This week we welcomed 17 new missionaries to the Uganda Kampala Mission. In the past, we have had them come to the mission home for dinner, then they go out proselyting for a while, and then go back to an apartment. We would keep about four missionaries at the mission home. Now we bring them in and keep them all for the night. It's been so fun! Spending time with them, and getting to know them better. We are so excited for the new missionaries that have come. They will be a great strength to the mission, many great leaders in this group.
President Collings goes running every morning. He always invites the elders to go with him, and usually will have a few want to go. This time there were 4 who ran with him, which he really enjoyed. Elder Palmer, Elder Colvin, Elder Kramer, and Elder Young.
We had orientation, which went really well. We started off with a good breakfast. Then we heard testimonies from all the new elders, then a few words were spoken by President Collings, the assistants, and myself. They interviewed with President Collings, wrote a quick letter home, and then took care of medical, money, passports, and other things to help them get started right. We had a nice breakfast, and then took them to the church to travel to their new areas.
The evening after orientation, we had the missionaries who will be returning home come to the mission home. We have 11 going home, and 4 traveling to another country. Having the departing missionaries stay in the mission home was a wonderful experience for us. They came in and put their bags in the mission home. Then they were able to go take care of some final things, like visiting members and recent converts. Purchasing some small souvenirs to take home, etc. By dinner time, they were all in the mission home. We ate dinner together. President Collings was able to conduct their final interviews while they were there in the home with us, which was really nice. I have heard that in the past, when the missionaries would stay in an apartment away from the mission home, the times they were all together were more like a party. Here it was just nice. They were still able to spend time with each other, and talk about their different mission experiences, and even laugh and have fun, but were acting responsibly. At one point the missionaries decided to sing church hymns. We all harmonized together, and it was beautiful. When President Collings came out after one of the interviews, he said it sounded like angels. And he just wanted to sit and listen. We felt like we were able to really spend quality time with them as well. I really enjoyed it.
Thursday was the farewell dinner. We woke up and had breakfast for all the departing missionaries as well as four who were scheduled to be transferred to Rwanda and Ethiopia later that day. President Collings went out at 6:30 for his morning run. He really enjoys running, and the bonus of having missionaries stay with us is, sometimes he can convince some of them to run with him. I think this run was special because he was able to run with three of his departing missionaries. Elder Farnsworth, Elder Malgas, and Elder Gangire. Apparently there was some racing involved, up a large hill, they had been talking about it for a few weeks, and I don’t think anyone was disappointed with the outcome of the race.
I took care of the farewell dinner along with Jackie and her friend Esther. We had roast beef, potatoes, chicken, rice, beans, salad and an amazing dessert made by Sister Wittwer. There was plenty of food to go around, and plenty of fun stories to enjoy. We then had a special testimony meeting. One by one the missionaries stood and bore testimony of the things they know to be true. I am always amazed at the contrast between the testimonies of the new missionaries on Wednesday, compared to the departing missionaries on Thursday. The new are amazing, you can see their excitement and faith, but the departing testimonies are deeper, richer, and come from those who have experienced truly the refiner’s fire. These missionaries were powerful. What a blessing to witness them.
Immediately after the meeting, the six American missionaries were off to the airport. Their flight leaves at 10:30 pm, and the traffic to the airport is always thick. So they leave about 4 hours early. It was a very difficult goodbye. We have mixed emotions, joy in the growth they have had and the love we have for them, and sorrow that their time has come to an end. We have grown to love these missionaries like our own sons and daughters. We wonder if we will ever see some of them again.
After the Americans left, we had the African missionaries whose flights were not until the next morning. We had 5 returning missionaries spend the night along with 4 missionaries who came in from Rwanda and Ethiopia for MLC the next day. This was a different experience as well. In the past, we say goodbye after the farewell dinner and they take a van back to the apartment. We say goodbye but they don’t leave for a few more hours. This time, we were again able to spend the rest of the evening with them, and then get up early in the morning with them and help them pack everything in the van to go to the airport. We were able to really say goodbye, and felt such a deep connection with each one of them. I say it every six weeks. This is the most difficult part of my mission… getting to know these young men and women, watching them grow and progress, and becoming so close to them, and then saying goodbye. I cry like a baby every transfer.
Friday morning we got up and again had breakfast with the four remaining missionaries. These are zone leaders from Rwanda and Ethiopia. We had Mission Leadership Council, where all of the Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders, and Assistants to the President come together for training. We talk about our vision and goals for the coming transfer. It is a very special time. These four zone leaders who stayed at the mission home were so fun to have there. Elder Gilbert ran with President Collings that morning. It sounds like he worked President Collings pretty hard. But he loved every minute of it. They came back and all got cleaned up and did their personal studies, and then had breakfast. There were several hours before MLC started, so they went out finding for the Kololo Zone. I love that our missionaries are always working, and don’t want to waste any time. They are really focused on their purpose as missionaries, and are an example to the missionaries around them.
When it was time for Mission Leadership Council, it was wonderful. I love when we can have it with all of the leadership. In the past we have had those in Rwanda and Ethiopia join us by way of WebEx. We have an amazing experience in Uganda, but they have a hard time seeing, hearing, and sometimes even getting online in these other countries. It’s so important that they receive the training and edification that the other leaders receive. I think we will try to always bring them in if possible. Elder and Sister Wittwer focused on the mission emergency plan, and helped them understand how we plan to implement it. Sister Wittwer has worked very hard on 72 hour food kits for each missionary. We have a mission scripture: Omni 1:26. Elder Davidson read the scripture to the group and talked to us about what that scripture means to him. We have been challenged as a mission to memorize it. I’m excited to do this. It’s one that we focus on all the time. The shortened version for our mission motto is “Come unto Christ, and offer your whole souls”.
During the past several months I have focused on teaching the missionaries about Jesus Christ. Christ like attributes, becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ, what it means to be a witness of Jesus Christ, etc. This time I focused on partaking the sacrament, which is symbolic of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. President Collings focused on aspects of leadership. We really are striving to help them to become great leaders, not only in this mission, but for the rest of their lives, whether it’s in their homes, work, or church leadership. I think things really started to make sense to the missionaries. One of the AP’s focused on finding the elect. In D&C 29:7 it talks about the elect. We look at people like Parley P Pratt, who was lent a copy of the Book of Mormon, and couldn’t put it down until he had read the whole thing. Eating and sleeping were a burden to him. And once he read it, he joined the church, and was a faithful leader in the church. Our missionaries are showing their faith in fasting and prayer to find the elect in this mission. The other AP focused on teaching with unity in the companionship. Our missionaries need to be unified in their teaching in order to have people progress. This missionary is one that leads by example, and was really able to help the missionaries understand the need to work together in love and unity for the benefit of those whom they are teaching.
The best part about the meeting was the input the missionary leadership made. As we come to meetings prepared to be taught, having studied the scriptures and Preach My Gospel before the meeting, the Holy Ghost teaches us exactly what we need to learn to be a better missionary personally. The Spirit was very strong in this meeting and we were all edified. It helped myself and President Collings realize that we really are blessed with wonderful, obedient, diligent missionaries.
We ended the meeting and took the missionaries out to dinner. It was so nice. Afterward, we realized that many of them had traveled a couple of hours to be here, and it would be too late for them to go home. Luckily, we have room in the mission home! One more night of guests to stay with us was the BEST! When they all finally went back to their areas, President Collings and I just looked at each other and said, “This was our favorite transfer week yet!” We absolutely loved spending time with each group of missionaries that came in. We felt like we really spent quality time with them and really got to know them even better. The total count for the week of missionaries who stayed with us was 52. We had 15 Tuesday, 15 Wednesday, 9 Thursday, and 13 Friday. I’m so excited to continue this tradition of spending time in the mission home with our missionaries. Life is so good!
I have a couple of pictures I'd like to share. I spent time working in home health, and also as a Case Manager on the orthopedic floor where I dealt with many skilled nursing facilities, and home health companies. I drove past this facility that has x-rays and other imaging services, and right next to it was a Hospital and Home Care Service for the elderly. I couldn't help but snap a picture. Great memories of Uganda.
I am also a huge Harry Potter fan. I drove past Dobbi dry cleaners, and just felt good inside. I can imagine all of the house elves he is helping with this business of his. Also, there on the bench are the tiniest pineapples I have ever seen. They are ripe, but are only the size of a fist. I love it! Enjoy the Eclipse! We will just have to enjoy it on social media. How can I be out of town for such a huge event? Haha.
