Machoma Bwanji

Machoma Bwanji,

Sabata wakhala chachikulu... Sorry, just thought i'd boast in my Nyanja writing skills- I promise it's easier to speak than to write... or read.

The week has been another great one, which ends the 4th week of the transfer, so we once again begin to look towards the transfer speculation, but that can wait... More about the week.

This week we were able to have exchanges with the Zone Leaders, which was the highlight of the week. I spent the day in Munali with Elder Sagers and we completely smashed it, teaching wonderful fathers, interested people, and some amazingly prepared recent converts. I was able to learn so much and be edified by the strength of my leaders. Grateful for Elder Nakale and Elder Sagers for the work that they do here in Lusaka to make us the best Zone in the mission. 

Crazy scenes in Emmasdale this week- just after a dude was washed up in Lilanda the other day, we saw first hand the mob justice of Africa. A guy in a red pick-up shunted a small people carrier at a set of lights near our flat yesterday night. No one was hurt, it was only a small shunt that sent both the truck and the PC spinning, but in reaction the whole Emmasdale massive came from out of the surrounding bars and clubs and started acting like apes- literally. They jumped on the bonnet of the pick up, jumping up and down so that the driver couldn't pull away, whilst the others smashed the windows in with bottles and started beating the driver and his Bonnie-lass in the passenger seat. They eventually pried the door open and dragged him out, kicking him and beating him until he was blacked-out. The reaction was barbaric to say the least. Zambian's turned suicidal murders, unsettling scenes for sure...

But other than that a great week all round, had Zone Meeting on Tuesday where I present about companionship inventory, went well, obviously. Spent a lot of time working with some of our Recent converts this week in an effort to get them mobilised as Ward Missionaries, should help the missionaries of the future to havbe member present lessons. I'm, also trying to help the ward use their PEC and Ward Council meetings effectively, I feel a calling onto the Bishopric coming if I don't get a transfer this time next week...

That's pretty much it, not much else to report except the nonsense power cuts have left us with no choice but to BBQ every night, getting kind of bored of driy burgers and goat sausages...

EF x

P.S. Brother Musa goes on mission on Thursday to Ghana. I promised him I wouldn't be around to send him off, revelation obviously changes. I'll miss him a lot, he has become a great friend. Till we meet again #laka #muyendebwino xx

Missionary Work

Good evening fam,

So, power, water, football matches have all contributed to 45 minutes of emailing time, not long enough to email everyone properly, so i'll write to you all together, along with the blog, and try and highlight the highlights of this 'less-than-high' week:

TUESDAY- Had our district meeting in Lilanda, the first with Elder Essilfie. Was pretty good, talked a bit about self-reliance, communication in companionships, and using the scriptures in lessons. Went well, some good contributions and set us up nice for the week. We then spent the afternoon, after seeing Dorothy and Robbie Chikumbi, plowing Amadi's garden ready for the next batch of relish. Broke their hoe, reckon it's because I am just Mr. Zambia now...

WEDNESDAY- We planned for a District Service far in the bush on the outskirts of Lusaka, where one of our members owns a farm. He asked us to come and 'cultivate some maize', turned out to be the most tedious 8 hours of my life. Took us two hours to walk there, greeted by 4 huge stacks of harvested corn, our job was to un-shell each individual maize cob, which took ages. Good service though, got completely scorched by the sun, thought I was over that by now, but found some interesting looking corn... (1) 

We had then planed to be back in time for devotional, but as we were traveling back, the Bishop called us to say that 'Lilanda wasn't safe' and that we should cancel and go home immediately. Turned out a Copper had been shot and killed, the robber stole his AK and was on the loose. This is Africa, and so we heard later on that the witches had used Ju-Ju to find him and kill him. Believe.

THURSDAY- In the morning we had interviews with President, so we met him at the meeting house and were there until early afternoon. It went well, had some encouraging conversation about the district, mission, the work etc, nothing out of the ordinary, glad to see he is noticing our efforts though. The rest of the day we saw Boyd, G4S badman, Ruth, wife to Amadi,who was there along with Owen) and found some 'interesting' new investigators.

FRIDAY- Friday we busted our guts to make up for the lost time spent doing service on Tuesday and Wednesday. We saw TONNES of people including our miracle for the week. His name's Emile (already on to a winner...) and he's from Burundi. Turns out he'd heard about the church from his family who live in Burundi, friends in DRC, and other people in Zambia, referred himself to the Elders in Matero, met us, all culminating when he asked us which day he'll be baptised. Took us by surprise, dazed and starstruck we said Sunday 26th July, ended the lesson, and then woke up from the dream we thought we were in, as he didn't come to church this week. Not all hope is lost, but the guys turned his phone off...

SATURDAY- Tried to find some momentum but everyone we planned to see did the Zambian thing and leave right as we're arriving.
"'Im busy."

"With what?"

"Nothing."

"Can we teach you?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because i'm busy."

Common place in the land of milk and honey. Tried our best, met a pastor and taught him, said he would join the church if we changed the name of the Book of Mormon to the Book of Jesus Christ. Tried to sell us his 'Guide to understanding the NKJV of the Bible' and his gospel album, we politely refused until he gave them for free, so we had to take them, and then we left.

SUNDAY- Ended the week disappointed- didn't have power like every day this week, so had a cold bath, went to church with an un-ironed shirt, saw none of our investigators come, and got denied food thrice in quick succession.

It just wasn't our week, did our best but not every week is going to be stunning. Reported to the Zone Leaders in the dark and then slept.

TODAY- Played the re-match against Bethel. The less said the better, got humbled yet again, seems like every back-yard kid in Zambia is Drogba... We have an appointment with someone we contacted two weeks ago today called Aggie, and we hope that that is going to kick-start this next week off. (2)

Hope all of your weeks have been great, read all of your emails and i'm so happy to hear things are going well. Heard about Pearson getting the sack, finally the King is ousted, sounds like it was about some racist Thai brothel incident he was in that caused it? Hope they don't sign the Ginger ninja himself, Lennon, wouldn't be an upwards move...

Grateful for your time to email me, love you all and will speak better next week.

EF x

A difficult one...

Another week's flown by in Lilanda, it's been another whirlwind, and a very difficult one for me personally.

Received a phone call Thursday night from the Elders working in my old area in Libala. They explained that one of my recent converts that side died last month, King Silungwe. They didn't give me much information about how or what, just that he was buried last week. Hard times this week, but great to have been part of his coming to Christ so that now he is with his Saviour. Humbling experience, loved him to pieces. 

Other than that another decent week, struggled to find the momentum that we wanted and so didn't quite hit our targets for this week, but we've got the resolve to push on these coming days to re-focus ourselves. Elder Essilfie, the new Elder from Ghana is settling in well. It's not easy for a new missionary, but he's really hit the ground running and is trying his best with Elder Collins.

Sheila and Owen are both doing well, along with Rosaria and all the other recent converts in Lilanda. God is blessing us richly at the moment, even th wather is turning colder.

Quote of the week goes to Elvis Mbewe:- "Ah, June behaves at least, you can still sleep, but July, ah, July is troublesome I tell you! You'll see frost on your top lip believe me..." Struggling to believe that, but may at least feel a bit more like England next month... Hopefully, this is Africa.

God is great,

EF x

"King is on the left - rest in peace buddy, you'll be missed"

Blog post

Yes,

FINALLY!! After countless transfers, countless hours, countless baptisms, and countless nights spent in the worst flat in the mission, it's finally time to leave Lilanda...


...For Elder Shai.

Yep, that's right Brethren and Sisters, a record 6th transfer for Elder Ford in Lilanda, another 6 weeks in the Lilanda Ward, and another 6 weeks with Elder Malinga, that will total us to 6 months together! If I had to stay in Lilanda for another transfer, at least it'll be with Elder Malinga. We've got some 'unfinished business' with a couple of our investigators right now and a charged up Bethel Church football team. Rematch 6th July, could be a serious one...

So, for the week then...

After the baptisms of Owen, Shepherd, George, John and Cathrine, they were all confirmed on Sunday, I was able to confirm George and be part of all of the others, which was memorable and an exciting time to be a missionary in Zambia, as I always say. It's pretty hard to think of new things to say every week, sometimes the work just isn't as exciting as it should be, but that's usually due to hard work and not enough time to mess about... But who said that was true, you can mess about and work hard, right?

Have a wonderful week, more from Lilanda next Monday!

EF x

1). We got a District tee shirt, modeled it against the only tree in our compound, not much greenery in Zambia...

2). Enjoyed a bounteous end of transfer dinner with Fackson Musa Sakala, Ghana boy, at the Muzhingas house. It's becoming a Sunday evening tradition... I don't like traditions unless there's food. 

   

3). Hammered some pizza courtesy of the clothed chef Malinga- decent effort, but not quite a meat feast...

Me and Sheila from Owen's baptism

 Me, Shepherd and Owen 

 The intensity of rice in Zambia (Unice, Amadi's daughter)

 Front of the District tee, the Dragon District

The Pharisees' Our District tee that we printed.

Mashakalati

Hello!

So, this week has been one of the best since I came on mission, but as a result I am just completely spent. All energy is gone, I think tonight I'll take an early night... Well deserved by the whole district to be honest!

This week we baptised Owen! It was magical- the spirit was there, I didn't mess up the baptism, and despite it being the middle of the Zambian winter, the water was still hotter than most of the swimming pools in England... The Zambians were complaining that it was cold though, crazy. 

Shepherd, George, John and Catherine Mashakalati were also all baptised which was a miracle as they've been taught for the past year with no success, but as we've worked with them and loved them, their desire grew, and finally it happened yesterday! Even the Mission President and his wife paid us an unexpected visit, which put the pressure on as I was confirming Sheila. I don't usually feel pressure, but I was bricking it yesterday... Luckily it all went well.

This week transfers are coming around again, 5 transfers in a row have put me as odds on favourite to receive the call, but both Elder Shai and Collins follow closely behind with 4 transfers a piece, giving themselves a very strong possibility also. The least likely outcome is a transfer for Elder Malinga, the dark horse with only 3 transfers behind him. Odds of a District whitewash are almost nil, practically guaranteeing that someone will be remaining for the next 6 weeks. Bookies highest outcome is a one-a-piece switch with Ford and Shai being replaced, leaving the reins of Lilanda behind to Collins and Malinga, with the possibility of one training with the other replacing Ford as DL. 

Anyways, before my fantasies become a reality, I am truly grateful for the miracles we witnessed this week, far too many to mention, but all very, very special to each one of us. I'm so thankful for you all and the support you give to me, time is flying right now, I can barely remember which day it is, but I am so blessed to be in Zambia right now.

God bless, till next week,

EF x

Shepherd, Owen and George.

Yes everyone,

As you know I'm living in Zambia, a nation where internet coverage, even in the capital city, is shadier than Oakengates on Christmas eve, so today has been a struggle to find a shop that's been working so time is of the essence. 

This week we had the interview of Owen, FINALLY! I love this lad, 15 years old and already wants to serve a mission in the future, what a powerful experience to be a part of and i'm really looking forward to Sunday. 

The other Elders in Lilanda are also baptising a really great family on Sunday too, the Kabwe's. Shepherd and George asked me to baptise them which will be amazing, I love them so much and have spent a lot of time with them, watching their testimonies grow ever since I arrived in Lilanda last year.

Hoping to have a sweet Zone meeting at the Stake Centre tomorrow, and then the rest of the week we should be pushing as we are going to be pushing to baptise Sheila's grandma, Owen's mum, and tonnes of other people this month! The work is tiring and we are always tired, but we are being seriously blessed. 

Love you all, speak better next week,

EF 

Elder Ford and Elder Malinga - update.

Brethren and Sisters,

Hope you have all had a great week, for Elder Malinga and I, this week was terrific as usual. God is making bare His arm in Lilanda, which is pushing us every day to work harder, think better, and to keep on doing what we are doing. The work is tough, hard, but so, so worth it. 

As an apology for not writing last week, here is my rather extravagant and possibly tedious summary of this week:

Tuesday- Normal day at the office, had District Meeting where the District and I set our new goals for this transfer. Our closing prayer was powerful, God confirmed that the goals we had set are achievable, at least to me, but I do have the opportunity to receive revelation for the District...  The rest of the day we worked in the nonsense weather, it's meant to be winter here, but it's still hotter than England on a very very warm summers day. Crazy stuff.

Wednesday- It was Lusaka Leadership Council Wednesday, so I went on exchanges with the Matero District leader, Elder Hiltbrand, (Classy surfer boy from California, he'll marry a beautiful wife...) and we headed into town to the STAKE centre. Powerful meeting- we were discussing about the Zone Conference we would be having on Thursday, and as we would be leading a discussion on "becoming a full purpose missionary", we tried to plan what we wanted to achieve from the meeting, with limited success. We kept going around in circles, back and forth we discussed with no success, until Elder Payne, one of our ZL's, said we should pray for direction. He prayed, and we all felt it. 20 minutes later we had a plan, a goal, and huge smiles. God is great.

Thursday- Zone Conference. Saw the Mission President after a long time, it was truly a wonderful experience. Felt the spirit like I did in the temple, we learned, edified each other, felt love, and renewed our commitments to be full-purpose missionaries and to consecrate ourselves more fully. A great day, coupled with good company, good food, some old faces, and Meet the Mormons to round it off (Such a cliche film, not anywhere near the Singles Ward standard...)

Friday- Had a lot of fall-throughs off the back of the Conference, but pushed for some great lessons where we saw some special people we have been teaching for a while begin to progress nicely. Shomba and Owen, a great family, should be baptised next week Sunday.

Saturday- The Day of Miracles. Just too much to talk about this day, but know that my testimony has been strengthened after what happened on Saturday. God's hastening His work here, and it is awesome to be a part of it.

Sunday-  Sheila's baptism. The best way to round off the week was with a baptism. We've worked with Sheila for around 3 months and she has just got such a great spirit and testimony. She'll be a powerful member, and maybe even a missionary if we can help it... Went to the First Councillor on the Bishopric's house, Brother Muzhinga, and he fed us, which was sweet. (Just a side note, we have been told that we no longer have to wear suits in the Africa Central and Southern missions, so rocked the jersey for the first time on a Sunday, "and it was good.")

This was pretty much the week, full of miracles, experiences, and the spirit, can't ask for much more! Trying to take more photos at the moment but I am becoming a professional grazer, and so, as you'll notice, I am becoming exceedingly large, so don't expect many more of me in the coming months until I work out a way to sort it out ;)

EF x

"Update of me and the companion"

"Yep, no comment..."