December 22, 2011

So ya I don't know the number to reach me on Christmas but will call you Christmas Eve. I start with the bad news for me. Well anyways I lost my camera. Ya it must have fallen out of my bag while we were walking to far away mwane! So ya I couldn't find it and I had some members go and look for it for me and they couldn't find it. But no worries I'll just have to buy one when I go home. For now I'll just use Jared's camera and print pics for ya. Luckily I didn't have alot on the sim card that was in the camera so no worries. I still have alot of pics. But ya anyways that's the bad news. The good news is that I'm gonna talk to you guys soon. I don't know when exactly, I'll call you Christmas Eve and work everything out. No worries. But ya Andrew is coming to talk to me, ha you didn't have to ask. And even if he didn't I would call him. There is no way I would not be talking to him. Anyways I'll talk to sister Nevins this week when I see her. And ya I want to see Grandma during my Dallas layover. Fetch that would be so awesome. But I'll tell you next week and see what sister Nevins says. And if its only at security I will go through and it looks like I wont have too much to do. But ya anyways I'm kinda excited now. So feb 2 eh? Sounds good to me. By the ways I'm homesick. Andrew is home, Max is home, and Blake is home. And its killing me. Ah but ya I'm okay.

Our baptism went okay this week. We were suppose to have 2 but one had her baby and the baby passed away in child birth. It was sad, so ya were giving her some time. Anyways the other one was good and I was happy to see her baptized. We have none this week for Christmas but New Years Eve is shaping up to be a big baptism day. We have 5 so far. ITs pretty awesome. But ya anyways I don't have to much to say this week. So ya my comp is excited to call home and ya It's my last one. Freaking out. But anyways I love you and I'll talk to you this week byes!

love matt

December 13, 2011

Sawa yes i got my package and thank you for that. And the kids loved the stuff. Ha and yes I did bake the brownies yesterday in Mamy's homemade oven. Freaking sweet. And I got the envelope. And no I did not call you at 5 in the morning your time. By the ways I think we are going to Nairobi on Thursday next week for Christmas cause we are in the bush and nothing is here. So they felt bad for us and invited us to come. Which I do not mind at all since I do not get very good cell service at our house or anywhere in Kilungu, which would make it very difficult for you guys to call. Anyways though not exactly sure what we are going to do in Nairobi. I do know we are getting spur all you can eat ribs which is pretty expensive but worth it. And then we are going to KFC on Friday. Ya KFC totally came to Nairobi and I had it when I was in Nairobi. And wow I cried when I ate it. It was so good. I forgot what American food taste like. But ya that's the plan for Nairobi and I'm going to visit some of the my people there. So ya I'm pretty excited and I get to talk to you guy too. So ya next week is looking to be a pretty good week. And I'm kinda freaking out for it.

Anyways though to answer your question we had 52 investigators still coming not bad if you ask me. We average around 50 each week. I've never seen it lower than 50. We just got two golden ones this past week. They speak English very well and are very interested in the church. And the best thing is they are a family. Yep they got two kids one is 8 and the other is 3. But ya its looking good. They want us to come back next week. Which I'm pretty excited for. Esh the mama was excited when she figured out I knew Swahili. She started talking to me in Swahili and she was loving it. But ya she was surprised how much I knew. Ha she loves me though. But ya I'll tell you how they do. But anyways though we had 2 baptisms for us this past week. Bro. Joshua and Bro. Mark both cool. I started teaching them last transfer and they finally got baptized. And Joshua ha I taught him practically by myself as we always taught with branch missionaries and I always taught him by myself. So ya kinda my baptism. Kinda cool. But anyways it was good. Sister hall was impressed to how prepared we were for the baptism. I think we are going to get a cake for it. But speaking of sister Hall, she found out my b-day is this month and she told me she is going to make a cake for me. Pretty nice of her. But anyways this week we have 2 more baptisms. Evalyn and Faith are getting baptized which I'm pretty excited for. We starting teaching Evalyn last transfer and Faith we have been teaching her since forever. So ya pretty good time. And then no baptisms next week since Christmas but the week after we have 3 more. So ya we are having a pretty busy transfer. Which I like as its keeping me busy and not thinking about home. Esh though I think about home more these days. Ha ya not good, by the ways you know I dream about home almost every night and its killing me. I'm trying not to get homesick but when Andrew comes and Max and Blake. I'm going to be homesick and I'm probably gonna die.

Anyways though ya this past week was good. We still did alot of walking. And ya we walked far one day. And Patten told me that this was the most tired he has ever been on mission. And ya I can understand cause even me I was dead from that. But we did manage to see 3 people and all with a member present. So ya pretty sweet. Well ya I don't have too much more to say. Can't wait to talk to you next week.

Matt

December 6, 2011

Yep! pretty cool though all those people coming to church. Its to overwhelming though and a lot of work to do. But the day is far spent for me. Just kidding. But ya its been fun having Elder Patten around. Love that guy. He is pretty cool. Ha he is getting used to our nice area.

Sounds like you guys quite a storm. Ya cancelled church and school. Must have been pretty intense. I cant believe that it tore the whole neighborhood apart. Ha I heard the power went out for a few hours. Ha welcome to my side of the world. Guarantee the power will go out at least 5 or 6 times a week and it goes for a few hour every time. So you know I'm kinda used to it. By the ways I'm super excited to finally be having a washing machine again. I'm tired of the washing by hands way. Esh and we couldn't wash before we left home the water was finished. We are waiting for them to come and refill our tank. But it's still good. This is mission and these things are just there. I hear Andrew only has a few days till he comes home. It's making me homesick thinking about it. By the ways speaking of power going out it just went out and I had to wait for it to come back. Super lame here.

By the way I talked to Smeldey yesterday and he is still in Nairobi. He had surgery on his leg and is recovering. He has just been chilling with the ap's. Not really to much for him to do. So I told him to go and get the info of when I am coming home. I am hoping to hear back from him today. Anyways though I cant really ask Sister Nevins she is not exactly near me right now.

We are working a lot here and the work is going good. We have so many people here to teach and I don't even know what to do anymore. A lot of time I am often overwhelmed by all the people. It is kinda busy with two branches and is a lot more to worry about. Plus you got all the people who are coming every week we have to take care. There are so many of people that come far from here. Its nice to see them making it to church every week. Esh though I love these members. All of them are awesome in both branches. Esh alot of work. But again I would so much prefer it to this than having no one come to church. Esh though its nice to see all the of the faithful people.

Ha by the ways we went on a 2 and half hour hike to the other side of Ilima to visit members. And they were excited to see missionaries. They want us to come back again this week which we are. Esh though that hike is no joke. Wow both of us got back at the end of the day dead tired. Esh though it was worth it to see those people and that side of the mountain. Anyways though we have some baptisms coming up this week and the weeks following. Should be pretty good. They are cool people. Although one of them doesn't not speak English very well. But good enough to learn and understand. So ya we have been teaching him since I got here and he is finally going to be baptized.

So ya by the ways I'm kinda getting trunky hearing about Andrew and Blake and Max all coming home. Esh makes me feel behind. Like I am behind them all. Which I am. Kinda sucks. But I heard Taylor Furch is home. Crazy that he is already back. Still cant believe it. Time does go by so fast.

Ya anyways though I'm getting excited to talk to you guys on Christmas. Me and my comp have decorated our flat to give it a Christmas feel. Its pretty nice. We made snow flakes. Freaking legit. By the ways I saw the church new article and that's not even our mission! That's not any of the chapels! ha its lying. Ha you guys forgot what I look like eh! Ha but its okay I don't know what mission that is but I do know for a fact that its not ours.

But ya anyways though I'm still doing good here. I'm going to finish mission strong and alive. Not dead. Anyways though I think thats it for this week. But I tell you how this next week goes. We are going far places this week. Did I tell you working in this area is like being in the lord of the rings. My comp wants that music so we can walk around with it and get the real feel of lord of the rings. But anyways ill talk to you next week.

November 29, 2011

Ha a new suit that would be good. You know mine is too big for me. And all the pants i brought from home. Ha when I was in Kisumu my son punched a new hole in my belt cause they kept falling down. And I'm so thankful for mike playing my role for me. I cant wait till I join in. And we can glare at every guy that comes to our house. I'm looking forward to those days. But no worries Kenya is still good.

We had 77 investigators at church on Sunday. Yep 56 people at Ilima Branch. And 21 people in Kyambeke Branch. That is a record for me. Ha they had to split the investigators class into three different classes. So many I didn't know what to do. So ya we be busy now. My comp i think is still getting used to the area and is starting to hate hiking. But I think he is loving the hills. Although he keeps saying that he is camping. Not sure what that means. But makes me laugh every time he says.

But ya I've been working my comp a lot here. I've made him walk ALOT! Ha he told me his legs are hurting a lot. We walk and we walk fast. Even up the mountains. I think I'm ready for Kilimanjaro. Speaking of that did I tell you that there is a spot in my area where we can see Kilimanjaro. Ya pretty awesome. But ya we are busy here. Freaking busy. 77 people show up to church and we have a lot to work with. You know we don't really contact here people just bring people to church. And thats how we get people to teach. Works out pretty nice.

Ya I made it to Nairobi. I got to see Munatsi again and we were running around Nairobi the whole time. It was fun. I missed that guy. But ya he went to Arusha. Speaking of Arusha, Elder Smedley is there, he is the one I went to school with. He called me today and told me he broke his leg. He said he passed out and when he woke up his leg is broken. But they flew him to Nairobi and he is getting his cast on today. And sounds like he is going to be there for a couple of days. I don't think he is going home. But i do think he might get a car and a driver. Pretty cool ya! But he is going to call me tonight and tell me what's up. And we are gonna talk more, you know I love that kid. We are going to hang out Kabisa when he gets home. And we are already planning bear lake trips with Cameron, or Elder Willis. Ya gonna be fun. Anyways though me I'm still going hard here.

But ya anyways that's cool about the Christmas thing. You know i hope there is a cool touch screen in there just so you know. I don't want anything else. You know I'm sick of the stupid green screen, its killing me. I don't know how much longer I can take of it. I already hate having the phone. But ya anyways its okay not to much longer left. I try not talking about home too much with my comp. I don't want to make him homesick. But do you know he likes BETOS! AH fetching killed me. He tells me he goes a lot. Ah fetch he was killing me. And he tells me he likes angels and airwaves freaking made day. But ya he is cool. I like him. I think he is good to be my killer. And you know I do hope that they don't transfer me my last transfer. Ah ill be mad. Anyways though I gotta run for this week. But ill talk to you next week. Greet everyone for me.

love, matt

November 22, 2011

You know when I read the Fab 4 nini this month i realized how much my english is gone. And ya I really do try every month to read my email and make sure that it is not that bad and wow sometimes its bad. Anyways though I wanted to tell you I adopted two little girls here and I want to bring them home. Ha one is my Branch Pres. daughter and the other is his niece. Well I love them and I gave them nicknames too. One is baby girl and the other is sama baby. Pretty nice ya. I'll send you pics when I can, today I forgot my cord. But at least I got Sister Hall to send you some. She is awesome by the ways. You should thank her for me she bakes me cakes and banana bread. How awesome is that! You know it seems I'm getting alot of moms over here. But don't worry mom no one can ever replace you.

So ya I'm still here in the Hills. My new comp Elder Patten is coming Thursday. I have not meet him yet. But you know he is my killer. He is my last comp. Kinda weird to think ya? Anyways though I'm gonna miss Elder Mpahlele the guy is awesome. And he was a freaking sweet comp. But ya I'll have to let you know how Elder Patten is. And ya they are giving me a American again. That's only my second white comp. Its always weird to have a white comp. But should be okay. Elder Smedley tells me he is a sweetheart. So its should be good. Mom has already done her research on him. Which I think is kinda funny she knows more about him than I do. Ha I cant wait to see the reaction of my new comp. This place in not like the place he is now serving at all. This is his second area and he is going to be in a little shock. Ha he is in Nairobi now. I want to call him and tell him to take all luxury's that are there with him cause there not here. Ha he is going to learn the real mission. The jungle/bush/mountains. You know we have monkeys here by the ways. People here have dogs to protect their crops at night. Monkeys sometimes like to come down and make a mess of them. So they have dogs to kill them if they try.

So ya imagine we are doing Thanksgiving today. I hope all of you enjoy your turkey Thanksgiving for us we are going to enjoy a chicken Thanksgiving. Turkeys are freaking expensive here. But we bought 4 chickens so should be quite a nice dinner. Chickens chapattys, beans and veggies. Sis Hall was going to bake us a cake for it too. So ya should be good. We don't have Thanksgiving with the couples they do their own thing. So us we are doing ours. We are having it at Presidents house so should be pretty fun and I'm pretty excited for it. So ya the reason we are doing it early is we are kinda making it a going away party for my comp as he leaves tomorrow. He is going to my first area by the ways. You have no idea how jealous I was when I heard. I would kill to go back.

So by the ways I got a call from President B. yesterday. He asked me if I was exited to go to Florida and when I wanted to go home. I told him whenever was good. He was talking about maybe me going with the Nevins and maybe 2 or 3 weeks early. He told me he wanted me to have plenty of time to adjust to things. And that he didn't want me to jump on one plane to the next. Which is pretty cool of him. Ha he asked me if I was going to wear any cheerleading skirts. Ha made me laugh. Anyways though ya just have to wait for Sis Nevin. It all kinda suprised me and made me kinda freak out a little. So ya he said I'll know exactly when I'm leavin in the coming weeks. So ya get ready for me I'm coming sooner than everyone thought and in plenty of time before Florida. Pretty cool I think. I'm going to make more of the basketball season than I thought.

Regarding the picture in the Church News of the conference ya the nice chapel is Upperhill chapel my third area. And if it was full of missionaries then ya I was probably there. And that could very likely by me. But ya save it and ill tell you when I come home.

Anyways I'm still enjoying the hills. And we have another baptism coming up in a couple of weeks. By the ways the baptism on Saturday was sweet. You know the guy who was baptized had a son serving a mission. He told me how happy his son was going to be when he heard that he was baptized. Kinda cool. I can only imagine. Buts ya I keep you posted on him. The guy is awesome. And sawa I'll try and bring my guitar home. you know I'm learning alot of that thing. Sometimes there is not alot to do here so I just play it alot.

I gotta run for this week I'll talk to you next week. Tell everyone hi for me.

Love Matt

November 15, 2011

Regarding the meeting with Elder Nelson and me being there, are you talking about my twin the other Elder Jackson? Was it the black Jackson? Cause me myself was far way from there. Only branch presidents there, for us we didnt get to go. Ya the only missionaries that were there was the ap's. But anyways though ya I didn't get to go but President Broadbent said there is going to be a mission tour in Januray. Which im pretty excited for I havent heard who is coming yet but im sure I'll hear soon.

And ya I heard about Utah State and I'm pretty excited to hear they beat BYU. Esh I was worried cause they have a young team but esh as long as they beat them im happy. Ha by the ways I was would have been there with dad in the cold at the football game. Even me I would have gone and would have loved it.

Anyways though not much this week from the village. Although sister hall did give us a cake that was good. And also she brought by our pillows. I forgot how nice a pillow is. It was almost three months with no pillow. But whoever bought them was loving us. They are very nice. Anyways ya we have a baptism this Saturday I'm pretty excited about. His name is Nzunki. He is an older guy but he is sweet. He makes guitars for a living. And they are pretty cool. He showed me the ones he is making and he is pretty good. Ya freaking love that guy he knows how to play them too. Which speaking of guitars I'm not sure what to do with mine. Should I take it home or should I leave and sell it. I don't know what to do. I like that guitar though. I have learned alot of things on the guitar now. There is a new missionary here and he is a guitar genius. He is freaking good and has been teaching me alot. Pretty cool to have around. But you know anyways I'll let you know how it goes.

Ya anyways though today was kinda a bummer. My comp has to go to the atm to get money and there is no atm anywhere near our house. So we had to go far away to a place called Salama to find the atm. And when we got there it was out of order. So we had to go even farther to Emaili to find one. And now I find myself here emailing you at 2 shillings a minute which is alot. I like 1 shiling or 50 cents but this one is bogus and is charging alot.

So ya Christmas is next transfer. And we get transfer news this Saturday. And I'm not sure whats going to happen. We will have to wait and see. So anyways I'm gonna go for this week. Talk to you later. love you keep rocking Farmington.

love, matt

November 8, 2011

So for starters the place is Kilungu hills, the town where I live is called Kyambeke. It’s like 2 hours outside Nairobi if that helps. Anyways ya I’m gonna need some more time for your family home evening. These computers are not all that great. The place I email is called nguni I think not sure how you spell it. Anyways though ya I've been having a hard time uploading photos here. Anyways though I went to Mombasa and it was awesome. I loved it. I wish I died there. It was so warm esh made me miss Dar. But ya I dont know what they will do. Pres asked me in my interview if I wanted to die in Kilungu or die somewhere else. I told him whatever he wanted and ya I’ll see. But ya Mombasa was nice we went to the beach and ah it was nice! All I know is that I want to go there again or even serve there. Fetch it was nice. And i got to see Munatisi and chill with him for a few days. Fetch I missed that guy. Ah but I’m not sure if I’ll get to see him before I go home. I hope I do. Anyways though ya zone conference was good.

Anyways ya I made it back to my lovly Kilungu the cold place but its okay. I still love it. You know I thought about it and its really the members who are making this place awesome. You know the members here are just sweet. And there the ones you will always remember when you go home. Like president and his family are like my family now. I love them all. Anyways though ya I don’t know about what I’m gonna do when i come home I’m gonna freeze to death.

Anyways though everyone is getting ready for us to come home ya? So me I have a question when is Elissa going to her cheerleading comp? Ya haha I know some secrets. Its nice to have my twin in office. Ha but ya tell me that and I’ll tell you something awesome. Anyways though I’m glad you got the pics. Sister Hall is awesome and ya they are bringing us pillows. I have not slept with a pillow for like 2 months and I got sick of it and finally said something. But ya I’m super excited for it. And we finally have POWER! 21 days no power that is my record now. I don’t know if any of you there can beat it. But ya the fam in Kilungu missed us. Ha they were sending us texts in Mombasa saying they missed us. Good to know I’m loved here. But ya it only took like a 6 hour bus ride to Salama and then 30 minute matatu ride to Nguni and then a 45 minute piki piki ride to home. Fetch it was a long trip. Like I said I’ll never ever think Grandma Jackson's or Logan is far again. Ha those are just close. I’m gonna go for this week can’t wait to hear from you next week. Have a powerful week.

love, matt