Week 32

"The Lord doesn't always call the equipped, but He always equips the called."

Hello, it's me.

Who gets the reference? 

I hope you are all doing well! First week here in the Baixa! It is going great! My companion that I am training is Elder Ortiz and he is a great missionary. Practically fluent in Portuguese and has a really strong desire to just go out and work. We did very well this week! Met a lot of people and started helping the area progress. Because we are in the city we work a lot in the buildings and because of that it is like I am serving in a completely different mission. We knock on doors so much here, (that is because there are actually doors to knock on) and we have had some success for only three days in the area so far. 

There is a building in our area called Radio due to the radio tower on the roof. Elder Ortiz and I have gone to that roof every day in our area so far. For some strange reason it isn't locked. But it sure does show not only what our area looks like but what Beira looks like from a bird's-eye view.

This week it rained so much. Yesterday especially. We had to wear rain boots because the water was almost up to my knees!!! Pretty crazy. It never rains like this in Maputo. I haven't seen any spiders, snakes, or sharks yet but I'm sure I will. 

I don't have much to say this week on a spiritual note. It has been kind of hectic. But I want to share something that Savannah shared with me in a little note when I was on the way to the airport. (She hid it so I would find it later.) In it she shared this quote, "The Lord doesn't always call the equipped, but He always equips the called." I have a testimony of this small doctrine that my little sister shared with me. These words have burned into my heart over these past 7 months because it is the truth. I am far from prepared or equipped to be a representative of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I am a sinner, who makes mistakes every day. And many times I think why do I have this privilege to represent Him. It is because He called me. Through the infinite wisdom and grace of our Lord, I am able to be here in this moment serving these people. I am able to be His representative because He wants me to be. I know that He is making me a better man, that He is forming me into a tool that will help others come unto Him. I know that He loves me, and He loves you also. This is my testimony that I share, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have a great week!

Elder Nimmo

I'm training my new companion, meet Elder Ortiz from Orem, Utah!

Welcome to Beira!

Bird's-eye view of my new area.

A real bird's-eye view of Beira.

I'm currently serving in the area of Beira called Baixa. The marker is where the church building is.

Thanks to Google maps you can see where I have relocated from the capital city of Maputo to Beira.

Elder Griffeth lives in my apartment and this just gives you an idea of the rainfall we've had.

Not only am I "hanging" in there but I love my new area, I'm really happy! 

Week 31

"I learned a substantial amount of doctrine and learned how to be a better missionary."

Monday, February 22nd, 2015

I had to say goodbye to this great family that I'd been teaching.

Hello Everyone!

Once more I find myself lost in the middle of transfers!!!

Drumroll.............

I am in Beira! I left yesterday to Beira in the Sofala Province! My new area is Baixa and I will be training a new missionary! Pretty Crazy! I am very excited!

This week was very packed. On Sunday we took a bus ride to Matola. We had stake conference because Elder Andersen was coming, the missionaries unfortunately sat outside of the chapel. It rained very much and destroyed the speaker so we couldn't here the conference. Afterwards we went to the priesthood meeting with Elder Andersen and after we had a missionaries only meeting. I shook his hand! 

I learned a substantial amount of doctrine and learned how I can become a better missionary. I am so thankful to have living prophets and apostles in this church. I know that Elder Neil L. Andersen is an apostle of The Lord and that he has a sacred and holy testimony of Him.  

We then returned to T-3. On the way I discovered that I needed to pack my bags because I would be leaving the next morning for Beira. I also discovered I would be training. Which means that I am WHITEWASHING! AGAIN!!! haha. We will see how this one turns out. 

I said goodbye to a family that I taught, (That will be baptized this transfer), and I went and packed. It was such a blessing to know them. 

And now I am in Beira! My companion is coming this week and I am eager to go to work! I am thankful for this gospel and its truth. I hope you all have a good week!

Elder Nimmo

P.S. Elder Mortimer is home now. :( 

Joao and Amelia and their family will be baptized during this transfer, sad that I will miss this.

Elder Anderson on the front row, Elder Nimmo tall head in the back on the left.

I know that Neil L. Anderson is an apostle of the Lord.

Me and Elder Donker.

Elder Mortimer is back home right now.

Elder Watteyne the day I left.

Goodbye to this companion, Elder Silva.

Monkey head in T-3.

Tchau T-3, I'm off to Beira!

Week 30

"Oftentimes I find myself doing things that are not charitable. That are not done out of love. Truly everything good comes from having charity. If we have charity not only our own lives but the lives of others will be blessed immensely."

Monday, February 15th, 2016

Monkey business!

Hello Everyone! 

This past week was great! We played something called Gator Ball last Monday with the zone of Matola. We had a great week working. And today we went to the zoo! It was kind of lame but fun at the same time! Anyways... I am doing super well! I am hearing a lot of music so it is kind of sad to think about not listening to music. But I will return one day haha. But it seems like there is a lot of good music. I heard a lot of Adele, Chris Brown, and Justin Bieber. I am pretty sure stuff is happening that I don't know about but I like it. 

When we went to the zoo we fed chickens to crocodiles. It was pretty cool. Monkeys touched my hand and did flips, I gave them some bread. And that was the zoo. haha. But it was a very happy and hot week! 

I want to share a scripture that is just killer. It talks about charity and I really love it. It is in 1 Corinthians chapter 13.

I memorized verses 4-13 but I just pasted them because it is faster than typing. 

 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

This has become somewhat like a mantra for me. Charity is so important because we cannot ever be like our Savior, Jesus Christ, if we have not charity. Oftentimes I find myself doing things that are not charitable. That are not done out of love. Truly everything good comes from having charity. If we have charity not only our own lives but the lives of others will be blessed immensely. 

I pray that we can all have charity, that we can grow closer to our Savior and feel at peace with ourselves. 

I hope you all have a good week!

Elder Nimmo

Along came a crocodile, quiet as can be and...

SNAP!

Monkey...

                                               

see and...

Monkey do!

This is Maracuja.

Passion fruit.

It's so good!

Week 29

"It was a testimony to me that the Lord knows his sheep and that he calls them by name. And we are here to bring them home." 

Monday, February 8th, 2016

Throwback photo when the missionaries were in our home all the time. They have always been a wonderful influence and shining example of service for our family. And now Elder Nimmo is helping the Lord to bring His sheep home while in Africa.

Hey Everyone! 

I hope you had a good week! This week went by very fast for me. If every week was like this the mission would be way to fast! 

Nothing crazy happened this week but it was just a really nice week. We found a lot of new families and they are all progressing. This transfer has been a complete turn around. We had a baptism, so many people are coming to church. We almost had 200 people in T-3 a couple Sundays ago. I am loving this area more and more! Elder Nielsen left this Friday for Beira. And a new Elder, Elder Lorimer is here now. We have a really great house. Not to mention clean! 

The temperature is hot as always but I a staying very hydrated. I would guess we walk about 10-11 miles each day in the sand. This is on average. It is always a blessing when we don't have to walk all day because we have lessons to teach. 

This week has probably been one of the easiest of the mission so far. There is nothing better than AC by the way. Without AC at night it is almost impossible to sleep. But I haven't had to worry about that. So blessed. 

This week I will just share an experience. We were walking and found a woman, Olinda. She said "come visit me and my brother this week". We said " Of course", she said, "my friend is a member of your church." Long story short because of this woman we found a lost sheep and a whole family who have received visits from missionaries but were never baptized. It was a testimony to me that the Lord knows his sheep and that He calls them by name. And we are here to help bring them home. The Lord loves us, He knows us individually. I know this is true.

I love you all and wish you a good week!

-- 

Elder Nimmo

*Disclaimer: The above photo and comment is from me, Cole's mom. Whenever Elder Nimmo doesn't send me a photo for the week, I take creative liberty to attach a photo of him to fill the space. Fair warning :)

Week 28

"Jesus said: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'"   

                                                 Matthew 11:28

Monday, February 1st, 2016

"Life has its ups and downs." That time when Cole had his appendix removed.

Hello Everyone! 

I hope everyone is doing well! I know I am! 

This past week has been great! We played soccer again today! We had a great Sunday yesterday! Everything has been great! 

I don't have much to say this week but I wanted to share a small thought with you all. 

Life has its ups and downs. Everyone has problems. But it is the way we think about those thinks that effects our attitude. We should all be masters of ourselves. It is easier said than done. But there have been times in the recent past where I could have let some obstacles or problems easily get to me. And they were things where it would be reasonable for any person to be upset. But I was able somehow remain happy and calm. I believe that this comes from permitting the Savior to help us in all things. 

In Matthew 11

Jesus Said: 

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

I know that He is here in all things that we do. I know that He loves us and will help us. Only if we let Him. I love you all and I pray that you will seek His help.

I love you all! 

Elder Nimmo

*Disclaimer: The above photo and comment is from me, Cole's mom. Whenever Elder Nimmo doesn't send me a photo for the week, I take creative liberty to attach a photo of him to fill in the space. Fair warning :)

Week 27

"Baptism is like a door. And behind that door lies a path. On that path we have joy, peace and comfort. We also have problems on that path. But because of the doorway in which we enter those obstacles are diminished by the overwhelming love that each and everyone of us possesses."

Monday, January 25th, 2016

Faque was baptized!

Hello Everyone!

This week has been extremely memorable. One thing that I will never forget is my 6 month mark on the 22nd of this past week. But also... Faque was baptized! He is a great friend and has a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It was such a good day! 

I had the privilege to enter into the waters with Faque and baptize him. It was very odd not being outside of the water observing someone being baptized but actually performing the sacred ordinance of baptism. 

We were able to play soccer with the youth of the church again. We tied 7-7. But also we found a chameleon! I picked it up. It didn't change color too much though. It tries to bite you but it can't do anything to hurt you. Everyone here thinks they are poisonous or dangerous. They are not, trust me. 

This week my spiritual thought will be about baptism. In 2 Nephi 31: 5 it reads:

 5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!

Every one of us needs to be baptized. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and He was the only person to ever live a completely perfect life. He showed that everyone, even a man who was perfect, needs to be baptized. We all are human. We all make mistakes. And we all want to be better. The only way we can do that is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When we repent and are baptized we become clean. Every single bad feeling and thought we have that is hidden inside us vanishes. And we do not need to worry about it anymore. Baptism is like a door. And behind that door lies a path. On that path we have joy, peace and comfort. We also have problems on that path. But because of the doorway in which we enter those obstacles are diminished by the overwhelming love that each and everyone of us possesses. I know that God loves us. That we are His children and He is our Heavenly Father. I know He has provided a way for us to return, through His plan, we will live with Him again. I know these things are true. And if you do not know they are true I invite each and everyone of you to discover and know for yourselves. And I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a good week! I love you all!

Elder Nimmo

P.S. Happy Birthday Mom! I love you so much! I know you can feel my love all the way from Africa.

Get ready for baptism photos overload:

Faque was confirmed in church on Sunday.

Soccer again on P-day with the young men in the church, tied 7-7!

Look! Pasquel from Tangled!

Cute chameleon...

which everyone is afraid of...

but I'm not.

Week 26

"It has been such a blessing to know so many good people already in the mission."

Monday, January 18th, 2016

Just some of the many good people; Elder Combs, Elder Payne and Elder Evangelista.

Ola Irmaos! 

This week has been a good one! So first notable thing about this week was that we had Zone Conference on the 14th. It was great! I took a lot of pictures with a lot of Elders. And we had chocolate bars! So good! It has been such a blessing to know so many good people already in the mission! Also we found out an apostle will be coming here at the end of the transfer! I can't say who yet. 

Also we saw a truck on its back wheels almost tipping over. And we were able to eat at a nice Chinese restaurant today in the city. I will attach the photos. 

My 6 month mark is coming this week! And we have a very special day planned for that day! But we have to wait until next week before I can reveal what.

This will be a short email with a lot of pictures because I used a good portion of my time writing this loading the pictures. 

I want to bear my testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the one true church on the face if the Earth. I know Jesus Christ is the leader of His church and that He is our Savior and Redeemer. I love the gospel and I know of its truth. I hope one day, each one of you will know the truth of it as well. I love you all and I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Elder Nimmo

Get ready for an Elder overload:

Elder Holt and Elder Brown

Elder Openshaw

Elder Mortimer

Elder Payne

Elder Fuchs

Elder Ribeiro

Elder Silva

Elder Trindade

Me and Elder Watteyne in a choppa going into the city.

The roommates at a Chinese restaurant.

A truck tipping on its back wheels...

My zone conference chocolate bar...

                                                                                        

and a bug!