Just a few things for this week.
The week was good although my comp got sick for a bit of it, and also Elder Kabwe is with us now because he does not have a work permit for this country, nor Kenya and is being transferred tomorrow to Zambia Lusaka Mission, his home mission, to finish his last 3 months there. Unexpected. Oh and this transfer we only got one new Elder for the whole mission. Pray for the government and the visa & work permit problems that have been severely affecting the Kenya Nairobi Mission (KNM).
This week my companion, Elder Kabwe and I all gave talks in Sacrament Meeting which went super well. We all talked on one aspect of missionary work and I talked about what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, then touched on those people who have the Gospel but haven't been the most active in coming to church. Their own friends and family, in their own branch. I used the first 2/3rds of Luke Ch. 15- the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the silver coin (Tanzanian Shilling) to relate to themselves. The Parables Jesus taught in are fascinating and really help us understand.
Also I thought it was interesting this week I got a letter from a friend that included some notes about the recent Stake Conference at home. I really like the counsel President Goodfellow gave, challenging everyone to use as much time for spiritual growth as you use for entertainment on electronic devices. If you strive to do that for your own well being, you will be blessed. I know that is true and I can promise it- if only you try it out for yourself.
General conference is this week and it is a great way to start. I hope everyone will be able to have a chance to sit down with undivided attention (yes that means without a smartphone around) and listen to Apostles and Prophets of the Lord speak directly to us.
Here's a quote for you-- "Life is fragile, handle with prayer" -unknown
Questions:
What do you typically do to get your service hours each week? Teach English class twice every week.
Do people do much hunting there? Not sure how to answer that.. yes, but illegally, poaching.
Will you get to watch General Conference this week? No, hopefully in a few weeks after it. But since I am here in TZ it might just be the Swahili translations. We get the General Conference edition of the Liahona magazines pretty soon after Conference though.
Do they celebrate Easter in Tanzania like in the US? Religious services? Easter baskets, bunnies and all that stuff? Nope. I'll be home next Christmas though!
And remember to use the #BecauseHeLives on social media sites and check out http://www.mormon.org/easter and BecauseHeLives.mormon.org Also go to youtube.com on this Sunday- the Church is stepping up its advertising.
Happy Easter! Love you all! And remember that Christ truly is the reason for the season, and it is #BecauseHeLives!
Elder Eveson
Much love from the KNM
Monday, March 30, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
Week 75: The Plan of Salvation Makes ALL the Difference
Things are going great here. Great with the zone and fantastic with my companion.
This week we did some stuff for the zone which took a bit of time then we are planning Zone Training Meeting for this week, which should be good.
Last week my companion and I saw a nasty fatal wreck and as we were talking about it- it made me realize just how short life is. That was someone who could have 'just run to the store for a minute' or who told their kids 'I'll see you in the evening' or was just crossing the road to hop on a bus and head to work. Be grateful for every minute and every chance we have to do everything. The Plan of Salvation really is a blessing. Click here to learn more.
In other news, it has rained and rained and rained here. I don't think we will see the sun until late April when this rain season ends. A big, all of a sudden change in weather here. And one thing- the draining system is poor in lower income areas and the water just pools together in a standstill and soaks everything. Oh and even though it rains a lot, we still have to use the fans in the flat and ac at night because Dar is somehow magical in that way.
Questions:
Do they follow March Madness?
What is that? The only thing people follow here is Europe soccer.
Are you eating a lot of fish? No!
Are Nike shoes big over there?
Yeah but I have not seen a real pair for sale. I have seen plentyyy of Jordans, Lebrons, etc. but allll are fake. The only real ones I have found are secondhand.
Go UTES!! Sweet 16? MMadness time!
Elder Eveson
Much love from the KNM
This week we did some stuff for the zone which took a bit of time then we are planning Zone Training Meeting for this week, which should be good.
Last week my companion and I saw a nasty fatal wreck and as we were talking about it- it made me realize just how short life is. That was someone who could have 'just run to the store for a minute' or who told their kids 'I'll see you in the evening' or was just crossing the road to hop on a bus and head to work. Be grateful for every minute and every chance we have to do everything. The Plan of Salvation really is a blessing. Click here to learn more.
In other news, it has rained and rained and rained here. I don't think we will see the sun until late April when this rain season ends. A big, all of a sudden change in weather here. And one thing- the draining system is poor in lower income areas and the water just pools together in a standstill and soaks everything. Oh and even though it rains a lot, we still have to use the fans in the flat and ac at night because Dar is somehow magical in that way.
Questions:
Do they follow March Madness?
What is that? The only thing people follow here is Europe soccer.
Are you eating a lot of fish? No!
Are Nike shoes big over there?
Yeah but I have not seen a real pair for sale. I have seen plentyyy of Jordans, Lebrons, etc. but allll are fake. The only real ones I have found are secondhand.
Go UTES!! Sweet 16? MMadness time!
Elder Eveson
Much love from the KNM
 |
| District Development Meeting - Last one for Elder & Sister Mickelson, and first one for Elder & Sister Wilson |
 |
| Dar Essentials - The Finest BBQ Sauce (you know me), Guava Juice, Fanta Passion in a glass bottle, and Mayochup aka Fry Sauce |
 |
| How are my clothes supposed to dry? It's rain season now and this was today's crazy storm. We get a few a day if we are lucky. |
Monday, March 16, 2015
Week 74: Forgiveness, Baptism, Fellowship, Proselyting & Bacon Cheeseburger in Paradise
Well it was nice getting transfer news on Sunday night instead of Monday and I am really looking forward to another transfer with Elder Muthoni here in Kinondoni. Great place, greater people.
It's March Madness at home already?! Wow time is flying, and I have 7 months left. One more phone call home in a few weeks; one more birthday a few weeks after that, then a few weeks later I'll be baaaack.
Something that we were asked to study and ponder that we discussed at MLC was about forgiving ourselves and others, and what it truly means. What it truly means to 'forgive and forget'- not just saying with words, but actually doing. It is a greattt chapter, here is the online link to it. I have learned sooo much from it.
https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-spencer-w-kimball/chapter-9?lang=eng
One of the highlights of this week was Samuel's baptism yesterday. We were street contacting a while ago not too far from our flat and the church and we found him sleeping outside. He is a very humble, very nice guy with not too much to do. 22 years old, single, and he has really seen the blessings come from learning about the gospel. The YSA and branch have been really welcoming to him. The baptismal service went great. And also Fadhili was confirmed a member; the Lord's work moves on.
After Church, Prince from Nairobi (over all the Church for Institute and Seminaries in south and east Africa) came to a few lessons with us which was fantastic. We went proselyting in his taxi! Haha.. We went and visited Samuel and his nonmember brother, and another YSA member who hasn't been consistently coming to Church and YSA, but wants to prepare to serve a mission. Then he took us to a really nice dinner at his hotel- let's just say I had a bacon cheeseburger for the first time since home.
The new office couple for Tanzania- Elder and Sister Wilson- made it here to Dar, and they knew me before they saw me... haha... because when they got their mission call in October, they started following my blog! Haha! Thanks for doing that and keeping it up to date Mom!
And on the flip side, the Mickelsens will be leaving next Monday and it will be tough seeing them leave as they have been such a blessing to serve around and learn from. We had a fun zone going away party at their flat today and they bought Subway for us :) and then ice cream! Haha something I'm sure missionaries in the States take for granted.
And guess what.... after not seeing rain for 10 weeks-- IT'S RAIN SEASON! Haha man it has rained like crazy today and it's just the start. Although after tomorrow I'm sure I'll be tired of it.
And last thing, can y'all send me more pictures? It's way cool to see what's happening at home, events and people and things.
Questions....
What does MLC mean, and when is it?
Mission Leadership Council. Every 2 months!
Do you ever see geckos?
Yeah, in our flat a lottt. Lots of times you'll just see them climbing on the walls.
Much love from the KNM, and much love from Mzee Eveson.
It's March Madness at home already?! Wow time is flying, and I have 7 months left. One more phone call home in a few weeks; one more birthday a few weeks after that, then a few weeks later I'll be baaaack.
Something that we were asked to study and ponder that we discussed at MLC was about forgiving ourselves and others, and what it truly means. What it truly means to 'forgive and forget'- not just saying with words, but actually doing. It is a greattt chapter, here is the online link to it. I have learned sooo much from it.
https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-spencer-w-kimball/chapter-9?lang=eng
One of the highlights of this week was Samuel's baptism yesterday. We were street contacting a while ago not too far from our flat and the church and we found him sleeping outside. He is a very humble, very nice guy with not too much to do. 22 years old, single, and he has really seen the blessings come from learning about the gospel. The YSA and branch have been really welcoming to him. The baptismal service went great. And also Fadhili was confirmed a member; the Lord's work moves on.
After Church, Prince from Nairobi (over all the Church for Institute and Seminaries in south and east Africa) came to a few lessons with us which was fantastic. We went proselyting in his taxi! Haha.. We went and visited Samuel and his nonmember brother, and another YSA member who hasn't been consistently coming to Church and YSA, but wants to prepare to serve a mission. Then he took us to a really nice dinner at his hotel- let's just say I had a bacon cheeseburger for the first time since home.
The new office couple for Tanzania- Elder and Sister Wilson- made it here to Dar, and they knew me before they saw me... haha... because when they got their mission call in October, they started following my blog! Haha! Thanks for doing that and keeping it up to date Mom!
And on the flip side, the Mickelsens will be leaving next Monday and it will be tough seeing them leave as they have been such a blessing to serve around and learn from. We had a fun zone going away party at their flat today and they bought Subway for us :) and then ice cream! Haha something I'm sure missionaries in the States take for granted.
And guess what.... after not seeing rain for 10 weeks-- IT'S RAIN SEASON! Haha man it has rained like crazy today and it's just the start. Although after tomorrow I'm sure I'll be tired of it.
And last thing, can y'all send me more pictures? It's way cool to see what's happening at home, events and people and things.
Questions....
What does MLC mean, and when is it?
Mission Leadership Council. Every 2 months!
Do you ever see geckos?
Yeah, in our flat a lottt. Lots of times you'll just see them climbing on the walls.
Much love from the KNM, and much love from Mzee Eveson.
 |
| Fadhili, on my right, who was baptized with Justin, on my left, who baptized him |
 |
| My trainer's aunt from Madagascar - for that crazy story, check last week's blog |
 |
| International Traveling Missionaries |
 |
| I've added a few stamps to my Passport |
 |
| Mt. Kilimanjaro from the air |
 |
| My current and former companions that were at MLC in Nairobi |
 |
| The Flakes just before they left to return to Utah |
 |
| MLC Group in Nairobi with President & Sister Hicken |
 |
| This vending machine accepts Tanzanian Shillings and US Dollars |
 |
| Zoo Time! |
 |
| Monkey for Jaden |
 |
| Wildebeasts |
 |
| It's not a Zoo without a Giraffe |
 |
| Zebras -- mini or babies? |
 |
| Breakfast Time |
 |
| Ummm, Yes! I am riding a tortoise |
 |
| Monkeys with Skunk Tails |
 |
| What animals have these feet? |
 |
| Ostriches! |
 |
| More Monkeys for Jaden |
Monday, March 9, 2015
Week 73: Small World + Humble Sisters & Brothers Seeking Answers and Choosing to Follow Him
Hey! Sorry not much time because power was gone all day and just came back but I read all the emails and I just have a few mins to send this one.
Tuesday we had English class that turned into an hour long Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson because we hold it in the Priesthood room and a student (maybe 40 yrs old) asked who the pictures are in the class. It is the First Presidency of the Church and the 12 Apostles that are living today. He was amazed, hopefully we will be able to teach him some more. He has come to English class for a loooong time and knows many previous missionaries but it wasn't til Tuesday he had ever asked the question he had always wondered.
Nairobi went well, our Mission Leadership Conference was powerful, had Dominos Pizza for the first time since home from their first new location in Kenya (it tasted like they baked it 5 minutes from my house in Portland then shipped it here......)
As for baptisms, yesterday we baptized Fadhili, about 20 years old. He works security at the Egypt Embassy near the Church. He has been coming to English class, and we have been teaching him for several weeks. He brought a friend for us to start teaching, when we taught Fadhili the Law of Chastity, and although it was our first time meeting Shaibu, he really felt the spirit and committed to keep the Law of Chastity. (A bit weird teaching that to someone the first time you meet them). We later taught Shaibu and Fadhili the Law of Tithing, and they both really understood it well and committed to live it. Then on Sunday, Shaibu came to church with Fadhili and saw his baptism. We also had 6 other investigators who stayed after church to attend the baptism service, which was great.
Boarding the plane to come back to Dar es Salaam, a lady came up to Sister Isiche, Elder Muthoni and I. She asked who the 'greenie' was. Super out of the blue; caught me by surprise. We answered that we are all going home in the coming months, only to find out she is a Church Member from Madagascar, coming to Dar on business. After a little more conversation, I found out that she is the aunt to my trainer from when I served in the South Africa Durban Mission -- my first area after the Mission Training Center. Then we invited her to church and she came! I thought that was cool, small world.
More pictures and replies, all that good stuff next week.
Love y'alll!
Mzee Eveson
Much love from the KNM
Tuesday we had English class that turned into an hour long Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson because we hold it in the Priesthood room and a student (maybe 40 yrs old) asked who the pictures are in the class. It is the First Presidency of the Church and the 12 Apostles that are living today. He was amazed, hopefully we will be able to teach him some more. He has come to English class for a loooong time and knows many previous missionaries but it wasn't til Tuesday he had ever asked the question he had always wondered.
Nairobi went well, our Mission Leadership Conference was powerful, had Dominos Pizza for the first time since home from their first new location in Kenya (it tasted like they baked it 5 minutes from my house in Portland then shipped it here......)
As for baptisms, yesterday we baptized Fadhili, about 20 years old. He works security at the Egypt Embassy near the Church. He has been coming to English class, and we have been teaching him for several weeks. He brought a friend for us to start teaching, when we taught Fadhili the Law of Chastity, and although it was our first time meeting Shaibu, he really felt the spirit and committed to keep the Law of Chastity. (A bit weird teaching that to someone the first time you meet them). We later taught Shaibu and Fadhili the Law of Tithing, and they both really understood it well and committed to live it. Then on Sunday, Shaibu came to church with Fadhili and saw his baptism. We also had 6 other investigators who stayed after church to attend the baptism service, which was great.
Boarding the plane to come back to Dar es Salaam, a lady came up to Sister Isiche, Elder Muthoni and I. She asked who the 'greenie' was. Super out of the blue; caught me by surprise. We answered that we are all going home in the coming months, only to find out she is a Church Member from Madagascar, coming to Dar on business. After a little more conversation, I found out that she is the aunt to my trainer from when I served in the South Africa Durban Mission -- my first area after the Mission Training Center. Then we invited her to church and she came! I thought that was cool, small world.
More pictures and replies, all that good stuff next week.
Love y'alll!
Mzee Eveson
Much love from the KNM
 |
| Most Recent Zone Conference in Dar |
Monday, March 2, 2015
Week 72: The Gospel Continues to Roll Forth
Ya weeks keep going and going. March already! What? March?
We have some really great people who we are preparing to baptize this next Sunday. We are looking forward to that. Although not sure how everything will work out now because we just got a call that my companion and I will be flying to Nairobi for Mission Leaders Conference, from Thursday - Saturday, with all the Zone Leaders of the mission. Realllly looking forward to that!
One thing- we had an investigator attend Lucy's baptism last Sunday, and when we visited her last week (the 2nd time we have visited) and we talked about the baptism she saw, and then she asked us for her own baptism date before we even got there. One of her kids is a member (11 yrs old), and she knows people who attend the church, so that was one of the highlights of the week!
We don't have much time today to email, but we went to a zoo- or something like that if that's what you call it- and I will send some pics next week.
Oh and one quote from English class someone said this week-- "Is that the tomorrow continuous tense?"
Questions:
What is your favorite African meal?
Ahhh tooo many. The food here is nice! Chapaiti, pilau, kuku all goes together nice though. Or the on the go chips mayai.
Any Waterskiing or Wakeboarding there?
I doubt it, although I am not sure because we are not near any harbors / we don't see any boats.
When are transfers?
The 16th- 2 more weeks.
How is the weather there?
Hot and humid. I got sunburned today! Oh wait that's everyday :)
Til next weeeekekekk.
Mzee Eveson
Loving the KNM!
We have some really great people who we are preparing to baptize this next Sunday. We are looking forward to that. Although not sure how everything will work out now because we just got a call that my companion and I will be flying to Nairobi for Mission Leaders Conference, from Thursday - Saturday, with all the Zone Leaders of the mission. Realllly looking forward to that!
One thing- we had an investigator attend Lucy's baptism last Sunday, and when we visited her last week (the 2nd time we have visited) and we talked about the baptism she saw, and then she asked us for her own baptism date before we even got there. One of her kids is a member (11 yrs old), and she knows people who attend the church, so that was one of the highlights of the week!
We don't have much time today to email, but we went to a zoo- or something like that if that's what you call it- and I will send some pics next week.
Oh and one quote from English class someone said this week-- "Is that the tomorrow continuous tense?"
Questions:
What is your favorite African meal?
Ahhh tooo many. The food here is nice! Chapaiti, pilau, kuku all goes together nice though. Or the on the go chips mayai.
Any Waterskiing or Wakeboarding there?
I doubt it, although I am not sure because we are not near any harbors / we don't see any boats.
When are transfers?
The 16th- 2 more weeks.
How is the weather there?
Hot and humid. I got sunburned today! Oh wait that's everyday :)
Til next weeeekekekk.
Mzee Eveson
Loving the KNM!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)