Weekly Update~ "Best Thanksgiving Feast in the Mission!"

RJ in the Sugar Cane Field

Chad the Turkey

Poor Chad!

Plucking the Feathers off the Bird!

Feast Prep

Homemade from Scratch!

Proud Elders

Dinner is Served!

RJ at the Field

Helping Out at the Baseball Field

RJ and Elder Chabra (Mission doctor)

Elders Wearing Traditional African Walle-Walles

Dear Family and Friends,

   I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and had a great break from school. As for me, having an all American district living together definitely has it's perks because we did Thanksgiving right. Thanks to recipes from home, day trips to Kampala for supplies unavailable in Lugazi, Elder Ray's cooking wisdom, Andrew, our guard's wisdom with cooking turkey, we were able to pull off the greatest feast in Uganda history. The final menu included mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade rolls, macaroni and cheese, a full turkey, green bean casserole, creamed corn, and a banana cream pie and a pumpkin pie. We literally made everything from scratch. We spent literally all Wednesday night and Thursday morning cooking.

   For exercise Thursday morning, we slayed Chad, our turkey, in our backyard and it was one of the more gruesome deaths I've seen of an animal given the fact that we did it with a dull machete... sorry for the details. After proselyting Thursday, we came home in the evening, invited a few of our ward missionaries and Andrew, and feasted. We were even able to enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers the next day.

   In Lugazi, Henry Odong who is a baseball coach of a local little league team in town. I don't know how many of you followed the Little League World Series this year, but there was a team that qualified from Uganda. Henry was trying to get a visa to be able to attend, and my Dad was able to read his story on facebook and they began talking. It eventually came up with him that I got transferred to Lugazi and my Dad got his number and gave it to me a few weeks ago. Last week, I was able to meet him and he showed us where he and his team practice and this Friday, our district was finally able to go to a practice.  It's going to be a common thing going over there to help out with practice and serve them in that capacity.  A year ago, never in a million years did I expect to be in Uganda on a baseball field, pitching to a bunch of kids in a pick up game. It was literally one of the best days of my mission and it made me so happy to be able to play the game I love and grew up playing with a group of people I've grown to love in a place I love. I'm looking forward to more opportunities to be able to serve them in the future!  I also dropped a pamphlet for him, I'm talking to him on Wednesday about it:)

   Yesterday, we were able to see the organization of the second stake in Uganda in Jinja! It was one of the coolest things I've ever been apart of. It was neat to see the overwhelming joy and feeling of accomplishment in the congregation. Many people have been working for decades to help organize this stake and the spirit was so strong when people bore testimony about what becoming a stake meant for them. There is going to be another application submitted for a second stake in Kampala in a few months. I consider it such a blessing to be able to be here during such an exciting time for the church in Uganda. I'm excited what the next few months has in store for the people here!

   Lastly, today I was able to go golfing again with the district and Elder Chabra. We all decided to wear Walle-walle's to rock the African style. After, we had the most amazing Indian food I've ever had in my life. Elder Chabra lived in India for many years and he said the lady who cooked our food makes the best Indian food he's ever had.  I love you all!

Love,
Elder Hazen

"Happy Thanksgiving!"

To Family, Friends, and all,

Happy Thanksgiving. I wish more than anything I could be with my family preparing to eat right now, but I send all my love from Uganda.

My older cousins, Michael and Daniel, usually sent emails to read to the family on Holidays, and though I won't be able to write a powerfully-worded letter like they were always able too, I'll do my best.

Before we ate Thanksgiving dinner, one tradition both the Hazen and Melendez families had was going around the table and saying something they're thankful for. I'd like to still participate even though I'm thousands of miles away, and say just a few things I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for a family who raised me in the church and taught me what's right and what's wrong from a young age. Though I mess up a lot, and make mistakes, I'm thankful to have a family who loves me and supports me in everything I do, especially while I'm out here on my mission.

I'm thankful for friends who still take the time and see how I'm doing while I'm out here. Thank you all who have taken the time to write me at all in these 4 months, your support is greatly appreciated.

I'm thankful for a Savior who suffered for all of my sins and never leaves me alone even during my loneliest times. 

I'm thankful for modern day prophets and apostles who lead and guide the church through these difficult times of the Latter-Days. Though they are older, they are inspired by the Lord and are able to do what's best for us with countless years of wisdom.

I'm so extremely grateful for the simplicity and purity of the Gospel and I know if we focus on the simple things and do the easy things like pray every day and read the Book of Mormon and strive to keep our covenants, we will be exalted in the next life.

I'm thankful for the Book of Mormon and the blessings it has brought into my life and the blessings I've seen it bring into my investigators' lives. 

I'm thankful for the role angels play into this work (Moroni 7:29-31) and I'm thankful that I have my Grandpa Melendez helping me each and every day.

Lastly, I'm thankful to be a servant to our Heavenly Father and our Savior and devote all my efforts to him this year.

As we go into this Holiday Season this year, let us remember the things that matter most. I love you all.

Love,
 Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "Golfing, Intoxication and a Baptism!"

The Chapel in Lugazi

New Friends

The beautiful Landscape 

Tracting

Golfing in the rain

The Big House

Elder Hazen on the Baseball Field

Elder Hazen and Henry

Elder Hazen & Dowdle with Steven

Hey Everyone,

This week wasn't too interesting on our part, but I'll list a few highlights.

• I don't know if I mentioned this, but last week Elder Ward and I were able to go golfing in Lugazi with the Elders in Jinja, Elder Whitworth and Elder Randall, and Walukuba, Elder Owen and Elder Darko. We had a blast even though it rained the ENTIRE time but I guess that's what you get golfing in Uganda!

• In Lugazi, there's a restaurant in town called Chilli Willy's and it makes literally the best food I've had in my 4 months of being here. So far we've gone there 4 times as a district this transfer and every time I've gotten a pizza or a chicken sandwich. Tastes just like home:)

• This weekend, we were able to watch conference and it was a few of the most frustrating days of my mission. Haha we had so many technical difficulties, it was ridiculous. The power died twice, we couldn't get any speakers to work, one of our baptism candidates didn't show up to his baptism on Sunday, and we had an intoxicated individual yelling throughout the broadcast, to name a few of our trials. 

• However...We managed to baptize one individual named Steven. Steven is one of our guards who guard our compound and he's one of the coolest people ever. He has such a strong testimony that he's gained through prayer.  I'm so proud of how far he's come in the short time I've been able to associate with him in Lugazi. 

• I was able to finally meet Henry Odong, the coach who took the first ever team from Africa to the Little League World Series. I just talked to him and he asked what I'm doing here and I explained everything about my mission. He took us to the field and I told him we'd love to give him service and he got super excited. He took us to lunch after. 

• I live in a HOUSE!  The house is big but, it's warn down.  It's nice to have a lot more space. The other Elders I live with are cool. Every night we make no bake cookies and hang together.

• At the end of the week, I've been able to learn that though we go through hard times and our patience is sometimes tested, the Lord is always there, anxious to bear us up and pour out blessings. I'm so grateful for the living prophets on Earth today, and the opportunity I had to listen to them this week, and also for the Church's growth in Uganda. I'm so excited to be able to witness the organization of the second stake in Uganda next week! 

I love you all and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy your time with your families and give thanks to the things that matter most in your lives.

Love, 

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "Hello From Lugazi!"

Dear Friends and Family,

Hello from Lugazi, the land of endless fields of sugar cane! I'm so excited to be here and I had such a great week! I'll first talk about the first part of my week in Kololo. 

Elder Mair and I spent all of Tuesday saying good-bye to the people of the area. We got to pray with Mama Mafabi one last time and talked about how much we're looking forward to the day us 3 can sit down at a table over lunch and talk about missionary work again. After saying good-bye to a few more Recent Converts, we went to a member's home in Nsambya for dinner which was one of the best meals I've had on mission!

 On Wednesday, Elder Mair and I got picked up by the Zone Leaders and sat at the AP's flat in Ntinda to wait for transfers. I got to catch up with Elders Langford, Farnsworth, and Elder Hatch. We haven't been together since the first day in Uganda so that was super neat to be able to be with them! I then loaded up all my stuff in the AP van, and we drove an hour and a half out of the city into the bush.

First of all, Let me tell you all that Lugazi is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been too in my life. There aren't words that I can type that can adequately explain it.  The pictures I've taken don't do it justice.  Mom and Dad, I seriously want you to come here… you'd love it so much.  My apartment isnt even an apartment… its a straight house! It's a little run down but, its nice to have some room. 

My new district is the youngest in the mission. I'm with Elder Ward, Elder Ray, and Elder Dowdle is my new companion. Elder Ward is from Lone Peak so, it's a pretty small world. Elder Ray is from Oregon and has been at BYU for the past year. He's an amazing cook so we are going to all make a Thanksgiving feast in 2 weeks with a turkey and everything...so don't worry, I'll be celebrating out here too:) Elder Dowdle is from Pocatello Idaho and is a stud. He already has a great handle on missionary work. I sometimes forget he's a transfer younger than me!

Other than transfers, nothing too interesting happened except for the fact that we were able to do a mission fast this week, and we got to help the branch do a deep clean of the building. Some of the members were able to help us. One of the individuals who helped us was Andrew, the Elder's Quorum president. He's one of the biggest studs I've ever met. I don't think there's anyone I've met that works harder than him. He works as one of our compound guards, and is extremely active in his church calling, which leaves little time for sleep. He constantly works with us missionaries. I'm looking forward to working with him more in the future!

 Like in Kololo, we have young ward missionaries who work with us on a regular basis. The one who works with us most is named Emmanuel and was baptized like two months ago, but is already preparing for a mission. He's a stud! Next Saturday and Sunday, I get the opportunity to watch conference again because they haven't seen it out here yet.   And in 2 weeks, the branch is going to Jinja to see the Jinja stake organized. We're all super excited for that. It'll make 2 stakes in Uganda with a 3rd following soon. This next week, we are planning for 2 baptisms. I'll talk more about it next week. I love you all!

Love, 
Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "Lugazi Bound!"

Halloween

Bill for Wedding

Last Sunday in the Ward

Friends from the Ward

Elder Hazen with his second Companion Elder Mair

Hey Everyone!

I guess I'll start by saying how thankful I am that I've had the opportunity to serve with Elder Mair and learn the things I've been able to learn from him. I'm happy because I was able to take a picture with all my friends outside the church yesterday because it was Mair's last Sunday. I also gave a talk yesterday by the way. It got sprung on us right before the meeting, but I guess that's a hidden missionary blessing because I was able to speak with Elder Mair with no preparation. This transfer will probably go down as one of my favorites of my mission. I'm thankful for the memories and also for a new friend. I'm also thankful for the time I was able to spend serving the people of Kololo. They'll always hold a special place in my heart being my first area. I'm so blessed to have been able to start here and to have been welcomed to Uganda the way I was by them. I found out I'm getting transferred to a small town called Lugazi and will be serving with Elder Dowdle. He just got here last transfer so, I'm finishing his training! I'm excited, but also nervous because I'm still new and I've never been in a new area, and I'm the senior companion. Though I'm sad to leave Kololo, I'm excited to get out of Kampala and see more of Uganda.
This week, nothing too exciting happened. I'll share a few experiences I had during the week and also something I learned during personal study.
 
Elder Schweitzer and I have taken rolex eating to a whole new level. Once he found out about my conquest with the 7x7, he took it upon himself to one-up me and eat an 8x8. I found out about this and wasn't very happy so I decided to send him a message, skip a 9x9, and go for a 10x10. After 1 hour and 32 grueling minutes, thanks to the support from my companion and members of my district, I conquered the beast and will probably never eat another rolex of that size again because that wasn't what God created us for. As I was suffering, Elder Ndlovu ever so lovingly told me that "You are not as Job yet. Job didn't have any friends but we are still here for you".
 
Elder Mair and I got to receive a package from my family for Halloween as well. Included were some nice decorations and food, but the thing we found most intriguing were the masks. There was one for each of us, so us being the kids we are, we took them to our area and decided to have some fun. It probably isn't the greatest thing for a Ugandan kid to be chased by two white guys with masks on, but we enjoyed it.
 
Earlier this transfer, we received a referral from Mama Mafabi for a guy she knew in a neighboring district. He held a significant position in the local government. He was a nice guy and listened to us, but we never sent a return appointment. Anyway, I guess he got the impression that we were loaded or something so he went to Mama Mafabi's home this week with a bill for his 50 million shilling plus wedding he's having this next month in hopes that we'd pay for it. When Mama Mafabi told us about this, we laughed but felt the need to contribute so we looked at the bill, saw that he needed plastic cups, and scrapped together 300 shillings for .6 of a bag of plastic cups. I'm sure he'll appreciate our donation. 

This week I was studying in the Book of Ether and was able to study about the Brother of Jared. The Book of Ether is kinda like a guideline on how to rely on the Lord for things. We remember that in this story, the Brother of Jared goes to the Lord three different times asking that the language of the family and friends be spared and also, if they are to be driven out of the land, where they should go. After the Brother of Jared's third request, the Lord tells him that he will meet him in a valley and will lead them to a land of promise. The Lord then leads them to an ocean where they stay for 4 years. The Brother of Jared is then visited by the Lord and is chastened for 3 hours because he call upon his name. We then remember that he is directed on how to build the barges but when it comes to lighting the boats, the Lord basically tells him, "I gave you your agency, go figure this one out on your own." From this story we learn that if we rely on the Lord, all things are possible, but he isn't going to spoon-feed us. We need to do all we can to make ourselves worthy of the blessings we desire and to take action in search of the things we are after. Though sometimes we have to figure things out for ourselves in life, if we rely on the Savior and his Atonement, he will guide our paths.

I love you all have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "Monkeys at the Beach"

Dear Family and Friends,

This week Elder Mair had another great week. We had a transfer high in member present lessons which we were both super stoked about! We didn't have too eventful of a week aside from that, but here are some of the highlights.

During the week, Elder Mair and I made a crock pot full of white bean chilli that would've one a ward cook-off somewhere. It was super nice I had it over rice for dinner three straight nights! 

On Friday, I almost got caught in one of the gnarliest rain storms I've seen since I've been in Uganda. As we were walking to the area, with the rain cloud looming behind us, right as it began to pour, the Stake President pulled up and gave us a ride to Mama Mafabi's home. Seriously such an answer to our prayers!

As for our baptism this week, it wasn't the most normal baptism and it will probably go down as my favorite, most remembered baptism on mission. I feel like Elder Mair can recount it more adequately than I can so I'll leave you his account of it.

"And to top of my week, we had the baptism of a very wonderful investigator who has progressed  in so many ways since the time I've been here.

 The baptism was less than normal...

As we coaxed her into the baptismal pool, insuring her complete safety, she mumbled under her breath that she was afraid of water and couldn't swim...

The 18 year old who was performing the baptism (his first baptism) promised her all would be well as he lent her a hand down into the pool...

He calmly reminded her that she was going to be ok and he preceded with the Baptism.

As he tried immersing her she let out a loud cry and kicked her feet up and flailed around, searching for land...

The Boy performing the baptism let her go as he nervously saw her thrashing in the pool.

As he let her go, she went under the water, taking in a HUGE gulp.

Coughing and dripping and crying, she swore in her wrath that the Boy was never to touch her again and she was NOT going back into the water.

We informed her of what went wrong and tried explaining to her that she needed to relax and bend her knees if her baptism was to be done by immersion...

We finally talked her into getting back into the water on her condition that I, a much larger person and more capable of lifting her again, was to preform the baptism.

At length, the ordeal was over and her baptism was complete. And though she was in a frenzy in the pool, she bore a powerful testimony of her conversion and she was a good sport about her incident in the water."

She has been one of my favorite investigators so far on my mission and had such a great desire to learn. I'm so thankful she was able to make this covenant in her life even though it wasn't the easiest of experiences for her.

Today, we got to visit Entebbe beach. We got to enjoy the jungle landscape and the accompaniment of a few new friends. 

Thank you for all your support and have a wonderful week!

Love,

 Elder Hazen