Life In Njeru
Hello everyone! Back at it again with another update!
Jan 21, 2020 Tues
Today was good. We had 12 week training all morning, but my comp says I don't really need it. After that and lunch we went to some appointments w/ our member friend Jimmy. A few fell through so we did some finding in between appointments. Throughout the day I was in a funk and wasn't as open to the spirit as I should've been. But during our last lesson with the 4 bros it made my day to see their interest and excitement about the gospel, I realize it's always worth it.
Jan 22, 2020 Wed
Today was alright. We had comp (companion) exchanges in our district (small defined area that they are assigned to teach/preach to). I was with Elder Magill's comp, Elder Ikai from Papua New Guinea. He's dark, short, buff, and funny. We taught a few lessons that went well and the day went noticeably faster. The days are starting to quicken.
Jan 23, 2020 Thurs
Today we had a few lessons fall though but we met a couple new people and had a powerful lesson. The more I am here the more I enjoy it. The kids here call me "Muzungu!" (Foreigner!) and act like I'm Santa Clause. And there are so many people who wear red hats and blue jackets, I feel too at home here. LOL
Jan 24, 2020 Fri
Today was bad but felt good. We had 4 of 6 appointments cancel on us but the 2 we had were powerful. Elder Falaula and I play cards during lunch and talk quite a bit. We visit some awesome members, get some awesome food (rolex and ice cream). We are teaching these Bros that are so fun and so interested, it really makes me smile. Plus "Musungu", occasional american music, and red hats help too.
Jan 25, 2020 Sat
Today was another day where the numbers were bad but I felt good. We had an investigator drop us and 3 investigators cancel, but we had fun with our investigators, helped clean the church, and had a super powerful lesson at the end of the day. The little things really do count, thanks Brother Wills!
Jan 26, 2020 Sun
Today was a day of perseverance. I had some home sickness today. During the sacrament I thought back to Deseret Ward; Bishop Hedrick, Cory Wozniak and Brian Hage, his counselors. I thought of Derek, Trevor, and Caden blessing the Sacrament and the teachers and deacons passing it, and hearing the testimonies of my ward family. After church I was doing laundry with no machine (which was "so fun") and I just broke down and prayed my heart out. For my family, my friends, my MTC brothers and sisters, the people I am teaching or will teach, and myself. I know that this is what I need to do and that my trials are but a small moment. I can do this and return with honor.
Jan 27, 2020 Mon
I love all of you and miss you so much. For everyone wondering I have eaten it's been mostly bread, pineapple, peanut butter and crackers when we don't eat out. When we do it's rolex (similar to an omelette with chopped veggies wrapped in a flatbread), matoke (a type of small green banana that is cooked and mashed and served with a sauce-often a peanut sauce), samosas (veggies and meat in baked triangle pastry), beans, rice, and ice cream. The area is super dusty, the drivers are crazy, and it looks like run-down beach houses, nice houses in a fort, or a village made of dirt. Regardless this is home now. I know that 2 Nephi 2:2,11 is true and it helps so much.
2 Nephi 2:
Jan 21, 2020 Tues
Today was good. We had 12 week training all morning, but my comp says I don't really need it. After that and lunch we went to some appointments w/ our member friend Jimmy. A few fell through so we did some finding in between appointments. Throughout the day I was in a funk and wasn't as open to the spirit as I should've been. But during our last lesson with the 4 bros it made my day to see their interest and excitement about the gospel, I realize it's always worth it.
Jan 22, 2020 Wed
Today was alright. We had comp (companion) exchanges in our district (small defined area that they are assigned to teach/preach to). I was with Elder Magill's comp, Elder Ikai from Papua New Guinea. He's dark, short, buff, and funny. We taught a few lessons that went well and the day went noticeably faster. The days are starting to quicken.
Jan 23, 2020 Thurs
Today we had a few lessons fall though but we met a couple new people and had a powerful lesson. The more I am here the more I enjoy it. The kids here call me "Muzungu!" (Foreigner!) and act like I'm Santa Clause. And there are so many people who wear red hats and blue jackets, I feel too at home here. LOL
Jan 24, 2020 Fri
Today was bad but felt good. We had 4 of 6 appointments cancel on us but the 2 we had were powerful. Elder Falaula and I play cards during lunch and talk quite a bit. We visit some awesome members, get some awesome food (rolex and ice cream). We are teaching these Bros that are so fun and so interested, it really makes me smile. Plus "Musungu", occasional american music, and red hats help too.
Jan 25, 2020 Sat
Today was another day where the numbers were bad but I felt good. We had an investigator drop us and 3 investigators cancel, but we had fun with our investigators, helped clean the church, and had a super powerful lesson at the end of the day. The little things really do count, thanks Brother Wills!
Jan 26, 2020 Sun
Today was a day of perseverance. I had some home sickness today. During the sacrament I thought back to Deseret Ward; Bishop Hedrick, Cory Wozniak and Brian Hage, his counselors. I thought of Derek, Trevor, and Caden blessing the Sacrament and the teachers and deacons passing it, and hearing the testimonies of my ward family. After church I was doing laundry with no machine (which was "so fun") and I just broke down and prayed my heart out. For my family, my friends, my MTC brothers and sisters, the people I am teaching or will teach, and myself. I know that this is what I need to do and that my trials are but a small moment. I can do this and return with honor.
Jan 27, 2020 Mon
P Day! Cleaned the house, pool, pictures, fun, groceries, and email.
I love all of you and miss you so much. For everyone wondering I have eaten it's been mostly bread, pineapple, peanut butter and crackers when we don't eat out. When we do it's rolex (similar to an omelette with chopped veggies wrapped in a flatbread), matoke (a type of small green banana that is cooked and mashed and served with a sauce-often a peanut sauce), samosas (veggies and meat in baked triangle pastry), beans, rice, and ice cream. The area is super dusty, the drivers are crazy, and it looks like run-down beach houses, nice houses in a fort, or a village made of dirt. Regardless this is home now. I know that 2 Nephi 2:2,11 is true and it helps so much.
2 Nephi 2:
2. Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
11. For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
11. For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
I love this gospel and am willing to share it.
Love, Elder Bradford
Love, Elder Bradford
***Parental Notes*** Unfortunately we didn't get to talk to Elder Bradford this morning thanks to the poor internet connection at the cafe. But we did get to instant message each other for a little while and it was nice to at least have some kind of back and forth conversation with him. In our correspondence he said that he'll never complain about the internet back home ever again. :) He says that the people there live in very humble homes with concrete floors and very little power but they are joyful. The children he says are "ingenious" because they can literally make toys out of trash. Regarding his own apartment, he says that it's a little dingy and they don't have a lot of cooking stuff or a water filter, but that they currently use Elder Magill's and Ikai's filter until they have one of their own. He says that it's fine. So far he has had no issues with the food and is very proud of his "iron stomach" for holding up so well. The weather is hot then it rains and then it's hot again. And this is considered the dry season. So the rainy season should be interesting especially with all the dusty roads. From what we can tell it sounds like he's doing well for the most part. He of course misses home but he's trying to adjust. It's just hard some days. He says that many of the people understand and speak English but not everyone. So he is trying to learn Luganda (which is part of the Bantu language and spoken in central Uganda). English is the official language of Uganda but each area has it's own native dialect. Prayers for his understanding of this new language and for his home sickness to ease would be appreciated. Thanks!
We think this is the view from his apartment because it came along with the next couple of
pictures which we know are from inside his place.
Elder Bradford and Elder Falaula outside Njeru Ward's church building
Must be a P-day- playing pool
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