Well Zone Conference was great I really enjoyed it.  The Lusaka Zone
(my zone) and the Woodlands Zone (also in Lusaka so we see them all
the time) met together for the conference.  President Padovich talked
for a while on looking past diversity in ourselves as the missionaries
as well as though that we teach.  Then he talked about how we need to
LOOK like a disciple of Christ, ACT like a disciple of Christ, and BE
a disciple of Christ.  It was really good.  We had a presentation by
the Assistants on different ways to study and also the importance of
it.  Elder Wilson did an activity where he handed out a piece of paper
to a few people telling them to prepare a presentation on what
something is.  One was about black bears, one about basketball, and
one about rugby and he gave them to people who would have no idea how
to explain them.  Then he had them gve their presentations.  They had
no idea what to say about any of them.  The purpose was to show us
that our studies are preparing us to teach because if we don't know
what to teach how can we teach it?  Then we had some short
presentations by Sister Padovich and Taggart.  After that we had Elder
Taggart give a presentation on pondering.  He gave some examples of
things to ponder about.  Some were funny.  Why doesn't the the glue
stick to the inside of the bottle?  Different things ike that.  He
went on to talk about the imprtance of us pondering because that is
often how we receive revelation.  Sometimes when we pray we go through
laundry list of things that we want but forget to take the time to
listen.  He said that the things we put into our minds can either be
the weapons that destroy us or the tools that build us.  It was a
great presentation.  My interview with President was so powerful.  I
loved it.  He just asked some simple questions about me at first like
where I am from and how old I am.  Then he asked my opinion about some
things in the mission.  He then went on to tell me that he was going
to lean heavily on me in the future because he knows that I can handle
the weight.  My interview probably lasted about 10 minutes longer than
most of the other ones because we just got talking.  He talked about
how he has a lot of family in Southern Utah.  The only name I can
remember is Leavitt but there was a few more that are Parowan names
that I have forgotten.  He said that his mom still emails him every
week to tell him to keep praying and studying the scriptures and so I
said so does mine.  I really enjoyed that experience.  He said that he
wants to be able to do it every few months so I am glad about that.
We had an okay week, the only problem was that we were getting bounced
everywhere we looked for lessons.  No one would answer their phones
and no one was at home.  But one really good thing is that Lameck is
ready for baptism on Sunday which I am excited for.  Tamika will be in
a few weeks because she has to go to Kitwe for two weeks but then she
will be back for good, or at least until the end of the year.  But I
really like Elder Mangumta.  He is a man of few words but he is a
really good guy, and when he does speak in our casual conversations he
is funny.  He is one of the most humble people I have ever met.  I am
excited about this transfer.  I don't have much else to say about this
week because we didn't get to do much teaching.  We have been waking
up at 6:00 to read a chapter in the Book of Mormon as a companionship
before we get ready for the day.  I really enjoy that because it gets
our minds moving before we actually have our real studies.

School is the pits but hey a least you are back in Parowan.  I think
that that will make it nicer because you won't have to get home so
late.  It sounds like you are getting really close to getting kids
into the school, Dad.  I have been keeping you in my prayers.  I know
that things will work out for you.  That is good to hear that Nic is
getting endowed.  She had told me a long time ago that she was
planning to do it but then she never kept me updated even though I
asked about it.  Shame on you Nic.  Just kidding I am happy for you.
Oh hey I was wondering, do you remember when I was in that play
Through the Eyes of Mary?  Well I heard a few of the songs in that
play while in our Zone Leader's car the other day and thought about
that.  I don't know if this is possible but maybe you could talk to
the Leavitts about getting a copy of the DVD and sending it in your
next package.  I think that that would be a nice thing to have.  I am
still really looking forward to trying to play baseball after mission.
 I inherited a band from Elder Shabangu and I do my exercises almost
every day.  Elder Wilson says that it has been hard to be away from
the game for so long but hey at least we are doing something much more
important.  Anyway I guess that I will talk to you later.

Love,

Elder Cecil

So this week has gone okay.  First things first because I know this is
what you are looking for.  I now have a step-son (first companion
after the father), Elder Mangumta from Johannesburg.  I am excited for
to be with him.  Because I am continuing to train him and also for a
change.  He will be good, and even though I don't know a whole lot
about him yet he seems like we will get along well.  He has only been
a member since last year April.  But one thing I know is that he will
follow the mission rules, especially the schedule.  I think that that
really hurt us last transfer.  But I am grateful to have been with
Elder Munguri though because I really was able to learn patience.  I
know that everything happens for a reason known only by him that knows
all things.(2 Ne. 2:24)  Which we have to find for ourselves.  I have
found my lesson with him so I am grateful for that.  So our week went
kind of slow because he wanted to say goodbyes and things.  But we did
get 9 lessons so that was okay.  Elder Gonza told me that they had an
investigator walk 7 hours to get to church yesterday.  That man has
real faith.  They are also getting Lilongwe prepared for a zone.  A
zone needs at least 8 missionaries so they will have 4 others soon.  I
could possibly go back to Lilongwe if that is the case.  I hope so.
That would be powerful.  Also my transfers were the only ones in the
whole mission.  President is preparing for 15 new missionaries in
September.  So really we don't know how they will go because we got
them tuesday but it was kind of a special case.  We are planning to
have Lamick and Tamika baptized on the 21st of August.  I saw Tamika
yesterday, she will be giong back to Kitwe for one week but then she
thinks she will be back for a while.  So I hope that things will work
out for her and for us.  I am praying that they will.

Well my bag only had our house keys and my epipen in it so that is
okay.  Only someone from matero would know where we stay and even then
most don't know where it is.  So I think that we are safe that way.
As for the epipen I will be able to get two of them when President
goes to South Africa in like 2 weeks so that will be good.  I will be
able to get a new bag here so don't worry about that.  I was keeping
my camera under lock and key so it was safe.  And I was able to get a
few pictures but not as many as I wanted because I spent so much time
sooking for my bag.

We have Zone Conference this week on Wednesday so I am excited for
that.  That is partly why we got the Transfers on Tuesday because
President went to Malawi to do theirs on Wednesday.  I also have an
interview with President tomorrow.  I am really excited for that.

I love President Hinckley.  I also can hear him saying that.  I read a
talk by President Packer the other day that had a powerful quote in
it.  It said something along the lines of, "We do not need to defend
the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The Book of Mormon does it for us."  I
really liked that.  I thought about it all week long.  I feel like I
want to put a lot more emphasis on the Book of Mormon now.

Adventure City would be a lot cooler if we could swim, but we had fun
anyway.  They have a nice soccer area with smaller goals so we could
play on a smaller field.  We had three teams playing one would sit out
while the others played first goal wins.  I was our keeper.  My team
never lost and I actually did make some nice saves so that was good.
You can tell Kim that she can send emails, and I can give short
replies and answer any questions they might have.

Man the Phillies must be doing really well to be that far ahead when
the Braves are 17 games over .500 but what happened to McCann.  One of
our branch missionaries tempted me the other day though.  He said that
the Sox and Yankees were playing and asked if he should record it.  I
wanted to so bad but I  resisted.  That was a hard one to resist.  I
talked a little bit about playing in college with Elder Wilson,  he
said that judging by my arm strength and accuracy of my throw downs
that I could be a catcher if I wanted to.  The package you sent should
still get here but all you need to do is put Zambia Lusaka Mission
before the rest.  Well talk to you later.

Love,

Elder Cecil

Hey,
So this week was a very different week from normal.  Tuesday we didn't
have our normal District meeting because of a leadership training.  So
we had to try to find lessons in the morning since we had none
planned.  That didn't work out so well.  Wednesday was a good day we
taught some nice lessons.  Then on Thursday I was a Zone Leader for a
day.  My companion and Elder Hewlett's companion had to go for a
driving test so I went with Elder Hewlett.  We were supposed to go to
the border to get the rest of the suitcases from Zim, but they ended
up not coming until Friday so we spent most of the day shopping for
the food for Family Fun Day.  Friday I went on exchanges with our
District Leader Elder Chikenge, I really like him he is powerful.  I
was able to get a camera it is a Samsung with 12.2 megapixels and 5x
zoom.  It is pretty nice.  I had to by rechargeable AA batteries for
it but it worked out well.  It cost about $145 including the batteries
and charger.  Saturday we had the Family Fun Day.  It went well, we
actually had a bigger turnout than the branches expected.  There was
over 550 people.  We had a few investigators there, including George
but then he wasn't at church.  But all of the branches had low
attendance this week, people didn't come because they were all so
tired.  They had soccer, basketball, netball (generally played by
women, it is like a mixture of ultimate frisbee and basketball), sack
races, food, and music.  I got to play catch with Elder Wilson, one of
the AP's who used to pitch for BYU but he blew his arm out and they
had to cut him but he wants to try out again when he gets back.  My
bag was taken though and it had my Epipen in it.  But Elder and Sister
Taggart are going to try to find me one this week so I will let you
know if they can't find it.  So you can send a new one.  I had been
playing catch with Elder Murdoch during the Lunch break and then we
went to put the gloves away and I realized I had left it and it was
gone.  It was left unattended for maybe a minute.  I searched for like
three hours, but never found it.  Then we lost power at our house and
couldn't cook, bath, or basically anything so we went and stayed at
the ZL's house then they took us to church.  Elder Munguri was feeling
dizzy so he stayed with them and I worked with a Branch missionary.
And today we have our Zone Activity so because transport is a pain to
get to town we stayde with the ZL's again.  So I slept and their house
three times this week and didn't work with my companion for four.  But
it was a good week though.  Yesterday we were visiting a recent
convert family outside their house and this drunk man came to talk to
me because I am white.  He then wanted to help the family, who at the
time were only the females, but I don't know what he wanted to help
them with.  As he walked to them he looked more like he wanted to hug
them or something.  They were kind of just running away from him.  So
I started to call him in Nyanja, "bweda, bweda."  (come, come)  So
then he started to come to me.  When he got to me he started to tell
me that he was born in 1966.  So I would respond by telling him that I
was born in 1903.  He would again tell me when he was born so then I
said a different number.  Again he told me when he was born only this
time he could not remember the 66 part.  He got out, "19 uhhhh"  so I
finished for him and he gave me this look as if to say, "how did you
know?"  He proceeded to start yelling, " Look a prophet, look a
prophet, he knows when I ws born."  It was hilarious.  I haven't had
an interview with President yet but I hope it will be soon.

The bike is okay, it isn't real fast and it is a little to small.  The
handlebars need to be about two inches forward, but the full
suspension is a really nice feature, especially on these "roads".
Tamika didn't make it home last week so the baptism will have to wait.
 So right now I am not sure when a baptism will take place but
hopefully soon because we have some really good investigators right
now.  They may take a little longer than we want but they will get
there eventually.  Brother Hatuma wasn't ever available this week.  He
got a work call to go to the Northern Province but should be back
tomorrow.  We have Zone Conferences once a quarter.  So I have had two
so far.  One in January and then one in April, that one was moved
forward a little because of Elder Pearson's visit.  I think that
President wanted to keep Elder Inzabula close too but I am not sure.

I did received the package you sent when I was in Lilongwe, as well as
a letter from Rhett.  They came with the bags.  I was surprised
because the letter was written on 11 July.  It came fast.  You asked
what kind of treats would be good.  Reece's pieces would be sweet,
Grandma sent me some and they were really nice.  Transfers come
sometime this upcoming week but I don't know how President will do it
because every president does it differently, but I am pretty sure that
it won't be on Tuesday.  It sounds like you guys had a good time in
SoCal.  I've actually seen a picture of the beach painting for that
temple.  It looked cool.  Well I need to get going for our Zone
Activity.  Oh and by the way we are going to a place called Adventure
City, I don't know much about it but I will tell you next week.  Well
I will talk to you later.

Love,

Elder Cecil

Hello from Zambia,

We had a pretty good week.  We've been able to kind of weed out the
jokers and find the "golden ribbons" as President Padovich likes to
call them.  Well Martha and Jane have turned xing on us, but we had a
feeling that that might happen.  Maybe it's just not their time.  With
George, we weren't able to get him to church but I know when we do he
won't turn back.  But there is a guy named Lamick that we've been
teaching for a few weeks but we just weren't sure about him that has
become powerful.  He opened up to us on Saturday, I think because we
were able to find a more private place to meet him.  He has had a
rough time in the last year.  He had a good job in the government and
things were going well.  Then out of nowhere he was fired and his wife
started to cheat on him so he ended the marriage.  After that he
wasted all of his money on alcohol and has gone into deep depressions.
 But he told us that every time he is with us he feels different.  We
had a good lesson with him and then to our great surprise he was at
church yesterday.  We really weren't expecting him.  Then Brother
Hatuma is extremely powerful.  We saw him on Saturday and Sunday.
Both lessons we came out of them and were just amazed at the power of
the Spirit that was present.  He is in charge of this big agricultural
show this week so he couldn't come to church but I am positive that he
will progress fast.  We are going to try to get President Padovich to
come with us to a lesson with us.  Tamika is supposed to come back
from the Copperbelt this week so next week as long as she comes to
church she will be baptized.  We've been sending her reading
assignments by text and she always calls and tells us when she is done
and what she learned.  She is really powerful.  No nobody else was
hurt in the fire, he got them all out then went back to get some
important documents or something and then a burning beam fell on him
or something.  We are actually the closest missionaries to the mission
home but I have never been able to go because there is no transport to
get there.  But President did come to our District Meeting on Tuesday
which was really good.  He told me in his email to me that he is
really looking forward to sitting down with me to talk and get to know
each other.  I am also really looking forward to that.  I even told
him that too since I have never gotten to do that before so I think it
might happen soon.  Yesterday I was actually expecting to give a
"surprise" talk (it's not really a surprise anymore), so I was going
to talk about the pioneers (I mean it was Pioneer Day after all) and
then turn it around and talk about how they are the pioneers of the
Church here in Africa.  But I didn't talk but we had a really powerful
talk on courage by this old baba, Brother Zulu, who has to travel for
3 hours each way for church each week, and he is always the first
person there.

What happened with Elder Harper being transferred was because he and
Elder Inzabula were having real problems.  Elder Inzabula likes to
argue, which is crazy to me but anyway, he and my comp were having an
argument and Elder Harper was trying to quote the Best Two Years By
saying, "don't wrestle with the pigs because you both get dirty but
the pigs like it."  At the word pig, Elder Inzabula punched Elder
Harper.  So that is what happened.  We received Elder Santana  who is
from Harare, I like him, he seems pretty cool.  He really likes the
word awesome.  He says it all the time.

When I read about your encounter with Cami I just laughed, because she
hasn't changed.  I don't understand how you can not know when or how
you hurt yourself that badly.  But anyway I got a new bike on
Saturday.  It even has a full suspension but I don't really know how
nice it is yet I haven't really had a chance to ride it much.  My
other bike got stolen because we didn't have a lock and even though we
have been asking for one it never came, that is until now.  The thing
out the Lord chastening us was just something that I really liked so I
wanted to share it, not because I feel like we were being chastened.
So I have actually been meaning to tell you guys something for a while
now but I just kept forgetting.  When I was still in Lilongwe, Robert,
that recent convert that I really liked had two awesome shirts.  Dad
this one is for you:  a Kokopeli shirt.  I was shocked to see it.  And
Nic and Ali this one is for you:  Vote for Pedro, complete with "if
you vote for me all of your wildest dreams will come true."  I used to
have pictures of them but then my camera was stolen.  I think I will
be able to get a new one on Thursday because they apparently have
specials. I am looking forward to the new bright ties that are coming,
I appreciate the support.  Well I guess I will talk to you later.

Much love,

Elder Cecil

Well things have been going pretty good this week.  Tuesday and
Wednesday were a little tough lessons wise but the rest of the week
really pcked up for us.  George is doing well except that he isn't
coming to church, but he does keep all of his other commitments.  We
are teaching this sister named Lydia who is the sister to a member.
She already has a desire to join the Church and her sister will be
able to help her a lot.  Martha and Jane have been sick this week so
we haven't really been able to teach them much.  But I think that they
are improving so hopefully we can get back with them this week.  We
started teaching a new guy named Brother Hatuma who stays across the
street from us.  He seems prepared to hear the restored gospel.  He
has changed churches several times because he saw contention and mixed
up doctrines.  The spirit in the room during our lesson on Friday was
extremely strong.  I don't really know when I will get a new bike
because they have to import it.  But I do know that all things are
done for a reason.  The Lord chastens us because he loves us.  And the
work must move on anyway.

Well this week the 2nd counselor in the Branch Presidency died.  His
house caught on fire and he got badly burned.  He died in the hospital
a few days afterward.  They held the uneral yesterday after sacrament
meeting.  The whole service was held at the cemetary.  President
Padovich came to support.  There were many funerals there yesterday.
One was right next to ours and I mean like ten feet away.  The women
who were not members were wailing.  Many of them were fake wails
though.  President told us that we should start singing hymns o try to
stop them but as we were deciding what hymn to sing some of the recent
convert sisters started singing.  The hymns definetely helped to quiet
the wailing.  During the service, the funeral next to us had a fight
break out.  One of the guys almost fell into the grave of our brother.
 President Padovich then leaned over to me and said something really
powerful.  He said, "Good always stands beside evil but just look at
the difference."  One funeral was loud and contentious and the other
was quiet and reverent.  I have been thinking a lot about that since.
On the way back to our flat President said to his wife, "welcome to
Zambia."  It was their first real experience with that kind of stuff
in the compounds.

We had to have an Emergency Transfer in our house this week.  Some
other missionaries had some problems and Elder Harper got caught up in
the transfer.  So Edler Harper has to go to Kitwe and we will receive
Elder Santana tomorrow.  I will miss seeing Elder Harper but I will
see him again though because he is only one transfer ahead of me.  I
wish that I could get pictures from old companions but they don't have
cameras so those picures are gone for good.  The Family Fun Day is
going to be held on 30 July.  It will have different sports and games
as well as food and music.  The people seem to be excited for it.  I
received some letters from Collin and Abby today so that was nice.
Mesa Verde sounds like a sweet place, I would love to go there.  I
still am loving the work, and have fun everyday.  I was bored at night
once so I decided to draw a picture of the Savior.  It turned out
pretty nice  I felt good about it.

Love,

Elder Cecil

So I had found out that it was Heroes Day like two minutes after I got
off the computer but they really don't do much for it anyway so it
really didn't matter.  I am pretty sure that I can buy a new camera
but I will need to find time to actually go look for one.  Well we met
President Padovich and Sister Padovich on Tuesday.  They are awesome.
President Padovich is really funny but what do expect from someone who
used to work in the movie business.  The baptism rate in Zambia right
now is lower than it is in Zim and Malawi.  But when President was set
apart by Elder Holland he received a prophesy that by the end of his
mission there will be wards and stakes in Zambia and Malawi.  He also
had another prophesy by Elder Nelson that we would be seeing Wilford
Woodruff days where entire congregations will be baptized.  So in the
very near future things are going to be happening.  We didn't have our
baptism on Saturday because Kennedy had to go to the Copperbelt and we
aren't sure when he is coming back.  We have met and started teaching
these two sisters, Martha and Jane, who are going to be really
powerful.  They have been keeping their commitments very well, and
have been to church several times in the past. Well I have to go right
now but I will send more later on today so don't freak out or
anything.

Love,

Elder Cecil


So I will pick up where I left off.  We are also teaching a guy named
George.  The first time that we met him he thought we were Satanists
but we just shared a little bit about what we believe and things like
that.  After that he no longer felt that we were Satanist but he still
was kind of out to prove us wrong.  Asking questions to try to
confound us.  He did that for a few lessons and each time we came out
of the lesson frustrated with his stubbornness.  But then we went back
one day and he just started to listen and not ask meaningless
questions and we felt that something had changed but we weren't sure
if it was just that day or what.  So when we went back we found the
same thing.  I think that he will turn into a very powerful guy and if
he gets baptized it will be a very sweet one because of the work we
have had to put in on him.  There is also one other girl who I
actually just met yesterday at Church.  But she had been taught a few
times before I came but she has been in the Copperbelt.  She headed
back today for two weeks because she is trying to get into a
university but when she comes back it will be at least until the end
of the year.  She really reads from the Book of Mormon though so she
is almost guaranteed to get baptized.

Well the house just is doesn't compare to the houses I have lived in
in Glenview and Lilongwe.  It is somewhat similar to the Chi-town
house but I don't know, I just felt more at home in the Chi-town house
than here. I don't feel as comfortable in this house.  Much of the
area is a compound like Mtandire only the houses are a little nicer
and the roads are worse.  But it is a good area and I like the people.
 I had my bike stolen on Thursday though which is really xing.  We now
have to walk and it really ruins our days because instead of riding
for 15 minutes to our next appointment we now have to walk for 45
minutes to an hour.  But we will just have to keep pressing on.
Though that is a little difficult since my companion doesn't want to
walk.  I think that it has to do with being in the area for so long.
But I am trying to push him along.

When we first met President Padovich and his wife we were all standing
in the hallway waiting to greet them at the Lusaka Chapel.  Sister
Padovich saw us and began to cry.  President made a joke that even he
couldn't get her to do that.  Oh and if you ever have a desire to send
me a new tie make sure that it is a bright tie.  Sister Padovich loves
bright ties.  Also I just realized that today marks my 8 month mark on
mission.  Crazy right?

On Pdays we go play soccer at the Lusaka Chapel.  I have really
improved on my soccer skills since I have been here.  Though it is
still not great.  I am a lot better when I just have to react than
when I have time.  That is too bad to hear about Jordan.  But I am
glad that Karl did a good job, I know how much he hates speaking in
front of people.  I actually saw the first goal of that soccer game.
We walked into Tamika's house and the game was on.  It was actually an
own goal on Brazil.  Well have a good week.  Much love.

Love,

Elder Cecil

Hello from Zambia,

Happy 4th of July!!!  It's funny today is actually a holiday here too
but I'm not sure what it is.  But I'm pretty sure that there will not
be fireworks or a slip 'n' slide.  So that's kind of a down side but
it's okay.  Well so far things are going pretty well here.  Elder
Munguri and I have been getting along well so far.  We live with two
other missionaries, Elder Harper from the Salt Lake area and Elder
Inzabula from Kenya.  Elder Inzabula is really old.  He turns 28 soon.
 We actually are preparing to have a baptism on Saturday with a guy
named Kennedy.  He had been taught quite a bit last transfer but
finally made the decision to get baptized.  Most people speak English
pretty well here.  Much better than in Malawi.  The house we are in
isn't really that nice.  But at least we have electricity all the
time.  We actually had a shower put in this week but it isn't warm
most of the time.  The Branch has an average of 85 in attendance.  We
meet in a house which has a really nice set up for a church meeting.
They are supposed to start building a chapel this year sometime,
because they already have the land for it.  On Friday we were teaching
a lesson at the Church and a recent convert from Uganda showed up.  He
was traveling to Namibia and had been conned out of all of his money
at the border of Tanzania and Zambia.  He asked around to find the
church and we just happened to be there at the time.  We called around
to basically all of the leaders in the area.  We were finally able to
set an appointment with the District President on Saturday.  So then
we had to find a place for him to stay.  The first family we called,
the Shumba's, took him in without hesitation.  They treated him as if
he were a part of their family.  Brother Shumba really took to him.
He was able to get the help he needed and was able to travel to
Namibia.  Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways but I'm glad we
were able to be a part of helping him.  Elder Munguri and I are also
putting together a Family Fun Day for the District here in Lusaka.  We
have done a lot of work this week trying to find a venue and getting
it approved.  We will now be able to get some help from the District
and the Mission so our load will be lighter.  It will be similar to
the one that I told you they did in Harare.  It is scheduled for the
30th of July.  We haven't met President Padovich yet but we are going
to tomorrow.  I'm excited for that.  I haven't received your package
yet but hopefully I will get it soon.  Oh and I think that my camera
was stolen at the church.  I asked Elder Gonza if I left it in
Lilongwe but he said that they didn't see it.  I have looked
everywhere for it.  The worst part about losing it is that I lost all
of my pictures on it.  I still had a bunch from Glenview on it.  I
still have the other camera card but I will have to buy a new camera.
Well I guess that I will talk to you next week.  Give an extra OOOO
Ahhhhh for me in the fireworks.

Love

Elder Cecil