We are really trying to build a mission culture. A couple of months ago, one of our Sister Training Leaders did a wonderful presentation on the mission culture, and what we feel each missionary should focus on. We felt like it needed to be brought to the forefront once again because of all the new missionaries who have joined us in the Uganda Kampala Mission. This was a perfect opportunity to talk about each aspect of the mission culture, have a spiritual activity with the leadership, and hopefully build confidence and unity with the new leaders.
We gathered together at the mission home for an opening song and prayer, and then loaded up into two vans. We would be driving to the Mariba Forest, which is between Jinja and Kampala, so the Jinja and Iganga Zone Leaders just met us at the forest.
Van One in front of the mission home
Inside of Van Two
Inside of Van 2
It was such a beautiful setting, and the opportunity to build unity and feel the spirit was amazing. We parked at a place called the Rain Forest Lodge. Then we walked along a dirt road into the rain forest.
We have a saying, “Deny yourself and weave your strength into the RC Basket”. Along the walk, zone leaders or sister training leaders would teach what RC BASKET stands for.
Elder Davidson and Elder Carter
Ethiopia Zone Leaders were first with R- Repentance
- Repentance is a way to happiness. Be proactive, have the desire to be accountable, and do not wait to be told what you need to do and change.
- We cannot teach repentance when we are not repenting ourselves
Elder Kampelya and Elder Barrington
Then Jinja Zone Leaders C- Constant Finding
- We need to identify the what, the why, and the how behind constant finding.
- The Why: D&C 75:2-3 We have volunteered our names to labor in the Lord's vineyard for two years. The Savior provided the perfect example for us to follow. We need to emulate his example.
The group during one of the training stops on our walk.
Elder Obeng and Elder Njezula
North Zone Leaders B- Baptise Converts
- Conversion is a different view of ones self and God by following the principles of the Gospel.
- Preach My Gospel pg 6 quote box. People have to understand the Gospel in order to act. When they understand then the Spirit can teach them.
Elder Moncur and Elder Phiri
South Zone Leaders A- Accept Correction
- Correction is a sign of care and love towards others, especially those that we have been called to serve. Correction does not mean hatred, but it is a way to progress.
- When we seek to improve by accepting correction, it brings us to greatness: For example, Paul and Alma in the scriptures.
Sister Kunene and Sister Ngulu
Uganda Sister Training Leaders S- Set Prayerful Goals
- Goals reflect the desires of our heart. Goals reflect our love for Heavenly Father and it enables us to align our will to His will. We need to counsel with the Lord always.
- Preach My Gospel pg 146 quote box. If we do not set prayerful goals, we will not reach our full potential. Goals allow us to align our will to Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness.
Hiking between the training stops.
Sister Shongwe and Sister Shabalala
Rwanda Sister Training Leaders K- Keep Positive Attitude
- We must smile always while we have all of our teeth intact. We are that we might have joy, especially with missionary work. Share the joy you have with others.
- Keeping a positive attitude on a daily basis helps others come to the knowledge of the truth. People can know that the Gospel brings joy.
Elder Mukaro and Elder Gilbert
Rwanda Zone Leaders E- Exact Obedience
- Obedience is the first law of heaven. Obedience brings blessings but strict obedience brings miracles.
- When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God endows us with power.
Elder Quinton and Elder Kagson
Masaka Zone Leaders T- Teach Simply
- We have to teach in a manner that the spirit can testify according to the understanding of our investigators.
- 2 Nephi 28:30 When we study we gain more knowledge. We do not teach it all at once.
Then we had teaching by the Assistants to the President.
Elder Yemoh
Mission Hand Book pg 3: We have been recommended as one worthy. The gospel is preached by the weak and simple. The Lord qualifies when he calls. He does not call the perfect, but those that are humble, teachable, and willing to learn
D&C 46: 10-12: We need to seek after spiritual gifts. We need to always remember and retain in our minds what these gifts are given for; that all may be profited. If we believe and we ask for the right reason, it will be given to us.
Elder Fiagbedzi
As missionaries we need to remember the covenants that we made with God in the holy temple and remember that we will be held accountable one day for how we honored and kept those covenants.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Everything we do as missionaries should be centered on love for the Savior and our fellow men. Love should be the motive behind everything we do as missionaries.
President Collings
Standing in Holy Places
- Mountains are significant: Mount of transfiguration where priesthood keys were given. Moses on Mount Sinai communed with the Lord and received commandments.
- It requires a great sacrifice in order to make it to the top of mountains which is a similitude of how one has to be worthy in order to enter into Holy Temples.
- Numbers 13:27-30 each one of us can be like Caleb with our own personal challenges. Caleb's leadership did not waver under adversity. Just like Caleb, we should not fear men
It was a unique and different Mission Leadership Council. It was an absolutely beautiful day! There were butterflies everywhere, every color and variety you could imagine. There were so many different flowers, everywhere! The foliage was lush and thick! I think we had a couple of monkeys watching us from the trees. It was a perfect day, with sunshine, but just a few wispy clouds to keep the heat away. At the very end of our hike to the top of the mountain, the heavens opened and we were caught in a downpour... This is a rain forest, RIGHT??
The missionaries took it all in stride, they walked along the muddy road, completely drenched, singing, “There is Sunshine in my Soul”. I loved it!
We walked back to the Rain Forest Lodge, where they had a buffet lunch prepared for us. We really enjoyed the time we spent together as a Leadership Council. The mission is in good hands. The leaders want to do what’s right and to help the missionaries they have stewardship over to catch that same vision.
A few other pictures I wanted to share. We had some interviews at the office this week. I took a few pictures of one of the groups. This is usually an all day thing, and I forget to take pictures, but when I can, I like to share.
Also, we received this package for one of our missionaries. There are no words.... I am happy to report that the most important things in the package made it! I just wish this package could talk. It has quite a story to tell.
On this same day, we had a mission call come to the office. This young man has waited a long time for his call. He was planning to take it back to his branch in Mbale, but decided to open it in the office instead. We are so excited for him, he has been called to serve in Cape Town South Africa.
Aaron Opolot with his mission call
