Oh my gosh! What a fun and wild week this was!
First off, I'm an Sister Trainer Leader! I now am in the leadership for the zone I am in! I get to work with the two Elder Zone Leaders, and then another sister who is also an STL! I have a lot more meetings to go to, but I'm so excited!!
With transfers this week, we also have a new Swahili Elder because Elder Phui is heading to Africa soon! His name is Elder Bryce! He got thrown into Swahili work and he now gets to learn the language! He honestly seems scared out of his mind, but we know he'll get it eventually!
Ok now for one of honestly my fav stories of my mission. We went to visit Zaina, who we hadn't seen in a while, and when we pulled up, the kids came running out of the house! We learned that it was two of the kids birthdays that day! And when Africans party, they party harddddd. So, we were hyped. The party hadn't started, so we got to help set up. We got to cook sooooo much food--including, nyama ya ng'ombe, sombe, pilau, wali, fufu, matunda, ndizi, and more. There was a woman named Marcelene, and she told us one day we can go to the Congo with her and cook for a day. So fun! Then, Zaina told us that we would be running the party. And in African culture, the most spiritual person runs the party. So that honestly was a power move because her husband is literally a pastor. Anyway, we shared a message and said a prayer with everyone (in Swahili of course) and then the party started! The food was SO GOOD.
We laughed, taught some lessons, danced, and helped run the party. At one point, we were sitting down and Zaina called me over to her. She told me that they were having a party in March that they've been planning for months, and it's for ALL the refugees in Twin Falls. She said that everyone would be wearing fancy African clothes, and that we HAD to come. She said she would buy us some fancy African clothes, and we could invite any missionary or member we wanted. So, I GOT INVITED TO THE BIGGEST AFRICAN PARTY OF THE YEAR, AND I GET FANCY AFRICAN CLOTHES! She said she would be so mad if we didn't come, so we are so excited to meet more people and party with them!
Sunday was a crazy day! We had church, which is always fantastic! When we were setting up, a member walked in with a microphone headset thing and a bunch of headphones. He said he wanted to have English translation for the members who come support the branch!!! So cool! But then, I was chosen to translate the meeting. So, I sat in a little desk in the back of the room with a headset on, and as people spoke in Swahili, I spoke what they were saying into the headphones. It was such a cool experience and a true test of my language skills haha. Anyway, I need practice but it was so cool!
Translating for church! Does the microphone suit me?
On Sunday as well, Jack had his baptismal interview! He walked out and said he feels "blessed". Lol! Anyway, his sister also came to church and decided she wanted an interview too! So exciting! They both did it and said they are excited to be baptized! We also taught them about the temple and they want temple recommends as soon as they're baptized! Amazing! The mom ok'ed everything, but keep praying that she doesn't change her mind!!
We taught a guy named David for the first time this week, and he honestly believes everything we say. We just need to teach him the restoration of the gospel, and he will be on a good path! We gave him a Book of Mormon and he was so excited!
I've seen a lot of miracles in my work. I've also recently studied miracles. I've learned a lot about how miracles happen. I was reading in Mark, and it talked about how the people of Nazareth didn't want to listen to Christ. So, he said he wasn't able to do marvelous works, except for the few believers. This shows, as the Book of Mormon also explains, that miracles can not be wrought except by faith. Christ always has the power to perform miracles, but our faith always gives him the go ahead to do that miracle. We need to have faith in him, and realize that miracles can happen through him. I've started praying for miracles, and then acting in faith, and I've seen lots of amazing things happen! Miracles have NOT ceased:)
Anyway, I hope you all have a fantastic week!!! I love and miss you all! Only 11 months till I see your smiling faces again! Time flies!!
Love,
dada copeland
I sang in church (Kaa Nami, Abide with Me), and after I sang, one of our sweet friends passed me this note! She meant to write "uliimba nzuri sana" which means you sang very good, but she can't really spell haha. It was so sweet nonetheless!
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