So, we had Zone Training this week. Afterwards, we teamed up with Odorkor District and got Pizza from some Pizza place that was having a 'buy 1 get 1 free' thing going on. AP's were there too; haha. We had it right after the ZT. It was great, but we soon learned that Pizza floats in the stomach. This means that you can't eat pizza like you have to eat the African food, which sinks to the bottom. As such, we all were dying throughout the day. But it was worth it; haha.
Later on that day, we baptized Maxwell Adams - Adams Wellengton's son from Octobor - and had a great time scheduling that. It was chaos because this week is Stake Conference, so we couldn't do it on Saturday, which caused massive problems when dealing with some Ward leaders and whatnot. But, in the end, it got done! Now he just has to wait a week in a half to be confirmed... which is really disappointing for him.
Stake Conference was great. Elder Oaks talked to the Africans about some stuff, mainly traditions. Family traditions and Christian praising was a lovely thing, said he, and he commended Africa for it. However, there are some traditions here that must stop. One of them is Bride Price, where the male has to purchase the wife from her father for a ridiculous amount that normally takes years to accumulate. He said this is evil and needs to stop, which is a huge thing to say, as many people here take pride in it. They say that they don't just "give their daughters away, like [we] do in [other places], but love them enough to require something for them." It'll be interesting to see how that works out. He also said that Boarding Schools are not acceptable in the eyes of the Lord, no matter how high-quality the worldy learning they receive there is, it cannot make up for the spiritual guidance and learning that comes from the family, from the parents, and from other such things that is gained when living at home. He also made reference to those who move to Europe or whatever and leave their wife and kids back here; he said to stop that too.
He then moved on to say how much they love Africa, and how amazing it is to see such growth, well beyond what they had expected. He also made mention that the members here, who are having to move around and are being tried and tested, are the pioneers for Africa, and they will have to go through some of what the pioneers of the Church went through back home. Not as bad, of course, but still to a degree, and in their own unique ways.
It was great. Other people talked, and President Packer said how much he loved Africa, how he's been here a few times in his life, and how he'd like Africa to think of him as their personal representative in the Church, as he loves the people there so much. It was really a great conference; I just hope we get the printed version!
Later on that day, we baptized Maxwell Adams - Adams Wellengton's son from Octobor - and had a great time scheduling that. It was chaos because this week is Stake Conference, so we couldn't do it on Saturday, which caused massive problems when dealing with some Ward leaders and whatnot. But, in the end, it got done! Now he just has to wait a week in a half to be confirmed... which is really disappointing for him.
Stake Conference was great. Elder Oaks talked to the Africans about some stuff, mainly traditions. Family traditions and Christian praising was a lovely thing, said he, and he commended Africa for it. However, there are some traditions here that must stop. One of them is Bride Price, where the male has to purchase the wife from her father for a ridiculous amount that normally takes years to accumulate. He said this is evil and needs to stop, which is a huge thing to say, as many people here take pride in it. They say that they don't just "give their daughters away, like [we] do in [other places], but love them enough to require something for them." It'll be interesting to see how that works out. He also said that Boarding Schools are not acceptable in the eyes of the Lord, no matter how high-quality the worldy learning they receive there is, it cannot make up for the spiritual guidance and learning that comes from the family, from the parents, and from other such things that is gained when living at home. He also made reference to those who move to Europe or whatever and leave their wife and kids back here; he said to stop that too.
He then moved on to say how much they love Africa, and how amazing it is to see such growth, well beyond what they had expected. He also made mention that the members here, who are having to move around and are being tried and tested, are the pioneers for Africa, and they will have to go through some of what the pioneers of the Church went through back home. Not as bad, of course, but still to a degree, and in their own unique ways.
It was great. Other people talked, and President Packer said how much he loved Africa, how he's been here a few times in his life, and how he'd like Africa to think of him as their personal representative in the Church, as he loves the people there so much. It was really a great conference; I just hope we get the printed version!
That's about it for this week. Transfers are this week, so I had to spend a lot of time cleaning, and I've also been working on getting some pictures up. Unfortunately, that means less time writing this thing. Sorry; haha.
This Gospel is True, and the Work is Great! Take care, and God bless!
--Elder Collings
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