august 24th, 2009

Like i said last week, i got my new companion Elder Schamel and things are going fantastic. He's a way cool guy and we get along great. Companions have been a great blessing on mission so far. But yeah, he's chill, we laugh a lot, he's learning the area way fast which is great, he's a smart elder, so it's been nice having him. It's weird tho, the transfer is already half over and i've only been with him for a week. It feels so weird...
So the week was really good. We worked hard this week and have been seeing those people that we kinda neglected the past couple of weeks because of the mix up of working two areas. Basically we've just been working hard to see all the members and progressing investigators that we have so that Elder Schamel will get to know them quick.
We had Zone Conference and Workshops friday and saturday. It was really good. Zone con is always amazing and President Probst really helped us get motivated for the work. Although some things are changing in the mission...They're being more strict with rules and what not...it's quite sad. Music has been tightened...it's now only hymns and MOTAB. So that's a bit of a bummer. Basically that's the biggest one that you'd probably care about...anyway tho. Workshops was good, we addressed a concern that was perfect for us here in Namibia. Our Branch Mission Leader is kinda a joke, he's alright, but he's just really busy. In workshops we realized the importance of him and his role and how we can help him feel better about his calling. Because we meet with him once a week to discuss our areas and investigators and how the branch can help us...but sometimes we dont feel that information gets to the Branch President. But what we're going to do is try to introduce a Branch Mission Plan, so that us and the branch are all on the same page. It's kinda the branche's vision on what they want to happen in 6 months time, etc, and how us as missionaries can help to achieve that vision. It's a really great thing, that neither of the two branches have right now. But yeah that's going to be happening in the near future.
Another great thing that we all did on Saturday was the Mormon Helping Hands Project. We went to a place up in Katutura, north end of the city, to a place called Mt Sinai Center to help take out dead grass, move lots of gravel and dirt and bricks, and planted a way nice garden. We must have had about 150 people from both branches come out, plus non members that came and helped. It was a great activity. That took about 4 or so hours in the morning. From about 9am to 1pm. It was good also to have President and Sister Probst there for it. It was a nation wide thing...all across africa, everybody was doing it on the same day. So yeah, that was good.
Other things to report on are not too much...things are doing really good. We saw a lessactive family yesterday just because...and the mother really showed her love for us and our visit. Like it was an answer to her prayers. Then this morning we sent a text to her inviting her and the family to a family home evening tonight and she sent us back like a 4 page text telling us thank you so much and yadda yadda yadda. I wish someone did that more often. When people tell us that we're answers to their prayers, and exactly what they needed at that time of day, it really makes us feel good that we left our boarding in the morning and we did it accomplishing something and helping out at least one person. It made us feel special...
Thanks for all the love and support from everybody! I really do appreciate it! The week was good, nothing too much to say...
Played our zone soccer today in which my district creamed the other district...finally we won one! The whole 4 transfers i've been here it's my first time that we've won...so that made us feel good. We're thinking about getting a trophy..haha.
Alright, love you all!
Elder Devenney

August 3, 2009

Hello Everybody...Hope the week has been great for you...
I'll start where i usually do...past monday...played some wicked volleyball in which i loved and brought me back to the good ol days...i might have already told you...but yes it was fantastic. I'm amazing...that's just about it...
The next couple of days flew by and which i dont really know what to say. Been seeing the usual people...nothing to report on there. But we do have 3 with a baptismal date...Sara, mona, and andrew. All related. Andrew is a joke tho and i'm pretty sure i dont even like it when he's there. He doesnt take things seriously...so we just kinda had to give him one anyway since his sisters have one...but if he's not going to be doing what he should etc etc i have no problem saying no to him. But we're happy for them. Aiming for the 22 August. Paul...We were stoked for him and had planned on 5 September for his Baptism. We talked to him...it's still something he wants...but he said what about October. We said that's fine. I think he's just a little nervous about his English and he just wants to be taught more...we dont want to push him. But he's so awesome! Others...just finding lots of new people to teach...I dont want to say anyone new becuase i wouldnt be surprised if we dropped them by next week...where's my faith...lacking i guess. I'll let you know more next week.
K so funny story...was on exchanges with Elder Tsiu...he's the district leader (this is friday) which was probably the worst day to do it on but he had no choice...So after District Meeting the whole zone went to Cattle Baron...a pretty nice steak place to eat...usually we like to go out to lunch after DM...K so we go and there's this other kid in the other District who's been having a hard time...not really enjoying mission right now...but anyway...it was a good day for him. He was having fun, talking a lot, just enjoying the day. Bad luck struck on his side and when we were eating he wasn't feeling too good...Well he ended up throwing up all his food...he didnt make it to the toilet. It was close to all of us and some other people...it was so brutal to watch. We felt pretty bad...So idunno if you felt that was funny or not...maybe it was just more funny when i wrote it in my journal...k i'll move on...
Things went alright the rest of the weekend. We had a great Saturday for some reason...idunno what it was...O and i had basically my first fight with anyother missionary. I wont name names...i guess...but it was just ridiculous. He's a stubburn missionary...doesn't really respect our time and doesnt really care about anything else but what's best for him...and we're under his wing right now...there's not much we can do. There was a bit of tension going on...but whatever i guess...
So anyway. Fragar and Ballard went to Cape Town. Ballard is finished with mission and is going back home to the states. They're down there for a ZL council. So on the good news...we have the car for the next couple of days. It makes things nice.
Transfers comes on Tuesday, of which i'm pretty sure Carver and i are staying together. We're hoping we do. He hasn't been with a companion for more than just 1 transfer before...so it's about time. And i'm pretty sure Pres knows how well we're getting along and making things progress in our area...
Alright well that's all...Things are pretty good for the most part! Hope everybody is healthy! I'm a bit sick...:(
Thanks!Elder Devenney