Elder Kevin Moss

Hello Family,

How are you guys doing today? Things here are going. There has been some big changes that have happened in our district. So there are two new elders from America, Elder Saxton and Elder Burton from Idaho. Wow, it's funny because they are just like me when I came on the mission. They have girlfriends and they are still trying to get settled in. It's funny cause I will be studying and all the sudden I will hear "what?  This is crazy!  I cant' believe I am in Africa."  But that is to be expected.  Sometimes I roll over in my bed and think the same thing,  wow I am in Africa!  I am excited to see them grow. They are going to be awesome missionaries. They are going to work hard and bring many souls. The field is white ready for harvesting. This place is long over due for harvesting.

This week we had the opportunity to teach an idol worshipper.  Talk about a funny, messed up person. Man his thoughts about God and things are so scrambled. It was nice to sit down with him and bear testimony about the truthfulness of the gospel. The crazy thing is when you sit and you teach a lesson, they sit and act like everything makes so much sense and you extend commitments to them and they except, then you say "so see you Sunday" and they are like "ohhh - I am sorry but I can't come because I am muslim" or something else!  People are crazy but it's fun.

So the average lesson is taught outside, normally under a tree, sitting on a stone or maybe a chair.  I have taught very few lessons inside of a house before. Sometimes you have funny smells going on outside and different things happening - mom beating the child in the background; dad smoking and peeing on the wall; auntie washing clothes down in the stream - it's sure is fun.  You really do learn how to stay focused in a rough situation. But I sure do love missionary work. Something that has really hit me hard this week is that some blessings in life come soon, some come later and others may not come until we're in heaven but you know something -  if you embrace the gospel of jesus Christ and trust in the Lord, they will come.  I know that.   In life, all you can do is your own part and hope that the Lord makes the rest work out ok.

The weekend was good, just really busy.  Man, Elder Neves baptizes a lot.  But isn't that what we are here for? To help people into the waters of baptism. So that made my weekend really busy.  We were going all over the mountain for interviews and things. We also had a baptism which was very good.  It was just a young boy. He knows it was true and I am sure he is going to be beacon of light for his family. It's funny because he comes from an all muslim family and I don't know if you know the task it is to convert a muslim but man, it is not easy. Considering the fact that the rest of the family sometimes disowns you. I have kind of made it a personal challenge to convert muslims. They are hard but when they come they know that it is true, it is awesome. The branch is growing like crazy sooo many people there now.  I love it.  It just means more responsibility for us haha, but it's good I am learning everyday. I think callings at home will be no big deal anymore!  Let's see, I have done elders president, branch president, relief society president haha, primary, young men (and women).  I have had my hand in everything. It's great to learn.  I hope I don't have callings when I get home for a while at least.  I want a break.

So sad news - Elder Saxton broke your rule and he gave me both the envelopes.  I have not opened the Christmas one but man it is killing me. I need to open it now. It's killing me to look at it.  Mom, you can't do that. I have to have it sitting on my desk for two months.  I need to open that beast.

Mom, I have been informed that you worry about me.  No worries!  Don't worry.  I would never come home early.  God needs me here now. This is my calling.  Not Riss, not home, but this mission. If I do what I am supposed to do then God will make my future work out.  I will make the best of what is given to me. Sometimes I have made mistakes. I cant change it.  But I can fix it and not do it again. You know, I believe the best leaders and teachers and fathers are is the ones that never stops learning. When we stop learning, we stop progression. In life we cannot always take the easy way out. The easy way out is always going to feel right at first because we are in the point of trial and we are suffering and we want out.  Obviously, if we see an easy way out we take it and it feels right. But I have learned that the easy way is not always right. The strongest metal comes from the hottest fire. Often times learning and happiness has to be gained through suffering and trials and turmoil. Life is not a bed of roses. Take our experiences and learn from them. I know the God lives.  I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He loves us and He feels pain when we have pain and weeps when we weep. I know if we turn to Him, if we are beaten down to our knees turn to Him and pray for help, He will be there.

I love you all have a great week.

Love, your African son, Elder Kevin

PS  Mom, tell Caden I love him too!  He's a stud