Weekly Update~ "Wilford Woodruff Week"

Dear Family and Friends,

President Wilford Woodruff, as a missionary and leader of the church was unmatchable in terms of work ethic. He routinely rose in the morning and retired in the evening earlier and later than most and was one who did not waste the Lord's time.  Following our fast last weekend, in order to see the blessings of the sacrifice made by members and missionaries, President Collings declared this week to be "Wilford Woodruff Week". President challenged the elders and sisters of the mission to constantly find from 10AM to 10 PM. He also encouraged us to set goals as a companionship in ways we could use our time more effectively. Elder Chifamba and I set our goals and put our noses to the grindstone. This was one of the most difficult weeks of my mission though the most fulfilling. Satan is a smart guy. Whenever you resolve to be better or decide to step up and be more of what the Lord wants you to be, you best believe he will be there pulling you back and destroy your righteous desires. However, when Satan steps up, the Lord steps up as well and is there to strengthen. 

The members this week were extremely helpful as we've been receiving more referrals, especially to women who are only able to meet in the afternoon times. Usually that is a time that is difficult to find members to work with members because most get off of work at 6, but it all seemed to workout this week. We also had a few breakthrough lessons with investigators, we had a baptism for brother James, the other elders in the zone saw an improvement in numbers, sacrament attendance was extremely high for both wards, and people were extremely kind enough to allow us into our homes between 9:00 and 10:00 which is uncommon. We are grateful for an inspired mission president who is obviously in tune with the Spirit.

Baptism of James

This week we had a small blast from the past. On Saturday, Elder Chifamba and I were invited over for lunch by the one and only Mama Mafabi with the AP's and other members of the Kololo district. She is still the best, still my mother, and still a wonderful member missionary. She has given the AP's more work than they can handle and Kololo is exploding. They are preparing to split the ward and it is a beautiful thing to see. We were also fed Sudanese food by James and his family which was unreal, and sister Peace took us out to lunch to a pork joint. We enjoyed life seriously in Nsambya this week. 

Mama Mafabi and RJ

Kololo District and Mama Mafabi

Sudanese Dinner at James' House

James' Family

Lunch with Sister Peace

Enjoy General Conference this week. I will be viewing on the 8th and 9th but I would still love to hear the insights you have and revelation received.

 I love you all,

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ Missionary Work is Unsuccessful Unless You Do It The Lord's Way

Dear Family and Friends,

Missionary work is interesting, in the fact that no matter how much you may know about this gospel, how many times you've read preach my gospel, how many scripture masteries you passed off in seminary, or whether you're a junior companion or an assistant to President, missionary work is unsuccessful unless you do it the Lord's way. 

When the Savior walked the earth, he didn't spend his time convincing those who opposed him that he was the foretold Messiah. Rather, his message was one of invitation, to increase their faith, as he went about doing the Father's will. In a similar sense, we've found that when our intent is to increase people's faith in the Savior rather than convincing them this is the only true church, we've had more success. As Elder Chifamba and I have been making that our focus and humbling ourselves, our discussions have been less contentious and more spiritually uplifting.  This has given us the opportunity to testify of the Atonement with more power and authority. As I've shared many times before, I testify the Atonement can and will change even the most natural of men and will give strength to break yokes of bondage no matter what they may be. Testifying of the Atonement is the best part of being a missionary and this week I was able to often. We taught a man relapsing into old drinking habits, so grieved by it that is brought him and myself to tears. We taught one other man so fed up with financial problems that he began to pray to God not for strength, but that he would take his life so he didn't have to deal with the stress any longer. We taught another man who is a refugee who's family is being kicked out of their apartment because they can't pay rent. The thing that makes the gospel so beautiful is the fact that it can help in EVERY situation imaginable through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love the power I feel when I have the opportunity to promise people blessings as a servant of Jesus Christ.

I am also grateful for the power of the fast. This weekend, the mission and the Kampala North Stake united in a fast that the Lord will prepare people to accept the gospel. President had a conference call with the Zone Leaders and read Isaiah 58 with us and went verse by verse and shared thoughts he was having. It was extremely spiritual and I would encourage you all to study that chapter to better understand the doctrine behind fasting. As part of the fast, we had a stake missionary fireside and participated in a missionary choir as part of the program. We sang Joseph Smith's first prayer and the spirit was absolutely present. I think Pres and Sis. Collings posted it on their blog if you want to watch. 

Missionary Choir

Yesterday, my companion and I attended a meeting with my mission president, and the stake president of the newly formed stake. It was extremely powerful to see two sets of Priesthood keys working together, receiving revelation on how the kingdom of God can continue to progress in this country. We set a goal to invite each member to bring one referral to the missionaries each 6 months. If there is 40 members in a ward, that is 80 referrals a year. If 60 were baptized and 45 were retained, that is tremendous growth. We all came away edified and humbled to be used as tools by the Lord. We are looking forward to another great week!

Love,

Elder Hazen

PS.  Patricia, a member of the ward planned a birthday surprise for me, she came with a cake after FHE and had a few people get up and say nice things about me. Then she talked about how I'm one of the best missionaries she's known because I'm the only one who got her sister who's less active to read the Book of Mormon. It was really sweet!

Weekly Update~ "Truly Good Without Guile"

Dear Family and Friends,

Mission Leader Conference

There is nothing I respect more than when people are "truly good without guile" as President Uchtdorf put it in one of his recent conference addresses. I've had the opportunity to serve around many such people. There is so much power in someone that has a quiet confidence, that shies from center stage, that doesn't need to make their presence known, that pushes recognition to someone else. The Savior was one of such people. In Moses 3:1-2, the difference in motives between the Savior and Satan is apparent in the "I"s and "Thy"s. I've come to realize these motives for serving are what set apart a good missionary from an incredible missionary. A few transfers ago, I had a quote written in my planner that goes like this: "If heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, if they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night, then what did motivate their climb? What did companions never feel? Was it fear or prized sublime? Did obligation feed their zeal? Each heights by great men reached above is motivated out of love." In MLC last week, Elder Grant mentioned that humility comes from understanding that as a child of God, you are no greater nor lesser than another of God's children. I struggle mightily at this. I sometimes unrighteously place myself above another because of certain gifts or talents I possess that others lack, but then to balance it out, I look at the great examples all around me and beat myself up, wishing I was more like them. It is these thoughts of self-righteousness that cause me to forget that mission or other forms of service are not about me. It's interesting to look back and see how the Lord has slowly walked me through and picked out my weaknesses one by one and given me the opportunities, people, and experiences to make them stronger. My goal these next few months is to strengthen as many peoples' faith in Christ as possible, and as a result, receive additional ordinances of salvation. Whether that be partaking of the sacrament, receive an advancement in the Priesthood, or making preparations in receiving temple blessings. As I focus more on the individual, I hope to truly lose myself in taking up my cross.

Interview with Pres. Collings

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. Because sometimes birthdays make you the center of attention, I made an effort not to tell anyone. It was the best birthday ever in the full time service of my God.

RJ's Birthday

I love you all,

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "Another Transfer Down"

Dear Family and Friends,

I thoroughly enjoyed my week with all it's spiritual highs, new investigators, and changes. Transfer weeks are usually a wash because of the constant moving around trying to get everyone situated where they need to be and Mission Leadership Counsel, but it ended up being extremely productive for us. 

The Zone

The transfer brought changes in our district and zone as we increased from 6 to 8. Elder Seibert shifted over to Makindye to be a district leader to re-open an area there with a new companion, Elder Beja from South Africa. Elder Harding, from down the street in Pleasant Grove is Elder Chisale's new companion. Elder Oliverson is training a new missionary, Elder Kagson, from Ghana and we already love having him around. He is so humble brings a great spirit to the district.

(Family Home Evening at the Bishop's House)

Elder Grant came back from Rwanda this week and gave me an update on our old area. One of my investigators, Jean Baptist, was baptized last week. If you remember, this is the man we gave a French Book of Mormon who had it stolen from his staunch Catholic mother. She began reading it and finished all of first Nephi, and through a translator, explained all of the plot perfectly to us. Elder Grant said that before he left, they followed up with her again, and she came with questions concerning infant baptism. She obviously had read up to Moroni 8 and was concerned about it. Elder Grant told me he and Elder Owen didn't know what to say because she was obviously shocked and didn't want to offend her. After sitting for a few minutes, she began to bear testimony that she knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that the book of Mormon is true and that if the prophets said infant baptism is wrong, then it's something she needed to follow and be baptized again by the priesthood. She then set her own baptism date for April 16th, Easter Sunday, then closed "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

(Filling up Font for Castro's Baptism)

That's our lesson for the evening, I testify that the Book of Mormon is true and that is inspired by God. I know anyone who reads it, will indeed get closer to the Savior, and that it is the fruits of Joseph Smith. I know Jesus Christ leads this church. I'm thankful for the tool that the Book of Mormon is and that the Spirit one feels when honestly studying it changes lives. I have more to write, but I have to go. 

I love you all, 

Elder Hazen

RJ's new friend

The Chapel

RJ's Bed with Mosquito Nets to Protect him from Malaria

Weekly Update~ "Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus"

Dear Family and Friends,

In this most recent session of General Conference, President Uchtdorf gave a talk titled "O, How Great the Plan of Our God!" In it, he talked about the coat of arms of the city Belfast, "Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus" or, "what shall we give in return for so much?" As I've reflected on this past transfer, I've been asking myself a similar question. I have felt God's presence in numerous ways this transfer as he's walked hand in hand guiding Elder Chifamba and I to individuals prepared to receive the gospel. I can't say enough about the Nsambya ward, it's members, it's level of organization, and the overall experiences I've been having here. The district and zone, though small in number, accomplished much as we had success in each companionship, and grew more unified. The Lord is blessing me with another transfer here in this area. The zone is increasing from 6 to 10 and we're excited about it.

(Filling Up the Font for Castro's Baptism)

This week, we baptized brother Castro. Elder Chifamba and Elder Thomas, then Smith, then myself, have been teaching him for three transfers, but between him going to the village for holidays, being on campus for school, being out of town for work, his baptism was long overdue. A few weeks ago, we set a program to meet and went over the baptism interview questions with him. The way he answered reflected his readiness, so we set a goal for baptism the following Sunday. However, his phone was stolen, and he began to miss the church activities he normally attended, so his baptism date came and went and we felt a little defeated, as we were doing all we could with him. He had the desire to be baptized, he was prepared, but for whatever reason, things weren't working out. Fast forward to Tuesday morning last week. Elder Chifamba and I were driving to a lesson, and we saw him moving the other way on the opposite side of the road so I immediately pulled the truck around and we rolled the window down to talk to him. Turns out, he had been in the village again trying to earn some money to buy a plane ticket and visa so he can go to Dubai for 2 years to work so he can go back to school. When we met with him Wednesday afternoon, he expressed a deep desire to be baptized and we felt the Spirit as we were talking about it. He is planning to leave this upcoming week, which wouldn`t be enough time to have him baptized then confirmed the following Sunday, so we suggested to baptized him Friday, then confirm him Sunday. We called Bishop to see how he felt about it, and he approved it, so we moved forward with the interview Thursday, baptism Friday, and confirmation Sunday, and fortunately, it all worked out. I'm grateful for Castro and his understanding of the importance of these saving ordinances and I know he will continue to build his testimony as he attends church in Dubai. What shall I give in return for so much? Everything I have left in me for these remaining 4 transfers because I owe it to the Lord.

I love you all,

Elder Hazen

Weekly Update~ "When You Can, Do Something!"

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week, we were invited to the newly called Stake President, President Kamya's home to have FHE with his family. As we were seated in his family room, he said a few things that were interesting that took on new meaning as the week progressed. He told us a story about one of his friends who happens to be an entrepreneur and works in the medical field. About 17 years ago, he invested some money into planting 20 pine tree saplings. If you're familiar with pine trees, (I'm sure not) they take about 18 years to mature. Fast forward to last year, he was approached by a lumber manufacturer who offered him 400,000 UGSH (About 411 USD) for each tree. When talking to President Kamya, he just said, "I wish I had planted more of them!". President then explained that in life, all too often we are afraid to take action and be agents acting for ourselves because we're waiting for an opportunity to fall in our lap, an individual to walk up to us and say they want to learn more about the gospel without putting the work in, someone to knock on your door with a ring in hand ready for eternal marriage, a school to send an email offering a full-ride scholarship, or your dream company to offer a position of work. We have to take action for the things we desire and that is an eternal principle when it comes to praying to Heavenly Father and asking in faith. With that thought in mind, I was praying for Heavenly Father to help us maintain both our area and Makindye's as we were working through our three-some. As we acted while petitioning the Lord for his blessings, we saw his hand in the work. This is the key to success as a missionary and it is a simple, eternal principle. 

We went on 3 splits throughout the week and met some amazing people both through our own efforts and referrals from members. Less-active members are also beginning to come back to church. There is an overall excitement from everyone in the Nsambya ward as they are engaging in the Lord's work.

On Thursday, While on splits with Bro. Patrick, Elder Chifamba met 2 separate individuals who were both extremely prepared by the Lord.  The first was a man named Andrew. Elder Chifamba began to teach his sister, Betty, but after adamantly proclaiming to be a "Born Again" and refusing to listen, she brought in her brother, Andrew, and told them to teach him because he refuses to go to church. They began teaching the restoration and in the middle of the lesson, Andrew confessed his fear to join a denomination because he was confused about which church was true...music to a missionaries' ears. After testifying of the reality of the restoration, Andrew committed to come to church and see if everything they shared mirrored what he saw at church. He came yesterday, and when Patrick and I went to his home to follow-up, he told us he absolutely loved the services, he felt like he found his church, and told us we were heaven sent. 

The second was a woman named Primah, who had similar concerns. As they shared with her, she told us her sister had actually just come home from fasting and was actually in her room at that very moment that they came praying to know which church to join. She loved the message of the restoration as well. 

Brother Coleman, an investigator that was in our teaching pool when I first came to the area, has now begun to progress as he has kept his Book of Mormon reading commitments. There is now an increase of accountability and he is now excited to share what he has learned with us each time we have come. During the worldwide missionary broadcast, a question was asked, "how can we know if our investigators live the gospel of Christ? A General Authority answered, and explained that there is a natural inclination towards repentance and there is a change of behavior and an increased motivation to keep other commitments. We have definitely seen that with Coleman and we are looking forward to his baptism in March. 

The area is beginning to have success, the three-some is over and Elder Randall is back in his area, we are enjoying serving in Nsambya more and more as we continue to see member participation in the work, and we are happy. Transfers are coming this week!

Love you all,

Elder Hazen

Performing Service with a Smile!

Our Apartment

Typical Dinner

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