tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58379139904706217002024-03-18T20:16:46.110-07:00A Mission of Inestimable Worthjgreenmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808404791641575054noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-65308209804878008472014-04-08T10:39:00.001-07:002014-04-08T10:39:31.416-07:00They Said Two Years Would Pass By Quickly. Can Anyone Say, "Understatement"?<div class="p1">
I'd like o start off this letter saying that my mission has been the best two years of my life, but.....I'd also like to make it clear that it has been the best two years for my life. I know of no other oportunity in the world for an 18 or 19 year old young man or woman to be able to learn so much, in so little time, at a great price. Serving a two year mission for the Lord has changed my life. The Lord has changed me. </div>
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<span class="s2"><i>35 </i></span><i>Nevertheless they did </i><span class="s3"><i><sup>a</sup></i><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/3.35?lang=eng#"><span class="s4"><i>fast</i></span></a></span><i> and </i><span class="s3"><i><sup>b</sup></i><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/3.35?lang=eng#"><span class="s4"><i>pray</i></span></a></span><i> oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their </i><span class="s3"><i><sup>c</sup></i><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/3.35?lang=eng#"><span class="s4"><i>humility</i></span></a></span><i>, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the </i><span class="s3"><i><sup>d</sup></i><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/3.35?lang=eng#"><span class="s4"><i>purifying</i></span></a></span><i> and the </i><span class="s3"><i><sup>e</sup></i><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/3.35?lang=eng#"><span class="s4"><i>sanctification</i></span></a></span><i> of their hearts, which sanctification cometh </i><b><i>because of their </i></b><span class="s3"><b><i><sup>f</sup></i></b><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/3.35?lang=eng#"><span class="s4"><b><i>yielding</i></b></span></a></span><span class="s5"><b> </b></span><b><i>their hearts unto God</i></b><i>.</i></div>
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The Lord can't do anything with our weaknessess unless we allow Him to do so. One of the lessons I've learned is the importance to recognize my weaknesses. If recognition doesn't take place then it is't fairly hard for us to have the desire to repent and change something we don't think needs to be changed. Repentance is long lasting and real when it comes from an inner desire to change. I've taught many investigators that took steps towards repentance just to please us or other people, but when I saw in other investigators a sincere desire to follow Christ and repent of their sins, that is when I saw true conversion. I still have many weaknesses and know that the Lord will continue to help me with those as long as I recognize them. Another interesting thing is that 30 years down the road I'll recognize in me a weakness that I knew I had. I wonder what I can do to accelerate this process of repentance? </div>
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The second thing I learned is the importance of doing the small things like daily prayer, scripture study, and obedience. While keeping these things as part of my daily life I know that It will be easier to recognize the things that I need to do better. </div>
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Another important thing that I have learned on my mission is the key to happiness. First off....happiness is a choice, and happiness comes through our righteous choices. It is not dependant on our circumstances, but how we choose to react to our circumstances. Money does not bring happiness. I have seen countless families who struggle financially but have a deep happiness that is found in their daily choices to follow Jesus Christ. However, what does one do when they are making righteous decisions and are following Jesus Christ but still feel discouraged or depressed? This is when I remember Mosiah 24:10-16. I know that when we pray for help after we've done everything we can, the Lord will do the rest.</div>
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I've learned the importance of the family. I've been blessed to serve in this country at this time when, as missionaries, we have focused on teaching and baptizing and helping <b>families </b>go to the temple<b>. </b>Because of this focus, my entire mission I have interacted with so many amazing families. Amazing, because I saw the change that came into their lives as they took the steps to follow Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families, that is one of the first points in the Restoration. </div>
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I have also learned more of the importance of not only doing things, but doing them well. For example, I don't know how many times I've taught the Restoration lesson on my mission but what I do know, is that tonight when I teach the new family we have marked it will be the first time they will hear this message. It doesn't matter how many times I've done it in the past, but this next one needs to be the best. Throughout the rest of my life there will be many other things that I will do repeatedly everyday. For example, in my career.. Every next day needs to be better than the other.</div>
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I know the atonement is powerful, eternal, and perfect, if it weren't then one day we also wouldn't be able to become powerful, eternal, and perfect. I know that the true Church of God is once more upon the earth. I love Mozambique and these people. I love to serve. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.</div>
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-Elder Greenman</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-1267464499427692482014-04-07T08:11:00.003-07:002014-04-07T08:12:57.803-07:00Letter From the Mission President<div class="p1">
(We received this form letter to all the parents of the Mozambican missionaries today)<br />
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Dear Parents and Leaders of Missionary from Mozambique Maputo Mission,</div>
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Your missionary is doing great. All are in good health and today we are having zero problems with that and obedience. The mission is growing and the Sacrament attendance is growing each Sunday.</div>
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About 20 months a go the Sacrament attendance was 1700 in 18 branches. Today the Lord bless us with 3200 total in 24 branches. It's a miracle. What your missionary is doing here is amazing and have no words to thank you for prepare such a great missionary. I think we can have wonderful missionaries in other missions even great ones like we have here, but not better. We really enjoy work with them and my wife love them as her own sons and daughters. They are adorable!</div>
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Please, keep praying for them, and the families that they are working with. By the way, since we start to mesure that, (Dec2012) the Lord bless us and they baptize 274 complete families! Is not a miracle? More than 85% of than is active on the church!</div>
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Our next big goal is send these families to the Temple this year, will be a big challenge, but for God nothing in impossible, and our missionaries knows that.</div>
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Thanks again for all you doing to help them and lift them.</div>
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With love and appreciation,</div>
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President and Sister Kretly</div>
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ps. please, be aware that today is holiday here in Mozambique and you son or daughter will write for you only tomorrow.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-89091200559402476352014-04-03T09:42:00.001-07:002014-04-03T11:14:05.766-07:00Maputo Zone Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-42145009463075404652014-03-31T11:25:00.000-07:002014-04-02T05:36:37.347-07:00Second to the Last LetterThis is Andrew's mom. We received his letter this morning, all in Spanish, and I wanted to give a little update, so I will translate a part of it for you.<br />
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My mission has been the best thing in my life and for my life up until now. I want to write you and thank you for all the support and prayers in my behalf. This week went well. We taught a new family, who came to church! We have three complete families in our Sunday Meetings: Ronaldo and Iva, Nelson and Louisa and Cremildo and Celia.<br />
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After church we had a Ward Council Meeting. A member from the district presidency was in attendance and he taught us and the auxiliaries how to have an effective ward council. He always used the Administration manual in order to respond to the questions and concerns each had. I learned much from this President Mateus. The manner in which he used love and patience in training the members will always remain in my mind. The Church is growing very rapidly here, but they need more reinforcement. We are working hard to teach the leaders and the members to do their important part.<br />
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This week we are having the Zone Conference and I am excited to learn from President Kretly.<br />
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...Next week will be my last letter. I ask you to send me questions so that I can respond with anything you want to know about.<br />
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The pictures below are of my companions and I in back of President Kretly's vehicle. We were asked to design a poster that will inspire some interest in our church. This is what we came up with. (It translates as "Do you want to have a happy family? Call this number...") The second picture is of a special family the Elder Gray and I taught. They have not been baptized yet, but someday will be. <br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-66205060533463751512014-03-24T20:06:00.000-07:002014-03-30T20:18:40.292-07:00President Said I Could Extend till May!!!!<div class="p1">
(The most common starting line in all of my letters :) </div>
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This week went by really fast. No really....it went by way too fast. What made it go fast?</div>
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We had lots of work to do in the office this week and at the same time lots to do in the area. </div>
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As far as the office goes: There are two "Prezies" that we've been working on. One for Zone Conference, which is this and next week. The second is a training that President Kretly will be giving to all the members about the importance of family history work and the "my family" booklet. This past week we were able to finish them both. However, because of all of the work we had to do in the office, there were three days that we were't able to get to the area. The other days we made up for it though. We still got 40 qualified contacts and taught a nice new family. This week we had a family home evening with Nelson and Louisa along with Carlos and Ana and it went very well. Nelson and Louisa and their kids, Cynthia and Julinho, are doing very well. They've developed the habit of family scripture study and family prayer. It's starting to become a habit for them, even their little kids of 9 and 6 years are starting to participate in the family prayers.</div>
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We had to move Rondaldo and Iva's baptismal date back to the first week of april because they don't have all their marriage documents yet. They came to church this week and instead of being late they were early, which was super nice, especially because this past sunday was branch conference. The attendance for our branch was a record high too! There were 256 people in our sacrament meeting in the maputo 2 branch. </div>
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-Elder Greenman</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-371878901520451082014-03-17T21:54:00.000-07:002014-03-22T21:54:19.180-07:00Significant Sacrament<div class="p1">
This week went by very well, and very fast. Last monday we drove to Matola to pick up Elder Santos, our new companion. I respect Elder Santos so very much. He is an example to me of what happens when someone does everything they can to reach their potencial. Elder Santos did not speak english before the mission. Now he speaks very well. He has learned a lot about how to be a leader. Elder Williams and I feel privileged to serve with him and prepare him to be the next assistant to the president. </div>
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Quick update on the families that we are teaching:</div>
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Ronaldo and Iva came to church together, (they did come late, but we'll teach about the importance of the Sabbath day this week) Ronaldo and Iva are reading in the book of mormon. One of our focuses this week with him will be to help him read even more. Iva on the other hand is reading really well and is past 1 Nephi 10. They still haven't seemed to get all their documents yet. This week we'll teach about the importance of the plan of salvation. It will help them understand why they need to follow God's commandments on earth and follow them now. (Alma 34)</div>
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I mentioned in last week's letter about two new families that we taught:</div>
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Julião and Amparo as well as Nelson and Nayomi. This week we haven't been able to sit with Nelson and Nayomi, but we were able to sit with Julião and Amparo last night. We taught them the plan of salvation. The lesson went very well. Julião and Amparo are people that have a greater understanding of things. They are both very smart, He's a business consultor and she's an accountant. Along with that they are both religious and have their understanding of things pertaining to God. The plan o salvation however was able to clear a few thins up for them. They have a lot of question about it that we weren't able to answer last night. We'll be sitting with them again tomorrow to talk more about it.</div>
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We sat with Neslon and Louisa this week. Man!, this family is special. They live with their two children: Cynthia (9) and Julinho (6) They accepted the restoration very openly. We left them with two book of mormons and committed them to read as a family every day. Louisa doesn't know how to read very well, so she follows along as her husband reads. They are progressing! We sat with them three times this week. and.....they came to church! We went by their house early in the morning before church to walk with them. Our area is about 30 minutes away by foot. (That is at a missionary walking speed) A family with their two younger children can take 40-60 minutes to get to church. These people have so much faith. They enjoyed church a lot and we'll be teaching them tonight as well.</div>
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Carlos and Ana are doing well. Carlos is converted, he's reading the book of mormon and is gaining a solid testimony that this is God's church. It's seems like half of his family is splitting though. Ana is still very strong in her church and doesn't show a lot of excitement at the thought of suddenly leaving and joining another church. She has friends there, many of which she helped them start going there. One of her concerns this week was why we take the sacrament every week, and why it isn't wine with bread. It's so important to understand the importance of the sacrament. If an investigator truly understands, then he won't become inactive. Many people go inactive because of something they did, or that was done to them that could simply have been taken care of by taking the sacrament and renewing their course. We explained to Ana that the sacrament is simply renewing our baptismal covenants. We explained that none of us is perfect and we need to renew and realign ourselves with God weekly. Before my mission I didn't understand the importance of the sacrament. (The funny thing is, is that 40 years from now I'll look back at this time in my life and say the same thing. We are always growing and deepening our understanding and testimony of Christ and His Atonement) Carlos has been to church 4 times in a row. The first time he only came with one of his kids. The second time he came with two. The third time he came with his wife and one of his sons (Nando) and the fourth time, which was yesterday, he came with three of his kids. It won't be long before the kids start coming every week. Ana will eventually see a difference in her kids and her husband and will desire the same thing. Tonight we will be doing a FHE at their house. We're bringing the Relief Society president along with Nelson and Louisa with their two kids. Elder Hamilton, when he came to our mission, said that FHE may be our secret weapon to unify families. I know for a fact that FHE does help the family stay united.</div>
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This week we made it into the double digits for investigators at church, and we want to keep it that way. The Lord is blessing our area and it's starting to build up. If we are able to get the marriage process open with Ronaldo and Iva this week then they'll be married on the 29th of March. We hope they can get baptized on the same day as well but we want to make sure that they are converted to the gospel not the idea of a new thing and getting married.</div>
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Well, thats all folks! have a great week!</div>
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-Elder Greenman</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-71947009795386735232014-03-10T21:41:00.000-07:002014-03-22T21:50:00.582-07:00Vision Precedes Our Victories<div class="p1">
This week went very well. Some of our time was spent with the 5 new missionaries that came in this transfer.</div>
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-Elder Greenman</div>
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P.S. The Lord blesses us so much in our area! To start off, Ronaldo and Iva are doing very well. They will probably be able to get the rest of their marriage documents this week. Their baptismal date is on the 29th of March. Two of the Sister missionaries married and baptized a family this past weekend so we invited Ronald and Iva to come to the marriage and baptism. They loved it and are excited for their turn. They are also reading the Book of Mormon which is the most important commitment for their conversion. (They are doing well, for some reason though, they didn't come to church yesterday. Because of that we went by their house to see how they were doing.) </div>
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After we left their house we saw a man sitting down just outside the gate to his house. He was spending time with his little two year old. We started talking with him and 5 minutes later we were inside the gate teaching his family. Their names are Julião and Amparo. They are such a wonderful family. They understood very well, in fact they had contact with missionaries about a year ago but ended up moving to a different area... our area. After that we went and taught another new family, Nelson and Nayomi. They are already officially married, and they have a car. The lesson started outside their house but when it started to rain we went inside. That's when it poured. We continued teaching, and they continued listening and asking questions. The lesson was very powerful. We gave them a book of mormon and invited them to read it to find out if God's church really is on earth or not. They accepted the challenge. After the closing prayer that Nelson gave we made our way out the door. It had stopped raining hard, but their entire property was flooded with about 4-5 inches of water, and not only their property, but all the roads as well. He stood at the doorway and said something to us. He said, "Élders, when I told you that I would read the Book of Mormon, I was lying. But now, I will read it."</div>
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It was such a good lesson! we'll be visiting these two new families again tomorrow. Elder Williams and I are really excited for this next transfer that is starting today. In fact we will both be getting a new companion, that is I'll be getting a new companion, and Elder Williams will be getting a companion that he'd already served with. We'll be serving in a threesome with Elder Santos. Elder Williams served in Matola as a Zone Leader with Elder Santos, and now Elder Santos will come serve with us. Elder Williams and I will train him to become the next AP because Elder Williams and I will be leaving at the end of this transfer. </div>
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I think it's safe to say that Elder Santos is the most Christlike missionary in this mission. He's from Cape Verde, is 27 years old, has already finished college, and was a convert to the church 3 years ago. What a sacrifice that he made to serve a mission. I'm very glad that he'll be coming to serve with us. He's very intelligent, before the mission he was a high school math teacher. We'll be picking him up tonight after we work in our area.</div>
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Okay now back to my subject line: Vision Precedes our Victories.</div>
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This is something that I've learned on my mission and will continue to learn throughout the rest of my life. What is Vision? Vision is a perception of what one can accomplish. A lack of vision will cause a lack of victories in the future (Victories, meaning growth and success). Many people in the world have a lack of vision. Some of those same people, however, do not lack because they don't care about their future, they just don't know yet what they want to do or what they want to accomplish. What a blessing it is for me to have an understanding of my potential, my divine worth and destiny. I've wondered about what a person can do when he or she doesn't have an idea of what their vision should be. </div>
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"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." Is there a better place to turn to when we have a lack of vision? I believe not, especially because God can help us not only obtain a vision, but a divine vision, not a worldly vision. </div>
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God created all things spiritually before they were physically created. Their are two creations: there is the blueprint of the house, then there is the actual built house that come later with hard work and time. On a mission there is a lot of vision time, that is planning time. There is a daily planning session every night, there is also weekly planning every Thursday. All of this gives us a vision of what we will accomplish. </div>
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I've learned on the mission the importance of not letting life just happen, but to act and create oportunities for me to enjoy this life and the next one.</div>
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The mission is great, and it's quite the once in a lifetime experience. There is only one time for a young man or woman to learn this much in such a little bit of time, and it's the mission. I'll never regret it!</div>
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-Elder Greenman<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-3805555506897952014-03-03T21:35:00.000-08:002014-04-03T21:12:22.979-07:00Elder Greenman and Elder Williams with Elder Santos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-61941585797328346942014-02-24T05:49:00.000-08:002014-03-03T06:00:13.555-08:00Sprains and Satisfactions<div class="p1">
Well I sprained my ankle last monday....which put our area on hold until about Wednesday. It was a pretty bad sprain, but it got better so quickly. By Wednesday I was walking fine again. Tuesday morning we had an interesting experience. President called us saying that TVM (The biggest TV company in Mozambique) was going to do a program on our church and wanted to interview a few people. Tuesday morning we went over to the Matola chapel to set things up and make everything look pretty. They interviewed two elders and two sisters. Elder Williams was one of the missionaries to get interviewed. It's good that the Church's name will get out to more people now.</div>
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This week the Lord blessed us with more families to teach. We've been having a hard time trying to sit with Richard and Belinha this past week, but this week we will. Now about the family of ten....this family is so special. We sat with them on Saturday morning. Actually, we basically just sat with Carlos, the father, and a few of his kids. We had taught the family the Book of Mormon previously, but we hadn't taught Carlos yet, so that was what we were going to teach. We had asked President Nihoa, our branch president to come with us. I will never forget the lesson we had because it was so powerful and spiritual. We really prepared for the lesson in our personal and companionship studies. When we arrived we found out that he had already started reading the Book of Mormon and was in 1 Nephi, chapter 16. We were so shocked, we hadn't even asked him to read it yet, he had done all of this on his own. Using questions we were able to help him understand more about the purpose of the Book of Mormon. President Nihoa's testimony and conversion story was very important and essential to the lesson. Carlos has truly been prepared to hear this message. This week we will continue working with the rest of the family. He came to church this week with one of this sons. </div>
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Also, this week we found another very special family: Ronaldo and Iva. We found them by accident, actually not by accident, it was a blessing. We knocked on a door thinking it was the house of another contact we had made. He answered the door and helped us know where the house was that we were looking for. After that we asked him if he lived there with his wife and he said that he did. We asked if they had a little bit of time to hear a very special message about families. He said yes. We sat with him and his wife, Iva. They understood very well the restoration and accepted baptism, and accepted to come to church. They came. </div>
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Church was so good yesterday. The principles of the gospel teacher didn't show up so I gave the class. The lesson was on the Holy Ghost and it was such a good class; the spirit was so strong. I love teaching principles of the gospel class because I can tailor it for our investigators and their needs as well as the needs of all the other people present. </div>
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Another blessing this week was that we were able to walk with Elder Marqueza. Elder Marqueza is from the north of Mozambique, Nampula. He went to the brazil MTC to start his mission for Angola, but when he arrived at the airport in Brazil he was treated very poorly by the airport police. He had all the legal documentation he needed, but they insisted that he was a fugitive and they sent him all the way back to Mozambique. He has been teaching with us this week and it really has been a great experience.</div>
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Yesterday, the Lord blessed us with, yet, another family. Orlando and Felizmina. They Are Special and accepted baptism in the first 3 minutes of the lesson, and at the end of the lesson they accepted a date for March 22. I love teaching, there is no greater calling!</div>
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-Elder Greenman</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-16851552992759238392014-02-17T20:47:00.000-08:002014-02-17T20:47:08.481-08:00The Pursuit of Happiness<div class="p1">
My testimony of God’s eternal plan has grown so much this week. Elder Williams and I have had more effective studies this week. One of the things that we studied was charity. The pure love of Christ is such an essential part of missionary work. You can have the best rhetoric, the best smile, the best understanding and ability to use the language, but until you sincerely love the people you teach, and until they feel that love, they will not progress towards a true and real conversion. Of course, I’ve always loved the people I teach and come in contact with, but there is a difference between that and what I’m just starting to experience in these past few months. I love Heavenly Father’s children here in Mozambique. It’s quite a powerful feeling when I’m in a lesson with my companion teaching a beautiful family. These families that we teach are all so different, all of them have different difficulties, different dreams, different drives; but, all of us, EVERYONE on earth has one desire in common. We are all in the pursuit of happiness. Clearly what brings happiness to one may bring disappointment and shame to another. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ can help us change our paradigm and to truly see what is happiness. I’ve begun to look at things a little differently, trying to understand more why people do certain things a certain way because they hope it will bring them happiness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is what brings happiness in the fullest and most eternal form. </div>
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Yesterday Elder Williams and I sat with Richard and Belinha. They were found about a week ago when we talked with Belinha at her home as she was doing some housework (I can’t really remember what, maybe she was washing clothes). We asked if her husband was home. She explained that he wasn’t—he usually leaves the house right after work to pass time with his friends (I’m grateful to my father for the example that he gives me. I can’t imagine what it would be like if my dad arrived from work and only stayed long enough take a shower and head out). Anyway…back to Richard and Belinha: we asked her what time he would usually arrive home from work. She told us that he would usually come at 17:30; she also hinted that Richard wasn’t much of a church going guy. So, knowing that, we made a surprise visit during the week and they were all there. We sat with them, along with a few of their neighbors outside their front door. The lesson went pretty well. We could definitely tell that he wasn’t much of a church going guy, and we could tell that she was, but, that she was and felt good where she was at already. We still committed them to baptism, they accepted to pray to know if it was true. Yesterday when we went back for another surprise follow up visit, now our second lesson, she was busy doing some household stuff, and he was busy watching soccer. He accepted to sit with us, but she said that she was too busy to. After starting with a prayer we explained our purpose to Richard. We explained why we were there; we talked about our family and the happiness that we have. I felt such a profound love for him. The majority of the lesson was just asking him questions and listening. We started asking, “Richard, why do you work so hard? What drives you to work?” He explained that it was to sustain his family. We asked, “Why is it important to you to sustain your family?” He explained that it’s because he wants them to be happy. There we see it….everyone is in the pursuit of happiness. We helped him recognize that, we helped him see that we were also there to help him sustain his family, but to also sustain them spiritually. At this point, Elder Williams declared, “Richard, you have so much potential. Did you know that?” Richard said that he didn’t. The Spirit was strong—he felt of our love—his wife was still listening in and had, at this point, given up on the house work and sat down to listen. Richard and Belinha do have so much potential. They don’t know it yet, even I can’t fully comprehend my potential. We’re excited to help them discover the truth. </div>
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Also this week we sat with a family of 10 people. Yup, and they all accepted baptism. They are all very intelligent and are very involved in their own church. I know that they will be able to make the change. We taught Paulo and Elsa this week. We taught them the law of chastity. We tried hard to get a member there with us, but it didn’t work out. However, we still came prepared. We came with a few object lessons and the lesson went very well. At first they were skeptical. We taught with an object lesson, then Elsa was committed, but Paulo wasn’t quite yet. So we did the second object lesson. I took an 8 x 11 sheet of paper out of my bag and gave it to Paulo and asked him if it were possible to make a hole in the paper large enough for him to pass through. He said "no." We told him that it would be possible to fit his whole family in. He wasn’t quite sold on that yet. As my companion expounded on the Law of chastity, I began to take the paper and tore it this way and that until it created a very big circle. We asked them all to stand (Paulo and Elsa, with their two little kids). They were amazed as they saw the peace of paper go around them and their kids. There was still room for Elder Williams and I as well. As we were on our feet, one more time we committed them, “Paulo, Will you follow the Law of Chastity?” He said yes, and so confirmed the spirit to him. </div>
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The week was a good one, Elder Williams and I will continue to work our best and trust in the Lord. Thank you all for your support.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-25245702856807729312014-02-11T06:59:00.001-08:002014-02-11T07:30:04.399-08:00Miracles Proceed From Obedience to Counsel<div class="p1">
This week was another miracle-filled week. As Elder Williams and I apply the things we learned with Elder Hamilton we are seeing more and more success. This week we got more than 20 referrals from the people we spoke with on the street. We taught various new families as well. We’ve managed to spend the majority of our time in our area. Our area is starting to pick up. One thing for sure, is that there are a lot of families here. This week alone we got 99 qualified contacts, or in other words, spoke with 99 men who had their own family who accepted to receive our message. </div>
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Paulo and Elsa are doing very well. They came to church together, along with their children. Ernesto, their son did not run away this time. In fact he helped his family remember how to get to church. </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-53947665805388455842014-02-04T09:33:00.002-08:002014-02-04T09:33:14.784-08:00Quite the Week<div class="p1">
As you all know, at the beginning of last week, Elder Williams and I flew up to Beira for the zone conference with Elder Hamilton. We flew up one day before, so Elder Williams and I went around visiting some of the families that we had taught while in Manga and Beira. That was an incredible experience. In the afternoon Elder Williams and I went to visit Macha and Eulalia in Manga. Elder Mason and I had taught them, but I was transferred before they were baptized. It was so good to see them again and see the great change that has taken place in their lives. We sang a hymn with them and talked about the temple, and what they need to do to get there. </div>
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Zone conference was on Tuesday. Elder Hamilton taught us so many things. One thing that was brought up were referrals from members, investigators, and anyone we talk with. It's so true, we need to ask everyone for referrals. Elder Hamilton made a few promises to us. He said, "If you will do this you will have more people to teach than you can handle...you will be shocked by how many people enter into your teaching pool." Elder Williams and I decided to put that to the test. We started asking everyone for referrals and this week we got 13!</div>
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After zone conference we went on divisions with the Beira Zone Leaders. After that we boarded a flight at midnight to Maputo. The next day we woke up and went to pick up President and Sister Kretly, along with the Hamiltons. On Thursday, we had the Maputo zone conference. Elder Hamilton interviewed Elder Williams and I after the conference; it was a very special experience. </div>
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With everything that went on this week, Elder Williams and I had little time in our area, but when we were in our area we did make the most of it. We sat with three new families, two, of which, we taught together on Saturday night. It was already almost 9 pm. So we only spent 15 minutes with them. We went into the lesson inviting them to come to church the next day and of the four, only one said that she could come. By the end of the fifteen minutes, they all committed to come. We followed a powerful tool in Preach my gospel chapter 11. </div>
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1. Ask direct questions</div>
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2. Promise blessings</div>
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4. Follow-up</div>
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That night we taught Agusto and Rosalina along with Paulo and Elsa. We were at Agusto's house. Paulo, at the time, told us that he lived there as well. However, we found out later that he said this because he was self conscious of the small house that he had, so he brought his family to Agusto's place. </div>
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The next day we woke up and went out the door to walk with them to church. Church starts at 10:00, so we got there by 8:15. Elsa was there with Rosalina at Agusto's house. Elsa was ready to go, along with her two kids. Paulo had gone to work, but was going to leave early in order to go to church. Agusto was inside the house getting ready, and Rosalina was cleaning dishes, saying that she wasn't going to make it—saying that she wanted to go visit her father. We told her that her Father in Heaven also wanted a visit. We waited for an hour at their house when something changed in Rosalina and she accepted to come. We started off walking to church, only an hour walk is all. Elder Williams and I walked with Ernesto, Paulo and Elsas oldest son, who is 6 years old. Elder Williams on the right and I on the left, we helped Ernesto keep a solid pace all the way to the church. It was a very hot fast sunday. We arrived at 10:10. Not too late. We took the kids to primary and showed the way for Agusto, Paulo and their wives. Church was really good. During sacrament meeting, Paulo leaned over to Elder Williams and asked, "Where's Ernesto?" They hadn't seen him since we dropped him off at primary.</div>
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Elder Williams left the sacrament room, went up the stairs, looked in all of the classes, looked outside, and we did not find him. Church was still going on, but we left in the car to Agusto's house to see if, by some way or another, Ernesto, the 6 year old, managed the one hour walk through a big city all the way to his house. He didn't! Ernesto wasn't at the house. We arrived back to the church just as the meeting ended. We spoke with the Branch presidency and organized a team to start looking through the city. The Elders quorum president went with Paulo and Agusto to the police station. Elsa was crying. We left the mothers in the chapel with the sister missionaries and went off with a million prayers in our hearts. After about an hour, Paulo got a call from his neighbor saying that Ernesto was there. We were all relieved and amazed that he had managed to get there. We went back to the chapel and said a prayer of thanks with Elsa and the others that were there. </div>
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These two families sure have faith! Can you imagine two young men coming to your home saturday night and promising that your life will change if you come to their church? How would you be feeling after the hour walk in the hot sun? How would you feel when you find out your son is lost? Last night we taught them the first lesson with President Kretly. It was a very powerful lesson. They are super great families. They accepted baptism, and they said that they did feel something different at church. I know that the Spirit really helped them. I know the church it true!</div>
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Elder Williams and I have high expectations for the next few month.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-55502688392391344502014-01-27T08:56:00.000-08:002014-02-02T09:09:20.334-08:00A Brand New Transfer<div class="p1">
A lot has definitely happened in the past few weeks. (Editor's Note: Andrew did not write a letter last week due to the fact that he had no P-day--He had transfers that day, plus the busy-ness of an audit process) The audit that happened last week was a really good experience. I could definitely see myself going into finances. I'm still going to go into business, but I'm pretty sure finances are an essential part of that.</div>
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On last week's Saturday night, my companion, Elder Brandao was transferred to Maxixe. For the next two days, until Monday I stuck with the Office Elders while I waited for Elder Williams to come from Matola. I really like Elder Williams. I went on a division with hime about three weeks ago, and we had a lot of success on that division. Now is no different. The Lord has blessed Elder Williams and I much this week. We've had a lot of good time in our area. We sat with about five new families this week. This past week Elder Williams and I prepared the zone conference presentation. This zone conference is going to be super nice! Some of the things that will be talked about are:</div>
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President will talk about the life of two servants. Gehazi, servant of Elisha, and Samuel, of Eli. Gehazi was ungrateful and did not have his heart in the right place. He saw many miracles but did not benefit from them. Samuel was humble and learned much as he grew in the ways of the Lord. The question is: What kind of servant do we want to be for the Lord?</div>
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Elder Hamilton, of the Seventy arrived in Mozambique on Saturday. He went straight to Beira for the district conference there. It rained a lot, but we still had a turnout of over 1000 people. Zone conference in Beira will be tomorrow, and in Maputo, it will be on Thursday. Elder Williams and I were actually able to fly up to Beira for the zone conference. Yes...I'm currently in Beira. It's so nice to be here, it feels like home. Elder Williams and I want to spend the P-day visiting the families that we've taught here. </div>
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The plane ride here was quite the adventure. Ever heard of turbulence? ya...there was a lot. Was my heart thumping like crazy? Yes! Did we make it safely? Yes! </div>
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Elder Williams and I are learning much</div>
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(Editor's Note: These pictures came from Andrew's Mission President's Blog, Thanks goes to him, since Andrew has misplaced his camera...or a monkey got a hold of it again!)</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-27731438575955397052014-01-13T09:00:00.002-08:002014-01-13T09:00:48.735-08:00Malaria, Not Me This Time <div class="p1">
Yup.... my companion, Elder da Silva got Malaria. He's a native from Mozambique and has had it before, so it didn't last too long. He's fine now.</div>
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On Wednesday I went on a division out in Matola. Last time we did a division with the Zone Leaders there, I stayed in Maputo with Elder Santos. This time, Elder Santos came to be with Elder Bra</div>
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ndão, and I went to Matola to be with Elder Williams. Elder Williams is one of the most solid missionaries I know. He's a natural leader and is doing so much with Elder Santos to help Matola. The division we had went really well. After we went out the door, we only had to wait about 8 minutes before it started pouring rain on us. We didn't go back. We just continued walking. After another 20 minutes nobody seemed to be out on the streets. Along the streets of Matola there were a few bus stops where some people gathered hiding from the rain. We walked from bus stop to bus stop contacting the men there. I don't think I could have been more wet if I were swimming. Regardless of that, we kept working hard, searching for those families that the Lord was preparing for us to find that day. We ended up finding 16 families that day that accepted our invitation to visit them. We also had 10 new investigators that day. We sat with two new families. The first one was in the late afternoon. Many of our lessons had fallen through, and the sun was back out. (the funny thing is, is that I had become completely dry after a few hours in the sun.)<br />
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We were walking in an area called Liberdade, at the time there weren't any men on the road, but there were two little boys playing. We asked them if their parents were home. They said yes. We asked again, just to make sure that both of their parents were home. They were. The house was close by, and we managed to sit with the entire family. The lesson went very well. I find it interesting that the Lord most often blesses us with these great families in the very moment that things are hardest. We just need to choose to have a good attitude all the way. On the division, we could have let the early morning rain affect us, we could have let the dropped lessons get us down, but because we didn't we were able to recognize the blessings that the Lord had in store for us.</div>
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I know that in my life I have lost opportunities because I was looking down. The opportunities were still there, but I didn't recognize them. I believe that the Lord always gives his children opportunities, and we need to keep our head, and spirits up. </div>
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I really enjoyed the division with Elder Williams.</div>
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This week we will be preparing for an audit this weekend, and the audit will be closely followed by a visit from Elder Hamilton of the 70 at the end of this month.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-64853512787321215672014-01-10T07:35:00.001-08:002014-01-10T07:45:46.277-08:00Elder Greenman with ArmandoElders Largent and Greenman met and baptized Armando last year.<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-28138097571122116862013-12-30T07:40:00.000-08:002014-01-10T07:42:38.860-08:00Happy New Year!<div class="p1">
This week was wonderful. We had zone conference on tuesday. We learned a lot about desire, and miracles. We were also given the oportunity to write our own personal mission statement. I started, but it's a process and throughout these next few month i'll be thinking and discovering what that is. We had Zone conference at the new Matola chapel. After the zone conference we all drove to the mission office where we had skits and a delicious dinner. We ended up piling 14 missionaries into our ford ranger. I wish we had a picture. And yes it was safe. </div>
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On christmas day we helped and organized the Elders who skyped home to talk with their parents. Because an Elder can't be alone on the computer I was in the room when Elder Williams called his parents. Elder Williams is from Pleasant Grove utah and is one of the zone leaders in Matola. I was able to meet his wonderful family. It was a really good experience. While Elder Williams was talking with his family the question came up of when the end of the transfer in April is. I said it was the 14th. and aparently they thought it was on the 21st. They were right. </div>
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This kind of threw a wrench in the works because I had decided to extend my mission believing that it would give me enough time to go to college two days after I arrived home. After knowing that the transfer would actually end later than I thought my heart took a dive. The good news is that I called president and he said that I could still extend my mission but finish on the 14th. </div>
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The rest of the week has gone well as well. Elder Brandao and I are training a new missionary. His name is Elder Da Silva. He's a mozambican from Beira who is starting his mission here while he waits for his visa to go to Brazil. </div>
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On friday we had district meeting. I gave a training on being Proactive. I used various exemples in the Book of Mormon. Especially from first Nephi. It was a very good meeting. I've become very excited as I apply more the principles that Elder Bednar so often teaches, that we need to act instead of being acted upon. </div>
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Last night Elder Brandao and I taught a new family. Cumbani and Rita. The lesson was very powerful. The spirit was present. In fact it's getting late now, and we have to run out the door to go teach them tonight. Our first lesson is in twenty minutes. I love you all. The Gospel is so true and so perfect. </div>
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-Elder Greenman</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-92081821258439540232013-12-27T10:21:00.002-08:002013-12-27T10:21:39.111-08:00Maputo Zone Christmas Get-together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-33029822871063117802013-12-22T10:26:00.000-08:002013-12-27T10:29:51.508-08:00Working Alongside the President<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-77664547955747163822013-12-16T08:23:00.001-08:002013-12-16T08:23:19.837-08:00Christmas is Next Week!!<div class="p1">
I cannot believe that Christmas is already almost here! It sure does creep up on you pretty quick when you don't have snow or cold weather to let you know that it's close. </div>
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This week was very busy. It's nearing the end of the year and there's a lot of work to do. We have a zone conference on the 24th and transfers are happening today. There weren't a lot of changes, just enough to acomodate for the three new elders who came in. President Kretly called another Elder, Elder Hales in the Maputo 1 branch, to a special assignment. President Kretly recognized that there is a lot to do in the office, and sometimes it's hard for Elder Brandão and I to do all of it. Elder Hales will be helping me in the office. When there is a lot to do, Elder Brandão will stay in the area with Elder Hale's companion, and Elder Hales and I will go and do the office work. I know that this way we will be getting a lot more done in the office. (Editor's Note: As was stated in an earlier post, Elder Greenman is the only one in the companionship that has computer knowledge, so to have another helper, will give the companionships less time in the office and more time finding and teaching people.) I'm excited for this coming transfer. I only have 3 left. I'll be coming home in the middle of April. (Editor's Note: This is a bit of a surprise for Elder Greenman's mother. She thought that he would be home on April 1st and have three weeks with his family before going off to BYU-I. The first day of school is the 21st of April, so I imagine he will be home only for a couple of days before going off to school. Kind of crazy!!)</div>
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On Saturday we had a branch christmas activity. It wasn't much different than the one last year. At least this time we didn't have anyone rapping at pulpit. At the christmas party, however, I saw a family that Elder Brogan and I had taught in October of last year. At the time, the family wasn't interested, and didn't want to progress, but, while I had been in Manga, the sister missionaries found them, taught them, married them, and baptized them. It was really good to see that family and talk with them. I'll be sending a picture. Also a family that Elder Hamrick and I taught also got married and baptized last week. I'll be sending a picture of them as well. Yesterday we watched the Christmas devotional. I loved the talk given by Elder Nelson. I felt that the devotional was very special, very simple, and very spiritual. Christmas truly is about our Savior Jesus Christ, and renewing our vigor to be like he is. </div>
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'Elder Greenman</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-31730819497015587742013-12-10T07:43:00.000-08:002013-12-17T09:39:22.393-08:00Divisions and More Divisions<div class="p1">
Well, sounds like its been really cold in Burrrrrrrrrrley lately. I wish I could say the same about here. Actually, to be honest, it hasn't been too hot lately. It's been pitter-pattering on and off. President has been traveling a lot this transfer. He just got back from Beira on Wednesday. From Monday to Wednesday Elder Brandão and I spent a lot of time in the office. We had to hunt down fichas from those who still hadn't sent them, and prepare a few statistical reports for the month of November. (Editor's Note: Ficha is the paperwork for baptism) </div>
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On Wednesday we officially received our new truck. We were driving an 18 seater van everywhere, but now we have a new 2012 Ford Ranger. Yup. We've named him Captain Moroni. I had taken for granted what it was like to drive a nice car. Everything is so smooth, it has that new car smell, and it has, or rather had, 0 kilometers. On wednesday night we drove to Matola to start a division with the Matola zone leaders. Elder Brandao worked there before coming to the office. For the division he stayed in Matola with Elder Williams. When I dropped off Elder Brandao I picked up Elder Santos. (He is also from Cape Verde and Is a really good missionary. This is his first transfer as Zone Leader and he's doing a very good job). When Elder Santos and I got back to Maputo from Matola, it was late. After our daily planning we quickly got ready for bed and hit the lights. <br />
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Notice Elder Greenman driving on the other side of the car...</div>
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We woke up and as soon as we were ready for the day we went to our area. We didn't have any lessons marked, but we did some family finding for about two hours. The Lord blessed us with 10 families that accepted to receive a visit from us, and we marked with several of them to visit that evening. After lunch we went to the office to do some work, then went back to the area. All but one of the lessons fell through.....but during this time we were able to find five more families to teach and marked them for this week. I loved the time that I spent with Elder Santos, and the opportunity that we both had to discuss the work. <br />
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In my district we have three companionships, Elder Brandao and I, Sister Naehu and Sister Merkely (we four are in Maputo), then Elder Fontes and Elder de Pina (these elders are in Maxixe). Friday we left at 9 o'clock in the morning to Maxixe. Elder Brandao and I left to Maxixe with Elder and Sister Hobson. I was the one that drove and it took close to 7 hours. The trip was wonderful. Mozambique is so pretty and green. We arrived in Maxixe in the evening with about an hour and a half to spend in the area with the Maxixe missionaries. I walked with Elder Fontes, who is from Brazil. <br />
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Elder and Sister Hobson</div>
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Maxixe is an incredible area, but it has a few difficulties, and the Maxixe elders had gotten somewhat discouraged last transfer and didn't know how to pick things back up again. When working with Elder Fontes I did everything I could to just be excited and to talk with everyone. Some of the problems that they have in Maxixe are that many of the people that work in the city live far away, and that hardly anyone is outside on the streets past 7:30 p.m., and that they only have two missionaries covering a pretty big area. We happened to be walking outside past that hour, but I knew that the Lord would put people in our path. He did. We found a family that is officially married that was just walking together as a family just trying to catch a little bit of the the ocean breeze. We stopped and talked with them and asked if they house was close and if we could accompany them to their house and leave a short message. They said yes. For lack of time, we left a short message and a prayer and marked to come back the very next morning. They said that they did feel the spirit and we helped them recognize why they did. The next day we taught the restoration, and they accepted baptism. Elder Brandao and Elder de Pina were also having success. They found a very nice and sophisticated man entering his home and asked if they could come in and share a message. He accepted. They discovered that he didn't currently have a church and that he still hadn't been baptized, but that he was willing to be. </div>
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President Kretly arrived on Saturday night. Sunday morning church began at 9. Just so you know that up until this point Maxixe was not yet a Branch, but a group. The average attendance was 25 people.</div>
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On this particular Sunday we had a total frequency of 40 people! Also another surprise that none of us knew..... after the announcements the time was given to President Kretly. President stood up and with a smile announced that Maxixe would become a branch. He announced the branch presidency, and Elder Fontes was called as 2nd counselor (he didn't know). <br />
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The Sunday meeting continued to go very well. After sacrament meeting we had Principles of the Gospel class and I approached the newly called branch president and said that I noted that no one was there to teach the class and asked if he wouldn't mind if I did. I've come to love teaching the Principles of the Gospel class. One of the families that was found over the weekend came to church and when the man presented himself, he said that it was the first time coming, but that he was confident that he would always come with his family from now on. </div>
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I would love to serve in Maxixe. The area has so much potential. Elders Fontes and de Pina are going to marry and baptize a family this coming weekend. They are planning on baptizing one more family by the end of the month. Speaking of families being baptized, 9 families were baptized this past weekend. So far for the month of December the mission has had 14 families baptized (that's more than one per day! What a Miracle!)</div>
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The next day was Monday! The Hobsons had left saturday night, but we planned to just drive home with President. President Kretly surprised us and decided to take us to Inhambane, and to a beach called Praia de Tofo, where we ate and played soccer on the beach. It is was the most beautiful beach I'd ever been to. After that we dropped the Maxixe elders off and headed off to Maputo. The drive was very nice. I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with President Kretly. He also gave us the privilege to listen to a talk by Elder David A. Bednar that was given at a Mission President's Seminar. It was like the talk he gave in 2011 general conference but even more fascinating. I'll update more on that next week. (Editor's note: Monday was P-day and we did not receive a letter from Andrew this day and were wondering why...we're glad to know he had this opportunity to spend P-day with the Elders and President Kretly. Our letter came the next day.) Elder Brandao and I will be incorporating Elder Bednar's message into the Zone Conference training that we are preparing.<br />
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Two new missionaries arrived to our mission today. Elder Brandao and I will be taking care of them. There's a lot of work to do for all of us, and by that I mean every member of the church. We have a lot of work to do on this side and the other side of the veil.</div>
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-Elder Greenman<br />
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Elders de Pina, Fontes and Brandao</div>
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The beautiful green Mozambican Countryside</div>
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Elder Brandao (I am playing Soccer in the back)</div>
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Playing Soccer with Elder Fontes</div>
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Look how beautiful!</div>
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Elder Brandao, President Kretly and Me</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-78370737555909247042013-12-02T08:26:00.000-08:002013-12-16T08:42:50.825-08:00December Came with a Bit of Rain<div class="p1">
In last week's letter I mentioned that we were helping some mozambicans get ready to leave on their missions. On monday night, one week ago, we went to pick up one of the missionaries who was going to serve in Angola and Cape Verde. Their plane came in late, so we only managed to get to sleep at midnight. Then we woke up 4 hours later to take President and Sister Kretly to the airport (they went up to Beira on a morning flight). We had an early start to our day. When we got back from the airport we did some work in the office and prepared for staff meeting we would be having at 11. We usually do it over the internet using a program called GoToMeeting. The assistants, Office elders, Elder Tualufo, and all of the Couple Missionaries participate in the meeting. Two of the couples are in Beira, that is why we need to do the meeting over the internet. In the meeting we discuss and plan for the upcoming week, as well as make sure we are prepared for what is coming in the next few months. Staff meeting went well, and when it was over we went to staff eating (haha, we do this once a month where we go out to eat). After that, we raced around to buy clothes for all of the missionaries who were leaving the next day and finally made it home at 8 o'clock in the evening. They were then set apart as missionaries, and spent the rest of the night packing their bags. We finally got to bed at midnight again, only to wake up at 3:45 to help them get ready to leave. We left 40 minutes later to go to the airport and arrived just as the check-in started. We sent them off (see attached picture).</div>
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Needless to say, Elder Brandão and I have not had a lot of time in our area this week (Editor's Note: nor time to sleep!!), but we did have time to sit with one of our families—Humberto and Nercia. They are progressing well. Humberto works at the Airport, and Nercia works at a pizza place downtown. We've taught them the restoration and the Book of Mormon. In our last visit we asked them if they would come to church. Nercia said yes, but Humberto said no, because he was scheduled to work that day. We invited him to see if he could swap his work schedule with someone else. Saturday we called him to see if he was able to. Good news, bad news. Good news is, that he was able to. When we called saturday afternoon, he said that he was going in to work at that very moment to do his co-workers shift and that he would end at 10 o'clock. Bad news: On sunday we received a call at 8:20 from Humberto. We answered and he said that he was really close to the chapel and had walked all the way with his wife with the intention of coming, but his boss had just called saying that his co-worker didn't show up to take his morning shift. Sadly, Humberto had no choice. He had to go to work. His wife came though, and she enjoyed it as well as made a friend. It's interesting to see that Humberto did everything he could to make it to church, but even after that, the choices that another person made affected his life. Sometimes in our lives when we do everything we can that is good, sometimes unexpected things happen. The choices we make affect others profoundly. I don't think that Humberto's co-worker will ever know or understand what effect his choice to not come to work made on Humberto's life. Let us all be careful with the things we think, the words we say, the things we do, and the way that we do them. </div>
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I can't believe it's a new month. I'm looking forward to another month of miracles. 20 families were baptized in the month of November. So far in the month of December, 5 families have been baptized and confirmed. </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-35072855456055404492013-11-25T08:02:00.000-08:002013-11-25T08:02:02.138-08:00The Refiner's Fire<div class="p1">
The heat never stops coming. I assume it never will. I don't believe life gets any easier, but it does become more fulfilling if we choose the right. I know that today I'm laying down the foundation of tomorrow. President has been in South Africa all this past week which has given us more time in our area. One of the main struggles we are having is sitting with new people. So far this transfer we have taken the number of 150 families who have accepted to receive our message. Half of them live in our area. But in the past three weeks we've only been able to sit with 5 new families. We will mark with them and they will accept a return visit the next day. We will call in the morning, they will confirm. We will call thirty minutes before to let them know that we are on our way. When we get to the place where we decided to meet, we call, and their phone is turned off. This has happened over, and over again. The cause? Probably because they don't understand the importance of this message, and the change it can make for their families. This week, however, was more effective and better than the others. We taught more lessons and were able to sit with three new families. Things started picking up on Saturday. On Saturday we had a zone training given by the Zone Leaders. Elder Peterson from the U.S. and Elder Vestia who is from Portugal. The training began by all of the District leaders presenting an idea or something that their district is doing that is helping them see more success. It was really good to learn from others. One of the ideas was using the Book of Mormon in the contact. It works. Even for people that aren't interested in the beginning, we just let them know that we have a book that is convincing evidence that our message is true. People are becoming more interested and willing to talk to us. I've noticed something interesting, every time I walk in the area with a copy of the Book of Mormon in my hand I suddenly have more desire to speak with everyone. </div>
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About our family that I mentioned last week....Sabito and Maninha have left. They are traveling to South Africa and then they will be on their way to Beira. We called them on Sunday, he said that the traveling is going well and safely. As soon as they arrive in Beira we will give their number to the missionaries up there. </div>
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Church on Sunday was really special. The person that was supposed to teach Principles of the Gospel class didn't show up so I gave it. The lesson was on the Signs of the Second coming. The lesson went really well. After the class we all went downstairs to the sacrament meeting room. At this time Sister Kretly called Elder Brandao and I letting us know that they were on their way and to tell the branch president to wait until they arrived. The sacrament service was really spiritual. Our branch had 205 people present. In the past it has averaged about 170. At the end President Kretly spoke about how the gospel has changed his life. His mother died last week with the age of 90 while he was in South Africa. He explained that it was a really hard experience to pass through but that he is so grateful that his mother and father decided to follow Jesus Christ and accept his restored gospel. He invited all of the members and investigators to recognize that the choice they made or will make to follow Jesus Christ and his restored gospel will affect more than just them. The meeting was really good. </div>
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Now that President is back, Elder Brandao and I have a lot more to do in the Office. There are five young men who will be leaving on their missions this next wednesday. Four of them will serve in Angola and the other will serve in Cape Verde. Today and Tomorrow, Elder Brandao and I are going to be with them and help them prepare. Many of these young men come from very humble circumstances and only have one white shirt and pair of pants. They may not have a lot as far as attire, but what they do have is a beautiful understanding and testimony of the restored gospel. We are going to outfit them with the clothes that they need for their mission. One of our mission goals is to have as many Mozambicans serving missions out in the world as we have missionaries assigned to work here in Mozambique. Currently we have 88 missionaries in our mission. Right now we have 27 Mozambicans who are serving, and the number is growing. I've been thinking about that goal recently and I noticed a small problem that I'm going to talk to president about. Our focus has been families, and the extreme majority of these families are young families. If we want to have 88 missionaries serving outside of Mozambique we are going to have to find a solution. </div>
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Elder Brandao and I, when we walk in our area always invite the young men who are there as well. In fact, one of the things that we like to do is we'll stop a young man who has an earring and we'll say, "you are a really good young man, you just need to change one thing....." This week we've taken so many earrings from young men. We give them pamphlets in return.</div>
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-Elder Greenman</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-69837218004279956592013-11-18T05:52:00.000-08:002013-11-20T05:57:10.834-08:00Not our Real P-Day, Thus a short note...<div class="p1">
Elder Brandão and I are trying to get rid of the false tradition that APs need to stay in the office doing a lot of work. We've set out a schedule for ourselves. We leave the house by 8 and go straight to our area to teach lessons and find families to teach. (We still aren't getting a lot of lessons, so for now we are just doing a lot of family finding) We stay out in the area until about 10:30 or 11. Then we come home eat lunch and study for a bit. By 13:30 we're at the office and stay there until about 16, then we're back in our area until 21.</div>
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We're getting a lot of good time in our area. That is probably in large part because President Kretly is in South Africa for a mission president's seminar.</div>
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Quick update on our area....</div>
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We continue to do a lot of contacts, we're striving to find the elect. The two families that we found last week, we've unfortunately had to drop. But that's okay, we found a very special family this week named Sabito and Maninha. They are very open and are making a lot of progress. They came to church this week, and arrived 50 minutes early. They really enjoyed church and feel that this is the true church. That's the good news. The bad news is that, they will be moving up to Beira for about 3 months, and they leave this weekend, so our area will be back to zero. But no problems, I know that they'll be baptized up in Beira. </div>
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This week are the elections. They will be held on on the 20th of this week. It's interesting to see all of the excitement that is going on because of the different parties. Well, because of the elections our P-day was moved to the 20th, but we were given brief permission to write home, but now it its time to get back into the area.</div>
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'Elder Greenman</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-11796541180787223242013-11-15T15:48:00.001-08:002013-11-15T15:48:21.408-08:00Saying Goodbye to Manga, Hello to Maputo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Andrew's childhood friend, Jacob Lake serves in the same mission. Together they are doing great service in Mozambique. Elder Lake is leaving as AP and Elder Greenman is coming in his place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837913990470621700.post-63832786447233563662013-11-12T05:36:00.000-08:002013-11-12T05:36:15.905-08:00Back to Maputo<div class="p1">
On Monday night I left Manga. I called a taxi to come pick me up and take me to the airport. I said a few quick goodbyes to the Elders in my district and got into the taxi. The taxi was not an old car, but it sounded like it, rode like it, and smelled like it. After arriving and checking in I took my place waiting for the plane to arrive. It did, but about an hour late. I was without a phone and knew that Elder Lake and Elder Brandão were probably already waiting at the Maputo International Airport. When I arrived in Maputo it was midnight so we went directly home to rest up for the day. Elder Lake was the assistant to the president. He would have been transfered already under normal circumstances but because Elder Brandão and I are whitewashing our area, and coming in at the same time, Elder Lake stayed until Wednesday night to give us a crash course on how to be an assistant. On Wednesday Elder Brandão and I finally had our first day in our new area. By new area it means that it is new for both of us and also missionaries weren't working in it before us for months, and months. We're starting from zero. The main thing we are doing now is just family finding. Just like preach my gospel teaches, "Nothing happens in missionary work until you find someone to teach." This past week we only had 4 lessons, but we found two new families. I'd like to share the story of how we found the first. Their names are Mario and Ámina. On wednesday night we were working in Minkadjuine. (one of the neighborhoods that is in our area) Minkadjuine consists of many small, tiny, and maze like paths that snake between all of the cement and sheet metal houses that are there. While going down one of these paths, we had the idea to knock on a certain gate. (it wasn't a strong impression, it most often isn't. But it was something simple like and idea or thought) We knocked on the gate.....no answer. We knocked again and heard some ruffling. We heard an older man's voice say that he can't answer the door, because he can't walk. We asked if we could come in, he said yes. After coming into the house we beheld an old couple with gray hair in very humble circumstances. The wife of the man didn't really speak portuguese very well, neither did he, but they felt like royalty after the visit. Its interesting what a smile, or a quick prayer can do to shine a little light in the life of those that don't have the gospel. Before we left we asked if there was any family who lived with him. (there was another small house on his property) He said that his son and daughter in law lived with them in the other house, he went on to explain that neither of them were home at the time. We asked for his son's phone number. They couldn't for the life of them remember. After trying to help them, we decided to leave a pamphlet with our number on the back. After a prayer we left, not really thinking much about it. The next day....thursday. We were back in our area but in another part called Mafalala. Again the thought came to turn down a certain road. After a while we found a man walking the other way. We stopped him and talked to him about our message, we asked him if he would accept to be baptized by someone who has authority. He said yes. We asked for his number. He said.......that he didn't have it, that he didn't really remember his number. Elder Brandão asked if he could show us to his house at least so that we could come another day. (yup, i bet you're catching on) We began following Mario on the roads of Mafalala. We came to the boundary and crossed the road into minkadjuine. (I'll admit that at this point I still hadn't made the connection that this Mario was the son of the old man we had visited yesterday) As we walked with Mario we talked about his life and his family. He told us that he lived with his wife, son, and his parents. He mentioned that his father had been with troubles of walking lately. (Bingo! thats when I made the connection. Everything fit into place. I looked around me and recognized where we were.... we were at his door.) His wife wasn't home at the time but we were able to get his number and we marked to come by again. </div>
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The other family we found is Agustino and Camila. Also a good family. Of all of our four new investigators this week however only Camila made it to church. But that's okay, she also brought her father in law. Also when we got to church we found a member referral there named Fernando we we are going to go teach here in about an hour. The referral was from David Hamblin who has been doing some humanitarian work here in Mozambique for several years. He has worked with Fernando for six years and fernando has accepted to be taught by the missionaries. We are very excited to teach him tonight. </div>
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I love serving with Elder Brandão. He is 23 years old and is from Cape Verde. He is a convert to the church with a very interesting conversion story. (story time will have to wait, it's getting late) Both he and I are learning the ropes together. </div>
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Its nice to be back in the Maputo 2 branch. I was happy to see so many of the members that I knew, and also see the two families that I baptized are still active and coming. I was also able to see Omar and Gina from maputo 1, also active. Oh the joy of seeing those I taught still holding fast to the iron rod. The sacrament meeting was good, other than the lady who gave the last talk and talked for 40 minutes and the meeting ended 27 minutes past the hour. ooops....</div>
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Well, time is up. Until next week.</div>
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-Elder Greenman</div>
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