Week #57 - I will Go & Do!

Esta semana foi louco!  (This Week Was Crazy!!)

What a week to report!  We were on divisions all week with the ZL's because I still don't have my companion.  It still went well.  We walked in the area and  got in some good vists but mostly this week I have just been in other areas. It was kinda cool we had to go to the train station way late to drop of Elder Nilson and his comp. That was the sad part of my week though.

So they are in an area that is a 12 hour train ride to get there.  Weeks before the ZL's had prepared and got them 1st class tickets.  The missionary did not arrive so they called again and secured their ticket.  Again, no new companion.  His companion showed up finally this week on Tuesday.  I did not realize how bad the train ride really is in 3rd class.  We did everything to get them into 2nd or 1st class when we dropped them off.  It did not work.  Police shove people, the people run like crazy all over and to get their spot, it is wild.  The people even use the bathroom on the train in 3rd class while it is riding.  Then the worst - they have to stand for the whole 12 hour trip packed in tight!  Like a 12 hour chappa ride!  I can't even imagine.  Elder Nilson said they would be ok and I just gave a big hug to the brand new missionary, who had just arrived in Mozambique and looked him straight in the eye and told him that he would do great!  Then we had to turn and walk away, leaving 2 missionaries with travel bags in this setting.  I felt so bad for them.  That night I called Elder Nilson - he said they made it!  It was painful and tough, but they had a member on the train that helped them and some people let them sit for 2 hours of the ride.  I wouldn't wish for any missionary, especially a new missionary to experience that ride.

The whole week we just ran around! Wednesday went by fast and Thursday also.  We went in my area Thursday and had some visits with inactive members.  It  was amazing!   Then Friday we heard about a emergencia transfer in Nampula. We didn't think much of it because we are in Beira...until we got the message, I'm getting transferred to Manga! with Elder Silva and I'm gonna be a ZL!!!   That threw me for a curve ball because I've been a District Leader for like 2 weeks and I was suppose to train a missionary from South Africa!  I don't even know where he is!  Sister missionaries are moving back into my area.  I am leaving them with 7 baptisms for this Saturday!  

So I will be driving and moving to my new area on Wednesday. Tomorrow I get to say good bye to the people in my area.  It is so hard to leave. So ya that's the week. Today I'm learning how to drive a stick shift so that's gonna be exciting, hahah,  we will see what happens.

My favorite scripture came to mind after Pres. Senna called, 

" I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."   1 Nephi 3:7

I just repeated that in my head over and over - to help me feel less nervous.  So ya, I'm way hyped about this change.  I feel that same nervous feeling like I did before I raced.  I will be driving in Africa on the left side of the road with a stick shift! So ya keep me in your prayers and know that I am giving my best.  Each week I realize what I really have!  What you have!  Don't take it for granted that you have a car, clean clothes, and nice shoes.  You have a temple so close.  Go to the temple!  The people are doing everything possible to get a temple here.  That is the 1st thing I am going to do when I go home.  I am going to the temple and having Kaden baptize me!  Just remember to be grateful!

I love you all!!  I hope every thing is going well in the states.  Life in Africa is amazing! To be honest, I love it!!  I love the people here and I love serving the Lord. Everyday we have a goal of helping members find temple names, to put names into the system of family search. The big goal here is to get a temple. Thanks and I'll talk to you guys later.

Com amor,

 Elder Rees