REALLY IN AFRICA NOW!

Hey! So I am doing great! My new area is fantastic and it really has been a crazy adventure for sure but I love crazy adventures. So we went home and packed and we left the next day after getting the news that we were going. It was another REALLY long 7 1/2 hour long bus ride to Nairobi but we were able to make it safe with a soar bum. There were a bunch of Zebras that we got to see on the way, more then last time, and that was probably the highlight of the trip. So eventually after sleeping and getting on another bus for 5 hours we arrived in Chyulu. The ZLs took us to our flat and it took a half an hour just to drive there and so they are pretty far away from where we stay…haha. The place is actually not a bad flat. It was crazy though because on that same day that we arrived, it decided that it wanted to POUR rain. It was CRAZY! The wind was blowing at the same time and water was leaking down the walls. The next day we went out and a lot of the big trees had been snapped in half by the force of the storm and especially at the church. Anyhow, so yes this is definitely bush area for sure. There is a nice small market and everybody knows everybody and they all know of the church. When we contact, we are simply just making best friends with all of these people and we are gaining their trust. They might know of the church but we get to tell them about everything else. It is hot and it is humid but SO beautiful and peaceful too. One thing that I really love is that everybody Smiles! It is so amazing when you greet them and they just have this amazing grin SO big, and they have such sweet spirits!

The area is really far spread apart and so we have bikes and they are really something! Haha…Iron horses that are heavy and have no shocks, no gears, hard as EVER to steer, and thin tires. The place is rocky all over the paths and places that we take the bikes and so no one would ever believe what these bikes get taken through or us ourselves. But it is most definitely a testimony builder and a strength for the faith. We have to take care of FOUR branches while we are here. We get to go to a different one each week. The work is going to be mainly focused on finding and reactivating the Less-actives. The thing is, there really should be a stake here but the strength of those members that have been baptized verses those that actually come is not where it should be. We would love to baptize a few of our great friends in the market but it will take a little bit of time. They have all pretty much been contacted before.  We are actually working with one man who loves what we share and just asks and asks questions. We have had some great discussions with people and we are just striking interest in these great people. We have been trying to get to know the members around. We have visited all of our branches areas and met some people there. One of the branches takes about a half an hour on a bike to get to. We will have to be going to a different area each day and proselyting there. But we found the branch mission leader for the branch that is right next to our flat and he has really been a great help to us. There are 420 members in this Thengoni branch that is right next to our flat. Not very many actually come on Sunday but the ward mission leader knows where a lot of them stay, so we are excited. But we have A LOT of work to do and it can be done!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Andreasen! I love you and hope you’re not feeling TOO old! You’re now considered old though according to what my parents say..."Your not old till your eighty!" HAHA I really hope and wish the best 80TH for you and hope you eat some great cake and get some good presents. Just remember that one of your FAVORITE grandsons loves you! Have a great one!

Well I think that’s it for now, off the top of my head, but I just LOVE you SO much and just say have a great week and laugh a LOT!

Elder Andreasen

sMiLiNg!

P.S. They do celebrate Easter here. I don't know how and I don't know what the next holiday is...I will find out.

Emergency Transfer

HEY! HEY! So I have some CRAZY news! Elder Kisesi and I are getting Emergency transferred!!! What! The zone leaders just let us know. Because of some things happening with the government not excepting some visas and working permits, missionaries are being taken out of Kenya. So, Elder Kisesi and I are getting sent to Chulu! That is hardest part in the mission and we will be whitewashing an area. It’s HOT kabisa! CRAAAZY! We leave tomorrow! I am SO excited and really in shock. They don't really speak Swahili there but they speak Kikamba, which is just the tribal language of the Kambas. So...another language! Haha Oh man, that just really tops the day. This day has really been so GOOD. We got to go and play some futball...and I almost made this rad goal but missed by a little bit. I just got done eating some nice juicy sugar cane and am loving to be able to write my wonderful family from back home. Love you guys!!!

Wow, so this week has really been so great! We had district conference and so the elders from Kitale were staying here in Eldoret. Unfortunately Elder Kisesi and I did not get to host any elders in our flat this time but we all still had a lot of fun. We had Elder Bricknail of the Area Seventy here speaking to us. He was such a powerful and amazing speaker and just an extraordinaire person. I have had such a good week and truly know that I can say I have been obedient like crazy, have worked hard, and have seen the blessing of these two great things. I love talking about obedience and that is something to be honest, is what Mission President (President Hicken) has really been focusing on for all of the mission. All of these things that we have learned in the last few days, has really struck my heart even deeper to become everything I can be and give my all in everything that I do. Anyhow, so I can say that we really are having these great six investigators that are really progressing and moving along in their testimonies just great! One whose name is Kevin keeps progressing but just simply won't accept a certain day to be baptized worth everything! He just needs some time but he is super powerful and really is pretty much already a member. He is giving us referrals and is telling everybody about what we have shared with him...future missionary? I think yes!

Oh! Ok, so that field that you saw, we plowed the whole thing with Jembes!!! (Hoes) It is something that happens pretty regularly but it was BIG this time and that is the third time that I have not had gloves for it. I had blisters again all over my hands, which is just simply a reminder of how it builds my testimony. Some good hard sweaty Kenyan work. Cultivating. You know though, I never see the pics that Sister Anderson sends you…haha. Thanks for the nice comments, I probably looked nice and sweaty and manly.  She also sent you some group pics I see and so those Elders in Kitale are pretty much all Mazungu! (White)

Anyhow, I will keep you updated on when I get in my new area and the people and the heat and the powerful bikes (Iron Horses). I am excited for the week and just love you and hope all keep going well. KEEP SAFE! I pray for you every day and just know that the Lord is blessing you and that makes me so happy! Well Asante sana, and Kwaheri!

Elder Andreasen

(Big Big Smiles!)

Morning Glory

Hey you guys! Well, good morning to you too! I am doing fantastic this week. Pretty much just what missionary work does to you. The bucket of awesome never gets too low!  Sounds like the week has been alright on your end. That’s a bummer about the moisture thing but I am sure the Lord will soon take care of it or maybe it’s happening for a reason...who knows. Eeesh…not a good season for the skis, not a worry for me! haha

Hmmm. This week has been really good. We have really worked hard and we definitely are seeing the results of how the Lord is showing His hand. I am gaining more of a testimony of just hard work. There are promised blessings when you show the Lord what you have! When you sincerely just seek for His help and promised guidance, then there should not be a need to worry. That is what I have seen. Ha! Heavenly Father really has put SO many people in our path this week! That is so amazing how many people just are there and need this gospel so badly! We met a pastor yesterday and just chatted with him for a half an hour on how something is missing in all of the churches that he goes to. It is like a regular thing to come across someone and they recognize that something is missing....and something is missing!

Anyhow, I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am seeing it change lives. I like that, it's nice. My testimony is always growing. I am loving teaching about families and how they can be happily eternal. Can't wait for the coming of the rest of the week. I know this is short but there might be more next week. Love ya and just have a great rest of your week!

Much love from:

Elder Andreasen

Smilin Big!

P.s. Wow! What’s up with the bowl scores! Seattle Killed! haha

The futball season just ended here and people are seriously anxious about their teams! It is like WAY serious here! Crazy.