Week 18

Take Me to Church!

Us Four Elders with Benjamin

 Me with a zebra (leftover from last weeks zoo trip)

This has been a pretty great week for us here in Kajjansi. We were able to get six investigators to church, but to do so we had to put in a little extra work by escorting them ourselves. We ended up being 15 minutes late to church, but we walked in with an investigator from aways off. We had three people who we had to escort to church, and i guess the timing in our head didn't quite translate to reality. It was a lot of extra work, but worth it to help those people experience church. It was a wonderful day!

The day was especially good because at the branch the other Elders in our District baptized our security guard Benjamin! This was a big day for us too, as we helped teach him some to get him ready. He is a great guy, and Elder Bratsman have enjoyed having him to not only protect us, but be our friend! 

There is a new sister missionary on the block.

Luckily otherwise this has been a pretty uneventful week... (No more Big Bad Bag-snatching Boda Guys). Aside from the many dropped appointments the teaching has been good, and I am loving my time here. Today I did try to go get new scriptures after having them stolen last week, however when I tried to get some cash to buy them with the ATM retained my card... So I'm still without scriptures and a camera. Luckily I will be able to get my card back on Wednesday. (though I had to get special permission to go all the way back into town) I think this must be a test to see how well I can proselyte with just a Book of Mormon! I hope I'm Passing!

I did forget to tell you all some big news from last week: I've gained ten pounds! Yes, I'm the guy who went to Africa to gain weight! My diet this month has been the same as the other ones where I didn't change an ounce with only one exception... I've been drinking a lot more milk, and the milk here is mostly full cream. I think the extra protein has been turning me from a skinny twig, to a twig with a little bit of muscle! I have felt basically every muscle in my body get bigger, especially the ones you use to walk! I actually feel healthier than ever!

My own Rolex! I made the chapates and everything!

Anyway... The time is going fast, but I love you all and I hope everything is going great for you all! Things may be crazy, but if we focus on what's important we know that it will all be worth it in the end! Carry on my friends! Catch ya later!

Love,

Elder Winn

Week 17

Elder Winn Vs. the Big Bad Bag-snatching Boda Man

 Today, before even going to the zoo,
there was basically a whole flock/herd of monkeys teasing us at the Entebbe Church

Zone Conference

This week was crazy, and therefore merits an epic comic book style title!

It all began with Zone Conference on Tuesday. It was a wonderful, spiritual meeting that was super uplifting and amazing. We were invited to stay at the mission home for the evening so we could watch the broadcast from President Nelson and the new First Presidency! We went proselyting in Kololo for a couple of hours prior to the broadcast, which was great. The broadcast was also really great. I really loved the spirit felt as we sustained our new prophet!

Preident Collings gave us each a promise that we would never forget that evening where we got to watch President Nelson publicly address us for the first time. This would prove especially true for me with the occurrence of the events succeeding the broadcast.

President Russell M Nelson's address

It was close to nine o' clock. We were walking on our usual route towards home from headquarters in Kampala. We were originally supposed to have a ride from the zone leaders, however with it being so late we opted to let the sister missionaries take it for safety reasons. We crossed the road right by the church in Kololo, and this is where I made my fatal mistake. 

I failed to immediately switch the side I was carrying my bag on, putting it away from the road. Moments later as I turned my head to check behind me, I saw the Big Bad Bag-snatching Boda Man right next to me. I felt a bit of a Jerk as my bag got yanked from my hands. I stood and watched as my bag flew off into the night along with my Camera, Scriptures, Area Book, Hopes, Dreams, and the letters I had written for my family. (sorry Fam!) Oh, and I managed to get my hopes and dreams back.

 Just me with a rhino. No Biggie. 

The Entebbe Zoo was fun. 

I really have no idea how he managed to get it off me without injuring me. I think he must have cut the strap somehow. I feel super blessed; Many missionaries have gotten hurt pretty bad from Big Bad Bag-Snatching Boda Men. He really didn't get anything of worth to him. (Most people see us white guys and assume we have bags full of money) I am super glad I had my pictures backed up! At this point the thing I miss the most is my Scriptures... Here's hoping he reads them, and repents! This could be how he receives his salvation!

We stood there in front of the church house gate in a state of shock. A man in a car pulled over by us and began profusely saying "Sorry, Sorry, I'm so Sorry!". After calling the zone leaders and President to inform them we made our way home. We finally made it back around 11:00, exhausted: feeling like we'd been put through the wringer. 

The lesson for us all is that we need to watch ourselves constantly. Even the smallest mistakes can quickly turn into something big. It's like the analogy of the compass point being off one degree, and putting you hundreds of miles away from your destination. These days we need to be extra cautious whether physically or spiritually. Be safe out there! It's a crazy world!

I have so much more to talk about, but my time is swiftly running out. I am definitely grateful to be here, I am having a great experience, and I'm loving every minute of it (Big Bad Bag-snatching Boda Men aside). I hope you enjoy my pictures from our zoo trip today (Courtesy of Elder Bratsman), however out of context. Have a wonderful week my friends! I Love you all! Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Winn

Us feeling disgusted with ourselves being left with half a tub
of margarine after I made a super nice batch of Biscuits.

Week 16

Here Comes the Rain Again... 

(Rain Drops keep falling on my head)

Rain Drops

It's been a rainy week in Kajjansi!

I'm not sure if the video will work... but there is a little sample from when we took shelter at the church. (if it works)

Me with our guard Benjamin, all dressed up for church!
(he loved church!)

As far as missionary work goes, we are working hard and having fun! We have some great Investigators, who are simply amazing! If we could just get them to come to church we'd be getting hypothermia from the font! Alas, that is our continual struggle... Hopefully as we go meet with them and stress Church attendance we'll get them progressing more!

This week I've been especially grateful for all the little miracles we see each and every day. I can't tell you how many times we have had something misfortuned happen (like a dropped appointment), and we end up right in the path of another Investigator who really needed to see us at the time; Or we sit down to drink some soda's (kindly gifted by a nice jaja [Grandma]) and end up in the right place to see Joseph (The rock guy) and set an appointment with him for that night. God truly does work in the details of our life's... Especially in missionary work!

When the power goes out and
you can't find your flashlight

I don't have a whole lot to say this week... Not really any crazy/funny stories this week; Just a lot of hard work, and small/simple miracles. I hope all is going well with each and every one of you. I apologize if I missed your emails this week... I seem to be having a technical issue with my account. Hope it gets sorted out for next week! I love you guys! Have a great week!
-Elder Winn

The continual dance party at a church we pass by each day. they invited us to come learn some African dancing! (Complete with drums!) The strange thing is that now whenever I see a group member they start laughing at me... I have no Idea why!  

Week 15

I met one of the Beatles! (See Pictures)

A Rhino Beetle I saw on my porch!

Hey Hey Hey!

It's the most wonderful time of the week again!

It's been a really busy week, we've been teaching lots and having fun!

 Me being Artistic with my tag.

As far as great experiences go this week, we've had many; but one of the greatest is this investigator named Natalia who has been a shining star. I hope I can do her story justice in the short time I have to write you this email, and I hope it's not too confusing for those of you who are not of the LDS Faith.

We were passing by her house (on a road we pass by every day), and she was sitting up on a balcony. We waved/said hello, and on a whim (impression) I asked her if she wanted us to teach her about Jesus Christ. She invited us in. This young lady and her family are from South Sudan and have lived in Uganda for years now.

Natalia knows the Bible very well, and instantly adored the Book of Mormon. We've met with her three times in the last week and a half, and ever since day one she hasn't been able to put the book down. She already has a firm testimony of it!

Making Chapate,
(amazing thick greasy ugandan tortillas!)

When we taught her the Plan of Salvation this week we were asking her what she believes in when it comes to life after death. She mentioned a scripture in 1 Corinthians 15 where it talks about there being three glories in heaven (as far as I know this is unique to our Plan of Salvation), and said that she supposed that this must be what she believes. Elder Bratsman and I looked at her in shock as she said this, as that scripture is often how we introduce that the Book of Mormon helps us answer questions we have from the Bible.

Natalia was so happy and excited to be able to connect the dots between all of these different things she's learned over years of Bible Study, and receive the additional wisdom that we were able to offer. Honestly, I feel like she teaches me when I go there! Her understanding is crazy! We have read several chapters in the Book of Mormon with her, and she always has amazing insights. She is probably one of the best prepared investigators I've ever seen in my short life thus far on mission. I can't wait to see things pan out with Natalia!

I've got to go, but I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful week! 

I am really enjoying my time here, and I love seeing the joy that Jesus Christ brings to the people I teach!

See you next week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Week 14

Rockin' the Paradise!

Me with some kids

Hey guys! 

I can't believe it's January! This is definitely not the January weather I'm used to, but I love it! Most of all, I can't believe that it is 2018! Happy New Year! (That paragraph had a lot of Exclamation points!) I can't wait to see what the coming year will bring.

Elder Bratsman and I celebrating New Years
with a liter of Imported Kenyan Ice Cream!

This week we've been teaching lots of people. We've seriously been seeing miracles in Kajjansi. We've had multiple people pop up who are just super prepared and willing to meet with us. One of them even came to us on his own.

My first transfer when I was barely getting used to talking to people, and even beginning to enjoy it, I met a man named Joseph sitting in a truck on the side of the road. We started talking, and began to bond over Classic Rock Music. (Rare occurrence here... the stuff barely exists in Uganda) Anyway, we sang "Carry on My Wayward Son" together, and a couple of other songs, and we went our separate ways. I tried to make contact with him later on but nothing ever came of it.

Our Zones "New Years Bry" Each Companionship
made a meat dish, and we all pigged out! 

This week I felt like I should go see a member clear out the other side of town. On the way there I heard someone yelling "so you don't want to meet with me anymore?". I turned around and said, "of course I want to meet with you". The man was Joseph. Him and his friends had been discussing the age of Adam when he died, so I showed them in Genesis where we find the answer. After answering a few of their other questions we set up a later appointment to continue discussing the gospel. However, over the next week we weren't able to make contact with him so we pushed his name to the backburner.

Sunday morning we were calling Investigators to remind them about church. Once again Joseph came to my mind, and I felt like I should call and simply invite him to church. Excitement grew in his voice as he said "yes, yes, yes! I'm Coming! I'm Coming! I'm Coming!". We had eight Investigators we were actually thinking might come to church this week. Joseph was not one of them. Two Investigators showed... One of which being Joseph who seemed to especially love the church as he said "wow, this place is beautiful. I have found the place".

Coming to church is a major step that is hard to get people to seriously take, even after having many great lessons.

The Big Tank in the Middle,
 Pressure Tank up high, Pump to the right.

Keep in mind that at this point, we haven't even taught Joseph a formal lesson. I am very excited to see where this man progresses.

This was my favorite experience this week, but there are so many other little miracles I would love to share. For now I need to wrap it up. You can see our New Years Festivities in the pictures below. (Fun fact: The guy running the Internet Cafe here just started blasting Highway to Hell. Say what you will about AC/DC but it is actually another huge Tender Mercy to hear Electric Guitars shred for once. Especially as I write about my most rockin' Investigator. I feel great right now)

Party on Dudes!

Be Excellent to each other!

I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Love,

Elder Winn

"MacGyver-ing" a compression fitting so I can pump water up to our main tank. We have a big tank that fills with rain water and city water. We then have to pump it up to the one up high on a tower that gives our house sufficient water pressure. Our security guard used to handle that for us, but we got a new one, and since then I've had to figure it out myself. Luckily, I've always enjoyed MacGyver.