UT to UG, New Year New Mission
Hello my friends, family, and anyone else who may be reading this. I've had a crazy and stressful week with lots of ups and downs. So let's get started!
December 28, 2020 Mon
Today was P-Day! We had a pretty nice one. We got some gas, grabbed lunch from Capriotti's with Knowles and Draper, said bye to him. After that went shopping, talked to fam, relaxed, then had a Lesson with the Marchant Family! It was also my Sister Claire's birthday!
The Marchants
December 29, 2020 Tues
Today was a very good day! We linked up with Elder Williams in the morning and said goodbyes. I did my COVID test and mailed it in. Then we met up with my old friend and former MTC companion, Trent Magill for lunch. It was so good to see him. We reminisced a bit. It was a good time. Afterwards we had our lessons and visited the Cutlers who are awesome. This stake is full of awesome families!
With Elder Williams
With The Cutler Family
Goodbye to Trent
December 30, 2020 Weds
Today I received news on how I will leave. I’ll have exit interviews tomorrow in the evening after which I will be spending the night with the APs (Assistants to the President) who will take me to the airport. So that'll be interesting. Other than that news we did some errands, sent my box of not needed stuff home, picked up a package for Sudweeks and then chilled a bit. I said goodbye to Elder Martin then had a couple of lessons to end the day. My COVID test still hasn't come in yet and I'm stressed out, I need it badly.
With Elder Martin
December 31, 2020 Thurs
Today was New Year's Eve! We had District Council Meeting today at which I gave a training on Receiving Personal Revelation and Using the Spirit. After DCM (and taking pictures and saying bye everyone, especially Hanson) we went and got Buffalo Wild Wings with Gish & Yeyna. Said goodbye to Gish, and Ferguson stopped by to say bye as well. We had a lesson then I rushed to finish packing and get to the Mission Office. My Negative COVID test came in just in time. So I said goodbye to Sudweeks and Jenks, then had an exit interview with President Kaluhiokalani. I spent the night with our APs Ahrens & Kandare, we grabbed In-N-Out for my final dinner, then watched the movie the mission turned on over Zoom for New Year's, it was Emperor's New Groove! Then we opened some Martinelli's to bring in the New Year!
With Elder Hanson
The District
Saying goodbye to Elder Gish
Last pic with Elders Jenks and Sudweeks
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January 1-2, 2021 Fri-Sat
New Year New Mission. I left for the St. George Airport at 4:40am, and then flew from St. George to Salt Lake to Atlanta alone. I then met up with Elders Fort, Pauni, Burden, Perkins, & Maughan in Atlanta. Everyone who was going back to Uganda was supposed to meet in Amsterdam. Elders Dodge, Reese, and Bear, who were flying direct from the Seattle Airport and were told they couldn't go because they took their Covid test too early. Everyone else took it at the same but the other airports allowed the dates and we were able to make it onto our flight. Pray for them that they will too!
Once in Amsterdam we met up with Rooks and O'Driscoll, and I realized I didn't know where my Yellow Fever Card was. The entire flight from Amsterdam to Entebbe I was stressing. I did have picture copies on my phone so I said so many prayers that those would be enough or that I would miraculously find it.
We landed and were waiting in line when, while I was preparing my things for Security, the thought came to my mind, "Check your passport book pockets". I checked it and I found my Yellow Fever Card. I nearly started crying.
The amount of relief I felt was astronomical. I quickly thanked God for that miracle and it was all smooth sailing from there.
We got through the airport customs and President and Sister Chatora greeted us and took us back to the Mission Home where we spent the night.
Sunrise pic from the plane
With Elders Pauni, Perkins, Burden and Fort
Reunited with Elder Maughan
Elder Maughan snapped this pic
At the airport in Entebbe.
Elders Bradford, Maughan and Rooks
We received these last two pics from the man in this pic, Ambrose. He has been assisting President and Sister Chatora in getting things ready for all these missionaries coming back to Uganda and was there to help drive the boys to the mission home. He is a friend of someone we know in our stake, Geri Beck and she told him to keep an eye open for Elder Bradford. He sent these pics to her and she forwarded them on to us.
January 3, 2021 Sun
My first Sunday back in Uganda. Today was kind of a buffer day. We didn't leave for our areas yet. We instead joined the APs and Office Elders in their Ward for church. It was Fast and Testimony Meeting so naturally all the extra missionaries shared their testimonies...at the invitation of the one presiding over the meeting. I didn't mind. After church (which was the full 2 hours BTW) we met up with everyone at the Mission Home for lunch and received official Transfer News. So in my interview I found out I'm going to Masaka...as a District Leader...with a Congolese Companion...in a District with just my companion & I and 2 sets of Sisters...and I'll be the only American in my Zone as far as I know. After finding out that news we did some errands then spent the night with the APs because my Zone leader and I leave tomorrow with some Sisters to go to Masaka.
I cannot believe this situation, I feel ill prepared and inadequate to the MAX right now.
I cannot express all the emotions I am feeling right now being back in Uganda. It’s surreal and overwhelming. I legit am still processing it all. I feel like a Greenie again. My understanding of this place is so limited and I have no amount of buffering to ease me into it. I'm just dropped into the deep end and told to swim.
I'm stressed and scared and unprepared for the transfers ahead.
Now at this point you may be thinking that I am not happy to be back. Let me just say this. I am happy to be back. I am happy I was able to see Elder Maughan and Elder Pauni again, as well as many others. I am happy I have the chance to spend the last half of my mission here. I am happy I received the Miracles I did coming here.
I am afraid yes, but I will still go forward in Faith. I know my God will sustain me as I try to work, lead, and teach. All I can do is my best and ask for your prayers. I need all the strength I can get.
I am reminded of what President Thomas S. Monson would say, "Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies." This fact is what will carry me through my time in this new area, the rest of my mission, and the rest of my life.
Know this fact. The Lord will help in times of need if you ask for it in faith. I have seen this in years past, in these last few days, and will continue to see this fact for the rest of my life. Jesus Christ wants us to succeed and will gladly help, all we need to do is have faith and ask. I share this truth in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I love you all and am grateful for your love and support. I could really use some kind words right now so some emails from y'all would make my week a thousand times better.
I love you tons.
Love, Elder Bradford
*** Parental Note***
We didn’t get to speak to Elder Bradford this morning but we did get to text him for a little bit. He was still in Kampala and running errands with the Zone Leader. He is to travel to Masaka with the two sister missionaries but they had a doctor’s appointment today and so he was waiting for them to be finished. Because of some political unrest with upcoming presidential elections the missionaries have a curfew of 7pm. He said that he thought that they wouldn’t be traveling until Tuesday because they wouldn’t be able to leave in time to make curfew. Masaka is southwest of Kampala and just north of Tanzania. It is on the western side of Lake Victoria. He has heard good things from those he knows who have served in this area. So he’s excited to be there and we look forward to learning about this area and the people there.
December 28, 2020 Mon
Today was P-Day! We had a pretty nice one. We got some gas, grabbed lunch from Capriotti's with Knowles and Draper, said bye to him. After that went shopping, talked to fam, relaxed, then had a Lesson with the Marchant Family! It was also my Sister Claire's birthday!
 |
| Elder Knowles |
The Marchants
December 29, 2020 Tues
Today was a very good day! We linked up with Elder Williams in the morning and said goodbyes. I did my COVID test and mailed it in. Then we met up with my old friend and former MTC companion, Trent Magill for lunch. It was so good to see him. We reminisced a bit. It was a good time. Afterwards we had our lessons and visited the Cutlers who are awesome. This stake is full of awesome families!
With Elder Williams
With The Cutler Family
Goodbye to Trent
December 30, 2020 Weds
Today I received news on how I will leave. I’ll have exit interviews tomorrow in the evening after which I will be spending the night with the APs (Assistants to the President) who will take me to the airport. So that'll be interesting. Other than that news we did some errands, sent my box of not needed stuff home, picked up a package for Sudweeks and then chilled a bit. I said goodbye to Elder Martin then had a couple of lessons to end the day. My COVID test still hasn't come in yet and I'm stressed out, I need it badly.
With Elder Martin
December 31, 2020 Thurs
Today was New Year's Eve! We had District Council Meeting today at which I gave a training on Receiving Personal Revelation and Using the Spirit. After DCM (and taking pictures and saying bye everyone, especially Hanson) we went and got Buffalo Wild Wings with Gish & Yeyna. Said goodbye to Gish, and Ferguson stopped by to say bye as well. We had a lesson then I rushed to finish packing and get to the Mission Office. My Negative COVID test came in just in time. So I said goodbye to Sudweeks and Jenks, then had an exit interview with President Kaluhiokalani. I spent the night with our APs Ahrens & Kandare, we grabbed In-N-Out for my final dinner, then watched the movie the mission turned on over Zoom for New Year's, it was Emperor's New Groove! Then we opened some Martinelli's to bring in the New Year!
With Elder Hanson
The District
Saying goodbye to Elder Gish
Last pic with Elders Jenks and Sudweeks
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January 1-2, 2021 Fri-Sat
New Year New Mission. I left for the St. George Airport at 4:40am, and then flew from St. George to Salt Lake to Atlanta alone. I then met up with Elders Fort, Pauni, Burden, Perkins, & Maughan in Atlanta. Everyone who was going back to Uganda was supposed to meet in Amsterdam. Elders Dodge, Reese, and Bear, who were flying direct from the Seattle Airport and were told they couldn't go because they took their Covid test too early. Everyone else took it at the same but the other airports allowed the dates and we were able to make it onto our flight. Pray for them that they will too!
Once in Amsterdam we met up with Rooks and O'Driscoll, and I realized I didn't know where my Yellow Fever Card was. The entire flight from Amsterdam to Entebbe I was stressing. I did have picture copies on my phone so I said so many prayers that those would be enough or that I would miraculously find it.
We landed and were waiting in line when, while I was preparing my things for Security, the thought came to my mind, "Check your passport book pockets". I checked it and I found my Yellow Fever Card. I nearly started crying.
The amount of relief I felt was astronomical. I quickly thanked God for that miracle and it was all smooth sailing from there.
We got through the airport customs and President and Sister Chatora greeted us and took us back to the Mission Home where we spent the night.
Sunrise pic from the plane
With Elders Pauni, Perkins, Burden and Fort
Reunited with Elder Maughan
Elder Maughan snapped this pic
At the airport in Entebbe.
Elders Bradford, Maughan and Rooks
We received these last two pics from the man in this pic, Ambrose. He has been assisting President and Sister Chatora in getting things ready for all these missionaries coming back to Uganda and was there to help drive the boys to the mission home. He is a friend of someone we know in our stake, Geri Beck and she told him to keep an eye open for Elder Bradford. He sent these pics to her and she forwarded them on to us.
January 3, 2021 Sun
My first Sunday back in Uganda. Today was kind of a buffer day. We didn't leave for our areas yet. We instead joined the APs and Office Elders in their Ward for church. It was Fast and Testimony Meeting so naturally all the extra missionaries shared their testimonies...at the invitation of the one presiding over the meeting. I didn't mind. After church (which was the full 2 hours BTW) we met up with everyone at the Mission Home for lunch and received official Transfer News. So in my interview I found out I'm going to Masaka...as a District Leader...with a Congolese Companion...in a District with just my companion & I and 2 sets of Sisters...and I'll be the only American in my Zone as far as I know. After finding out that news we did some errands then spent the night with the APs because my Zone leader and I leave tomorrow with some Sisters to go to Masaka.
I cannot believe this situation, I feel ill prepared and inadequate to the MAX right now.
I cannot express all the emotions I am feeling right now being back in Uganda. It’s surreal and overwhelming. I legit am still processing it all. I feel like a Greenie again. My understanding of this place is so limited and I have no amount of buffering to ease me into it. I'm just dropped into the deep end and told to swim.
I'm stressed and scared and unprepared for the transfers ahead.
Now at this point you may be thinking that I am not happy to be back. Let me just say this. I am happy to be back. I am happy I was able to see Elder Maughan and Elder Pauni again, as well as many others. I am happy I have the chance to spend the last half of my mission here. I am happy I received the Miracles I did coming here.
I am afraid yes, but I will still go forward in Faith. I know my God will sustain me as I try to work, lead, and teach. All I can do is my best and ask for your prayers. I need all the strength I can get.
I am reminded of what President Thomas S. Monson would say, "Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies." This fact is what will carry me through my time in this new area, the rest of my mission, and the rest of my life.
Know this fact. The Lord will help in times of need if you ask for it in faith. I have seen this in years past, in these last few days, and will continue to see this fact for the rest of my life. Jesus Christ wants us to succeed and will gladly help, all we need to do is have faith and ask. I share this truth in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I love you all and am grateful for your love and support. I could really use some kind words right now so some emails from y'all would make my week a thousand times better.
I love you tons.
Love, Elder Bradford
*** Parental Note***
We didn’t get to speak to Elder Bradford this morning but we did get to text him for a little bit. He was still in Kampala and running errands with the Zone Leader. He is to travel to Masaka with the two sister missionaries but they had a doctor’s appointment today and so he was waiting for them to be finished. Because of some political unrest with upcoming presidential elections the missionaries have a curfew of 7pm. He said that he thought that they wouldn’t be traveling until Tuesday because they wouldn’t be able to leave in time to make curfew. Masaka is southwest of Kampala and just north of Tanzania. It is on the western side of Lake Victoria. He has heard good things from those he knows who have served in this area. So he’s excited to be there and we look forward to learning about this area and the people there.
We are grateful for the time he has spent in Utah. For the learning and growth he’s made and the people he’s been able to meet. St. George will always have a special place in our hearts.
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