Week 53

"Then I was informed I was going to an outside area in the Province of Inhambane in a city called Maxixe. And it's only me and my companion. And it's a branch. And I will be called this Sunday to be a counselor in the Branch Presidency. 

Yeah, pretty CRAZY!"

Monday, July 25th, 2016

A great goodbye celebration with some great people at Brother Wing's home. 

Hey Everyone!

I think that there are enough photos this week to leave a substantial amount of questions unanswered. 

But I'll clarify a little bit. I was with a member eating a hamburger and I got a call from a friend in a high place telling me, "If you want to baptize that family, they will have to be married and baptized before Sunday Night".

I got the picture of what was going to be happening to me and so I had a job to do. 

If you want more details about how it happened let my lovely mother know and I would be glad to give more details. 

But long story short they got married and baptized. In two days! The miracle of all of this is that it takes 14 days for a couple to get married. With the help of the Lord, prayers and lots of faith the Lord's hand made the impossible happen. They were married in one day. 

The baptism was wonderful and the spirit was strong.

To end it all I had a great goodbye celebration held in the house of Brother Wing and it was probably the best way to go out. I have been very blessed to have met so many great people in these last 5 months. The best thing is that I'll be back sooner than later.

That night I ran back to the house finished the packing that I started and flew down to Maputo. Then I was informed I was going to an outside area in the Province of Inhambane in a city called Maxixe. And it's only me and my companion. And it's a branch. And I will be called this Sunday to be a counselor in the Branch Presidency. 

Yeah pretty CRAZY! But Maxixe is beautiful! Oh and next week on P-Day we will be traveling to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

Super excited! 

I know that the Lord works miracles and that by His word anything is possible. I testify of the reality of miracles and the Mercy of God. I know this to be true. I hope you have as good of a week as I did!

Love you all!

Elder Nimmo

It has been a great 5 months serving in Beira.

Capulana gift wrapped her and her baby as presents to say goodbye.

Packing before leaving Beira and flying to Maputo.

Good bye to Elder Copitzky.

Flight from Beira to Maputo...

...then up to my new area of Maxixe.

Maxixe (pronounced 'ma-sheesh') is named after an african chief.

It is the largest city and economic captital of the province of Inhambane, Mozambique. It is situated on the Indian Ocean just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, in a bay opposite historic Inhambane City which can be reached by local ferries. Although Maxixe is the province's city, Inhambane City is the seat of provincial government.

Super excited to be traveling to one of the most beautiful beaches next week on my P-day. 

I can't swim but I can enjoy the beauty!

Throwback Thursday

#TBT to last week when we went adventuring on our P-day to the Grand Hotel Despedida. It's home to 3500 squatters. It was once dubbed the "Pride of Africa." 

Monday, July 25th, 2016

The new "Pride of Africa" - the children.

Some of the Grand Hotel's littlest residents.

Because of the photo overload I thought I should post a little background information to go along with the P-day field trip. The following was gathered from a piece done by the BBC:

"When the Grand Hotel Depedida opened in 1955, it was one of Africa's most luxurious hotels. The structure had three floors, an Olympic size pool, now used to do washing, large staircases, halls, shops, restaurants, a post office, cinema, bars and 122 rooms. It was also supposed to host a casino, but the owners were never able to get permission from the Portuguese colonial authorities."

"This was the start of its troubles as although Beira is a popular Indian Ocean resort, the hotel was never able to attract many visitors. It closed to guests in 1963 and was used only for big events and parties."

"During the civil war which began the late 1970s, it also served as an army base and was a prison for political prisoners. After the hotel was completely abandoned during the next decade, it was looted and people moved into the building, especially those fleeing the conflict."

"For the first time, the hotel reached its maximum capacity. It is way beyond that now as families live in every section of the dark, humid hotel, including the stairs. The only part of the hotel that has electricity is a side section where residents have set up a small “movie theater” - often filled with children and adults watching a small TV."

"Some of the families have been living in the hotel for three generations. Twenty-four years after the end of the civil war, more than half of Mozambique’s population continues to live below the poverty line."

"Because there is no maintenance, there are now problems with the hotel’s infrastructure with plants and trees trying to reclaim the building. The people who live in the Grand Hotel do not pay any rent, but the community has set up its own rules and does not allow new residents as they say the building is full." 

I tried to capture this little child's face and the Elder photobombed it.

And now you know a little bit about life half way around the world. Makes our #firstworldproblems seem pretty small.

Week 52

This week nothing crazy happened...just had a few marriage proposals, made to ME! I didn't enjoy explaining to them all the reasons why "No means No."

Monday, July 18th, 2016

Funny throwback to when Elder Nimmo's proposal turned to marriage! Cole was convinced to be the groom while Ali was the bride and Savannah was the flower girl. The joy of being the only brother surrounded by creative sisters. 

Hello Everybody! 

Today I am alone again. Hopefully by the end of the day I'll have another member walking with me. Keep your fingers crossed.

Thank you to everyone for all the support I have received over the past year. It has helped me to stay focused on the work and have the knowledge that I have a group of loved ones who are helping me every step of the way. 

This week nothing crazy happened...just had a few marriage proposals, made to ME! I didn't enjoy explaining to them all the reasons why "No means No." But that's pretty much the craziest thing that happened this week. Transfers will happen at the end of the month so we will see where I go next in a couple weeks. 

One thing that has helped me stay focused is a scripture about missionary work and a blessing that comes from it as a result.

In Doctrine and Covenants section 118 it reads:

3 Let the residue continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do this in al lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long-suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families; and an effectual door shall be opened for them, from henceforth.

I feel comforted to know that as I am serving God and doing my best everyday I have a promise that my family will be provided for and protected with everything that they need and more. This next year I hope that I will be able to be my very best and help everyone I can. And I am thankful for the blessings I have received. I know that God is loving and that he will always be with us. 

I hope you all have a good week!

Tchau,

Elder Nimmo

MacKenzie was the solemn justice of the peace for the service, Cole and Ali the happy couple, and Savannah the flower girl/ring bearer. This is what happens when Elder Nimmo doesn't send photos to post for the blog, #memorydaymonday

Week 51

"Not much to say to be honest but I sure do love being a missionary!"

Monday, July 11, 2016

This is the reason!

Hey Everyone!

Just another normal week. I walked with two different members this week and I had a great lunch with Elder Stanley G. Ellis, general authority member of the seventy, currently serving as a member of the Africa Southeast area presidency. My mom is friends on Facebook with my Mission President's wife, Sister Koch, so she already has photos from their mission tour in Beira. The lunch we had was magnificent! 

I have a good amount of photos today so get ready. 

Not too much to say to be honest but I sure do love being a missionary! 

I'll let the photos do the talking..

Have a good week!

Elder Nimmo

Let's celebrate with a thumbs up!

No? Or how about peace signs...what? That's funny?

Ok, peace signs it is!

Happy post 4th!

Beira tour with Pres. and Sister Koch and Elder Ellis and Sister Ellis. (Back row left)

Front row center!

Great lunch!

Great missionaries,

friends,

and brothers!

Week 50

"That was a bias statement but with all the patriotism I have at the moment and the fore ordination of Joseph Smith and the God given inspiration of the Declaration of Independence I do believe it was not far from the truth."

Monday, July 4th, 2016

 Happy 4th of July from Mozambique!

"Everything has a purpose and our purpose is to have joy." #throwback

Hey Everyone!

Happy 4th of July from Mozambique!

I hope everyone has a great day and is able to celebrate with family and remember the sacrifices that were made by so many for us to be able to live in the greatest country on earth. 

That was a bias statement but with all the patriotism I have at the moment and the fore ordination of Joseph Smith and the God given inspiration of the Declaration of Independence I do believe it was not far from the truth.

I had a pretty strange week. Very different walking with members as a companion. For the next three weeks I'll be walking with Castello as my companion. Castello is a great member who is preparing to serve a mission and is sacrificing his vacation time to work serve with me. 

I am super excited. 

We have a mission tour tomorrow. Elder Ellis is coming to see our mission. Ill give you more info on that later. 

I hear there is quite a ruckus in politics at the moment but I'll see what has been happening in a year. 

Since it is Independence Day I will talk a little bit about how free we are as human beings.

Sorry if I already wrote about this scripture.

2 Nephi 2:27 reads:

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

I know that God gave us this ability to choose in order to be happier. When we are good people we are happier. It's simple. We have so much freedom as children of God. And because America has been blessed by God this freedom continues with out impediment. There is a reason for everything in life. Everything has a purpose and our purpose is to have joy. The only way to do that is to live and keep the commandments of our Heavenly Father. I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have a great day and week! God Bless America.

Elder Nimmo