Mission Christmas Pictures

Angola Missionaries December 2012

(pictures courtesy of President Kretly's blog)

 

Pictures Week #32

 

Elder Brown riding a zebra

First Christmas in Africa

Elder Brown's Christmas tree

Christmas Day at the orphanage, Elder Brown's best bud!

Celebrating New Year's Eve with the Elders in his house

BYU Takeover at the beach on New Years Day

First Week of the New Year

Oi! Family and Friends!

So we just had the first week of 2013 done and gone. And it was actually pretty good for me and Elder McAllister. So yeah on Tuesday we went to the beach with all the missionaries which was super fun, made me miss home though haha. First walking through the city made me feel like I was in LA and then at the beach is where I would spend the summers with my friends back home. But its all good. We had good hamburgers and such, played on the beach and all that fun stuff. I'm practically black here with my tan haha;) 

But anyways then we were able to sit with a good amount of people, and even got some new investigators that were tender mercies of the Lord. For example we passed by this one girl´s house to teach some of her family but no one was home, right before we left though, her older sister showed up and we were able to teach her. We also taught this guy named Sabino who seems pretty sick, and hopefully he will take off in the gospel. Yesterday we had lunch at the Branch President´s house, we had rice, funge, sauces etc. Funge is an interesting food, and I've only had one type called funge de bom-bom. 

After we taught this new investigator named Doudie and his wife, and we just taught them simply the second lesson because they are very heavily involved in their church IEBA and we just need to build their trust before we go into the Restoration and kind of blow their church out of the water. But anyways after our lesson they asked us if we wanted to stay for a cup of water, and we said yeah. Turns into a meal of rice, beans, and this delicious meat and ice cold Manga juice. It was so good. Haha that would never happen back home, complete strangers just feeding you and talking around the table. It was super good though. Overall a very solid week. 

Oh yeah and on New Years we just stood up until midnight playing a card game and thats about it haha. And this is the last week of the transfer so we will see what happens to me. Could stay in Viana, could go anywhere who knows. But yeah there is a specific date of my release date and its the 29th of May of next year. And I haven't mailed a card yet because I cant find an 8GB card and I need this card to send pictures still so yeah. And boxes have yet to come as well, which is sad but I have faith! haha. 

Sounds like Mammoth was a blast for the whole family, and I'm glad that everyone had a good time, even Ridgely;) That's crazy that Anae is coming back, but we need some results now so hopefully he will overcome his faults from his last couple of years with BYU and give them a boost this next season. And I'm glad that BYU BB is starting off strong in conference, what's the latest on recruiting? Also with Jabari? 

Well hope everything is going well with everyone and that this new year will be good for all of us. It's gonna be interesting what's gonna happen next Monday haha. Love you all and thanks for all the support while I'm out here sweating it out in Africa! haha.

Tchau,

Pictures Week #31

Elder Brown at the Reedy's Christmas Party for the Elders

 

Happy New Year and 7 Months Down!

Oi! Family and Friends,

This week was pretty good for me. So we had Christmas Eve with that missionary party which was good. And then Christmas which was super good. We went to that orphanage and then to the Ryan´s house to hang out for the rest of Christmas. And I was able to skype so that was truly a blessing for me to see all the ones I loved:) 

Well then it was back to work. We got some solid lessons in this week, a good portion of them with a member present which is kind of hard to get here sometimes. But it was super good, just everyday building up the kingdom of God little by little, step by step. 

It has been a little weird passing the holidays in a different country. It really didn't feel like the holidays all too much to tell you the truth. I don't know why, it just didn't. And now in less than 12 hours here it will be 2013. And it seems like its going to take a long while to get through all of 2013, but it will come and go before you know it. Its just good to finally get 2013 going. 

I have a feeling that this upcoming transfer that I am leaving Viana for who knows where, but we will find that out in 2 weeks. Also news flash, I'm getting home a week earlier than when I was supposed to leave. Because of this whole 18 yr old missionary thing and the MTC cutting people´s times down, were gonna have a 5 week transfer pretty soon, and everyones release date got bumped up a week, haha so it's like two weeks pass this past week. 

I saw the pics from the family, and Keller, don´t wear the beanie with long socks. It leads down a dark road my friend;) Haha and don´t trash talk with Laura´s family buddy, their team won the World Series, haha they can back up their talk with a trophy. 

Sounds like you guys had a very fun week. Disneyland sounds really cool, and looks like you guys got really cool things as well. Ridgely, sucks that you can´t do anything right now because of your knee surgery but the family will take care of you, as well as your friends. Got less than 2 months until we find out about BYU, fingers crossed:) Kaden, just stay cute haha. Dont turn into a teenager! Haha love you buddy. 

And now you guys are in Mammoth right now and Mom and Dad are going to rock out tonight at Imagine Dragons, haha have fun and be safe. Yeah for our new years, will just be in our house making food, playing games, and just talking and such, nothing too exciting. 

Tomorrow all the missionaries in Luanda are going to the beach for a games and picnic activity so that should be pretty fun. Thanks Dad for the NFL storylines, I like the storylines of the league, I just don't need all the scores. And that's so sick that Haws went off, hopefully they will pull it together in League and get some revenge. And also hopefully BYU Football can pull it together this offseason and explode these next couple of years. 

So to everyone Happy New Year, make it one of the best, and really truly help the missionaries in your area, they can knock all the doors they can, but the easiest way for the kingdom of God to grow is through the members. I hope we all make an even better effort this year to building up the Kingdom of God, being courageous and sharing the gospel with our family and friends, and inviting them to sit and talk with the missionaries. Love you all and I am grateful for all the support as I'm out here. Until next year!

Tchau,

Christmas Skype

 

Skyping with Elder Brown

Merry Christmas!

Oi! Família and Friends!

The holidays are here! Today we had a Christmas party at the Luanda 2 chapel where we had a white elephant exchange, food, pictures etc. It was super fun. This email might not be as long because the place we usually do email at was closed and I'm typing on an iPad right now so it's kind of slow. But it works right and I will get to talk to you guys tomorrow! 

So the deets for tomorrow, we are going to the orphanage at 10 and after that we are going to Mrs. Ryan's house to do Skype and food and such. So the time for Skype is going to be at 9 a.m. your time. And if it's earlier or later I can email your emails and they will pop on your phone. But for the time being 9 a.m. your time is when we will Skype! 

This week was a lot better than last week thankfully and I'm sure it will continue to get better as time goes on. It's already halfway thru this transfer which is crazy, transfers come and go a lot faster than they usually do now, time is starting to speed up. 

I also got two letters today from Uncle David and Aunt Valeri and I was happy to get a picture of Mae:) and I also got the letter/package from Grandma and Grandpa Brown and I was so thankful for the letter and the candy as well as the RM bank account and the old pictures of our family,brings back a lot of memories! 

Last Monday we had a family night at President's house and we had to walk this family there from their house. Little Luisa, the little girl in the pictures I have sent held my hand all the way there and wanted to be with me and play with me all the night long. Haha, she is like my little sister, there is also Jo who is also like my little sister. Haha I love both of them. 

The Ward Christmas party was a lot of fun on Saturday as well and I got some good photos and videos as well. Well that's it for now I guess until tomorrow! That's way cool you won that concert, haha I never win anything as well! And it's good the Cougs could at least finish off on a good note and kvan could dominate like no other. Well I love you guys and I will send pics and such in my next email!

Tchau,