Final Email

Jet Airliner - Steve Miller Band

Missionaries after Zone Conference

Well here it goes: My final mission update email. I've been putting off writing it for multiple

Missionaries after
Zone Conference

reasons... mostly because I'm just in shock that it's over, and it's strange to accept. As such, I apologize for the delay. Much like I foresaw when writing my last email, the week did seem to fly by faster than the jet I returned home in! We had a wonderful zone conference, and it was somewhat emotional giving my departing testimony and final training to the zone. I had to say a lot of goodbyes so that consumed much of whatever time was leftover. Most of all - throughout whatever events I was involved in - I was just cherishing my final moments as a full time missionary with many people I love dearly.   

My capacity for self expression could never fully convey my feelings and gratitude as my mission reached its conclusion. Looking back it's been rich beyond description as I've experienced the love God has for each of his children, served them, and bonded with those (From all around the world) who I have come to know and love. My appreciation for the Savior and his Atonement has grown much deeper, and I do testify that he knows us perfectly: our strengths, weaknesses, and desires. If we live our life according to His teachings- living His Gospel to the fullest- we will feel the sweet peace it brings, and our hearts will be healed. I know that our Heavenly Father will "Direct [us] for good" if we will humbly seek and meekly follow his counsel. He will direct us towards the great hope and purpose of our Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation: That "[Our] Joy shall be full..." (3 Nephi 28:10), and we too shall become "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8:17). 

With Elder Falaula

There may be great trouble in the world now and in the days ahead- the prophet has warned us of such- but God, His Plan, and His Promises will never change; Our future remains as bright as our faith. My beloved friends and family: Keep your faith burning bright! Continue to Learn about our Father's plan, Make and Keep Covenants - constantly building your relationship with Him, and always Act upon what you know is right. He has made everything we need to place complete confidence in Him available to us. It is our responsibility to "lay hold upon the gospel of Christ... following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us" (Mormon 7: 8-10). I testify that the doctrine taught by Christ is the path to peace in this world, and Eternal Life in the world to come. It has been restored in the Latter Days, and is accessible in its fullness through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I add my voice to countless others who have received this witness of their own accord. If you have not, and wish to know for yourself please don't hesitate to talk to me, another member you know, or your local missionaries. I know that these things are true without a trace of hesitancy or uncertainty. I share these things, and close this series of emails in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love,

Preston Ray Winn

With JP who basically saved mine and Elder Falaula's life our first night in Rwanda (See my email from Feb 18th: http://elderwinnintheukm.blogspot.com/2019/02/week-73-unforgettable.html)

after church photoshoot

Week 101

Fast Car -Tracy Chapman

Grey Crested Cranes

These days it feels like time is cruising by in a fast car. It seems to pause as the wind rushes through my hair and I stare over the panning landscape in deep reflection, only to snap to

Part of a giraffe family

the realization of the speed things are really going at. I remember this song having somewhat of a bittersweet tone and a confusion of conflicting feelings. At this moment, as I reflect over the last two years, straining myself to grasp the fact that this is my final week to make full time impact here in the Uganda Kampala Mission I can't help but feel overcome by these same feelings. 

I have a great love for the work of the Lord. I have a great love for the people I serve. I get choked up every time I think about my mission being over soon. At the same time, I also have a great love for so many people I will soon have in close company with- bringing great joy in reunion. I understand that I am about to make a vital step in my life... not ending my service to the Lord, but fundamentally changing the way I serve- no less showing my love to him! 

You may have noticed that I didn't send a letter last week. As a zone we went to Akagera National Park on a game drive and didn't have time to email. It was an unforgettable experience. We were in good company and being so fully immersed in the beauty of our Heavenly Fathers creations made me feel very strongly of his love for us. The only suitable word I can muster to describe these and my mission as a whole is the word "Rich". I hope it come across as vividly to you as it does to me. 

This week will evidently go faster than ever and I'm not sure if I'm ready for it to do so. Between Zone conference and many other things we'll be tackling this week there's no denying it, but Ready of Not Here I Come!

Love,

Elder Winn

a line of Hippos

The Savanna 

Week 100

Born Free: Akagera National Park

The whole Zone

Elder Winn was not able to send an update for week 100 due to their zone adventure to Akagera National Park.  I am splitting the pictures he sent the following week between the two blog entries.  I do know that he has been working hard to stay focused on the work.  I was able to talk to him on Wednesday when he called me for my birthday.  Got to love the new church policy.  He had been doing a lot of baptism interviews and was taking a bit of a break before he went out teaching.

The four of us in Rwanda
who are leaving next week

I did find out that the missionaries were able to return to Masaka in Uganda after confirming that the Ebola Virus had not spread into that particular area.  They were happy to have them back.  

We are looking forward to having Elder Winn home.  As with many things in life it is a bittersweet time as it is the end of one thing and beginning of another.  The tears of joy of seeing my son run down one cheek, and the tears of sorrow that his season in Africa is almost over, run down the other.  

Love to all,

Elder Winn's Momma

With Sister Karugu

Week 99

Harvest Moon - Neil Young

A picture shared on Elder Winn's Facebook page by his companion

This week flew by... Almost literally haha. It was our once a transfer trip to Kampala for MLC Wednesday through Friday. It is always a wonderful experience to council together with the other mission leaders and receive inspiration on how we can help missionary work prosper in our areas.

My oh my. I'm really not sure what to write about this week. Aside from our trip to Kampala we have just been doing our usual business in double time! We have been busy! It is definitely the "Harvest Moon" in Rwanda. Things are moving fast and the work is progressing well. It's amazing to see!

I hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Week 98

Something's Happening -Peter Frampton

A picture of Kigali

Alright, so this letter really won't be too exciting. I promise things are happening, but there just isn't much to update you on! This coming week is gonna be crazy as we will be headed to Uganda for a couple days. With all that's going on I can't believe how time is flying. The only issue is that there isn't much more time to let fly! I will certainly miss many aspects of this work and the wonderful people I am surrounded by! I know this gospel is true!

Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Winn

Week 97

Gonna Build a Mountain -Sammy Davis Jr.

Tom's Baptism

"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" 

-Lucio (William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure)

I have a mountain of influence left to build here in Rwanda. I have seen many examples of missionaries ending their missions, some more graceful than others! I decided a long time ago what kind of missionary I wanted to be as I was ending. It's a bit surreal now that it's here, but I hang onto that vision and it gives me the drive to depend more heavily on the savior and continue sacrificing my all. Some may have such a vision but doubt their ability to reach it when the challenges are as palpable as reality itself. Some automatically doubt their own potential and fail to even dream bigger. 

Dinner at Sister Josephine's

I feel that most people have an innate desire to do good, but how often do we doubt our own potential and fall short of it? However big of a mountain you are aiming to build: Don't doubt, Don't Give up! I opened with a quote that helps me in times when I may doubt: "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" . This bit of wisdom is also reflected many times in scripture, a favorite of mine being Mormon 9:27 where it says "Doubt not, but be Believing". Another in D&C 6:36, "Look unto me in every thought; Doubt not, Fear not". I testify that if we look to the Lord our doubts will flee. I have experienced it many times. If we "come unto the Lord with all [our] heart, and work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling before him", living with the Gospel of Jesus Christ paramount in our life, any negativity will be overshadowed by the sweet hope and peace the gospel brings!

We are continuing to see success with the baptism of Tom this week, and many of our investigators are progressing well. Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement, they mean the world to me and give me the strength to carry on and build this mountain- The Kingdom of God. Have a great week! 

Love,

Elder Winn

Dinner at Sister Josephine's