Week 15: Bike Crash & Priesthood Blessing Miracle

Another week down.

Few cool things- took a coconut down from our tree in the yard this week, cracked it open- drank the juice and ate the coconut. Although I'm not a fan of coconut, it was going to be one of those things I would have regretted if I didn't do it. 

I was reading through an issue of the Liahona magazine this week, reading a General Conference talk, I turned the page, and there was a picture of Jeff Calderwood- taken when he was Elder Calderwood serving in Salt Lake. What are the chances. I had to go to Tanzania to find out he was published in it- when he is in my ward back in Portland.

Had the opportunity to play the game 'chicken' with a pikipiki (a motorcycle) this week while on my bike. They use motorcycles here as personal taxis since they are faster than cars on the dirt and bumpy roads, and can go pretty much anywhere. 

I was on the bike staying to the right side of the road- way off the main track that they drive since they all use pretty much the same line. He came around the corner toward me- I assumed he had the right of way and I wasn't anywhere near the line that they drive. He went to go around me and as soon as I knew it we just kind of slowed down and then our front tires met and the pikipiki won. 

It was kind of one those awkward encounters with a stranger where you don't know if you should pass on the left or right while walking and just kinda awkwardly juke them before someone decides a way. Here, there wasn't a way decided. I hit the ground as we both came to a stop. The driver said 'stay left' in Swahili- so I guess I'll use the pikipiki line they all drive next time. 

Got up and rode off like it never happened. So there's my typical 'missionary bike riding crash story'. Not too sure how many other people have played chicken with a motorcycle coming at them.

Before we switched areas, my companion and I were teaching a very humble older lady whom always sat and didn't talk much but seemed to understand the things we were sharing with her. When we asked her if she would be able to come to church- she said she was unable to walk due to her bad feet and weak knees on the varying terrain and is quite sick. The walk from the mountain (more like a big rock formation) where she lives in her humble home isn't the easiest- especially for someone in that situation. She wanted us to pray for her- which is what we had been thinking as well. 

The next time we visited her- we explained to her about priesthood blessings and how they work according to faith. The Priesthood is the power and authority to act in the Lord's name. 

We read from the Bible- James 5:14-15:

          14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
          15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up..."

We gladly gave her a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directed and invited her to Church once again. That Sunday she didn't make it, and we had plans to go and visit her during the week. A few days later, we switched areas with the other companionship and were unable to visit her. We were unable to show them where she stays, so they were unable to visit her the following week. 

It is a bit hard to describe where people live, as nobody here has addresses- only some companies have PO Boxes. Our house doesn't have an address, the Church building doesn't have an address, and so on. 

But as we entered Church the following Sunday- there she was with her granddaughter- she arrived before us. We almost didn't recognize her because it truly was a miracle. It was a miracle to see her stand and walk. She enjoyed it and her granddaughter loved Primary. Same thing this past Sunday- there before us again. Priesthood blessings are real, and Christ does miracles to this day through his ordained servants.

Have a great week.

Love, Elder Eveson
mormon.org

ps - About the packages from Durban . . . they are finally being shipped from Durban.  However, due to the weight, they haven't decided how or when I will get them from the Mission Home.  They may break things up and send them in the courier pouch, or they may take it to Dar Es Saalam for our next zone conference in about a month.  Or they may wait until sometime when I am back in Kenya.  So know they are on the way and will eventually arrive.  Thank you again for sending them!  I really appreciate it and your thoughtfulness.

About the Pringles can trick, we found out the Pringles can is pretty spendy to ship to Kenya, even at a very light weight.