December 24 2012

We got a bunch of pictures from Brandon over the holidays...

Pretty sweet, I don't know when this date will come around again...

Gotta have a replacement for Dad's cinnamon rolls...haha no way that's going to happen, but this is the second best...

Baptisms LAST week

My pregnant "mom" friend in Gulu (Branch President's wife)

Our apartment (4-man) The next two apartments are also for missionaries



Setting up the church for our branch Christmas party

Yah...that second sole is finished...one more to hopefully finish out the mission!!!

hmmm...maybe I put a little too much soap in that washing machine...haha

With a member's child. Enjoying that soda. HMMM!!!

This week's baptism

Havin' fun at the Branch Christmas party with some of the other elders ;P

Nov 26th 2012

Hey there Friends and Family!!! It has been quite a week for us here in Mbale, Uganda!!! Before I speak of myself though, I must give a HUGE shout out to my brother Kyle who will be soon ELDER WINTERS!!!! He has officially been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to labor in the Birmingham England Mission!!!! The only person happier than me right now is Kyle Winters himself!!! You have no idea what excitement has gone through the mission field as the announcement to lower the age of missionary service to 18 for young men and 19 for young women!!! We are STOKED!!!! We can't wait for the floods to start, especially here in the UKM where we have been experiencing a slight de-population problem...haha If you are a young man or young woman and currently are able to serve a mission, DO IT!!! One thing we will see is stronger families and stronger wards and branches because of the increased number of return missionary Sisters, and also the younger age and greater maturity of Elders. This is what God needs right now, strong leaders and parents to strengthen the rising generation!!!!

This week's highlight must definitely be the open house of our new building in Mbale!!! For the longest time the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been meeting in a rented building outfitted to be a girls hostel. Now however, we are in our new building which is owned outright by the church and is outfitted for our personal needs!!! The open house, which we have been planning for the last 4 weeks or so was an outstanding success!!! The senior couple here spearheaded things which we were very grateful for, we couldn't have done it without them. We were so excited to see 180 people show up for Sacrament Meeting which is a new record for the Mbale Branch!!!

So with all the open house preparation we have not been able to do much in the way of actual proselyting this week, it was a little slow, but has really helped to stoke the fire to finish the transfer on a strong note this week!!!

All my love from across the miles!!!

-Elder Winters

P.S. Read Alma 22:15 in the Book of Mormon. Hear what a Lamanite investigator has to say once he has heard the truth. Ask yourselves, "What am I willing to give up to know God?"

October 23rd 2012

Hey there everyone!!!! It's ME!!! haha

So another transfer has come and gone. This weekend through today

(Tuesday) we are dealing with the transfers of missionaries all around

the mission. Right now I am in Kampala doing some stuff at the mission

office and I was able to find a few minutes to email my favorite

friends and family. ;D

Not much with regard to transfer news, I'm going to be staying in

Mbale another transfer and bringing another companion in. I have not

had much luck at keeping companions, they seem to stick 6 weeks then

bounce...oh well. haha My new companion is called Elder Ngqoyiya, try

and pronounce that one first off...haha It is obviously a South

African name with the fun tongue click at the beginning.

(clickNOY-EE-UH) the click is on the "N" consonant. It is fun to

finally have someone with a really interesting African name!!!! haha

He is awesome and I was actually in the Busia district with him from

October to December of last year, so it has been a good reunion. We

are really looking forward to helping out Busia reach their highest

potential. Elder Stewart (another former companion) is the District

Leader there and I'm really looking forward to having him there to

keep things moving.

As far as the missionary work is concerned, we are working with a

really great family which Elder Barton (senior couple) found for us.

They are really great and we are hoping that they will progress in the

very near future to baptism and experience the blessings which come

from membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!!!

I have such a strong testimony of this gospel. Jesus Christ the Son of

God DID come to the earth, He DID call 12 Apostles and He DID organize

His church. His church HAS been restored to the earth and is here as

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For those who don't

know this truth for themselves YET please take the time to check out

www.mormon.org or www.lds.org you will find many things which are of

eternal importance to you there. I know why I am out here in Uganda.

It is not easy, but it is worth it!!! Yesterday we sent home quite a

few missionaries (honorably of course...haha) and they all wished that

they could stay longer. Missionary work brings such great blessings to

the lives of Elders, Sisters and their families. I am so happy to hear

about the recent influx of missionary applications. KEEP THEM

COMING!!!!!

Love you guys, have a safe week and I'll talk to you next Monday!!!!

-Elder Winters

October 8th 2012

Hey there Family and Friends!!!! Another week has gone by, and another week has begun!!!

I just wanted to say hi from here in Mbale and share a few thoughts with you today...

Obviously, the first thing on everyone's mind right now is the General Conference which has just finished this past weekend.
I'm still blown away by the new revelation received by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve concerning missionary work. I just wanted to say something about that...when a new "church policy" comes out…. I have come to realize and have a testimony that God truly does "...reveal [everything] unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) This new policy regarding the age of missionary service is a REVELATION FROM GOD!!! I testify to you that it is, and every other announcement made over the pulpit (as well as the words spoken in the many talks) ARE for a fact directly from God!!! President Thomas S. Monson is God's called and ordained prophet on the earth. We have 12 LIVING Apostles who act as special witnesses of Christ. God lives and loves each and every one of us, that is why He has restored his church The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the earth. "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." All of us must understand the importance of the Gospel and the Church in our lives. My District Leader mentioned this in one of the past District Development Meetings.

The Gospel is: The principles which we must follow and ordinances to obtain in order to receive eternal life.
The Church is: The vehicle which God uses to help us learn and obtain the ordinances of the Gospel.

I testify that God's priesthood, His power and authority is on the earth. It is used only for the betterment of man and the moving forward of God's work. We must seek to gain a testimony of this fact, for that is why we are here, to prepare to meet God.

I love you guys, and miss you bunches!!!!

-Elder Winters



The Garden of Eden, aka, Sipi Falls!



September 17th 2012

HEY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!! I wasn't able to say anything about the 9/11 anniversary, but all of us American missionaries were thinking about it. When something such as 9/11 happens to a country people remember it the rest of their lives. Just as people still remember Pearl Harbor so many decades after, 9/11 will remain in the hearts of people for the rest of time. It got me to thinking about some of the prophesies of the second coming speaking about wars and rumors of wars. The Second Coming of our Savior is approaching. I don't know how far. We need to follow the admonition of Amulek in Alma 34:32 "This is the time to prepare to meet God, this is the time to perform our labors." You may ask, what exactly are the labors which we need to perform? Well let me tell you...For us to be prepared to meet God, we must follow the Gospel which Jesus Christ taught and established: Develop Faith in Jesus Christ, Repent of our sins, Be baptized by immersion by someone who holds the priesthood authority of God, Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost from someone who holds the aforementioned Priesthood, and Endure to the end of our lives keeping the commandments of God. If we do these things, then we will be prepared whether Christ comes tomorrow, or in 20 years. This is the time, let's use it wisely.

This Saturday, my new companion from Zimbabwe and I had a baptism of a wonderful girl. She was referred to us by several members and she came to church for many weeks straight. We were able to participate in her baptism and confirmation this weekend and my joy is full. I am continuing to work hard and as the final 8 months of my mission tick by, I am going to put more and more effort into finding those souls who are prepared to receive the ordinances of the Gospel. For any who are reading this post not having partaken of the fullness of the Gospel, here is my invitation today. Please reach out for the hand which is stretched out, waiting, pleading for you to come. This is the only way and there is no other way under heaven by which man may receive a remission of his sins.

I love you all!!! Thanks for being such great friends and family.

-Elder Winters



This Week's Baptism




Me and my new Companion from Zimbabwe



September 3rd 2012



burger was 20,000 shillings, but worth it!!!




Dinner with a RC family




Yes...we do wash our truck...but it gets a little dirty after road trips ;D)






Sipi Falls- Zone Activity



August 27th 2012

Just a couple of pictures this week...

August 13th 2012

Good to be back in contact with you after a week of hard work and stress!!!! It really is a relief to sit down to the computer and read about what is going on at home. First things first I guess...CONGRATULATIONS TO THE U.S.A. OLYMPIC TEAM!!! It has been fun watching things (as much as I can "legally" as a missionary of course...haha) The newspapers here always have something on the Olympics so I have been able to keep pretty up to date. The athletes were incredible this year. I'm so proud to be an American!!!

But, enough of the worldly world...haha. Mbale has treated me great this first full week here. We are really working hard with the members to become more involved with missionary work. Since Mbale is still a relatively new branch we are still getting the different church programs implemented so that the church can function smoothly. Right now I am working with the Young Men's organization getting the teaching schedule set up and also working on getting people excited for a mutual night each week. If things move smoothly with the young men, we will work to get the young women involved as well. A focus we have here is to prepare young men to serve missions. We have several really great young men and if pushed they will make it!!! The first ever missionary will be leaving Mbale in 3-4 weeks. The Elders here have done a great job at preparing him and we look forward to carrying on the legacy!!!

This week we had the opportunity to travel to Busia (one of my previous areas) for a Zone Development Meeting. It was fun to be back in an old area and see a few of the people I love and care for. This coming Friday we will be having a combined Zone Conference with the Mbale and Iganga zones, we will be traveling to Bugembe (another of my previous areas) for that meeting. It is weird that I'm getting to go to all my old areas this transfer. Hopefully things will work out in the future so that I will be able to see Kajjansi and Ntinda again. We'll see. As a mission progresses, things just work out to be able to see recent converts, members and old areas. I LOVE IT!!!

MISSION IS INCREDIBLE!!! If you are of mission age (whether male or female) please make the decision now to GO!!!

I'll do my best to keep you up to date with things here, it is very difficult though to say the things you want to hear. If you really want to know something, please let my parents or one of my siblings know. Another great way to communicate with me is through www.DearElder.com it is free, easy and really makes an Elder's day!!!!

You guys are the best!!! Have a great last week of Summer then get to work with school and all that stuff!!!

Love,
Elder Winters

New Missionary house: almost finished.



Me and my Comp



Aug 6th 2012

Hey guys!!! It feels like at least 2 weeks since I last emailed even though it really has only been a shorter time cuz I was able to email on Tuesday last week....:P\

Just some quick updates on things here in my new area of Mbale, with my new companion from Kenya. We really had to work hard this week because we didn't get back to Mbale till Wednesday night late so we only worked Thursday-Sunday. We were able to pack in some great work though and found many people to prepare for baptism. All in all, we are hoping for a great transfer!!!

So my new area actually has a truck which we are able to use sometimes, this is a great blessing but also a fun opportunity to have. In Uganda they drive like the UK, on the left side of the road, from the right seat of the car. It has been a pretty interesting becoming accustomed to this new setup, but I've adapted pretty well and it feels very natural now. :)

Mbale is a great area and I think I'm really going to enjoy myself here. I have met most of the members now and am praying that I will remember all their names. :) We had 131 at church yesterday and our goal is to have 200 by the time we end the transfer. We are moving to a new building sometime near the end of the month

Kind of a shorter email today, I'm getting used to the new internet cafe and stuff. They have a big screen tv with the Summer Olympics playing!!! Right now, the rowing is on, and I just watched a Canadian take the 1000M kyack race by a great distance!!! I've still got my maternal Canadian blood in me!!! :P

Today I just wanted to share something spiritual with you, cuz I am a missionary and that is what I do...haha

I have been looking at several of the "tender mercies" which our Heavenly Father has shown to his children, the examples in the Book of Mormon are especially telling. Mosiah 27:16 "...remember the captivity of they fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and rembember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage and he has delivered them." Alma 9:22 "Yea and after having been delivered of God out of the land of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lord; having been saved from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time, and having been kept and preserved until now." Mosiah 25:10 "...when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage they did raise their voices and give thanks to God." Alma 5:6 "...have you sufficiently retained in remembrance [God's] mercy and longsuffering towards [His people] and moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?"

These are just a few of the examples of God's mercy and love towards his children, and give us an assurance that he will continue to love and bless US today. Our Heavenly Father has always been fully committed to helping his children both temporally and spiritually. A scripture in 2 Nephi 4:26-28 is excellent in helping us to see the importance of understanding and remembering this in our own lives.

"O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorry, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy. Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul."

This is a great truth that is so vital to understand. True, we experience quite a bit of difficulty throughout our lives, but we must think about how much God HAS blessed us. During my mission I have experienced quite a few trials whether that is areas, companions, or investigator problems, I have seen the mercy of God through all those trials. Just yesterday a man that I was working with very hard back in Kajjansi was baptized. That gave me so much hope, especially since I also received news that another family I was working with have received permission to be baptized (previously they were having marriage problems...). Life is very good and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father as an Elder in his church.

I want you all to know how much I love and care about you!!! Congratulations to all the people who have recently returned home from their missions and found eternal companions. Thanks for all the wonderful letters keeping me up to date on those important matters...;P

Have a great week and enjoy the Olympics!!!

Love,
Elder Winters

July 31th 2012

  

Hello Everyone!!!

Sorry for the "scare" I put into everyone emailing a WHOLE day late!!!! haha ;P As many of you may know, we are going through our transfer time so I was unable to write. My time in Kajjansi has come to an end.  I guess you are all wondering where in the great country of Uganda Elder Winters is going... I have been sent back to the Eastern parts of Uganda and will be serving in Mbale (EMM-BALL-AY). I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to work harder and serve more people. Every transfer, every area, every companion brings new learning experiences and this transfer is no different. My new companion was actually my second Zone Leader on mission. It his his last transfer so in missionary lingo I'm "Killing" him!!!!  I want him to remember our transfer together and be grateful for working hard to the end. He is from Kenya, Nairobi.

I want to share my testimony with you of something today. I haven't done that very recently and I apologize...;P As I have been reading the Book of Mormon and studying with other missionaries we have found a scripture which contains some great truth. As Jesus Christ was teaching his disciples among the Nephites He taught them His gospel. Prior to his leaving, he called and ordained men to go forth and preach the gospel. In 3 Nephi 28:23 we read of the results of their efforts. "And it came to pass that thus they did go forth among all the people of Nephi, and did preach the gospel of Christ unto all people upon the face of the land; and they were converted unto the Lord, and were united unto the church of Christ, and thus the people of that generation were blessed, according to the word of Jesus." The important thing I want us to pick from this verse is the fact that the people were converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people around the world think that simply joining a church that teaches from the Bible or worships God or whatever is good enough...but we learn here that that is not true. We must be converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. Faith and Repentance can come on their own in our individual lives, but Baptism and Receiving the Holy Ghost MUST be done by someone holding the authority of God and that is where the Church of Jesus Christ comes in. God has given his power and his authority to one church, his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If we want to truly and fully follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ then we too, like the disciples of old MUST unite ourselves with the Church of Christ. I testify to you that there is no other way that we can be saved in the kingdom of heaven. Straight forward truth!!!!

I love you guys!!! Continue to enjoy the Summer as I know you are!!!

Love,
Elder Winters

July 23rd 2012

Several pictures this week...



"We go, we go!!! Uganda Cranes we Go!!!" (Cranes Football fans, ready for a game!!!!) jk




YEP!!! We've got a Wal-Mart in Uganda!!! haha




"I think she's interested...Let's set an appointment!!!"




Quick stop for dinner. That is a literal pile of banana peels on the newspaper. LOVE EM'!!!!!




We caught this HUGE BUG in our apartment. Of course, Elder Winters the Crocodile Hunter had to let it walk up his arm!!! :P




Kajjansi Chapel in the upstairs loft of our building



July 16th 2012

Hello my favorite family and friends in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!

I must admit that I am really missing all of you right now. Not so much that I can't work but I think about all of you. Thanks for all the wonderful people who take the time to email me and write me almost each week. I really love getting the news from home and hearing about all the wonderful ways God is blessing you in your lives.

This week we had our most recent baptism interviewed for the Aaronic Priesthood. I think I may have said this before, but the best part of staying in an area for a while is seeing Recent Converts continue to progress in the church. It is also great to see their testimonies grow and see how their lives change as God blesses them for their faith.

Today for a Zone Activity we went to the Kajjansi Snake Park which is located in my area here. We saw some pretty cool stuff and the tour guide used a stick to provoke the cobras and pythons to do some stuff you don't see at Hogle Zoo. (If you want to know, you'll have to ask me to show you when I get home...;P)

Life has many challenges, but our adversity can and will make us stronger. No matter what may be going on in your lives right now, please remember that God is watching over you!!!

Best wishes from the Uganda Kampala Mission!!!

Love,
Elder Winters


Biggest Fast Offering I have ever given 20,000!!! (Haha, the tithing slips here have the USD sign so it makes things pretty funny!!! :P




Diggin' Time with an Investigator




Uganda Kampala Mission Tan Line (on the neck due to wearing collared shirts all day LONG!!!)




Elder Winters having a staring contest with a chameleon.




Desert Tortoise snowman (what Ugandans do without snow...;P)




King Cobra set for the kill


 

July 9th 2012

Hey guys!!! It has been the most physically exhausting week of my mission, but also one of the most rewarding!!!  This past Sunday (1st July) we had a POWERFUL baptism!!!! I have had some great investigators but this one has been by far my favorite brother to teach.


On Friday morning at 6:30 we arrived at the Second Counselor's (Branch Presidency) garden for digging. He was cultivating the soil to prepare for sweet potatoes. I had done cultivating and mounding before but it was my companions first chance. What is more, the next morning we went to one of our investigator's gardens and dug for 2 hours there. The work (both spiritual and temporal) is EXHAUSTING but definitely worth it!!!


We are going to Nsambya to get Njera (Ethiopian food) today, so I don't have a lot of time to share much. Just know that I'm still alive...;D and still kickin'!!!


One fun thing I would like to mention though...We just recently had a Sister missionary return to our branch (Kajjansi) from the Ghana Accrah mission. Amazingly, she knows several elders from Stansbury Park. Just shows you how small the world really is!!!


All my love from Uganda!!! The land of eternal heat!!!


-Elder Winters

July 2nd 2012

HELLO EVERYONE!!!!

So I was looking over the last blog post I wrote and I totally failed to mention who my new companion is. Well, you have a picture, but I guess a name to go with it would be useful. My companion for my 3rd transfer here in Kajjansi is from Salt Lake City, UT. He is an awesome guy with lots of interests that have been a lot of fun to talk about. One cool thing is that his twin brother is serving his mission in the Cape Town, South Africa Mission. They went to the Johannesburg MTC together and had a great time!!! Now they are both in COMPLETELY different places but I'm sure that each is lovin' it!!!

This week has been a hard working week as usual. One thing I am grateful for is being able to see the results of some of our labors. Yesterday (Sunday) We had a powerful baptism. This brother was a referral from one of our other investigators and progressed like a gem!!! I am so proud of him and the choices he has made in his life. It may interest you that the one thing which really caught his attention at first was The Family, a Proclamation to the World. We gave him a copy on our first visit because he seemed to very much care about his family. He has a great understanding of how the Gospel can and WILL bless him and his wife and small daughter. Another thing that he has really loved is the Book of Mormon. I have gained a very strong testimony of this special book and its power in conversion. We have had great success in using the Book of Mormon Story Reader with people we teach.  We have some investigators and recent converts who LOVE this book. :D It helps them to understand the stories as well as the teachings. We are using all of the wonderful materials produced by the church and people's lives are being changed!!!!

I hope that everyone has a WONDERFUL 4th of July and that everyone will stay safe with the fireworks. I hear that Utah at least will have pretty strict firework laws this year which is probably smart. No telling what some hooligan may do with those arial fireworks.

Thank you for all the support and prayers. I have and will continue to love my mission. All you young men between 12 and 18, NOW is the time for you to make the important decision to serve a mission. NOW is the time to prepare yourself mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I promise you that you WILL NOT regret the sacrifice to serve the Lord. I have seen so many blessings and miraculous life changes in the short time I have been out. I will ever remember the things that God has blessed me to learn through the many challenges and hard times. Adversity is there to make us strong and as my mission president says: "If mission was easy, [my] younger sister would be out here instead of me." haha I really do respect and admire President Jackson, I have learned so much from him. OKAY!!! Enough of my totally random thoughts paragraph...have a great week and I'll talk to you soon!!!!

Love,
Elder Winters

June 25th 2012

Well my friends!!! It has been a hectic week. Starting on Monday I had a fairly normal P-day except for a lot of preparations for transfers. My companion left that day for Entebbe so I had to coordinate with the other guys in the district to be with them but not interrupt their days activities. We ended up going to Kampala to do some shopping because one of the elders in the district is leaving to the "village" and needs some stuff to get him through the time there. SOOO!!! It was a pretty hectic day I guess.

Tuesday was probably the slowest day of my mission. We had a meeting in the morning then I had to spend the rest of the day at the mission office doing absolutely nothing because I had no companion. I know now that my desire to work is definitely there. Even when I have a hard day, the way to get through it is to work. WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK!!! The exciting bonus of the day though was being able to go to the airport in Entebbe to pick up my new companion straight from the South Africa MTC (Not the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for those "Suits on the Loose" fans ;P) We are getting along just fine, he is still in a little bit of shock being in a new country and all but we'll soon work that out of him.

Today we have some fun plans. Ever since I started my mission I began a list of things and places that every "Greenie" should experience his first transfer in the mission. Among that list is: The Kampala taxi park, Entebbe (Lake Victoria), Njera (Ethiopian food, I know, why eat Ethiopian in Uganda...don't ask me but it's really great!!!) and Matooke. We have been able to do a few of the "eating" things, and have plans to go to the Taxi park today and go to get Njera for lunch.

This first week in a missionaries mission is a very important one. It sets the whole path of the mission. If you work hard the first transfer, chances are that you will work hard the rest of your mission. If you laze around and break mission rules, the same actions will persist the rest of your mission. I am commited to make this first transfer and area the best experience possible to set the pattern for my companions mission.

We had a great turnout at Sacrament Meeting yesterday a whopping 126!!! I can't tell you happy that made me!!!! Kajjansi is GROWING!!!

Love from Uganda!!!!
-Elder Winters

Njera (Ethiopian dish. Fermented rice with beef and spicy sauce) GRRRREAT!!!!!



Peeling Matooke for dinner with a member!!!








Me and my New companion.



June 19th 2012

Big news of the week...I'm PREGNANT!!! Yep, you heard me right. I am expecting a son who is due to arrive on the 19th of June, 2012!!! I find it very hard to believe that I am old enough (I'm only a year old...;P). As I look back at things I can see that God has been preparing me my entire mission for this wonderful opportunity which has finally come. Training a new missionary can be a big challenge but can also contain great blessings. I am grateful for all the experiences I have gone through, both the good and the...not so good ;) I have learned patience, diligence, and the power of prayer and I hope to instil those attributes into my new companion. I'm not quite sure what we will call him yet...haha We'll find out on Wednesday. :D Anyways, that is the biggest news of the week. We are still working hard, we were hoping to have a powerful baptism on Sunday but things fell through. I really know that Satan is working hard against these investigators and Recent Converts, and sadly he has a powerful influence which is hard to resist with a weak and still growing testimony. We missionaries and strong members of the church are here however to support and strengthen those who are not strong themselves yet.


-Elder Winters



Rain storm last week. The road was completely flooded!!!




Carrying Jerry Cans is one of the ways missionaries provide service to people here in the Uganda Kampala Mission!!!




Umbrella, Broom, M-16...just some standard equipment in the closet of one of our investigators....haha (He's a policeman)



June 11th 2012

Hey Friends and Family!!!

I guess I should probably catch up on things. Recently (May 19th) I "turned" one year old. As a missionary this can be a great mark to hit, not only to know that you are on the down hill slope, but that you have endured this long and you know that you can endure the rest. When I say endure I don't mean stick it out, I mean stay strong, work hard, teach by the Spirit all the rest of the way. As runners will tell you, the last half is the hardest, which is why the most effort must be put in. In the last few weeks since turning a year I have had an increased motivation to work harder and a greater desire to have the Spirit always. My understanding of the Gospel has increased so much in the last year and I hope to use that knowledge effectively in the year to come.

One thing about the week is that we had a rough time finding new investigators. I could not figure out why, we were tracting, street contacting, asking for referrals and EVERYTHING we could possibly do to get some new people to teach. This Saturday I looked over the week and the numbers which came in. In our missionary planners we have two columns for measuring the day's progress. There is a column to measure the actual work done, but there is also a column to set goals at the beginning of each day. As I looked over the goals columns, we were seriously under-achieving in the goal setting columns, and it was affecting our "actual" column. This Saturday we set a goal to have 7 new investigators, which for those of you who have served missions know can be somehow of a challenge. As we went about our day I prayed for the Spirit to help us meet our goal and God placed people in our way. We met several people as referrals from a Recent Convert, and we tracted into 3 families. Because we set worth while goals, then depended upon the Spirit and our effort to achieve them, God allowed us to have 7 new investigators on that very day. I have a new respect and understanding of the importance of setting and achieving goals. I know that when we set low goals, we will have low performance. A goal is something which must stretch us, make us grow. If we set a goal to get out of bed every morning at 8am and do 2 push-ups as our exercise routine, we will have a 2 push-up a day body. If we stretch ourselves however and say we will start with maybe 20 push-ups a day then steadily increase, we will see the great blessings for our effort.

Today for our "transferly" zone activity we went to a place called Wonder World. It is a small amusement park in Kampala and was actually a lot of fun for these "thrill starved" Elders and Sisters. The greatest temptation was the two water slides which they had in the middle of the place. I can't tell you how much missionaries (especially American missionaries) come to miss swimming. As my top three "worldly" things to do when I get home, swimming is number 2. Ahead of that is flying, (I think you probably all could have guessed that one...) and number 3 is to eat a big Subway sandwich with a large Chocolate Frostee from Wendy's.

By the way...one quick thing I need to mention. Speaking of temptations, I had an incredible temptation which I want you all to know about because it was sooooooo coool!!! So as I have mentioned, or probably not mentioned...Kajjansi here has their own airfield. It is a small dirt strip which can accomodate C-208 (Caravan) and Twin-Otter bush aircraft. I have come to be pretty good friends with the owner of the operation, an American who came here to fly bush planes as his dream. Well...on Saturday, as we were stopping in to see him, he pulled me aside and said: "I have just finished the repairs on my Stinson and will be taking it up tomorrow, you wanna come along?" Now, for those of you who are not so much aviation addicted as myself, a Stinson is one of the most classic bi-planes in the world, and here I was sitting with an offer to go up in one, free of charge. I have no doubt in my mind that if I had been able to go up I would have been able to wrap my hands around the stick and take control of that magnificent aircraft. But, as a missionary, we must follow the mission rules. One of our rules is that we cannot fly in personal aircraft, so I had to refuse this irrefusable (totally butchered the spelling on that...) offer. I pray that God will see my sacrifice and bless me for my devotion in keeping the mission rules. ;P

Thanks for taking the time to read this update.  If you have any questions you would like answered, please email my Mom or Dad (or whoever sends this to you...they will get the question to me and I will do my best to answer it.

I love you all, have a safe week, enjoy the Summer vacation!!!

Love,
Elder Winters



Bumper cars at Wonder World







Slide Tower at Wonder World



June 4th 2012

Pictures of the week...



I got BOMBED!!! Yep, a flying bird officially "GOT" the Mzungu ;P




At the Kajjansi Branch building




Beautiful Ugandan Sunset




Kajjansi Airfield!!! YAH BABY!!!



May 28th 2012

Pictures of the week...
-Elder Winters



50 cent fruit salad!!! Mango, Banana, Orange
(well, they are green on the outside, but somehow the same inside.) ;D

 


5$ Burger and Fries!!!