Hello All!!!
Yep,
I am getting transferred to Malawi. I am leaving on Wednesday. It is kind of a
bitter-sweet feeling. I have only been in Lusaka for six weeks but I have
learned to love the people. It is just that no missionary expects to be
transferred after only six weeks. Oh well, it happens. It would also happen
because we have three investigators committed to baptism on the 30th of June
and three more on the 14th of July. Oh well, seeds have been planted. Sister
Patterson went home just over a week ago so the missionaries in Malawi have
been in a threesome ever since then. We had another sister missionary come in
from Zimbabwe, that served in Kenya for a while and then went home for medical
reasons and now is here in the Zambia Lusaka Mission. She is from Zimbabwe
originally. I think President Padovich is keeping her here for a couple of
reasons. I am a little nervous about going to Malawi (Ma l ou (like in ouch) i)
but I am sure that I will be just fine because I don't think I would be the one
going if the Lord didn't need me there. Plus that is where Sister Ntuli and
Elder Dettamanti, from the SAMTC, are, so it will be good. The senior couple
that is over there is the Pretes. The bus ride to Malawi should be fun though,
it is close to 15 hours. I think they sent one or two missionaries today and
the rest of us are going on Wednesday morning at the crack of dark, we have to
be at the bus station at 4:30. So yeah pretty early. The gospel is needed
everywhere and it is just like the scriptures say, "after the trial of
your faith comes blessings". In Malawi the people are definitely prepared
to receive the gospel and I have heard that the members just bring people to
you to teach and you have baptisms like everyone other week or something like
that. It should be an adventure. I will definitely be blessed but I really
don't care how many baptisms I get because like I have said many times numbers
DO NOT matter.
Thank
you for feeding the sister missionaries! Nope that money will not be missed and
will actually come back in blessings from above.
Yesterday
we did have 80 at church but they trickle in and out so that is what someone
counted right after the sacrament. I have heard that during the rainy season
there are only like 30-40 at church. You would definitely have to have a strong
testimony to walk to church, which is around 2 hours away, in the pouring rain,
then go to three hours of church only to turn around and walk back 2 hours. I
know I could do it but like I said your testimony would have to be super strong.
The
Mission Prep class is important. You are never truly prepared though. Which is
okay because you learned so much while on mission and you definitely learn to
rely on your Heavenly Father. Which is the best lesson of all.
Thank
you so much for those thoughts. I wrote them down in my journal. We are
definitely blessed to have a Heavenly Father who cares. He knows all about us
and still loves us. That is one of the many reasons that I am sharing the
gospel here in Zambia and soon to be Malawi.
Teaching
in HP can definitely be intimating but everyone needs that opportunity.
Everyone learns. Former Bishops, High councilmen, and even former Stake
Presidents need to learn from everyone. It is all part of life to be a teacher.
We are really just the messengers and the Holy Spirit is the true teacher. At
least in your HP meeting you all speak the same language. That is definitely a
problem for me. I am learning the Nyanja language and now in Malawi I get to
learn the Chiwawa, not sure if that is how you spell it but it is the language
of Malawi.. Talk about blessings from above. Sorry I won't stay over my time
just so the blessings continue. :) The way that blessings continue is by always
doing what is right. I read the Oliver Cowdery account in JSH on page 59 and it
kind of hit me like a brick. Maybe it is something that can help in any
situation. Especially the part that starts "man may deceive" and goes
to "from the mind". Every word that we teach is important because it
is planting seeds. Speaking of planting seeds. Remember the lady apostle that I
told you about. Well, the Lusaka Branch, they meet in the same building, had an
activity on Saturday and the Elders were in charge so they ask us to help. Well
she was there. When she walked in I was totally shocked and definitely blown
away. She was there with a friend of hers but I can only guess but maybe the
Plan of Salvation pamphlet that we left with her, after the prayer, struck
something and sparked a question or two.
We
had Zone Conference last Friday, June 7th. It started at around 9:30 and was
only supposed to go until around 2:30. Well by the time that President and
Sister Padovich presented what they needed to talk about and then we had lunch
and then a testimony meeting it was close to 4:30. It was the final testimony
meeting with the Lusaka Zone that they will have before they go home on the
29th. President and Sister Erikson come in at 6:15 and President and Sister
Padovich leave at around 10.
I know that the
Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is
something that we should never take for granted. Life may seem hard but with
with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on our side we can accomplish anything.
We have all been given the charge to be disciples of Jesus Christ and with
baptism we have taken His name upon us and have covenanted to stand as a
witness and to be there for all of our brothers and sisters. I know that my
prayers are heard and answers. Never thought that I would be going to Malawi
this soon but it is an answer to prayers. I am sure of that. Read a thought the
other day from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland about courage and it goes with the
scripture 2 Kings 6:16-17. Look it up, but here is the thought. "In the
gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must
never forget that. When disappointments and discouragement strikes - and they
will - you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would
see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless
speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of
heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed." Not sure where it is found but I
found it on my ipod, under my LDS quotes app. Definitely helped me feel better
about being transferred to Malawi. Also the quote by John Wayne, that is on our
calenders, Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyhow.
Until
next week for Malawi!
Sister
Kelsey Webster
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