Weekly Update~ "Another Day, Another Dollar"

Celebrating Pioneer Day at the Gilette's

Rootbeer Floats 

Dear Family and Friends,

"Another Day, Another Dollar!"

That quote seems to have become our district theme as we start each new day. The mission myth that days seem to begin to blend together the longer you're in the field is applying to me at the moment. These last few weeks have felt like one long day haha every time my head hits the pillow in the evening, I find myself at my study desk again in no time at all then, out the door for another day of work. No complaints, though. I feel like I'm becoming a better missionary each and every day as I have been making a more constant effort to make my studies more meaningful and take something I learned and apply it to my proselyting that day. 

This week my testimony that blessings come when you do what you're supposed to was strengthened greatly. This week at the beginning of the week, we were having difficulties making plans with our investigators and confirming appointments in the morning, forcing us to spend most of our days tracting and street contacting. If you've been out in the field, you know the feeling of dread when you're sitting at your study desk at the end of companionship study at 10 in the morning and you have an empty planner with no plans staring back at you. If I've learned anything in Rwanda, one of the biggest things is that finding new investigators through your own efforts is an act of faith and you have to put your trust in the Lord to take care of you throughout the day to have people to teach. Sometimes, these days end in zeros, but when you do what you're supposed to and get out of the apartment and give yourself the opportunity to find someone new and allow the Spirit to speak, most times you end up successful. That's one of the biggest reasons I love missionary work: you can never go wrong if you're putting forth your best efforts. The blessings came at the end of the week after a week filled with numerous hours of gate knocking and stopping people on the street. We got a referral from some missionaries in Uganda to a family from Burundi. The father of the family has been working in Uganda for the past 8 months and the mother and three daughters have been in Rwanda living as refugees finishing high school and doing other things. We went over to teach them on Saturday morning and we were able to bring a member, Philimon, to the lesson with us. It was a wonderful lesson and the Spirit was present and I know that if we were looking for ways out of working earlier in the week and were wasting time, we wouldn't have been prepared to have the Holy Ghost with us. All 4 of them accepted baptism dates for later in August. It was just another thing that proved to me that the Lord looks out for his boys:)

This upcoming week, Jean DaMo, Egide, and Issa are all being baptized. I've told you guys about Jean DaMo and Egide already, but I know that they're more prepared than they were before for baptism so it was a bit of a blessing in disguise that their baptism got postponed a few weeks due to their busy schedules from preparing for their exams. They've begun to work with us teaching lessons. It has been a real pleasure being around them. Issa is an investigator that I began teaching with Elder Nambale. He used to be a Muslim and we found him while we were on the bus. He has been in the village for a few weeks taking care of his sick mother, but returned about a month ago. He hasn't missed a week of church since he has come back and he is another guy who is more than ready to be baptized. 

This week in my studies, I finished the Book of Mosiah and began the Book of Alma in the Book of Mormon. Of course, because of my fascination and love for the Atonement, once again, I had to ponder the power of the Atonement in the lives of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah. The Book of Mormon explains them as the very vilest of sinners but despite that, they were transformed into the best missionaries in Nephite history and were able to bring mighty changes of heart to many nations. They were able to preach the gospel of repentance of baptism with power and authority because they themselves were able to feel of the blessings the lifting of the burdens of sin brings. I'm grateful to be called in that same work. 

I love you all,

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "The Spirit Teaches, Not Myself"

Dear Family and Friends, 

   Elder Mumba and I had a wonderful week although it was bittersweet because it was the last time I'll be seeing Elder Ruell for a year. We were able to go on exchanges with him over the weekend while he was in town for Zone Conference. I'm bummed there's gonna be one less Giants fan to talk ball with. We had a few experiences that happened throughout the week that I'd like to share and then I'll talk a little about what I learned at zone conference.

Giant Fans-Elder Hazen and Elder Ruell

   On Tuesday, we met Christina, one of our investigators we have been teaching for about 2 weeks now. She is from Ghana and had contact with the church when she lived there but never met with the missionaries. We had planned to share with her the Plan of Salvation, but when we began following up with her on her Book of Mormon, we decided to take the lesson another path because she had not read the reading assignment and had not prayed to know if the Restoration was true. We bore testimony about the truth of the Book, then Elder Mumba out of the blue asked, "what matters most to you?" She got quiet and began to think. After a few moments of silence, she shared an experience from a few years ago when a voice in her mind asked her the same question while she was in church singing in the choir. She described it as an out of body experience, things proceeding to move all around her, but she felt like she was stopped in time. She answered the question in her mind and told the voice that her son was the most important thing in her life to her. The voice then answered, "would you still worship the same if he was taken away from you?" She said it was difficult to answer, but she told the voice that she would. She proceeded to tell us that she lost her son that next year and it was the most difficult thing she has ever gone through. She told us she still believes in God, but wonders if he truly does love her and the rest of her children. Elder Mumba and I took turns bearing testimony that she will indeed see her son again and that it is possible through this Restored Gospel and the Priesthood. We left the lesson feeling grateful we had heeded a prompting from the Spirit because we know that the success of that lesson wasn't possible without it. 

   Friday was a bit of a roller-coaster for me. In the afternoon, because we didn't have many confirmed appointments, we spent a majority of the day tracting. About a half hour into our finding, we were invited to teach a young family that was a huge blessing. The Spirit was so strong and we were able to include one of the daughters in the lesson because she has been to the church before with one of her friends. Her mother committed to come to church and be baptized along with the daughter. That evening, we had a lesson with a guy called Jean-Claude who we met a week previous while we were street contacting. We got to his home at around 7 and he invited his friend, Shemma, to join us. Jean-Claude is a member of a local pentecostal church, and Shemma is Agnostic. Both studied in foreign countries and both were bright guys. We went through the Restoration with them and they kept asking difficult questions that I had a hard time answering, so I relied heavily on Elder Mumba. At the end of the lesson, they kept bombarding us with questions and quoting things from the Bible I was unfamiliar with. I can't really explain what happened in the lesson other than the fact that I figure the Lord was trying to humble me and bring me back down to sackcloths and ashes because I have never felt so stupid or inadequate in a lesson on my mission than I did that evening. I learned a valuable lesson that it's the Spirit that teaches, not myself. I think lately I might have been relying a bit too much on the flesh of the arm and not enough on the Lord and I felt how lonely it is when I'm left to fend for myself and teach these people. Elder Mumba has been a wonderful example to me since I've been with him as someone who knows how to rely upon the Lord. His prayers are always heartfelt, he always puts in 100% effort to his studies, and many other things. I'm not saying that I'm not doing these things, but there is always room to improve and I think the Lord recognized I may have been getting a bit complacent instead of having steady progress. I'm grateful the Lord chastizes his servants to make them better.

   At Zone Conference, I was finally able to meet President and Sister Collings and I was satisfied with the Spirit I felt in the meeting. They had us prepare by reading a few scriptures in the Book of Mormon and Bible including the entire gospel of John. The focus of the meeting was how to rely upon the Spirit and how to use the Book of Mormon and other scriptures more effectively in our teaching. The AP's gave a training and Elder Robinson mentioned something I really enjoyed. He referred to the story of Abinadi and shared that it wasn't until after he referred to the scriptures and the commandments and the words of Isaiah that King Noah and his priests began to listen. Abinadi was a smart guy and understood the Gospel, but the scriptures bring a special spirit into lessons. When you think about it, Alma became converted, converted thousands of others, Alma the younger was taught the things of his father and taught countless others as well, and so did the sons of Mosiah. When it comes down to it, an entire nation was changed all because Abinadi used his scriptures. Absolutely powerful. I'll share some other thoughts next week. 

Zone Conference with Pres. Collings

Also, Ignatius was baptized!!  It was seriously so nice.  I feel like my purpose in Rwanda was to find him and I know my purpose here has been accomplished;) I was able to perform the ordinance and I got emotional during the prayer. After he came back out of the water I just gave him a big ol hug!

Elder Hazen and Ignatius

I love you all,

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "The Power of a Testimony"

Dear Family and Friends,

This week Elder Mumba and I had a great week. I will first start by giving an update on Ignatius. On Wednesday, we went and visited him and followed up with him about his planned baptism date for Sunday July 10th. He pulled out his notes he took while reading Mosiah chapter 18- the assignment we left him our last visit. I can testify that as a missionary, there is no better tool to use than the Book of Mormon. Since we have begun emphasizing him reading and having spiritual experiences that build upon the foundation of his testimony, we have seen a huge transformation in him and he has progressed so far. After we had a good discussion, he began voicing some concerns about baptism and he told us he feels like he may not be ready this week. He then asked us, as friends and someone who cares about him, what he should do. He told us his wife is still very opposed to the church and doesn't want to disappoint her. As he told us this, I felt the Spirit to prompt me to ask him what he's waiting for if he knows this church is true. I told him that though this is his decision and he has a legitimate concern, to put it in the hands of the Lord and let him bless him as he keeps the commandments. Mumba bore testimony after me and shared his personal conversion story and about how his mother was opposed to the church as well but he told Ignatius that there is nothing better to do for his family than to show them an example of following the example of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was so powerful and I couldn't help but get emotional. We left the lesson and left the decision in his hands. We left knowing we did our part by following the Spirit and we told him to let us know what he wants to do by Friday evening. On Friday evening, we received a text from him telling us how grateful he is for us preparing him to receive the fruits of repentance through baptism but that he isnt ready quite yet due to family problems he hopes to overcome in the near future. We felt disappointed, but we knew that he would make these covenants one day if not now.

Throughout this week, Mumba and I have tried to be more mindful about what we were praying for and to ask for specific blessings and help, especially throughout the day during our finding time. There were multiple times throughout the week I had clear promptings from the Spirit where we should go. Sometimes they came as an image in my mind of the place we needed to go in the area, sometimes it just came as a prodding thought. As we followed these promptings, we were blessed because we were able to teach two unplanned Restoration lessons to people while we were tracting. It was neat because I felt like I was putting more effort in to be receptive to the Spirit and it was cool to be able to recognize the Lord's hand in the work.

On Friday, it was just one of those days where everyone we came into contact with wanted to contend with every word that came out f our mouths. It a started when we taught a potential investigator the Restoration. The lesson was going well- the guy was humble and was asking good questions- until we introduced the Book of Mormon. He then began talking nonsense about how no one is a Son of God unless they're not a sinner, then began saying we are all sinners and no one will be saved, then how we will be saved if we think about the blood of Jesus...He kept contradicting himself and talked about how none of the churches are true even today. Mumba and I then took turns baring testimony about the Restoration and about a living prophet on Earth today and about the Book of Mormon then we left. The very next lesson was with a family of brothers and sisters. We have taught Ben and Rachel twice now and their older brother Frank was there for the first time. We taught them all the Plan of Salvation which went well. At the end of the lesson, Ben began asking questions about the Book of Mormon. He went to the part in the introduction where Joseph Smith tells the bretheren its the most correct book on the face of the Earth. He asked us if we believe the same and Mumba boldy stated that I believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, so yes. Ben then got very angry at us and told us that nothing could replace the bible and that if that is our belief, he doesn't want to hear from us anymore. We explained to him again that the Book is not an addition or subtraction to the Bible but that it is another witness that Jesus is the Christ and that it supports the Bible in that purpose. He angrily rejected us and began saying comments similar to what we find in 2 Nephi Ch 29. To make things better, his Pastor joined us mid-conversation and began contending with us as well. I then asked, what do you have against another testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ? Isn't that why we have the Bible? I then bore testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and told him that the Book is in his hands and he has his own agency to find out for himself if its true or not. Contentious situations are never fun to deal with as missionaries. I'm thankful for the testimony I have in this Restored Gospel and that I know without a doubt that these things are true. I have read the Book of Mormon and I know no wicked man could have written or translated such a book and that it comes from God.

Sunday, Ignatius called us before church and told me "come to the church and baptize me now" haha when we got to the building, he explained that he made the decision he wanted to be baptized after all. After explaining to him the interview process, we pointed his focus to his baptism date of next sunday the 17th. We meet with him this evening to discuss more and hopefully speak to his wife.

I love you all,

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "The Power of a Testimony"

Dear Family and Friends,

This week Elder Mumba and I had a great week. I will first start by giving an update on Ignatius. On Wednesday, we went and visited him and followed up with him about his planned baptism date for Sunday July 10th. He pulled out his notes he took while reading Mosiah chapter 18- the assignment we left him our last visit. I can testify that as a missionary, there is no better tool to use than the Book of Mormon. Since we have begun emphasizing him reading and having spiritual experiences that build upon the foundation of his testimony, we have seen a huge transformation in him and he has progressed so far. After we had a good discussion, he began voicing some concerns about baptism and he told us he feels like he may not be ready this week. He then asked us, as friends and someone who cares about him, what he should do. He told us his wife is still very opposed to the church and doesn't want to disappoint her. As he told us this, I felt the Spirit to prompt me to ask him what he's waiting for if he knows this church is true. I told him that though this is his decision and he has a legitimate concern, to put it in the hands of the Lord and let him bless him as he keeps the commandments. Mumba bore testimony after me and shared his personal conversion story and about how his mother was opposed to the church as well but he told Ignatius that there is nothing better to do for his family than to show them an example of following the example of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was so powerful and I couldn't help but get emotional. We left the lesson and left the decision in his hands. We left knowing we did our part by following the Spirit and we told him to let us know what he wants to do by Friday evening. On Friday evening, we received a text from him telling us how grateful he is for us preparing him to receive the fruits of repentance through baptism but that he isn't ready quite yet due to family problems he hopes to overcome in the near future. We felt disappointed, but we knew that he would make these covenants one day if not now.

Throughout this week, Mumba and I have tried to be more mindful about what we were praying for and to ask for specific blessings and help, especially throughout the day during our finding time. There were multiple times throughout the week I had clear promptings from the Spirit where we should go. Sometimes they came as an image in my mind of the place we needed to go in the area, sometimes it just came as a prodding thought. As we followed these promptings, we were blessed because we were able to teach two unplanned Restoration lessons to people while we were tracting. It was neat because I felt like I was putting more effort in to be receptive to the Spirit and it was cool to be able to recognize the Lord's hand in the work.

On Friday, it was just one of those days where everyone we came into contact with wanted to contend with every word that came out f our mouths. It a started when we taught a potential investigator the Restoration. The lesson was going well- the guy was humble and was asking good questions- until we introduced the Book of Mormon. He then began talking nonsense about how no one is a Son of God unless they're not a sinner, then began saying we are all sinners and no one will be saved, then how we will be saved if we think about the blood of Jesus...He kept contradicting himself and talked about how none of the churches are true even today. Mumba and I then took turns baring testimony about the Restoration and about a living prophet on Earth today and about the Book of Mormon then we left. The very next lesson was with a family of brothers and sisters. We have taught Ben and Rachel twice now and their older brother Frank was there for the first time. We taught them all the Plan of Salvation which went well. At the end of the lesson, Ben began asking questions about the Book of Mormon. He went to the part in the introduction where Joseph Smith tells the brethren its the most correct book on the face of the Earth. He asked us if we believe the same and Mumba boldy stated that I believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, so yes. Ben then got very angry at us and told us that nothing could replace the bible and that if that is our belief, he doesn't want to hear from us anymore. We explained to him again that the Book is not an addition or subtraction to the Bible but that it is another witness that Jesus is the Christ and that it supports the Bible in that purpose. He angrily rejected us and began saying comments similar to what we find in 2 Nephi Ch 29. To make things better, his Pastor joined us mid-conversation and began contending with us as well. I then asked, what do you have against another testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ? Isn't that why we have the Bible? I then bore testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and told him that the Book is in his hands and he has his own agency to find out for himself if its true or not. Contentious situations are never fun to deal with as missionaries. I'm thankful for the testimony I have in this Restored Gospel and that I know without a doubt that these things are true. I have read the Book of Mormon and I know no wicked man could have written or translated such a book and that it comes from God.

Sunday, Ignatius called us before church and told me "come to the church and baptize me now" haha when we got to the building, he explained that he made the decision he wanted to be baptized after all. After explaining to him the interview process, we pointed his focus to his baptism date of next Sunday the 17th. We meet with him this evening to discuss more and hopefully speak to his wife.

I love you all,

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "Happy Fourth!"

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy Fourth of July! Even though I'm way out in Rwanda, I still have to acknowledge the Independence of the the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave! A little jealous my family is at the 100th Annual National Hot Dog Eating Contest in NYC right now, but it's fine.  This morning the Elders in the Rwanda zone went over to the Gillett's for a hearty breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs and it was unreal. Tonight, after we finish emailing, we'll go over to Juan and Jen's for a potluck so we're going to have a Fourth of July for the books.

I have a few small stories this week and a small spiritual thought. Sorry, I was in the middle of this email then the power went out for 20 minutes…Bless Rwanda.

I just wanted to give a public shout out to our landlady who spoils us and hooks us up with a fat bunch of bananas and tangerines weekly. She's a sweetheart and is so nice to us and I hope she accepts missionaries to teach her someday.

I also wanted to give a fat shout out to Bikorimana Simon, the guard at the church in K1. He's a recent convert and he's one of my favorite people I've met since I've been in Rwanda. He told us that 3 months ago, he couldn't speak a lick of English but since he's begun reading the Book of Mormon, he's picked up on it so much. He now translates for us in lessons and can bear testimony in English. Whenever I talk to him he makes me so happy. Just a good guy:)

This Sunday, I was reading in the teachings of President George Albert Smith manual and I read his experience of his dream when he saw his grandfather.   He asked Smith what he has done with his name. This story has always stuck out to me because I'm lucky enough to share a name with my father and grandfather. I love them so much and I'm doing my very best to honor their name through my actions and service while I'm on mission. 

This week we have Ignatius' baptism which we have all been looking forward to for a long time.   Jean DaMo and Egide's baptism got moved back to the end of July because they're waiting until after they finished exams. We had a nice open house at the church on Saturday and got some referrals from members and investigators. We then taught a family of 6 and it was a powerful lesson. 

Sorry for the short email this week!

I love you guys so much!

Elder Hazen