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