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

Most Recent Zone Conference in Dar

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!

Week 71: Sister Lucy's Baptism, Zone Conference & Making the MOST of Everything

Hey last week we didn't get back on after all, sorry about that.

This week we had zone conference which was fantastic. It went very well. I learned so much. So much. President Hicken is an inspired man called of God to preside over and teach us. Then after ZC we finally got the chance to see Meet the Mormons! Wow they did a great job on that film. A great job getting the word out on who we really are and some things we believe and know to be true. Everyone should watch it! All 6 stories were great, but the last one really hit home. From the guy getting his mission call, to the wait, to the South Africa MTC, to going to Durban. Wow. Sounds like me.

It was great to have the Arusha and Mwanza Elders here for zone conference, just lots of logistics and the week was over before it even started haha. Only in the Kenya Nairobi Mission!

Church was great on Sunday, the District Presidency is focusing on the Kinondoni branch this February, and it seems like quite a bit has gotten done the last few weeks with regards to filling callings which will be very nice. Lots of people have been at church these last 2 weeks and the work is really picking up.

On top of all that, we had the baptism for Sister Lucy- she is 60 years old and has been to church so many times. She was a referral from a neighboring recent convert who is her best friend.

Something I just thought of and sent to Elder Moline a few minutes ago that I thought I would share with all of you--

"You know how we came out on Oct 17? Man the 17th of every month just keeps flying by, we only have a few more until we are home. Make em count. 8 months left!" Crazy or whaaat..

Questions:

How is your Swahili coming along? It's coming

How many regularly attend your English classes? Anywhere from 5-12ish people

Do you have very many Dinner Appointments with members? Every Sunday night we have one!

What did you bring on mission you wish you hadn't? My sweatshirt..haaa and other excess stuff

Have you seen any cool animals lately? No, it's harder in the city but we might be going to a zoo next Monday as a zone!

Will you be home for elk hunting season? Yes :)

Enjoy the pix below.

Love y'alllll!

Mzee Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Our Mission Zone

Happy?  YES I am!

My Comp and Me

Loving Life in Dar

Serious Height!  And checkout those footprints.

Tide Rolls In

Can't believe I found these!

Incredible Baptism - Referral from her friend that joined

It's Nicole!

She has a great view from up there

Hanging with Family

Week 70: Blessings through the True Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Hey so just a few things from this week-- Hope everyone had a Happy Valentines Day! Another American, commercialized holiday to spend money on..haha

We are still teaching English class 2x per week, had a pretty normal week, not too much to report but looking forward to this week with zone conference coming up and with all the Mwanza and Arusha Elders coming here to Dar.

This week was busy- like we were asked to go check all the flats in the zone which took the whole day going around Dar es Salaam, just a bunch of other stuff.

Sunday we had so many people at Church, which was great, and after we went to the Ubungo Chapel since the sisters were having baptisms (which was good). Then the weekly Sunday night dinner that my companion and I always look forward to at the Ngosha Family. I have a 18 year old brother over there who I want to bring home hahahaha. There are 2 daughters- 1 served in NY, NY, the other is serving in Richmond, VA right now, and the last is the 18 year old finishing up school and going on mission next year. Always fun times with them.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. It is amazing to serve here in a place where people sacrifice so much to come to church because they know what it means to them and the blessings it brings to their lives.

I forgot my camera at the flat but I think we will come back a bit later and check my email again and send some few pictures from the week. Sorry for the lack of responses, I will try to get back on later.

Questions:

Is there a soccer team there? Yes and no...haha

Is Ebola still a big deal? Hahahaha no. Is it in the States?

Love y'alllll

Elder Brandon Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Week 69: Inviting YOU to "Come & See"

Still here in Dar es Salaam with Elder Muthoni. A few changes in the zone, but the cool thing is when I was in Kyambeke Kenya (the Hills), Linda (now Sis. Mayoli) who was the sister who came to our mission prep class who later got called to the Kenya Nairobi Mission, is back from the Mission Training Center, and now in the zone here. So that is pretty cool and it should be cool to see everyone Wednesday at our District Meeting.

Pretty alright week, just finding and teaching people about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! Had quite a few investigators come to Church and hopefully will be having a baptism this Sunday or next of an older lady who is so devoted to the church. She was a referral and is awesome.

For the first time I read the talk 'Come and See' by Elder Bednar from the last conference and I want EVERY person who is reading this who is not a member to read or listen to it. No matter about any belief you have, church you attend, or the lack thereof. He has a funny story and ties everything in really well. Just take a few short minutes and open the mind and read it. Here is the link..

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=eng

Letters- remember to write 'VIA AIRMAIL" on them.

Packages- if I do leave Dar es Salaam anytime it will be a bit of a problem if one arrives. Although receiving them here is a WORLD of a lot cheaper and easier than Kenya. The best thing to use is small bubble mailers only, or Pringles cans, for the rest of my mission. No boxes. Then they will come to the PO Box and the couples can easily bring them and we don't have to go downtown and fetch it. But I am good on everything!  So thank you.

One funny thing is with all the secondhand clothes here, I have seen a lot of Boy Scout shirts (all the people in the US who didn't quite make it to Eagle and gave up too early). A member told me that here they call them 'combat' shirts and people like wearing them. Hahahaha thought that was interesting.

Q--
Is the rain season over? It hasn't rained since those pics I sent, just HOT and humid! Haha the sun shines here like it is not ever going to shine again.

Will try to send some pictures from the last 2 weeks!

Mzee Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Hanging with a Member

Great Day with the Elders Quorum Pres and his wife

Morning Run on the Beach

Kickin' Paradise

Fun little guy wanted to kick it with me

Picked up these second-hand Kicks in great shape

Yohanna and I with the same Jerseys

Week 68: Another Great Week & Shout-out to My Older Brother

Hahahaha so we just got to the cyber and I just wrote mission President now we have about 10 mins then we have to leave to get home for the night. Thanks for the emails- I read all of them but sorry no responses or pictures today..

First off--- shoutout to my older brother Tyler because, as he said, "Tom Brady isn't the only one who got a ring this weekend!". Congrats!

Great week, many people and investigators at church, people showing up out of nowhere wanting us to teach them, blessings are in full effect and your prayers are really felt. Thanks!

One thing- since we have only seen our Elders Quorum President at church 3 times and at 1 Priesthood Executive Committee meeting in 12 weeks, we decided to hangout with him today for Pday. His wife was also there for a bit- it went soooo well and we actually got to know them and start the building of a relationship, more than just a handshake at church every few weeks. Ate, played basketball before the ball literally exploded, went to a place and played pool (still haven't lost the magic touch) and went and ate more food. They are so nice and have the bessst, funniest story of how they met. Anyways great Pday with missionary work. It's nice to feel like a family with members!

We will get transfer news in like 30 minutes- but I might be leaving this area, just a thought I had this week. We'll see. I looooove it here.

Well, until next week! (From Kenya maybe?)

Mzee Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Week 67: Whose Dream are You Fulfilling?

Weeks are flying left and right. One of the hardest weeks but then turned out to be one of the greatest weeks.

With the things that have happened here in Dar es Salaam, the last 2 transfers have been tiring, but I have grown so much from them and learned a lot from being in leadership. I love this area and the people whom we are preparing for baptism. One of them, Samuel, came with us to the Sunday Session of district conference and loved every minute of it. Then this morning he was wondering when he could meet with us so we can teach him more about the temple because he heard a lot about it but we haven't gotten that far teaching him. Samuel has really been prepared by the Lord.

Also with trying to translate everything into English then translate everything I respond back in Swahili it has made me a bit tired (not sure how to explain it better) but I am trying to do the best I can with helping out in lessons and learning Swahili.

Friday I enjoyed MLC a lot and learned quite a bit with President and Sister Hicken. Good to be with great Elders and Sisters to discuss different things. Counseling with another really is the way to solve things and make the best decisions.

Then Saturday and Sunday sessions of District Conference were amazing. I learned so much from the things President Hicken spoke about. It was exactly what I needed to hear at the right time. He is so powerful.

Walking from the Chapel to catch a daladala on Sunday, I was talking with Elder Muthoni and he said how those sessions were specifically for him and I said how they were specifically for me and it was pretty funny. All in all it is amazing how the spirit works and tells you what you need to know and what you need to work on.

Saw a fat white guy cruising around on a nice looking and sounding Harley Davidson this week which was soooo out of place. So out of place.

From one of my previous areas in Kyambeke, Kenya (the Hills) I found out today that all 3 people Elder Beacom and I taught mission prep class to have now recieved their mission calls! Linda is coming to the KNM here, she is coming in during these transfers next week. Bosco is going to the West Indies (Caribbean) and going to the Provo MTC March 24. Kennedy is going to Zambia at the beginning of February. Cool stuff!

Something I learned this week from our Elders Quorum president when talking about jobs and business- If you don't have a dream, you will be hired to help fulfill someone else's dream.

How is being back in a city? So so weird but I love it so much. I can adjust easily to either a village or a city, but in the city there are so many more worldly things to lose focus on.

Do you eat out much? Haha y'all should see this place by our flat. Open from like 7:30pm-2am (no I've never been there that late) they have the best food I've had here. And fresh sugar cane juice to die for.

What is your source of protein? Meat and protein and food.

Transfer news? Next Monday night! So we'll seee but I really hope I stay.

Mzee Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Samuel and Me -- he loves learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Sister Phiri and I outside our flat -- she is from Malawi

Goodbye Activity for Sister Phiri -- she heads home this week

Sister Phiri, Branch President & Me

Elder Pehrson carrying a big pink bag at the Airport