Hi,
My week has been pretty good! Being a zone leader is a little different. we are always running errands and doing things to keep the work moving forward. My companion is so cool we get along so well he is from Eden, UT and he has 4 months left on his mission. He is a great missionary! We have a lot of things in common like guns, trucks and outdoor stuff. It is nice to have a companion with the same interests!
We had to drive into Bulawayo which is about 3 hours away, for a Mission Leadership Council meeting so I am emailing you from here today. I have been driving a manual car and on the opposite side of the road I am not very good at it but I am sure I will get better in time. Sorry this is short we have to drive back to Gweru today.
Love you,
Elder Rasmussen
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Week 42
How are you guys? My week was pretty good and exciting! We had transfers this week and when we got the phone call to say what our assignments would be, I found out that I would be leaving Masvingo. I am now in a place called Gweru, it is about an hour and a half from Masvingo and my new comp is Elder Burrows and we are Zone leaders here. We have a car which is so nice, and our job is to run supplies around and to help the missionaries in this area. There is about 16 missionaries in our zone. This morning we left Masvingo around 5:30 and got here at like 8ish so it was a pretty good drive. But other than that my week was about the same.
This house we are in is a mansion it's huge and there is only the 2 of us living here so that is nice. I am excited to live here! The town is not too big, but there is a lot of things here to see.
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| Elder Masinga and I |
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| Elder Holmes. Elder Masinga and I |
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| Elder Black, Elder Prince and I on our last Sunday in the Masvingo Branch |
Week 41
This week was good we had Zone Conference which was great we focused on developing Christ like attributes and doing our best to be like Christ. I know that for me I have a long way to go until I develop all the attributes of Christ, but I know that as I do I will be able to find, teach and love more.
I got the packages you sent and I didn't want to wait until Christmas so I opened them! Thank you so much mom, I needed some nice clean shirts. Haha! I set up the nativity you sent along with the Christmas tree but I forgot to take a picture of it. We teach on average 4-5 lessons a day sometimes we teach as many as 8. We have some appointments that fall through which can be frustrating. Right now we have 2 people with baptismal date one for Chido she is 14 and is in a part member family and then Orison and he about 23. Their baptism date is set for December 22nd they are both pretty excited and ready to become members! They love to read the Book of Mormon and come to church on a regular basis which is amazing because it is pretty hard to get people willing to do that. And these two things really help you become converted to the Lord.
On Saturday we had Light the World day of service so we cleaned the windows and weeded the garden of an old folks home. It was really great to have all the missionaries join the ward members and serve those around us.
Elder Rasmussen
Week 40
Hi,
This week was good, we were able to find lots of new people to teach and it's going really well. This new area is pretty much like my last area so there isn't a real difference. Transfers are on December 8th so we will see what happens.
Our house has a nice toilet and hot water we don't have couches there are only 2 houses that have them.
So we had a cool experience this week, we were teaching this boy named Michael and when we got there to his house his Gogo (his grandma) was there and she doesn't speak much English. So we started to teach them and the spirit was so strong that Michael's Gogo was able to understand us as we taught them. We shared with them the plan of salvation and we tried using as many Shona words that we knew to help her. She told us that other people had said that our church was a satanist church and after listening to us she knew that we are not that. I know that God does help us missionaries when someone needs to hear the Gospel.
Elder Rasmussen
This week was good, we were able to find lots of new people to teach and it's going really well. This new area is pretty much like my last area so there isn't a real difference. Transfers are on December 8th so we will see what happens.
Our house has a nice toilet and hot water we don't have couches there are only 2 houses that have them.
So we had a cool experience this week, we were teaching this boy named Michael and when we got there to his house his Gogo (his grandma) was there and she doesn't speak much English. So we started to teach them and the spirit was so strong that Michael's Gogo was able to understand us as we taught them. We shared with them the plan of salvation and we tried using as many Shona words that we knew to help her. She told us that other people had said that our church was a satanist church and after listening to us she knew that we are not that. I know that God does help us missionaries when someone needs to hear the Gospel.
Elder Rasmussen
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| Kids we play soccer with. |
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| Chameleon |
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Week 39
Hi All,
My week was pretty good! The BBQ ( it's called a bry here in Africa) we had last week was pretty good. We cooked sausage, beef and pork over a fire it was actually really good. I forgot that
Thanksgiving is coming up it is so hot here that it doesn't feel like that time of year. I think us missionaries might have to try a little Thanksgiving meal, it's defiantly not going to be like home so we will just have to see.
In the church magazines I've read about a book called The Saints and in the magazines here they have the first 8 chapters of it and I have read them it sounds like a really good book. I learned some things about Joseph Smith that I didn't know.
We got to go to this place called Great Zimbabwe today it was pretty cool. It's about 30 minutes from here and we spent around 3 hours there. We did see a baboon and other monkeys so that was pretty cool.
-Elder Rasmussen
My week was pretty good! The BBQ ( it's called a bry here in Africa) we had last week was pretty good. We cooked sausage, beef and pork over a fire it was actually really good. I forgot that
Thanksgiving is coming up it is so hot here that it doesn't feel like that time of year. I think us missionaries might have to try a little Thanksgiving meal, it's defiantly not going to be like home so we will just have to see.
In the church magazines I've read about a book called The Saints and in the magazines here they have the first 8 chapters of it and I have read them it sounds like a really good book. I learned some things about Joseph Smith that I didn't know.
We got to go to this place called Great Zimbabwe today it was pretty cool. It's about 30 minutes from here and we spent around 3 hours there. We did see a baboon and other monkeys so that was pretty cool.
-Elder Rasmussen
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| Elder Holmes and I |
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| Great Zimbabwe |
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| Great Zimbabwe |
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| Great Zimbabwe |
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| Great Zimbabwe |
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| Great Zimbabwe |
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Week 38
Hi All,
This week was good! We have been finding alot of people to teach we have been sharing the gospel with as many that will receive us. This week we had district council and our President came. I had to do the doctrinal study. My topic was about "developing the faith to find the elect". As I was preparing and was reading in Preach My Gospel, I had some thoughts come to me on the things we need to be doing as missionaries to find the elect. It starts with obedience (Mosiah 2:41), personal and companion study (D&C 11:21), using the Book of Mormon (D&C 29:7) and listening to the Spirit. I hope my district will put these things to the test and see if it helps them find the elect.
My house is so nice and we are the first missionaries to stay in it. We still have to wash our clothes by hand and the food here is pretty much the same. We make dinner at the house and buy a little lunch in the area.
-Elder Rasmussen
This week was good! We have been finding alot of people to teach we have been sharing the gospel with as many that will receive us. This week we had district council and our President came. I had to do the doctrinal study. My topic was about "developing the faith to find the elect". As I was preparing and was reading in Preach My Gospel, I had some thoughts come to me on the things we need to be doing as missionaries to find the elect. It starts with obedience (Mosiah 2:41), personal and companion study (D&C 11:21), using the Book of Mormon (D&C 29:7) and listening to the Spirit. I hope my district will put these things to the test and see if it helps them find the elect.
My house is so nice and we are the first missionaries to stay in it. We still have to wash our clothes by hand and the food here is pretty much the same. We make dinner at the house and buy a little lunch in the area.
-Elder Rasmussen
Week 37
Hi All,
The new area is good! It's super hot here in Masvingo aye! I continue to learn the area and the people are pretty receptive and willing to listen to us. There are 8 missionaries here and in the past there have only been 4. We are all in the same branch and we were told that they want to split the branch so we need to work hard to bring more people to this gospel. There has been no growth of this branch since it became a branch in 1991. There are 500 members but only 100 come to church every week.
Our house here is so nice. I think it is the nicest in the mission. We haven't seen any new wild life here it's pretty much like the last area. People here don't celebrate Halloween they only really celebrate Christmas and Easter. The chocolate sent from home was so good it was nice to have some candy from America.
Our President told us last zone conference to use the Book of Mormon in every lesson that we have and we have been doing that and it is going really well. The Book of Mormon has so much power and it is a convincing power that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. He was called by God to restore the true Church of Christ back to the Earth. I know the Book of Mormon is true and it is here to help us in our day and helps answer the questions that we have in our lives.
-Elder Rasmussen
The new area is good! It's super hot here in Masvingo aye! I continue to learn the area and the people are pretty receptive and willing to listen to us. There are 8 missionaries here and in the past there have only been 4. We are all in the same branch and we were told that they want to split the branch so we need to work hard to bring more people to this gospel. There has been no growth of this branch since it became a branch in 1991. There are 500 members but only 100 come to church every week.
Our house here is so nice. I think it is the nicest in the mission. We haven't seen any new wild life here it's pretty much like the last area. People here don't celebrate Halloween they only really celebrate Christmas and Easter. The chocolate sent from home was so good it was nice to have some candy from America.
Our President told us last zone conference to use the Book of Mormon in every lesson that we have and we have been doing that and it is going really well. The Book of Mormon has so much power and it is a convincing power that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. He was called by God to restore the true Church of Christ back to the Earth. I know the Book of Mormon is true and it is here to help us in our day and helps answer the questions that we have in our lives.
-Elder Rasmussen
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Week 36
Hello Family,
Sorry I didn't have much time to email today, I got transferred after only 6 weeks in Mpopoma. I'm now in an area called Mazvingo. I've been traveling all day, Mazvingo is really far from the city of
Bulawayo. We took a 3 hour bus ride and then another 2 hours by car to get here. We are about 3 hours from the border of South Africa and near a place called Great Zimbabwe National Monument. I am the new District Leader here, and it's kinda cool because we are kinda opening up the new area. There is only a branch here and we will be having 8 missionaries who are all going to be in the same branch. So it's pretty exciting! I will have to tell you more about it next week. My new comp is Elder Masinga he is from South Africa. My whole district are white washing their areas, that means that both companion are new to the area, so we will be spending the next few days trying to figure out the area, My last week in Mpopoma was really good we didn't have a baptism but it was still good.
Love you all have a good week!
-Elder Rasmussen
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Week 35
My week was really good! We had 3 more baptisms and confirmations! The situation here is getting a little better for some things and not for others.
We were able to finish watching conference this week which was great! It is so exciting that there are going to be 12 more temples built, that is amazing!
This week was just a really good week! It's such an exciting time when someone gets baptized because we know that they are being saved in to the only true church on the face of the earth.
We had a few new missionaries come in about 6 weeks ago and this is the last week of the transfer so we will see if I leave this area or if I stay in it. We are supposed to get 12 new missionaries this next week so we will have to see what happens to me.
This week we finished up teaching the girl that was baptized, her name is Samantha and before she was baptized we went to her house and we asked her some questions about her baptism and she said, "yeah about that...." We didn't know what to think and my heart kinda dropped and I thought crap she doesn't want to be baptized anymore but she said, "I'M READY!"
We were so excited and the Spirit was so strong there as we talked more about her baptism and what was going to take place.
I've learned a lot about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we want to be happy in the Spirit World and want to be free from every care of the world we need to live the gospel here on earth. As we live the gospel, God will bless us if we obey what God wants us to do.
The Book of Mormon has so much power, we can use it to pierce the darkness in the hearts of unbelievers. The Book of Mormon can answer any question that we have in this life and if we read it everyday we will have power over Satan and it makes it harder for him to tempt us when we have put on the Armor of God.
-Elder Rasmussen
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| Our District at District Council |
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| Our Baptism this week. Elder Marange, Samantha, Thelma, Lorian, Me. |
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| This is how I wash my clothes. |
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| This morning I made pancakes without a recipe and they were actually really good. Hahaha |
-Posted by Brooke
Week 34
This week we received a letter from Sister Smith the mission secretary informing all parents of the situation in Zimbabwe. I am including this so that you understand Elder Rasmussen's letter he wrote to us this week. She said, "there are some challenges going on in our dear country right now, economy-based. Some of you may hear about these challenges from your missionaries.
Rising prices, inflation, shortages of certain items, extremely long fuel lines, and stores closing. These problems are all based on the cash shortages. Right now the shortages are still manageable and everyone is doing well."
I love her testimony and words of encouragement to us as parents of those serving in Zim. She goes on to say, "We believe we have all been placed here, at exactly this time, at exactly this place for a reason. What a privilege to be here in Zimbabwe during this momentous time. There is a temple announced to be built here. The people are humble and looking for the LIGHT and HOPE the restored gospel offers them. This country is about to explode with opportunity. Satan believes he can get to us by bringing on difficult circumstances, but if we truly have faith, we will see miracles. Referrals are up. Church attendance is up. With trust and faith, the work will continue to expand.
We love and care about your children as our own. We would do anything for them." -Sister Smith
Hi Everyone!
This week was a good one! I'm doing just fine. Everything is okay and we have all that we need. I am not worried about what is going on with the inflation and stuff because it just creates more opportunity for us. These people need God more now than ever right now and we have the message that will help them. It is time for us to find those that God has prepared for us. I have been thinking for the past few weeks about why I was called to this place at this time. I realized that I promised these people in the Pre-Earth life that I would bring them the Gospel and that I would help them come unto Christ.
We were only able to watch the Saturday sessions of conference at our chapel and then next week we will watch the Sunday sessions. So far the talk that stands out to me the most is the talk given Elder Rasband. I really enjoyed watching conference.
-Elder Rasmussen
-Posted by Brooke
Rising prices, inflation, shortages of certain items, extremely long fuel lines, and stores closing. These problems are all based on the cash shortages. Right now the shortages are still manageable and everyone is doing well."
I love her testimony and words of encouragement to us as parents of those serving in Zim. She goes on to say, "We believe we have all been placed here, at exactly this time, at exactly this place for a reason. What a privilege to be here in Zimbabwe during this momentous time. There is a temple announced to be built here. The people are humble and looking for the LIGHT and HOPE the restored gospel offers them. This country is about to explode with opportunity. Satan believes he can get to us by bringing on difficult circumstances, but if we truly have faith, we will see miracles. Referrals are up. Church attendance is up. With trust and faith, the work will continue to expand.
We love and care about your children as our own. We would do anything for them." -Sister Smith
Hi Everyone!
This week was a good one! I'm doing just fine. Everything is okay and we have all that we need. I am not worried about what is going on with the inflation and stuff because it just creates more opportunity for us. These people need God more now than ever right now and we have the message that will help them. It is time for us to find those that God has prepared for us. I have been thinking for the past few weeks about why I was called to this place at this time. I realized that I promised these people in the Pre-Earth life that I would bring them the Gospel and that I would help them come unto Christ.
We were only able to watch the Saturday sessions of conference at our chapel and then next week we will watch the Sunday sessions. So far the talk that stands out to me the most is the talk given Elder Rasband. I really enjoyed watching conference.
-Elder Rasmussen
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| A huge tree in our area. |
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| Elder Marange and I leaving Zone Conference. |
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| Zone Conference |
-Posted by Brooke
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Week 33
Hi All,
This week was another great one! We were able to baptize a 83 year old man named Nduna which was really cool. We baptized him on Saturday and then confirmed him along with Brother and Sister Sibanda from the baptism from the week before. We were able to find 10 new people to teach so we will have to see who is serious or not.
This week I've been studying about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and I have learned so much. The biggest thing I learned is that if the Atonement wasn't made none of us would be able to make it back to live with our Heavenly Father. It took a sacrifice to save all mankind. The Atonement consists of three things.
1) Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane
2) Christ dying on the cross
3) The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
He did this so that we can overcome the fall of Adam and Eve, which brought upon all the human race, physical and spiritual death. Christ was the perfect example to us and he did all these things for us so that we can be resurrected like He was. We need to always remember Him and do all we can in this life to be like Him so that we can stand blameless before the Father at the last day.
Love,
Elder Rasmussen
This week was another great one! We were able to baptize a 83 year old man named Nduna which was really cool. We baptized him on Saturday and then confirmed him along with Brother and Sister Sibanda from the baptism from the week before. We were able to find 10 new people to teach so we will have to see who is serious or not.
This week I've been studying about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and I have learned so much. The biggest thing I learned is that if the Atonement wasn't made none of us would be able to make it back to live with our Heavenly Father. It took a sacrifice to save all mankind. The Atonement consists of three things.
1) Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane
2) Christ dying on the cross
3) The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
He did this so that we can overcome the fall of Adam and Eve, which brought upon all the human race, physical and spiritual death. Christ was the perfect example to us and he did all these things for us so that we can be resurrected like He was. We need to always remember Him and do all we can in this life to be like Him so that we can stand blameless before the Father at the last day.
Love,
Elder Rasmussen
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| Our power was out so we had to light candles all over our house. |
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| Brother MalalaZi's baptism |
Week 32
Hi!
This week was great! We were able to have the wedding for Brother and Sister Sibanda on Saturday and then on Sunday after church they were baptized. We were supposed to baptize them on Saturday but the wedding started late so we had to move it to Sunday. It was a pretty big wedding we had it at the church and alot of family came from all over Zimbabwe. Many of the people that came are not members of our church so some of them were asking about the church. Because of this wedding we were able to plan seeds of the gospel in those who we talked to.
In this ward we were asked to share our testimony in sacrament meeting and that is all we have done so far. This ward has 150-200 members that come every week so I thought that was pretty good.
It takes us about 20 min to walk to the church building from our house. We live in this place called Entubane in the Mpopoma area and our chapel is right at the edge of it.
We have alot of ants and spiders here and in our house and there isn't a way to get rid of them. If they sell bug killer here it is going to be very expensive.
-Elder Rasmussen
This week was great! We were able to have the wedding for Brother and Sister Sibanda on Saturday and then on Sunday after church they were baptized. We were supposed to baptize them on Saturday but the wedding started late so we had to move it to Sunday. It was a pretty big wedding we had it at the church and alot of family came from all over Zimbabwe. Many of the people that came are not members of our church so some of them were asking about the church. Because of this wedding we were able to plan seeds of the gospel in those who we talked to.
In this ward we were asked to share our testimony in sacrament meeting and that is all we have done so far. This ward has 150-200 members that come every week so I thought that was pretty good.
It takes us about 20 min to walk to the church building from our house. We live in this place called Entubane in the Mpopoma area and our chapel is right at the edge of it.
We have alot of ants and spiders here and in our house and there isn't a way to get rid of them. If they sell bug killer here it is going to be very expensive.
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| We can see town from our area. |
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| A really cool lizard we saw. |
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| Wedding for Brother and Sister Sibanda |
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| Brother and Sister Sibanda's baptism. |
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Week 31
Hi All,
This week was a good week! I love it here in Mpopoma it's super cool. I am getting used to my new area. The house is smaller than the last one I lived in. The shower has tile every where and it is about size of mom and dads closet. It has a hole in the wall on one corner for a drain and then there is a shower head. The shower is also our wash room for laundry and stuff so it has buckets in there too. I will have to take pictures and send them next week.
We walk to the new area which is about a 15 minute walk. The area is so big it might be the biggest in the whole mission. It takes us like an hour to walk from one end to the other. We have been knocking on doors and contacting some on the streets. It's better to knock doors because then you know where they live and they don't give you a fake address. HAHAHA
A spiritual experience we had this week...
Elder Marange and I taught this lady named Nomsa. At first she kept telling us that this was going to be a one time thing and then we started asking her some questions as the spirit directed. We ended up discussing the subject of repentance and how hard it is to repent. We started giving her some advice, she said that she has tried to repent but that it doesn't work for her. I started sharing with her my own little parable (I can't think of another way to describe it). I asked her, "how do you think the first house was ever built?" And she said she didn't know. I said they had to start somewhere so maybe they started with the walls and then the roof. But a foundation would be better to start with and then work upward after that and then finally a sturdy house. I told her that in life we might have to go at a problem from a different angle and change our strategy. She totally understood what I was saying.
The Spirit was sooo strong and at the end of the lesson she told us that we could come back and share more with her. I know the Spirit directs us to help and to meet the needs of his children because he wants all of us to come back to him.
This week we have a wedding and a baptism scheduled. This couple that is getting married will be baptized right after the wedding takes place so that is going to be real cool.
I am getting along real well with my companion. I had many people tell me that we wouldn't get along but we are which is good.
Have a good week!
-Elder Rasmussen
This week was a good week! I love it here in Mpopoma it's super cool. I am getting used to my new area. The house is smaller than the last one I lived in. The shower has tile every where and it is about size of mom and dads closet. It has a hole in the wall on one corner for a drain and then there is a shower head. The shower is also our wash room for laundry and stuff so it has buckets in there too. I will have to take pictures and send them next week.
We walk to the new area which is about a 15 minute walk. The area is so big it might be the biggest in the whole mission. It takes us like an hour to walk from one end to the other. We have been knocking on doors and contacting some on the streets. It's better to knock doors because then you know where they live and they don't give you a fake address. HAHAHA
A spiritual experience we had this week...
Elder Marange and I taught this lady named Nomsa. At first she kept telling us that this was going to be a one time thing and then we started asking her some questions as the spirit directed. We ended up discussing the subject of repentance and how hard it is to repent. We started giving her some advice, she said that she has tried to repent but that it doesn't work for her. I started sharing with her my own little parable (I can't think of another way to describe it). I asked her, "how do you think the first house was ever built?" And she said she didn't know. I said they had to start somewhere so maybe they started with the walls and then the roof. But a foundation would be better to start with and then work upward after that and then finally a sturdy house. I told her that in life we might have to go at a problem from a different angle and change our strategy. She totally understood what I was saying.
The Spirit was sooo strong and at the end of the lesson she told us that we could come back and share more with her. I know the Spirit directs us to help and to meet the needs of his children because he wants all of us to come back to him.
This week we have a wedding and a baptism scheduled. This couple that is getting married will be baptized right after the wedding takes place so that is going to be real cool.
I am getting along real well with my companion. I had many people tell me that we wouldn't get along but we are which is good.
Have a good week!
-Elder Rasmussen
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| Elder Marange and I |
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| Pretty tree |
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| Our Chapel |
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| My Room |
Week 30
Hi All,
This week was good. I got a call on Saturday telling me that I am leaving my area and going to a new place called Mpopoma. It is on the opposite side of Bulowayo from where I have been.
I just moved my stuff in the new house like 30 minutes ago and the came to town to email.
My new comp is Elder Marange from Harare, he was with Elder Goje and I a few weeks ago so I know him a little bit. I didn't have to take a bus to my new area the Zone leaders drove me. I actually stayed with them Sunday night.
Due to my transfer, this was my last week in the Nkulumane 3rd ward. It was kinda sad but I am excited to go to a new ward and be in a nice chapel that is not a tent - so that will be nice. I bore my testimony in sacrament meeting (we do this this every time we come to a new ward and when we leave) and I taught the Gospel Principles class too.
The cooking is going pretty good. I have made tacos and they are super good and some of the best food I've had since coming here. Thanks for the Nesquik packets! The milk is still gross but I am just going to drink it.
- Elder Rasmussen
This week was good. I got a call on Saturday telling me that I am leaving my area and going to a new place called Mpopoma. It is on the opposite side of Bulowayo from where I have been.
I just moved my stuff in the new house like 30 minutes ago and the came to town to email.
Due to my transfer, this was my last week in the Nkulumane 3rd ward. It was kinda sad but I am excited to go to a new ward and be in a nice chapel that is not a tent - so that will be nice. I bore my testimony in sacrament meeting (we do this this every time we come to a new ward and when we leave) and I taught the Gospel Principles class too.
The cooking is going pretty good. I have made tacos and they are super good and some of the best food I've had since coming here. Thanks for the Nesquik packets! The milk is still gross but I am just going to drink it.
- Elder Rasmussen
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| Me in my new sun hat I bought this week. |
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| My last night with Elder Goje. |
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| Empty room after all my things were packed up. |
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| Elder Downey, Elder Qubeka, Elder Goje and I the night I left for new area. |
Friday, September 14, 2018
Week 29
Hi,
This week has been good we are still working hard trying to find and teach people the Gospel. Every time I come to email I kinda forget what happened that week because they sometimes seem to run together. Our investigators are coming along we are always dropping and picking up new ones. Some people aren't that interested or they aren't progressing and keeping the commitments.
Most of the homes we visit here are made out of cinder blocks and have wood on the trusses for the roof. The floors are either made of concrete or tile no one has carpet here and sometimes a rug.
Mom, I know that you wouldn't be able to live here, haha. Most houses are really dirty and kinda gross. They don't have showers, most people just take bucket baths with warm water they heat up on the stove. No one has air conditioning or heat so they use fans and little heaters they plug into the wall.
People here have different numbers of kids. I have met families with 12 kids and others with 1 but it seems like most have around 3.
Sunday was interesting this week, we didn't start church until 9:30. The Bishop wasn't there so the ward clerk had to be in charge. When we got there at 8:45 with one of our investigators, no one had keys. We finally were able to get inside and had to set up chairs sweep the floor. The funny thing is our investigator and her kids even helped set up chairs. Even though it was a rough start I think we had one of the best Sacrament meetings since I've been here.
I will hear Saturday if I am being transferred.
I am glad you got to see Elder Gunther he is a great guy. Probably the best missionary in this mission. He is very respected and he loves serving the Lord. He was my first Zone Leader when I got here and has taught me alot about being a missionary.
I did get one of the packages you sent and everything was in it. Thank you so much! The Swedish fish are so good, I forgot how good they are! Haha! And I am excited to use the flavor packets for different meals. Have a good week!
-Elder Rasmussen
This week has been good we are still working hard trying to find and teach people the Gospel. Every time I come to email I kinda forget what happened that week because they sometimes seem to run together. Our investigators are coming along we are always dropping and picking up new ones. Some people aren't that interested or they aren't progressing and keeping the commitments.
Most of the homes we visit here are made out of cinder blocks and have wood on the trusses for the roof. The floors are either made of concrete or tile no one has carpet here and sometimes a rug.
Mom, I know that you wouldn't be able to live here, haha. Most houses are really dirty and kinda gross. They don't have showers, most people just take bucket baths with warm water they heat up on the stove. No one has air conditioning or heat so they use fans and little heaters they plug into the wall.
People here have different numbers of kids. I have met families with 12 kids and others with 1 but it seems like most have around 3.
Sunday was interesting this week, we didn't start church until 9:30. The Bishop wasn't there so the ward clerk had to be in charge. When we got there at 8:45 with one of our investigators, no one had keys. We finally were able to get inside and had to set up chairs sweep the floor. The funny thing is our investigator and her kids even helped set up chairs. Even though it was a rough start I think we had one of the best Sacrament meetings since I've been here.
I will hear Saturday if I am being transferred.
I am glad you got to see Elder Gunther he is a great guy. Probably the best missionary in this mission. He is very respected and he loves serving the Lord. He was my first Zone Leader when I got here and has taught me alot about being a missionary.
I did get one of the packages you sent and everything was in it. Thank you so much! The Swedish fish are so good, I forgot how good they are! Haha! And I am excited to use the flavor packets for different meals. Have a good week!
-Elder Rasmussen
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| We took this pic 5 min before it started to rain. |
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| A guy in an African dancing outfit. |
Week 28
Hi,
I'm doing really good. We did alot of finding and teaching just the normal mission stuff.
I haven't my package yet my guess is that it will be here this week sometime.
Our investigators are doing well we are just trying to help keep them progressing.
I didn't teach my class this Sunday because we had a returned missionary teach which was nice.
This week Elder Goje and I have been trying to get the people we are teaching to come to Sacrament meeting but they are not keeping to that commitment. I have faith that some of them will start coming to church. We did have two girls show, Sanele and Nonlhanlha. We have been working with them for a while now and this is their second time coming to church. They really love church so hopefully they will continue to come.
We were invited over to a members home because is was their daughter's birthday and so we had dinner and cake with them. The dinner was good but the cake here is gross. It has no flavor and the frosting is not good. They don't have the ingredients to make cake and frosting like we do back home. And some ingredients are way too expensive and that's why they eat alot of Sodza, it's cheap.
Mosquito's aren't too bad yet but they do get worse in the summer. And it's so hot here, I have been taking my umbrella out with me everyday to keep the sun from beating down on me. Have a good week.
-Elder Rasmussen
I'm doing really good. We did alot of finding and teaching just the normal mission stuff.
I haven't my package yet my guess is that it will be here this week sometime.
Our investigators are doing well we are just trying to help keep them progressing.
I didn't teach my class this Sunday because we had a returned missionary teach which was nice.
This week Elder Goje and I have been trying to get the people we are teaching to come to Sacrament meeting but they are not keeping to that commitment. I have faith that some of them will start coming to church. We did have two girls show, Sanele and Nonlhanlha. We have been working with them for a while now and this is their second time coming to church. They really love church so hopefully they will continue to come.
We were invited over to a members home because is was their daughter's birthday and so we had dinner and cake with them. The dinner was good but the cake here is gross. It has no flavor and the frosting is not good. They don't have the ingredients to make cake and frosting like we do back home. And some ingredients are way too expensive and that's why they eat alot of Sodza, it's cheap.
Mosquito's aren't too bad yet but they do get worse in the summer. And it's so hot here, I have been taking my umbrella out with me everyday to keep the sun from beating down on me. Have a good week.
-Elder Rasmussen
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| Elder Goje and I with President Okot after our interviews. |
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| Our District walking home after a baptism. |
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| Me at our dinner appointment with the Tarisayi Family. |
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| Elder Goje sleeping. |
Week 27
Hi,
I am good and this week has been good as well. They changed the schedule on us this week so we didn't have our interviews just Zone conference. Zone conference was really good. Our President talked about the importance of the Spirit and how we always need to have the Spirit with us. He said there is no way we can convert others when we do not have the Spirit with us, it's impossible.
So the Spirit is everything, I know it is! With the help of the Spirit we can find, teach, convert and baptize.
My clothes are holding up pretty good. I actually bought 3 pairs of pants today because the dark colors are just too hot to wear. It is getting hotter and hotter so it will be nice to have these lighter ones. I've ruined 2 of my shirts the one has a big ink spot from my pen breaking. The other one has shoe polish on it from one of the guys in the house who polished his shoes on my shirt which was on the ironing board. But other than that everything is good.
I am feeling alright I did have a cold but it is going away. We do drink the water here every home in the mission has filters and we buy water bottles from the store. I drink alot of juices and I try not to drink a ton of soda. They sell Nesquik here it is the strawberry flavor and it is super expensive. So I don't buy it.
Hey you will be getting a little something from a returning missionary his name is Elder Gunther and he lives in Cedar Hills.. He was our AP and is a real nice guy. I asked him if he could bring a letter and some trinkets home to you guys, so you should here from him soon.
-Elder Rasmussen
I am good and this week has been good as well. They changed the schedule on us this week so we didn't have our interviews just Zone conference. Zone conference was really good. Our President talked about the importance of the Spirit and how we always need to have the Spirit with us. He said there is no way we can convert others when we do not have the Spirit with us, it's impossible.
So the Spirit is everything, I know it is! With the help of the Spirit we can find, teach, convert and baptize.
My clothes are holding up pretty good. I actually bought 3 pairs of pants today because the dark colors are just too hot to wear. It is getting hotter and hotter so it will be nice to have these lighter ones. I've ruined 2 of my shirts the one has a big ink spot from my pen breaking. The other one has shoe polish on it from one of the guys in the house who polished his shoes on my shirt which was on the ironing board. But other than that everything is good.
I am feeling alright I did have a cold but it is going away. We do drink the water here every home in the mission has filters and we buy water bottles from the store. I drink alot of juices and I try not to drink a ton of soda. They sell Nesquik here it is the strawberry flavor and it is super expensive. So I don't buy it.
Hey you will be getting a little something from a returning missionary his name is Elder Gunther and he lives in Cedar Hills.. He was our AP and is a real nice guy. I asked him if he could bring a letter and some trinkets home to you guys, so you should here from him soon.
-Elder Rasmussen
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| Bishop Ndlovu, Me, Elder Goje and Brother Phiri |
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| Me with he primary kids in our ward. |
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| Me before we went to church on Sunday. |
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| Elder Downey playing chess by himself. |
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