It seems like last week I was getting ready to graduate high
school and to be honest I didn't really want to go on a mission. That
would have been the single biggest mistake of my life! Then I went to
college and really started praying about what I wanted and needed to
do in life. I know this is it! This is where I am supposed to be!
I know I have done a terrible job explaining this place to you guys
but it's so hard to describe.
Nampula is the 3rd biggest city population-wise but it is way more
developed than Beira I hear. I have heard Beira looks just like 'I am
Legend'. There is trash everywhere. But I hear Nampula is actually clean
compared to some places. There is a city-city part with stores and
things and then the outskirts. Tons and tons of people live in the
outskirts. The city is divided up into about 20 different zones that
have names. So when you ask someone where they live they just tell you
the zone. We are really trying to focus on the areas close to the
church since most people have to walk to church.
Our goal right now is to get 35 qualified contacts a week -
which is a man with a family, married in the register or would like to
be, who believes in Jesus Christ. There are a ton of Muslims - especially
here in the North but we talk to everyone! This is something we didn't
really do my 1st transfer but this mission is changing fast! President
Kretley is getting things done and changing everything - a Master
Inspirer. President Spendlove destroyed all the old bad traditions and
got this place ready to take off and now we are going into full swing!
My companion showed me this to help explain so I will show you guys:
-------------------- --------------
-------------------- --------------
-------------------- --------------
These lines represent the finding teaching and baptizing process of the old
way. It was find teach teach teach teach baptize and start again.
----------------------
---------------------
----------------------
-------------------------
These lines are the new way. They represent the finding teaching and
baptizing process again but now we are always finding teaching and
baptizing. This way we will eventually be having baptisms very
regularly and have investigators in all different areas of the
process. The hard part is switching over - which is where Elder
Bradford and I are right now. I started off in the old way and now I'm
learning the new way. I love the investigators I had my 1st transfer
but a lot of them are not really progressing. It's hard for me to move
on because I am a very blue person - very emotional - but I know I need to
be able to move on and I see why. We are still trying to help them but we need
Nampula is the 3rd biggest city population-wise but it is way more
developed than Beira I hear. I have heard Beira looks just like 'I am
Legend'. There is trash everywhere. But I hear Nampula is actually clean
compared to some places. There is a city-city part with stores and
things and then the outskirts. Tons and tons of people live in the
outskirts. The city is divided up into about 20 different zones that
have names. So when you ask someone where they live they just tell you
the zone. We are really trying to focus on the areas close to the
church since most people have to walk to church.
Our goal right now is to get 35 qualified contacts a week -
which is a man with a family, married in the register or would like to
be, who believes in Jesus Christ. There are a ton of Muslims - especially
here in the North but we talk to everyone! This is something we didn't
really do my 1st transfer but this mission is changing fast! President
Kretley is getting things done and changing everything - a Master
Inspirer. President Spendlove destroyed all the old bad traditions and
got this place ready to take off and now we are going into full swing!
My companion showed me this to help explain so I will show you guys:
-------------------- --------------
-------------------- --------------
-------------------- --------------
These lines represent the finding teaching and baptizing process of the old
way. It was find teach teach teach teach baptize and start again.
----------------------
---------------------
----------------------
-------------------------
These lines are the new way. They represent the finding teaching and
baptizing process again but now we are always finding teaching and
baptizing. This way we will eventually be having baptisms very
regularly and have investigators in all different areas of the
process. The hard part is switching over - which is where Elder
Bradford and I are right now. I started off in the old way and now I'm
learning the new way. I love the investigators I had my 1st transfer
but a lot of them are not really progressing. It's hard for me to move
on because I am a very blue person - very emotional - but I know I need to
be able to move on and I see why. We are still trying to help them but we need
to spend our time doing other things too. I have never been so stressed out and
I try so hard to focus on what really matters but sometimes the little
things really get to me. I am a perfectionist in some areas and things
really worry me - but I'm learning. I have seen so many amazing things
since I have been here and have been so blessed!
On the 30th of this month Elders Bradford, De Oliveirra, Paxman
and I are flying down to Beira for a mission conference there with
Elder Renland of the Seventy. I think about half the mission will be there.
Most of the missionaries here are in Beira or Maputo so I have not
met hardly any of them. I'm so excited! The goal is to get stakes in
these two cities by the end of a year! I guess Elder Nelson has come
here before and he said someday Mozambique will be the strength of the
church here in Africa! This place has potential and now we are trying
our best to really get things done.
I have a really cool story about one of our investigators though.
I try so hard to focus on what really matters but sometimes the little
things really get to me. I am a perfectionist in some areas and things
really worry me - but I'm learning. I have seen so many amazing things
since I have been here and have been so blessed!
On the 30th of this month Elders Bradford, De Oliveirra, Paxman
and I are flying down to Beira for a mission conference there with
Elder Renland of the Seventy. I think about half the mission will be there.
Most of the missionaries here are in Beira or Maputo so I have not
met hardly any of them. I'm so excited! The goal is to get stakes in
these two cities by the end of a year! I guess Elder Nelson has come
here before and he said someday Mozambique will be the strength of the
church here in Africa! This place has potential and now we are trying
our best to really get things done.
I have a really cool story about one of our investigators though.
Elder Leake and I contacted his wife - or actually she
asked us to come teach her one day when we were walking to a house.
Super nice lady. We never met him though until we were teaching her
and her kids about the Plan of Salvation. He came and sat down in the
middle of the lesson and looked so mad at the world. But then he
started asking questions and smiling and showed up to church the next
week and has been reading the Book of Mormon. They are doing awesome
and working towards marriage right now. But that's not even the cool
part - So last week we went to help him build a shed thing - maybe it's a
house - I'm not sure - but he told us that when me and Elder Leake first
met him he had been super addicted to drugs and drinking for 16
years!! But since that 1st time we met him he hasn't drank or
done drugs once!! We had not even talked about the word of wisdom.
I know the Gospel is the way to be truly happy. It doesn't matter
where you have been or really even where you are but what matters is
where you are going! That's the cool thing about the gospel is hope!
There is always hope.
David man, do whatever you can to come out and serve. Be a
good example to your friends and all our cousins because good examples
are one of the biggest reasons I was able to come and serve.
Dad, save up your money so you and Mom can go on a mission. You
guys can go to Jamaica or something. Senior missionaries make a huge
difference! I wish we had some in Nampula.
Elder Bigelow
asked us to come teach her one day when we were walking to a house.
Super nice lady. We never met him though until we were teaching her
and her kids about the Plan of Salvation. He came and sat down in the
middle of the lesson and looked so mad at the world. But then he
started asking questions and smiling and showed up to church the next
week and has been reading the Book of Mormon. They are doing awesome
and working towards marriage right now. But that's not even the cool
part - So last week we went to help him build a shed thing - maybe it's a
house - I'm not sure - but he told us that when me and Elder Leake first
met him he had been super addicted to drugs and drinking for 16
years!! But since that 1st time we met him he hasn't drank or
done drugs once!! We had not even talked about the word of wisdom.
I know the Gospel is the way to be truly happy. It doesn't matter
where you have been or really even where you are but what matters is
where you are going! That's the cool thing about the gospel is hope!
There is always hope.
David man, do whatever you can to come out and serve. Be a
good example to your friends and all our cousins because good examples
are one of the biggest reasons I was able to come and serve.
Dad, save up your money so you and Mom can go on a mission. You
guys can go to Jamaica or something. Senior missionaries make a huge
difference! I wish we had some in Nampula.
Well hopefully this email explained a little bit
about what is going on here. I love you guys!!
about what is going on here. I love you guys!!
Elder Bigelow
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