This is it.

The week was good! Julius and Moreen were baptized! It was a really good week. I feel satisfied that I did all I could. This was one of the most successful transfers I have ever had.

Well, I can say that my mission has been the single greatest experience of my entire life. Being a missionary was one of the most difficult yet rewarding things I have ever done. It came to an end very quickly, in fact I have not fully accepted the fact that I am coming home this week. I appreciate all those that have been reading my emails and hope I was able to keep you entertained and more importantly that you were able to learn something or feel the Spirit of the Lord as you read. I am grateful to the Lord for letting me have the privilege of being a part of the work. The fact is that he doesn't need us, he didn't need me. However, he allowed me to take part in seeing the greatest work on this earth be done.

I know that this church is true, beyond any doubt in my mind. I testify that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that he truly saw God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, in that grove of trees that day in 1820. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on Earth. Above all else, I know that God loves his children. I know that he loves us so much that he sent his Only Begotten Son to come and die for us so that we could one day live with him again. I know that it is only through that Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ that we can be clean from sin. I love the people of Uganda more than I thought I could or would, and it has changed my life forever. I will never be the same. I love you all.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when leaving is the hardest thing you have ever had to do..

Total lessons taught: 1670

Lessons learned: more than can be comprehended.

Obviously you can see I got more than I gave.

The work is done. Alma 27:1-9

This email is from Monday, September 18, 2017

Okobaki!

Another one for the books. Had my last Zone Conference this week. Gave my departing testimony. It was a great conference. Crazy how fast the time has gone and is going. We had one baptism this week. Vivian was very happy. Jackson disappeared. We haven't seen him in like a week and a half, so I am not sure what happened to him. We will hopefully have two more baptisms this coming week. Moreen and Julius are very ready and excited to be baptized.

Not much else to report. I love you all and hope you have a great week. Keep the faith.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when you eat a full goat.

  My bag now compared to what it used to look like

 Cake I made for the Elders

Vivian's Baptism

Our feast today of the full goat

Jinja Zone

*This picture is from the Uganda Kampala Mission Facebook page

Okobaki!

The weeks are days... It was a pretty good one. Still just busy with the work. I am a bit sick. Threw up a couple times. No Biggie. The work continues. Honestly I am not sure what to write. today we played sports which was pretty fun. Had many investigators at church. Hopefully we will have two baptisms this coming week of Vivian and Jackson. The work is keeping me busy.

Well, Not much longer.. The work continues. I love you all! Sorry for the short email

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when you can make a game out of garbage.

Broke off the handle of the other Elders apartment.... oops

Train station near Investigators house

A game kids play.. Its like Bowling mixed with dodge ball (shoe)

Okobaki! 

Well, another good week. It was a fast one! We are having many people that we are teaching and we have some progressing. We should have two baptisms on the 17th. One is a lady that we found through trying to contact someone else, we met first and she has come to church three times now and is very eager to be baptized. She is very powerful. Her name is Vivian. Then the other one is Jackson. I actually was teaching him when I was in Bugembe and then he moved and we didn't know where he went and on my 3rd day here he called my name and we have been meeting and he is determined to be baptized this time. So that should be good. We were supposed to have a couple baptized that day too, but they came late to church so we are going to move them to the 24th and hopefully we will have one more on the 24th too. So the work is for sure keeping us busy. This is the Lord's work and for sure He is in control. 

Well, The work is sweet. Crazy how short time is, but no man putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom, so just trying to put my shoulder to the wheel. Sorry if that sounded cheesy or prideful... hahaha I love you all! 

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when kid's feet are tougher than most rocks. 

Part of our area

House and companion 

the district

 some kids

Okobaki?

It was a good week! It was quick. I was kind of sick at the beginning of the week which wasn't nice, but I felt better by Wednesday night. We have been teaching a lot of people and we are having some success. We had three baptisms yesterday. Pamila, Geoffrey, and Christine. They are awesome! I especially love the family. They have 3 little boys and a brand new girl. It is fun to go and see them. My area is 90% mud houses, but that means the people are humble and teachable. I am excited to see what the coming weeks will bring us.

I gave a talk in Church on Sunday about the Book of Mormon. I didn't have much time, but I just talked about the importance of reading and how I gained my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I felt the spirit pretty strong as I testified so I think it went pretty well. But I just want you all to know that I know the Book of Mormon is the best book I have ever read. It has helped me more in my life to get through problems and challenges. I love it and know it is true.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when life is simple.

The Baptism!

Walukuba!

Okobaki!

Well, not a bad week. Walukuba is a great place. Lots of work to be done. Hopefully we will be having 3 baptisms this coming week. A family and a young woman. Should be good. We are teaching many families, but the big thing with that is marriage. We are going to try to work through that though. Elder Obeng is a great elder. He has been out for three months and he is from Ghana. I am sorry to say that I didn't take pictures this week.  But I will try to get some out next week. Not much else to report. I love you all! Have a great week.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when almost every house you enter is made of Mud and sticks.

Leaving so soon?

This email is from Monday, August 14, 2017

Okobaki!

Six weeks have gone by and for the first time in my mission, I am leaving after one transfer.... I am a little bummed, but Walukuba will be a great time. I will also be doing only 6 weeks there, because that is as long as I have left. Crazy how time flies. Everything went pretty well this week. It is hard to say goodbye after only six weeks, but I am only moving about 5 miles... haha. Elder Denison is going to be training. My son on mission, Elder Yemoh, is going to be the Assistant to the President... So that is pretty crazy. Not much to report, but maybe I can share a spiritual insight. 

I gave a training in our District meeting this last week and I shared about what I call, "the Why". It is love. We have many different motives or reasons behind all of the decisions we make every day. Sometimes we might even be doing something good for the wrong reason. When we do this, we will eventually stop because the motivation is not strong enough. I like the scripture in Moroni chapter 7. It talks a lot about charity and it says in many different ways things like, "Charity endureth forever," and "Charity suffereth long," and finally, "Charity never Fails." I know that it is true. That is what has gotten me through this mission. I could not still be here if it wasn't for my love of God, and the people of Uganda. I love you all! Have a great week!

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when little kids use their front steps as a shower room...

With Robert (guard/investigator)

 Me and my comp

 The district

Scrabble.

Okobaki!

What a week! We bought Scrabble last week and have played at least one game every night for the last week. I used to hate Scrabble, but it has grown on me. I have gotten a lot better at spelling too! haha

Well, on to the important stuff! Panisha was baptized yesterday! She is awesome! We were supposed to have two other Baptisms, but we had some difficulties. Hopefully soon though. We had to go to two different Sacrament meetings yesterday which was weird. Oh and it was a pretty crazy baptism too! The font was all filled ready to go, we sit down to start the service. Then the Ward mission leader comes in and says he wants us to come into the hallway. And we look in the font and it is empty!!! Some little kid had pulled the plug. So we used the fire hose and filled it with buckets... It was about knee height, but it worked out. It was a bit crazy. Well, not much else to report! Things are going good! Martin and Phiona are setting things up for their Traditional marriage which will hopefully be on the 25th of this month. I hope it all works out, and they can be baptized! They are awesome!

Well, I love you all and hope you are all doing well! Keep being awesome!

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Uganda when a man holds your hand in a picture... (see picture 1)

  

 Martin and Phiona, and their son Josiah

 Me and a kid

 Panisha's Baptism

Woah.

This email is from Monday, July 31, 2017

Okobaki!

Some awesome things happened this week. We had Zone Conference which is always nice! Something cool about that.. At the end of the conference after the closing prayer, he stood up and said he had received a prompting. He told us that we would be able to find the Elect and that they would be able to recognize us and to keep it in our heads. So that same day, after the conference, we were walking and twice someone stopped and asked us about the church! The first one's name is Philip. We told him about church, and got his number and left him. We saw him the next morning at the church at the YSA activity!! He just came, not even knowing there was an activity! He even came to church the next day! The other guy we met seems pretty solid, but we haven't met with him yet, but it was quite a miracle!

Also something else that is pretty cool: So we have been teaching a man named Martin and his Wife Phiona. They are awesome! The only thing stopping them from baptism is marriage and they are planning on getting married soon so hopefully it all works out, but something cool happened. So Saturday he came and cleaned the church, after he told us he needed to talk to us. So we went and he said that some one had told his boss that he was a member of our church now and so they were firing him. (He was a nurse and the hospital was owned by a church organization). So instead of denying and trying to get out of it he said that is was fine and told them to give him his benefits! He had so much faith! He told us he knew that God was going to provide him another job and that he knew the church was true!! He is awesome! 

The ward was also split. Everything went well. I just want to testify to each of you that I know that this gospel is true! It brings me joy to see others come to accept it and to be willing to sacrifice for it. The joy of the gospel is in the blessings we receive as we sacrifice all that we have to the Lord! I love you all and know that as you give everything to the Lord you can find Joy too.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when people clean the ceiling of the church with a fire hose....

 Some kids

 Railroad tracks

The district at the source of the Nile today

Iganga Zone Conference
This picture is from the Uganda Kampala Mission Facebook page 
thanks to Sister Collings

Pancakes and Hashbrowns

Okobaki!

Sorry it is a bit late. Power was out. Weeks are flying... It was a good one though. It was a bit crazy. We had interviews with President. It is always nice. We are finding some great people to teach! And most of our investigators are progressing well. Martin and Phiona are awesome. We taught them the Law of Chastity and they said they have plans to be married next month. Hopefully we can help that happen. We pushed the baptisms from next week to the 6th. We think they just need a little more time. But they are still doing well. The ward will also be splitting on Sunday! That will be cool. We have been having an attendance of about 140 every week. Things are pushing forward!

Thanks for all the support and the great love. I know that God loves us. That is why he sent his only Begotten Son. And I also know that Christ Died for us. Don't ever forget that. It was for you! Personally! Even if it was for only you He would have done it all! You are loved.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when you sit on a seat in a bus that isn't suppose to exist. 

 

 Little kid

  Pancakes and hash (cooked perfectly)

 Made a nice milkshake because we had a rough day

Finding Lost Souls

from email sent: Monday, July 17, 2017

Okobaki?

What a week.  We did a lot of finding and had lots of success. We are finding people that seem very prepared. I am excited about a lot of them. Two that are progressing very well and will probably be baptized on the 30th are Jackson and Panisha. They are brother and sister. They were a hand off from the other Elders. They live like 5 minutes from the top of a mountain so getting to their house is always an adventure. I will send a picture from the top. Church is great. The only problem is they do a lot of the service in the local language, Lusoga, so it is hard to learn much. But things are going great!

I love you all! Thanks for the support!

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when you cut your front lawn with a bent sword called a slasher.

 Sweet ride

Water #no filter

 Sweet ride part 2---trying out the guard's bike

  This is how every mom carries her baby

 From the top of the hill near Jackson and Panisha 

 Ate Mexican today

Bugembe!

Okobaki!

Well, My new area is awesome! I am loving it. The first night we got a little lost though... hahaha. White washing is not easy. But the ward is great. The area didn't have many investigators for us when we got here. But there is one lady, Hope, she is amazing. She has only been taught like two lessons and she is already finished with 1st Nephi. She is awesome. She will hopefully be baptized on the 23rd. Then we have some other investigators. We have been relying on the Lord a lot and he is already showing us blessings. We gave these two ladies pamphlets on the side of the road and we ended up getting a call from one of their husbands and he said he was really interested! It was way cool.That doesn't happen often. We should be meeting him tomorrow. Elder Denison is awesome! We are having a lot of fun. Very excited for this transfer!

I love you all! Keep being awesome!

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when a mom has given birth to 15 kids...

Elder Denison

  Our Area

The District!

Okubaki? (Oh coba chi)

Okubaki!

I am getting transferred to Busoga Kingdom. Area is called Bugembe. The subject line is how you greet in Lusoga. It is around Jinja again so that will be really fun! My new companion is Elder Dennison from Salt Lake City. We are white washing. Should be fun!

We had 2 baptisms this week. Geoffrey disappeared. We haven't seen him since last week. His phone is off, and he never showed us where his home is.. We suspected that he might have been homeless.. But I hope he will come back soon. I am sure he will be baptized some day. Nathan and Charles were both baptized and are very powerful, especially Nathan. He is 12, but he has been coming to church for like two years and he is a full tithe payer.. And I am pretty sure he is smarter than me. But I am very excited for both of them. 

Not much else to report. I am excited for my next area. I was a bit surprised to be leaving and a little sad to leave  Mukono so soon. It will be good though. Thanks for everyone's support! 

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when there are tribes and Kingdoms.

 Investigator-Fred Ogwet

 Brother Matambala

  Baptism of Charles and Nathan

Conference x2

Note: This email was from June 26th


Jebale!

We had Zone and Stake conferences this week. They were both really good! Zone conference really inspired me to continue working hard! President Collings is an amazing man. Stake conference was pretty good. We had an RC meeting with the Stake President and Mission President. It was powerful. We organized a taxi and went as a big group since we are the farthest from the stake center. On the way home I got to be the conductor since the driver didn't have one. It was really fun and funny. I was talking just like them sticking my head out the window pointing up and saying, "Jinja, Mukono, Seeta!" I am sure none of that made sense to any of you, let alone it being funny, but everyone in the taxi and on the streets were laughing. Mostly just because I am a Muzungu (white person). 

We are lining up three people for baptism this coming Sunday so hopefully it all works out. Charles, Geoffrey, and Nathan. They are all very powerful! This is the last week of the transfer. It will be a good one. I love you all and hope you have a great week.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when people laugh at you for doing something normal, simple because you are white.... haha

 Service

RC taxi

Miracles Do Happen

Jebale! 

Great week!! Your prayers worked!!!! Nathan's mom said he can get baptized!! It really is a miracle! We sent our ward mission leader to talk to her about it casually (which he was happy to do since everyone in the ward loves him) and he just was able to get her to say yes! So it is a great blessing. He will be baptized on the 2nd of July. Hopefully with two others. Charles, who we have been teaching for a long time. (sent a picture like last week) He was taught by other missionaries awhile back and now he came back and we started teaching him again. He has a really funny laugh! He is always smiling. Also Geoffrey, the one who came back and visited the church when he came back from the village! So that is going to be great! We are also teaching a guy named Eric who we found at the hardware store next to the church and he is just awesome! Always happy. Sending a picture with him. This coming week we will be having Stake conference so that will be nice. Also did a lot of finding this week and got quite a few new awesome investigators, some even came to church. Everything is going great!

I love you all and hope everything is going swell. Stay sweet.

Love, Elder Hawk

You know you're in Africa when a kids toy is an old tire

 Smiley face stickers for everyone!! 

Operation Smile still going strong. 

 Little mischievous piglet 

Me and Eric

A Cute Little Boy