Epic Baptism 2010‏

So this week we had more baptisms. This time is was probably my favorite investigators. I have been teaching them since January and February. It's William and Mallory Gondo. And David Muchenje. All of them are super bright guys and I got along with them great. Mallory has Dreads and is in a band so we'd talk music and such.

But ya. When we were all outside, David kept making the joke that we were all in band and he was doing the VH1 story of the band and the things that would lead to our downfall and our whole career. It was funny.

But ya it was sweet. But that's really the only news this week. My comp was sick for pretty much the rest. I'm going to be back with Elder Hillman starting today. President switched us back. But that's really it.

~Elder Vanderlinden

Surprise Baptism‏

So ya this week we had 4 more baptisms! We were originally just going to have 2 but then we added Jack Lansburg and Susan. Susan finally got out of here sketchy situation and was able to be baptized! She was so unbelievably stoked! It truly was the happiest day for her!

But ya other than that there really isn't much else going on. Another baptism in 2 weeks. We've got David lined up for that one and are hoping to get some others. Like William, Mallory, and Raymond. William just needs to stop being all super government official and stop traveling and he can get baptized!

But not much else has really been going on. Just been keepin on keepin on. I'll email more next week and see if I can get the pictures working here at the internet cafe.

Bye for now!
~Elder Vanderlinden

5 months‏

So yesterday was the 5 month mark. As well as mother's day. I don't know how it's already here. But as well I called yesterday. Would have been cool to talk to more people but I just talked with my mom. I guess it's her day anways.

Baptisms this saturday. We should have the Kandawazvika's, Jack Lansburg, and hopefully William Gondo. We'll find out tonight on him. But I'll send pictures next week from them. That's pretty much that's all going on that side.

But also I'm now with a new companion. It got changed Tuesday. I'm now with Elder Wilding. He's a Zone Leader and Elder Hillman has gone to work with the other one but I am still in Mbare. Things are still just going. I talk to you more next week.

~Elder Vanderlinden

Baptism crazyness‏

So we had a baptism on Saturday and it was just one thing after another to get things going. We didn't have the keys to the office and everyone was out of town and our baptism programs we made were in there. We also got there just in time after we were able to get in. We get to it and no one is there yet. We get there start filling up the font and then the water gets halfway and then stops. The tanks ran empty and the borehole was down. So we had to go figure that out for a while and got city water into the tanks and also had to break open the lock to get into the pump room to get the pump working because the lock on the gate was put on backwards so we couldn't stick the key in. We were suppose to have 3 baptized. But we only got Sister Tembo baptized. The Kandawazvikas were suppose to but Mom got called into work the night before and also the night before their son got measles and had to be admitted to the hospital but we went and saw him the night before and gave their son Blessings a blessing. Ya it's kinda funny. But we have rescheduled their baptism and will have have it with the others in 2 weeks. So everything will work out. Other than that everything is going along good we should have another 5 ready about in 2 weeks so I'll let you know how that goes. But ya other than that nothing else is really new. Just losing Elder Baird this week and I'll be with Elder Hillman. I've really enjoyed being with Elder Baird. Been with him for over 3 months and had lots of good times but he has to go back home now. Back to Idaho Falls but things will work out now I guess. I'm suppose to be senior companion and it's back to normal missionary work. I liked splitting the office. It was a good mixture. I was only a normal missionary for 4 weeks so this will be interesting. But that's all for now. Talk to you all later. And also. My p day is now on Mondays for future reference.

~Elder Vanderlinden

Pictures from the baptism

1. Our comby we drove around for a day while someone used our truck. Everyone kept whistling at us for rides.
2. Baptism
3. Baptism 2
4. The Lansbugs
5. Sis Macheke Amos and Panashe

Polygamy‏

So this week we got a new member to our companionship. His name is Elder Hillman. He's from Blackfoot Idaho and he's like 6'6". He was in Linlongwe in Malawi but will be working with us for the rest of the trasfer and then will most likely be with me for the next one as well.

Also what do you know about 15 investigators at church last Sunday? Mbare is powerful. We'll have a bunch of baptisms coming up on the 1st of May. So that'll be good.

Other than those 2 things nothing else is really new. We'll be leaving the office here this week and begin doing normal missionary work again. But we still don't have a house out in our area so it's going to be hard. Because we don't know how much longer we'll have our car. So we may be taking combys that side but we don't want to because most of our investigators can see us at night. And we'd have to leave back to our house by 7 if we do that. So we don't know what we'll do yet.

But ya things are good and goin along. Talk to everyone next week!

~Elder JV

Oh what's up 4 months!?

So ya yesterday was the 4 month mark! Can hardly believe it! It seemed like last week I was saying it was the 3 month mark. But I guess that's what happens when you are just so ridiculously busy all the time.

So just to get some random things out of the way really quick. Sidewinder buses. I forgot to talk about them when I went down to bulawayo. There are buses here that have horrible alignment problems. We call them Sidewinders. They really stick out far! Like I'm not even joking. The driver has to look out the front window and his side window. They will be driving along being in their lane and then halfway in yours going straight.

Oh ya, so we just got a new assistant to the president this side. His name is Elder Lauaki. He's Tongan. But from Seattle. He is the only boy in his family and has like 10 sisters. But he's funny. We like to play jokes here in the office. And of course I do computer jokes so I was just going to do one and just sent a request to his computer to remotely shut it down and it has a message that said something like: "OH NO! WHAT DID YOU DO?! I GOT A VIRUS! I NEED TO SHUTDOWN NOW!" And he was freaking out and didn't know what to do. I gave it like 2 minutes and went over and acted like I was typing a bunch of stuff and aborted the shutdown. And was asking him all these questions. And then later I sent another one saying the virus was going to make it explode and he was getting up and going out of the room. We were all laughing so hard. I also changed the name of my computer to SYSTEM and I send him messages from my computer and he thinks the computer is talking to him. From my office I can hear things his is saying and then send him a message. And he's always like what the crap? This computer is scary it's talking to me! He still hasn't caught on yet. We'll see what happens. But ya good times XD.

Anyways still teaching. We have somewhere around 7 baptisms coming up on the 1st of May. We have way too many people to teach than we have time for. Like we are really struggling to visit the people we need to. And the funny thing is that we didn't tract or anything. These are all people who came to us. Or just showed up at church.

We were teaching Gogo this week. (Gogo is what they call grandmas) and she has been struggling for a while now. She says she gets no sleep and she can't pray and things. That every time she tries her mind is just blank and she feels like she can't. But she says she can't sleep because she doesn't know what to do with these kids that she's been left with. Her daughter died in December and left her with 2 mentally handicapped kids. And she was going on this week about how she doesn't know what she's going to do and does know how to take care of these kids and what what. But we were visiting with her and we were listening to her go on for a while and then I stopped her and just said Gogo, you are doing it. You think you can't but you are. The kids are happy and healthy and everyone is still here. Well that's the condensed story of what I told her but we left that night and came back a couple days later and she was much happier and she was thanking us and saying that she is so much happier now and that she can pray. And that she's much nicer now too. She said before that if the kids would do something, oh she would yell and beat them with a rod. She said everyone knew when gogo got upset nobody talked not even her husband because they feared the wrath! But she says now she is nice to people and doesn't yell anymore. It was pretty cool. I've had to shorten the story quite a bit for time and space reasons, but that's the essential story. It was cool.

But that's about it for this week. I will send more stories next week.

~Elder Vanderlinden

Bonus Post

This is a small excerpt from a letter Jordan sent to my mom this week. It is really neat to see how excited he is about his mission and how quickly he is growing. She thought some of you might like to see this as well.

..."That's cool that all those new missionaries in the ward are going out. They have no idea how important the work they're doing is. I really like my companion. He's helped me a lot to get these things early on in my mission. There are a lot of missionaries that we say all the time "they don't get these things." I do see now how important my mission is and how important it is for me to bring the gospel into their lives. Also I know I wouldn't be the Father/Husband/Priesthood holder I need to be if it wasn't for my mission. I've come to see so much more about the atonement and the gospel and how it's the small simple things of the gospel that really make or break people and will keep their testimony strong. I've really seen how the mighty and powerful fall when they stop doing them and that's how they fall away. Keep praying and reading your scriptures. Don't go lax on thoughs. Everyday!!!"

Jonny Lingo!‏

So anyways quick funny thing here so this is the land of the people carrying things on their heads and also paying cows for their wives! Ya like in Jonny Lingo. Except the church doesn't encourage people this side to watch that movie. They already don't have very much. But anyways the church discourages lebola(paying for wife) now. They actually put out a message to the members here saying they are trying to do away with it. Mostly because it constitutes your wife being more of property and have rule over her because of it.

But anways this week, scary sketchy hospital time 10!~ We went to visit this family in our area to give a blessing to the child who is in the hospital. So we went to the childrens ward. Oh ya right when you walk in there is this picture on the wall of a doctor painting a baby with black paint. It's like little kid style painting on the wall. It was funny. I wanted to take a picture but knew I shouldn't because I'd be given fire! But anyways it was after dark when we were there and the hospital and gnomes and clowns on the walls and there was paint chips of the wall and rusted metal beds and such and bars on the windows. Walking through I felt like I was in an old scary movie and there were little kids crying which made it worse.

But anyways we have some new investigators this week. It's the Kandawazvika family. Which means "throw when arrive". Don't ask me why but that's their name. But they are the happiest couple with one kid whos 5 named blessings. But Martha is always like "oh that's so beautiful to know" They are so cool and happy all the time. And they are really understanding the things we are teaching them. We need to get our other investigators baptismal dates. We'll let you know more on those next week hopefully.

Also we went to a memorial service today. It was pretty crazy. It was for a family member of one of our investigators. The family was roman catholic and they were doing the whole singing, dancing thing, playing the drums and such. It was pretty african. And then they preach and talk about the deseased. It was all in Shona. And they put us in the program. I had to give the opening prayer and my companion had to give a 10 min presentation. He did it on part of the Plan of Salvation from the Book of Mormom and took scriptures out from it OH YA!!!

But ya time is short and have to go to a braai at President Dube's house and watch conference. Talk to you all next week!

~Elder JV

Pictures:
1. Home
2 and 3. The chapel is the one in my area. Which also happens to be the sketchiest place in Harare but has the most powerful chapel in the country currently till there is a new one!
4. Scary face in the office for Adam Alex and Regan!
5. William Gondo is one of our investigators, he's powerful. That is the first time we caught him in his suit! He doesn't wear it to church yet because he has to wear it for work everyday. He works for the government doing something I can't really say. But we found out.

Zone tour and baptisms‏

So ya we had baptisms a couple weeks ago. It was powerful! The ones we converted were Amos, Natasha, and Swemmah.Amos is so powerful though. He still studies every night and tells us now that he wants to serve a mission.He's 25 right now and will be 26 in a few months so he's pushing time but says he wants to do it.he was asking us about it and what he needed to do.Also cool story. When Amos came to his baptism he had on a purple dress shirt and some slacks. After he was baptized he walks out with with a white shirt and tie. Then the next day on Sunday he shows up to church wearing a powerful brand new suit. With Tie and matching handkerchief in the pocket! We were so stoked. He got the priesthood last week and will be blessing the sacrament this week and also will be giving a talk on the atonement. He's been working on it so hard. Everytime we come over we see him working on it. It will be good. He studies everyday. He is now in Mosiah 5 in his BOM reading. He's doing so good. That one will be a powerful priesthood holder for sure.

But ya, after those ones were confirmed we had to shoot to the airport so that I could go to the airport. The week before we were in Gweru for half a day then continued down to Blues(Bulawayo) which we stayed for a day and had to rush back to make it back to Harare before dark. So we were able to work in the office on thursday. We were suppose to go to Mutare on Friday but were way too busy to drive down there and back so we stayed then had our baptisms on Saturday. Now that we've caught up we had to fly to Zambia on Sunday. Got there and I went out with my old companion that evening in Woodlands. I remembered what I didn't like about Zambia when contacting people on the street there again. Which is that everyone there thinks they are priest or have studied to be a priest and will fight you on everything. So many people misinterpritating doctrines. But then next day Zone Conf in Lusaka, Then the next day, take a small little plane to the copperbelt and then flew back in the afternoon. Ate then slept. Woke up the next morning and had the fight of our lives with Air Malawi. They changed our flight and then didn't tell us. So we got there, had to leave for a few hours come back. Then get on a flight that which we hoped was going to where we were going. We were suppose to fly straight to Blantyre but were routed through Lilongwe instead. And hoped we would have a flight from Lilongwe to Blantyre. But it worked out. Zone conf the next day. Then the day after...Friday now I believe.....I went out and procelyted in Manase. And we walked for sure! We walked so much that day. That's also where I found a giant shaft of sugar cane for 15 Malawi Kwatcha, the exchange rate is 185 MK to 1 USD. So not a bad price. It was like 4 Ft long. Then the next day. Lots of flats. We had to fly from Blantyre to Lilongwe to Johannesburg, then up to Harare. So over 6-7 hours on planes that day. But it was good to be back! I didn't have my companion the whole week and was with Elder Roberts. He's one of the APs. The other AP Elder Shongwe was driving back from Lusaka to Harare. As they had to drive some people the week earlier out of the country to renew their Visas so that's why I met up and was with Elder Roberts while in Zambia and Malawi. But as soon as we got back from Malawi. Didn't waste anytime doing anything, went straight from there to an activity and then to teaching late at night. We work for sure here.

So ya that's the story of Zone Conference tour...............condensed......But ya lots of good times and experiences. It was actually really cool to go to all of them. Because they're not actually all the same. I saw president speak 6 different times. He talked about the same thing mostly. But it was different each time. Things were added or a whole topic done there that was not in the other ones so it was a good experience.

This week, the same as always, busy, busy, busy....But we have some new investigators we're seeing now. So always things to do. The new office couple comes on wednesday and we will be training them for I don't know how long. But they will also have to leave for a week shortly after they get here. Also they don't have TEPs yet so they'll have to leave every 30 days till they get them.

So ya. That's what's new. Let me know what's going on with everyone. I only got like 2 emails this week. But send stories/pictures/whatever else. I'll be back on later tonight because we'll be catching up on some work here so I'll be able to check my email tonight since it's still P day. So from 6 to about 9 I'll be here, and we're 8 hours ahead. So 10 AM to 1 PM your time, so if you have something to add send it before then.

Love you all!
~Elder JV

Pictures:

1. Driving to Bulawayo. The clouds look fake, but clouds are cool in Africa. Especially when thunderstorms, it's nothing like home, It's like the Lion King or something
2. Tire Sandals
3. Harare North and South Zone. Tall ones get hidden in the back.
4. Smallest Lizard in Malawi
5. Sugar Cane is so good!
6. (L-R) Peter, Elder Baird, Sis Macheke in the purple, Bishop Chabuda, Amos, Charity, Me, Leo and Lawrence. Second Row, Natasha, Swemmah and Brother Trust
7. Us with the ones we converted.
8. Me, my companion and Amos
9. Flexing!!!

Really Busy and no time‏

This is all Jordan has been able to send the last couple of weeks so here it is, but also he has been asking a lot lately for letters and pictures especially. If you could send some his way he would really love it!!

So ya I had a lot to email about and pictures to send but don't have time. Because I've been travelling and haven't really had the past 2 p days. But ya we had our baptism is was powerful! and I have sweet pictures. I was in Zambia and Malawi the past week traveling for Zone Conference. I'll tell you stories from that next week. Hopefully I have time. But anyways just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive and still doing work. Maybe a little too much! But ya things are good. More next week when I have time.
Bye for now.
~Elder JV

Techno Cafe‏

So ya this week lots of driving. We had to drive 5 1/2 hours down to Bulawayo for a stake conference that was going on down there that Elder Jensen of the first quorum of the seventy was attending. So we were sent down there in the bus to drive him around. So that was pretty cool. We get to do it again this week. Along with more driving! But this time it's for Zone conference. Well at least we're doing zone tour. Or at least I am. My comp will do half of it. But will stay here the following week when we go to Zambia and Malawi and I'll be going. So lots of traveling/driving... I'll probably also need to speak at some of them. The president has already hinted at it. So I'll have to make sure I'm prepared for that. Other than that Baptisms coming up next Saturday. We have 3 getting baptized this time. We have Natasha and Swemmah, then Amos. Amos is powerful! Some of the others we pushed their dates back. So in 2-3 weeks after these ones we'll have another big baptism with William Gondo and most likely his 2 brothers, The Kasimbe's, The Nzuwa's, and the Maponga's. It'll be powerful!
But ya that's kinda what's going on this side. Oh ya the techno café comes from when we we're down in Bulawayo trying to get breakfast before picking up Elder Jensen. The only place that was open was this Cafe and it was blasting techno music. It was really funny. It didn't look like it would be. It was part of a Spar. Which is a grocery store this side.
But ya, office is busy as usual and time is just going because we are so busy. More news next week on what happened this upcoming week and so forth. Bye for now.
~Elder JV

Pictures!!!

1. My comp (Elder Baird) teaching Elder Shongwe how to dance.
2. Driving down to Bulawayo. On the wrong side of the road?....
3. This bathroom is for disproportionate people only. Only people with small heads may use it!
4. How real men open cans!
5. Crane!
6. My comps shoes are finished!
7. COMBY driver JV... It's a long ride.
8. Powerful Mr. Rodgers sweater! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Elder JV the Comby Bus Driver‏

Welcome aboard the comby. Your bus driver today will be Elder Vanderlinden.

Ya this week we drove the giant comby down here to Bulawayo. We're here to drive Elder Jensen of the first quorum of the Seventy around town here for meetings and stake conference.I took some sweet pictures on the way down here. I'll send them when I get back.

Baptismal Dates! Amos, the Kasimbe's, Sister Nzuwa, and William all have baptismal dates for the 13th of March. They are all doing really good.

Quick story because I forgot and a short on time. We were teaching Amos the other week and he told us that he was upset because he lost his keys. I then told him. "Amos you know what? You can pray to god to help find your keys and he'll help you. You can pray for anything." He kinda a laughed but then we found out later he did it. He didn't find his keys but he was prompted to try this other random key he found and it worked! He was so stoked to tell us. And I was like oh ya the church is true for sure!

But other than that everything is going good. I'll send pictures and audio next week. to make up for this week. But keep on keepin on and "Do Work Son"

Elder Vanderlinden

So ya not too much this week. Just keepin busy. We should have some baptisms coming up after I get done doing audits in Zambia. Then going to Bulawayo. Then also doing mission tour with the President for Zone conference. I'll be going back to Zambia and then to Malawi for that. And that's about the second week in March I think. We have to figure it all out that's why it's all crazy. But a lot of people are doing really well.
Also I wanted to share with everyone the most powerful shirt I've ever seen. I got it actually from one my best friends who's on mission right now In Richmond VA. A mister Elder Lowry. I still don't know how this kid draws these things. But I thought it was sweet. So that's what the pictures are. Oh and the gangsta ones are what happens when black people get a hold of you. The want to make you a baller or somethin. It was done by an Elder who was going home a couple of weeks ago. When they were in our house.
Also we found out this week that we finally found a replacement couple for the office. But they won't be here till the end of March so I'll still be doing financial stuff till then and be just as busy as all get out till then still.
But I'll take more pictures of some things here and show you what the country is like.
Bye for now.
~Elder Vanderlinden

Slashin Grass‏

So this morning for half our P day we went and did service. In the form of slashing grass. Lawnmowers are hard to come by here. But also they prefer slashin grass because it's cheaper and doesn't take petrol. But takes much longer. But there is a roundabout in front of our chapel and it had like 5 foot high grass and weeds and it was hard to see cars and things. So we decided to have an Elders Quorum service project and slash the grass. It took about 8 of us 3 hours to slash it. How you do it is basically with a sword with a bent end and you just whack at it for a while. Lots of blisters and sore chest/arms/hands/fingers. But it looks nice now.
So every Sunday we have an investigators class at the chapel. It was completely full this past week. We barely had any room to come in. There were like 20 people in there. We don't even have time to teach all the people that want to learn. They just keep coming. Our area is really just exploding. But the people we are teaching ish they are powerful! William Gondo is sweet. That dude is so intelligent. And it's nice we don't have to simplify our language we can just talk. But that dude just gets it. He works for the government. But we left him a BOM last time we met with him and we asked him if he was reading last night. And he's like ya, I'm in 1 Nephi......15 now. We were like whoa! And asked what he learns and he goes into Lehi's vision and goes into the part where Nephi explains it. His favorite verse was the one with the rod of iron being the word of god. And he said it really just jumped out at him. Many other cool things we talked about in that lesson but he was like referencing it to some parts in Revelations and stuff. Ah but he just gets it. He says so many cool things like "I feel as if I already knew this and I was just kinda remembering it." We're giving him a baptismal date here soon for sure. We're also teaching Amos. He stays with a member. He's a tenant there. And she is a powerful member. She gives us so many referrals and people just keep coming for lessons. She's going to fill up a whole bus with people to come to church on Sunday or something I swear. But Amos is cool. He came to help slash grass this morning with us. Dean is sweet he keeps telling us I want to learn it all. I want to learn fast and things like that. We're still working with Brother and Sister Maponga. He likes the TV Joshua too much. And we're still waiting for him to kinda calm down. We're teaching a few others but aren't too far along with them yet. We have way too many people to teach.
But other than that. Pretty much flyin solo in the office now. It's kinda ruff because there is alot of things I don't know how to do but have to just figure them out.
Also I decided that my companion is how I would imagine my brother in law Blaine would be on mission. I swear he acts just like him. And would have the same type of humor and so forth. It's not a bad thing or anything, I just think it's so funny.
But I think that's all for this week right now. I'll let you guys know how things are progressing.
Oh also. I found out that 4 of the people I was suppose to baptize in Lilanda got baptized last Sunday!!! I was so stoked when I heard. I was also sad I wasn't there for it. Because I worked with those people from the start. And I was suppose to baptize them if I wasn't emergency transferred early. But I'm gonna go visit them when I'm back up in Zambia in a couple of weeks. But that's 4 to my list of Baptisms already. That's kinda weird to think.
But I'll talk to you all next week.
See ya.
~Elder JV

The Mission Office‏

So My LDS Mail just changed over their system to google mail. POWERFUL! Because google is awesome. So it's sweet. But it gave me a new email address now. It's jordan.vander.linden@myldsmail.net Don't ask me why it's that. It chooses it for you. But it's sweet. I find it funny that the church even uses google apps. Some of you should be familiar with that. But that's what they use now. So you can now email me on that now.

The office is crazy! There's alot of things you don't think you'd ever do on a mission. You find you do alot of them. For me it's becoming the senior financial secretary for the mission and being in charge of all the money on the mission. People will ask what did you do on you mission and I can say I was an accountant for a while. Don't think I'll take that path but I've done it.

Also on mission you learn there is so much to this gospel and this church and you will learn so much! So many things you think you know and then they can just change. And you realize you only knew a small portion of it. One example is the atonement. The atonement is just huge! Like really huge! There have been so many new things that I have learned and gained a great testimony of.

Also in a new area, Mbare. It's sweet. We're having to start from scratch though and build our teaching pool. So besides being in the office we are out teaching. And we are busy! There aren't enough hours in the day. But we have some investigators now.

The first is Noel Maponga and his wife. Noel actually just came to church on sunday. So we sat with him and helped him out and have seen him a couple of times. He kinda has a pentacostal attitude towards everything. Man that guy can talk ish. And the whole time when you are teaching every 2 seconds, this isn't a joke. "It's true..., it's true...., Exactly..." Just over and over. It's kinda a distraction. But he understands. We ask him a question to make sure he's getting what we're saying and he gets it. But he just eat everything up and just believes everything. Like I fear I could say something bad and he'd believe it. But I guess it's good we're teaching him. He knows and says there is something different about our church and that's what drew him to it.

Also we have Dean. Cool story about Dean. We had an appointment drop and we we're trying to see what we could do. So we decided to talk to this member in our area. Her name is Sister Macheke. Originally we were going to go somewhere else but my comp said we should go see her. So we went and saw her and she said that just today she was talking with a guy who's really good friends with her. And kinda like another son to her. And he was asking her about the church and was telling him that the missionaries could come see him. So we show up and she takes us to him. And we start teaching him. And he's real excited to learn. He keeps telling us I want to learn as fast as possible. But he asks good questions and has a real desire to change his life. It's powerful. So I'm excited. The people here just want to know the gospel!

But ya. Lots to do here and we don't have enough time. We're busy from 6 in the morning till 9 at night. But then again it's also transfer time so maybe it'll cool down next week. But I also have to go up to Zambia on the 21st to do some audits of a district and some branches. Weird.... But ya more on that in the weeks to come. But that's all for now.

~Elder JV

Emailing on saturday... Big news‏

So ya I'm not in Zambia anymore. I'm back in Harare. Which kinda sucks but is also really powerful. I got emergency transfered here on thursday. I got a call from Pres. Dube on Tuesday morning right after we woke up and he told me. The reason is because we have a couple here in the office that for medical reasons need to go back to the states. And they are the ones that pretty much run the office.
Because of that I have a new companion now. His name is Elder Baird. He's pretty sweet, he's from Idaho Falls. He's only got 3 months left on mission. But he's going to handle the front office and getting people here in the mission VISA's and TEP's. And as for me I've been called to be the financial secretary for the mission. So basically I've become an accountant. All the money that goes through the mission goes through me and I have to approve everything. Any money used in the mission I give out. And everything is done in cash. Lots of cash! It's crazy! But it's making me kinda nervous but it's also a big compliment because that is a HUGE responsibility. And it really shows the trust they have for me. And I've only been out in the field 4 1/2 weeks. They pulled me out of my first xfer to come do this.
We now stay in the transfer house. The transfer house is powerful, we stay there with the Harare North Zone leaders and the APs. The AP's are excited to finally have someone to share a p day with. Also the xfer house has a WASHING MACHINE!!!!! And hot water! Yay for washing machine and hot showers again!!!!!!! You don't know how powerful it is! But mission is really powerful! Oh Elder Baird also has a waffle maker! I'll take a picture next time and show you. It's amazing how small things like that become a big deal.
So we drive a Toyota Hilux now. It's actually really nice. It's kinda like a Tacoma if it was diesel, 4 door and slightly bigger. Oh and you're not a DB if you drive one. They have alot of them here. Today's my day to drive we just got it yesterday. So we'll see how I do on the wrong side....
So we are going to be dang busy. We're going to be in the office all day and then after 5 we will go out and teach. We'll be in an area called Mbare. We met with the Bishop last night and he is really excited to have us there. They haven't had dedicated missionaries in that area for like 6 years. Even when we went and saw him last night he gave us 6 referals of people who just showed up at church on sunday. So needless to say we are going to have no time. We'll be teaching lessons all night every night. That area is going to be powerful. I'm really excited. These next few months are going to be really hectic and really fun. Because mission is really powerful and is fun. You do alot of cool things.
I'm sad I had to leave Lilanda early. We had some baptisms on the 7th coming up that I'm going to miss but it'll be good. That area will be taken care of.
But ya we'll have to see what happens here in the next week. Oh ya, we think we're going to start a new hit TV series it's going to be called The Mission Office. It'll be just like The Office but like 50 times more spiritual and just as funny. Because we have so many characters here haha XD anyways we thought that was funny here. But that's all I have for now. I emailed on Monday so that's what's happened in 5 days. Talk to you all next week.
~Elder JV

Pictures Finally‏

PYTHON!



Chameleons are cool


That's alot of crocs!


Rawr!

Trampolines at the reptile park?




Lilanda Meeting house

Ward Missionaries




Me, my comp (Elder Chiona), Bro Mwila, Bro Geoffrey, Bro Daniel

Flooded road everywhere





Most snow Zambia will ever see

Floods and other things‏

Just a little note: the audio Jordan is talking about he sent in his previous letter, but since I am not the technical genious he is I cannot figure out how to upload it to this blog. I am still working on it, but if you really want to hear it leave a comment with your e-mail address and I will forward it to you...Camee.

So this week since it's the rainy season it's continued to rain and flood and it halts our work. I have a photo of the flooded road but the computer I'm on isn't recognizing my camera so we'll try later. But it's been fun here. So to start out here random stuff as usual. Scaffolding here is the most sketchy thing I've ever seen. Like the things they use when they are building buildings. It's made out of logs. And not straight ones. I'll try to get a photo. But also I can't use big words here. I'm still searching for my teaching voice where I have to talk real slow and use the most basic english you can think of. So hopefully you liked the audio I sent. You can see how I struggle to understand people. I can get most of what they're saying but alot of the time I can't and they can't understand me. But it's all good it'll come. But the work is getting better here. I'm starting to understand my area and am looking up when riding instead of looking right in front of me on my bike so I don't crash and die from the jacked up roads. But as for our investigators most are doing pretty well. Feb 7th is going to be a powerful day. One of our investigators, Lawrence, had some friends say some bad things about our church to him. And so he didn't come to church yesterday. Ugh that made me so mad. I'm gonna talk to him today and give him some inspiration. And give those friends of his a spiritual roundhouse kick to the face if not a real one for bringing someone down like that. He was doing so well and was super stoked. But I heard that's what happens on mission. So one other thing I want to share is about the Ensign. It's powerful, I've found myself reading those alot. This months is really powerful. Especially the talk by Jeffrey R Holland. If you haven't read it go do so! But I don't know really what else to talk about other than I think I got malaria yesterday I had all the symptoms but when I woke up today I was ok. Not much got done yesterday because of it though. Malaria sucks, and so does doxy. The side effects are terrible. So you have to choose. Malaria or Doxy. I'm not sure which is worse at this point. But for those who didn't know, yes I have a bed. The mattress is pretty much just a foam cube and that's about it. It's not comfortable btw XD But anyways we'll try pictures here in a little on another computer but that's it for now. Talk to you all next week. ~Elder JV

This week in Africa‏

So just a bunch of random stuff I was going to write last week but forgot... So I guess when you are on the other side of the world some things have to be backwards, like light switches. Down is on and up is off. When you sweat here it's gross you get sticky. And you sweat alot. The African's love japri's (jean capris) Sorry Adam... Yay Alex and regan /flex. I don't remember if I talked about bucket showers. But they suck. If we don't have water we have to get cold water we have stored in the bath tub and take a bucket and a your stuff and go do it using that. And it's cold and not very effective. Oh and women have mustaches and beards here. And chest hair. I seriously saw one with it. Oh and the people here like the asians don't pronounce their 'L's and use 'R's instead. Like herro. But there have been alot of things I've gained a testimony of while I've been here. Like dishwashers, running water, hot water (which we got for the first time this week woo! but only worked once so far :( ), and washing machines especially. I hate hand washing clothes. It takes forever and doesn't do nearly as good of a job. But that's what happens. So anyways now that I got that out of the way we'll get to the serious stuff. Prayer, I've learned more about praying and have gained a serious testimony of it and know it works! Before I came out here I sucked at praying. But now I ask for everything in there, because you can. And you should. Pray often, it helps. The next is patriarchal blessings. They are powerful. I've noticed 3 new things in mine this week that I didn't notice before or instead have a new meaning. So if you have yours reread it. If you don't have it, go get it. So I've found that I come to Africa and I still have to do what I did before I came out here. Which is computer repair. I've had several occassions on which I've had to use that. Our senior couple missionaries here needed their comp fixed and fed us for doing it. So it was worth it! :D And then the district comps out here need some fixing so they'll probably have me doing that as well. So this week we had Zone and District Conference and we had a general Authority with us. It was Elder Renlund. He spoke in this last General Conference when he was called to be a member of the 70. It was powerful. We heard alot from him this weekend. He talked alot from Section 84. One part I'll share is in verse 77. Where we are commanded to be a friend with God and Jesus. And If you are a real friend you would do anything for that friend. He did for you. So you should do it! And that's the short version of it. So investigators. We have 6 progressing investigators, and all of them came to conference. We have David Lengwe, he's powerful and does his commitments. We haven't been able to see him much recently because of his work and he's been traveling so we have to push his baptism back. We have Sis. Mercy. Her husband is a member but he's been less active. But we've been reactivating him and they've been at church since then. She finally got the desire to be baptized after we had this powerful lesson with them. But we can't baptize her yet because she's pregnant and is close. So we have to wait. Jacob and Christoph are 2 boys that just moved back. They were in another area and were being taught by the sister missionaries. And they have a friend named Lawrence who came with them and is really interested. And we have a bap date for them on the 7th! Then we have Sis Ennie. She's been coming to church for a while. She's almost 13 and has been coming with her sister, but never was baptized. So we're going to baptize her at the same time. So that's all the ones we have right now that are really progressing. So hopefully we'll have 4 baptisms on the 7th. It will be powerful! Well my camera is being a downy right now and is freaking out the computer. So if I can get it working I will upload pics but we'll see. But that's all for now. Talk to you all later!
~Elder JV

Rain, Hot, Roads and more‏

Ya I know the title is wacky but it's been a crazy week! It's rained probably everyday. And it's been feeling nice. I think it feels fantastic but everyone here thinks it's cold. On Saturday we were at a members house that was the furthest part of our area and we had to ride home close to dark and the roads....well....they're not roads anymore. Them be rivers. So it was an adventure to say the least. The roads here in Zambia are horrible. There are pot holes everywhere and most of them are half dirt or mostly dirt. And they are bumpy really bumpy...my butt has been taking a beating from it. That's one thing I wasn't prepared for. But also don't know if it was a good or bad thing that I wasn't.... ha! That's right I made a gay joke on my mission. I'll repent for that but anyways. You know those commercials you use to see on TV "For just $5 a month you could sponsor a child in Africa" Ya that's my area. That's me. You could support a missionary in Africa and send me some stuff haha! But either way. It's called compound. That's what the neighborhoods are. They're compound. Small little houses squished together. It is green here in some places. But people have small crops they grow. Our church house is a house that is enclosed in a brick wall. Places here that have nice things are enclosed in a brick wall. Our Flat has a brick wall with a big black metal gate. And an electric fence on top. Oh and at night the landlord lets out dogs. So we're pretty safe in our flat. But for those who have questions about it. It's decent. Has lots of bugs. We have a fridge. We mostly cook rice and meat on the stove for dinner. And it's cereal for breakfast. And a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. Our water only works in the morning and trickles out. Unless we turn on the pump. And if we do that we can't touch the shower knobs cuz it will shock us because it's wired weird :S don't ask...
So my Comp is Elder Chiona. He's from Zimbabwe. And he has Narcolepsy (spelt right?) Like not even joking. That's dead serious. If he's not doing something he will fall asleep. On our first comby ride I was scared we were going to miss our stop cuz he kept falling asleep in it. I don't know how it's bouncing every which way.
So last P day we played soccer at this park and it was so hot my feet were being burned through my shoes. Also not a joke...This P day we went to the reptile park for our Zone activity where they have snakes. Chameleons, crocodiles, tortises, and a trampoline. Ya I know it's random but it was awesome. It was a first for a bunch of the Africans. But they had some big Crocs there and we threw a stick and got one to chomp it. It was awesome.
So Zambia is not all fun. Zambia is hard and it sucks. The people here aren't as humble as they are in Zim. The work is much harder here. But yesterday was a powerful day. We taught this one lady a powerful leason where the spirit was so strong. Her husband is a member but was less active. But we'vebeen activating him. She's been struggling with baptism and finally got her to have a desire last night. That and contacting yesterday. I hate contacting. It's where you just stop people and invite them to church and share a short message. It's kinda like tracting. But we ran into these boys playing chess and just watched them for a little bit and contacted the people around them. Then we got them interested and taught them a little and set up an appointment. One of them said he had been searching for a church, and wanted to know if he could be an elder and go on mission and spread the gospel. It was powerful!
So there are 4 smells in Zambia. And none of them are pleasant. They are rotten food (because of trash heaps), poop, Chibuku (Which is nasty chunky alcohol, and they drink it like there is no tomorrow and there is cartons everywhere), and fire smoke. When it rains it enhances the rotten smell because there is trash everywhere. They burn their trash and cook with fire. And burning Trash is horrible. Poop, I don't know why. And Chibuku, it's in 1 liter milk cartons. All their beer is mostly. And it's nasty.
So culture shock. There is nothing that ruins the spirit more in a lesson than when you are teaching a lesson and the baby starts crying and the mom whips it out right there. They don't cover. And they do it in public. It's seriously eyes right on your book of mormon. That's the norm here. I don't agree with it, but that's what they do.
So I had all my things that I was going to talk about in my planner but I forgot that cuz we were rushing out this morning so I probably forgot some things. But I'll send more next week. But this ones getting long now anywaysso I'll send more next week.
Bye for now.
~Elder JV

Zambia‏

I don't think I've posted this yet because I thought he put it in one of his letters, but just in case to make sure you all have it and can write him. His e-mail address is elderjv@myldsmail.net.
and if you send something by mail this is the address, but he said it takes at least 2 weeks to get to him.

Elder Jordan Vanderlinden
Zimbabwe Harare Mission
65 Enterprise Road
Highlands
Harare
Zimbabwe

And finally, here is his letter from last week, (sorry):
Zambia, ish it's crazy. Everyone will tell you, you haven't been to real Africa till you've been to Zambia! There's a shirt here that says: "Zambia, real Africa" I want it. So many people here. So to start out. we have to take comby's to get to the internet cafe in town. A comby is a old school beater bus which are their taxi's out here and they pack people in them and take you to destinations. They have guys in them and they just shout out the windows destinations and people just stop them if that's where they are going. You get in and you have to sit 4x4 or more. You have to sit sideways. And they pack 16 people in these small vans. Oh and there's a sticker inside the bus that says: "The driver is instructed to run away from traffic police" 0.o no joke. Oh and I pretty much get called Muzungu every 2 seconds. It basically means white guy. I'm the only white guy in the whole town! Most people here I don't know if they've ever seen a white guy. All the little kids yell at you Muzungu, and then ask how are you? Every little kid, it's kinda funny. So Zambia is freakin hot. like nobodies business. It's like 100 degrees here and we have to wear suits to church on sunday. Ish I think these Africans are crazy. My best friend is the fan. There is no such thing as AC here. Oh and fast sunday. Was the hottest day ever. So you have to ride your bike in the hot sun with a black suit and sit in hot buildings all day then go teach people and you want a drink so bad! But you can't. Breaking that fast was the best thing ever! The water at our flat doesn't really work. There isn't much pressure. So it kinda trickles out and will go out time to time. So we have water stored up in a bath tub so we can flush the toilet and such when it's out. But the people here are awesome! Teaching people has to be the best part. You find people here that are so strong! When I first got to Zim I met with the President and then the next day I went out on Exchanges with Elder Crossley and Law. It was Elder Law's first time driving there because they usually bike. So it was an adventure. Ish there is just people walking everywhere and just dodge cars. It's chaos. But that's what they do dodge cars all day. I was so shocked. Everyone drives like a maniac. The first lesson we taught we went to this family's house and they told me they were investigators but they were actually their strongest member family and they had them ask me all the hard questions anyone could ever ask. Like polygamy, BoM, Modesty, Sabbath on sunday and so forth and they were just saying you guys never answer our questions we want the new elder to answer and I didn't know what to do. So this went on for like a half hour. Ish they got me so good. But then they finally told me. One of them was an RM. But the lesson after we committed This lady named Agnus to baptism it was so sweet. Her sister is a member and has a powerful story. Remind me to tell you guys. But that day was sweet! But 2010 woohoo I can say I'm coming home next year now. I've been out almost a month now. It's crazy. Monday is my P day out here and we're going to play soccer next. That and I need to get my xing bike fixed. The front brake is the only one that works slighly.... Oh ya so word definition time. You don't say shoot, crap, or man out there you say ish. And if you try to say cool or awesome no one knows what you mean. You say powerful. And xing (said zhing) is used for crappy, fake, or so forth. But the internet here is extremely slow so I don't think I'll send pictures yet because it will take like 20 mins just for 1. So I'll send them when I'm back in Zim. But anyways I think that's it for now. I'll talk to you all later. Love you all! ~Elder JV

Christmas in the MTC‏

Hello to all from the MTC on Christmas! For those who don't know me and my companions have been district leaders starting the beginning of this week going til the end of the MTC time. But ya not quite christmas with no snow or mountains. So in reality it's hard to believe it's christmas. It's kinda missing that Christmas spirit. But oh well I guess that's christmas in Africa for you. It's not as big for them here. Like in Zim they don't even buy trees.....But anyways we played Volleyball on christmas morning. It was a fantastic sunny day with a cool breeze. Our team won, and went undefeated. 6 games in a row! Who knew we were good at volleyball. After that we had a devotional with the area 70 and their wives. It was Elder Koelliker and Watson. It was pretty cool. After that we had Christmas lunch with turkey and mash potatoes and vegitables. The Africans say they usually have a big chicken or a goat. So little heads up for next christmas. Next week it's out in the field and lots of people to teach. I've already told some people this but if you can find it watch pioneers in Africa. It's powerful! The people here in Africa are ready to receive the gospel! The word "Powerful" is used so much here. Like people will say, "oh that man, he's a powerful man", or "That's a powerful tie." The use it on everything. That and they put ketchup on everything. And when I say everything I mean everything. Bread, pankakes, Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Papa, French toast, you name it they put ketchup on it! Only in Africa. This week has flown by! If that's how the rest of my mission will be it will be over before I know it! I bet it will because there is so much work to be done. I've told a few people this but one of our teachers brother Mokolobate, He just got back from his mish in Zim 3 weeks ago. But he baptized 45 people on his mish! That's just rediculous. I'm going to start getting pnemonia (spelt right?) My mish is the highest baptizing mish in the world and Africa is ready to receive the gospel! Well that is it for now. Here are some pics.... One of them is especially for Alex and is just like his last Christmas one XD But just awesomeness going on here. Talk to you guys later today on the phone.