December 3, 2007

Dear everyone,

I am no longer in Lusaka! Tuesday last week was zone conference, which as always was wonderful. Sister Bester wasn't able to come, but Pres was there. The zone song was alright. Pres. spoke to us about having quiet dignity in our callings as servants of the Lord and how we exemplify that by the way we dress and act every moment of everyday. As missionaries we recognize people who are prepared for the gospel by the way they recognize us, which implies that we are to live very high standards of conduct. It was very good and I learned a lot from it. After zone conference was over, transfers were supposed to be announced, but then there were a bunch of last minute changes that had to be made so we didn't find out until the following night (wed).

So crazy as it may seem, I have been transferred back to the zone of my nativity! I'm back to the Copperbelt yet again, but this time I'll be serving in Ndola (one of the three cities with branches). I have mixed feelings about leaving Chainama. I loved it there, but after a while, being in an area like that wears you down. There was little member support and things are still struggling. I feel like I did my best strengthening members and finding people though maybe we weren't able to see the fruits of our labours while I was there. Elder Tibagalika is remaining there and will be working with a branch missionary until another elder can come to take his place.

I'll be whitewashing here in Ndola, which means both elders who were here have been transferred so neither I or my companion know the area at all. That's not even the crazy part. I'll also be training a new missionary! His name is Elder Mokolobato I believe and he should arrive sometime on Thursday or Friday of this week. I'm not 100% sure, but I think he's from somewhere in South Africa; if not, then he's from DR Congo.There are four elders here in Ndola: Elder White (who has been here for over 9 months now), Elder Lawrance from the UK who came from the MTC 6 wks ago, and then myself and my companion. So I took a bus from Lusaka to Ndola on Saturday and all day Saturday and Sunday I was companions with Elder Duma (Durban, SA) who after 6 months here is being transferred to Zimbabwe. Basically we didn't teach any appointments on Sat. or Sun.; we just walked around half of Ndola, visiting members and investigators, and we both prayed that I would be able to find my way around after he left. Two pretty stressful days. There are a lot of things I need to remember. I just had to get Elder Duma to pour all his knowledge of the area into me so I can be ok taking over. So he left this morning and until the new elder arrives I'll be companions with a member of the branch here. Currently there are 8 investigators with baptismal dates, including two husband/wife families! One of them came to church yesterday. I met many of the members yesterday and there are some really really great people here though I'm struggling to remember all of their names at once. The fast and testimony meeting was great; they are very excited people about the gospel, which is exactly what the Lord needs. Although I'm still a bit uneasy about knowing everything there is to know about this area, I know that if I have the Spirit everything else will come in time.

I love this work! My testimony and faith grow more and more everyday.
Ish, I'll hit my hump day in less than two weeks. . .it does go fast.
Elder Mckay Moline

P.S. Everyone, send everything (photos, letters, packages) to this address until I get transferred:

Elder Mckay Moline
c/o Elder Stevens
P.O. Box 90948
Luanshya
ZAMBIA

P.P.S. Zimbabwe will be slashing 4 zeroes off of its currency in the next month or two.