September 22, 2014

Family and Friends,

Nakumatt is the Kenyan equivalent of Wal-Mart.  It is a large department store, the largest in Kenya, and stocks just about everything you need.  It is a bit higher-end than some others, but it is where we shop.  It is about a third the size of Wal-Mart, but it is huge to us.  The Nakumatt in Kitale just opened about four months ago.  We started shopping there a month ago, and the workers started asking us about the church.  President Barasa, first counselor in the Eldoret District, referred us to one of the workers, Wycliff.  Wycliff invited us to some interfaith devotional on Tuesday morning.  Turns out we were the guest speaker.  Thankfully, Elder Flake spent 23 years in the military as a chaplain, so he was very used to speaking about religion without telling everyone else how wrong they were.  They passed out small pieces of paper with a scripture from the Bible and another from the Book of Mormon.  The next time that we went in there, we got swarmed with requests for copies of the Book of Mormon.  Now we are teaching a few people from that devotional.

We thought that was the end of it, but they invited us back on Sunday morning for a memorial service for the Westgate attacks that happened one year ago.  Elder Flake again blew it out of the water, sharing with the people how Americans are very empathetic when it comes to terrorist attacks.  Great time.

On a bit of a lower note, our golden investigator, Odwour, is a former polygamist.  Not a big deal, because a lot of Kenyans are like that.  But he has to get approval from the Area Presidency before he can be baptized.  So we postponed his baptism from next Sunday to some time in the future.  Also, he is from the same tribe as Pres. Obama.

Love you all,

Jacob

August 25, 2014

Details in the Fabric

A question that I get asked a lot, though usually not directly, is "Why is life hard?"  This question is rephrased in a myriad of ways such as "Why does God let me suffer?" or "If God is a merciful god, why would He let such tragedies occur in the world?"  Acknowledging my lack of total understanding, and how I cannot fully comprehend the answers to most of the questions I am asked, I say that God allows bad things to happen because He loves us.

Why ever would a mother allow her baby to fall?  She could just hold him forever, always protecting him from all evil that would ever occur.  The floors are hard!  There are corners on the tables!  He could hurt himself!  Why would she ever put him down?  Maybe she would put him down so that he could learn how to crawl.  And then to walk.  And when he learns to walk, it is beyond question that he will fall and he will hurt himself and he will cry.  Does she want him to fall?  No.  Does she make him fall?  No.  If she had it her way, he would just stand up and walk immediately.  But any decent mother knows that it just doesn't work like that.  She also knows how much better a baby's life is when he learns how to walk.  So she puts him down instead of carrying him everywhere.

Likewise, God could certainly have held us in His care forever.  We would be safe and innocent and without sin and without cares.  But would we have ever learned and progressed?  No.  He knows good and well that we will stumble and fall and sin.  Does he get angry when we stumble?  Does a mother get angry when her infant struggles when trying to walk?  Of course not.  But he rightfully chastizes those who willfully rebel, just as a mother will punish those children who knowingly disobey.  The Lord always condemns unrepented rebellion, but when He speaks of weakness, it is always with mercy.

Nevertheless, life's struggles still come to us.  We, seemingly unexpectedly at some points in our lives, feel overwhelming feelings of grief and despair.  Why are these times not only necessary and eminent, but also good for us?  Imagine for a moment that the world on which you live is completely flat and mono-colored.  How many Instagram pictures would be posted?  How many National Geographic shows would air?  Likewise, where would all of the mountain climbers go?  All of the satellite pictures of earth?  What fun would an island home be if there is no island?  Likewise, how boring would life be if you woke up at 11, sat and stared at the ceiling, ate Rasin Bran with skim milk every day, never got sick, never got out of the house, then went to bed at midnight, only to do the same thing again tomorrow?  We were made of the stuff of legend, of the stuff of God.  We were made for more!  Our lives are beautiful and they were made to be enjoyed.  No, climbing our own personal mountains are not always fun at the time, and descending to the very bottom of our own personal valleys are not always in our New Years Resolutions, but we can learn to embrace the view at the top of the mountain as well as the journey.  We can learn to bask in the grandeur of the microscopic views at the bottom of the valleys.  Yes, we can even learn to enjoy the journey.  What great painting was only painted with yellow and gold, yet left out the blues and greys?  We need all kinds of experiences to shape and mold us.  Be grateful for the happy times and be grateful in the sad ones.  We should learn to love life, no matter what "life" means to us.  Learning that glorious eternal perspective afforded us by the gospel of Jesus Christ is something that can help shape us, define us, lift us, and inspire us to have an attitude of gratitude in all of our circumstances.  The details in the fabric of our existence are not always smooth and pleasant, but they help to transform us into the divine beings we are destined to become.

Love is not something that we are inherently good at.  Rather, it is something that can be practiced and improved.  Likewise, living in a state of wonder and awe and gratitude is something that we can all improve on.  It is not something that we either have or we don't, but it is something we can pray and ask for.  We can be grateful in all that we do.  We are only living a fraction of the life we can live if we do not learn to appreciate all of the colors in our glorious artwork of life.  Please learn to be grateful for all of the experiences that you have.  Love the Lord and love yourself, and especially learn to love everyone around you.

Good luck to all of the returning students and teachers. 

Love,

Jacob

jacob.dick@myldsmail.net

July 29, 2014

A lesson to always follow the Spirit:  Usually, I get fed up with people hollering at me.  But this one took the cake.  Mostly people will yell "Wazungu!  Give me ten bob!"  But this guy I walked by yelled, from 30 feet away, "Church of Christ!"  CoC is another huge denomination here run by white people.  I was just about to walk by until I was almost punched by a force that said "What are you doing, Elder Dick?  Go contact him!"  So I did.  I figured he was just like everyone else...  "Yeah...  uh huh...  Okay sure you'll come to church (yeah right)."  We left.  He came to church.  What a small miracle!  Most missionaries hate contacting.  I usually do too, but I know that I need to do it.  And I know that it pays off!  He has a baptismal date now.  Follow the Spirit!

Some interesting Swahili words:

Moped - baiskeli moto - literally means "fire bike"  

Sometimes, people call electricity "moto" since it can somewhat look like fire.

Train - gari la moshi - car with smoke

Fizz - toa sauti kama gesi - give out noise like gas

Some favorite mottos:

"My ward is full of 3 types of people...Saints, Aint's, and Complaints."

"Work like a slave, live like a King."

"The three S's of sustain: Sustain, Support,and Suffer" - Bishop Tim Strickland

July 7, 2014

Friends and family,

I am really inconsistent with writing personal weekly emails to send out in a mass-email, so usually my mom will piece together parts of other ones I have sent to then forward out.  She has, however, called me to swift repentance.

On Tuesday we had a Zone Training Meeting.  We counseled with the zone about obedience and positive attitudes, allotment and racism.  So we pretty much covered all of the basics.  My favorite quote from that meeting was one from Robert D. Hales: (paraphrasing since I don't remember word for word) "Why do any of us choose to disobey when we know the eternal consequences of such a decision?  The scriptures hold the answer.  Cain and some of Adam and Eve's other children were disobedient because 'they loved Satan more than God.'"  A follow-up comment on that quote was made by an unnamed missionary: "Worse than loving Satan more than God is actually joining his army to fight against what is right.  Don't tempt others to choose the wrong.  When you do, you are working for Satan.  If you are foolish enough to choose to follow Satan, fine.  But don't you dare bring someone else down with you (referring to bringing other missionaries down)."

Walter was baptized two Sundays ago and confirmed yesterday.  He walks five or six miles to church each Sunday, and his family has started coming with him.  When he first started investigating the church his wife took his kids and left.  On Friday we went and visited him and his family.  His wife was there and we spoke about the sealing ordinance performed in the temple.  She was captivated and now she is coming to church too, still walking the five or six miles each way.

Silas is a member who comes with us to visit people.  He has one hand and rides the poopiest bike.  But he is always there to help us.  He is the second counselor in the branch presidency and he lives further away than anyone I have ever met (until we visited Walter).  He doesn't have a job but he goes into town every day to try to find work.  Fast fact, people that do that earn around 200-300/= each day that they are able to find work.  That is $2.50-3.50. 

So I tell you this so that you can understand that these two men are highly ranked in my book.  They have hardships, much more than I have at home, and they are some of the most faithful members that I have met.  They never miss a Sunday.  They are always excited (in addition to being willing) to share the gospel, always magnifying their callings.  They certainly understand that there is a law irrevocably decreed before the foundations of this world upon which all blessings are predicated.  And when we obtain any blessing from God it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Basically, my sob story is that the most faithful members of the church aren't found in mansions driving nice cars.  They are most likely living in less-than-optimal conditions, barely scraping by.  And still they give their precious time to serving others because they understand what is important.  I hope everyone remembers the counsel given by President Eyring in the 2014 April Priesthood Session of General Conference.  The three things that he admired in all of his role models were (1) a pattern of sincere prayer with real intent, (2) a habit of selfless service to others, and (3) a rock-solid commitment to total honesty.  Be a role model!

Love,
Jacob

The year in review

June 9, 2014

This past week we went on a 40-mile bike ride.  It put a hole in one of my shoes, but I am getting that fixed.  I also almost got in a fight with a matatu conductor over $0.25.  I didn't care at all about the money, but it was the principle I was concerned about.  I gave him 200/= and he owed me 40/=.  He said (in Swahili) "It is okay."  I told him that no, it is not.  He needed to give me the money.  He gave me 20/= and then tried to blow it off.  As he stepped to the matatu to leave, I put my hand on his chest to stop him.  All of the other people around (about 15 others) all said "Ooooohhhhhh..."  The matatu conductor all of a sudden got really prideful.  He was not going to give me the money.  We argued for a bit and everyone was on my side because they knew he was wrong.  He also knew he was wrong.  People were getting angry with him, especially those people who were riding the matatu because he was holding it up.  I finally called him "mwizi" (thief) which scared him, but not enough to give me the money.  It scared him because whenever there is a thief, no matter how small of an amount they stole, they either get their hand chopped off (if they are Muslim) or they get burned to death.  I walked away, but then stood in front of the matatu so that they could not move.  The driver got out and graciously handed me 20/=.  We left, and we were the talk of the town the rest of the day.  Ain't no one taking advantage of this white guy!

My testimony:

The first thing that missionaries teach anyone is that God is our loving Heavenly Father.  The first message that anyone hears from missionaries of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ is that their Heavenly Father knows them, loves them, and desires their happiness.  We teach that God hears and answers prayers from each of His children.  I know that God loves me.  I know that God loves us.  We are made in His image.  He is our Father and we are His children.  We are all brothers and sisters.  I love my Heavenly Father.  I know that He knows what is best for each of us, just as a parent knows what is best for their child.  He has asked us to trust Him and to do what He asks.  If we do, He has promised everlasting happiness.  I know that God lives, and that He loves me.

Love,

Jacob

May 26, 2014

Fiery Darts of the Adversary (Jungle Fever pt. 2)

Family and friends,

We proselyted a grand total of two days this week.  We were busy in

Eldoret most of the time.  Monday, of course, was preparation day. Last Monday we were at the same cyber as we are at today.  Internet was flying then, and now I can hardly do anything.  I am typing this on Notepad for the second time, as I failed to save my first draft about five paragraphs in and the power went out.

Tuesday we travelled to Eldoret.  In the afternoon we played football

against the Kisumu/Eldoret zones.  We wrapped them up in brown paper and smoked them like tobacco-free cigars.  We walked right through them!  Not keeping score, of course, but it was bad.  We woke up Wednesday in order to have a mission tour (zone conference with a

general authority) with Elder Cook of the Seventy.  He is really nice

and humble and understands that no one is perfect.  Before the

meeting, he met with only the zone leaders of Western Kenya.  In our

small meeting he explained how we are the ones who preside over our zones and have responsibility for them.  He referenced Mosiah 26:8-30 (or to the end of the chapter, not sure which verse).

We drove back Wednesday night so that Thursday we could work in Sikhendu.  We taught a young man named Immanuel who will be getting baptized this Sunday.  The rest of the day we just saw less-actives. Africa-wide there is a 36% rate of activity in the church.  I love teaching less-actives.  Less-actives, however, are sometimes the most

frustrating people to teach because they are usually (in my own

experience) very stubborn, and you are not allowed to drop them and

stop teaching them because they have already made that sacred

covenant.  So you cannot just let them alone to break that promise

when you have a chance to convince them to come back to activity.  A lot of missionaries argue about teaching less-actives and teaching new investigators to get more baptisms.  Because of the incredible amount of less-actives and the important covenant they have made, I love focusing on less-actives.  I do it more than teaching investigators. I usually balance it around 60/40 or 70/30 depending on how things work out.  Both reactivation and teaching new investigators is

important, so you cannot totally ignore one or the other, but I just feel like less-active members need to come back.  We have been having a lot of success lately with less-actives.

Friday we worked in Kitale.  We did weekly planning all morning, and

in the afternoon we were going to go street contacting with the branch president and another from the branch.  Unfortunately it started

raining, which means that nothing can happen since all roads turn into mud.  After it let up a bit, we waited and then went ahead to do contacting.  We did 175 in about 45 minutes.  Thank you to the RM that

helped us.  I actually don't like contacting, but the Lord asked me to

do it so I do it.  I try to be as happy as I can.  And the more I don't like it the more I make myself do it.

Saturday we went back to Eldoret for a meeting with Elder Mkhabella (an Area Seventy).  Sunday we attended church in the Langas branch in Eldoret while a lot of the missionaries in the zone got interviews with President Hicken.  We got back to Kitale at 3:30p.  The other six

elders stayed in for the evening to cook food but Elder Thomas and I

took our bikes and rode to two member-present lessons.  My bike has

just one pedal.  The other pedal is just a metal bar.  Elder Thomas' bike doesn't change gears.  We went about four miles downhill to a

recent convert's home, and then four miles back to make it home before

our 7:00p curfew.

Being a zone leader is not really pleasant.  Like Elder Holland said in his talk, discipleship can be really great.  You get to teach and baptize and testify and feel the Spirit.  But then there is the flip side, since everything comes in twos (2 Ne 2).  You have to chastise, discipline, correct, and deal with persecution, sometimes

coming from within the church or from other missionaries (1 Ne

8:27-28, 33-34).  That is the hard part.  We have a few elders in our zone who are good people, but they do things they aren't supposed to.

One in particular goes on Facebook and had a phone until we got it and

called girls and doesn't like working and told my companion that he

specifically hates him and me.

I do not care so much if people hate me or if they don't like me or talk bad about me.  What I really care about is if they talk bad about

their leaders or don't obey people they promised to obey.  And that is what I see a lot when I try to lead.  People are just going against

their leaders, even when what they are saying is direction from

someone else (mission president or the Lord).  Does that make sense?

If you have seen "Band of Brothers" near the very end there is one Lt

who doesn't like his Captain (or a cpt who doesn't like his Major,

something like that).  He doesn't salute him, and the higher ranking

officer says "You don't have to salute the person.  Salute the rank."

Same concept.

Funny story.  We were teaching this lady.  She is a mama (mama's are a very unique species of human.  They are generally incredibly overweight, have many children, and are overly confident).  She has a new baby named Brian.  To get the whole picture I will say that she rarely puts pants on the kid and just lets him crawl around everywhere (including the dirt floor of her home).  Also, it is perfectly fine to pull out your boobs to breastfeed.  And not like in a very private way like those in the US where they cover up and everything, but they just lift up their shirt or pull out their boob and then after it is all out they search for their kid to put them on their "chichi."  Then after the kid is done they wait for a few moments (sometimes a few minutes) with their boobs just very open, and then put it away.  So Miracle, the mama, was being taught about (ironically) the law of chastity.  She pulls out her boobs to let Brian feast and puts him up there.  **I hate this, by the way.  I am not uncomfortable or grossed out, but I really wish it didn't happen.**  As I am talking about the law of chastity and Brian is sucking away, he starts peeing all over her.  Epic lesson.

I love all y'all, and I also have found a new love for a nice treat called a samosa, which is a nice little pocket made of chapati, full of meat and peppers.

Also, if anyone ever wants to know how Kenya is, make the hottest cup

of hot chocolate you can, but make sure that it is not more than one

part chocolate to 100 parts water so it is very watered down, then sit

in a really stuffy room when it is 95 degrees and you will know

exactly how it is.  Feel free to also dine on a local favorite,

githeri, which is hard corn and hard beans (chilli without the meat

and soup).  Also as hot as you can get it.

Love,

Elder Dick