Almost a Change in Scenery (LOCKDOWN: Days 50 to 56/42+)

Ogamba ki mukwanos ne makka!
(What's up friends and family!)
Oh boy this was a slow week, but stuff still happened, lucky me! I suppose I ought to tell you about it, so . . .
Togende! (Let's go!)

July 26, 2021 Mon
Today was P-Day! I talked to makka, cleaned a bit, relaxed, and then went with Reese to take Sister Soluka to the hospital for a check up. She had typhoid and needed a follow up appointment even though she feels better. We were at the hospital for awhile, but eventually all was finished and we dropped Soluka at her apartment. After, we went back to ours, relaxed for a minute, then grabbed Lubwama and Musungo and went to town.
I got Rolex Joint and got a rolex called the 90s which was alright. The best is still easily Spicy Diana. We played pool, went to the chapel to find that the Wi-Fi wasn't working again, then headed back to the apartment.
I was feeling a little bummy so I decided to run around our compound. This was the best decision of the day, it felt fantastic! Sorely needed!

July 27, 2021 Tues
Today Reese and I joined our Zoom Mission Leadership Council (MLC). It was my first one and Elder Reese's last one. All over zoom of course which stinks, because a lot of the time MLC in person I've heard is a BLAST, but MLC was still great, got a lot of councel on how I can be a better leader and missionary. Also fyi, there were A TON of missionaries made Leadership this last transfer, like almost Half of the MLC, pretty crazy.
After MLC, Reese and I had to drop off some pamphlets to Roberto, who is a friend of a guy we're working with, then went and got some Matoke for lunch. During lunch Reese and I did a little planning and had a discussion of how we can improve our area and promote improvement in our Zone.
After all that was done, we picked up Lubwama and Musungo, and went to Rolex Joint where there was a celebration of Sister Kyalimpai's Birthday. There was laughing, joking, and lots of fun. Also a CAKE!
After that, Reese and I went to the chapel with Lubwama and Musungo. The Makindye Elders called and had me join in a Video Call lesson with someone I had taught before. It was "Short and Sharp" as my mission President would say.

July 28, 2021 Weds
Apparently we are moving apartments on Saturday because the lease is up or something like that, so we all went to check out this new apartment.
First, let me say our current apartment situation is nice. Each companionship has their own apartment in the same complex, lots of space, and decent bathrooms. The new one is the opposite. All 4 of us will be in a small apartment with one bathroom with a shower and another one that more closely resembles a cell for solitary confinement in the worst way possible. So needless to say, nobody's very happy with this change.
After that, we went to the chapel and the Wi-Fi was working for a while, we called people, then headed back to the apartment.

July 29, 2021 Thurs
Today we kinda began the moving process. Because our apartment is so small, and we have 2 apartments currently, we can't keep all the furniture from both apartments. So Elder Cutler said to put the extras in another missionary apartment to store it. So Reese and I began with taking one of Lubwama and Musungo's couches, their lounge chair, and a small wooden chair to the Walukuba Sister's apartment because they have an empty room.
Upon arriving at their apartment, we found that the door on the front gate was too small to get the couch and lounge chair through and the sisters didn't have the key to the big gate, so we looked for and found another door.
Elder Cutler also said that is anything is broken or wouldn't fit we could toss it, and after we BARELY got the Lounge Chair into the apartment we realized there was NO WAY we were getting this giant couch in there. So Reese gave it to the neighbors, I wanted to light it on fire, but this was probably the better choice, even if it wasn't as entertaining.
All of this took two hours, by the time we were done we were starving, so we pulled allotment and each got a bacon cheeseburger from Java House, came back to the apartment, and devoured it. Every time I eat one its like I'm eating a piece of home.
After that, we made some calls, listened to devotionals, and I ran which, again, felt SO good.

July 30, 2021 Fri
Today Reese & I went to town with Lubwama & Musungo, and while they pulled allotment and got stuff, Reese & I ate Rolex Joint, I had the "Mush up de Room" this time, it was alright.
We went and bought some other stuff, then had to go switch phones with Elders Gumbato & Cates because Musungo and Gumbato accidentally grabbed each other's mission phones. Gumbato & Cates were with all of the Walukuba Missionaries and the 2 Mpumudde sisters at a nice restaurant by the lake. I was kinda jealous until they told me the price, after which I laughed and was very content with the lack of invitation. We switched the phones, made small talk, then left.
Reese & I dropped Lubwama & Musungo at the apartment, then headed to the chapel for Wi-Fi and made some calls.
Also found out that the lockdown has been lessened and tightened at the same time. Taxis and Boda Bodas are able to function again and private vehicles can travel across districts with 3 people in the car, but no church and no pool for another 60 days. At least if ever a Kampala Trip was needed, we could go!

July 31, 2021 Sat
Today we were supposed to move, but when Reese & I went to the new apartment to see if it was ready, it wasn't. So . . . we are now moving in on Tuesday from what Elder Cutler told us.
Other than that, we had some trips to make. Elders Khamisi and Kiberu were a part of the group that went to the temple for the first time in Ghana this week, and they got back LATE last night. Because of their tiredness, they accidentally switched backpacks and their areas are no where near each other. So Reese & I took a trip to help out. To Njeru then to Iganga and back!
Going back to the Njeru apartment was so awesome. Memories flooded and I remembered everything! I even saw the guard who was at the apartment while I was there, Silva, he even recognized me and was glad to see me.
We stayed at the Njeru apartment for a bit talking with Elder Bitter, then we grabbed the bag, and drove an hour to Iganga. The drive was actually pretty so it was a nice drive.
We talked with the Elders in Iganga for a bit, heard some of their concerns and had some good and fun conversations to lift their spirits. Then switched the bags with Kiberu, drove to Njeru, dropped the bag, then went to Rolex Joint for dinner. I had The Blackout, which was pretty good.

 

August 1, 2021 Sun
Today Reese & I had to change our leaky tire in the morning. The wheel was super tightly put on so it took 5ever to get off and change the tire, but we did eventually!
Afterwards we had Sacrament followed by needing to take the Mpumudde Sisters to the Hospital. Reese had to go alone with the Sisters because of the 3 person rule. That took forever! In that time I was at the apartment, studying, listening to music and devotionals, drawing, thinking, and trying not to fall asleep.
After Reese got back we started making dinner for everyone, all ate dinner, then played our weekly game of Phase 10. Musungo won and Reese had to do dishes. I Got lucky!

So this week I have just something small to share. It's a quote from President Joseph F. Smith;
"Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence."
Notice what this quote doesn't say.
It doesn't say that Charity is ONE OF the greatest principles, or A great principle, but THE greatest principle in existence.

It's clearly very important, but why?
Think about it, if everyone were to exercise Charity or love towards all people, the world would be a better place.
No hate of any kind.
Just a loving world.

How can we make the world like that?
Well we can't, at least not by ourselves, but we can make ourselves like that. We can seek to exercise charity towards those around us, family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and especially enemies.
It's easy to hate, it's hard to love.
But if we pray for help and use the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can make it easier.
He can make it easier.
Seek for charity, seek to love, seek for the greatest principle of existence.
Mbyogedde mulinya lya Yesu Kristo, amiina.

Short and sharp update this week! Didn't get many emails this week, need I remind y'all, you don't have a ton of time to do so. So . . . SEND ME AN EMAIL! I wanna hear from you crazy beautiful peoples!
Qwagala mukwanos era makka gwange!
(I love you my friends and family!)
Elder Bradford