June 16, 2008

Dear everyone,

Saturday I hit the big 18 month mark. Yikes. Three-quarters of my mission are now gone never to return. It literally almost makes me sick to think about that. In two weeks I will have only 4 transfers left. Crazy. This could possibly be (dare I say it?) my last area. I have a feeling it won't be though. Six months is still a pretty long time. There is still plenty of work for me to do here.

Winter is now here! In the mornings and evening it is FREEZING. I think I have become somewhat of a wuss since being in Zambia. I was shivering with my fleece sweater and a beanie on my head and according to Elder Musgrave's clock it was only 68 degrees, haha. But I've been wearing my sweater proselyting for the past few days now.

Matero is a good place and I feel it is going well. Elder Woldemichael and I are finding people to teach. A member referred us to a mdala (old man) named Jackson Mvula who came to church a few weeks ago. We taught him for the first time a couple of weeks ago. After we arrived home we received a call from him telling us that his wife had died just the same night only a few hours after we left (due to some sort of ulcers apparently). Obviously that was a shock. We had never met her because she stays outside of Lusaka (don't ask, I have no idea why some spouses here live separately) but we were pretty saddened. He didn't really seem all that distraught over the matter but come to find out she was one of two wives. So one of our investigators is a polygamist. Polygamy isn't very prevalent here, at least not in the inner city of Lusaka. I hear that out in the bush/village it's not uncommon though, especially among certain tribes (Tonga and Tumbuka). Anyway, we're going to ask President Bester about it but I'm pretty sure he can't be baptized. Sad.

Wednesday we did an exchange with Elder Zulu (Durban, SA) and Elder Ingutia (Nairobi, Kenya). I was with Elder Ingutia in my area. It was quite fun. To be honest Elder Ingutia is very boring so I was trying to lighten him up the whole day (sometimes I think that's the only reason I do exchanges: to lighten people up). Missionary work is supposed to be enjoyable! If you're not having fun you are doing something wrong. Anyway, we had a good time.

Thursday we finally met a coloured lady who has been investigating the church for a while and even had a baptismal date, but because of work hasn't been able to attend church. Her father is British and her mother is Zambian, though she has lived her whole life in Lusaka. She is very posh, meaning high class. She is quitting her job at a local TV station next week so she can be baptized! We are excited for her.

We tracted into these wonderful ladies named Susan and Bridget on Wednesday. Then we saw them again on Friday. They are both quite posh as well; they both dress nicely and have full-time jobs and cars (not typical investigators, haha). They are about 30, live next door to each other, are both mothers, and very good friends. Neither have been to any church for many years. They were both very touched when we shared with them about the Book of Mormon. They were supposed to attend the service yesterday but weren't able to. We're excited to teach them again and meet their families.

Last night our whole zone (14 elders) had a delicious dinner at the Sanfords. Meatloaf, potatoes, vegetables, and cake and ice cream for dessert. It's nice to have a real home-cooked meal every once in a while, haha.

I think that's all from my side. I love you all very much and I know that the Lord directs his work here.

Love,
Elder Mckay Moline