Progression, Nsambya growing, conferences, Rwanda opening - pray I go, long-drops, new Elders

Mom, I liked what you said about being given new responsibilities right when you get comfortable to the ones you already have. It's true that it happens. It reminds of the fact that we're not here in this life to get comfortable, we're here to progress. So I suppose that callings and assignments in the church should be the same way.

Nsambya branch is growing. President told me when I first came here that the sacrament attendance should be in the hundreds while we were only in the seventies. Well the past four weeks we've been doing what President said, bringing in over a hundred people. Yesterday there were 108. President told me that he has signed for the land to build a new chapel for Nsambya. I doubt I'll be around to ever see it, but it's coming. That's exciting for them. They need it! Every Sunday there's not enough chairs for people to sit. There's always about fifteen people standing out in the halls.

We have a pretty busy week coming up. Zone conference on Friday and then District conference on Saturday and Sunday. Elder Koelliker of the Seventy is coming to preside over everything. We're still wondering what the topic is for zone conference. And apparently our zone report for Nsambya is going to be very important. The Assistants are coming tomorrow to listen to us recite it to them so they can give us any "advice." We were told to explain why we are so proud to have the best zone in the mission. It's funny that they would ask us to express our "pride." But we are the best. I guess they just want to us to try and explain the whys and hows. I'm wondering how many words they'll try to put in my mouth so that other Elders will think, "I have to do this to be the best."

There's really no pattern for someone who is Zone Leader. I could stay a zone leader until I go home, I could become an assistant, I could get released and go serve with a struggling Elder (usually obedience), or get released and serve in a struggling area (probably Seeta, but I've already been there). Or they could send me to go open Rwanda (My prayer... and even you can pray for me). They are going to open a branch there next month. There are two families living there right now. One American couple who has served a couples mission and another from India who has also served a couples mission. One of the families owns a pretty big hotel and it sounds like they will be using one of the conference rooms there as a meetinghouse. I have no idea what the situation is on when or how many missionaries will go there. I just know that authorization has been given to organize a branch there next month so they can officially have a unit number. We're still waiting for that authorization for Gulu and a place called Owasa in Ethiopia. There's even some word of people (several hundred) meeting in southern Sudan. There were some refugees living in Salt Lake City that were converted and went back home to teach their villages. But that country hasn't even been officially assigned to any mission for obvious reasons. Just keep your mind on Rwanda. I think there will be some missionaries there by the end of this year.

I got the card. The day after Valentine's day. Good timing. The pictures were awesome. Even the letters from Bobby. I enjoyed it very much. I went through them while waiting at the hospital while my companion got some shots.

I had a feeling that comment about me being older would be confusing. I said I was "older on mission" meaning I have been out 16 months and he's only been out 12 months. I guess it's kind of missionary lingo. But the irony comes in where in actual age, he is older. It's been that way with almost every one of my companions.

That's pretty cool Dusty and Ben are probably coming. I think you're right, the more the merrier. I'll figure the hotel situation out pretty quick. The senior couples here are very familiar with that stuff. Leaving our stuff somewhere won't be a problem at all. A missionaries' flat, a senior couple’s house, the mission home, etc. Let me know when that plane ticket home is so I can get on the people in the office about booking it for me. About me visiting the safari office, it probably won't happen. I wish I had a better idea about who to choose, but I don't. Honestly, my guess it about as good as yours.

If we have to [go to the bathroom] while proselyting, we use the "long drops." They're usually 3 X 4 with a hole in the center of the floor (just like the picture). Aim and posture comes with experience. Everyone's style seems to vary. If you're very lucky you'll find some TP inside. Otherwise you get out your least effective pamphlet and use some pages. At Seeta branch, all they have is long drops. But we noticed a very funny coincidence that they are now getting flush toilets right when the senior couples were assigned there. They need to just get a new meetinghouse.

That's pretty exciting for Dallan [about going to Finland]. I still remember the feeling I had when I finally landed in Uganda. It was a long wait getting my call in May and finally landing in Uganda in September. I'm sure Dallan will feel the same way. Are the seasons there about the same time as they are in the States?

I met the new Elders in our zone this week. Both of them came from Southern California. Elder Thomas is from the Santa Barbara area and Elder Valois is from Palmdale. Valois even went to the same high school that that girl went to that Dusty used to "date." But maybe that's a bad subject to bring up, I don't know. I forget her name anyways. I just remember that she went to Palmdale high school. Thomas is having it easy. He came into an area that is really blooming. He's already had two baptisms and has one scheduled every Sunday for the rest of the transfer. Not a bad way to start off the mission.

Our area is struggling a little. We have people to teach, but no baptismal dates. We kind of dropped off after all the recent success. We have to build up the teaching pool again. You'd think I'd be used to the process of it by now. It's just the ups and downs of missionary work.

I checked the Net ID profile and I think you put my e-mail address wrong. It's gmail not yahoo. Other than that I guess I just have to write an impressive essay. Not exactly one of my fortes. One of the Elders here just got denied at Provo, and his application was looking a little better than mine. I'm a "go-with-the-flow" type of guy. So whatever happens, I'm cool with it.

Have a good day. Thanks for everything.

Elder Zachary Wright