Wonderful Missionaries having a good day!

Zambia and the White van that Taggart drives.

September 16, 2013

Hello everyone. This letter will be pretty short, so don't take it personal. The week was good, and I am still living. I hope my driving habits will stay legal when I get home =P circumstances. . .

I have thought a bit this week, among other things, about insects. A caterpillar will, when prompted to do so by nature, spin a cocoon in which it will change.

met·a·mor·pho·sis  

/ˌmetəˈmôrfəsəs/

Noun

1. (in an insect or amphibian) The process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
2. A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.

I had this come to my mind, so I will share it.

I close my eyes- now darkness prevails

I try to move, but the function fails

I feel the embrace of a well made shell
I wonder what secrets my Maker will tell

From within, I see nothing- but a difference I feel

And oft times I wonder: "Is this truly real?

Am I still myself? The same blood? The same name?

Am I growing and changing, or is this a game?"

The world doesn't know me- it sees not the change

That's happening within me- for now, I am strange

No more will I walk among filth and through grime

Now challenges sought for mountains to climb

The shell starts to weaken- I'm now breaking free

I've become a new creature- I've become a new me

The time is behind me, now lost in the past

The change understood now- emerging at last

I break through the sunlight and breathe in the air

Take flight into new life- astounded I stare

My eyes have been opened- I see what He sees

His work was successful: a Chrysalis for me

Mission is my chrysalis

--

Start Strong: Finish STRONGER!

~Taggart Williams

Taggart's coming home!

Taggart's got his flight information!  He will arrive at the SLC airport on Oct. 1.

hooray!

Got the License! 2013 Aug. 5

Okay, that last part may have been an exaggeration, but I am driving. . . We went and got my license on Friday, and boy was it annoying! But, long story short, I am going to have a legit Zambian License in 3 weeks, and atm I have the temporary paper. I am also doing actually very well in driving stick (especially considering I learned how in the last month, with a total of 4 times driving before getting my license). The funny part, I never even had to take a real test to get it. We kind of just threw paper work and titles around for a few hours and got a conversion off of my stolen American License. funny stuff, eh? 

On a different note, we are baptizing sister Niza this coming saturday, and things are crazy because my companion's group is going home this week. Their release is on 12 Aug, and from about thursday till then, we will have about 9 extra missionaries here in Lusaka who will be doing who knows what while they wait to get their interviews with President Erickson. This will be all 3 of my companions in Zambia going at the same time. . . and today was the release date for my trainer. . . time is creeping up, but nonetheless, LIFE'S GOOD!

Well, I love you all and am happy that you are all alive and well (so far as I know at least), so I hope that you stay that way.

Love you all tons!

~Elder Williams

--

Start Strong: Finish STRONGER!

~Taggart Williams

Letter to Mom and Dad from Mission President in Zambia...

2 August, 2013

Dear Brother and Sister Williams,

    Your son, Elder Taggart Williams, is now serving as one of our Zone Leaders.  He was called after prayerful consideration and because of his obedience, hard work, teaching skills and leadership capabilities.  I have watched him develop these abilities while he has been faithfully serving as a missionary in Zambia.

    Zone Leaders help direct the missionary efforts throughout their assigned Zone.  They carry significant responsibility for training and motivating missionaries and serve as role models for all missionaries assigned in their Zone.  They communicate and enhance relationships between myself and other missionaries.  Their efforts are essential in building the Kingdom of God in the Zambia Lusaka Mission.

    I thank you for your role in preparing and guiding such a fine young man.  I appreciate the sacrifices you have made to help support him in the mission field. 

(As an added note, Elder Williams just earned his Zambia driver’s license today!!!)

  Warm regards,

  President Leif J. Erickson

  Zambia Lusaka Mission

Of things in Africa and Zambia... 7-29-2013

Excerpt from Domonique's letter...

As far as china goes, CHINA IS GOING TO TAKE OVER AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am only half-joking. They take care of a TON of the building projects go for malls, sports stadiums, etc. They kind of have tons of stuff all over africa. . . one day I think they may legitimately take over africa. . . like hostile takeover, but we'll see =P 

I am glad to hear that Grandma Harper is doing better. I will also keep you in my prayers for your job. 

Well, as for learning stick and such, I am doing well, just starting up the habit. I am enjoying it. The terrain here in Zambia is flat, and almost desert like. It isn't humid like Zimbabwe is, and it is hotter. I will be taking a driving test on Thursday probably to get a Zambian License. 

love, 

Taggart

Wait, Where is the clutch pedal on the computer? July 29, 2013

My hand keeps looking for the stick to shift. . . but the keyboard is flat.

I am still learning stick, but it feels weird right as I am getting going and right after I am done practicing. So, I will be getting a Zambian Driver's License probably this Thursday, at which point I will be legal to drive here!

We were able to see Peter (the Chinese man) this week, and it was fun despite the chaos of having two randomly insterted, newly set apart missionaries working with us for the day. Well, although I haven't trained anyone before (nor will I at this point), I have been with someone to teach their first lesson as a missionary. . . The difficulty with Peter's friend, Phillip, is that he wants to know the difference between the catholic church and the other churches, but he doesn't yet have a fundamental understanding of Christianity itself. We are going to be starting from square one, and will be using the church videos such as 'finding faith in christ' so that he can understand and be able to re-watch.

We also have the granddaughter of one of our members that we are going to be baptizing on the 10th of August. It is going to be exiting, because Niza is really enjoying church.

I also interviewed someone for the first time for baptism yesterday. It was an interesting experience. He is not fluent at all with english so I had to have a translator. We sat down, started with a prayer, and went over the questions. His understanding of all of the doctrines was unsure, because of the difficulty in language, unsurety of the translator, as well as his shy nature. I wasn't sure if he was ready to be baptized, so after we finished, I waited behind them for a minute and knelt to offer a prayer. I told about what I had felt, but asked if he was ready to be baptized. The warm assurance of the Spirit told me that despite my surface analysis, he was ready. After I finished the second interview, I went and told the sister missionaries that both candidates had passed. They expressed that they were very happy to hear that. The first one (the one who I was unsure about) had been coming to church now for 3 months, and had had his baptism pushed before so that he could be ready. Despite his shyness, from what I had felt and what the sisters told me, he does sound ready. The amount of clarity personal revelation brings into our lives is amazing to me. That is something that I have been able to come to understand over the course of my mission, and I continue to have it reaffirmed day by day.

Questions:

MOM

I am told that your Zone Leader is a big job/calling.  I am excited for you.  What does it entail and do you still do proselyting?

Mostly, as Zone Leaders, my companion and I make sure that the missionaries in the Zone always have drinking waters (we use dispensers), as well as materials such as pamphlets, copies of the Books of Mormons (hehe haha), We also are in charge of Zone Meeting once a month to go over training that we feel is needed for the zone. Mostly, we proselyte as normal, just with errands thrown in the mix. In all of Lusaka, there are also areas that are too far for missionaries to go to to teach while on foot without spending ridiculous amounts of transport money. We assume teaching responsibility for such areas if investigators there will progress. That is about it. 

Well, I love you all. God bless and keep you on your way.

~Elder Williams

How to drive a stick shift and why... July, 14 2013

Last monday, on my way home from emailing, I received a call from
President Erickson. He extended a call to serve as a Zone Leader in
Lusaka. This was surprising to me to say the least, and so I declined.
. . just kidding. Who do you think I am? So, anyway, I of course said
that I would be happy to serve. I am now serving with Elder Ariho from
Uganda. I am really loving him already, and we are going to have a
great time together. I am his final companion, but we are still
working hard and having a ball.

Now, as a Zone Leader, I will be needing to drive, so it was a good
thing my liscense was stolen way back when in Harare. Because of that,
and because my parents cannot get a new liscense for me while I am on
the other side of the world, I am needing to get a liscense here
before I can drive. That means that I am needing to go through the
ENTIRE process to do so. This week we were able, amidst all the
confusion and chaos of 4 of the Elders in the Zone being evicted on
wednesday (out of no fault of the mission-just the landlady who kindly
offered us 1 month of free rent because of our inconvenience. . .
hahaha yea. We decided to make different housing arrangements
instead), to get me a provisional liscense; the equivalent of a
learner's permit. So now, while the zone is minus a bus (we drive a
hiace-a nice 16 seater), we are trying to get me legal, and get
accustomed to driving a stick-shift. I have driven stick shift once on
the road, and it was when I failed a mission 'road test' about 19
months ago. . . so YAY! I am going to learn / become accustomed to
stick! No fears though. God provides.

So, this week we also had a baptism. Sister Charity was baptized and
confirmed by her husband and it was powerful.

We also moved into a new house with the housing switchup. So, we now
live in a part of our area (which covers most of the city Lusaka)
rather than a 45 minute drive away (which was really fun without a car
of our own. . .).

On Friday, we had Zone Conference with President Erickson (his first
here) which was awesome. Following which, I was able to have an
interview with him. I really like him a lot. It is interesting to
serve under 4 different mission Presidents and see the different ways
that they do things. So far though, I can say that I like/will like
each MP more than the previous one. President Erickson is awesome. I
am so exited to serve under him for the next few months.

This week was sweet and Elder Ariho and I are going to have a good
time as the coming weeks bring more challenges and fun, and hopefully
we can begin driving. . . today. We'll see.

Love you all. Keep well, use preservatives, but keep good taste in mind!

~Elder Williams

-- 
Start Strong: Finish STRONGER!
~Taggart Williams

To feel the Spirit and know it... July 2013

This week was a good one!

I am going to share about a lesson we had on sunday after church.

My comp was busy getting things finished off with getting the baptismal record finished off, and our investigator samson was waiting for us, so I grabbed Elder Hansen (works in the group attached to Ndola branch, they meet with us 5th and 1st sundays) who's comp was also busy, and we taught Samson. It was not only a powerful lesson, (my first time teaching with Elder Hansen-from SLC, Utah) but also it was totally inspired (even elder Hansen being there).

So, we begin talking to him about his questions. He had some great questions, and we gave some powerful answers. Then we continued on with the first part of the Restoration (focus on prophets). To close off, we emphasized on personal revelation, and the Spirit. He asked how he could recognize the Spirit, and we explained, shared some scriptures, but he wasn't satisfied. He wanted to be sure that he could recognize the Spirit. Elder Hansen (as he later said he was directed by the Spirit to ask this specifically) asked if there was ever a time that he (samson) had been listening to music and felt just a strong feeling. I had the thought come *crap, he is going to bring up some random rap song or something not even related to the Spirit*. Samson thought for a second, and said "Yes, there was one movie I watched about a missionary (the other side of heaven, fyi), and at the end, they sang hymn 152 and it really hit me hard." We then testified to him that that had been the Spirit.

While later talking to Elder Hansen, he shared about how he had pretty much the same question about recognizing the Spirit before he got baptized, but the missionaries were unable to answer him. He connected with samson and was given the question to ask, however 'out there' it may have seemed. It was the perfect question, from the best person, to the one who needed it.

Well, things are great here.

Today, we are going to the trade fair (which is like a state fair, but international rather than state), so it will be fun. I will let you guys know next week! 

questions:

Grandma Twila
They are really starting the push here to get members involved in missionary work.  Do you still do tracting there? Yes  How much are you able to

   use facebook, twitter, texting, etc, or do many people have those devices?

Not here. At the moment, we don't use them at all. 

Love you all, take well!

~Elder Williams

--

Start Strong: Finish STRONGER!

~Taggart Williams

Zambia Mission website and address for mailing...

http://zambialusakamission.weebly.com


14038 Katima Mulilo Road,
 Lusaka,
 Zambia,
 Africa (after every comma is a new line).

June 24 2013 poem by Taggart

Well, this last tuesday, We had our last (and my first) Zone conference with President Padovich. It was powerful. This week on the 29th is when we make my final MP transition into my 4th MP. I really loved the opportunity to serve around President Padovich, and am looking forward to the last few months with president Erickson.

There is an investigator that we have just picked up. His brother met with missionaries a while ago, but wasn't interested. But when he went to stay in Lusaka for a while, he became serious and got baptized. When he came back to visit the family, Samson (our new investigator) was shocked that he had joined the church. The brother then gave him a bible and triple combo and moved permanently to Lusaka. Now Samson is coming to church and really loved it (he had been a few times before, but hasn't been recently until yesterday). We are excited to work with him and help him prepare for baptism.

Also, the father we taught who works all around africa (I think I told you all about him) is hard to get a hold of, but we are seeing his wife tonight with our Relief Society President. I am very excited to teach this family.

In closing, I am going to share another poem I wrote a few months ago. enjoy:

While in the Garden

I see Him in the Garden, great

It bids Him welcome to His fate.

He kneels and asks another way

And yet, undaunted still He prays

While in the Garden, yet afar
He journeys to a distant star

To find the one in need of aid

To lift me up as I had prayed

He found me weak of broken heart

Unable now to play my part.

He dressed my wounds and raised me up

And helped me drink my little cup

He taught me as a little fawn

And gave me strength to carry on.

Now as I take His hand, I feel

The prints of nails, forever real

Reminders of the pain He felt

When in the garden He had knelt

The price He paid to purchase me

The blood to purge and set me free

Returning to the Garden, now

Before the Father He will bow

To find the rest, to set them free

But always He'll remember me.

Unworthy of His grace am I,

And yet, for me, the Lamb did die.

His life upon the cross He gives

Then from the tomb He rose, and lives!

I take the bread, broken and blessed

I take the cup and drink the rest

I feel His cleansing pow'r within

I promise e'er to follow Him.

~Elder Taggart Williams

--

Start Strong: Finish STRONGER!

~Taggart Williams

June 17 2013

Well, this week was good. We had a baptism on sunday for brother Luka, and that was good. We also had 2 sisters that have been less active come to church. We had a powerful lesson with them this week, and it apparently hit home.

There is a part of our area that has quite a lot of members, but all are less active (partly because of the distance to the meeting house). We are working on getting a group there. However, before this can happen, we need to get them coming to church semi-regularly (about once a month pat least) so that is something that we are doing. Tomorrow, President Padovich is coming up for his last Zone Conference. He leaves on the 29th of June, at which point president Erickson is coming in.

In other news, new to the house is elder Hansen (I may have said this last week). He and I were together in a house in Harare, and so I was happy to see my old friend again.

Well, I apologize, but I haven't got anything else to say today, except that I love you all! Most of what is happening/ being learned right now is internal. I can't talk much about it, so I suppose you will just have to bear with me during this chrysalis stage of my mission.

Take well, and stay powerful!

~With love,

~Elder Williams

Taggart 2:2-7 going strong in Zambia and address...

2: It is wisdom in me, saith the Lord, that my servent elder williams be permanently transfered into the Zambia Lusaka mission. 

3: for behold. A marvelous work is about to come forth. Even a marvelous work in Ndola. 

4: The field is white, already to harvest. for, even though some of the people in town don't really want to talk to missionaries, I have looked upon the efforts of My servants elders masika and williams with pleasure. Yea, according to their desires, I have provided for them those who have been prepared.

5: For, thus saith the Lord, if they will thrust in their sickle with might, I will send to them fathers who want to learn about My plan for them. Yea, fathers who wish to learn and progress.
6:Yea, and even those of my children who are ready to be baptized will come unto mine elders. 

7: and behold, all who wish to send letters must no longer send them to zimbabwe. Verily, verily I say unto thee, send them to:

Elder Taggart Williams

14038 Katima Mulilo Road, Lusaka, Zambia

We have been taking some time to proselyte in town on thursday afternoons and sundays. We had, on wednesday, a man in a car stop and ask us to visit him. We saw him on saturday

--

Start Strong: Finish STRONGER!

~Taggart Williams

oops. that was an accident. Here is the rest. 

We saw him on saturday and started the first part of the plan of salvation. He was happy to have us there and has some powerful questions. We hope to be able to see him often, but his work schedule changes from week to week as he works all over africa.

in other news, john was at church again so we are excited for him. We are also preparing to  baptize brother Luca on the 16th of June.

Things are good this side, but my hand hurts today. Not sure why. Well, I love you all and hope you keep on keepin on!

~Elder Williams

Letter from the Zambia Mission...May 2013

Dear Brother/Sister Williams,

 

Elder Williams has really adjusted well and is a wonderful asset to the Copperbelt Zone. In answer to your question of the mission office mailing address, you are correct. It is:

14038 Katima Mulilo Road,

Lusaka, Zambia

Africa

 

Thank you for the support you give to Elder Williams in the great work he is embarked in! (We also would like to thank you for the Essential Oils which have helped several of the Elders he has been serving around!)

 

-Assistants to the Mission President

Zambia for the rest of my mission...2013 May

I got transferred this week up to the copperbelt. I am now serving in Ndola with Elder Masika from Kenya. Yesterday I got to speak with my family for mother's day, and so that was a treat.

I was able to play the keyboard in my branch on sunday which was cool!

I am going to write here my journal entry for yesterday to sum up the week.

12 May, 2013

Why is it that we set aside 3 hours each and every sunday? Is it for music? To hear a few people read off what we believe? To eat a little snack and wet our throats with bread and water?

Today, I was reminded of our real purpose. As we sung the Sacrament hymn "I stand all amazed" I was reminded of my own many imperfections. With every discordant note I played in front of a humble branch with 15 or so present in the congregation, I felt the Spirit move my mind to our real purpose. A gathering of imperfect people, present to draw closer to the only perfect man. To take upon us his name, and qualify ourselves for His Spirit. Why am I here, in this humble branch in Ndola? Why am I setting aside these two years to place myself in His service? Because He marked the path. He set the pace. He said "Follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do". I am here to do as He did, that I may be as He is.

~Taggart Williams

I love you all, and I would like to close with my testimony that I know Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior, and that through Him, we can receive a forgiveness of our sins, now and forever; if we will but follow Him.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

~Elder Williams

In Zambia!!!

P.S. Elder Stewart from cañada says hello. And the magnificent and wonderful, awe-inspiring assistant Elder Cook Congratulates you all for the blessed and wonderful son [or friend or sibling or family member] Witchdoctor Williams that you have. And Elder stewart from cañada says that the almost as wonderful assistant elder mantchitchi says hello too. 

~Elder Williams

On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 6:42 PM, Taggart Williams <taggart.williams@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Yup. I am, once again, in Zambia. My TEP was rejected the second time around, so i had to leave Zim. We don't know, as of yet, if it will be permanent or temporary, but the final decision will be made by the area presidency (Africa southeast) as to whether they continue trying or just transfer us to Zambia, Lusaka mission for the duration of our time (there are presently 8 missionaries from ZIM mission here in Zambia, and more will come if things aren't fixed). In the intermittent time (since thursday), I am in a 4some companionship. I am with Elders Majofe (botswana), Stewart (Cañada), Shurtz (Orem). We are office elders! This means that, because Zambia's office couple (who take care of finance, reception, immigration etc) don't get here until july (just before the new mission president), there are 4 elders (kinda 2 companionships, but still just 1 companionship) who do these things. Myself and elder Shurtz are immigration, and the other 2 are finance. Man! We have a car! this means that I have already shattered my plan to not drive on mission except exchanges! As the office missionaries, we are very busy and don't get as much proselyting time, but we do more of helping things work correctly. Long story short, until further notice, I am part of the Zambia, Lusaka mission. If I end up staying here, I will, over the course of my mission, have served for a good period of time under 4 mission presidents. Cool beans, eh?

P.S. I still haven't gotten to watch general conference because Zambia watched it 2 weekends ago, and Zim watched it yesterday and the day before, so I jumped sides and missed it. 

Also, in other news, I think that I have begun contracting a strange accent with an unknown source. The closest that comes to my mind is almost a southern accent, but I can think of no particular cause. Maybe I will get some assistance identifying it on mother's day.

Well, on to  the questions:

Aunt Michelle:
Do you think that it may be a good thing that someone close passed away? as then  more family was around and their hearts and minds were open to  listen to you and your companions  about the life  after death? and that our lives , just don't end , they continue on?

That is a great question. I will take a minute to talk about this because some thoughts popped into my mind. We could all use a little change (name that song). We will not, however, change without a reason to. One thing that can prompt a needed change is a question (just like negative changes can also be begun by a question). When we experience the death of a family member, it can bring to mind questions that we REALLY WANT to know the answer to. These questions can soften the heart of someone to the gospel. I am reminded of the story President Monson shared in conference a few times ago about the atheist who had his heart softened towards Christianity with the death of his wife. Pain and loss, as I say, opens up room for growth and learning. Pruning a tree or plant (plucking off/ removing dead/finished branches) allows new/better growth to come. Not saying that the gospel takes the place of a loved one, but the principle applies nonetheless.

love you all! keep up the good work!

~Elder Williams

--
Remember: Pray always, and look to the Lord. Write often, and live life to it's fullest.

Doubt is the seed of failure. ~Taggart Williams

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. ~God (D+C 6:36)

photos on mission 2013

April 1, 2013

Well, Transfers came. I left! wait what? you ask, didn't I just get here? yup. I stayed only one transfer in Cowdraypark/Luveve areas, and now my former companion, elder Wykstra, is training there! When he finishes that, he will have been there for 7 transfers (close on 10ish months). As I type, I am now in Nkulumane 2nd ward, with Elder Saila from Kenya.

Also in the house is Elder Lelendle (origin unknown, somewhere in Africa) and the elder he is training, Elder Lance (origin suspected to be the good 'ol USofA). They get here from Harare on Wednesday. And Elder lance may or may not find out that we don't have beds in this house yet, and that the only thing we eat is sadza and caterpillers (Madora / Macnimbi). But then we'll just pull out a chocolate cake, and show him that we do, in fact, have beds, so that after he gets very quickly adjusted to africa he doesn't want to go home =P

I can sense that this will be a very fun transfer. I am quite excited!

We had a baptism on Sunday. It was powerful, and we had some investigators able to watch. However, The internet is slow right now, so I don't think I will be able to upload any pictures. 

In my new house, there are weights. I have gotten a little bit out of habit with exercising the last transfer, but I think I will make a schedule that will be nice and good and cool. I also will apparently get food in the area a lot. This is going to be fun. 

Well, I am sorry, nothing else I have to talk about.

love you all!

Happy easter!

~Elder Williams

--
Remember: Pray always, and look to the Lord. Write often, and live life to it's fullest.

Doubt is the seed of failure. ~Taggart Williams

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. ~God (D+C 6:36)

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

March 11, 2013

this is an automated message to home. If you are receiving this message, and your name is not home, please begin to panic now. If your name is home, then you can feel free to relax, because you are a very dynamic place. You can be anywhere and everywhere. But usualy in a small cavity on the left side of a human torso, right next to a very bloody organ. For, as we know: Home is where the heart is. Hopefully where you reside is not in the heart of a dying person, because if it is you will soon go underground. At that point, you can feel free to panic. 


For those of you still reading, I hope I didn't cause any premature heart failure with the panic mode instruction. I don't know of any one of you who is named home.

This week was powerful, as my companion and I have been working hard on getting to know the members in our units. We are starting to get a lot of referrals and so I can see the work picking up here quite nicely. There is one family in an area called Emakhendeni, with 3 members (the parents are not members). Every saturday, the daughter, Flo (22), cooks a NICE dinner for the missionaries. The members love the missionaries; the mom is indifferent, goes to another church, but doesn't care to listen to the lessons at all; the baba drinks, smokes etc, has no church (possibly atheist) and doesn't like the missionaries too much. On one occasion before I got here, he apparently almost kicked the missionaries out of the house because of something they said. Anyway, their table is not in too good repair. They tried to have it fixed a while ago but the guys who did it did a zving job and it still has all the prior problems (which includes a part of the top not connected to the frame, and the entire table rotates to either side around a pivot point: the lone screw on both ends of the table). My companion and I are going to apply our limited woodworking knowledge and fix their table for them this saturday. Independant of this, (at least we think) saturday night, as we were getting ready to leave the family with a prayer, the baba said: "Go ahead and do your thing. Preach to us". Now, as missionaries haven't shared a lesson with the whole family in probably 'ever', we were kindof taken aback. Sadly, time didn't allow (we ended up walking in our gate at 9:30 so. . .), but we now have a goal. We can tell (from other things as well) that baba feels differently about us for some reason, and after we fix their table, that will get even better. We want to teach the whole family about the plan of salvation. That is now looking like a possiblity, and I think that it would be able to really help them for obvious reasons.

I am seeing our relationship with members improve quite well, and I am looking forward to some powerful changes in the next few weeks.

Well, I love you all tons.

Elder Williams, signing off.

HOME

-

photos Feb. 4

Feb. 4 2013

So, let me rewind a few days here. Elder Hansen works in Kuwadzana 2, while we work in kuwadzana 1. Monday, elder hansen and elder wyler go out to get an onion. As they leave the house, elder hansen says "something crazy is going to happen this week". Fast forward to thursday, as we have interviews with President Cook. Elder Hansen's visa, as well as those of most of his group, aren't working. They are, in essence, being deported, only the gov't probably doesn't even realize it. So, for the next 2 weeks, they are going to be in Zambia while they're visa's are fixed. Elder hansen has been working with a branch missionary for the last 8 weeks, but because a recent E.T. in the mission closed an area, things were switched around so there were no more branch missionaries needed! 

Elder Hansen's new companion, elder kgophola from South Africa, came on friday night, and then on sunday night, was taken to a nearby area in the zone to fill in for elder hontyo who was going with elder Hansen to Zambia. Long story made a little shorter, we got home in time to see them off, thinking at the time that their area was just going to be closed for the last two weeks of the transfer or that their ward was going to be in charge as they were hoping. When the AP's drove up in the Hiace, we loaded up the bags and asked the Assisstants what they wanted to do with the phone. Elder Matwale responded "You guys are going to be in charge of their area, so hold onto it".

So, now my companion and I are in charge of the other area. 

1 Large House

2 Missionaries.

2 Areas

2 full teaching pools

2 weeks

to add icing to the delicious cake, splits, as of this most recent Zone conference, can only be done with the bishopric and the Elder's Quorum Presidency. Ours isn't really available ever, and so we'll see about the other ward. But hey! It is going to be fun! So we will see how things work out in the next 2 weeks, splitting our efforts between our are and theirs, which is now kinda our area. We will probablt organize for the ward missionaries in the 2nd ward to teach some of the lessons to the investigators to help them be baptism ready. . . YAY!

We have a baba that we have been seeing and he has now been to church 2 times. When he was first introduced, he was told by a member, right in front of us, that the church would pay for his children's school. We tried to quickly explain that it wouldn't, and that he shouldn't let the PEF (perpetual education fund) be a motivation in getting baptized; for as we had just taught him, baptism is a sacred and serious covenant. He thought we were just trying to keep it secret, and it didn't surprise us at all to see him at church the first sunday. However, with the help of his new and improved fellowshipper, he now more fully understands that the church doesn't just pay for school, and it wasn't the "Rich people in America who paid for the chapel". Eish! this gets annoying when people try to do whatever they can to get people interested in the church! there are a lot of less active members in this area due to that sort of 'converting'. Well, we had a very solid talk with our member friend about it, so we hope that we won't have to deal with the problem in the future as we have in the past here. 

In other news, our powerful investigator prince will probably be moving sometime soon to another part of harare, because if he lives here under his father's roof, he cannot come to church and be baptized. So he is probably moving to Chitungwiza soon so he can be baptized. 

Also, I am now wearing a watch! I have never really been able to get myself to wear one, but I decided to. So, we'll see how it goes.

Well, I love you all so much! keep well, and stay safe!

enjoy winter!

~Elder Williams

--
Remember: Pray always, and look to the Lord. Write often, and live life to it's fullest.

Doubt is the seed of failure. ~Taggart Williams

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. ~God (D+C 6:36)

photos Jan. 2013

Jan 25, 2013

"If you get a 'fly so fast it reverses time itself' gadget, on your belt. . . lemme know. . ." "I'm batman. . . I carry things on my belt" "It's cool!" " cuz I'm Batman!" "Dude, it's cool!"

That's right. . . I carry things on my belt!

So, one thing I wanted to share with everyone was something one of our investigators, Prince, said. "Guys, I wanted to tell you something. As I have been reading from the Book of Mormon, I feel like I understand the Bible better! Plus, before I used to always have bad dreams, but ever since I started reading the Book of Mormon, I haven't had any more. This really is an amazing book." So, ya. I got a happy feeling when he said that. Now we just have to help him get to church again. He came once, but has been having some family issues and isn't able to come if his father forces him to stay home. . . yea.

We had the Hodges over on monday, and that was fun! We had a nice FHE and watched some of the Life of Christ videos. I really love having those at my disposal for seeing members and such. 

We are starting to work a little bit in a part of our area that doesn't see missionaries much, but it turns out it is a lot closer than we thought, so we are excited about that. We have some new people we have been teaching that are showing some promise and so we hope to really push for them to get baptized soon. The challenge is, they are all difficult to meet with! some of them we are only able to see one time a week, but we are making due. We also have a few families that are getting their marriages civilized and then will move on to baptism. 

well, I love you all. sorry for the short email, we are doing a lot today and I have got to get gone!

sarai zvakanaka!
~Elder Williams

-

Jan. 14, 2013

1st, on saturday night, I had a dream depicting myself teaching 2 people. In the dream, what I was teaching was not really getting to the man until I turned the focus on the woman. (When teaching, due to the mission's focus on fathers, I, naturally, focus on the father). I thought that the dream was in reference to teaching someone I know back home. As I got into a tracting lesson on sunday with bro dandara (our high priest group leader), I knew he had a bit of a tendancy to go deeper into doctrine than needed, and that I had never taught owith him on splits before, so I said a prayer that we would both be directed by the spirit, and that we could teach in unity. Near the beginning, the dream I had came strongly to mind, and I felt the impression to shift the focus to the mother, and, bippity, boppety, boo, things started moving. The lesson was very powerful and I felt the familiar push to stop speaking and brother Dandara was ready each time with the right info/testimony etc. It was very cool experience, and I surely felt the hand of the Lord. . . now to go back on wednesday! =P

Last night, my companion and I  were getting on a combi to head home for the last time in the week, and as we got on, I heard someone at the back of the combi (the seat behind me) say mormons, mormonism, and many other words in Shona to the person behind him. I was slightly perturbed, and after sitting down, turned over and greeted him. I commented on his 'mormon' centered dialog, and asked what he knew about the church. He responded that he had heard some things, and I told him that not everything you hear is true. I asked what he had heard, and he loosely mentioned the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. After talking to him a while it came out that he was actually a member. He had been baptized, but as he said he had never really received an answer about the Book of Mormon. Over the course of the combi ride home, I spoke to him about how he could really come to know the truth for himself, and the way his answer would come. The spirit was there, which was surprising for the environment, and I saw a definite change on his face when I exited the vehicle. He said he would come and visit us so that we could speak more. I know not if I will see him again, but I hope that I was able to make a positive impact and point him in the way he needs to go on his search for truth.


New quote from yours truly: "People do stupid things. Stupid people do stupid things again."

Anywho, nice week
love you all, even if you didn't write me! (but those of you who did write get an extra blessing, and maybe a kit-kat too. well, probably not the kit-kat)

~Elder Williams

--
Remember: Pray always, and look to the Lord. Write often, and live life to it's fullest.

Doubt is the seed of failure. ~Taggart Williams

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. ~God (D+C 6:36)

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birthday dinner

Jan. 7, 2013

This last week was a good one. We didn't have the fall-through issues we had the previous week, and so we had a bit more success. We had a father who has been less active for a while at church on Sunday, so that was very nice to see. On saturday, we had a fun time proselyting in the rain, and then having 3 tag-along member kids with us for the next hour as we struggled, fruitlessly, to find a house of a referral we had contacted. Oh how I miss organized house addresses! But nonetheless it was a fun time =P this is missionary work! walking around in soaking wet shoes, socks, pants with a 4 year old on your shoulders inviting people to church and asking for directions to a nonexistent house!

So, on my birthday, yup, you guessed it! We went to a steak house! It was practically american (the silver spur), and right before we got our food, my comp went up to the counter. When he came back he said "yup, it's american". Elder Hansen was surprised. I was oblivious. What was it that made them american? IDK. They continued talking about it, and then it hit me. "You told them it was my birthday, didn't you?" my comp asked what I meant, but I KNEW! and sure enough, after we order our milkshakes, this loud noise starts in the back. Suddenly, a group of employees comes over with a lit sparkler in a bowl of Ice-cream singing a crazy cool birthday song I had never heard before! I did not, however, record it. On the bright side, Elder Hansen's birthday is feb 9, so we will go back and I will record it then. We started teaching a new family this week, and we are hoping that it will go somewhere. One of the moms there has cancer and is not doing too hot, and we gave her a blessing (at her request), but there was no promise of recovery. It was for peace and comfort. We are going to be baptizing a family this weekend (jan 12) and so we are excited, and so are they.

 

love you all tons! keep on keepin on.

~Elder Williams

Christmas 2012

Fah! lahlala fah lalala Ding Dong Ring Rong Fing Fong Sing Song malalalalalala merry christmas! farararararararara merry christmas. . . DING, RONG FING, SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yup
It is that time of the year
to top it off! the world is over!
oh wait? it isn't? what is this? the mayans apparently didn't predict the end of the world. . . big surprise. . . =(

well, it's ok, because it is CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!

This just in! This last week was a good one! we had an investigator we haven't been able to see for a week or so and were ready to drop him if he didn't come to church saturday morning comes around, and we set him as an appointment around 3. We got a call from a random number that didn't respond upon call back at around 8am that morning. Turns out, it was him. We get to his house, and he says "Oh good! you came. Rumbidzai (the other person we found him through) is waiting for us". Now, we are like "what? how did he know we were coming?" so, Rumbidzai apparently still wasn't interested, but we were able to hep him out, and he was at church on sunday!

For those of you who remember my attempted farewell talk (the one that was supposed to be 10 minutes and was like 5) and how I really hate speaking. . . Well, last week I was approached by our bishop and was asked to give a talk. I said sure, and got the topic: The atonement of Christ. I prepared the talk mostly by just thinking about the atonement, and picking about 2-3 scriptures about different sections.

Might I say, when I got there and there were 3 speakers including me, and the other 2 only ysa/youth aged, I was sure my talk would be longer than the 10 min I was told originaly. I was approached by a member of the bishopric and he (a powerful RM, Brother Tadokera) told me sorry, but my talk would need to be about 25 minutes. I felt prepared, however. When the time came, I was ready. My talk started with the allusion between sin and leprosy (using the story from mark 1:40-42 about the leper being cleansed) and moved into how the atonement helps us in our lives, what it entailed, what we need to do etc. I was doing well, when brother tadokera put a note on the pulpit saying I could cut at 10:55 (I started at about 10:40) because they had another speaker show up. So, around that time I wound down, even though I could have kept going with the subject. I really enjoyed it and it showed me what happens when you really rely on the Lord for assistance rather than relying 'on the arm of flesh'.

Good times. Also, we have a family, the dhomingo's, who are preparing for baptism on jan 12, and we are excited for them! they are doing well and are loving the gospel so far.

Anywho, things are well this side, and we are having one of the senior couples in the mission over for FHE tonight! it is going to be great, and we prepared Cajun Chicken, so it will be delish!


love you all, have a merry christmas, and I will talk to you again once I am 21!
~Witchdoctor Williams


-- 
Remember: Pray always, and look to the Lord. Write often, and live life to it's fullest.

Doubt is the seed of failure. ~Taggart Williams

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. ~God (D+C 6:36)