Let Us All Press On

Guess who's not dead? Me, that's who.

Mar 10, 2020 Tues
Today was successful but low in numbers. It was successful nonetheless. We had only 2 lessons but 3 new investigators and 1 contact. Plus our last lesson was a powerful one. We had a lot of time to talk while walking which was nice and we've been able to teach better together, as well as feel the spirit prompt us towards things.

Mar 11, 2020 Wed
Today was very slow. We had all lessons fall through. We didn't know where to go, but we taught one lesson and got 2 new. I realize now how easily debilitating and disappointing some parts of missions can be. But I can and will persevere.

Mar 12, 2020 Thurs
Today was slow, but we still had a couple lesson. They helped me remember why I am at least trying and why I am here. I've come too far to give up, so I'll keep on truckin'.

Mar 13, 2020 Fri
Friday the 13th BABY! Today we got allotments then went to lunch with other Elders. We then taught a powerful lesson on the restoration. We got ice cream and then had movie night where we watched The Fighting Preacher (which was a great movie). Today was honestly great.

Mar 14, 2020 Sat
Today we got movin' to a far part of our area called Naminya to find some new people. We had some success. Naminya is a bit bushy (it's a more rural suburb that is north of Njeru, near The Nile). I got a couple cool pics (me as Primary Color Man because of the colors I'm wearing). At the beginning of the day I wasn't sure what we should do, but then I prayed and felt that Naminya was where we should go. Prayer has power.

Primary Color Man

Mar 15, 2020 Sun
Today was odd. The First Presidency and the 12 Apostles sent a notice to the church all over the world about the Coronavirus pandemic. All church services and activities have been cancelled. So our district had our own sacrament meeting in the apartment. Ikai was presiding and spoke, Magill conducted, Maughan spoke, and I blessed sacrament. It was honestly so humbling and spiritual. At lunch we went to the Holmes family and had lunch (Pancakes, eggs, hash browns, sausage) and had a lot of talk about the world. The rest of the day was spent with the other elders in the apartments, chatting or playing cards. Great Day

Mar 16, 2020 Mon
TODAY WAS P DAY! We played pool, emailed, chilled. It was great.

Before anyone asks Uganda hasn't been hit with Corona Virus. And from what I hear and understand it won't kill me. So don't worry me. People with weak immune systems or are older than 65 should be really cautious.
Regardless of the situation of the world, try to remember that God lives and gives answers and strength to those who ask.
Something I've learned that we must all Press on. Fear not though the enemy deride. We WILL be victorious for the Lord is on our side. We will fear not the wicked nor give heed to what they say. But the Lord alone we will obey.
We will be made strong if we press on in the work of the Lord.

-Love Elder Bradford

Picture from Zone Conference last week. Jinja and East Zones

***Parental Notes***

We were able to talk with Sean again this week... well, sort of. He was able to see us but not hear us and we could hear him but not see him. So as you can imagine it was interesting as we tried to communicate with each other. We basically typed our questions while he verbally answered them. 

As you might have been able to tell, last week was a rough one. Sean said that all of the people they were teaching dropped them. Which is what led them to search a new area, Naminya. To get there, they either need to take a taxi or walk (which takes about 30 min). But that they had success there and found a few people who are interested in what they have to say and want to hear more. It looks like they will be making many more trips to Naminya. 

We had told him about his good friend, Malachi receiving his mission call to Ghana, and as we expected Sean was so excited to hear that his friend will be serving in Africa. He was only hoping that he would be serving in Uganda with him. Haha

We also had sent a few pictures from his Aunt Jenna's funeral from a couple of weeks ago. He was shocked to see how tall his cousins, Antwan and Ethan have gotten and how grown up his other cousin look since the last time he saw them. He loved that so many of us were able to be there.

The Coronavirus has certainly changed the way we are doing things world wide. The effects are reaching Sean in Uganda. As you read they are no longer meeting on Sundays as a congregation and they can't have activities anymore either. It makes it challenging when you are teaching someone and want to invite them to come see how you worship and you can't. We received another letter yesterday from his mission president, President Chatora. Currently they still don't have any cases of the virus in Uganda but they do have them in all of their neighboring countries; Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of the Congo. So the government in Uganda is closing borders and urging the people there to refrain from holding large gatherings including church services and school and practice social distancing. The missionaries are taking precautions to stay healthy. If/when they are given instructions that they have to be house bound they will be given extra funds to purchase supplies and food and will focus on studying, language learning, family history and teaching over the phone. 

There's no doubt they will be looked after.

Thanks for all your love and support. Sean feels your prayers.