Great memories-- Faith builders!!!

Hello All!!!   

This week has been full of ups and downs. We had quite a few people cancel on us but we did our best and that is all that matter. We may turn our numbers in to the District Leaders and the Zone Leaders each week and they may look at them at super low but as long as we know that we have done our best that is all that matters.

Last Sunday as we were out contacting people we were on our way back and contacted (stopped and talked to) this lady. Sister O'Barr was talking to her, well we all were, and she was telling us that she was an apostle for her church and that she had worked in the southern states back in the 90s and raised $18,000 for her 'corporation'. We were like that is cool, glad you think of your church as a corporation. We were on the street so she asked us if we could just step into the parking lot for a minute. We were like sure no problem, we can talk anywhere. Well when we got to the parking lot she started to pray for us. :) She prayed that all the satanism, cultism, and all the other evils in the world be done away with. As she was praying it took all we had not to laugh out loud. I'm pretty sure that none of us could take her seriously after that. We did end up giving her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet though. It also took all we had not to laugh hard until we were around the corner. Definitely something memorable!! :)

On Tuesday the Zimbabwe missionaries found out that they had verbal approval to go back to Zimbabwe and they would find out more on Sunday or Monday. Well, both days have come and no one knows anything yet so a lot of us a kind of in limbo on what is happening. I can only imagine how frustrating it is for her but all we can do is keep up the hard work and trust in the Lord.

Sister Makau's problem was just stress and really not eating too much food that she was used to. The food here is definitely different but that doesn't mean that she has to eat what we eat. She can buy stuff that she knows she will like and can cook that. Oh well, life is happens.

Glad my package is getting closer, guess we will know now how long it takes for packages to get here. Which is nice to know for the future. I am guessing that the Transit Office is kind of like the Post Office but I'm not sure.

Brazil isn't the only place that isn't allowing missionaries in. Zimbabwe is only allowing missionaries from Zimbabwe to serve there. The church is growing but there has to be opposition in all things.

On Thursday we worked in both Ngombe and Kalingalinga. Everything was falling to pieces in Ngombe so we went on to Kalingalinga to see what who we could find there. We kept getting lost in Kalingalinga but it is like one big maze, with dirt roads that lead to nowhere and then dirt roads that lead to somewhere, you just have to figure out which one is which. It was fun though cause when you get lost you know you are never really lost because the Lord knows where you are and maybe someone along the way needs to hear the gospel.

On Friday we went back to Ngombe and we needed to get a signature from our investigator's parents so that he could be baptized, since he is a minor, and we got there only to find that he wasn't home. As we walked back he came running up behind us, mainly just to talk to us for a few minutes. That was definitely a testimony builder to me that he is READY to be baptized and that he won't let anything get in his way. Later that afternoon we went back to his place because his dad was now home and as we sat and talked for a few minutes, his little sister, whose name happens to be Faith, started to play with something that was on the ground. I would hold my hand out and she would drop it in. It was like magic to her that when she put it in one hand and I closed my hands and flipped them over the object, which happened to be a piece of plastic, would be in the other hand. We played like that for I'm really not sure how long but it was such a short relief. It also reminded me that even the smallest things can make you the happiest. He was supposed to be baptized on the 12th but we have District Conference, like Stake Conference, this weekend so we have to push it back a week. He was definitely bummed when we told him that. Definitely another indicator that he is READY to be baptized.

I bought a couple of Chatangas and had one made into a skirt and blouse by one the brethren in the branch, and the other I am just using as a wrap. A Chatanga is really just a piece of fabric. The one I use as a wrap is dark green, close to the color of my cowgirl boots :), so I am super excited about that. :) :) I am also buying a backpack today. Everyone out here, the missionaries, use them, even the sisters. My back keeps getting thrown out because the weight is either on one side or the other not centered. Plus my bag keeps falling apart in different places.

The branch is super small, yesterday we only had 76 at church and they call on just about anyone and everyone to help out. They were announcing the closing prayer and before I knew it my name was being called. I am glad that I've had practice with that back home. :) Sister O'Barr had to lead and Sister Louthan plays the piano. Elder and Sister Louthan are from Moab, Utah and they live right next to us. They are Public Affairs Missionaries. It is nice to have them so close. We have gone over there or to the Lyle's almost every Sunday for dinner. The Lyles are also from Utah, St. George I think. Elder Lyle has been hunting with Shon Kunz, Andy Davis, and Rob Kincaid before. It is always nice to find connections wherever you go.

Glad to hear that Grp is doing good. Yep, he probably will think it is time to mow super soon. Oh, well it gives him something to do and something to look forward to.

A place to call your own is always nice. Hope things come together for Nate and Kamille. Trust in the Lord and have faith and know that things happen when they are supposed to.

Tell Sis Inez that I am more than happy to be her missionary.

Can't wait to talk to you on Sunday!!!!

Sister Kelsey Webster