Week 42: Catch the Wave of Sharing His Gospel and Hastening His Work & Learning to Live by the Still Small Voice

Hey hope the week was good for all of you.

Tuesday was Elder Moline's birthday- now he's 19- and we had breakfast at the senior couples house which we do every 2 weeks. Wow man it is like Denny's but way better! We had pancakes this time- last time was German pancakes and he time before French toast- and man I almost died the food was so good. Yup- I miss food from home.

To sum up the week, we were able to do some good missionary work this week and will be having baptisms next week.

Tomorrow I will be giving training in our Zone Training Meeting so we'll see how it goes. Found this image I attached pertaining to members and missionaries. Catch the wave of sharing the gospel and Hastening His work!

So my zone leader Elder D. Thomas saw the Italian name tag that Tyler sent me that he used on his mission and mentioned his older brother B. Thomas served in the Milan Italy mission as well. Turns out that B. Thomas and Tyler were in the same group from the MTC and in the same mission the whole time! Small world.

I did accidentally skip a week on the subject line but it all works out because now week 52 will be a Monday- and I will have entered the MTC a little later that week. That 1 year mark is coming quick.

Forgot to mention that guy from Celebrity Cruises I met last week- he went from here in the village to the worst slums in Nairobi and now working on cruises. He emailed me and it will be nice to go back and forth occasionally with him.

Here's a fun fact- I am about 150 miles from where Obama grew up- where he ran around eating mandazis and playing football with the village kids.

Also- a bit weird to think I am representing all white people in these areas/villages where I serve- I think it might be really weird going home and seeing white people everywhere.

When you convert it from Kenyan Shillings, my weekly haircut costs 22 US cents..crazy or what?

Questions--

How’s your tan?

Man my arms are quite tan from biking! They are always in the sun compared to my face. Maybe I'll send you guys some pictures this winter when you are starving for the sun to come back.

How are you doing? 

Super well, loving the mission.

How's the weather over there?

Hot and sunny every day.....haha

Since the rainy season is over is it really much hotter?

Haven't been able to tell really but the rains still come a lot- not sure if the rain season is totally over.

       

How do you keep your white shirts looking nice and white?

Hahahahaa that's a good question. What white shirts? I rotate between 2 proselyting shirts just so I don't ruin all my shirts and I have a member wash them and she actually does a good job.

How often are you eating meat and what kind?

Every now and then. Once or twice a week. Made myself tacos this week and I almost died- too good.

      

Are you learning to live by and listen to the spirit?

Yessssir. Slowly but surely.

Share any spiritual experiences that you had this last week?

Majority of them head to the journal. I have seen how they come more often when 2 companions are obedient and diligent together compared to when I am being obedient and my companion isn't.

      

Just want to share something that was sent to me that I thought was super powerful and something I think you all should read....

AFY (Adventure for Youth) was the best experience I've ever had. This is a thing you go to that is like EFY (Especially for Youth), but adventure. My favorite was the blind walk. If you don't know what a blind walk is, its like this. So you get blind folded, and everyone holds hands. Then the counselors take your hands lead different people to different places until everyone is alone and not holding hands anymore. After everyone is alone, you follow the sound you hear. There are two sounds, a loud really obnoxious sound, and then a sweet, soft sound. You have to really listen to be able to hear the soft noise, you have to work to be able to hear it. But the loud noise, you just hear. So I started to follow the soft sound, because immediately I knew I was not suppose to follow the loud one. I waited to hear another sound, then I heard it. I worked my way to the sound, then I eventually made it to a rope, a rope that would lead me to my destination. The rope symbolized the iron rod. When I made it to the end, I had endured many obstacles of running into trees and tripping over logs because it was in a little forest thing. When I got there, my AFY counselor hugged me and said welcome home. That is just like our life. We need to stay attached to the iron rod, and we need to follow Heavenly Father, and the holy ghost's soft words speaking to us. If we do follow in His path, we will eventually make it home, which is home with our perfect Heavenly Father. When we were walking back to our camp I was talking to this girl from North Carolina that was in my group, I asked her if she liked it, then I found out, she wasn't a member. But then she told me after that blind walk and having the Spirit with her during that, it made her want to be a member. That strengthened my testimony more than anything this week. This week was an amazing experience and I built a strong testimony of the gospel. I'm very grateful to have it in my life.

I too add my testimony to this knowing that if we hold to the rod we will be able to make it home to out Heavenly Father. The gospel blesses families and individuals. And as we live worthy of it, we will be able to always have the Spirit with us.

Love you all, have a great week!

Elder Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Week 41: The Best Book Ever and Priesthood Line Extending to Africa

Orriena,

There's is a Kibukusu greeting for you- one of the local tribe languages.

So just a few things-

First off have fun all of you headed to Wallowa Lake for Chief Joseph Days. Definitely a week of the summer I always look forward to.

Sorry about the lack of responses to everyone's emails- thank you for them but it is a bit hard with the time we have and being backed up 3 weeks doesn't help. Not sure how the email situation will work out next week either.

I started reading cover to cover the best book ever this transfer with a goal to finish it in 6 weeks. I have never read it anywhere close to that fast before. Now, it being the start of week 3, I have realized it's not really possible so hopefully I can finish it in 12 weeks. 531 pages- it's called the Book of Mormon. You should read it too!

Members in the branch are preparing to go to the temple so that's really cool to see happen. They're all real excited- about to get passports- I just wish us missionaries could go with. The closest temple is in South Africa.

Crazy to hear about the Reynolds High School shooting a bit ago- crazy stuff.

Apparently the rain season is coming to a close and people tell me it's about to get real hot. As if it weren't hot enough already. Ha.

I have been really blessed to be able to serve in the true village- many humble and teachable people.

One cool thing is my Priesthood line of authority has entered into Africa. I had the privilege and opportunity to confer the Priesthood to one of the guys we baptized a few weeks back- 14 years old.

Had 2 baptisms and the branch is really growing.

After church the branch president asked if I could lock up so I did and as I was about to lock the library I took my bike out, put it outside and a guy was there looking at one of the little bulletin boards. I greeted him and we started talking, I asked where he works, and he says at sea. I ask Mombasa? He says at sea. Turns out he works as a cook on Celebrity Cruiseline and was just visiting home for a few days. His father is a member and showed him the Book of Mormon Saturday and Sunday he felt he should come check out the church and learn more. I taught him the whole Restoration of the Gospel, taught him the Book of Mormon and gave him one, then gave him 5 different general conference Liahona magazines and needless to say he wont be bored anymore on his off time on the ship. He was so excited and grateful and anxious to start reading and learning. He is an amazing guy, 26 years old, and we connected really well. He hopes he can attend church in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami when they are at port.

Questions---

So do you ride your bikes in the mud? Yup and we don't have mud guards on them yet- this week we are getting some. I have some pictures of getting home with mud all over my back.

Have you gutted and eaten any animals lately? Just a few chicken that members have slaughtered for us but maybe a rabbit in the next few weeks not sure.

Transfer News? No changes from last week

How many people in the ward? In the branch when I got here sacrament meeting attendance was around 68 and now it is at a consistent 82ish. 

Do they have mutual? Nope

How are your allergies doing? Suuuper well- hakuna shida (no problem)

"Never forget that the true way to be happy is to do something to add to others' happiness.  Try to forget self, and joy here and hereafter will come to you." -- President Heber J. Grant

The pictures are of our Kitale District/Zone.  

Love you all - have a great week!

Elder Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Good times with the Kitale Zone

Back Row:
Elders Dick (North Carolina, USA), Thomas (Arizona, USA),
Moline (Alberta, Canada - from my original MTC group),
and Eveson (Portland, OR, USA)
Front Row:
Elders Molosankwe (Botswana), Makazi (Mombasa),
Mwashi (Nairobi), and Utonga (Tanzania)

Week 39: Staying in Mautuma, New Members Baptized & Feeding a Monkey

Hahahaha so I have no time today. 

I was really lucky to get online at all. Stayed in our area instead of going to Kitale and there is no internet at the cyber we were going to go to so we used the branch's laptop and it is barelyyy working with the internet. No transfer news for the whole zone - still with the same companion.

I will send a ballin' weekly email next week though.

Highlight of the week: Confirmed 2 people members of the true church who were baptized last week. Also - fed a monkey a banana from my hand this week coming back from our district meeting Tuesday.

I have read 3 emails and will read the rest next week.  Thank you very much for emailing me.

Thanks for everyone who told me Lebron is going back to Cleveland. Who saw that coming? And Tyler, I can't wait to read that email you sent about him next week.

Nobody is getting responses til next week- sorry about that. 

Mom, please send this to the normal weekly email list since it's not letting me access all those names.

Also - Grandma I want you to take my seat at the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo next week.

Have a great week everyone!

Love, Elder Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Week 38: The Power of the Restored Priesthood, A Priesthood Blessing & Everything . Just . Makes . Sense.

Hahaha well we got to Kitale super late, and the power is flickering on and off at the cyber so I'll try to keep it short since time isn't on my side. 

Transfer news is tonight!! I will most likely stay in the area but anything can happen. Crazy I've already been here 6 weeks.

One nice thing is even though we don't have any missionaries coming into the country (all waiting for visas) that this transfer we only have one missionary leaving, next transfer is 2, the following is 1 then the next is 2, then the following is the next big group - 7, which is in Feb/March. So we are still thin on numbers but we still have missionaries.

Monday we were able to listen to this talk by Tad R. Callister at the senior couple's home and wow! It is powerful. It uses the Bible to explain why and the way everything is done today - the same as Jesus did it when he was here on the earth. Everything just. makes. sense. I hope everyone gets a chance to read it. It makes sense why this church is the true church.

https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2014/01/what-is-the-blueprint-of-christs-church?lang=eng

Went on exchanges to Misiku/Mishiku - one of those spellings. I was with Elder Mwashi - he is from Nairobi and has been out 3 months. We taught some people and had a tour of the new chapel that is being built in their area - which most people think is going to be a hospital. Had a bit of fun. Hopefully it will be finished by December. 

4th of July was a normal Friday for us! No celebration - nothing. Hope you all had good celebrations. And yes - I do miss boating on the 4th of July. And every week of the summer. 

Anyways - Sunday before church I was told that after the confirmations of those baptized last week I will be blessing and naming a child. The time comes, we had a packed sacrament meeting (86)- the branch president does one, I do the next. I am told the name and I give the blessing. Right after, one of the men in the circle said that it was the wrong name. I was told the name of the 3rd person to be blessed so I did it again like a boss with the right name and it was cool to see how different the blessings were and how the second really was specifically for that child.

The 1st councilor in the mission presidency was there at church and it was superrr nice to talk to him about some things at his request. Anxious for transfer news haha.

After church we had baptisms- District President, Pres Kogo came for them because he was asked if he could baptize the lady- 2nd councilor to the branch president-his wife. My companion baptized 2 and I baptized 2. 

Singing the opening hymn 'The Spirit of God' (click on title to listen) sitting next to President Kogo dressed in all white- wow the spirit was so strong during the baptismal service.

The lady I baptized 2 weeks ago - one of them was her son and also his best friend. The son's wife now wants us to start teaching her - it has been really cool to see the family all coming together. 

I hope that all made sense hahaha.

This week this song by MercyMe has been making me think a bit -- I'll throw the lyrics on here--

"I Can Only Imagine"

I can only imagine 

What it will be like 

When I walk 

By your side 

I can only imagine 

What my eyes will see 

When your face 

Is before me 

I can only imagine 

[Chorus:]

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel 

Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still 

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall 

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all 

I can only imagine 

I can only imagine 

When that day comes 

And I find myself 

Standing in the Son 

I can only imagine 

When all I will do 

Is forever 

Forever worship You 

I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine

When all I will do 

Is forever, forever worship you 

It's a pretty nice song if you listen to it.  Click on the title or click here to hear it on Youtube.

In closing --  I am actually able to get mail a bit more often than 2 times every 6 weeks. Mistake from last week's email. So go ahead and write me!  

I was able to read all my emails, and thanks for them.  Sorry about the lack of replies this week. Not too much time left to reply. And thanks for the pics you guys send me!

Wow that wasn't a short email at all-- but as the saying goes- write your family weekly not weakly.

Have a great week!

Elder Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Week 37: Happiness is the ability to . . .

Well what a week! Tuesday the zone leaders, and Elder Moline and I, went to Eldoret which was fun. It was like an hour and a half ride, got there and met the missionaries who serve there and had some fun. We went to the mall (really small) for my first time since I was in Durban, South Africa. Spent the night at Elder Harding's flat- which was sweet because we knew each other from serving close (7hr bus ride away) in my last area- I was in Kyambeke and he was in Kilili.

Wednesday we went to the mall to meet the senior couple serving in Eldoret who were there to pick up pizzas. We had ice cream, and wow. They took us to the chapel - yes an actual chapel - and after the zone leader's meeting was over I was able to interview with President Hicken. I love being with President- powerful guy who always knows what to say. Saw Elder Tauzie as well - one of my favorite missionaries, who is one of the Assistants to the President who is from Malawi, finishing his mission soon. Then headed back to Kitale. That night Elder Moline and I went at 7pm cruising on bikes into town to the store to get some stuff to make dinner, and I can say it was the first time for me actually feeling cold on my mission where I wouldn't have minded a sweatshirt.

While I was gone the district leader, Elder Molosankwe from Botswana, was with my companion doing baptismal interviews.  So Thursday we switched back, and it took foreverrrrr to get back to our area.

Friday good day, Saturday was good as well with quite a few appointments. 

Sunday during Priesthood Executive Committee Meeting, in walks the District President, President Kogo. He is like a Stake President but here it is a district - with President Hicken (mission president) being the stake president. The district covers all of Eldoret and Kitale areas. His two councilors showed up soon after, and we had quite the group of priesthood leaders there. Good service! President Kogo is the man.

Side note- hopefully by the end of the year this area will be a stake - we just need more members, and more active ones.

Then I was asked to conduct the baptismal service for the 3 being baptized. In front of the District Presidency and Branch Presidency and 60 members who stayed - there I was conducting haha. 3 of our investigators were baptized yesterday, which was great. 

Then we were able to go and see a few people who are preparing for baptism this upcoming Sunday. They will be interviewed by the district leader Wednesday, so I will be in Mishiku on exchanges until Thursday. 

Questions-

How is the new area treating you? It is superrrr nice. There is lots of work to do. 

Still lots of rain? This week we didn't have rain for 2 days straight and I was like hallelujah it's a miracle. But other than those 2, yes..everyday. 

How hot is it there? Hot....haha hot enough to sweat a lot. Maybe 85s-ish?

Is it real humid? Not at all

Will you get to do anything to celebrate the 4th? Hahahahaha that's a good question...no.

Now from Mautuma every Monday we have to ride our bikes to Naitiri, grab Elder Moline and Elder Makazi, then continue to Sikhendu to catch a ride to Kitale. Then we eat and head here to the cyber to email for a bit.  

President Hicken says to not expect any missionaries coming in with all the visa problems for at least 6 months. At leaaaaast.

And here I get mail about twice every 6 weeks if I'm lucky. Transfers are next week which should be interesting to see how things shake out. 

"Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them." - Anonymous 

Have a great 4th of July!!

Elder Eveson

#TeamUSA

Week 36: Moving the Lord's Work Along & Finding the Spirit of Elijah

Hey hope you all had a great week.

So just to let you all know, I won't be sending any pictures anytime soon- I plugged in my card reader and my pictures wouldn't show up, I plugged in a flash drive and it took everything off it! I am not about to lose all my pictures! I haven't taken too many in this new area but nonetheless- not risking losing all of them because of the viruses on these computers at the cyber cafe.

Last Monday we were at the grocery store here in Kitale and they had the song 'Count Your Many Blessings' on over the sound system. That was pretty cool.

That evening we again played soccer as a zone and since we didn't have much time before the sun set we decided to play by the zone leaders flat instead of walking to the church. Only thing is there is a little swing set of 2 swings and a light post in the middle of the field. 4 poles total- Hakuna shida (no problem) we were still going to play. 40 minutes later (I know you saw this one coming) I get the ball passed to me upfield, start the sprint, turn and bam. Next thing I knew I was on the ground. I remember hitting the pole really hard then being on the ground. Luckily I just had a giant bump on the side of my head and  didnt have a concussion. I played the rest of the 20 mins halfheartedly. In the morning the bump was way smaller and gone by the end of the day.

That day- Tuesday after our district meeting I stayed here in Kitale with Elder Dick for exchanges so instead of wasting Tuesday traveling back to our area, we were able to do worrrrrk which was sweet. Elder Dick used to be in Nairobi (his last companion was Elder Anderson-my companion from Tanzania.) and now is a zone leader here in Kitale with Elder Thomas. 

Wednesday we were also together- and wow we were able to do work. Because of our diligence and obedience together the Lord provided a way for us to have a super productive day even though it didnt go the way we planned. We had 8 lessons that day and had some really good contacts that will hopefully be investigators soon for them. It was great to work with Elder Dick- he is from North Carolina and we always have a good time together.

Thursday we went back to our areas- had to go through Mishiku? because both sets of companions were on exchanges so the whole zone was together yet again, had lunch and all went back to our areas. Saw a few members and made use out of the little time we had.

Friday we met with Sister Kabasi, then her son and his friend, had scripture study class that went well then met some investigators and less actives.

Saturday did some more missionary work and met some more people. One of the Branch President's councilors was taught a few years back but never baptized so we went over the baptismal interview questions and she remembers most of the things. We will meet with her then she will be baptized on July 6.  

Sunday we had the baptism of Sister Kabasi- and wow the spirit was there. She will be a super powerful member. I baptized her then after when she was giving her testimony she started from way back. Her husband (the Branch Presidents other councilor) was converted 5 years ago and she went on how she was never going to leave her church and how if there became a problem she was going to divorce him over going to his church and on and on. Years passed and the Lord has prepared her. She was super anxious for the day. It was her 'arriving at the promised land' as she called it. She is maybe 50? Just a wild guess. She is very powerful and has a strong testimony already.

We have been asked to start filling out the My Family history booklet the Church provides so this week I did so and I know as we do that no matter our age we will be filled with the spirit of Elijah.

This week (tomorrow) I will be going to Eldoret since President Hicken will be there Wednesday and I'm up for another interview. Already that time...time flies. The zone leaders have a meeting so it will be them then Elder Moline and I will be interviewed when they are finished.

As for questions--
How is your companion? I'm just trying to help him as best I can. Hasn't been the easiest.

Do you need hiking boots everywhere you go? Yeah- I either wear those or gum boots for when the heavy rains come between 3-5 pm. My clothes get all muddy riding my bike after it rains because the mud flips up.

Are you still in the mountains? Nope, pretty flat here compared to my last area. Nonetheless, we do have a huge hill that we fly coming down on but we have to walk going up.

How do you like your new area? I like it a lot. There is a lot of missionary work and the members are great at helping out. I can't imagine what it would be like with perfect obedience in both companions and unity.

Thought this was pretty cool- Jamaica now has a stake--  https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-holland-organizes-first-stake-in-jamaica?lang=eng&cid=HPTU061714247

Have a dazzling weeek!

Love Elder Eveson

Much love from the KNM

Week 35: Baptisms, Hill Sliding & World Cup Time!

Keeping it simple. 

First and foremost, shoutout to all of us Elders and all the beautiful Sister missionaries serving during this time of the World Cup. Maaaaaaan! 

Last Monday after we emailed, we went and played soccer as a zone (8 Elders) which was super fun. Then Tuesday morning before the district meeting Elder Moline and I made 40 slices of french toast for 7 Elders. There was still some left over though.

I got a wicked cold this week with the peak of it being Thursday but I didn't let the Lord's work cease. 

Sunday we had 3 more children of record be baptized- all of whom wanted me to baptize them. So grateful for that privilege. 

Continuing to teach those who we have as investigators and prepare them for baptism. Kabasi- she will be baptized this Sunday and is very anxious for it and very ready.

Nothing really big happened this week- just having a good time out here on mission.

I did almost have a very humbling experience while standing up on the mountain bike flying down this hill from our branch president's house..maybe I'll go a little slower next time. Maybe not :)

This week I will be on exchanges with the zone leaders so I will be working in Kitale a bit which should be fun.

There are currently 81 missionaries here in the KNM, and 42 serving in temporary assignments waiting for their visas to come in to the country and into the mission.

Qs--

How do you dry clothes after washing them if it rains so much outside? 

We have lines to dry inside our house

Well how do like your new area? 

It is awesome- lots of work to do and lots who are willing to listen and come unto Christ and follow Him and His teachings.

How is your companion? 

This week was a bit rough compared to my other companions, still getting used to him. Trying to help him in a few areas.

Do you eat at members' houses much? 

Sometimes. When we show up they might have something for us or give us fruit from the shamba. The members we visit we have on a weekly schedule like we see these members this day, these members this day etc then add investigators into the schedule.

Are there pianos in church buildings? 

They have keyboards but nobody really knows how to play them so we just sing with nothing besides our voices. The people here really love to sing.

Can't send pictures- this computer has a virus and I'm not about to lose all my pictures. I have quite a bit to send when I am able.

Shoutout to Jonathan leaving this week for his mission!! And Hunter getting his mission call to Mexico! Exciting times.

Enjoy the weeeeeeeek and all you guys on Summer Break- enjoyyyyy!

Love, Elder Eveson

Much love from the KNM