The Merciful Obtain Mercy

This week was wonderful!! too much happened to explain! 

District Meeting: so in our district we have prospective missionaries come so that they can learn how to be a missionary... on tuesday we had like 10 come and then after they all recieved their mission papers to go on a mission!!! so exciting!!! 3 of them that come teaching with us almost every day! 

Willard: wowza... i wish i had words haha. So we went to go fill out his baptismal record, and when we get to the marriage part he was like... well it's complicated. i've had 2... and i explain how we're supposed to put both down, so i start writing the first wife and turns out they were only divorced 3 weeks ago... then to the 2nd wife... they were only married last week!!! whattt? oh and she is 18, but they're married, and yep! well it was only a traditional marriage... so we need to figure out if the church recognizes taht or not before he gets baptized. He was interviewed by President Kupu on Sunday and president says he is soooo ready, we just need to figure out this marriage thing! we have a plan to maybe get them married by saturday to have him baptized on sunday haha... we'llsee! 

Service on friday we went into the Elders area and helped their investigator build his house!! it's nice to have a skill where in case i don't have a house i can build one out of mud:) it really is amazing how they do it, but i was physically drained after from carrying mud adn bricks for a straight 2 hours in the heat. i was amazed that what we were making was a house, a 2 room house, which can maybe fit a twin size mattress. 

The Gift of Tongues:so obviously i'm in an English speaking mission... but i've been able to see miracles recently on helping people learn English. our recent convert blessings could barely speak english before, but we have been reading the book of mormon with him and his family, and whenever we get to a difficult word we stop and try to explaint the word, and if they can't get it then we have a member say it in chichewa, and seriously you should hear them speak english now:) and they come to church every week as a family, and now that they can understand the book of mormon we are feeling more comfortable allowing them to be baptized hopefully the beginning of next month. 

Recent converts: i got to call Frasier from Blantyre this week, and he was sooo excited. He even called me today again "just to hear my voice" hahaha and he told me that he recieved the Melchizidek Priesthood!! So powerful!! 

District Conference:  So powerful! I learned so much... mainly from prompting from teh Spirit! One impression was the desire to more fully live the law of consecration.. not just as a missionary, but the rest of my life. Then as we were singing the closing hymn in the adult session (Secret Prayer) I was completely overwhelmed with the love of these people. They were singing with so much conviction, and you could tell that they had sacrificed so much to be there as active members in the gospel... and i realized that i'm not ready to come home (sorry mom) Then the sunday session was at Golden Peacock hotel, and we had 8 investigators come!!!! (Willard, Bro Chikulo, Banet, Davie, Amayi Botha, Caesar, Christine, and Wilfred Junior) Most of them being part member families. Sister Kupu's talk mainly touched my heart about pioneers. The saints here in Malawi are truly pioneers, and in 3 generations their children will be thanking them for every sacrifice that they have made. 

ALSO LIKE 15 MEN FROM KALAMBO BRANCH WERE SUSTAINED TO RECIEVE THE MELCHIZIDEK PRIESTHOOD. i probably looked so dumb from how big i was smiling. 

Mfuni: he is doing soooo good, and the reason why he couldn't make it to chruch is because his fiance showed up with her brothers to figure out their wedding! YAY! we met his fiance and they said they'll get married before i go home:) They are super cute, and just super happy. and missioanries are going to go start to teach her. 

tender mercies:

so we worked with Innocent Friday night, and the next day at district conference he comes up to me and hands me 20 kwacha and says, "Sister Thueson, yesterday i had 20 kwacha in my pocket and when i was in your car i found 20 kwacha on the seat so i thought it had just fallen out of my pocket, but hwen i got home i realized i had 40 kwacha in my pocket, so i'm sorry that i took your money." wow it was so sweet, and i told him he could keep it because he was honest, but he rejected it. 20 kwacha is worth 2 pennies.... i was so touched at his integrity especially over something i would have never noticed... but it was at that moment that i knew he was ready to go on mission... btw we helped him fill out his papers this week:) 

funny stories:

1. a drunk guy came up to me and I was like, "how are you?" and he was like, "i'm not okay... i need love... from you!" so then as usual i pretended that i was married and he was like, "what about your sisters?" then i explain that their married... then as he was walking away the member we were working with was like, "some people are crazy" and he turns around and yells "I'M NOT CRAZY!" haha

2. at district conference after the womens breakout, sister kupu had me pass out little chocolates to the little kids, and then after there was enough for each woman to have one... and it was amazing that grown women could lie to get another small piece of chocolate. it was crazy. 

3. We were helping INnocent fill out his mission papers and we asked him what his skills are and he was like, "i only have one skill.... charging phones" hahaha because that is his business. 

anywho... i love being a missionary, and i'm grateful for every single experience that i've had. I would like to end with a few quotes that i read this week, 

"The thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially those those who don't expect it adn often feel they don't deserve it." 

"courage, not comprimise, brings the smile of God's approval" 

I hope that we can all seek the mercy of God a little more this week, as well as have the courage to stand for what is right.

NDIMAKUKONDANI 

Sister Thueson

"We'll Sing and We'll SHOUT"

hahaha whenever the Kalambo branch sings the Spirit of God when they sing the chorus they sing at a normal volume until it says "shout." then they raise their voices and starting singing REALLY LOUD. oh my goodness it is too funny

Well this week was just fantastic. Kalombo East area is just so great, and I know the Lord is just really aware of us right now. The Kalombo branch has been going through much trials of people who were super active going innactive and trying to persuade other solid members to go with them which has really affected us, but we know Heavenly Father is providing us with those people who will build up the branch and not be a burden to it. 

Zone meeting: we had to present on how to increase convert baptisms... we have a goal to start baptizing every single week. Much faith will be needed but it is possible!!!

Exchanges: I love being able to go on exchanges with sisters. This week I went with Sister Gwebu who is still in her first transfer. She is from South Africa, and super classy. We had such a great day together in my area. She was sooo humble and so willing to learn. We had a funny funny day. 

1. we forgot the phone

2. During the mafosha family lesson he was asking such hard questions.. then he fed us nsima with ocra (one of my very least favorites... look it up) and poor sister gwebu has never had to eat with her hands before... and ocra is slimy and she was just struggling hahaha. and broter mafosha was giving her such a hard time. 

3. then we helped fetching water AND I CARRIED 18 LITERS OF WATER ON HEAD WITHOUT SPILLING. so bummed i didn't get a picture because i know you won't believe me. 

4. Then we try to go find Brother Mushali's house and all of these children were there practicing a dance, and there was like 100 of them... and when they saw me they all just ran and rushed around me, and Sister Gwebu didn't know what to do so she tries to protect me and we start running and she tripped and all the kids laughed at her. 

Definitely an exchange to remember. And at the end she was so sweet about all the things that she learned. 

Star and Blessings: They were both confirmed on Sunday and recieved the Aaronic Priesthood. and then the Deacons quorum was organized and Blessings was put as the President say whaaatttt?? But they are the sweetest, and they both came with their new white shirts, and were feeling too sweet. We are getting them to read the Book of Mormon, and we can already see their English improving. Star always gives us a very detailed report on the chapter that he reads, and it just melts the heart. 

Mfuni: man this guy is powerful. He is studying the Howard W. Hunter book, and last night he told me that he'll be the first one to district conference this next week, and that "I am patiently waiting for my baptism... i'm ready any day" 

Brother Banda: he was a street contact, and just like every malawian warmly welcomed us over. He used to be a pastor, but when we started teaching him... he loved it! He has concerns about why he needs to be baptized again (like almost every malawian) But he came to church on Sunday and smiling ear to ear the whole time. He always asks how he can become a member of the church. We'll be meeting his wife this week who is a pastor so that should be interesting. 

Service: This was the biggest  miracle of the week.  saturday night late we were heading to our last appointment and i turned into the area and a car was stopped with its hazards on.. so i just really felt to stop and ask if all was okay, which normally i don't do at night because scary, but i did and he said he was out of petrol and so he asked if we could go get him some and we did and then we got his number after and he said he stayed in ARea 50... he asked what we were doing and we said we were missionaries, then we call him that night to see if we could see him on sunday and he was like, where is your church? and then guess what? he came to church on sunday and we're going to go teach his family on Wednesday!!!! It's so amazing what small acts of kindness can do. That is something that I"ve really been trying to improve on, is giving to those who don't have what i've been blessed with. Obviously I've experienced so much that has changed my life, but what i would say most is just simply stopping and helping when someone is in need. 

Anita and Christoper: a new family that we found. She one day sat in on Chikulo's lesson, and then she starting ansering us... IN ENGLISH. and we're like whaaat? she speaks english? so then we give her some pamphlets... we went last night, and she had answered all the questions in the back, and had used the index of the book of mormon to learn the definitions for words. and her husband is really sweet as well... english is a small problem with him, but hers is really good. They want to be baptized and want to be members! When we asked if they would be baptized October 23rd she quickly said yes, and then when we asked abambo she was like, "oh he's ready!" hahahah love it. Please pray for them!!! 

So much more happened.. but that is just a sneak peek. Life is great!!! 

Ndimakukondani kwam biri!!! 

Sister Thueson

"THERE CAN BE MIRACLES"

When you believe!!!! 

AND I SAW A SHOOTING STAR AS WE WERE TEACHING A LESSON OUTSIDE AT NIGHT. 

My family and friends, how happy I am to tell you about the miracles that happened this week. I'm so humbled by this week, and the hand of the Lord in our area. 

First off Blessings and Starford were baptized!!! Cutest baptism of my life... okay I probably say that all the time. But they were so happy, and Blessings mom even came with him to witness it. They were just smiling ear to ear the whole time and came in their nicest clothes. Starford was baptized by his brother, and Blessings was baptized by his neighbor Stanley!! as you'll see in the pictures they were really close. And even after Blessings baptism he asked if he'll be able to go on a mission one day... awwwwwe. and he kept telling his mom how she needs to get baptized now so they can go to the temple. 

And then we had Starford start reading the Book of Mormon, and when we followed up he was able to tell us all about first nephi 1. and so I really think that reading the Book of Mormon will help him with English. 

Chikulo: Chikulo was the street contact that we met last week and then he came to church last week, and guess what he came again!!! And he even stayed for the baptism, and then met with the Branch President after. He is powerful and will should be getting baptized on october 16th!

Willard: ahhh he is so sweet!!! We were teaching him about the Law of Chastity, and I asked if he had any problems with it and he was like, "well part of it... I like to play pool, and when I play i bet money... and i think that is bad." adorable. and even he offered to bring the sacrament bread this sunday... so sweet. 

New Families... again!!! ahhh the work of the Lord will continue until the Great Jehovah says it's done. and that is so true. We foud even more families this week... very interesting ones haha. One is a pastor, but he was sooo welcoming. His name is Roderick, and his wife Jennifer... i think he just wanted advice to use in his own church, but we'll see! The other family was a stree contact the Banda family... he used to be a pastor, but retired because he didn't agree with the doctrines in the church that he was a pastor for... pretty funny. But we had a member with us who is powerful and used to go to the same church as him and he asked how he can become a member!!! His wife is in Blantyre, but we'll see! And then lastly the Mushali family who was a referral from our recent convert Sheena! We met with them Saturday night, and he too was so ready to join the church, his wife was kinda busy during the lesson but I think they ahve some real potential! 

Mfuni: soo prepared!!! When we went to go teach him, he had a little book with all of his questions about the boko of mormon written down. And when I asked him about baptism he was like, "I'm ready whenever!!" Love the enthusiasm! 

Milanze family:  True kingdom builders. and soo humble at the same time. Brother Milanze takes every lesson so seriously, and he loves the book of mormon and will always read. he is jsut super busy with work, but he said he'll come to church this upcoming week... and this is a man who keeps his promises. 

all in all, i wish I could describe the miracles we are having but they are too hard to put into words. Grateful for this opportunity to recognize the hand of the Lord in my life each and every day. 

Love, 

Sister Thueson

F-A-I-T-H FAAAIITHHH

This week was full of miracles... and the funny thing about it, is at the end of each day my companion and I would always feel like not that much was accomplished, but at the end of the week when we were able to take a step back and evaluate we actually accomplished a lot!

at Mission tour they made us chant F-A-I-T-H. FAIIITTH FAIITTH 

Mission Tour: We had a great zone conference with Elder Stanley G. Ellis and his wife, along with President and Sister Kupu. I would say the theme of the conference was definitely having Faith... Faith will always proceed the miracle. and I quickly realized that I won't have any miracles if i'm not praying for specific things. and that is the goal that I've set for myself. is every morning pray for something specific that my area needs such as a new family, an opportunity to serve, someone that will accept the Book of Mormon. and after doing that, every night this past week I could look back on the day and that small specific thing that I had prayed for had happened. Missions truly are miracles in itself. Then after we had a leadership council and what I took most from that was the Lord requires change... if you have stewardship over someone or something... he requires it to change for the better. That is truly the parable of the talents. We can't just keep something how it is, but it needs to be improved. 

Then of course after the leadership training, President Kupu comes up to me and was like, "Will you stay after to have an interview with Elder Ellis?" uhhhh of course! It was really a chill interview. Obviously when he asks about my family, i have to hold back the tears, but we mainly just talked about the Zambia Lusaka Mission and then he whips out a good ol scripture that obviously the Lord wanted me to hear. D&C 112:10 "Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers" He taught me that humility is vertical and horizontal. Vertically realizing that we are nothing without the Lord, and horizontally that we are "just as good as everyone else, but no better" and I love that. something I will always strive to remind myself when pride creeps into my thoughts! 

Service: We had the opportunity to do lots of service this week!!!! I love it. Tuesday night we helped a less active at his shop... coolest thing ever, he is selling salt in little plastics, and he needed help sealing the plastics. it's genius people.... all you do you wrap a spoon around it and then put it close to a candle and let it melt pangono and then bam. sealed. 

Wednesday: the Elders joined us in our area and we made BRICKS for the Mafosha family. It was so funny. so here is how you make bricks... you dig a pit of dirt. poor water on it, and then stomp in it to mix it together to make it smooth, then you put it in this model thing, and then let it out to dry. I've never been so muddy in my whole life, but it was so much fun. And the people of Area 50 were AMAZED. We had a crowd of over 40 people watching an azungu make bricks, and sometimes they get on my nerves when they try to imitate my accent haha. But no worries. 

Families: We were able to find 3 new families to teach this week!! Brother Matthews family, the Mika family, and the Chikulo family. We met Brother Matthew as he was sitting outside his house next door to a member, we contact him and we make an appointment. When we go back, it's only his wife at home and surprise SHE SPEAKS ENGLISH. it alwyas makes a missionary in malawi excited to find a woman that speaks english. But we just served her and cooked her nsima for her, and hopefully we'll be able to teach them on Wednesday. Then the Mika family, I met the father a couple weeks ago as i got lost driving in the area and asked to park the car at his house, and turns out he is a detective and we met with him and his wife and they're not really active in the church right now and we pray that they will be serious! The Chikulo family, we met the brother of the Chikulo family as we were buying a roll from a little girl, and he promised to come to church and HE CAME AN HOUR EARLY. then we met with the family last night and they are so sweet. 

Willard: He was supposed to be interviewed this week, but as we were going over the interview questions we learned that he'll have to wait to be interviewed by President Kupu at the end of September. He was soo sad, and you could tell that he truly had godly sorrow, but he was willing to wait and was excited to have someone to advise him on how to fully repent. 

Blessings/Star: Blessings and Star passed their baptismal interviews!! They will be baptized on Sunday... and after the interview all Elder Wyman could say was that he could tell how excited they were to be baptized, and truly that is all that matters. yes they are young, but they already showing so much dedication. And then Elder Tshabala brought them a white shirt and pants... they were so excited. 

Then on Saturday the Birrells took us out to spur... I had an enchilada and a brownie with icecream! can you say amazing??? Tender mercies of the lord for sure!!! 

funny stories: 

1. so we were teaching Agnus, and we had to buy some vegetables for dinner that night so i sent some little kids to the market to get some for us and i gave them 100 kwacha and told them to use 40 kwacha.. then they come back with no change... .and said they had spent it. hahaha my companion was soo mad. 

2. We got a call on Thursday in the middle of the day from Sister Kupu that she had left her earrings in their hotel, so we had to go get them for her and it's the only 5 star hotel in malawi and man. we were feeling sweet... they even gave us guave juice in a fancy glass as we were waiting. and we had just come from the area and were so dusty... haha we felt so out of place. 

3. Trying to teach a less-active named Mary... without a translator. haha our broken chichewa was hilarious, and she was just laughing at us the whole time because we made no sense. 

4. last week someone's phone was stolen at church, and so of course during fast and testimony meeting all the members get up and cry repentance. my personal favorite, "last year this church was full of love, but now this is a devil centered church" all of us missionaries just give each other the look... 

I love you all!!! Mission truly is a miracle, and I wish I could put into an email every experience that I have, but that is impossible!!! Keep reading your Book of Mormon every day even just one verse! 

Ndimakukonda Kwam biri! 

Sister Thueson