Christmas

Skype photo on December 24th

Afoyo!

Well Christmas finally came. Got to talk to my family which was pretty awesome. But this week we had a lot of fun. Monday was P-Day, Tuesday the Elders from Liera came up and we had a Christmas Party. It was fun to get to know some more people from the mission and have some fun with them. We went to a fancy restaurant (for Gulu) and had some pizza. Then we went and watched a Christmas Carol. Then we had some fun just hanging out and talking. Wednesday we had a combined Branch Christmas party. We had a ton of fun getting to know more members and singing and everything. Then on Thursday we went Christmas Caroling to some of our investigators with the Taylors. We got to see Godfrey and Martha's new born baby who is super cute. Elder Taylor but together a video of us singing and stuff on his blog. I think its called "Happiest Faces on Earth." You can go check it out. Finally Christmas morning I got to talk to my family. We set up a secret Santa so we opened a couple gifts and ate some breakfast. After Lunch we went out to find families to teach. After that we went to a members house and had a feast. It was super good! Christmas here in Africa is a lot different. It is a party holiday. There are concerts and parties going on everywhere. None of them even seem Christmas related. That was basically all that happened this week. It's crazy that it is going to be 2016 next week. It's also weird to think that I will be in Africa for all of 2016.

Well I love you all. Thank you for your support and prayers. I'm glad to be in the only church that doesn't just follow Christ, but is led by him. Keep doing good works.

Love, Elder Hawk


You know you are in Africa when you are sweating on Christmas day.

This is a picture of a family that we went caroling to

The Things That Count‏

Afoyo!

Well, to be honest it was kind of a long week. We had a lot of bounces and didn't have that many lessons. The people that were supposed to get baptized this month are falling through for different reasons. We were supposed to have like 8 or so before the end of the year, but I'm not sure if we will get any. It's okay though, they will most likely get baptized early next year.

This week I had a cool experience when we were at an investigators house. He told us that his wife got into a contract to work for the next two months and she would have to work on Sundays. He apologized and said that he figured that our success as missionaries was depending on how many baptisms we get. I told him that we do have goals, but what really matters to us his him. I told him that the reason we want him to get baptized isn't because he is a number, but because we have come to love him and his family and we know that this church can change his life. That really is the truth. I think about President Uchtdorf's talk a couple conferences ago where he said that sometimes the things that you can count don't count, and the things that you don't count do count. That is especially true on a mission. I have come to love all the people of Uganda and especially the people we are teaching. I want to see them accept this gospel so they can change their life, as it has changed my life.

Sometimes in life we get caught up in the numbers. We need to stop and think about the things that really matter. This Christmas, don't get caught up in the numbers. Don't count how many presents you got or how much money you spent. Think about how you feel when you give or the smile on someones face when you just take the time to talk to them. Most of all think about what the Savior has done for us. He went through all that pain, suffering, and anguish so we could make it back to our Father in Heaven. Think about what we can give back to him. We can never repay him for what he did, but we can show him how much we appreciate it by the way we act, and the way we treat others. In the end God won't judge us on how many great things we have done, but who we have become because of them. This year give yourself to Him.

I hope you all enjoy this Christmas season. I love you all. Be who Heavenly Father needs you to be.

Love, Elder Hawk


You know you're in Africa when people switch their Ls and Rs when speaking.

Our Sweet Jerseys

(another photo, thanks to Elder Roylance)

Recognize the Lord's Hand‏

Afoyo!

What a week! It was kind of slow in terms of lessons, but the end of the week was my favorite by far. We found some great families this week. Geoffrey and Gladis, Robert and Maria, David and Jackie, and a couple others. We have been seeing the Lord's hand in our work, especially the last couple of weeks. Families are progressing!! It is so great to see these people want to change their lives. I told you guys about how our church attendance was struggling and how investigators weren't coming to church, but it's all changing. It just shows if we continue to have a good attitude and work hard and be obedient, the Lord WILL bless us. The last two week in church have been amazing! The best weeks we have had. Yesterday, was a bit better than last week. I'm not going to say how many people or how many investigators came, but every single chair in the chapel was filled. We can see the miracle that the Lord is doing in this branch and I am so happy to have the privilege to watch him do so. Don't get me wrong, me and Elder Majawa are doing what we are supposed to be doing, but I know that this success is in no way because of us. As I'm  writing I realize that this might sound like I am boasting, but in the words of Alma, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my own strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."

Well, I don't have much else to say. I love the work, I love the Book of Mormon, and I love all of you. I hope all is well back home and that you are preparing yourself for Christmas. While it's getting cooler over there it's getting hotter over here. What family in need are you going to help this Christmas? Have a great week.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you are in Africa when its 95 degrees in December.

The Chapel in Gulu 

 Chowing down

The Zone---after playing basketball  in this sweet stadium that is at the school where the guy in our compound works!

Thanksgiving

Afoyo!

Well this week I am going to tell you some more about the culture
since I haven't said much about it yet. Here goes: The people here are
in the Acholi tribe. They all speak Luo and I have learned how to say
quite a bit. Mostly greetings and such but it is a pretty simple
language. Here in Uganda there are over 40 different languages. Some
sound similar, but most are completely different (Talk about tower of
Babbel). The people here are extremely friendly, especially to guests.
If you are a guest to their home they will bend over backward to make
you feel at home and welcome.. well a majority of them. They will give
you their seat, their food(which they don't have very much of), and
anything else you can think of. Most people only eat one meal a day
around 6 or 7. Practically no homes have running water, and all the
water that comes from the tap is unsafe for drinking. So they either
boil it or they go get water from a well. They carry water in big jugs
called jarry cans. Quite often for service we carry them and they are
super heavy. Almost every road here is made of dirt, and they aren't
smooth either. There is no major store, we just go to small shops to
buy food. I cook almost every meal. When the people cook they usually
do it on very small charcoal stoves. They eat a lot of cassava,
greens, beans, and white sweet potato. A lot of men here after they
get home from work they go out drinking. When they drink though its
not your usual alcohol, its alcohol that looks like mud. They usually
share and drink out of a pot with really long straws. It's disgusting.
The women are very powerful and independent since the men are almost
always away at work. They tie their babies to their back with a
blanket or sheet and usually have something balancing on their head.
Well... I can't think of much else.. so that Gulu! It's a very small
town so this isn't typical Uganda.

On to this week. We met so many people this week! I can truly see the
Lord's hand in the work here in Bar-Dege. We find at least one new
family a day. We are trying to change the dynamic in the Branch to
families so that way it has a solid foundation. This last week was the
best week of church yet. It was so powerful! We had more families
there than I had ever seen. One investigator that sticks out to me
this week is Michael. He is the man! He is 75 and is super smart! He
understands what we teach him and is always willing to keep the
commitments we give him. I always feel the spirit so strong when we go
and I always leave happy. We have only taught him twice but I can tell
he will be a very good addition to the church. We haven't gotten tot
teach his wife yet because she has been sick, but I am sure he can
help us to teach her since he already has a powerful testimony. Well
not much else to say. I will try to talk more about the culture and
the people from now on because those are the things I'm sure you want
to hear. I love you all and hope all is well back in the states.
Remember who you are and love everyone you come into contact with,
because you never know what kind of positive impact you can have on
someones life.

Love, Elder Hawk


You know you're in Africa when almost everyone you meet has a family
member with Malaria.

Beware of Spiritual Ruts‏

Afoyo!

Well I feel like every time I get on I never have anything to tell you because all the days feel the same, but I'll try my best. So this week was pretty good. The Assistants came on Tuesday and went on splits with us. Elder Burdett came with me and Elder Majawa. He is the man. Every lesson we had that day was super powerful. I found myself in a rut, teaching the same way every single time which makes it hard sometimes to feel the Spirit. When he was here, I realized that I needed to convey the same special message but in a different way every time to fit the needs of my investigator.

As I put this into practice I have felt a great change. This can even apply to you guys. Sometimes we just do things in the church because we are supposed to, like reading the scriptures or praying, and we fall into a spiritual rut. As we change how we do things constantly and try to get as much out of it as we can we will be able to feel the Spirit stronger. Don't just read the scriptures, study them, ponder on them, ask questions, and write down your thoughts as you read. When you pray, don't just recite a prayer. You can actually communicate with our Father in Heaven and it's one of the greatest gifts He has given to us! Tell Him how your day went, tell Him what you are concerned about, what you are excited about, because like your father here on earth, He to is interested in what is happening in your life. I know that as you put this into practice you will learn more, feel the spirit more, and get so many more blessings then you could have ever imagined.

Today we got to go to a school that one of the guys in our compound works at. He is from the US. They just finished an indoor basketball stadium and he asked if we wanted to come and play and it was so fun! The stadium was way awesome too!

Well thank you so much for supporting me. I love you all and hope all is going well. Keep doing what Our Father in Heaven wants you to do.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know when you are in Africa when you eat bugs.

Note: I asked Elder Hawk to tell me more about the culture and the people, so this is an insert from my email:

Most of the people here are very hospitable. Almost every house we stop at tells us to come inside, or they always bring a seat to us. Most even give up their own seat. The guest is always a guest of honor. Most places we teach offer us food. I am learning to love African food. I really like casava. I think that Tanner talked about it while he was in Fiji. The people usually only eat one meal a day. I actually didn't even know that until today. It usually is around 5 or 6 at night. There are very little homes that have running water so they have to carry big 3 gallon jugs from a well or from a spic-kit somewhere. We carry jarry cans (the 3 gallon jugs) for service almost every week. I'm not sure what else to say, but I will keep thinking. It's not as different here as you would think.

Crazy Week‏

Afoyo!

This was a crazy week. Mostly because of transfers. Elder Roylance didn't have a companion for like 2 days and Elder Gwazvo was sick so I got to see some other parts of Gulu this week. On Wednesday me and Elder Roylance were reunited in a trio with Elder Majawa in our area. We had a rough day though. It is starting to rain almost everyday, so sometimes its slow going. It's supposed to be the dry season but I guess the weather was really weird this year. On Thursday I went with Elder Dean and Elder Roylance to his area. It was kind of weird experiencing the different parts of the zone. But that night Elder Ndamane arrived and we also got our washing machine back!! It broke before I got to use it, so I have been washing my clothes by hand for 6 weeks.

Me and Elder Majawa have no problem finding families. The Lord has been helping us so much!! However, the problem we are having now is getting these families to progress, let alone answer the phone! It seems that everyone now a days is either in Kampala or "the Village." That is usually people's excuse for not answering the phone or not keeping a commitment we give them. Its pretty frustrating. I think right now though we are just planting a lot of seeds and the success will start to come in a couple of transfers. Even if I don't see the fruits of my labors, I am glad where I am at this time. I love the people here so much. Every time I'm in a lesson I just feel a great love for them and even the love that our Father in Heaven has for them. I love the work so much.

Not much else to report for this week, other than I won't be sending pictures this week due to my camera being stolen out of the truck.. I love all of you and hope you have great weeks. Keep having faith in the Lord and he will put you in the right place at the right time.

Love, Elder Hawk


You know you are in Africa when kids either crowd you and want to touch your skin and hair or they run in absolute terror.

Transfers‏

Afoyo!

Well we got transfer news today. It's a little different though because there won't be any changes next transfer because there is only one new missionary. I am staying with Elder Majawa in Bardege. I am excited to continue the work here in Gulu. Elder Dean is the new Zone Leader, which is weird because he was already in our zone. Elder Rogers is going to Nsambya. Elder Roylance is staying and getting a new companion.

Well now to talk about the week. It was a pretty long one. We are still finding a lot of families and many are progressing. The biggest struggle we are having right now are getting the investigators to come to church though. That being said the overall church attendance is going up and the atmosphere of the branch is getting much better. We have been talking with the branch president a lot to see how we can not only bring new members in but get some of the inactive ones back. I know that with the Lord we can make this branch much stronger and build a solid foundation in the Bardege branch.

This week we had some great dinner appointments, which is rare here in Gulu. The one I'm sending a picture of is with a family where only the daughter is a member. The Mama is a very strong catholic (just like everyone else in Gulu), but me and Elder Majawa got caught in the rain and we took refuge in her little shop. We talked for about an hour or so and we had her laughing big. We asked her when we were going to come eat with her (something that's not rude here) and she said we could come the next day with the whole zone. She cooked a lot for us! We had chicken, beef, cabbage, doe doe, sweet potato, and chapate and it was delicious!! After we ate she asked each one of us to share our story and testimony about the church. As it came to me I had a strong impression to share about the importance of the plan of salvation and the ability to be with our families forever. I talked about Jace (Elder Hawk's brother who passed away 16 years ago at the age of 4 months due to a congenital heart defect) and how I knew that one day, if I live right, I could be with him again. I felt the Spirit confirm that truth in my heart. I truly believe that we can be together with our families forever, and I know that it is only through this church that its possible. I'm so thankful to be part of this gospel, and part of a family who has been sealed in the temple for all eternity. After everyone finished she finally understood why her daughter wanted to be part of this church. She may never be baptized or accept the gospel, but she knows that it is a good church.

We also got to watch conference the last two days! (Finally!) We didn't watch all the sessions though because Saturday is the best day to catch people at home. I love conference so much and can always feel the power of the spirit testify that these men were called of God.

Well not much else happened this week. We are still pushing and working hard. I hope all is well back home. I love all of you and want you to know that God loves you more than you can imagine.

Love, Elder Hawk



You know you're in Africa when women can balance anything on their head.

African Safari

So today we got to go to Chobe! Wow was it beautiful! We woke up at 6 this morning and headed there. We got there and ate a sweet buffet breakfast! It was super nice!! The resort is right next to the nile so we ate our breakfast on a porch over-looking the Nile! It is probably one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen! Pictures will not do it justice, but I will send some. We did see very many animals though. Mostly just a bunch of Giraffe. It was still way cool though.

So this week was really fast. We are making great progress in the Branch. Our attendance is increasing slowly. However, we have run into some major obstacles this week. The number one is marriage. I think I can count on one hand how many people are married here. It is very frustrating. Last week I talked about Jeoffrey.. His name is actually Godfrey.. haha. I guess we just heard him wrong... But him and Martha aren't married, which is a huge bummer since he is so ready to be baptized. He already has a super strong testimony. Luckily we have a senior couple who is in our area. They are the special team. They have attended a lot of classes on how to get people married here since the process is very different. We will be using them a lot for the next little while. Also Emmy (kid I got to baptize) bore his testimony yesterday and it was one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever heard from a 12 year old. Wow. 

I don't have any spectacular story or adventure, but then again, I have many mini adventures everyday. I climb over very sketchy bridges, we walk through thick bushes, and we even fended off some hungry lions the other day! Well, most of that was true.. I am getting used to life here in Uganda though and I love it so much. I love being a missionary, I love being a member of this church, and I love all the people I meet everyday. 

I hope all is well back home and that you are all loving life as much as I am. I love you all so much.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when you chase after Giraffes

What a Week‏

Afoyo!

This was a very quick week. To be honest, not a whole lot happened. We have been working harder than ever to find families to build the branch. I think that are hard work will start paying off very soon. Since not a lot happened I will tell you about some of my investigators.

First, Jeffrey and his wife, Martha. He is the man! He has come to church the past two weeks and is reading in the Book of Mormon. He knows that the book is true. He keeps all the commitments we give to him and he is really progressing towards his baptism. We talked to him about the opportunity to get baptized and then baptize his wife. He seemed really excited about that. She on the other hand is progressing very slow. She has not yet come to church. She also hasn't read the Book of Mormon. I know that once she does, she will start making progress. I have faith that the Lord will give her the answer to her prayers.

Next, Gloria and Paul. Paul is a very devout Catholic. He seems interested, but has a hard time keeping commitments. Gloria is super interested, but also has a hard time keeping her commitments. We gave her a Book of Mormon on Thursday and she seemed way excited to read it. I know that when they both read it they will get the conformation that it is true just like I have.

I just want to stop and bare testimony about the Book of Mormon. I know that it is a book inspired by God. It contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel, and like Joseph Smith said, I know that a man can "get nearer to God by abiding by it's precepts than by any other book." If you haven't already gained a testimony of this Book I plead with you to take up Moroni's challenge and read, ponder, and pray about it. You will receive an answer. My love for the Book of Mormon grows everyday as I study it and learn of the great men and women in it. What I have learned also is that you can't just read it and expect it to change your life. You have to apply what you learn in your own life. I challenge you all to do exactly that. Read everyday, and choose one thing to apply. I know that as you do this, you will feel yourself come closer to God and feel the spirit stronger in you life.

Well, I just finally want to say what a great zone I have! We have so much fun! We even got Zone T-shirts this week and they are way sweet! We are going to wear them next week to Chobe. Chobe is a safari excursion, so next week I should have some awesome pictures of animals.

Love you all. Keep following the Lords will. Hope all is well.

Love,

Elder Hawk


You know you are in Africa when you get used to not seeing white people.

 Just chewin' on some sugarcane

 The Zone

 Cute little guy

Gulu Branch Primary

Powerful.‏

Afoyo! (That means hello in acholi, the language they speak in Gulu)

This was a very powerful week! We found a lot of new families to teach and they seem to be progressing! To start off the week Elder Rogers, one of our zone leaders, came with us to teach and tract. Wow. What a day. We went to a couple of appointments that we had set for the day and they were mediocre lessons. Actually we took a recent convert named Ben to the first appointment and he fell asleep in the middle of the lesson like twice! hahaha!! But it's okay because the guy we were teaching was fake and we dropped him after that lesson anyways. But after we went tracting. Elder Rogers gave a prayer before we started and that we would be guided by the spirit where to go. Right after he was done with the prayer, he asked where the first place that popped into our head. I said a place in our area and we headed over. We found 4 new families that day and 2 are very powerful. It was one of the first days where I felt like every step was guided by the spirit. It was an amazing experience.

At the end of the day, we went to a man named Charles. Some of his kids have been baptized, but like 98% of Gulu he is a devout Catholic. We answered some of his fake concerns, and at the end I started talking about how he could be a pioneer for his family. I started talking about my grandparents, especially Grandpa Hawk, and how with out him joining the church, I wouldn't have probably been a member of the church, let alone be a missionary here talking to him. As I was talking the spirit filled my whole body and I felt so grateful for grandparents who were strong enough to stray from the foolish traditions of their fathers.

The next day, was another powerful day. We taught a couple of great lessons. One in particular being Gloria and Paul. As we taught they seemed to grasp and understand everything we were teaching them immediately. At the end of the lesson they seemed very interested and happy that we had come. After that a couple of appointments bounced us, and we prayed to know where to go. As we were walking we felt impressed to stop at a couple of peoples houses that we hadn't planned on. Afterward, I said to my companion that maybe we were never meant to go to the people we asked about and just needed a direction to move. This offended him, but I didn't know. We went to the next place and he didn't say a word the whole lesson. Afterward I could tell something was bothering him. I tried everything I could to get him to tell me what was wrong but he wouldn't budge. We went to a couple more places but no one was home. We went to Emmy's house (Charles' son) and I taught the whole lesson by myself. It was decent but the spirit was not there. We both went to bed, me very upset that I had offended my companion.

The next morning we started comp study and at the end I asked what had happened the night before. He smiled, and said, "I was trying to teach you a lesson! HAHA!" He had actually not been offended, but wanted to show me what it was like to not have companion unity. Man had it worked. I am so grateful for such a wonderful trainer. We have a tough job with the branch we have, but I know that we can turn it around as long as we have that unity, and we teach with the spirit!

Well, still very few people came to church. We had one string investigator come though, his name is Jeffery. He even participated in Gospel principles! I also got the privilege to baptize Emmy. It was so awesome. Even though he is only twelve he has a powerful testimony.

I hope everything is good back home! I love you all and I challenge you to invite one person to church this next week.

Love,

Elder Hawk


You know you are in Africa when you only have electricity 60% of the time.

 My first baptism

 Just doing my laundry

 This is where I live and my bathroom/shower... haha

 Would you like to live in one of these?

Loving life in Uganda!

Hello everyone,

Wow, what a crazy week! So much has happened yet it felt like I was just barley emailing! The beginning of this week was pretty rough for a couple reasons. First, the other companionship that was in the Ba-dege branch with us were taken to Kampala, so now me and Elder Majawa have to cover two areas and a whole branch by ourselves. Pretty overwhelming. However, I know that the Lord truly has entrusted us with this struggling branch. We are the ones who are meant to be here and I know that if we do all we can we will see great success.

Tuesday I was feeling pretty down. We are doing a lot of tracting, and we went to a place called Water. This is a very humble place so you think that many would be willing to listen.. Well they would if they knew any English. That is one very big trial in my area. Even if they do speak English they have a really hard time understanding me because I talk really fast. Not to mention they are also hard to understand. So because of these circumstances I was pretty down on myself. However the day did get better. We finally taught a lesson about the restoration. The lady was firm in the Catholic belief and was being very stubborn. When it came time for the First Vision I started to talk. As I recited the First Vision and bore my testimony I felt the spirit so strong, and although she may have felt nothing, I knew at that moment the reason I am here. I know with my whole heart that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and all because that one boy had the faith to pray, I am here in Uganda teaching the gospel that has brought so much happiness in my life, and that it would be selfish of me to not share it with the world.

The rest of the week went much better after that. We are having many lessons. We are focusing on families, because as we know, they are the central unit of the church. We probably have 5 or so families that we are teaching and I think that they are all understanding our message. Just as I was getting confidence in our investigators, Sunday hit.. Not one of the families we had taught that week came. I was pretty upset. However, once again as the day went on we taught a lesson to a family that seemed as if they were prepared for us, and we met with a couple other people and I was probably the happiest I have been since I've been here!

Well, I love you all so much and appreciate your prayers. I can feel them strengthen me everyday. I hope everything is good back in the US.

Love, Elder Hawk


You know you are in Africa when a women starts breast feeding during a lesson...

  Had my first baptism... kind of, he was in the other area and we only taught him the Law of Tithing.

Also a picture of some of the huts

First Week in UGANADA!!‏

 Hello Everyone!

 So many things have happened since I wrote last!! The rest of the MTC was great! But too many things have happened here in Uganda to talk about them!

 When we first got to Uganda it was pretty late on Tuesday night. We got in this van and drove like 40 minutes to the mission home. I will describe the car ride with one word.. INSANE! Number one, we were driving on the left side of the road. Number two there are no stop lights or stop signs. It is complete madness. And there are hundreds of boda bodas (motorcycles) weaving and going wherever they want. Its pretty crazy.

We went to the mission home the next day and had interviews and training. You know, your basic stuff on what types of bugs and animals can kill you.. haha. But honestly its a lot safer here than you would think. President Chatfield is the best!! He speaks with so much power! He talked about how our standing with man is not as important as preaching the gospel. Sometimes we have to do things that make us uncomfortable or embarrassed, but it is worth it as long as we are doing what the Lord wants. Truly living the Law of Consecration! I know that as you live the law of Consecration in your life the Lord will bless you.

 Finally my first area is Gulu!! Its probably the hottest place in the mission so I feel right at home.. haha.  Since we don't get to watch conference until the end of the month, we fasted yesterday, and president told this area specifically that we are not allowed to fast from water because of how hot it is. Pretty crazy. The Zone consists of 4 companionships and a senior couple. We live in the same complex which is pretty nice. 3 separate houses. We also play soccer every morning for exercise and I am getting pretty good actually! It is way north. The furthest north you can go in Uganda. It is as they say, the bush. People live in clay huts with straw roofs. But it also has a city area. It is a great place. Me and Elder Majawa are opening the area. It is going to have a lot of challenges, but we are ready for it. Elder Majawa is from Malawi. He is so humble and is an amazing missionary. He has only been a member for 3 years and already knows more than me. haha. He is so powerful. We have been finding a lot. We already have 5 or so people with baptismal dates. We are pretty united as companions and in lessons. It also helps how humble the people are here! Anyone and everyone is willing to listen. 90% are christian.

 Well, I love you all and I know I am where I need to be. I have a great love for the people, and I can feel it grow stronger everyday.

 Love,
 Elder Hawk


 You know you are in Africa when just throw all the trash you want out the window.

Me with President and Sister Chatfield

A Baboon!! There were soo many of them all over the road after we passed the Nile! It was crazy!

From right to left: Elder Majawa (trainer), me, Majawa's Trainer, Elder Barker, Elder Switzer (Other Missionary Majawa trained. Crazy story about Elder Barker. We were best friends in 4th grade in Herriman!!!! We were in the MTC together and figured that out. 

 Me at the NILE RIVER!! So Cool!!!

Greetings from the South Africa MTC

We celebrated another birthday today.  Happy Birthday to our dear sweet Elder Grange.  He was so appreciative and thanked us over and over again.  I think I'm seriously going to cry when this group of Elders leave me on Tuesday.  They are absolutely incredible in every way.

With love,
Sister Collins

First week and last week!‏

Hello everyone!

This week has been so amazing! I don't even know where to begin! The first day and a half of the MTC were painfully slow. We were waiting for some more elders to come so we basically just played fuse ball and ping pong. haha. There is an Elder from Madagascar here and he is insanely good at it!! He hasn't been beat. It was also pretty rough getting used to the time difference. I think the first night I got a good night sleep was Sunday night. It's pretty weird that you are probably all asleep right now. I just had lunch. haha. The food also is very different and is going to take some getting used to. You are never 100% sure what type of meat they are serving you but it usually tastes pretty good...usually. I have been trying just about everything and the only thing I haven't finished are the vegetables.. but that will come with time. haha.

Once we started the work everything got way better! Last Friday I was put into a trio and we were asked to be the zone leaders! My new companions are Elder Haines (from Phoenix) and Elder Roylance. They are so awesome! I have enjoyed this extra opportunity to serve my fellow missionaries as a zone leader. There is only one zone. haha. There are 3 districts within that zone. Every missionaries here has become my best friends! They are all so amazing! We were all called at the same time for a reason. Most of us are going to Uganda, but all the others are going to Durban.

Tuesday we got to go to the Johannesburg temple. It was an amazing experience and kind of a sad one as I realized that it would be the last time I would go through the temple for 2 years. before we went through though, we had a devotional with Elder Cook (the area president of Southeast Africa). He taught us about Africa, and our goals as missionaries. He said that our job was not to find, teach, and baptize. But to establish the church. We needed to start with the end in mind. Our goal is not only to baptize, but to see it through and have them go through the temple in a year. Truly being a Full-Purpose missionary. Elder Cook is an Amazing man who is guided by God.

Yesterday I probably had the best day. In class they tell you that for the next two years you won't be studying for yourself anymore, but for your investigators. We have two investigators (our teachers) and so I always thought that I had to study what I was going to teach them. Yesterday morning I finally got the realization that the best way to study for them was to become a better teacher, so I decided to start in chapter 1 of Preach my Gospel. As I read I felt the spirit so strongly. I read about how Christ is the vine and we are the branches. A branch without the vine is useless. So we can do nothing except it be through Christ, especially teach his gospel! The missionaries are not the teachers. We are just guides and tools in the Lords hands. Without the spirit the investigator can know nothing. That's why following the rules and being exactly obedient is so important! Without that you CANNOT have the spirit.

Today we did TRC. Me and my companions got to teach the security guard of the MTC, who was a real investigator!! He had been taking the discussions already and he actually already knew that this was the true church, I think he was just waiting for someone to ask him to be baptized.. So we did!! He accepted and gave his teaching record to the Johannesburg mission to take care of. I hope he continues to progress, and follows through on his commitment.

Sorry this was quite a long letter. I still didn't get to say everything I want.. haha. Well, I love you all and hope all is well at home. Next week I will be in my mission and I cannot wait to teach those people!

Love, Elder Hawk

 Something to do during the 16 hour plane ride to Africa

 At the Johannesburg Temple

 The District

Zone Leaders

Elder Roylance, Elder Hawk, and Elder Haines

These two Photos from Elder Haines via his mom 

Greetings from the South Africa MTC

Today was our Temple Day.  Before going to the Temple, we had a devotional with our Area President, Elder Carl B. Cook, and his sweet wife, Lynette.  There was a tender mercy moment for Elder Casperson today.  He gave the closing prayer at the devotional and afterwards Sister Cook visited with him while the Elders were lining up to shake Elder and Sister Cooks' hands.  Well---Elder Casperson's cousin was one of the Cook's missionaries when they served as Mission President and wife in New Zealand. Isn't that cool?  It was a very inspiring and uplifting devotional.  They both talked to the Elders.  We truly are blessed to have such a wonderful Area Presidency here in the Africa Southeast Area.  I thought you would enjoy seeing the group with Elder and Sister Cook.  I have one of all of us in front of the temple, but I'll save that for another day.  We are having a delightful time with your sons.  We are so impressed with their goodness and their great desires to be the best missionaries they can be.  They are learning so much, being obedient, and I can't help but love them more each day.

With love,
Sister Collins

email from the MTC President's wife

Greetings from the South Africa MTC.  We celebrated Elder Foster's birthday yesterday.  These Elders know how to party.  Thought you might enjoy seeing this fun side of them.  They are all doing great.  I love them.

With love,
Sister Collins

Elder Hawk with his South Africa MTC intake 

I Made it!‏

Hello everyone!

I made it to the MTC safely! It is very, very small. Haha. When we got to Atlanta there was a total of 25 missionaries going to the MTC here in South Africa! The 15 hour plane ride actually wasn't near as bad as I thought it was going to be. I got to talk and sit next to this really cool lady named Ann from South Africa! She was on her way home from visiting her daughter in Wisconsin. She had a very thick accent and she talked very quiet so she was pretty hard to understand most of the time. Luckily Elder Haines had some Tylenol PM, I think that helped a lot considering I slept for 6 hours. When we got off the plain we went through customs and got our luggage and that is when the adventure REALLY began.

We walk out, and there is a very black guy signaling to come over to him. He worked at the MTC. He was so excited to see that there were so many of us. His name was Brother Quan... I think.. I couldn't really understand him either.. We finally got everything organized and let me tell you, these Africans can pack!! They were fitting luggage in the van like a game of Tetris! WE loaded up and started to drive to the MTC. I ended up going in this tiny little car with 3 other elders and I got the back middle seat. Very, very, uncomfortable! After the 40 minute trip through crazy driving and being on the left side of the road and the driver being on the right side of the car, we made it to the MTC. We met President and Sister Collins and got our name tags (FINALLY!). My companion is Elder Elliot from Gilbert! I am super excited to start working. I already love being a missionary and it's only been one day and I haven't even taught anyone! Well I'm going to go take a shower cause I probably smell. haha. I love you all.

Elder Hawk

Farewell to Elder Hawk

Elder Haines, Elder Elliot, Elder Hawk, and Elder LeSueur are all headed to the South Africa MTC