Sam's Mission To Zambia Blog

Monday, July 9, 2018

July 9, 2018

From Sam - Cold Cold Cold (But not that cold compared to Canada):

Hello everyone!

It's cold season here in Zambia and though I hate to admit it(Because I'm from Canada) I get really cold. I didn't pack a sweater because I was going to be in "Africa" but I wish I packed one. Lucky for me, I found a sweater I could use in my flat, so that's what I've been using the last three days.

This past week I went to a lot of meetings. There was Zone Conference and because I'm the Zone Leader I had to go to MLC(Mission Leader Conference) So that knocked two days off of my proselyting time. For zone conference we talked about having a Christ centered mission. Lot's of the stuff was talking about being obedient because we love Christ. It was a huge spiritual boost for me.

We also had a duel-zone activity at the Kalimba Farms Reptile Park. I was able to see(Behind glass) Very super deadly kill you in one bite snakes, and some crocodiles too. It was really fun.

I had a two cool experiences. One was really awesome and strengthened my testimony and the other one was a member meal visit that was super great.

We are teaching a girl named Izukonji, she is super awesome, she does her reading assignments and she wants to be baptized. Yesterday we went to see her but she wasn't able to read because she has eye sores and had to go to the doctors. We didn't teach much but we offered her a priesthood blessing. After the blessing she told us that as soon as we laid our hands on her head she felt a "cold" feeling go from her head to her toes. She also said that pastors from other churches have also prayed for her and her friends and she never felt anything like that. It was a really cool experience and my testimony of the priesthood really grew because of that.

The other experience was us going to the bishops house for dinner. There was 4 of us missionaries and they are a really self relent family. We had ribs, salad, rice and mashed potatoes with chocolate cake covered in custard. It was so so good. One of the missionaries, Elder Harmon, got some American candy and brought bean boozled. So that was something that we played. It was so much fun. I also taught the kids how to play Mao. The best part was when the youngest kid, Gabby, was playing with Elder Harmon, he was pretending to get beat up by her. He's also a really big guy(Just thing Captain America and you have an idea) and he served in Malawi for a year so he knows Chewa/Nyanja and started saying things like "I don't want to die"(Sindikunakufa) and I'll beat you" (zakumainya) and the whole family found it so funny. It was really fun. People can't give missionaries money but they can feed them. Always feed the missionaries.

I love you all, Stay awesome,

Elder Smith

Pictures:

-My companion sweeping so our investigator can't use it as an excuse to not see us

-Crocodiles

-A Canadian Missionary(Sister Wilde) got a package of candy and gave it to us because she is not home.

-Me and Elder Puddicombe who is another Canadian

-Snake behind glass

-Me holding a Python

-Me and my new companion Elder Turner with Starbursts

-Me and Elder Chipuamiti(Also called Elder Chief) with the Python

Videos:

-At the Reptile park

Sunday, July 1, 2018

July 1, 2018

From Sam - Transfers:

Hey Everyone,

Transfers finally happened, the funny this is that I found out I was getting transferred the morning I got transferred. It was a rush. The funnier thing is that I was just transferred within my district, I'm just in the other ward. But I'm grateful to be in a new area. I was in my last area for 6 months and being out of it is nice. Though I do miss my old area. Transfers are the way of mission life. My new companion is Elder Turner, He's from Canada, Calgary. So it's fun to talk with him.

The second day in my new area we visited the bishops wife. She is so much fun. The bishops family is very self-reliant and she ended up giving us some Milo(South African Hot Chocolate), custard pie and a ham and tomato sandwich. Then, after a fun talk with her and their kids she sent us off with two oranges and a flavored milk drink each. I feel so spoiled. This never happens.

So, it's great and I'm excited for the future.

Also, my new area is right near the church, so my investigators can't use transport as an excuse anymore. Now I can give them proper fire for being lazy. I have also been able to work with members a lot more. Members are so important in missionary work. There is a huge change in the commitment investigators give when a member work with them. Missionary work is for every person who is a member of the church. To not do missionary work is to be lazy in your duty. Everyone on earth is literally your brother and your sister.

I love you all,

Elder Smith

Pictures:

-Kids doing their part of the work

-Don't have buns, have hotdogs anyway

-My old companion trying "Spice-cream"

-I got some street popcorn while waiting for an investigator

From Dad - Reunion

Dear Sam,

It’s been a fun week-end as we came down to grandma and grandpa Smiths place for a week-end working reunion. Grandpa decided to re-roof his house using Tin sheets vs. asphalt shingles.

Uncle Demond was here most of the week helping get it all ready. He is very experienced in construction and it’s been fun to work with him. Lots of cousins helpers too.

With everyone home except Auntie Carol and Joe the house is pretty full so we slept at Great Grandmas house. It has been cleaned out now that Great Grandma and Grandpa Smith are moved to Lethbridge but there are still beds and a few memorabilia. One table has some old newspapers and handwritten poems that I enjoyed reading.

A humorous poem to test your skills reading old fashioned cursive writing:

Newspaper front page the day the Victory in Europe ending WW II was announced.

I learned some very interesting things in our little tour of family history around G&G’s place.

1. The farm here was originally owned by our ancestor James Moroni Billingsley. The Glenwood Ward was organized in a small building on this land.

2. Charles Lamb Smith sold it to Grandpa Byron Smith

3. When they were building the milking Barn across the road, the men had to hand Milk 10 cows each morning and night. Talk about strong fore arms and hands!

This week I was asked to give a talk in July about learning to distinguish between the Doctrine vs traditions/culture and practices of the church. This is an important topic I think especially when choosing where to base your testimony. I’m excited to prepare for it and welcome the yours and the families thoughts and feedback. Any interesting church culture and traditions in Zambia?

This is my outline questions so far.

What is Essential?

• Ordinances

○ Baptism

○ Sacrament

• Relationships

• Atonement

• repentance

What options support the Essentials

• Youth Activities

• Ward Activities

What is Non-Essential?

How do we know the difference?

Analogies

At home we are slowly planting more grass and saving our money to do more renovations.

Hope you have a great week!

Love you lots.

Dad.

PS: View from where I’m writing this.

Monday, June 25, 2018

June 25, 2018

From Sam - Blessings:

This week has been great. Especially yesterday, I'll tell you about it.

We were walking to church with two of our investigators and about 25 minutes into the walk a bus went out if it's way to see if we needed a ride. Buses are always trying to overcharge white people. The bus conductor asked if we were going to town, I said "only if it's free" and continued walking. After a few seconds the conductor said sure and ushered us into the bus. I had to double check and triple check because this never happens, and he even gave a free bus to my companion and my two investigators. So, we got to church really early and were able to give a chapel tour.

Then, during church, Bishop Chikopa gave fire to the youth and young adults for not having a vision for life. He talked about how the time they are in limbo about life it is time wasted. Later in Elders quorum he gave fire to the Priesthood for not doing their duty in making church(Sacrament Meeting) a better spiritual experience. Me and my companion were sitting there thinking "Thank you Bishop".

As missionaries we can only do so much to help the ward where we serve. but it is the members that make the meeting a good experience.

Later in the day we were walking to our area(which is a 30 minute walk) and another bus conductor called us over and gave us a free ride. It was two free buses in one day, which never happens. Because of the free bus we got to our appointment perfectly on time. Later in the day we found a family to teach and after we finished and were setting the return appointment, the father said that he wanted to meet more frequently. Yesterday was a day Gods hand was in every part of my day. It was awesome.

One thing I learned more indepth was the importance of member missionary work. I challenge everyone to work harder in sharing the gospel to those they know. Because it's the members that make the church, not the missionaries, and if the members are not helping the new members or not sharing the gospel with those who are not "Mormons" they are failing in their duty of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I love you all,

Elder Smith

Pictures:

-funny L/R syndrome sign

-District pictures before Sister Orchard leaves to Trinidad (Left to right Sis.Nakale, Sis.Orchard, Sis.Moulten, Sis.Jones, Sis.Kivalu, Elder Turner, Elder Harmon, Me, Elder Hansen)

-Picture of me and Elder Harmon(Elder Harmon has been my Zone leader for 6 months. This is us on exchanges)

- A train bus that always goes through my area.

From Dad:

Thanks for the reminders to share the gospel, Sam.

I think Mom has been sending a few pictures your way. Someone asked me the other day what the experience is like in Africa helping new members stay active. Is that a big challenge in Zambia?

We had a great Sunday too. Cally Rice (Kylan's sister) and Jacob Nesom gave their home coming talks. Very spiritual and inspiring.

If you get a chance to write Kylan, that would be great. He's trying to figure out his next steps of whether to go to work for the summer and how and whether to go back on his mission. You are a good friend to him.

Love you lots!

Couple of pics. Ben trying out for a music award playing Root beer Rag and a pic of my new primary class I'm teaching!

Sunday, June 17, 2018

June 17, 2018

From Dad - Promptings:

Hi Sam,

Hope you had a great week. Our was busy, which isn't unusual. I love my family. You guys bring me so much joy and happiness. I'm grateful for each one of my children. Thank you for coming to our family, Sam. My patriarchal blessing tells me that I was privileged to choose some of those I would be most closely associated with in mortality. You were one of those. We've known each other a lot longer than you think :)

Speaking of patriarchal blessings, Ben is going for his this week. We're excited for him. He is enjoying that school classes are out for the year and just a few exams to close it all out. It will be nice to have him around more often. He just finished reading "Shackleton" and was struck as I remember being by how good we have it as well as the resilience and nobility of the human spirit.

Abby and Mia were able to go rock climbing this week and loved doing that again. Shout out to Tyler and Steph for starting that passion for them.

On Saturday morning, Mom organized another Relief Society 5K run that turned into a 6K run. Your Mom is an amazing example of service to our family.

Our Garden is starting to grow along with the grass. Exciting times for us.

I've had some very defining moments this past week. Last Saturday, Mom and I headed to Viking to celebrate 30 years since my High School reunion. I was excited and nervous but in the end, I loved seeing many of my old class mates. Life has been good for some of them, harder for others, but lots of great catching up and memories that night.

Over the past few weeks, I've been really pondering how I can be a better minister vs. Home teacher to my families in the ward. It's been a subtle but important shift and I've been really struggling to know how I can best serve in this capacity. After some days of pondering and praying I had 2 experiences yesterday that reminded me in a quiet and wonderful way that he is aware of me and my families and that if I'll listen patiently, he will direct my paths.

Yesterday after helping mom with her race, I took Abby into the Stake Center to a YW activity. When I got there, Kylan was there with his Mom and sisters. Can't remember if we mentioned it, but he came home with some anxiety from his mission and is in limbo trying to figure out his next steps. I tried to encourage him but I could see he was a little depressed and not happy to be stuck there waiting for his Mom. So I said my good bye's and started driving home. As I was crossing the bridge to turn onto the Whitemud drive from the Riverbend Stake Center, a strong impression came to me that I should turn around and invite Kylan to come home and hang out with me and Ben while he waited. Of course I had a small wrestle with the spirit about the reasons why not, but then recalled my prayers to minister. So I made a U turn and went back to see him. When I asked him to come, he got up right away and came with me. We had a great talk and renewed our friendship. On the way home, I told him about our truck handle not working, and he offered to fix it. I said go for it. After lunch, he and Ben went to work and 1/2 hour later they came in and declared victory! I was amazed and grateful. Grateful in many ways. Grateful that the Lord trusted me with a small revelation, grateful I hadn't been too stubborn to listen, and grateful to have a working truck door! The Lord truly is aware of us.

That evening, I took Abby into Leduc to a YW camp planning meeting and as I waited, I felt another prompting. Go see Sis. Raymond. Again the small wrestle then the reminder of my prayers and so I went. A 10 min conversation on the door step (remember those with the Raymonds :)), and I was able to reconnect and offer comfort for her as she is going through some family and health challenges. I'm grateful I followed the first prompting, opening the way for me to be ready for another one.

Long story to illustrate my testimony that God is real and that he answers prayers.

Father's day has been great today! I got my favorite meal (sweet and sour meatballs), Taught a fun lesson in SS on David and Goliath, started my new Primary calling helping teach the CTR 6's and got to video call with first Josh and then Steph and Tyler in their new apartment in St. George.

Life is good and challenging and fun. God bless you my son Sam. So grateful to be a Dad.

Love,Dad.

From Sam - Lots to Learn:

Hello all, greetings from Zambia,

This week has been really great. I have been able to have great experiences, sadly for you I can't remember all of them. The good news is that I remember some, one of which is when we were visiting with a baptismal candidate who was supposed to get baptized in January, he asked us questions about why is there suffering and why is there so much wickedness. We explained that is was because the second coming is going to happen and there will be much wickedness in the last days. He then asked what do we need to do to prepare for the second coming, we explained that we need to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He then asked what he needed to do, we said "You need to get baptized". He was quiet for a little bit then said he wanted to get baptized. My first thought was to baptize him next week and have him show his commitment by coming to church this week. Then, as I started talking the spirit took over and I instead said for him to be baptized this week. He agreed and we did the preparations and he got baptized yesterday. Me and my companion walked out of that lesson wondering what the hey just happened. God is aware of all his children. My testimony of that has increased for sure.

After his baptism the Bishop did the closing remarks. As he got ready, so did I. Every time he does closing remarks I learn something new. This time he explained what his mission president taught him. This is what I learned:

"To succeed in life, we all need to be students of the Gospel. But what student do you want to be"

He then gave 4 examples.

1. The Straight "A" Student

-A straight "A" student is someone who goes to class ready and willing to learn with a blank notebook and takes in everything there is to offer and leaves the class with a full notebook.

2. The Keyword Student

-A Keyword student is someone who goes to class and picks out a keyword and only studies about that word

3. The Word Against Word Student

-A word against word student is someone who studies in advance and only comes to class to confirm what he already learned and to question what the teacher says.

4. The DNA. Student (Does Not Apply Student)

-A DNA student is someone who tries to learn but things just are not making sense so he gives up and stops trying. When things don't make sense at first he stops trying because he feels the things being taught "do not apply" to him.

We want to be a student of the Gospel where we take in everything even though it may not make sense at first but to keep on trying.

I love being out here in the mission field. With the spirit of being a missionary I'm super powered in my learning and my teaching. It's awesome.

I love you all,

Elder Smith

Pictures:

-A Bishop made me a homemade mini scripture case. Yay!

-I made sugar popcorn

-Erwin's miracle baptism

-The case hold both my mini-quad and my mini-hymn book

Videos:

-Fun with kids(My favorite thing about my area)

Monday, June 11, 2018

June 11, 2018

From Mom - Prophet

Dear Elder Smith,

Well, the biggest news is that Russell M. Nelson came and had a devotional with us in Edmonton along with Ronald A. Rasband of the Twelve. I have to say that I understand these men are really just regular people striving to follow the direction of the Lord and I’m pretty sure I don’t fall into the category of putting them higher in my mind than they should be, but I have to say my respect for the role of our prophet and apostles grew, surprisingly, especially since I’m a self admitted cynic. Haha. Anyway, Abby and Ben sang in the choir and sat behind him. Pres. Nelson turned right around in his chair to listen and at one point, actually kneeling down to get the full experience. Pretty cool. He talked to us about “keeping the covenant path.” In a following training the next morning the newest general authority seventy from Japan (I can’t remember his name) said: “Keeping the covenant path opens the floodgates of spiritual direction.”

I so enjoyed your zone conference notes, here are my notes from this Leadership training.

LEADERSHIP MEETING- June 9, 2018

(Ronald A. Rasband)

Pay attention to names that come into your mind in this era of ministering. What matters now are the names of individuals ... people.

Pres. Nelson keeps as pad of paper beside his bed. Why? To record spiritual direction in the middle of the night.

All of us have different patterns of receiving revelation.

Good information precedes good inspiration which leads to revelation.

“I’m just a regular guy. My dad was a truck driver. I grew up in the poor side of Salt Lake. Sometimes we ask ourselves, ‘Why me? Why now?’ But I’m here to tell you that there is a purpose. You, and only you, have things to do.”

“.... but I was born with believing blood.”

(Elder Anderson)

More water. Less sand.

Less temporal. More spiritual.

Less external pressure. More internal pressure.

Less business structure. More Zion structure.

Less teaching lessons. More teaching people.

Less formality. More understanding.

More scriptures.

More temple.

for personal direction. To give power to those under our care. To receive revelation. If we want or know what we should do, go to the temple to seek the Lord’s will, then go the the scriptures for revelation.

(Newest general authority, from Japan.)

Keeping the covenant path opens up the floodgates of spiritual direction.

There was a little boy (his son) in Japan who wanted to get baptized but he felt really bad about a candy he had stolen a long time ago from a convenience store run by an old lady. He told his Dad about it and the Dad agreed to go with him but it was up to the boy to talk. The father went with the boy and could see him trembling and shaking, but he built up his courage and admitted to the woman that he has stolen a candy.

What do you think she did?

She laughed! She said, “I know boys come and steal candy but you are the first to come to me and admit it. Would you like to have some more candy?”

What do you think he said?

He said, “ No, I don’t want candy anymore.”

The desire for candy had been replaced with the desire for peace and worthiness.

God can replace our natural desires with holier ones.

INSPIRED MINISTERING

Ask inspired questions. Questions bring out feelings and thoughts and open the way for teaching and discussion.

Listen with your heart and spirit.

Ponder the visit

Seek and pray for direction.

“Sometimes we say we want the water to get to the end of the row but with the ministering program we want it to rain everywhere.” -Rasband

Testimonies...

We need to develop a society that can receive the Saviour when he comes.

We need to work towards being a Zion people.

Days of miracles have not ceased.

Failure happens only when moms and dads, grandpas and grandmas, all of us, stop trying. So never give up. Or, in other words, you are never a failure if you keep trying.

I was so grateful for this direction. It was truly like a spiritual feast sitting at the feet of the Lord’s anointed leaders. My testimony was strengthened and I would say, took a little leap. It felt good. Also, scriptures Russell M. Nelson challenged us to study in our families:

Book of Mormon title page

Abraham 2:11

Ether 13

D&C 132:28

D&C 110

3 Nephi 20

D&C 101

D&C 86:8

We haven’t done it yet, but the point is to understand the importance of the gathering of Israel and our Latter-Day role in creating a Zion-like people ready to receive the Savior. Pretty powerful to hear it in person and to feel the energy of these men. I actually (surprisingly) loved it.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from the week:

Girls playing Life with their stuffies. I love this picture because these “pretending” days are numbered.

Garage door is up! Whoop! Whoop!

Rainy day.

Ben, having a snack of Corn Pops, which lasted less than 24 hours after purchase. Ha!

The lilacs are blooming on almost all our 100 trees. It’s so pretty and a butterfly haven.

Dad and I went to his 30 year Highschool reunion this past weekend. It was fun for me to see him connect with old friends and reminisce about high school days.

Life is good, my boy. Everyone is where they should be ... Steph and Tyler moving to St. George, Utah, where Tyler will be opening an architecture office for the company he works for and Steph will figure out her next steps in life. Josh is at BYU-I figuring out formal education and loving the process even though there are ups and downs (I feel confidant Josh will nail it.) You are loving your mission. Ben is winding up school and planning on going to the Island with Cosy at the end of June. And the rest of us are humming along at home as usual. Everyone is where they should be, moving along their life’s path at a pretty good clip as far as I can tell.

We all love you a million times over. We’re proud of you. We pray for you. Keep a goin’.

Love forever,

Mom

From Sam - A week of Funny and Food

This week has been great.I realized today that all my pictures are of the food I have been eating. There is basically nothing else for my pictures. I've had fun.

One thing everyone should be praying for is to be stripped of pride so that we will be humble. Just be ready to be humbled. This is something I did this week and I was humbled. I gave a presentation and it went the completely the opposite way I thought it was going to go. It hit me hard that I'm not perfect(It was really shocking) and that I have so much to work for. It just reminds me about Ether 12 verse 27, telling us that we need to turn to God and he will make us strong.

I want everyone to look up 2 Nephi chapter 32 verse 9.

This is something I have really taken to heart. For almost everything I do I pray for help and strength and guidance, and I honestly have a sincere testimony of prayer and the power it has in my life. Especially as a missionary.

I found out some more words in the local language(Nyanja)

Zakyumanya = I'll beat you

Azungu bele = White man is here

Quapia quambili = It's so Hot

Oyopa mazungu? = Are you scared of the white man?

It's so much fun to learn a new language. I read a quote today, it said "When you speak a language a man understands, you speak to his mind. But when you speak in that mans language, you speak to the heart".

Yesterday I was able to baptize Destiny, he is someone the other sisters taught and when I did his interview I asked who he wants to baptize him, he said he wanted me. So, that's what I did. In contrast to last weeks baptism, I would rather have the font too full than not as full.

I also found out this week that one of my recent converts has been praying that me and my companion will become Apostles when we grow up. I don't know how I feel about that. I have to get though my mission first before I have any other calling.

One other thing is that I'm getting used to the Zambian heat, Yay! The sad part is that I'm not used to the Zambian cold. Because i have the Canadian blood I'm sort of immune, but 13 degrees is cold in Zambia and my body thinks it's cold as well. It sucks. I know that it is not cold, but I feel cold. I even have two blankets so that I'm not cold in the night. I'm going to die when I get home in the middle of winter. But, that's two years from now.

I love you all, pray always, and be awesome,

-Elder Smith

Pictures:

-Poutine night