Update from Africa~ "Working with the YSA"

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was another solid week but the zone number dwindled from 6 to 5. Elder Chisale, one of our missionaries serving in Makindye had to leave on Friday to go to Ethiopia to cancel his work permit. Usually, that's a multi week process so he will be staying there until next transfer. Until then, Elder Randall will be working with Elder Chifamba and I in Nsambya in a 3-some. Haha our entire zone lives in one apartment, it's kind of a bizarre experience but we're having a blast. Elder Chifamba has a game called Ticket To Ride that he inherited from one of his former companions and we are all obsessed to the point where we play every night. If you are looking for a new FHE activity, or a new game to add to the closet, that game has my recommendation. When we find it when I get home, I know many nights will be spent playing it in the Hazen home.

We had Zone Conference this week and it was a great meeting. With so few missionaries, our trainings turned more into group discussions which I prefer to listening to someone speak for 20-30 minutes. One part of the meeting was particular interesting to me. With the next schedule changes, the Brethren had some trainings with the Mission Presidents and one topic of discussion was over YSA's. Usually in the past in our mission, we have tried to place more of an emphasis to teaching and baptizing families. There used to be an attitude where we would try and eliminate teaching YSA's as much as possible. However, the Brethren talked about how important teaching YSA's is because they are the ones who make up the strongest building blocks for the foundation of the church in the long term because they are the ones who go on mission, then marry in the temple, then build multi generational member families. 

Sister Collings showed a video clip of a General Authority meeting before conference in the conference center where the Quorum of the 12 spoke to everyone. Elder Andersen was speaking and made everyone who was baptized between the ages 15-25 stand up. I kid you not, about 65 percent of the people in the meeting stood. These are General Authorities. It got me unbelievably excited because our branch is mostly YSA's and they all are excited about missionary work. Sorry for the short email!

I love you all, have a great week!

Elder Hazen