Happy 4th of July my friends!!! (And Canada day on Friday :D)
This week has been GREAT, except for a few small annoyances...:/ So first off, thanks for the letters this week, DearElder is the way to go, I still haven't received a single letter from the pouch so it must take a REALLY long time :D Thanks to the Crowleys (say hi to Sam for me), Jessica Clonts, Aunt Jeannette Nelson, Erin and Deena!!! I really appreciate your support and letting me know what's going on back in the good old USA.
So Saturday (2nd) was the hottest day since I got here. It had to be at least 90 degrees and 60-70 percent humidity (EESH!!!) haha, that's a new African exclamation I learned. Needless to say I was sweating the whole day and when I got home had to hang my clothes out on the line before putting them in the laundry bag. I guess mold is a pretty big problem here with all the humidity, so I've been trying to be really careful.
I saw my first accident on Wednesday since coming to Uganda!!! Which is incredible considering all the Boda-bodas, taxis and pedal-bodas running around. (boda-bodas are for hire motorcycle taxis in case you were wondering) So a boda-boda was SCREAMING down the road and as he was going through a crossroads he t-boned a kid on a bicycle. The kid flew about 10 feet, I ran over to make sure he was okay, he was. The funny thing is that he was so okay that he got up and started yelling in the face of the boda driver :D haha. I'm surprised that I haven't seen any more accidents, the crazy driving I've seen is NUTS!!! I'm sure the only reason I'm alive today is because of all the prayers in my behalf. Thank you on that note, with luck and the grace of God I will arrive back to Utah safely in 22 months :)
On Wednesday I was able to go on exchanges in Jinja town with an Elder Birch from Mesa, AZ. It was nice to visit a new area and meet some new people. I love working in Walukuba and I hope that I get to stay for at least 2 more transfers, but visiting somewhere else was very refreshing. The cool thing is, on the outskirts of Jinja town there is a little airstrip (dirt of course) but an airstrip nonetheless. I'm told that it is never used but it was fun to see the sign "Jinja Air Strip!!!" I really miss airplanes and airports!!! I haven't seen an airplane for one whole month now, which must be some kind of record (especially for me:D) I'm starting to get a little depressed, but I'm sure that I'll get through it. I can't wait to get back and start working at the airport again and see all the new technology and aircraft designs that will be around. I hear that by the end of this year NetJets (a aircraft share organization) will be purchasing some Global aircraft from Bombardier!!!! SWEET!!! I can't wait to see them!!! Also, I can't wait to get behind the yoke (or stick) and fly myself again. The Wright brothers were truly inspired by God to bring about the invention of the airplane. I know that the reason I'm on the earth at this time is so that I can fly, it is one of the best parts of my life and I MISS IT SO MUCH!!!!! Okay, sorry for the little pity party there, but it is something really hard I'm going through right now. Most missionaries leave girlfriends behind. I had to leave my girlfriend(s) behind with all the airplanes I have flown (55W, 814, 01S, 52E, 4AA, 88M, 1CT, the list goes on and on!!!!) I don't even get emails or letters from them...:/ that must tell me how much they care. :D Oh well, 22 months and I will be able to take to the air again and enjoy the freedom of flight.
So we had a Leadership Training with President Jackson (mission president) on Thursday. I was privileged to give a "training" or a short thought on the Sacrament and it's role in the lives of investigators. We as missionaries spend soooo much time and effort on trying to get people to come to church. There must be a reason for that. I spent 2-3 hours studying the sacrament and it's importance in OUR OWN lives to better understand how it can benefit the lives of investigators. I came across a scripture in Helaman 4:24 which talks about "...the spirit...cannot dwell in unholy temples." This verse made it clear to me. In the sacrament prayers we are promised that as we take and keep the promises contained therein we will have the Spirit to be with us ALWAYS!!! The spirit converts, and without it, someone cannot have a mighty change of heart. This is the real reason we push so hard for investigators to come to church. When we partake of the sacrament as part of the repentance process we are washed clean (as with baptism). With this cleansing we make it possible for the Holy Ghost to dwell in us and help us in our lives. So...the sacrament is sooooo important in the lives of investigators because they need to feel the spirit and cannot do so unless they are cleansed and worthy of it. This was a little different way of thinking about the sacrament in our lives than I have in the past. Kinda cool...
So I've got to interject something here...do you know the power of Flour, Salt, eggs, and Water??? It is these three simple ingredients that have enabled me to make one of the most delicious meals I have ever had. In the market here in Walukuba there are several food stands that have guys cooking different things. One of those things is known as a Rolex. It is simply a thick tortilla (chipatte) with a fried egg wrapped inside. Eating off the streets is against mission rules (cuz these guys never wash their hands, eeewww gross!!!) so I sat and watched this guy make the dough and subsequent Rolex. On the way home that night I bought a kg of flour and a few eggs to see what I could make happen :) I made a flour and salt dough, then formed the dough into round tortilla looking things (but thicker) then I cooked them on a pan. Afterward I mixed an egg with a little salt and flour (to thicken the mixture) and poured that into a pan, letting it spread so it was as large in diameter as the chipatte. After flipping the egg you put the chipatte on top of the egg to make them stick together, then when the egg is cooked you pick it up and roll it (hence the name Rolex). I have to say it is about the tastiest thing I have had since I came here (except maybe the pineapples, they are the BEST!!!). I hope I explained it well enough so that you guys can try it if you want. If not...wait 22 months and I will make all the Rolex you could wish for when I get back :)
I have had a lot of opportunities to use the priesthood in blessing people in the short time I have been here. Malaria is a disease carried by mosquitoes which once caught by a human being is there for life. About this time of year (or every time of year I guess...) a lot of people have spells of the sickness that comes up every once in a while. People usually have a high fever, and just feel generally terrible. We had one experience in particular this week when we were visiting this Ja-ja (grandma). She was dealing with the symptoms and asked for a blessing. We were able to bless her to overcome the symptoms of the illness so that she could live life and help her family. The next day we visited to check up on her. She was on her feet cooking lunch!!! I know that the power of the priesthood is real and God truly cares for each and every one of his children.
I guess I will wrap up this email with an admonishment from our mission president to the members of the Jinja District. He was talking to us at the adult session and said: "If you aren't married get married PERIOD." I don't know why this was so funny but all of us missionaries busted up laughing. Our mission president just told us to go get married!!!! WHAHOOOO!!!!! haha, we knew he didn't really mean that for us, but it was funny that he said it that way with missionaries in the room. So the best part of that, was that there were several "Muzungu" (white) girls from Utah at the District Conference. They are here for 6-8 months doing humanitarian projects around eastern Uganda. I don't know why (maybe cuz I'm a teenage guy) but myself and all the other missionaries got a little silly showing off while setting up chairs and stuff. You have to understand, I haven't seen a "Muzungu" girl in two months!!!!! :D Needless to say I went a little crazy...:) (see the picture all you return missionaries (especially the one in purple:O), they're coming back in September!!!)
Quick update on Sister Vivian. She had her baptismal interview on Saturday (2nd) and will be baptized on the 10th. More details and pictures next week!!!
Well, that's all for now folks. Don't burn yourself up with all the new aerial fireworks :D
Until next time, Love,
Elder Winters
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| When I told this sister that I missed my baby sister she let me hold her baby :D |
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| We got to the church one morning and found all these flying ants all over the floor. They are massive, including their wings they are about the size of two fingers!!! |
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| Breakfast "Plate of the week" 3 Avacados and toast with plum jam |
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| "Muzungu" girls from BYU!!! |
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| "MUZUNGU!!!!!" Kids love white people and will hang onto you and walk with you :) kinda fun |
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| Chameleon I found at the church. RANGO!!!! "Reach for the sky!!!" |
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