Week 56

ABC, as easy as 123!

Me and my son

Wow, it's been a great week of progress here! Elder Tshimanga (Pronounced Chimanga) has been learning very quickly. His English speaking has improved a lot. He has gone from being very quiet, and only speaking when needed to very actively speaking and testifying. I can't imagine having such a short time to learn and be able to teach in English. He makes it look easy!

I am definitely seeing how much the Lord has prepared me to serve as I am. I would not be

 Elder Tshimanga

able to help Elder Tshimanga learn near as well without having experience working with third graders at Thomas Edison Charter School. I am grateful that I have those experiences to help me in teaching and correcting my companions English. 

The work is going very well here, I don't really know what to say though. We are just pressing on. I look forward to the rest of my time helping Elder Tshimanga to blossom as a missionary. I am also grateful for the inspiration I've received in doing so!

I hope you guys have a great week. I love you!

-Elder Winn

A guy hanging on to the back of our taxi last week.
He was having a Jolly ol' time with his roller blades.

Week 55

Fortunate Son -Creedence Clearwater Revival

Me with Elder Tshimanga

Once again, it was transfer week! This means I finally got to meet my new Son (Trainee)! All I can say is that he is very fortunate to be coming into a good area like Lugazi. (I'd like to think that his trainer is pretty great too! )

Tuesday we mostly spent making the rounds so that Elder Dailey could say goodbye to everyone. That evening Elder Dailey got all of his things packed up, and he was ready and waiting to go the next morning: Only to find out that his transfer day wouldn't be until Thursday....

Thursday also brought a lot of confusion as the time of my son's arrival kept getting pushed forward hour by hour. This made for some quality time with Andrew, our beloved security guard and Elders Quorum President. Eventually the truck came with Elder Tshimanga, but we would have to wait for another one to come and pick Elder Dailey... Oh, and Elder Tshimanga's baggage was also on that truck. I'm not sure how all that got jumbled up, but luckily it all worked out fine. 

Elder Tshimanga comes from Kinshasa, Democtratic Republic of the Congo. He is a native French speaker. Look for the pic of us below! It is weird being back to training. Having to double as an English teacher provides an interesting twist, but it's all good fun. 

I really enjoyed watching General Conference. No, I'm not just slow to write about it... We are a week behind as we had to wait to receive DVD's of the event. There was a lot of great correction and instruction that we can learn from. These prove that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints truly is led through divine revelation. Most of all I know this to be true through the sweet whisper of the Holy Ghost which continually reminds me that this church is the true, Restored Church of Jesus Christ; There is not a doubt in my mind of this. I invite any who do not have this testimony burning in their heart to do whatever is necessary to gain or regain it. I know that the Lord will bless you to know undeniably what really is right, and to have the strength to do whatever is necessary to live accordingly... No matter the sacrifice required.

I love you all and I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Week 54

Stillframes in your mind (Time of your Life - Green Day)

This was a while back and a picture I found from President Collings

This week has been a bit of a blur, but it's been a good blur.

We have been busy trying to progress some very powerful people who are just hard to meet with. We have some really great investigators who faithfully attend church and read the Book of Mormon, the issue with many of them is their work schedule which just keeps them busy and hard to meet with. 

We got our official Transfer News this week. Elder Dailey is transferring to Iganga, leaving me to train a new elder here in Lugazi. I will be training Elder Tshimanga, I am told his name is Congolese (from DRC). I'll let you know more about him next week, but I'm excited to train again!

I have definitely enjoyed my time here with Elder Dailey. It's been a great six weeks, and I can't believe it's already over. We are both on to the next chapter of great things in the Uganda Kampala Mission! 

Sadly, I've been bad at taking stillframes to send home, so I don't have any pictures this week. I guess you'll have to imagine some nice pictures of me in your mind. There's not a lot to take pictures of in Lugazi!

I hope you have a great week, I look forward to hearing from you next Monday!

With Love,Elder Preston Ray Winn
Uganda Kampala Mission
"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers."  ~ D&C 112:10

Week 53

Inside Out - Eve 6

 An interesting sign we saw on the wall of a school in Wanyange . A very powerful message for us all, especially with the church speaking out so much lately on suicide prevention. No matter what challenges we may see in our life there is always hope, especially through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This week has been a bit of a Roller Coaster... Ups, Down's, All-arounds... and even an Inside Out. Buckle Up and enjoy hearing about my week.

Monday was pretty Normal. Tuesday we had an exchange with the Zone Leaders. Elder Dailey and I got to work with Elder Millecam. It was a fun day. It felt more like a party. 

Wednesday we had Interviews with President Collings. He Gave us some good news and advice for what to expect next transfer. I'm glad to know what's coming so I know what to prepare for. It should be an interesting ride! He bought us lunch after even though he couldn't stay long.

Thursday we had a zone finding activity in Wanyange where they just built a new chapel. It sucked up a lot of time, but it seemed like a success.

Friday was mostly normal. We were invited as a district to have dinner for someone's birthday. The food was very nice. We got home a little late and we were tired. We all began winding down for the night. That's when I turned Inside out. All night I was awakened just about every hour and slowly but surely emptied my body of any food that may have been present. This is what the missionaries call "The Double Dragon". I don't want to get any more graphic here, but I think most of you probably understand. By about 6:30 AM there wasn't really anything left to empty out of my body and I was able to finally sleep. By noon on Saturday I could hold in some water, and thereafter I Lived on Mango Juice (Thanks to Elder Ojakol who bought me Mango Juice) until I could slowly introduce solid food into my body on Sunday Afternoon. Luckily I got over it fast. This experience is pretty common to the missionaries here, but it usually lasts longer and I haven't experienced it until this far into my mission. Woo Hoo!

I'm sorry the most interesting thing I have to share is my sickness, but that's the way the week has gone! We are seeing good success with our investigators and they are slowly progressing. Soon I should be able to share some of their specific stories as they unfold. 

For now, I suppose I am through writing. I Love you guys, and I hope you have a good week!

Love,

Elder Winn