Week 91

The good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb -Lonestar (Mountains)

K3 Branch finally has a church.

This week has been quite a miraculous one. We have seen a lot of blessing as we have started proselyting in the new branch's area full time. The big thing that has had us excited this week has been a long time coming. You'll remember from my previous emails that the K3 branch has had a long, hard journey since the church got shut down by the government last year. The other branches (K1 and K2) made recovery relatively quickly, but when it came to re-opening the K3 branch they hit a brick wall. The government had been very kind to us, but they weren't able to allow us to rent another building for K3 based on the current rules. This made the situation difficult for my companion and I while we were there, but watching the faith of our amazing members gave us extra drive to work harder. 

I have long since been transferred away from K3, and received the same companion again

All three pictures were from Facebook

that I whitewashed K3 with, but as zone leaders we have been able to keep careful watch of and have a hand in the rebuilding of K3. This week became eventful as it was the first week that K3 was able to meet in it's own building in it's own area since the shutdown over a week ago! Even better, with us serving in the newly created K4 branch which meets at 11:30 we were able to attend the meeting!! It brought the deepest feelings of joy to watch the branch meet in it's new location for the first time with over 111 people in attendance. K3 previously had anywhere from 50 to 70 people attend each week which was great considering the circumstances, but it blew our minds to see such a quick response. I have never seen people so overjoyed to WALK to church! I can't help but recognize how the difficulty of tested faith has strengthened and deepened the conversion of K3's congregation, helping it to be much better than it would be at this time without the struggle!

"The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory..." 1 Peter 1:7 For these wonderful saints of K3 I would say that their trials truly have become more precious than gold! God gave them a mountain, they learned how to climb, and the difficult journey has been "consecrated for their [eternal, non-perishable] gain" (2 Nephi 2:2). They have reached the summit of this mountain, and though others are left yet to be climbed they are one step closer to being what God wants them to be. I am so grateful to have been around to witness these wonderful events, and that God is using me to achieve his purposes at this time. I know that our challenges, when looked at with optimism and through the eyes of faith, can truly become blessings in our lives!

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Celebratory Dance 

Week 90

Sound of Silence -Simon and Garfunkel

Rwanda Zone Conference

Some of you may have noticed a silence from Elder Winn in your inboxes.  He is alive and well.  He has not contracted the Ebola virus or had an accident or any of the other 100 things that goes through a mom's mind when her missionary is delayed.  (Actually, I just assume the power is out or the internet is down.) This time he had an early dinner appointment that made him later than usual arriving at the internet cafe. He did not have time to write his update.  I can report that he had his last zone conference with President and Sister Collings.  I snagged the picture from them.  They have been amazing and have taken great care of the UKM.  Blessings to them as they come home.

This week the Ebola virus crossed the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo into Uganda.  As a precaution, the eleven missionaries is Masaka Town were transferred to Kampala until they decide it is safe to send them back.  Elder Winn was in Masaka when the outbreak started in the Eastern Congo last August.  Google has kept me updated on the situation since then.  The mission is keeping a close eye on the situation and has a plan if the virus spreads.  They are also educating the missionaries on how to stay safe.  

Elder Winn is down to 12 weeks.  Please pray for him to do his best good and to stay focused on the work as he winds down.  We enjoy talking to him each week.  He is just getting up as we are getting ready for bed when he calls. Missing a little sleep is worth every minute we get to talk to him.  We are looking forward to an update next week.

Love to all and carry on,
Elder Winn's Momma

Week 89

Work in Progress -Alan Jackson

Picture from President Collings Facebook Page- 
K2 and K4 branches

Me in front of the convention center

It's been another good but busy week, and we have seen a lot of progress. We have been busy with final preparations for the K2 branch split, and some other exciting business. The split went great. It was a well attended meeting and the spirit was strong as the organization was put together for K2 and K4. After that meeting on Sunday we had the baptism of Brother Pascal. He was found and referred to us by a member of the branch and learned quickly. He loves his french copy of the Book of Mormon, and has a strong testimony. It was a very memorable meeting! We are still doing some other business so time is short tonight but I hope you guys have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Before Pascals baptism

Week 88

Guess Things Happen That Way -Johnny Cash

After Church photo opportunities

Still tall

This week I spent a lot of my time chatting my family and kind of neglected my weekly email, but from time to time I Guess things happen that way! I love the new guidelines that have allowed myself and many others to communicate through various modes in order to minister more personally to loved ones. It is just fantastic! It really does increase my testimony that Jesus Christ personally directs this church through revelation to his authorized servants on earth. Though things are changing quickly we must ourselves recognize the reality of this DIVINE direction, and seek to quicken ourselves spiritually so that we are not left behind. For us it doesn't have to be an I guess things happen that way, we can understand and be a part of it through personal revelation. These things will bring us confidence and happiness. This week had some crazy twists and turns that I can't really express in this email, but I am grateful for the experiences I am having.

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

Love,

Elder Winn

no caption...

Week 87

Don't Give Up - Eagle Eye Cherry

After Church

Your typical bathroom selfie. Almost Teenage Girl style

I don't have a lot of deep thoughts to share this week. We are just doing our best despite the challenges. We had some big plans this month that didn't really turn out. We saw a lot of roadblocks with the progression of some of our people that could bring disappointment, but the blessing is that many of them are still on track for baptism at a later date. We have also been very blessed with some miraculous people that have joined the scene, so there is awesome stuff on the way! We are far from giving up!

I spent a lot of time responding to individual emails so this one will be short, but I love you guys and I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

These Elders making some great things happen in K2

Week 86

The Show Must Go On -Queen

Brother Reverien directly to my left, and Brother Taylor to the right

Well, The new transfer is definitely in full swing, and busy as ever! We had MLC this week

Monkeying around

which took us to Kampala for a few days. The truth is that no matter what might take us away from our usual day to day work, the show must go on! Even if we have important responsibilities we still have many people to teach that are waiting for us but unlike show-biz this is people's salvation on the line, not a bout of entertainment! We have managed to keep things together pretty well but there were many people we wish we could have seen. 

We were blessed to have the baptism of brother Reverien and his son Taylor this week. He has another 18 year old son named Amos who is away for boarding school who is excited to come back and be baptized

 Enjoying some recreation as a district

in July! His other kids don't speak much english, but we are working on teaching them too. All I can say is that I never can overstate how much I love seeing the changes that the gospel brings in the lives of those we teach. It is such a privilege to be a part of this work!

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Me just hanging in there, haha. If you couldn't tell it's actually a monkey,
 and don't worry... I am doing great emotionally!