Week 85

Together Again - Ray Charles

Some quality district time

How great it is to be together again with my old companion Elder Falaula. We thought it was strange that our initial time together only lasted a transfer before I got brought to K2. Well now it seems that God's great plan has been at work. Transfers went well. Though it was busy we got it all done safely. Other than that it has been business as usual. 

Today I was able to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for the second time. As such I have had that concept of being together again on the top of my mind. Walking through the museum again, this time having more experience with the Rwandan people, I was touched stronger by the spirit of love and forgiveness. My heart ached again for those affected by the events in 1994 (which was literally everyone in the country). I felt the sweet presence of the Holy Ghost reaffirm the truth of the Plan of Salvation as it touched me at the very core of my soul. I know that families can be together forever. God's Plan of Salvation allows us this hope, and as we lay hold to the principles of the gospel we can receive the fruit thereof. I look forward to the day when I will be reunited with my loved ones who have passed on. Though life inherently has the sorrow of loss, and I have certainly felt it, that hope brings peace and healing. I am grateful to have this opportunity to bring that light of hope to those I serve each day. It brings me so much joy to see someone who has been so deeply torn apart by tragedy and uncertainty taste those very feelings of hope that I felt as I sat and pondered in the exhibit. If you have not felt this yourself please pray and ask god to guide you and help you to do so. 

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Week 84
Wind of Change - The Scorpions

Photobombed by Natasha's Dog

This week has been crazy. We have been focusing hard on progressing some people this week, but at the same time we had some flying pigs enter our daily whirlwind and they caused quite a ruckass in our schedule. President Collings asked us to help with some prep work in order to split the branch we are serving in. It took a good chunk of time, but it will be very gratifying to see things move forward! 

Sadly with a leaky baptismal font we had to push Aimable's baptism forward. Hopefully we can get things sorted out for next week.

Changed plans aside, there are some big changes coming in the zone. I will be getting a new companion. Strangely enough, he is also my last companion, Elder Falaula. That will be exciting. With the many transfers happening in the zone that will make the coming week super crazy for us, but we're gonna take it on like it's nobody's business! 

This week I felt a phenomenal outpouring of God's love for each and every one of us. As I sat in Sacrament meeting listening to four missionaries give their departing testimonies I pondered how I would feel if I were also leaving this incredible branch (Though I am lucky enough to stay). I looked around me. Many thoughts ran through my mind. At first I felt how much I love the wonderful members of the Kigali 2nd branch, but that love grew much deeper. As I thought of each individual, their conversion, their struggles, and their faithfulness, I was overwhelmed. I know that God loves each of us beyond our comprehension. We have a loving Savior who has taken upon himself our every pain, heartache, and weakness. He knows the very number of hairs on our head. Despite our mortality and unworthiness before him, His hand is outstretched, and His loving mercy is available to us if we are but willing to look to him and grab hold.

Have a great week! 

Love,

Elder Winn

Sweet Pork Burritos for Cinco De Mayo

Week 83

Fields of Gold -Sting

 At the Baptism service (left to right: Brother Diodonne, Esther,
Me, Samwell, Mugisha, Cedric, Gloria, Elder Ojakol)

This week has been very gratifying. We were able to see the baptism of a wonderful little family. Brother Mugisha is a recent convert and eldest son of the family, and over the course of the transfer we have been teaching his Mother, and three younger siblings. Gloriose is the mother, Cedric is the next oldest brother, Esther his sister, and Samwell his youngest brother. They were all baptized on Sunday. Mugisha recently received the Aaronic Priesthood and was able to baptize two of his siblings while I was asked to perform the

Trying on Sister Mukundu's Glasses

other two. It was a super spiritual Sunday. The father of the Family was able to attend the service where we were ale to meet him for the first time. He was so happy to see the change in his family and asked us to come teach him even though he is often busy. They also had a family friend come to the service who asked us if they could get baptised too.

We have been teaching another powerful family that is progressing well, and a few key individuals are coming close to their baptism dates. We are working hard and seeing the Lord's hand every day in this work. With all of the miracles we are seeing it becomes more evident each day that we are working in fields of gold! This is the sweetest work I have ever been involved in!

Take care everybody, I love you all!

-Elder Winn

A pretty little rainbow. Never found the treasure at the end...

Week 82

He is Risen -Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Brother Frank (on the far left) at his baptism

My words this week will be brief as I don't have a lot to say. This week has been pretty normal by the way of missionary work. We were happy to see Brother Frank get baptised this week. His story is very interesting. He first met missionaries in Seeta Uganda some time ago, and met us again here in Kigali more recently. He is an interesting character, but loves the gospel deeply. 

Yesterday being Easter Sunday I have really been pondering the reality of the savior Jesus Christ and his Ministry here on earth. It is overwhelming to think of the magnitude of his atoning sacrifice. I am grateful for the hope that He brings us as we look to Him. It is a tender time in Rwanda as it's citizens commemorate the anniversary of the tragic events that happened 25 years ago. It has brought a lot of depth to the message of the Plan of Salvation (if you are not familiar with this feel free to contact your local missionaries). We teach every day about Christ, and how he lives. It is my testimony that He Lives. This is the great miracle of Christanity, and it is misunderstood by many, but as I have taught His Gospel full time the reality of it has become so much more evident. Jesus Christ had power over the grave, and he has power over all things. We can see that power in our lives if we have faith in him.
I love you guys, and I hope you have a great week!

-Elder Winn

Kwibuka 25 monument. Commemorating 25 years since the Kigali Genocide

Week 81

Split Decision -Steve Winwood

Photo courtesy of Brother Gach
who we spent some time with today

Wow, It's crazy that yet another week has gone by...

The missionary work has been pretty interesting this week. We have seen the Lord's hand working extensively throughout the week. We have had some interesting events and circumstances come up that we have had to react to decisively, and it has been stretching... but a lot of fun.

As such I have thought a lot this week about decision. Specifically about being conclusive in reaction to things we learn or events that transpire. On Sunday we had the opportunity to view General Conference again, this time as a general gathering with the branch members. A few things stuck out to me. I noticed how frequently we were invited to act... But it occurred to me that far too often those invitations to follow the principles we are being taught are lost in the whirlwind of life. We are given a choice to either deliberately change ourselves, or simply to brush it under the carpet to face later. Sadly, many of us are gathering a very nice collection of clutter under our carpet. 

When we face a challenge, how do we react? This week we had some interesting challenges to face. It was determined some time back that Rwanda would be included in the area served by the recently dedicated Kinshasa, DRC Temple, and thus the saints here in Rwanda would be involved in it's dedication held on Sunday. Unfortunately there was a miscommunication and nobody here knew that was the case. With about two days warning the preparations had to be made to host a broadcast of that dedication tailored to our special situation here in Kigali. Many arrangements had to be made, and altogether a plan was created to ensure a successful broadcast. Without going into too many details, we (not just us missionaries, but everyone involved) had to act quickly and decisively to make it happen. The broadcast went very well and was a special experience for everyone in attendance. 

Time has been short today as we had a pretty good P-Day spending some time with a member who is touring in Kigali, but I hope I have been able to gather my thoughts in somewhat of a coherent manner. I have seen great blessings from executing quickly and decisively as well as reacting to God's instruction in like manner.

I love you guys, Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Week 80

Miles to go (Before I Sleep) -Celine Dion

Us with brother Vanderhooft

This week has been a busy one. On many occasions I have heard the stony words of Robert Frost resonating through my mind: I have promises to keep... and Miles to go before I sleep. The piercing realization that though the hour is growing late, the days tasks are far from accomplished. It's easy to want to quit... to give up and say enough has been done, but when we rely on the strength of the Lord to pull us through we are capable of much more than we may imagine possible. 

I have felt God's strength lift me many times in my life: School, Work, etc... But, my testimony has been strengthened here on my mission that God truly does support us as we keep our promises with him. This has become so much more evident carrying out His work in the capacity of a missionary, and I am grateful each day for the strength and energy God grants me to do so. Without going into gratuitous detail, let's just say that such strength has been much needed this week!

We had a wonderful exchange with some Elders in K3 on Wednesday. I learned a lot from them. Thursday morning my companion and I, along with Sister Mukundu (the Rwanda Sister Training Leader) had to fly to Uganda for a leadership council meeting on Friday. It was a wonderful few days learning together. On Saturday we traveled back. Along the way we say some fun tender mercies including a member who we met a long the way. We were able to chat with him quite a bit and it made the long wait for our flight more fun! Saturday Evening we were able to get a little work done in our area which was nice! On Sunday, church was cancelled and the city shut down as the kickoff for the memorial week (marking 25 years since the Rwanda Genocide). We gathered as a zone to view general conference, which was such a wonderful experience given the amazing things going on in the work here in Kigali.

Hearing our church leaders teach and bear testimony strengthened me immensely. The time really is drawing near when the Lord will come again, and He wants the saints to be prepared. We were counseled to make and keep covenants with God, and were promised that by faithfully keeping them we will be prepared. I am grateful for the peace the gospel brings. I am grateful for the sweet whisperings of the holy spirit that bear witness to my very soul that this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is lead by our savior and has the power necessary unto Salvation and Eternal Life. I am grateful for the Atonement that he provided which makes all of these blessings possible. It is my wish that all around me had this same assurance. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Winn

This is Elder Winn with Celestin.  He translates for the Elders.

Week 79

Life in the Fast Lane - The Eagles

Pretty night lights

This weeks has been insane. Instead of a peaceful "Carefree Highway" It feels like somebody put my life in top gear and floored the gas pedal! Luckily it seems like the dust is settling a little bit. It feels like I have done more driving than teaching this week than teaching, but such is life! I did question whether I was a missionary or a Taxi Driver though. Maybe soon I will know Kigali like the back of my hand!

View of the hillside, the city in the distance.

On Wednesday we started the transfer process. We had to get up at like five so we could begin taking people to the airport, and moving people between areas in Kigali. That took up all of Wednesday. Thursday we received the new batch of Missionaries for Rwanda at the airport, did some immigration processing, and managed to get them settled into their new areas. On Friday Elder Ojakol and I were finally able to get some work done. Being four days behind, with more administrative duties remaining, the idea of meeting our weekly goals seemed intimidating. We had Umuganda (Rwanda day of Service) on Saturday, so that also took us away from the usual teaching activities. However, in two and a half days we managed to meet the goals and standards we set! It wasn't easy, but God certainly blessed us for our diligence. Many of the greatest blessings came late Sunday Night, so we really were tested. Miracles really do come after the trial of our faith! 

Today we went on a nice hike looking for monkeys. Unfortunately there were no monkeys... or at least we couldn't find them. Got some pretty pictures out of it though!

It feels like there are some really special things coming for the members here in Rwanda. Things are moving quickly in the church. We are beginning to see the fruits of the Book of Mormon translation to Kinyarwanda. Many saints are nearing the date of their own trips to the temple, This will be a great blessing for them! There are some other exciting things going on that are out of the ordinary, and I can't wait to see how things pan out. We are very excited to see what the Lord has in store here in the near future!

I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

On our hike today

Week 78

Gone too Soon -Michael Jackson

Residential Hillside

It's hard to believe that I have already spent six weeks here in Rwanda. I have loved getting to know people here

Elder Ojakol and I

in the Kigali 3 branch, and having the opportunity to work with them in their unique circumstances. It is even harder to believe however, that I am already leaving this area to serve in the Kigali 2 Branch. I am excited to be joining Elder Ojakol there. We became good friends serving in Lugazi almost six months back.

Me with Jean Claude (middle), and his Friend (right)

This week we had a big district conference at the Kigali Marriott hotel. Elder Anim, Falaula, and I were assigned to reach out to some members and invite them to attend. We were very busy this week between that and our usual teaching appointments. I was even able to see Jean Claude, a man who I met on the bus last week attend the conference. I shared a bit with him on the ride back from church last week and invited him to attend, the sisters who work in his area were able to teach him more. He really enjoyed the conference. We are continuing to see amazing miracles here in K3! 

I enjoyed my option to video call too much today so I don't have time to say a lot, but everything is going great. I love you guys and I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Elder Anim, Sister Jolie, and I

 Me with President Charles

On a hillside. Left to right John Dedue, Me, Elder Falaula

Week 77

Does anybody really know what time it is? -Chicago

Proof that I still have hair and both of my eyes!

This week has flown by seriously! It seems like every time I look at my watch I get confused because a lot more time has passed than I thought. We have been pretty busy this week trying to progress people while still finding new people to teach. 

I have written a bit about Sister Jacky who we found a few weeks ago. She has been progressing very well and was supposed to be baptized this week. However, it turns out that she wasn't legally married like we thought so her baptism will have to wait. 

This week was interesting when it came to church attendance. Sunday was a "car-free" day, meaning that basically no-one drives on many roads for a day. If the concept is clear as mud, I'm sorry... I don't really understand it that well myself. Anyway, Roads were free of traffic, and buses were limited. luckily we managed to get a bus to church, however we did not have any investigators we knew of who would be able to come. As Sacrament meeting began I felt sad that we didn't manage to get anyone to church, but said a silent prayer asking that someone would make it. Soon after Sister Alphonsine (recently baptized) came in with her friend Jolie who we have been teaching. It was an amazing little miracle.

Anyway, with how fast time has gone this week I have once again failed to take any good pictures... I'll at least add a snapshot someone got of me for you to enjoy! I love you guys, and I love being able to do the Lords work full time as a missionary. It truly is amazing! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Week 76

Nothing to Say -Jethro Tull

Elder Falaula, Celestin, and Elder Winn 

I don't have much to talk about this week.  We are continuing to work hard and we are seeing miracles daily. 

Jacky, The sister I talked about last week, is progressing well. We started teaching her Neighbor/Friend this week, and she also came to church and is progressing well. We look forward to both of their baptisms in the near future! That's about all to update you on!

I hope you are all doing well. I am grateful for the experiences I'm having. I know that the Lord truly does guide us as we seek his guidance. I look at the things going on in the world (though I am a bit sheltered right now) in contrast to the amazing things going on in the Lords work, and I am so grateful for the peace the Gospel brings. 

I love you guys, and I wish you the greatest blessings in the week to come!

Love,

Elder Winn