was really great and we were really excited for him. Then something else happened.........
A miracle happened this last week. One I will always remember and I will always be grateful. Mncedisi, one of the very first people I met when I arrived in this area. I contacted him and he told me that he became familiar with the church in the late 1990's when he and his friend, started investigating. His friend was baptized and went on mission and introduced many of the current members of the ward to the Gospel. The following day I met him again and he approached me and told me that his father had passed away that very day. I truly felt like he was being prepared to receive the Gospel and that I would witness it when it happened. We began to teach him. He was doing well in lessons but then wouldn't be around when we would set appointments and I had a feeling that he was avoiding us a bit. His family are all strong members in another church and he used to live in South Africa where he had a very good job but he was a drunkard and then moved back here. He was drinking a lot and smoking up to two packs a day when we met him. He also struggled with commitments and when he said he had read he would struggle to explain what he had read to the point where I would question if he had read at all. He also did not attend church for 4 weeks concurrently. Always with good reasons..... I admit I began to question if I truly felt prompted to teach him. For weeks we would discuss him in District Meetings with the other missionaries to see if there was something that we were not doing. The only reply that came was, "Drop him." In spite of my doubts I did not feel comfortable doing that.
But at times he would bring questions like, "Why do we worship on Sunday" and "why don't women receive the Priesthood?" And as best as we did to answer him sometimes he would still want more to help him understand. I decided that we would do our best to share what was important and focus on reading the Book of Mormon together. I even gave him my favorite highlighter so that we could see if he was marking and therefore reading. Then he began to read. But still would not come to church. It came to the point where I said, if he doesn't come to church this Sunday then we will have to drop him. I felt conflicted about this because of the prompting I had felt when we had first met him. But I knew that no one could be helped until they wanted to be helped. That Sunday, the service started and still no Mncedisi. I was sad. But then I see him through the window walking up the Chapel and he came the next Sunday as well. It was then that my current companion came and he asked us in a lesson, "When is the next baptism?" I rejoiced because he had given up his addictions and he was ready.
Then that Sunday he did not come to church and we were told he had gone to the rural home where his phone would not work. They kept telling us to call on this day and that he would be back. But every day we called they would postpone and tell us he had not yet returned. I began to grow concerned, small doubts began to form. Was he avoiding us? Is the family not telling us the whole truth? What if he has fallen into old habits again? What if.... What if.... What if.... began to plague my mind.
Then in Friday nightly planning session I felt determined to go to his house for our last appointment on Saturday at 8 pm. My companion wanted to call and set the appointment but I knew his phone wasn't working so I suggested otherwise. We wrote his name down and we planned for him. Earlier in the day we passed by close to his home and my companion suggested that we go see if he was around. Again I suggested that we continue to our appointment suggesting that we had already set the appointment for 8.
That night at exactly 8:02 pm we were walking up to his home when he saw us and walked back to us. We began talking and he said he had just arrived home and set his suit out for church the next day and was going to sort some things when he saw us and walked back. I began to vocalize my concerns about his falling into old habits and if he was reading. He smiled and said that he had taken his books with him and that he was free from his old habits. Again he asked when is the next baptism. we replied, "tomorrow." He said "Am I ready?" We called the Zone Leaders to do an interview for us and he was interviewed and he passed! I was unbelievably happy. He asked me to perform the baptism. I was a bit surprised but happy as I accepted. As we were sitting in Church that day I saw as he held his Book of Mormon and that highlighter that I had given him so many week before.
He came up slowly from the water and we walked from the font and he wiped his face that was wet with water and a few tears. Extended his hand and said, "Thank you. It has been a long road." I took his hand and we embraced. He couldn't stop saying he couldn't wait to get back in the water when he would be baptizing someone and that he felt great. He said he wished this feeling could last forever. He asked me how it felt to help someone to this day and said he wasn't sure if it could compare to how he felt right then. Miracles happen. There is truly no greater work than this. I cannot express how happy I am right now. How great is our joy.
The Church is true and people do change under the power of the Gospel.
ELDER GAY
Monday, November 21, 2011
Baptism, Magudu!, and INteresting......
Dear Everyone!
Well this week was pretty awesome if I say so myself. Well it had its ups and downs but it was powerful all the same. Well we had a service project at a local hospital and it went really well and it almost felt like coming home because of how often I was there last transfer for my companion and his health. The nurses and some of the office staff asked about me even.... haha!!!! I really was there too much. But it was cool I enjoyed talking with them as well.
We also had a baptism this last week. Brother and Sister Chamunorwa, Fortune, Sis Maswanhise, and Michael were baptized! Very exciting. Michael even cut off his dread locks in preparation for his baptism. I know some of us will be disappointed that he got rid of his very awesome dreads but doesn't that show commitment! Very powerful! I was very excited for him and for the changes he has been making in his life! Although in the picture of the baptism we took Fortune wasn't there because he got there late and we were nervous but he came! But the water was way too low so some of them had to be baptized again. And I was the one to do the baptisms. A bit embarrassing..... :) but they were baptized and that is what really matters right? RIGHT?!!!!
But this week something kind of cool happened. We were walking and we went by this nurse and she had her baby on her back(did I ever mention that is how they carry their babies? Well they do, they wrap a towel or cloth around themselves with the baby in the back and carry them like that.... yep) and the baby was cute and scared of me because I am white-ish and so I waved to her and smiled and then we started talking and it turned out the mom is a bit familiar with the church and the missionaries but never talked much with them. So we got her details and said we would come and visit. So that is what we did. And when we got there we met the husband as well and we discussed. They are very intelligent and Bro Magudu especially has been disillusioned by religion and was content to sit at home. He had talked Bible courses and loves to read but never felt the need to go to any church. So we discussed and he seemed interested if only intellectually.
Then we went back the next day and he had been sick so he hadn't made it to church. But we got there and he said he had slept so I was feeling a bit sad thinking that he hadn't read so I asked and he said that he had read and he was really liking it and he explained and said he really wants to know more and to learn and to see where this will take him. He was feeling hungry! He was so excited to learn more and said that what he had read seemed to only hint at much greater things! Powerful! I love this family. They are intelligent, independent, and ready for the truth! These are the best investigators and they are a family! Can it get any better..... I don't think so......!
Also this last week we had a less active member start confessing his less than righteous past to us and it was really awkward. It was very strange and we aren't talking talking small sins we are talking about big ones. But he said he wants to change so that is good but in the situation it was very awkward. Very interesting...........
We have very promising investigators and we are really excited for them and they seem excited as well but alas they struggle to come to church..... So we are currently striving to fix that. We are doing our best pray for us!
Just by the by, the first photo is the baptism that I was not present at...... can you believe it? I wasn't there!
The second is the one this past week! Woot!
ELDER GAY
You want to be happy? GO ON MISSION!!!!!
Smiles, Tears, and Families
So this week was very good and also draining and exciting. We are really having a great time with our investigators but we had very few at Church yesterday. I still am not entirely sure why either. Seemed to be a series of coincidences that prevented it. Interesting, huh?
But last week we had the wonderful opportunity of working with the Chamunorwa family and they are really great. We shared with them the first time and they were really receptive and the next time we came back they said they are available for the date of their baptism and they believe and are excited to be baptized and then the next lesson we took their tea! I was really excited for their progress. They have come so far! Very exciting and can't wait for their baptisms.
Then in another lesson with another investigator who stays a bit far we shared with him and found out he has been taught by one our Recent Converts and knows all about the Restoration, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and The Word of Wisdom. He had taken extensive notes and he was really excited to be baptized by proper authority. I felt very smiley that day.
Then this week was an interesting week for some of the missionaries, one companionship in particular. They were having problems and so we went there and talked with them for about an hour and a half and then the next day called and things were not any better. So we had to go back, myself and the zone leaders, and had a seriously long conversation. We helped them to have companionship inventory where they spoke about conflicts and made goals to improve and how they can better themselves and bring the Spirit back into their companionship. We took over 5 hours discussing with them and their were high emotions and much was discussed but things have been a bit better since then and they are improving. We had them pray, one in the start and one at the end and they were among the most fervent and sincere prayers I have ever heard offered. I was reminded of Enos and his 'wrestle' with God and felt like I now have a better understanding of the power of prayer. They were powerful prayers.
But also this week I contacted this guy who was walking home and he seemed interested so I got his details and then we went by his home a little later and found his whole family. So we have been teaching them and the churches they are going to now are really different. They have been struggling a bit to make the adjustment but they are humble and very good people who have felt the goodness of the message we share. They have the desire all it is now is to help them make the adjustment which can be very difficult.
But they are a wonderful family. I also had the opportunity to teach a family that I had referred to another area. I was on exchanges and that was nice. They are doing well and they even remembered me! So that was really cool. The work is moving forward! Go on mission!
But last week we had the wonderful opportunity of working with the Chamunorwa family and they are really great. We shared with them the first time and they were really receptive and the next time we came back they said they are available for the date of their baptism and they believe and are excited to be baptized and then the next lesson we took their tea! I was really excited for their progress. They have come so far! Very exciting and can't wait for their baptisms.
Then in another lesson with another investigator who stays a bit far we shared with him and found out he has been taught by one our Recent Converts and knows all about the Restoration, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and The Word of Wisdom. He had taken extensive notes and he was really excited to be baptized by proper authority. I felt very smiley that day.
Then this week was an interesting week for some of the missionaries, one companionship in particular. They were having problems and so we went there and talked with them for about an hour and a half and then the next day called and things were not any better. So we had to go back, myself and the zone leaders, and had a seriously long conversation. We helped them to have companionship inventory where they spoke about conflicts and made goals to improve and how they can better themselves and bring the Spirit back into their companionship. We took over 5 hours discussing with them and their were high emotions and much was discussed but things have been a bit better since then and they are improving. We had them pray, one in the start and one at the end and they were among the most fervent and sincere prayers I have ever heard offered. I was reminded of Enos and his 'wrestle' with God and felt like I now have a better understanding of the power of prayer. They were powerful prayers.
But also this week I contacted this guy who was walking home and he seemed interested so I got his details and then we went by his home a little later and found his whole family. So we have been teaching them and the churches they are going to now are really different. They have been struggling a bit to make the adjustment but they are humble and very good people who have felt the goodness of the message we share. They have the desire all it is now is to help them make the adjustment which can be very difficult.
But they are a wonderful family. I also had the opportunity to teach a family that I had referred to another area. I was on exchanges and that was nice. They are doing well and they even remembered me! So that was really cool. The work is moving forward! Go on mission!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
: Elder Chikota, Mncedisi, and ZL Council
Dearest People's!
I know the Church is true! And I know that The Gospel has been Restored!
Just thought you should know. But this week was pretty good, I have a new companion Elder Chikota and he is from Soweto in South Africa and he is good and I can see that he will continue to learn and grow and that he will be a good missionary. We had a good experience with Mncedisi. He has been struggling with smoking and he has had some concerns and we were really close to dropping him as you know but that is when he came to church and guess what happened this week??!?!?! Well we went and it was Elder Chikota's first lesson on mission and we are following up on his reading and he has made it to 1 Nephi 20 and he has been marking it and he has been understanding and he said his concern was resolved and then he said,
"Tell me about Baptism....." Then he looked right at me and said, "Why do you look so happy?!" Hahahahahaha "When is the next baptism?"!!!!!!!!!! It was so powerful and we are really excited for him and for his progression. There is great joy over the soul that repenteth.
We have been really finding a lot and it has been a great experience and we feel that we will be able to achieve a lot in helping the ward to grow and be strengthened. BUt I also went to a Zone Leader council and we were discussing the whole mission and how we can improve and we had a very lively discussion and felt really good about what was planned but we also spoke about what the mission will be doing for Christmas and it seems that we might be doing something pretty awesome. I hope so! I suggested going to Victoria Falls as a mission but President said that wouldn't be possible. That was sad. But it seems like it will be powerful!
ELDER GAY
I know the Church is true! And I know that The Gospel has been Restored!
Just thought you should know. But this week was pretty good, I have a new companion Elder Chikota and he is from Soweto in South Africa and he is good and I can see that he will continue to learn and grow and that he will be a good missionary. We had a good experience with Mncedisi. He has been struggling with smoking and he has had some concerns and we were really close to dropping him as you know but that is when he came to church and guess what happened this week??!?!?! Well we went and it was Elder Chikota's first lesson on mission and we are following up on his reading and he has made it to 1 Nephi 20 and he has been marking it and he has been understanding and he said his concern was resolved and then he said,
"Tell me about Baptism....." Then he looked right at me and said, "Why do you look so happy?!" Hahahahahaha "When is the next baptism?"!!!!!!!!!! It was so powerful and we are really excited for him and for his progression. There is great joy over the soul that repenteth.
We have been really finding a lot and it has been a great experience and we feel that we will be able to achieve a lot in helping the ward to grow and be strengthened. BUt I also went to a Zone Leader council and we were discussing the whole mission and how we can improve and we had a very lively discussion and felt really good about what was planned but we also spoke about what the mission will be doing for Christmas and it seems that we might be doing something pretty awesome. I hope so! I suggested going to Victoria Falls as a mission but President said that wouldn't be possible. That was sad. But it seems like it will be powerful!
ELDER GAY
Monday, November 7, 2011
: Headache?, BAPTISM, Training?????
So this week was very hot. We had a heat wave and they said it was the hottest it has been in Zimbabwe since 1959 or a year similar to that one. Needless to say it was very warm. Oh yea I just finished reading the New Testament! Woot!
But this week has been really good and really busy.
I actually had a real head ache! I was very surprised. It could have been a combination of the heat and also stress. Because we had a lot of people to prepare for baptism and only a specific amount of time to be spent in the area and it was really intense!
But we got transfers and I will be training again and I will be staying in the area. My new companion is Elder Chikota and he is from South Africa. Should be very exciting.
But the great news is that we were able to help prepare 14 people to be baptized last week Saturday and everything was organized and we were having an activity as well where lunch would be provided so that was awesome! But then we got a call from the assistants saying that there would be a training on Saturday and that I was required to be there. It was being held at the exact same time as our baptism and it was in a DIFFERENT CITY! So I was sadly unable to attend the baptism but I hear it went great and that everyone was very excited. Pictures were taken so don't worry. I just don't have them with me right now..... but they will definitely be sent. But bad news is that I do not have my memory card anymore to my camera... it got lost somehow. I don't know how or where but I don't have it. Isn't that sad? It had a lot of pictures. But I think I sent most of the crucial ones. So it will be okay.
But that was the week!
Will everyone pray for my little bro, Matt? He needs some support!
ELDER GAY
PS Serve a MISSION!
But this week has been really good and really busy.
I actually had a real head ache! I was very surprised. It could have been a combination of the heat and also stress. Because we had a lot of people to prepare for baptism and only a specific amount of time to be spent in the area and it was really intense!
But we got transfers and I will be training again and I will be staying in the area. My new companion is Elder Chikota and he is from South Africa. Should be very exciting.
But the great news is that we were able to help prepare 14 people to be baptized last week Saturday and everything was organized and we were having an activity as well where lunch would be provided so that was awesome! But then we got a call from the assistants saying that there would be a training on Saturday and that I was required to be there. It was being held at the exact same time as our baptism and it was in a DIFFERENT CITY! So I was sadly unable to attend the baptism but I hear it went great and that everyone was very excited. Pictures were taken so don't worry. I just don't have them with me right now..... but they will definitely be sent. But bad news is that I do not have my memory card anymore to my camera... it got lost somehow. I don't know how or where but I don't have it. Isn't that sad? It had a lot of pictures. But I think I sent most of the crucial ones. So it will be okay.
But that was the week!
Will everyone pray for my little bro, Matt? He needs some support!
ELDER GAY
PS Serve a MISSION!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Baptisms, Mncedisi, and SO CONFUSED!!!
Alright so people I jsut want to say that I just finished a journal this last week and I have started a new one. Woot!
So where to begin...... Let us begin with Monday.......
So Monday we were on exchanges with President Dube and it went well and I felt I learned a lot on how to be a better missionary and a better trainer. He really is a great teacher and he knows his scriptures. So we saw a few people and really had a great experience. We also had our Zone activity and got our Zone shirts. They are pretty cool and we had a good time we had a braai and that was yummy.
This is where things get exciting. TUESDAY! So we had District Meeting and I was presenting and we were learning from the scriptures together and I thought it was going really well and President was doing our regular interviews but then after the meeting I get told that my companion will be with one of the Zone Leaders in the car and that I will be with the other one in the area and it is until further notice and my head is just reeling because I had no idea where this came from. Very bizarre and President necer explained and so we actually go back to the hospital because he was vomiting more blood. And we set an appointment. So I was with Elder Finn.
Wednesday- I was now with Elder Skwati on Exchanges and we had a fairly normal day except for the news that my companion had been admitted again. OH yea I spoke to President about why it all happened and he was just telling me that it was because of his health and he wanted him in the car. So that was explained which was good.
Thursday- I was with a ward missionary and in the evening we went to the hospital and found out he vomited blood and collapsed in the bathroom. So that was interesting.
Friday- I was with Elder Finn. We went to the area and had some interviews and it was going pretty well and things were moving along. Then we get a phone call from President saying that my companion will be transferred to Harare to be with the Assistants in order to keep a closer eye on his health..... I will be with a ward missionary until the end of the transfer.
Saturday- We had one more interview and had some pretty good lessons. One was with Mncedisi who has been familiar with the church for a long time and was never baptized for one reason or the other and never really came to church. BUt he seemed to be doing really well and he managed to do his reading and he committed to come to church and even though he hadn't been to church for 3 weeks straight I just couldn't let him go. I just felt like it was his time. Like he was finally ready.... So I really prayed that he would come to church.
Sunday- So we went to church and it was hectic and good. We had a lot of people who came and that was great. But no Mncedisi. He wasn't there but then a little bit into Sacrament Meeting we see him walking up to the Chapel! HE CAME!!!!! hahahahaha Success! It was so powerful and he has been doing so well with giving up smoking.
Then after the service we had our baptism and it went really well. They were all baptized and they were all so excited. All in "spotless white"! I love baptism days. They are always exciting.
But that was the week. Up and down and all around but sprinkled with miracles all over and you just gotta love it.
ELDER GAY
PS My companion is doing a bit better under the close supervision and they have every confidence that he will be able to continue to serve.
So where to begin...... Let us begin with Monday.......
So Monday we were on exchanges with President Dube and it went well and I felt I learned a lot on how to be a better missionary and a better trainer. He really is a great teacher and he knows his scriptures. So we saw a few people and really had a great experience. We also had our Zone activity and got our Zone shirts. They are pretty cool and we had a good time we had a braai and that was yummy.
This is where things get exciting. TUESDAY! So we had District Meeting and I was presenting and we were learning from the scriptures together and I thought it was going really well and President was doing our regular interviews but then after the meeting I get told that my companion will be with one of the Zone Leaders in the car and that I will be with the other one in the area and it is until further notice and my head is just reeling because I had no idea where this came from. Very bizarre and President necer explained and so we actually go back to the hospital because he was vomiting more blood. And we set an appointment. So I was with Elder Finn.
Wednesday- I was now with Elder Skwati on Exchanges and we had a fairly normal day except for the news that my companion had been admitted again. OH yea I spoke to President about why it all happened and he was just telling me that it was because of his health and he wanted him in the car. So that was explained which was good.
Thursday- I was with a ward missionary and in the evening we went to the hospital and found out he vomited blood and collapsed in the bathroom. So that was interesting.
Friday- I was with Elder Finn. We went to the area and had some interviews and it was going pretty well and things were moving along. Then we get a phone call from President saying that my companion will be transferred to Harare to be with the Assistants in order to keep a closer eye on his health..... I will be with a ward missionary until the end of the transfer.
Saturday- We had one more interview and had some pretty good lessons. One was with Mncedisi who has been familiar with the church for a long time and was never baptized for one reason or the other and never really came to church. BUt he seemed to be doing really well and he managed to do his reading and he committed to come to church and even though he hadn't been to church for 3 weeks straight I just couldn't let him go. I just felt like it was his time. Like he was finally ready.... So I really prayed that he would come to church.
Sunday- So we went to church and it was hectic and good. We had a lot of people who came and that was great. But no Mncedisi. He wasn't there but then a little bit into Sacrament Meeting we see him walking up to the Chapel! HE CAME!!!!! hahahahaha Success! It was so powerful and he has been doing so well with giving up smoking.
Then after the service we had our baptism and it went really well. They were all baptized and they were all so excited. All in "spotless white"! I love baptism days. They are always exciting.
But that was the week. Up and down and all around but sprinkled with miracles all over and you just gotta love it.
ELDER GAY
PS My companion is doing a bit better under the close supervision and they have every confidence that he will be able to continue to serve.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Humanitarian, if you invite them they will come, and Conference!
Aright so first of all I loved Conference!!!! It was great and I appreciate every talk but I was so excited that so many were focused on missionary work!!!!! Especially Elder Holland, please go on line and read his talk from Priesthood session, please Please PLEASE!!!! You will not regret it! I loved it so much.
So President Dube has told us of something he would like us to focus on which is Humanitarian work! He said that whatever resources we might need and anything that we can plan and organize he would love to help us. This is especially for my companion and I. So I look forward to that and I know that it wil be a great experience. Partly due to the fact that my companion was the one who organized the Humanitarian group Letters 2 Rwanda and was recognized by some very important people(I can't remember exactly who right now but it was great)...... So we should be able to find success.
But one miracle(of many) this last week was that we had a surprising number of investigators who came to church! I was so excited because when we got there we had about 6 or 7 and I was thrilled and was excited for them and then they just kept coming! In total we had 20 investigators at church. What a blessing, considering the fact that we were unable to see them the Lord heard our prayers and softened their hearts and we look forward to their upcoming baptisms. What an amazing blessing! We have truly been belssed with wonderful people to teach and I know that the Lord hears our prayers and sustains us in our weakness as we have faith and rely upon His Son. Incredible.
I feel so unworthy of God's unfailing kindness and mercy at times that I truly "stand all amazed" and I can't help but wonder can I do more? Do I have His image in my countenance? Do my actions of every minute of every day make Him happy? But I do sin my wish, because I am not here for me, but for God's children. There are truly miracles if we will but forget ourselves and go to work. I know this. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and the keystone of our religion and I am so grateful for the great missionaries within its pages. I am grateful for this opportunity to do like Paul and to declare that the 'unkown God' is not unknown but revealed and wonderful and kind and so ready to fill our lives when we turn to Him and rely upon the merits of His Son's Atoning sacrifice. This is a great work.
Elder Gay
So President Dube has told us of something he would like us to focus on which is Humanitarian work! He said that whatever resources we might need and anything that we can plan and organize he would love to help us. This is especially for my companion and I. So I look forward to that and I know that it wil be a great experience. Partly due to the fact that my companion was the one who organized the Humanitarian group Letters 2 Rwanda and was recognized by some very important people(I can't remember exactly who right now but it was great)...... So we should be able to find success.
But one miracle(of many) this last week was that we had a surprising number of investigators who came to church! I was so excited because when we got there we had about 6 or 7 and I was thrilled and was excited for them and then they just kept coming! In total we had 20 investigators at church. What a blessing, considering the fact that we were unable to see them the Lord heard our prayers and softened their hearts and we look forward to their upcoming baptisms. What an amazing blessing! We have truly been belssed with wonderful people to teach and I know that the Lord hears our prayers and sustains us in our weakness as we have faith and rely upon His Son. Incredible.
I feel so unworthy of God's unfailing kindness and mercy at times that I truly "stand all amazed" and I can't help but wonder can I do more? Do I have His image in my countenance? Do my actions of every minute of every day make Him happy? But I do sin my wish, because I am not here for me, but for God's children. There are truly miracles if we will but forget ourselves and go to work. I know this. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and the keystone of our religion and I am so grateful for the great missionaries within its pages. I am grateful for this opportunity to do like Paul and to declare that the 'unkown God' is not unknown but revealed and wonderful and kind and so ready to fill our lives when we turn to Him and rely upon the merits of His Son's Atoning sacrifice. This is a great work.
Elder Gay
Friday, October 14, 2011
Baptism!, Confusion....., and PEOPLE!!!!!!!
Alright so you already know but we had a baptism this week! Kelvin was baptized and he was ordained to be a Deacon. Powerful. And he brought with him to church his friend and also his aunt. So they will be baptized soon. I am really excited for them. Also this one sister who came to church said that this was her first time back in 15 years, she said it was like being born again and then she came to us and said that her two daughters need to be baptized. So we look forward to that as well.
We found out why that one family didn't come to church he has a drinking problem and so we will have to work to get him better friends because he doesn't have positive influences around him. Hopefully we can help him to change himself and his surroundings. But the little brother is doing really well and he is really excited to be baptized. We also have this other brother who is really excited for the Gospel and we know he will be baptized. soon. Not to mention the other 4 new people that members brought to church with them. Exciting! I can't wait until they get baptized and they get to serve in the church.
But my companion is still sick. The doctors can't really find out what is wrong with him and nothing they are giving him is helping. So that has been pretty hectic trying to help him to enjoy missionary work while he is very ill and in pain...... any advice? But the miracles are all around and I hope even though he is kind of in pain that he is able to recognize them. I am really excited for the progress of the work and I really hope that we will be able to see the progress of all the investigators that the Lord has blessed us with. Very exciting. But I am confused about what is the matter with my companion.
But that is all for this week! I forgot my journal at home but I will bring it next time! Enjoy your life!!!!
ELDER GAY
We found out why that one family didn't come to church he has a drinking problem and so we will have to work to get him better friends because he doesn't have positive influences around him. Hopefully we can help him to change himself and his surroundings. But the little brother is doing really well and he is really excited to be baptized. We also have this other brother who is really excited for the Gospel and we know he will be baptized. soon. Not to mention the other 4 new people that members brought to church with them. Exciting! I can't wait until they get baptized and they get to serve in the church.
But my companion is still sick. The doctors can't really find out what is wrong with him and nothing they are giving him is helping. So that has been pretty hectic trying to help him to enjoy missionary work while he is very ill and in pain...... any advice? But the miracles are all around and I hope even though he is kind of in pain that he is able to recognize them. I am really excited for the progress of the work and I really hope that we will be able to see the progress of all the investigators that the Lord has blessed us with. Very exciting. But I am confused about what is the matter with my companion.
But that is all for this week! I forgot my journal at home but I will bring it next time! Enjoy your life!!!!
ELDER GAY
Monday, October 3, 2011
A Lost Puppy with a Cause
Dearest of dear people,
This last week was among the most trying of mission life. Well my companion was called by President Dube and he was flown to Harare on Tuesday of last week and he is still there as my fingers speak. He was flown out on Wednesday morning but he was with the zone leaders on Tuesday and so since that time I have been with a branch missionary. He is great but I have really worked on patience. I have been going CRAZY!!!!
So I am without a companion and I have been on baby sitting duty while trying to find my way through an unknown city. Very exciting and very interesting. I feel like a lost puppy..... odd but true. But amongst all the mayhem the Lord has sent miracles our way. We have found a great many people who are prepared for the Gospel and the members are really excited about the work. They have given us a lot of referrals and it has really helped a lot. Just a side note, will you, yes you, give a referral to the missionaries serving in your ward or branch? I promise it will be among the best things to ever happen to that missionary and to you as well. It has been a bit complicated because I am serving in two units whose meeting times are almost the same and I have been praying for a solution. I feel we might be getting another set of missionaries soon to be in the other area.
This one family we just met along the way. I stopped to talk to them and they are a great couple who really love each other and they have two little children. He is a carpenter but because of difficult times he is working at a local bakery but he hopes to have his own carpentry something soon. They both came to church this last Sunday and every time we meet them Bro Mazhindu tells us that he will be joining us and that he looks forward to being with us soon. They are so great and I can't wait until they are baptized.
We have also met this one boy named Kelvin. He is 13 and we taught him the restoration then after the lesson he said one of his friends was interested. So he took us there and we had another lesson. I asked him to teach his friend the Restoration to see how well he understood. So Kelvin started teaching. I think that was one of the best lessons I have ever seen. He is a powerful teacher. He taught the entire Restoration and he was having his friend read and asking him questions and went over how you need to pray to know and I was truly amazed. It was really incredible. The Church is true for sure.
There is even this other family that is progressing well. They were referred to us by the Bishop's wife and they are great as well. The only thing is they didn't come to church and I am not sure why. The younger boy did, he is 16, but the other's didn't but they said they were on their way. But we are scheduled to see them on Tuesday so I am sure we will find out what happened. There is also this other guy named Mncedisi(the c makes a clicky noise). His best friend and him started coming to church over a decade ago, the friend got baptized and they both moved but Mncedisi was never baptized. But he says he now has the desire to be and wants to change. But he has some things to work through. I don't know what exactly but I feel he is struggling with something right now.
Even this other guy Chris, said he went to church in Kwekwe for a month but moved before he got baptized and says he wants to be baptized now. The only thing is that he is a police officer and commitments made it so he couldn't come to church. But there are some very promising things that are happening. I just hope my companion comes as soon as possible. He needs to be a part of all this.
The Harvest is Great and the Laborers are Few....... GO ON MISSION!!!! :D
ELDER GAY
This last week was among the most trying of mission life. Well my companion was called by President Dube and he was flown to Harare on Tuesday of last week and he is still there as my fingers speak. He was flown out on Wednesday morning but he was with the zone leaders on Tuesday and so since that time I have been with a branch missionary. He is great but I have really worked on patience. I have been going CRAZY!!!!
So I am without a companion and I have been on baby sitting duty while trying to find my way through an unknown city. Very exciting and very interesting. I feel like a lost puppy..... odd but true. But amongst all the mayhem the Lord has sent miracles our way. We have found a great many people who are prepared for the Gospel and the members are really excited about the work. They have given us a lot of referrals and it has really helped a lot. Just a side note, will you, yes you, give a referral to the missionaries serving in your ward or branch? I promise it will be among the best things to ever happen to that missionary and to you as well. It has been a bit complicated because I am serving in two units whose meeting times are almost the same and I have been praying for a solution. I feel we might be getting another set of missionaries soon to be in the other area.
This one family we just met along the way. I stopped to talk to them and they are a great couple who really love each other and they have two little children. He is a carpenter but because of difficult times he is working at a local bakery but he hopes to have his own carpentry something soon. They both came to church this last Sunday and every time we meet them Bro Mazhindu tells us that he will be joining us and that he looks forward to being with us soon. They are so great and I can't wait until they are baptized.
We have also met this one boy named Kelvin. He is 13 and we taught him the restoration then after the lesson he said one of his friends was interested. So he took us there and we had another lesson. I asked him to teach his friend the Restoration to see how well he understood. So Kelvin started teaching. I think that was one of the best lessons I have ever seen. He is a powerful teacher. He taught the entire Restoration and he was having his friend read and asking him questions and went over how you need to pray to know and I was truly amazed. It was really incredible. The Church is true for sure.
There is even this other family that is progressing well. They were referred to us by the Bishop's wife and they are great as well. The only thing is they didn't come to church and I am not sure why. The younger boy did, he is 16, but the other's didn't but they said they were on their way. But we are scheduled to see them on Tuesday so I am sure we will find out what happened. There is also this other guy named Mncedisi(the c makes a clicky noise). His best friend and him started coming to church over a decade ago, the friend got baptized and they both moved but Mncedisi was never baptized. But he says he now has the desire to be and wants to change. But he has some things to work through. I don't know what exactly but I feel he is struggling with something right now.
Even this other guy Chris, said he went to church in Kwekwe for a month but moved before he got baptized and says he wants to be baptized now. The only thing is that he is a police officer and commitments made it so he couldn't come to church. But there are some very promising things that are happening. I just hope my companion comes as soon as possible. He needs to be a part of all this.
The Harvest is Great and the Laborers are Few....... GO ON MISSION!!!! :D
ELDER GAY
HOSPITAL!!!!
Well family and friends and colleagues. I had a very interesting week.
I was moved to Harare to have a training and to meet my new companion who was coming fresh from the MTC. So we go there we meet we have a training with President and we also have dinner at his home and that was really nice. My companion seems really great and we get along so no worries there. But I have to be honest I was a bit nervous about training. Especially because I had never been to our area before and I had no idea what the area would be like, I didn't know the city and the members and any of the investigators. I didn't even know what our house was like. But now I have partial or complete answers to these questions.
But the day we got there we drove 6 hours from Harare to our area. I woke up at 3 but we didn't leave until 7. I am not sure why I woke up that early. I just did. But anyway we went straight to the area when we got there and went to work finding where the members and investigators stayed and finding new people to teach. It was really quite exciting. BUt the next day as we are walking to the area my companion says he is feeling unwell and then proceeds to vomit 4-5 times on the side of the road. So I call the Zone leaders and they come take us to the doctor and he is having severe chest pains and shaking and getting shots and IV's and all sorts of medical attention and then we went home because he had been stable but the next morning it came back with a vengeance and it was bad so we spend the whole day at doctors getting tests and that day he was in a lot of pain. Then the next day he was admitted to the Hospital and he is still there. They say he will be released tomorrow. I guess they have fixed it.
But it has caused quite the mayhem. I have only been in the area 1 day. The rest I was at the Hospital. I was very concerned for my companion and President almost had me drive him to Harare to get treatment and all sorts of chaos. It was an emotionally draining week. But all is well.
ELDER GAY
I was moved to Harare to have a training and to meet my new companion who was coming fresh from the MTC. So we go there we meet we have a training with President and we also have dinner at his home and that was really nice. My companion seems really great and we get along so no worries there. But I have to be honest I was a bit nervous about training. Especially because I had never been to our area before and I had no idea what the area would be like, I didn't know the city and the members and any of the investigators. I didn't even know what our house was like. But now I have partial or complete answers to these questions.
But the day we got there we drove 6 hours from Harare to our area. I woke up at 3 but we didn't leave until 7. I am not sure why I woke up that early. I just did. But anyway we went straight to the area when we got there and went to work finding where the members and investigators stayed and finding new people to teach. It was really quite exciting. BUt the next day as we are walking to the area my companion says he is feeling unwell and then proceeds to vomit 4-5 times on the side of the road. So I call the Zone leaders and they come take us to the doctor and he is having severe chest pains and shaking and getting shots and IV's and all sorts of medical attention and then we went home because he had been stable but the next morning it came back with a vengeance and it was bad so we spend the whole day at doctors getting tests and that day he was in a lot of pain. Then the next day he was admitted to the Hospital and he is still there. They say he will be released tomorrow. I guess they have fixed it.
But it has caused quite the mayhem. I have only been in the area 1 day. The rest I was at the Hospital. I was very concerned for my companion and President almost had me drive him to Harare to get treatment and all sorts of chaos. It was an emotionally draining week. But all is well.
ELDER GAY
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sorry
Super sorry. We rode elephants again today but I am so out of time right now. The only things I sent were the zone report to the assistants and my President's letter. I hope you have a great week! Sorry again about not being able to email a proper email.
Love,
your ill planning son,
Elder Gay
Love,
your ill planning son,
Elder Gay
Conversion Letter
My Search for Truth
By Suzanne Madamombe
First Encounter With the Missionaries-
In 2002 I remember 2 elders knocking at our gate and passing greetings to them. They told us of their business and we listened with no interest and they gave us a copy of the Book of Mormon. Not even one person attempted to open it for we feared to go against the warning in the Bible to ‘add or subtract’ as we had read in Revelations. The next attempts they made to continue ministering to us were to no avail for we refused to open our gate because we did not agree with the Book of Mormon.
One more attempt to call us to the church came through a family who had lost their homes due to debt and we took them in. They had been meeting the missionaries and they really tried to make us join in the discussions. But we were too scared of the ‘Mormon book’ and it appearing like an addition. We lived with them for two years, during the whole time we refused to listen to the missionaries.
Our Search-
We used to go a local church since we were very young and grew up in this church to the point where I taught in Sunday school, became a youth and Bible Study leader. We left however due to too many fights between the leaders. We then attended one church in the city centre. My youngsters love it but I failed to fit in; I didn’t feel any uplift to my Spirit. My youngsters continued for some time and I left. At that time I got deployed by my work to Kwekwe. In Kwekwe I tried four different congregations, and in all I was disappointed. Meantime my Mom also went through four churches apart from those we tried as children.
How I found the True Church of Jesus Christ-
We left the church we had grown up in in 2004. Since that time I became a willing sinner. I knew every wrong in committing sin and falling into temptation and I let myself be the opposite of all the good I had been taught. But I knew deep in my Spirit I never stopped longing for God. That’s why I made myself go through so many churches. The more I failed to find a church the more I fell deep into sin. In January 2010 I started talking seriously to God telling Him how much I missed Him in my life and how unhappy I was in the churches I would attend. I wanted a definite answer in a voice or dream but it didn’t happen. I got into the habit of telling everyone I met that I was looking for the right church, in an attempt to have many churches to choose from.
One day at work my colleague invited me to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I told him no because of my concern about the Book of Mormon. This friend answered my questions and I was amazed because I had never heard such things before and it felt right. I asked to learn more and I was given Teachings of the Presidents: Joseph Smith. I read the entire book. At one point I was told by a family friend that the church killed people and how a friend of hers died mysteriously after joining the church. I grew scared and stopped reading the book but after a week I longed for the truth so I continued reading.
One time a Pastor came into my office and I told him how much I was looking for the true church. He asked me which church I was thinking about and I hesitated to say it but I told him Latter-day Saints. I was shocked when he told me that I had found the true church.
During that time I lost my house in Kwekwe and starting staying with my mother in Gweru (about 60 kms away) and traveled daily to work. After finishing the book me and my younger sister, Trish, decided to attend service. We told our Mom we were going to the church we had been going to before, fearing rebuke.
On Sunday, the 21st of Aug, we arrived at church and were warmly greeted by a Sister and then were introduced to the kind Bishop who took us to our class. After we were filled with joy we had never felt before. The whole way home we both couldn’t stop confessing that we had found our church yet we had not had much experience. That very Sunday we got kind, patient, loving missionaries, Elder Motshikana and Elder Gay, who never tired to attend the appointments we requested. We were taught well and were baptized within a week, that very Saturday the 27th of Aug 2011 and received the Holy Ghost the next day at church. My mom and cousin are due to be baptized on the 10th of September.
After baptism we were warned that we were in a cult who worshipped Mormon and that we would never be allowed to leave. We explained and told them we would never wish to leave anyway for it is the true church.
Confirmation of being in the Right Direction-
Our missionaries urged us that we must ask God if the Church and the Book of Mormon were true. We earnestly did daily in prayer. On the first night Trish dreamt of me and herself seated at a flyover and a river flowing by the side. We found our feet in beautiful clean flowing water, when we looked around there were so many other people playing in muddy water. The next day Trish dreamt of our family climbing up a mountain, as we reached the top we saw such beautiful green vegetation and a large clean pool of water. Once my Mom saw the pool she dived in and the rest of us did too.
Life Baptism of Water and the Spirit-
We understand and feel for Christ’s death. The importance of saving souls makes sense now and it hurts that so many are lost. We feel the comfort and guidance of the Holy Ghost. When we feel to do something we hear a clear yes or no. Even our finances have improved and don’t run out of what we need. I even found accommodation back in Kwekwe.
Testimony-
We now know that God is our Creator and that He sent His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored on the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith and that this is the only true Church in all the world and the living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God and the Temples are holy places of our Father. We have experienced the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.
Our hopes, most would write of their ‘hopes and fears’ but all our fears have been answered and all we have are wonderful hopes. We hope to make others aware of the true church and to be missionaries, to be true in attendance to Sacrament and true in our tithes and offerings to help in the work of the true church. To be married and sealed as families, to be baptized for all our known ancestors and to live as families in the Celestial Kingdom.
By Suzanne Madamombe
First Encounter With the Missionaries-
In 2002 I remember 2 elders knocking at our gate and passing greetings to them. They told us of their business and we listened with no interest and they gave us a copy of the Book of Mormon. Not even one person attempted to open it for we feared to go against the warning in the Bible to ‘add or subtract’ as we had read in Revelations. The next attempts they made to continue ministering to us were to no avail for we refused to open our gate because we did not agree with the Book of Mormon.
One more attempt to call us to the church came through a family who had lost their homes due to debt and we took them in. They had been meeting the missionaries and they really tried to make us join in the discussions. But we were too scared of the ‘Mormon book’ and it appearing like an addition. We lived with them for two years, during the whole time we refused to listen to the missionaries.
Our Search-
We used to go a local church since we were very young and grew up in this church to the point where I taught in Sunday school, became a youth and Bible Study leader. We left however due to too many fights between the leaders. We then attended one church in the city centre. My youngsters love it but I failed to fit in; I didn’t feel any uplift to my Spirit. My youngsters continued for some time and I left. At that time I got deployed by my work to Kwekwe. In Kwekwe I tried four different congregations, and in all I was disappointed. Meantime my Mom also went through four churches apart from those we tried as children.
How I found the True Church of Jesus Christ-
We left the church we had grown up in in 2004. Since that time I became a willing sinner. I knew every wrong in committing sin and falling into temptation and I let myself be the opposite of all the good I had been taught. But I knew deep in my Spirit I never stopped longing for God. That’s why I made myself go through so many churches. The more I failed to find a church the more I fell deep into sin. In January 2010 I started talking seriously to God telling Him how much I missed Him in my life and how unhappy I was in the churches I would attend. I wanted a definite answer in a voice or dream but it didn’t happen. I got into the habit of telling everyone I met that I was looking for the right church, in an attempt to have many churches to choose from.
One day at work my colleague invited me to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I told him no because of my concern about the Book of Mormon. This friend answered my questions and I was amazed because I had never heard such things before and it felt right. I asked to learn more and I was given Teachings of the Presidents: Joseph Smith. I read the entire book. At one point I was told by a family friend that the church killed people and how a friend of hers died mysteriously after joining the church. I grew scared and stopped reading the book but after a week I longed for the truth so I continued reading.
One time a Pastor came into my office and I told him how much I was looking for the true church. He asked me which church I was thinking about and I hesitated to say it but I told him Latter-day Saints. I was shocked when he told me that I had found the true church.
During that time I lost my house in Kwekwe and starting staying with my mother in Gweru (about 60 kms away) and traveled daily to work. After finishing the book me and my younger sister, Trish, decided to attend service. We told our Mom we were going to the church we had been going to before, fearing rebuke.
On Sunday, the 21st of Aug, we arrived at church and were warmly greeted by a Sister and then were introduced to the kind Bishop who took us to our class. After we were filled with joy we had never felt before. The whole way home we both couldn’t stop confessing that we had found our church yet we had not had much experience. That very Sunday we got kind, patient, loving missionaries, Elder Motshikana and Elder Gay, who never tired to attend the appointments we requested. We were taught well and were baptized within a week, that very Saturday the 27th of Aug 2011 and received the Holy Ghost the next day at church. My mom and cousin are due to be baptized on the 10th of September.
After baptism we were warned that we were in a cult who worshipped Mormon and that we would never be allowed to leave. We explained and told them we would never wish to leave anyway for it is the true church.
Confirmation of being in the Right Direction-
Our missionaries urged us that we must ask God if the Church and the Book of Mormon were true. We earnestly did daily in prayer. On the first night Trish dreamt of me and herself seated at a flyover and a river flowing by the side. We found our feet in beautiful clean flowing water, when we looked around there were so many other people playing in muddy water. The next day Trish dreamt of our family climbing up a mountain, as we reached the top we saw such beautiful green vegetation and a large clean pool of water. Once my Mom saw the pool she dived in and the rest of us did too.
Life Baptism of Water and the Spirit-
We understand and feel for Christ’s death. The importance of saving souls makes sense now and it hurts that so many are lost. We feel the comfort and guidance of the Holy Ghost. When we feel to do something we hear a clear yes or no. Even our finances have improved and don’t run out of what we need. I even found accommodation back in Kwekwe.
Testimony-
We now know that God is our Creator and that He sent His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored on the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith and that this is the only true Church in all the world and the living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God and the Temples are holy places of our Father. We have experienced the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.
Our hopes, most would write of their ‘hopes and fears’ but all our fears have been answered and all we have are wonderful hopes. We hope to make others aware of the true church and to be missionaries, to be true in attendance to Sacrament and true in our tithes and offerings to help in the work of the true church. To be married and sealed as families, to be baptized for all our known ancestors and to live as families in the Celestial Kingdom.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Can so much happen in ONE WEEK???
Alright so you remember those two sisters who came to church last week and that was the first time we had ever seen them??? They ere totally baptized last Sat. From the time we met them to the time the were baptized was less than 7 days!!!!!! I still can't even believe it but they were so incredibly prepared that there was really no purpose in waiting. The Bishop has talked to them and he said he is extending a calling next week to them. Our Stake President wants to put their story in the Liahona. So look out for that!
And we had family fun day on Sat as well. So the Trish and Suzanne, who were baptized, they brought there mom and younger sister and they will be baptized on the 10th. The ward had so much fun Saturday that they already felt completely at home in the ward. I had a blast on Sat. We had a soccer match and EVERYONE played even the relief society. Ah, some of those Sisters can RUN!!!! I was laughing so hard because I was so shocked. They can really run and they can run FASTTTTT.. Plus I found out our Bishop is really good at soccer. I guess he almost went professional. So we had a lot of fun. The ward is great.
We also had Zone Conference and that went really well. I felt great after and it was really powerful. President Dube is definitely inspired of God and so are our local leaders. I love the verse in 1 Thess 2:8. Missionary work is more than just sharing the Gospel, it is sharing our souls. Love the people. Mission is powerful!!!
We also received fire from this old baba. He told us he can make it to heaven without the Book of Mormon and that we are robbing other churches..... hahahahahahahahaha Which is hilarious because he also told us it doesn't matter what church you go.... so how are we robbing anyone????? This is the same baba I wanted to give fire to last week. He is very confused. I wonder how he can be helped.....
I am so excited for the Madamombe family! They are the ones that got baptized in a week! Soon their family will be baptized as well and they have such a fire for the Gospel that they will motivate others to investigate as well. Amazing!!!!! Do you want to witness miracles???? Serve an honorable mission!
ELDER GAY
ps the keyboard has a problem with L, S, W, and K. SO if something doesn't make ense insert one of thoe.......
And we had family fun day on Sat as well. So the Trish and Suzanne, who were baptized, they brought there mom and younger sister and they will be baptized on the 10th. The ward had so much fun Saturday that they already felt completely at home in the ward. I had a blast on Sat. We had a soccer match and EVERYONE played even the relief society. Ah, some of those Sisters can RUN!!!! I was laughing so hard because I was so shocked. They can really run and they can run FASTTTTT.. Plus I found out our Bishop is really good at soccer. I guess he almost went professional. So we had a lot of fun. The ward is great.
We also had Zone Conference and that went really well. I felt great after and it was really powerful. President Dube is definitely inspired of God and so are our local leaders. I love the verse in 1 Thess 2:8. Missionary work is more than just sharing the Gospel, it is sharing our souls. Love the people. Mission is powerful!!!
We also received fire from this old baba. He told us he can make it to heaven without the Book of Mormon and that we are robbing other churches..... hahahahahahahahaha Which is hilarious because he also told us it doesn't matter what church you go.... so how are we robbing anyone????? This is the same baba I wanted to give fire to last week. He is very confused. I wonder how he can be helped.....
I am so excited for the Madamombe family! They are the ones that got baptized in a week! Soon their family will be baptized as well and they have such a fire for the Gospel that they will motivate others to investigate as well. Amazing!!!!! Do you want to witness miracles???? Serve an honorable mission!
ELDER GAY
ps the keyboard has a problem with L, S, W, and K. SO if something doesn't make ense insert one of thoe.......
Who are you?, What are you doing here?, and What is that?
Dear People,
Well it has been an exciting week. Let us begin with What is that? So we had our Africa wide Mormon Helping Hands day and we were cleaning the streets and making things look nice and getting the name of the church out there. But the streets were very dirty but in the drainage gutter things was the worst. It was a very large hole with what looked like garbage in thick sewage..... and guess who was the one using a rake to fish out the garbage?????? ME!!! The worst part was the smell but other than that it was only mildly unpleasant..... But it was a huge success. A lot of members came and they were participating but the young people were just standing around watching the older people work... is that good? But it is even the same in Utah. So I guess I should have expected it. But I hope no one was reading this while eating!
Next, What are you doing here? So we found this family this last week who had met the missionaries before and they didn't understand the Restoration so we went over it again and they were understanding and making progress and everything. Then the return visit we come and we see their grandfather. He was old and he was childish. Making slanderous comments and being contentious. It was really quite sad, he was an old man who supposedly had much wisdom and knowledge but all I saw was a child throwing mud and ruining the foundation we laid. I kept thinking, what are you doing here????? I wanted to give him fire but I didn't. I very much wanted to, but I thought it would be a bad idea. But the good news is, the mom came to church and she really enjoyed and she had a question about Temples which we explained and she was very receptive. Imagine if I had given fire!!! I could have ruined everything! But I didn't and it wasn't. Woot!
Another experience we had was when one of our investigators said he found anti-mormon stuff on the net and even said that he found stuff that said we were racist. Background: At the very moment he was telling us this I had given the only chair to our ward missionary and I was crouching against a wall on the balls of my feet..... He said he could see we weren't racist at all. Victory! But he said he is going to pray and ask God if the church is true because he knows people always talk. Woot!
And finally, Who are you?! So we had some of our investigators at church. But then during our Gospel Principles class we saw two women walk in and they looked very comfortable except the fact that they were just standing there. Then the Bishop brought them over and they were participating but I had no idea who they were!!! Then they went to Relief Society and then in the aftermath they somehow got passed us and they were gone!!! So we ran out and chased them down! Hahaha a bit awkward but definitely worth it. We went to their home and I am still in awe. They are so prepared it isn't even funny. They said they have been praying to know which church to go to.
So they asked one of their friends, who is a member, and he said they should join Latter-day Saints. They said no! But after talking she said alright I want to know some background of the church. So the friend gave them Teachings of the President's Joseph Smith and they read the whole thing! They said after they read the next step was to come to church and so they asked around and came to the church yesterday. They explained the life of Joseph Smith very well and they even talked about Emma and their children and how he was martyred and they said they have been praying and they know the Latter-day Saints is the right church and they wanted to know how soon they could be baptized. They asked if they could be baptized that very Saturday or if they had to wait so we explained and they will be baptized this Saturday and we will meet them everyday to prepare them! The Lord is really preparing people, huh? They are really something else. They are so excited for their baptism that they are a bit disappointed they have to wait until Saturday. Incredible.
Can you believe it?? I am not sure if I do yet. But we are going to have a Family Home Evening with them today. They are already members.
Oh something funny/bizarre. We got to the primary school where we meet for church and some people were there and had set the place up for a wedding. A gotty temporal wedding! And they had commandeered our chairs!!!!! So we took our chairs and met in one of the larger classrooms but it wasn't really big enough for our ward..... Here I am walking up expecting to have our PEC meeting and I see workers and people setting up there worldly marriage where our Sacrament was supposed to be partaken. But all worked out and we had a very good time at church.
Go on mission!!!!!
ELDER GAY
Well it has been an exciting week. Let us begin with What is that? So we had our Africa wide Mormon Helping Hands day and we were cleaning the streets and making things look nice and getting the name of the church out there. But the streets were very dirty but in the drainage gutter things was the worst. It was a very large hole with what looked like garbage in thick sewage..... and guess who was the one using a rake to fish out the garbage?????? ME!!! The worst part was the smell but other than that it was only mildly unpleasant..... But it was a huge success. A lot of members came and they were participating but the young people were just standing around watching the older people work... is that good? But it is even the same in Utah. So I guess I should have expected it. But I hope no one was reading this while eating!
Next, What are you doing here? So we found this family this last week who had met the missionaries before and they didn't understand the Restoration so we went over it again and they were understanding and making progress and everything. Then the return visit we come and we see their grandfather. He was old and he was childish. Making slanderous comments and being contentious. It was really quite sad, he was an old man who supposedly had much wisdom and knowledge but all I saw was a child throwing mud and ruining the foundation we laid. I kept thinking, what are you doing here????? I wanted to give him fire but I didn't. I very much wanted to, but I thought it would be a bad idea. But the good news is, the mom came to church and she really enjoyed and she had a question about Temples which we explained and she was very receptive. Imagine if I had given fire!!! I could have ruined everything! But I didn't and it wasn't. Woot!
Another experience we had was when one of our investigators said he found anti-mormon stuff on the net and even said that he found stuff that said we were racist. Background: At the very moment he was telling us this I had given the only chair to our ward missionary and I was crouching against a wall on the balls of my feet..... He said he could see we weren't racist at all. Victory! But he said he is going to pray and ask God if the church is true because he knows people always talk. Woot!
And finally, Who are you?! So we had some of our investigators at church. But then during our Gospel Principles class we saw two women walk in and they looked very comfortable except the fact that they were just standing there. Then the Bishop brought them over and they were participating but I had no idea who they were!!! Then they went to Relief Society and then in the aftermath they somehow got passed us and they were gone!!! So we ran out and chased them down! Hahaha a bit awkward but definitely worth it. We went to their home and I am still in awe. They are so prepared it isn't even funny. They said they have been praying to know which church to go to.
So they asked one of their friends, who is a member, and he said they should join Latter-day Saints. They said no! But after talking she said alright I want to know some background of the church. So the friend gave them Teachings of the President's Joseph Smith and they read the whole thing! They said after they read the next step was to come to church and so they asked around and came to the church yesterday. They explained the life of Joseph Smith very well and they even talked about Emma and their children and how he was martyred and they said they have been praying and they know the Latter-day Saints is the right church and they wanted to know how soon they could be baptized. They asked if they could be baptized that very Saturday or if they had to wait so we explained and they will be baptized this Saturday and we will meet them everyday to prepare them! The Lord is really preparing people, huh? They are really something else. They are so excited for their baptism that they are a bit disappointed they have to wait until Saturday. Incredible.
Can you believe it?? I am not sure if I do yet. But we are going to have a Family Home Evening with them today. They are already members.
Oh something funny/bizarre. We got to the primary school where we meet for church and some people were there and had set the place up for a wedding. A gotty temporal wedding! And they had commandeered our chairs!!!!! So we took our chairs and met in one of the larger classrooms but it wasn't really big enough for our ward..... Here I am walking up expecting to have our PEC meeting and I see workers and people setting up there worldly marriage where our Sacrament was supposed to be partaken. But all worked out and we had a very good time at church.
Go on mission!!!!!
ELDER GAY
Thursday, August 18, 2011
You can't write this, You know it!, and family fun!
So this last week I was contacting this group of guys and they asked me about the Book of Mormon. So I was talking to them and they said, "What about your book?" "What do you mean my book? Did I write it?" I said. "I don't know if you wrote it or not. I don't know about this book, does it talk about Jesus Christ?" At which point I gave him some verses to read and as he was reading aloud the Spirit grew stronger and stronger after he finished, he smiled and said, "Bhuku raMwari. Ah, you can't write this. This isn't your book. Ah, you can't write this." Bhuku raMwari means book of God in Shona. It was a really cool experience. The Book of Mormon is POWERFUL!!!!
Then when we were visitting with this sister, the same one who told the previous missionaries they were leading her astray, we came in and she just looked different. I don't know, she had the Book of Mormon out and I don't even know, I just felt something was different. Then as we were talking, I just stopped her and said, "Can I tell you what I feel? I think you already know it is true. I think you know the Book of Mormon is true and that the church is the only true church." Then the look she gave me confirmed it! I started laughing and saying you know, you know! Then she said, "But I need my husband to accept the Book of Mormon too before I get baptized...." Which might be difficult because he is a drunkard.... so we will have to see. But she knows!!!!!
Then during the course of the week there were some fun family moments. Like an investiagtor family we are teaching bought us ice cream. Yum! We also celebrated a birthday for one of the members with his family and they had all sorts of food and a lot of it! They are great. We also found some other families that we are teaching. One family has previously rejected the missionaries. So we will have to see how that goes. But it seems like there is a host of opposites lately. Although I made a deal with an investigator, that she needs to be baptized while I am in the area. She has been an investigator for like 5 years or something. But she agreed so she will be baptized before I go! I will make sure of that. :D
Fun. Fun. Fun. You should all go on mission!!!!!!!
ELDER GAY
Then when we were visitting with this sister, the same one who told the previous missionaries they were leading her astray, we came in and she just looked different. I don't know, she had the Book of Mormon out and I don't even know, I just felt something was different. Then as we were talking, I just stopped her and said, "Can I tell you what I feel? I think you already know it is true. I think you know the Book of Mormon is true and that the church is the only true church." Then the look she gave me confirmed it! I started laughing and saying you know, you know! Then she said, "But I need my husband to accept the Book of Mormon too before I get baptized...." Which might be difficult because he is a drunkard.... so we will have to see. But she knows!!!!!
Then during the course of the week there were some fun family moments. Like an investiagtor family we are teaching bought us ice cream. Yum! We also celebrated a birthday for one of the members with his family and they had all sorts of food and a lot of it! They are great. We also found some other families that we are teaching. One family has previously rejected the missionaries. So we will have to see how that goes. But it seems like there is a host of opposites lately. Although I made a deal with an investigator, that she needs to be baptized while I am in the area. She has been an investigator for like 5 years or something. But she agreed so she will be baptized before I go! I will make sure of that. :D
Fun. Fun. Fun. You should all go on mission!!!!!!!
ELDER GAY
Monday, August 8, 2011
Masvingo and Transfers
Dear People's,
Well peoples I have been here and you have been there and we have all been somewhere. BUt this week I found out if I would be staying or going and to be honest I was expecting to go. I have been in my calling for some time and I thought I would be moved.... but it turns out I am staying! Which is good and I am really surprised and excited at the same time. I get to be with our investigators who are powerful! Yes! I really am excited for them and I hope that I can help them to progress even further. They are really doing great.
But this week we planned to go to an this far area of Zimbabwe called Masvingo. There is a branch there and they have been begging us to come and do a training and to see their investigators. So we got permission and we went! I was very impressed. They are very well organized and there is a lot of potential. So we set some goals, planned some more trainings, got a list of needed materials, and gave assignments. I am really excited for the growth possibilities in this area. I hope to prepare it to receive full time missionaries. But even before then I think we can have 20 baptisms per month in that area. We really need to push it though.
We have also got another district created in our zone. So that will be really good. But it seems like the amount of work just doubled...... Woot! If we can do things right the progress will quadruple! So lets pray that I can do things right:) I have been racking my brain on the best way to organize our time so we can make sure that we give the necessary attention where it is needed. There are a lot of things to do and we aren't being given any extra time so I hope we can really use our time effectively.
But I know that all things are possible with the Lord. I just need to step up and do it. Can I make the necessary sacrifices and become a disciple of Christ? Am I becoming who I need to be? Am I doing all that I have the potential to do? KEEP MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!!
Wow. So life is ever busy and ever intense, I hope you can say the same :)
ELDER GAY
Well peoples I have been here and you have been there and we have all been somewhere. BUt this week I found out if I would be staying or going and to be honest I was expecting to go. I have been in my calling for some time and I thought I would be moved.... but it turns out I am staying! Which is good and I am really surprised and excited at the same time. I get to be with our investigators who are powerful! Yes! I really am excited for them and I hope that I can help them to progress even further. They are really doing great.
But this week we planned to go to an this far area of Zimbabwe called Masvingo. There is a branch there and they have been begging us to come and do a training and to see their investigators. So we got permission and we went! I was very impressed. They are very well organized and there is a lot of potential. So we set some goals, planned some more trainings, got a list of needed materials, and gave assignments. I am really excited for the growth possibilities in this area. I hope to prepare it to receive full time missionaries. But even before then I think we can have 20 baptisms per month in that area. We really need to push it though.
We have also got another district created in our zone. So that will be really good. But it seems like the amount of work just doubled...... Woot! If we can do things right the progress will quadruple! So lets pray that I can do things right:) I have been racking my brain on the best way to organize our time so we can make sure that we give the necessary attention where it is needed. There are a lot of things to do and we aren't being given any extra time so I hope we can really use our time effectively.
But I know that all things are possible with the Lord. I just need to step up and do it. Can I make the necessary sacrifices and become a disciple of Christ? Am I becoming who I need to be? Am I doing all that I have the potential to do? KEEP MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!!
Wow. So life is ever busy and ever intense, I hope you can say the same :)
ELDER GAY
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Eish, 248, and the SHOW!!!
So first of all. My apologies. This is going to be short because 1) I forgot my journal and 2) we had a Zone Leader Council meeting that took up almost all of our PDay so I will just write quickly because we still have appointments tonight so sorry but this week was powerful all the same. So we had a really good week and then again it wasn't so great. But the good things are really good. Like this family that we have been teachng they are progressing very well and they are really integrating themselves into the church. The only thing is that this last week a lot of our powerful investigators were traveling. But they are still doing great.
We had in our area what is the equivalent of a State Fair. And we as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had a presence there. we actually talked to hundreds of people and got their details and that will keep the missionaries very busy for a long time. I don't know if I have ever talked so much in my life. We brought people in and shared with them about the different auxiliaries. Also about the Book of Mormon and it went really well. It was hectic and crazy but it was really great. Met a lot of really cool people and a lot of drunks as well... strange that the time I would be exposed to so much iniquity is when I am sharing the Gospel. But hopefully we will turn them and get them in the right way.
Oh and by the way Dad I am still not sure about extending or not. I am still thinking about it.
But we actually had a ZL council today that was really cool. It took up most of the day but it was a really good training and I learned a lot. Like when there were still 3 countries in the mission, from Jan to June, the average baptisms per month was 248. But when the mission split we had, in the month of July, 247 baptisms in Zimbabwe alone!! The mission is POWERFUL! There is a lot that happened in the meeting. Most things that happened probably aren't very interesting to those not in the mission but they are exciting to me! Like new areas being opened, Elder Crossley my first companion is training again and opening a whole new area in the mission. There is a lot happening and it is an exciting time to be in Zimbabwe! we are actually finding out about transfers tomorrow so we will have to see what happens and where every one is going! There are a lot of things happening eish but I think I have said that repeatedly so I will be done. But it is powerful!
We are actually going to be traveling on Saturday to Masvingo. We are going to be doing a training for the branch missionaries and also teaching some of their investigators. Hopefully we can prepare some places for full time missionaries. Improvement and progression!
You should serve a mission!
ELDER GAY
We had in our area what is the equivalent of a State Fair. And we as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had a presence there. we actually talked to hundreds of people and got their details and that will keep the missionaries very busy for a long time. I don't know if I have ever talked so much in my life. We brought people in and shared with them about the different auxiliaries. Also about the Book of Mormon and it went really well. It was hectic and crazy but it was really great. Met a lot of really cool people and a lot of drunks as well... strange that the time I would be exposed to so much iniquity is when I am sharing the Gospel. But hopefully we will turn them and get them in the right way.
Oh and by the way Dad I am still not sure about extending or not. I am still thinking about it.
But we actually had a ZL council today that was really cool. It took up most of the day but it was a really good training and I learned a lot. Like when there were still 3 countries in the mission, from Jan to June, the average baptisms per month was 248. But when the mission split we had, in the month of July, 247 baptisms in Zimbabwe alone!! The mission is POWERFUL! There is a lot that happened in the meeting. Most things that happened probably aren't very interesting to those not in the mission but they are exciting to me! Like new areas being opened, Elder Crossley my first companion is training again and opening a whole new area in the mission. There is a lot happening and it is an exciting time to be in Zimbabwe! we are actually finding out about transfers tomorrow so we will have to see what happens and where every one is going! There are a lot of things happening eish but I think I have said that repeatedly so I will be done. But it is powerful!
We are actually going to be traveling on Saturday to Masvingo. We are going to be doing a training for the branch missionaries and also teaching some of their investigators. Hopefully we can prepare some places for full time missionaries. Improvement and progression!
You should serve a mission!
ELDER GAY
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Vomit and Eating, Tears and Fears, And The Bus and the Fighting spouses!
Well this week was pretty good if I do say so myself. The missionaries in one of our Districts got sick and they were all vomiting and had diarrhea and we made plans to get them medicine and see how we could help(they are a bit far), But then that night, I gave the closing prayer to our nightly planning and right after I said "amen" brughhrghr, hurhfgh I tossed my cookies. No worries I felt a bit off so I had gotten a container so it wasn't all over the floor. But then the very next day the Musekiwa family had cooked for us and it is kind of an offense to say no to food. Plus they had stayed back from work to prepare it for us and so we had to eat. But I guess my sickness was fading because I didn't experience any problems. So that was good. But it has been a while since I have thrown up. That was odd.
Then we were with one of our investigators and we were on exchanges and this investigator is smart, well spoken, and opinionated. If he doesn't agree he will definitely let you know and the missionary I was with wasn't prepared to meet so much resistance and got scared and almost started to cry. He was completely silenced, so I finished the lesson. Hahahahahaha that was kind of funny. He is actually one of my favorite investigators. Cool guy.
We work with the ward missionaries quite a bit and so they see us a lot and I guess I am getting famous for taking people's things from them. Like if I find someone smoking I will take it and stomp on it and then take the rest of their pack too. I take their alcohol and pour it out and their tea and coffee. I even take piercings from them and throw them away. The ward missionaries were afraid to such things. They said that I must be strong. But all it takes is some fast talking, a smile and confidence. I even got someone to give me a drink for free! That was fun. Taking their vices is fun.
Then remember when I said we had a plan to get our investigators to church? Well we did it and it didn't run very smooth because it was the first time. But next week it will go better. We hired a BUS!!!!! One of the members has a bus and volunteered for us so we can use it on Sundays to pick our investigators! Plus one of our recent converts is a bus driver and told said he would be our driver. So our recent convert has a responsibility and he was really excited and was saying that next week the bus would be full!!!!
So we went and collected our investigators. One family, the Phiri family were fighting. They both(husband and wife) really wanted to come to church but the Mother-in-law was coming and one of them had to stay. So they were arguing about who got to go. The husband won and he came to church. The wife said she let him go because she has been trying to get him to church for almost 10 years, and finally he wants to go to "the Latter-day Saints". Victory!!!!!! So they are doing very well and I can't wait for their baptism. Woot woot. I actually laughed at them when I found out they had argued about who should be the one to come to church! They are powerful.
ELDER GAY
Then we were with one of our investigators and we were on exchanges and this investigator is smart, well spoken, and opinionated. If he doesn't agree he will definitely let you know and the missionary I was with wasn't prepared to meet so much resistance and got scared and almost started to cry. He was completely silenced, so I finished the lesson. Hahahahahaha that was kind of funny. He is actually one of my favorite investigators. Cool guy.
We work with the ward missionaries quite a bit and so they see us a lot and I guess I am getting famous for taking people's things from them. Like if I find someone smoking I will take it and stomp on it and then take the rest of their pack too. I take their alcohol and pour it out and their tea and coffee. I even take piercings from them and throw them away. The ward missionaries were afraid to such things. They said that I must be strong. But all it takes is some fast talking, a smile and confidence. I even got someone to give me a drink for free! That was fun. Taking their vices is fun.
Then remember when I said we had a plan to get our investigators to church? Well we did it and it didn't run very smooth because it was the first time. But next week it will go better. We hired a BUS!!!!! One of the members has a bus and volunteered for us so we can use it on Sundays to pick our investigators! Plus one of our recent converts is a bus driver and told said he would be our driver. So our recent convert has a responsibility and he was really excited and was saying that next week the bus would be full!!!!
So we went and collected our investigators. One family, the Phiri family were fighting. They both(husband and wife) really wanted to come to church but the Mother-in-law was coming and one of them had to stay. So they were arguing about who got to go. The husband won and he came to church. The wife said she let him go because she has been trying to get him to church for almost 10 years, and finally he wants to go to "the Latter-day Saints". Victory!!!!!! So they are doing very well and I can't wait for their baptism. Woot woot. I actually laughed at them when I found out they had argued about who should be the one to come to church! They are powerful.
ELDER GAY
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
"I feel like a prostitute....", "I am not at home....", and "The font isn't filled"
So peoples, this week was good and very interesting. Well to begin we had a lesson with Brother Ngwaru, the old man who has been a Catholic for 42 years. Well we were talking about prayer and the Word of Wisdom and out of no where he says, "I feel like a prostitute..." It took every ounce of self control I had not to burst out laughing. I think e was trying to relate the feeling of learning and wanting to go to another church.... maybe.... hahahaha That was really funny. He is still reading from the Book of Mormon. Which is powerful.
Then at Innocent and Enesia's house we get let in by the sister and we sit down and it is completely empty. So we call Innocent and no one answers and then we call Sis Enesia. She answers and we start talking to her but the funny thing was when she told us she was home, we heard it twice.... how you might ask? Well we heard it through the phone of course and we also heard it coming from the bedroom in the hallway..... That was a shocker and she told us we should come back the next day. That was not my most fun experience on mission. Actually that one really hurt. BUt we will see. We are suppose to go there tomorrow. So we will try to find the concern.
Then on Saturday we were suppose to have a combined baptism. But we get there and the font is NOT filled! The baptism was suppose to start in 10 minutes. There also isn't any electricity to activate the water pump so.... the water trickled in. So we spent the morning fixing that. We ended up going to a different chapel and all 8 people were baptized. So all is well. None for our ward, the baptisms were for other units.
But we have actually found three more families and have been teaching them we will have to work very hard to make sure they are all baptized. But it has been very good. The only problem is, our area is big and the meeting place is far. But we have a plan this week. We will have to see what happens. Sorry this is short we are in Bulawayo and my time is running out. Good bye!
ELDER GAY
Then at Innocent and Enesia's house we get let in by the sister and we sit down and it is completely empty. So we call Innocent and no one answers and then we call Sis Enesia. She answers and we start talking to her but the funny thing was when she told us she was home, we heard it twice.... how you might ask? Well we heard it through the phone of course and we also heard it coming from the bedroom in the hallway..... That was a shocker and she told us we should come back the next day. That was not my most fun experience on mission. Actually that one really hurt. BUt we will see. We are suppose to go there tomorrow. So we will try to find the concern.
Then on Saturday we were suppose to have a combined baptism. But we get there and the font is NOT filled! The baptism was suppose to start in 10 minutes. There also isn't any electricity to activate the water pump so.... the water trickled in. So we spent the morning fixing that. We ended up going to a different chapel and all 8 people were baptized. So all is well. None for our ward, the baptisms were for other units.
But we have actually found three more families and have been teaching them we will have to work very hard to make sure they are all baptized. But it has been very good. The only problem is, our area is big and the meeting place is far. But we have a plan this week. We will have to see what happens. Sorry this is short we are in Bulawayo and my time is running out. Good bye!
ELDER GAY
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Family, Funny, and FREEZING!
Dear Peoples,
We have some really great families in our teaching pool at the moment. Sanyamandwe Family(Innocent and Enesia), Musekiwa family, and the Mandima family. They are doing really great and they love the Gospel. Bu they are united in the fact that they struggle to come to church. We have been working with them and we have been trying to help them. So that is the current struggle right now. I have even studied about families and I was surprised by how many scriptures came to mind from memory about the importance of family. The family is really important to the Lord and I fell I have a deeper understanding of that now. I love teaching families.
We had taken Bro. Mbewe with us to a lesson with Innocent and it was a really great lesson. In fact that was one of the best lessons I have ever had on mission and I have had a few of them. It was absolutely perfect. I can't put it into words but it was jurst perfect!
Funny-----------------------------------
*I read Matt 16:18 and asked how we can follow Christ. To which they said, 'we should build churches!' hahahahaha We clarified don't worry.
*A drunk told me, after I had poured out his beer, that if I had the chance, I would drink, do drugs, and fornicate. I told him I would die first! He didn't believe me.
*A guy said because he didn't know which church was true, he would just stay at home! hahahaha So I asked him, if you didn't where your keys were, would you just sit in one room? Or would you search the whole house?
*This guy looked at us and said I have been a Catholic for 42 years, you know what I mean? I need time. The look on his face was priceless, "You know what I mean???" Hahahaha
*One of our investigators had met the missionaries before and had given them the Book of Mormon back and told them, "Take your book back, it is misleading me!" I asked what their expressions were, she just smiled hahahaha(she now understands the Book of Mormon and loves it because we read with her)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And now to the freezing! Gweru is cold! To illustrate let me tell you a story. At church, I was wearing a sweater, a suit jacket over that and then a hoodie over it all and I was still cold! Who knew that Africa could get so cold????? Even right now I am wearing my jacket. And my toes haven't been warm for weeks. This place is C-O-L-D ! ! ! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Did you know that there are 6604 verses in the Book of Mormon? Isn't that cool? Woot!
Sincerely, Elder Steven Gay
We have some really great families in our teaching pool at the moment. Sanyamandwe Family(Innocent and Enesia), Musekiwa family, and the Mandima family. They are doing really great and they love the Gospel. Bu they are united in the fact that they struggle to come to church. We have been working with them and we have been trying to help them. So that is the current struggle right now. I have even studied about families and I was surprised by how many scriptures came to mind from memory about the importance of family. The family is really important to the Lord and I fell I have a deeper understanding of that now. I love teaching families.
We had taken Bro. Mbewe with us to a lesson with Innocent and it was a really great lesson. In fact that was one of the best lessons I have ever had on mission and I have had a few of them. It was absolutely perfect. I can't put it into words but it was jurst perfect!
Funny-----------------------------------
*I read Matt 16:18 and asked how we can follow Christ. To which they said, 'we should build churches!' hahahahaha We clarified don't worry.
*A drunk told me, after I had poured out his beer, that if I had the chance, I would drink, do drugs, and fornicate. I told him I would die first! He didn't believe me.
*A guy said because he didn't know which church was true, he would just stay at home! hahahaha So I asked him, if you didn't where your keys were, would you just sit in one room? Or would you search the whole house?
*This guy looked at us and said I have been a Catholic for 42 years, you know what I mean? I need time. The look on his face was priceless, "You know what I mean???" Hahahaha
*One of our investigators had met the missionaries before and had given them the Book of Mormon back and told them, "Take your book back, it is misleading me!" I asked what their expressions were, she just smiled hahahaha(she now understands the Book of Mormon and loves it because we read with her)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And now to the freezing! Gweru is cold! To illustrate let me tell you a story. At church, I was wearing a sweater, a suit jacket over that and then a hoodie over it all and I was still cold! Who knew that Africa could get so cold????? Even right now I am wearing my jacket. And my toes haven't been warm for weeks. This place is C-O-L-D ! ! ! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Did you know that there are 6604 verses in the Book of Mormon? Isn't that cool? Woot!
Sincerely, Elder Steven Gay
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Bible School?, Cake!, and Zone Leader Council
So the investigators who came to church last week invited us to teach them at their place. The only thing is they live at a Bible College.... plus it is forever away and I was sure we were lost but I just kept going.... finally we found it and they said they had invited more people and that we were going to meet in the Conference Center. In my head I saw us preaching to a whole mass of people is some coliseum, but it turns out that their "Conference Center" was just a courtyard type thing and we sat on some stone benches with some 8 bible students and then taught the Restoration and basically told them that their chosen career is a product of Apostasy. :D They took it amazingly well. Actually I don't think they really understood what our message meant to them in their personal life even though we were asking very good questions.
Something funny is they didn't even know simple things. Like when we asked them, "Who is God?" They just went quiet and looked at each other. It was really quite comedic. I almost laughed except for the fact that they were about to teach others about God and they have no idea who He is! What a sad world in which we live. The world is drowning in Spiritual Blackness. WE NEED MORE MISSIONARIES! GO ON MISSION!!!!
I will get off the soap box now. But for my birthday last week some members made us cake. Okay so one bought it and the other had someone else make it but the thought is what counts. We still have some of the cake at our house!(it was a big cake). Yummy though.
We also had Zone Leader Council which was really great except we didn't reach our goal on baptisms and so we received some fire for that. But I think the same inflicted fire was worse than any they gave. But this coming month seems to be very promising and we have had a really good week this last one so July here we come!!!! Baptize them!!!!
We had this one investigator named Bela and she wasn't coming to church. We tried and tried and she never came. She was facing opposition from the family. We had what we thought was going to be our last lesson with her because the family had told us not to come at the house so we were kind of sad. But then yesterday after church we saw her standing outside the gate! She had been standing out there for 2 hours. She said she was sick but she had promised that she would come. We were so happy! That was powerful. It was awesome to see her there. Bro. Innocent hasn't been around for a while we only saw him once last week. He still needs your prayers!! But we feel we are making progress. We will keep forging ahead! We currently have 110 investigators in our Zone with baptism dates! So we have a lot of work to do getting them baptized. Especially because only 30 of them came to church yesterday. The work to do is here for us! Sorry I ruined the rhyme but now it applies.
Thank you for all that you do!!!! Go on mission! :D
Love, Elder Gay
Something funny is they didn't even know simple things. Like when we asked them, "Who is God?" They just went quiet and looked at each other. It was really quite comedic. I almost laughed except for the fact that they were about to teach others about God and they have no idea who He is! What a sad world in which we live. The world is drowning in Spiritual Blackness. WE NEED MORE MISSIONARIES! GO ON MISSION!!!!
I will get off the soap box now. But for my birthday last week some members made us cake. Okay so one bought it and the other had someone else make it but the thought is what counts. We still have some of the cake at our house!(it was a big cake). Yummy though.
We also had Zone Leader Council which was really great except we didn't reach our goal on baptisms and so we received some fire for that. But I think the same inflicted fire was worse than any they gave. But this coming month seems to be very promising and we have had a really good week this last one so July here we come!!!! Baptize them!!!!
We had this one investigator named Bela and she wasn't coming to church. We tried and tried and she never came. She was facing opposition from the family. We had what we thought was going to be our last lesson with her because the family had told us not to come at the house so we were kind of sad. But then yesterday after church we saw her standing outside the gate! She had been standing out there for 2 hours. She said she was sick but she had promised that she would come. We were so happy! That was powerful. It was awesome to see her there. Bro. Innocent hasn't been around for a while we only saw him once last week. He still needs your prayers!! But we feel we are making progress. We will keep forging ahead! We currently have 110 investigators in our Zone with baptism dates! So we have a lot of work to do getting them baptized. Especially because only 30 of them came to church yesterday. The work to do is here for us! Sorry I ruined the rhyme but now it applies.
Thank you for all that you do!!!! Go on mission! :D
Love, Elder Gay
Monday, June 27, 2011
Private number, Whose face?!, AND THE MISSION SPLIT!
So this week was really exciting as you can tell. At a members home they gave us so much food!!!! I literally hurt and I didn't eat the next morning. It was crazy intense. Good food though. And we got transfers and we know which mission we are in and where we are going but I ain't gonna tell you till next week :) Because that is the official split is next week. But we know now. Sorry!
But we had some interesting lessons this week. One was when I was on an exchange and this guy and his friends were just contending and unwilling to listen and speculating and conjecturing and they were inventing stories and then they would ask questions but wouldn't listen to the answers. So that was interesting but not as interesting as the lesson we had the next in our area. This guy has a completely warped sense of the Godhead and I don't even know what he was saying but he was seriously confused. One of the things he said was that God didn't have an image.... so we asked him if he read his scriptures. He said yes but somehow I don't believe him..... Then we went to Exodus 33:11 which says that Moses spoke to God face to face as a man speaketh to another. Then something ridiculous happened.
"Are you saying God has a face?" He asked.
"Yes." We replied calmly.
"Whose face?!" He exclaimed.
"His face!" I couldn't even believe it. Then he said that it was figurative and Moses spoke to a cloud. But he ignored the part where it said "as a man speaketh to another".... Do normal men speak to clouds????? I think not! We were so shocked that we just started laughing and he said many more ridiculous things. I hope his heart is softened one day so he can learn the truth. Because now he is seriously lost.
Then the baptism for Brother Garandemwa went great. He was so excited about it and his wife bore a powerful testimony of the Gospel and how they can now prepare to go the temple. Woot! But the sad thing is that Sister Caroline wasn't baptized. She was called into work at the last minute and she was on stand by the next morning so she couldn't come to church which was terrible so she will be baptized the coming week. That was a blow. We were preparing and everything was coming together. She passed her interview and she did great and then the day of the baptism it fell apart! So that was kind of exciting.
Then we also haven't been able to get a hold of some of our investigators. So we put our number on private and called them all. And guess what they ALL answered! hahaha and they were all just full of excuses. One was Bro Innocent. He had been avoiding us because he had relapsed. We actually found him at a bar. He came out and was a bit tipsy. So we talked to him and he told us of how he had been avoiding us and how we wanted to help him overcome it. He had even told his previous church that they needed to release him because he had found the truth but stresses and caused a relapse. So please keep him in your prayers because he is a really great guy and has a loving family but he needs help. But if looked at from a different angle the same scene could have featured in a comedy. Missionaries searching for one of their most promising investigators and they find him in bar! But seriously we need your prayers!
Well we will talk next week!
Sincerely, Elder Gay
PS I am in the Zimbabwe Harare Mission. I wasn't moved. I am not going anywhere!!! I am staying in my area with my companion. Zimbabwe I am here to stay!
But we had some interesting lessons this week. One was when I was on an exchange and this guy and his friends were just contending and unwilling to listen and speculating and conjecturing and they were inventing stories and then they would ask questions but wouldn't listen to the answers. So that was interesting but not as interesting as the lesson we had the next in our area. This guy has a completely warped sense of the Godhead and I don't even know what he was saying but he was seriously confused. One of the things he said was that God didn't have an image.... so we asked him if he read his scriptures. He said yes but somehow I don't believe him..... Then we went to Exodus 33:11 which says that Moses spoke to God face to face as a man speaketh to another. Then something ridiculous happened.
"Are you saying God has a face?" He asked.
"Yes." We replied calmly.
"Whose face?!" He exclaimed.
"His face!" I couldn't even believe it. Then he said that it was figurative and Moses spoke to a cloud. But he ignored the part where it said "as a man speaketh to another".... Do normal men speak to clouds????? I think not! We were so shocked that we just started laughing and he said many more ridiculous things. I hope his heart is softened one day so he can learn the truth. Because now he is seriously lost.
Then the baptism for Brother Garandemwa went great. He was so excited about it and his wife bore a powerful testimony of the Gospel and how they can now prepare to go the temple. Woot! But the sad thing is that Sister Caroline wasn't baptized. She was called into work at the last minute and she was on stand by the next morning so she couldn't come to church which was terrible so she will be baptized the coming week. That was a blow. We were preparing and everything was coming together. She passed her interview and she did great and then the day of the baptism it fell apart! So that was kind of exciting.
Then we also haven't been able to get a hold of some of our investigators. So we put our number on private and called them all. And guess what they ALL answered! hahaha and they were all just full of excuses. One was Bro Innocent. He had been avoiding us because he had relapsed. We actually found him at a bar. He came out and was a bit tipsy. So we talked to him and he told us of how he had been avoiding us and how we wanted to help him overcome it. He had even told his previous church that they needed to release him because he had found the truth but stresses and caused a relapse. So please keep him in your prayers because he is a really great guy and has a loving family but he needs help. But if looked at from a different angle the same scene could have featured in a comedy. Missionaries searching for one of their most promising investigators and they find him in bar! But seriously we need your prayers!
Well we will talk next week!
Sincerely, Elder Gay
PS I am in the Zimbabwe Harare Mission. I wasn't moved. I am not going anywhere!!! I am staying in my area with my companion. Zimbabwe I am here to stay!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Elephants, Lions and the Word of Wisdom!
Sorry this is short but I will have to make it a bit short to make sure I have time to send pics. And trust me you will want pictures. So first things first. We had a great many lessons this week and things have been progressing well. We have some really great investigators and I don't know if we could have followed up any more than we did. We really put in a lot of effort this week with them and we are seeing fruits. Not as many as I thought or expected but the fruits are still coming!
With Innocent and his family we were sharing about the Word of Wisdom and it was a really great lesson. One of my favorites actually. The family is really great and they are progressing so well and while they had some questions about tea and coffee. Their main concern(or should I say Sister Enesia, Innocent's wife's main concern) was alcohol. Apparently Innocent likes to take the 'occasional' drink with his buddies. So we had a really good discussion with him and we have great faith that he will come off conqueror. But during the lesson I asked if we could take their tea and they replied with an emphatic 'yes!'. So after the lesson I asked for it and they looked at me in surprise and said, "Oh! You were serious!" And I took it! Then we put it in the couples house as a joke! :) They were shocked for a while. That was funny.
Then today we went to Antelope Park where we..... wait for it...... RODE ON ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you jealous? Because you should be :D It was AWESOME!!! Our Elephant was the leader and it was being stubborn sometimes and it would want food. So he pitched and yawed and it even sprinted at one time. Elephants are fast! It got moving I was very surprised. But Elephants are not so very soft or comfortable. But it was a blast and we got to feed them! Elephants are big. Did you know? They are big especially when you are standing right next to one! An I got to play with lion cubs again! Again, please feel free to be jealous :D
We are having the baptism for Bro Garandemwa and Sister Caroline this Saturday. Sister Caroline had been taught by the missionaries for 5 years! So this is exciting for the family. The father will be very happy. Now let me go and I will send pics!
Love, Elder Gay
PS As I went to send it, I hit something and the screen went blank.... no worries though it had auto saved my draft. Woot!
With Innocent and his family we were sharing about the Word of Wisdom and it was a really great lesson. One of my favorites actually. The family is really great and they are progressing so well and while they had some questions about tea and coffee. Their main concern(or should I say Sister Enesia, Innocent's wife's main concern) was alcohol. Apparently Innocent likes to take the 'occasional' drink with his buddies. So we had a really good discussion with him and we have great faith that he will come off conqueror. But during the lesson I asked if we could take their tea and they replied with an emphatic 'yes!'. So after the lesson I asked for it and they looked at me in surprise and said, "Oh! You were serious!" And I took it! Then we put it in the couples house as a joke! :) They were shocked for a while. That was funny.
Then today we went to Antelope Park where we..... wait for it...... RODE ON ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you jealous? Because you should be :D It was AWESOME!!! Our Elephant was the leader and it was being stubborn sometimes and it would want food. So he pitched and yawed and it even sprinted at one time. Elephants are fast! It got moving I was very surprised. But Elephants are not so very soft or comfortable. But it was a blast and we got to feed them! Elephants are big. Did you know? They are big especially when you are standing right next to one! An I got to play with lion cubs again! Again, please feel free to be jealous :D
We are having the baptism for Bro Garandemwa and Sister Caroline this Saturday. Sister Caroline had been taught by the missionaries for 5 years! So this is exciting for the family. The father will be very happy. Now let me go and I will send pics!
Love, Elder Gay
PS As I went to send it, I hit something and the screen went blank.... no worries though it had auto saved my draft. Woot!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Exchanges, exchanges and Church!
So this week was a week for exchanges. On Wednesday we went on exchanges with the Assistants. Which was cool because the Assistant who came with us was Elder Crossley. My very first companion and trainer. He has really grown a lot and it was nice to work with him again. The day in the morning kind of fell apart but we pulled it back together and had some very powerful lessons and we found new investigators. It was in all a good day and I enjoyed working with Elder Crossley again.
So after that we had a good day then another exchange on Friday. This time I went to Mkoba to work with the District Leader, Elder Ncube. While I was there I had the opportunity to talk with Elder Shields and he told me of his conversion. It actually occurred on mission. He had struggled earlier in his mission and had even wanted to go home because he thought he was wasting his time but he felt impressed to read the Book of Mormon. So he did. In 10 days. Then he prayed. Then he read it again. In 10 days again. Then he prayed again. Then he read it the third time. Again in 10 days. So in a month he read it 3 times and every time he prayed received the peace and joy from the Spirit that confirmed his answer. He knew it is true and he is a really great missionary and works very hard. I hope some day my testimony might shine as brightly as his. He truly loves the work.
I enjoyed the exchange with the District leader and he is doing well and I feel that he is preparing that area well and that we have very good missionaries in the zone.
So this whole week it has seemed like we have had nothing but fall throughs. Here let me count... we had 25 fall throughs this week and it seemd as though every day we fought for every lesson we taught. But at the end of the week, much to my surprise we had 27 investigator lessons. We even found some really great investigators. A family who we found on Wednesday came to church yesterday and their baptism is planned for the 25th! Which coincidentally is my birthday :) We have a number of baptisms planned for the 25th and what better way to celebrate my physical birth then with the Spiritual birth of my brothers and sisters? There is no better way! Woot! I am really excited for our investigators we have at the moment. We have really been finding some great people. Like Brother Garandamwa, his wife has been a member for some years and he has been an alcoholic for just as long. But his baptism is set for the 25th as well. When I asked him if we were done after we are baptized he said, "No, we need to prepare to go to the Temple." Powerful! They are already making plans for when they can go! Very, very exciting.
Although some of our investigators didn't come to church. So we visited them and taught them the imp[ortance of the Sabbath day. They felt very guilty. Especially Bela. I kind of felt bad for her. So I made sure I smiled more than normal during that lesson so she would know that she we cared and that is why we were chastising her. Although the way I put it sounds very bad. All we did was to teach the doctrine and her conscience convicted herself. We never said anything mean or angry but she still felt guilty because she didn't come.... hopefully she comes next week! :)
Hahaha on Sunday one of our investigators literally ran from us. She saw us pulling up and she bolted. Hahahaha my companion saw her and just started laughing! But even though she wasn't there we actually found someone who is more prepared and that lesson went very well. For we taught by the Spirit and she learned by the Spirit and she committed to be baptized! So the work is moving forward and we are doing well.
President Ndlovu, in the stake presidency, quoted me twice in the ward conference. The first time was when I shared Deut 1:2 with him and his family. They loved but I guess I didn't know how much until I heard him reciting it to the ward leadership and telling them he had gotten it from me! So I kind of felt a bit bashful after that... but it was cool.
We are having more exchanges this week and I am excited for that because whenI went with the District leader we were on bikes! I got to ride a bike and get out of the car! It was so nice to be on a bike again and to rush through the back roads and feel the wind. I felt like I was in my first area again!(Although my bum is a bit sore now.... the bike seat is more unforgiving than the car seat... :)).
Well that is all for this week!
Love, Elder Steven Gay
So after that we had a good day then another exchange on Friday. This time I went to Mkoba to work with the District Leader, Elder Ncube. While I was there I had the opportunity to talk with Elder Shields and he told me of his conversion. It actually occurred on mission. He had struggled earlier in his mission and had even wanted to go home because he thought he was wasting his time but he felt impressed to read the Book of Mormon. So he did. In 10 days. Then he prayed. Then he read it again. In 10 days again. Then he prayed again. Then he read it the third time. Again in 10 days. So in a month he read it 3 times and every time he prayed received the peace and joy from the Spirit that confirmed his answer. He knew it is true and he is a really great missionary and works very hard. I hope some day my testimony might shine as brightly as his. He truly loves the work.
I enjoyed the exchange with the District leader and he is doing well and I feel that he is preparing that area well and that we have very good missionaries in the zone.
So this whole week it has seemed like we have had nothing but fall throughs. Here let me count... we had 25 fall throughs this week and it seemd as though every day we fought for every lesson we taught. But at the end of the week, much to my surprise we had 27 investigator lessons. We even found some really great investigators. A family who we found on Wednesday came to church yesterday and their baptism is planned for the 25th! Which coincidentally is my birthday :) We have a number of baptisms planned for the 25th and what better way to celebrate my physical birth then with the Spiritual birth of my brothers and sisters? There is no better way! Woot! I am really excited for our investigators we have at the moment. We have really been finding some great people. Like Brother Garandamwa, his wife has been a member for some years and he has been an alcoholic for just as long. But his baptism is set for the 25th as well. When I asked him if we were done after we are baptized he said, "No, we need to prepare to go to the Temple." Powerful! They are already making plans for when they can go! Very, very exciting.
Although some of our investigators didn't come to church. So we visited them and taught them the imp[ortance of the Sabbath day. They felt very guilty. Especially Bela. I kind of felt bad for her. So I made sure I smiled more than normal during that lesson so she would know that she we cared and that is why we were chastising her. Although the way I put it sounds very bad. All we did was to teach the doctrine and her conscience convicted herself. We never said anything mean or angry but she still felt guilty because she didn't come.... hopefully she comes next week! :)
Hahaha on Sunday one of our investigators literally ran from us. She saw us pulling up and she bolted. Hahahaha my companion saw her and just started laughing! But even though she wasn't there we actually found someone who is more prepared and that lesson went very well. For we taught by the Spirit and she learned by the Spirit and she committed to be baptized! So the work is moving forward and we are doing well.
President Ndlovu, in the stake presidency, quoted me twice in the ward conference. The first time was when I shared Deut 1:2 with him and his family. They loved but I guess I didn't know how much until I heard him reciting it to the ward leadership and telling them he had gotten it from me! So I kind of felt a bit bashful after that... but it was cool.
We are having more exchanges this week and I am excited for that because whenI went with the District leader we were on bikes! I got to ride a bike and get out of the car! It was so nice to be on a bike again and to rush through the back roads and feel the wind. I felt like I was in my first area again!(Although my bum is a bit sore now.... the bike seat is more unforgiving than the car seat... :)).
Well that is all for this week!
Love, Elder Steven Gay
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Bulawayo, Amanda and Bro Gumbo
Dear People,
So this might be short and I apologize in advance. But some very cool things happened this week. Like we went to Bulawayo for a Zone Leader council and that was really cool to be with President and to hear him speak to us. We had some great discussions about developing ourselves and setting goals for ourselves to help our growth. I love getting these trainings although I always feel like more can be done than what we are doing! I guess that is the point, to encourage us to be better and do more! It definitely accomplished both of those. Bulawayo is a nice place and I liked it there. I got pulled over though but I managed to talk my way out of it.
Amanda came to church this week and that was awesome! we had another lesson with her and she said she was praying to know the truth and to not be confused! She is hilarious and she gave a great explanation for the Bible and Book of Mormon when we read with her that the Book of Mormon was the "most correct" of any book on earth. She said it was like Chemistry. The Book of Mormon was straight from the source and was protected when it was buried and translated direct by Joseph Smith. With the Bible she said it had the same source(God) but it had been exposed and things were extracted and cut out and it had been oxidized over time so there were some "impurities". I was very impressed.
Also Brother Gumbo, one of our great investigators, came to church this week as well! He is doing very well and his wife is a member and she bore a powerful testimony about her conversion and the Book of Mormon. He struggles with English, especially reading, but he is progressing very well and we are looking forward to seeing her baptized soon!
Do you remember the Simwanza family? The one where we found when the car broke down? Well I was told that Sister Simwanza was baptized!!!! Now it is the WHOLE FAMILY!!! That was great news and I can't wait to hear about they are doing. What great people they are. Well I hope you are all looking for opportunities to share the Gospel with those around you. Could it be that that person that is sitting next to you in class, or walking on the street, or at the store, or cutting your hair, or struggling with their yard work was put in your path by Heavenly Father because you have a message that could change their life? Open our Mouths and watch the miracles happen. Will you share the Gospel? When you do you will be amazed at what can and will happen. Not everyone will listen but some will and isn't that great? :)
Love, Elder Steven Gay
So this might be short and I apologize in advance. But some very cool things happened this week. Like we went to Bulawayo for a Zone Leader council and that was really cool to be with President and to hear him speak to us. We had some great discussions about developing ourselves and setting goals for ourselves to help our growth. I love getting these trainings although I always feel like more can be done than what we are doing! I guess that is the point, to encourage us to be better and do more! It definitely accomplished both of those. Bulawayo is a nice place and I liked it there. I got pulled over though but I managed to talk my way out of it.
Amanda came to church this week and that was awesome! we had another lesson with her and she said she was praying to know the truth and to not be confused! She is hilarious and she gave a great explanation for the Bible and Book of Mormon when we read with her that the Book of Mormon was the "most correct" of any book on earth. She said it was like Chemistry. The Book of Mormon was straight from the source and was protected when it was buried and translated direct by Joseph Smith. With the Bible she said it had the same source(God) but it had been exposed and things were extracted and cut out and it had been oxidized over time so there were some "impurities". I was very impressed.
Also Brother Gumbo, one of our great investigators, came to church this week as well! He is doing very well and his wife is a member and she bore a powerful testimony about her conversion and the Book of Mormon. He struggles with English, especially reading, but he is progressing very well and we are looking forward to seeing her baptized soon!
Do you remember the Simwanza family? The one where we found when the car broke down? Well I was told that Sister Simwanza was baptized!!!! Now it is the WHOLE FAMILY!!! That was great news and I can't wait to hear about they are doing. What great people they are. Well I hope you are all looking for opportunities to share the Gospel with those around you. Could it be that that person that is sitting next to you in class, or walking on the street, or at the store, or cutting your hair, or struggling with their yard work was put in your path by Heavenly Father because you have a message that could change their life? Open our Mouths and watch the miracles happen. Will you share the Gospel? When you do you will be amazed at what can and will happen. Not everyone will listen but some will and isn't that great? :)
Love, Elder Steven Gay
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Peanuts!, Families, and a House!
So this last week I found I was covered with hives again!!!!! So I analyzed the days and found I had eaten pb&j sandwiches so as an experiment I stopped eating peanut butter. And lo and behold I got no hives. So I was a little offended. How could my body betray me in such a manner. I had never been allergic to anything and now, all of a sudden my body decides to revolt!?! I had some difficulty coming to grips with it :) But as part of my experiment, on the third day I would eat peanut butter and see if the hives cam back. So I ate and NO HIVES!!!!! Yay!!!! I was so happy, being allergic to something would really be not fun. I can just imagine everyone who is reading this that is allergic to something and you are either happy for me because you don't want me to suffer as you or you are a bit angry with me because of your own sad predicament. I apologize. There is a reason for everything!
So this last week we have really focused on visitting those families that don't get visited and we have found quite a few people to teach and that has been really cool. It seems like a lot of them struggle in coming to church and also they wonder why so many bad things are happening. But hopefully we have been able to help them in their concerns. One lesson was really funny. It was with this girl named Amanda and we were teaching about God. And we shared about His true identity and how He and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are separate. It was funny because we shared scriptures and you could see that everything was making perfect sense to her and yet she was confused because she had been taught differently her whole life. So you could almost see the inner turmoil as she tried to reconcile the truth to what she had known previously. I almost laughed out loud a few times in the middle of the lesson! She is great though and we look forward to seeing her again.
We are also looking for a new meeting house for our ward because it is kind of far. So I have been asking in town about it. Once a Nun was passing and I felt I should talk to her so I smiled and walked toward her and she was brushing me aside and wanted nothing to do with me or the message I carried. But when I asked about the house she relaxed and became more friendly. She didn't want to hear about the church. BUt I invited her anyway! Woot! Anyway, a friend of the nun came up as we were talking and said their aunt has many properties and that we could call her so progress has been made! Woot!
It seems as though time is never on our side. I am beginning my third week here in Gweru and we still have many plans that need to be put into action. Nothing to it but to do it! So that was my week and Korihor the gate was fixed! Now I think I might have to change his name.... maybe Zeezrom.....
Have fun!
Elder Steven Gay!!!
So this last week we have really focused on visitting those families that don't get visited and we have found quite a few people to teach and that has been really cool. It seems like a lot of them struggle in coming to church and also they wonder why so many bad things are happening. But hopefully we have been able to help them in their concerns. One lesson was really funny. It was with this girl named Amanda and we were teaching about God. And we shared about His true identity and how He and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are separate. It was funny because we shared scriptures and you could see that everything was making perfect sense to her and yet she was confused because she had been taught differently her whole life. So you could almost see the inner turmoil as she tried to reconcile the truth to what she had known previously. I almost laughed out loud a few times in the middle of the lesson! She is great though and we look forward to seeing her again.
We are also looking for a new meeting house for our ward because it is kind of far. So I have been asking in town about it. Once a Nun was passing and I felt I should talk to her so I smiled and walked toward her and she was brushing me aside and wanted nothing to do with me or the message I carried. But when I asked about the house she relaxed and became more friendly. She didn't want to hear about the church. BUt I invited her anyway! Woot! Anyway, a friend of the nun came up as we were talking and said their aunt has many properties and that we could call her so progress has been made! Woot!
It seems as though time is never on our side. I am beginning my third week here in Gweru and we still have many plans that need to be put into action. Nothing to it but to do it! So that was my week and Korihor the gate was fixed! Now I think I might have to change his name.... maybe Zeezrom.....
Have fun!
Elder Steven Gay!!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Transfers, Edward, and Will I make it Out???????
Mon, May 16, 2011
So this week has been really great and I have spent much of it pondering ans thinking about what is required of me and my time. So anyway, I am now back in Zimbabwe and totally confused. I thought for sure I was going to be in the Zambia Lusaka Mission but I received some very surprising news. There is still one more transfer until it officially splits so I am not even going to try and guess where on earth I am going. I am just going to wait and see what happens. But they renewed my TEP for Zimbabwe and I am now serving in Lundi Park in Gweru. My new companion is Elder Monyayi from South Africa. So this last week I had to say good bye to a lot of people and that was difficult.
The Simwanza family cried and Sister Simwanza told me that she had wanted me to baptize her. But I have left and I only hope that the work will continue to progress in Lusaka. We had really seen a lot of progress and I was honestly looking forward to seeing the new mission president and being there when the mission splits. But who knows what will happen now??? I haven't the slightest idea. Oh yea!! My trainer, Elder Crossley is now AP. I laughed at him and reminded him of our friendly wager. He owes me a hymn book and a belt of some exotic animal leather. Hahahahaha
Then we have a family in our branch that had a son return home 2 days after he entered the MTC because of worthiness issues. Needless to say that caused a lot of stress and heartache to him, Edward, and his family. Then a few days ago the mom asked us if we could come and help them to open up and speak with each other again. We had no idea how we would help this family but we went and we ended up playing a game and everyone bore their testimonies and we read and sang Love at Home. It was a really comforting and spiritual experience. This family is now starting the process that will end in peace and joy. They are such a wonderful family and I felt so bad for their situation. Pray for them if you will.
Then on Sunday when we were leaving Lusaka to come to Lusaka, I ran into some problems. I didn't have an up to date visa. The stamp in my passport was old and Zambia had run out of TEP books. So even though I had my permit, I had no proof of it. And now I was trying to fly out of the country that for all intents and purposes I had been living in illegally..... do you see a problem. Well they told me I wasn't going anywhere and that I would need to stay until everything was sorted. Added to the fact that we could get a hold of no one that could help us and this situation looked bleak.
So after laughing and humming a few hymns as I waited to see what would happen I ended up just going back to talk to them. And long story short they stamped by passport and let us through! I don't know exactly why she let us through when I was illegal, except for the fact that I was needed where I was going and the Spirit prepared a way for me to go there. President and Sisiter Dube thought they would have to leave me behind. But all was well and we traveled safely to Harare and then I traveled by bus to Gweru which is where I am now. A stake was just created here and I am serving in a ward. I don't know much about this place except there is a game park where you can ride elephants(and we will be going there soon!) and that members love to feed the missionaries in our area. It is a nightly occurrence actually... I guess we won't need to cook very much.
But that is all for this week. I have gotten few hours of sleep these past two days because of travel and I am tired but I am also excited for all the fun that change brings. But honestly I thought I was staying in Zambia for sure and now I am confused. But don't worry. I don't care where I serve but how I serve. I guess I was just surprised.
Thank you for all you do! Members are the key to missionary work!
Love, Elder Steven Gay
So this week has been really great and I have spent much of it pondering ans thinking about what is required of me and my time. So anyway, I am now back in Zimbabwe and totally confused. I thought for sure I was going to be in the Zambia Lusaka Mission but I received some very surprising news. There is still one more transfer until it officially splits so I am not even going to try and guess where on earth I am going. I am just going to wait and see what happens. But they renewed my TEP for Zimbabwe and I am now serving in Lundi Park in Gweru. My new companion is Elder Monyayi from South Africa. So this last week I had to say good bye to a lot of people and that was difficult.
The Simwanza family cried and Sister Simwanza told me that she had wanted me to baptize her. But I have left and I only hope that the work will continue to progress in Lusaka. We had really seen a lot of progress and I was honestly looking forward to seeing the new mission president and being there when the mission splits. But who knows what will happen now??? I haven't the slightest idea. Oh yea!! My trainer, Elder Crossley is now AP. I laughed at him and reminded him of our friendly wager. He owes me a hymn book and a belt of some exotic animal leather. Hahahahaha
Then we have a family in our branch that had a son return home 2 days after he entered the MTC because of worthiness issues. Needless to say that caused a lot of stress and heartache to him, Edward, and his family. Then a few days ago the mom asked us if we could come and help them to open up and speak with each other again. We had no idea how we would help this family but we went and we ended up playing a game and everyone bore their testimonies and we read and sang Love at Home. It was a really comforting and spiritual experience. This family is now starting the process that will end in peace and joy. They are such a wonderful family and I felt so bad for their situation. Pray for them if you will.
Then on Sunday when we were leaving Lusaka to come to Lusaka, I ran into some problems. I didn't have an up to date visa. The stamp in my passport was old and Zambia had run out of TEP books. So even though I had my permit, I had no proof of it. And now I was trying to fly out of the country that for all intents and purposes I had been living in illegally..... do you see a problem. Well they told me I wasn't going anywhere and that I would need to stay until everything was sorted. Added to the fact that we could get a hold of no one that could help us and this situation looked bleak.
So after laughing and humming a few hymns as I waited to see what would happen I ended up just going back to talk to them. And long story short they stamped by passport and let us through! I don't know exactly why she let us through when I was illegal, except for the fact that I was needed where I was going and the Spirit prepared a way for me to go there. President and Sisiter Dube thought they would have to leave me behind. But all was well and we traveled safely to Harare and then I traveled by bus to Gweru which is where I am now. A stake was just created here and I am serving in a ward. I don't know much about this place except there is a game park where you can ride elephants(and we will be going there soon!) and that members love to feed the missionaries in our area. It is a nightly occurrence actually... I guess we won't need to cook very much.
But that is all for this week. I have gotten few hours of sleep these past two days because of travel and I am tired but I am also excited for all the fun that change brings. But honestly I thought I was staying in Zambia for sure and now I am confused. But don't worry. I don't care where I serve but how I serve. I guess I was just surprised.
Thank you for all you do! Members are the key to missionary work!
Love, Elder Steven Gay
Monday, May 23, 2011
What is wrong with me?!!, Korihor the Gate, and The END OF THE WORLD!!!!!
So this last week I have been feeling not so great. I have had some stomach problems and that coupled with very little sleep and travel.... well. Fortunately it did get a bit better after Monday but since the it has been kind of the same. Rushing to the toilet all the time and trying to motivate myself to eat. I am not vomiting which is good but it hasn't really improved much since then. Plus in Gweru it is cold! At night and in the morning I am wearing a big hoodie. But proselyting I only have a sweater, which is adequate but I hear it is only going to get colder..... ah!!!!!
We also have Korihor the gate at our house. It is difficult to open, it falls over, in fact to open it you need 2 people and when you are rushing to the toilet because you are sick and you have to sit there and wrestle with an evil gate for some minutes... hahahaha We are trying to get some one to fix it but no luck so far. Oh yea this morning the thing that holds it up(sometimes) popped off like a rocket! I am surprised it hasn't killed the neighbors dogs yet by falling on them.... So I have named the gate Korihor. I thought the name was fitting.
I am serving in Gweru City Ward in Gweru Stake and we meet in a Primary School. It was really great, but we are looking for a meeting house in town that will be more central for everyone. That will really create some opportunities for growth.
Oh yeah, in the news and on some flyers people were saying that 21 May was judgment day! They said the world would end and that there would be earthquakes and fires and people would be taken in a cloud to heaven. People were really stressing about it as well. One thing that was funny is that people would tell us it is the end of the world on Saturday and the we would turn around and invite them to come to church on Sunday! Hahaha Funny enough the world did not end, and they still didn't come to church. Oh well I guess they were in shock.
So yesterday after we had planned I was changing and I started noticing bumps. The first one was on my leg by my ankle. Then as I kept changing I found I was covered in bumps that were raised and red and some looked like hives while others looked like lots of bug bites gathered in groups. I just stared in horror at my marred skin. What is wrong with me?!?!! I have never experienced such strange health issues before. My companion just laughed at me. I think I might just should go to the doctor. What do you think?
We have found some really great people to teach. Like Sister Ncube. She is the wife to a less active we went to visit and they will be a great family in the Gospel. We also have been teaching this guy named Tawanda. He had some problems with the Book of Mormon and at one point even said that we should NOT give it to him. But his friend was more open and they both decided to find out for themselves. I thought that was funny.
Gweru is really great and I can't wait for some really great things to happen. Lets get to work!
Love, Elder Steven Gay
We also have Korihor the gate at our house. It is difficult to open, it falls over, in fact to open it you need 2 people and when you are rushing to the toilet because you are sick and you have to sit there and wrestle with an evil gate for some minutes... hahahaha We are trying to get some one to fix it but no luck so far. Oh yea this morning the thing that holds it up(sometimes) popped off like a rocket! I am surprised it hasn't killed the neighbors dogs yet by falling on them.... So I have named the gate Korihor. I thought the name was fitting.
I am serving in Gweru City Ward in Gweru Stake and we meet in a Primary School. It was really great, but we are looking for a meeting house in town that will be more central for everyone. That will really create some opportunities for growth.
Oh yeah, in the news and on some flyers people were saying that 21 May was judgment day! They said the world would end and that there would be earthquakes and fires and people would be taken in a cloud to heaven. People were really stressing about it as well. One thing that was funny is that people would tell us it is the end of the world on Saturday and the we would turn around and invite them to come to church on Sunday! Hahaha Funny enough the world did not end, and they still didn't come to church. Oh well I guess they were in shock.
So yesterday after we had planned I was changing and I started noticing bumps. The first one was on my leg by my ankle. Then as I kept changing I found I was covered in bumps that were raised and red and some looked like hives while others looked like lots of bug bites gathered in groups. I just stared in horror at my marred skin. What is wrong with me?!?!! I have never experienced such strange health issues before. My companion just laughed at me. I think I might just should go to the doctor. What do you think?
We have found some really great people to teach. Like Sister Ncube. She is the wife to a less active we went to visit and they will be a great family in the Gospel. We also have been teaching this guy named Tawanda. He had some problems with the Book of Mormon and at one point even said that we should NOT give it to him. But his friend was more open and they both decided to find out for themselves. I thought that was funny.
Gweru is really great and I can't wait for some really great things to happen. Lets get to work!
Love, Elder Steven Gay
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Zone Conference, busy, and busy some more
So this last week was really amazing and it was a lot of fun. Zone
Conference was a Spiritual feast if there ever was one and I felt extremely
edified and enlarged and enlightened and energized and elevated and e.... I
ran out of "e" words.... hahaha Elder Pearson of the Seventy is really
amazing and he had some very thought provoking presentations and questions.
It was great. The Zone Song went well and they really liked it. The only
flaw of Zone Conference was that the catering woman came late and we
had no food when we
were supposed to have food. Crazy I know but it all worked out. I almost
felt a bit slow next to Elder Pearson. He knows so much and I just found
myself nodding my head as knowledge was flowing at me. I hope he didn't
think I am handicapped or something. But really his knowledge is so vast and
it was amazing!
But this week has just been super busy. Missionaries were traveling because
of Zone Conference. We had to pick them up, take them places make sure
everyone was accounted for, we had sick missionaries and missionaries that
needed some counselling and advice and baptisms and interviews that needed
to take place and it was uber busy.
We had the baptism on Saturday and it went really well. We had Ida and
John who were baptized. Sister Simwanza told us she doesn't feel ready
yet which was kind of a bummer but she is great and she will be
baptized soon enough. Diana's husband doesn't want her to be baptized,
Brighton kind of fell off the planet this last week. But we will
definitely see him soon. So that is that! We will have them all
baptized soon enough. Which is awesome and I definitely look forward
to that.
I am really looking forward to the exciting developments happening in
Zambia. There is a lot that is going to happen and many doors will be
opened up. There has been opposition because of that fact but the work
will push forward and NOTHING will stop it! IT is really amazing and I
am thrilled to be a part of it. Don't know what else to say about
that.... alright.
Other than that it was just running around and preparing things for
other things and helping things that needed help. I am stoked for the
work and what is happening, I only hope I can do MORE! Ahhhhhhhhh!
Hopefully I am becoming who I need to be. I pray that all will enjoy
the blessings of full time missionary service.
Again, please be patient with the letters and mail. I am working on it!
Love, Elder Gay
Conference was a Spiritual feast if there ever was one and I felt extremely
edified and enlarged and enlightened and energized and elevated and e.... I
ran out of "e" words.... hahaha Elder Pearson of the Seventy is really
amazing and he had some very thought provoking presentations and questions.
It was great. The Zone Song went well and they really liked it. The only
flaw of Zone Conference was that the catering woman came late and we
had no food when we
were supposed to have food. Crazy I know but it all worked out. I almost
felt a bit slow next to Elder Pearson. He knows so much and I just found
myself nodding my head as knowledge was flowing at me. I hope he didn't
think I am handicapped or something. But really his knowledge is so vast and
it was amazing!
But this week has just been super busy. Missionaries were traveling because
of Zone Conference. We had to pick them up, take them places make sure
everyone was accounted for, we had sick missionaries and missionaries that
needed some counselling and advice and baptisms and interviews that needed
to take place and it was uber busy.
We had the baptism on Saturday and it went really well. We had Ida and
John who were baptized. Sister Simwanza told us she doesn't feel ready
yet which was kind of a bummer but she is great and she will be
baptized soon enough. Diana's husband doesn't want her to be baptized,
Brighton kind of fell off the planet this last week. But we will
definitely see him soon. So that is that! We will have them all
baptized soon enough. Which is awesome and I definitely look forward
to that.
I am really looking forward to the exciting developments happening in
Zambia. There is a lot that is going to happen and many doors will be
opened up. There has been opposition because of that fact but the work
will push forward and NOTHING will stop it! IT is really amazing and I
am thrilled to be a part of it. Don't know what else to say about
that.... alright.
Other than that it was just running around and preparing things for
other things and helping things that needed help. I am stoked for the
work and what is happening, I only hope I can do MORE! Ahhhhhhhhh!
Hopefully I am becoming who I need to be. I pray that all will enjoy
the blessings of full time missionary service.
Again, please be patient with the letters and mail. I am working on it!
Love, Elder Gay
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