A Brand New Transfer

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.

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:

Zone Conference in Beira with Elder Hamilton and his wife

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?

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.  

      Zone Conference in Maputo with Elder Hamilton and his wife

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! 

Elder Williams and I are learning much

together, and are really excited to help the missionaries here in Mozambique.   All is well with me,  I'm absolutely loving my mission!

-Elder Greenman




(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!)

Malaria, Not Me This Time

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.

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

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.)

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.

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. 

I really enjoyed the division with Elder Williams.

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.

-Elder Greenman

Elder Greenman with Armando

Elders Largent and Greenman met and baptized Armando last year.

Happy New Year!

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. 

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.  

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.   

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.   

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.  

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.  

-Elder Greenman

Maputo Zone Christmas Get-together

Working Alongside the President

Christmas is Next Week!!

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.  

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!!)

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.  

'Elder Greenman