June 18, 2007

Dear everyone,

Well, I've been transferred! I was at first expecting to be transferred to somewhere in Zimbabwe because I had heard through the grapevine from other missionaries that I had a Zimbabwean TEP, but at zone conference this week I was told that I heard wrongly (I'm not really sure how that happened). Anyway, I have been assigned to work in Lusaka, the capital and largest city in Zambia. I'll be in an area called Libala and my companion will be Elder Sisneros from Syracuse, Utah. I'll be living in a house with 4 elders, all serving in the same branch.

My last week in the Copperbelt was wonderful though. Elder Weeks and I got along just fine and we got a lot of work done as well. We found 13 new investigators, including another promising family. We taught 22 investigator lessons, which is sharp! To top it all off, we had a baptism Sunday after church. What a way to end my time here. Bessie Matemba, 19, was baptized by Benson Kanyembo, a recent convert. Since it was my last Sunday, Branch President Kapata asked my to speak in sacrament meeting, and I decided to speak on setting goals for ourselves. I think that's something that everyone can work on, especially me. Since I just hit my SIX MONTH mark, it's something I really focused on this week. ISH! Can you believe 1/4 of my mission is now over? People aren't kidding when they say that time flies on mission. It was rough to say goodbye to everyone in the branch yesterday but I think I'm ready to go work in a new area. I'll still be in Zambia, which I'm happy about, but after being in an area for 6 months it's tough to just go. I took quite a few pictures this week, but the cord to my camera is in my luggage, so I can't send them today. Sorry! Next week you'll see them I think.

Wednesday was zone conference, which we had at the Swans' house in Luanshya. President Bester has had some medical problems so he and his wife had to go down to Johannesburg for some sort of surgery, so President and Sister Sanford came in their place. The Sanfords are pretty new (3 months) and they are the couple who stay in Lusaka. Pres Sanford is 1st counselor to Pres Bester and he was a seminary/institute teacher for many years before. He and his wife talked about a lot of good things.

So last night (Sunday) Elder Weeks and I spent the night in Luanshya and this morning I took a bus down here to Lusaka. It will be very different being in a zone of 24+ elders, having had only 8 for my whole mission so far. But I'm excited to be around elders who I was in the MTC with (Ulloa, Vilakazi, Weight).

Also, just for everyone's info, I haven't received any packages (from grandma warr or grandma shirley), but I bet I'll get one this week. . .

I hope no one will think me rude for this, but may I politely request that every package from now on come with a tie? Ties are the only part of my wardrobe that I can change from day to day, and I would loooove to have some more. THANKS!

Anyway, I love being a missionary. This work is the Lord's and no one else's. The gospel truly is the answer to all the world's problems. I've seen it at work!

Love you all,
Elder Mckay Moline

P.S. Yes, Mom, I'd love to have a copy of the May Ensign.