Super nice week over here. I was so happy to hear General Conference this Sunday. The talks were great and very inspired. I am sad to say I am short on time this week due to some struggles with finding a good internet cafe. My computer looks more like a toaster than a computer but at least it works enough for me to send this email!
I am just going to be fast fast this week but there were some great things that happened for us. I am so happy right now with my mission. I can get stressed at times with my work load and having a forgetful memory but all in all I am just doing well. Like I've said in the past, the slow and normal weeks are never bad. We are lucky and blessed right now that things have died down as far as contention between us and everyone here. The persecution has ceased and the work is going forth boldly and nobly until it will sound in every ear!
This week was kind of a weird preparation week for the coming transfer, which actually starts today. I am staying in Ntinda with Elder Denison and am happy! We did a few fun things like a great deal of service. We went to Brother Peter Sekalekas to dig. We used machetes to cut the grass down instead of a lawn mower and then dug some trees and a few other things. We also went to Sister Angelyns and cut a bunch of okra. She has a South Sudanese family in one of the apartments she rents out and they cut Okra to import to the US so we also helped. So if you see some cut okra in the states it was probably mine! We cut like 3 US trash can sized amounts. A ton!
I am in fact at a challenging point right now in my mission. At times I struggle to keep up with the work and find myself falling short or behind on the things we need. Training can be difficult for me because when I do my best to teach my companion and he still struggles I take it upon myself. I had to sit down this week for a solid hour and just think about what needs to be done and what needs to stop in order for things to work for us. Just as I felt like I had myself under control I got a call from President Collings to be the District Leader over a 6 missionary district. Aaaaghh man. It's quite early for me and was unexpected. It has been a call to repentance in a way and also a smack in the face. I gotta be better and do better always. We had a longer 15 minute phone call on the things he has planned for me and the things he expects now. I have a lot on my plate. I look forward to the experiences though!
We are continuing to have a slower teaching pool. Things progressed in a way and then slowed down even more. I am beginning to wonder if it is because of my lack of desire, though it is there, that is holding us back. So I have committed myself to be better in everything. I want to rely more on the Lord through my faith that things can progress. I truly believe they can. Esther is doing fine. She continues to know that she needs to be baptized and we are trying to help her. She said she is trying to confirm her thoughts that this is the Sunday for her. We are meeting with her tonight. Paul is just continuing slowly by slowly. He just doesn't have the time during the week to meet and so we are teaching him every Sunday and he is progressing about the fastest rate he can. He will be baptized for sure in the coming weeks. This week at conference we were sitting in the tent/chapel and when the session ended a hand grabbed my shoulder. It was David!!! I don't know if you remember him but David is the Congolese man we met a few months ago that moved back to Congo. He was in town for literally 25 hours and took the time to come to the morning session of General Conference. Sadly, he went back that night... Once he comes back to town we can baptize him! He is so solid. We hope his work takes a turn and slows down enough for him to join us. We added another nyabo to our teaching pool this week. We found a girl named Shantel that was a former investigator from a few months back. She is a Muslim and began to take lessons. She ended up gaining a solid testimony and then left for school in the village. She is back now and by the grace we tracted into her. We picked her back up and she is really excited to continue progressing. What a blessing!
General Conference was so great this week. As a missionary I feel a lot more when I am watching conference and loved every talk. Many reached out to me and I enjoyed them. One of my Favorites was Weatherford T. Clayton. Man, what a powerful testimony and invitation he put forth for all to feel the love of this Gospel. That was probably my favorite. Dad, I really enjoyed the talk you attached from President Uchtdorf and even found myself thinking the same things you shared with me. Those words were spoken right to me. It helped me a lot. I look forward to reading the talks in the Ensign.
We had the most interesting meal this week at Sams. I wont lie, probably the hardest thing I have ever had to eat in my life! It was called Ocokocoko (ochalkochalko) and was a mix of tomatoes, eggplant, onions and mukene. Mukene is like sardines sort of but a lot worse tasting. It was also with Kalo which is Casava flour posho. Just google it all. I will also attach a picture.
The work continues every day and I am grateful to be here, I learn so much and realize so often that many things I learn will bless me even when I get back home. I look forward to calling home soon!
I have to wrap up for the week. I knew I couldn't write a little and I am sorry about that. I love you guys and am glad you are all well. Stay doing well!
Love,
Elder McLain
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