Week 14

"...I have been speaking a lot of Portuguese, the Lord has blessed me greatly with the gift of tongues."

Monday, October 26th, 2015

This is where we are right now!

Hello Everyone,

I hope you have all had a great week! I know that I have. I would like to talk about a cool experience I had a week ago. I was able to visit a Portuguese Fort in Maputo! It was very interesting and I got a little history lesson. Mostly it was a photo opportunity more than anything else. But I was very fortunate to see this on my p-day. I finally received my new companion! Elder Trindade is from Brasil, he has served 1 transfer in Swaziland and this is his 1st week in Mozambique. He waited for his Visa in Brazil for a whole year. So to say the least I have been speaking a lot of Portuguese, the Lord has blessed me greatly with the gift of tongues. I am able to converse with him without many confusions which is a great blessing. And for coming half way through the week we did alright on all of our goals. This email will consist of a lot of photos and not a lot of words. So I apologize to all you avid readers out there. 

I would like to share one very special experience with you all of something that happened this past week, yesterday actually. I finished reading The Book of Mormon, cover to cover, every word. This was not the first time I had read The Book of Mormon. However, it was the first time I had read the entirety of the book with full purpose of heart trying to understand it and learn from it. When I finished I thought to pray and do as it instructs in Moroni 10:4. I wanted to know with a surety in my heart that this book was true and not have any doubt in my heart. I had always had a familiarity, or a knowledge that the book was true because I had a testimony of the church in other ways. And I believed it was true but I had never had the will to take the time to truly pray. 

I won't go into detail about my experience but I can testify to all of you who are reading this that The Book of Mormon is true. That Joseph Smith was a prophet and that The Book of Mormon is a sacred gift from our Heavenly Father. It testifies of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the stories which are contained in this book are true. This book provides guidance and can answer any question that we have. I started the book in the MTC to be able to gain a stronger testimony of it and by doing so I might be able to testify of it with a sure knowledge. I love The Book of Mormon, I love the Lord and my Heavenly Father. I invite everyone who has not read this book to do so and to gain a testimony for themselves that it is true. And this is not my invitation but the invitation from a prophet of God. I love you all and I hope you might share in the same joy I feel now. I write these things in the name of my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Nimmo

Me and my new companion, Elder Trindade from Brazil.

Elder Mortimer and I invite all of you to the Maputo Fort tour.

Panoramic shot.

Random model shot of me and the boys.

More shots of the Maputo Fort.

Go Cougars! Get it, I'm in a tree and I'm a BYU Cougar! 

Week 13

"...I know that I can do everything through Him if I have faith."

Monday, October 19th, 2015

Transfer Day: Elder Shumway and I say goodbye as he left today. He was the DL (district leader) this past transfer. Photo bomb by random Elder.

Hello everyone!!! 

So this week has been a crazy one. First off we had a zone conference this past Thursday and we had an Elder come stay with us. Elder Keck and I both knew him. So he came from Maxixe to visit the hospital and then Elder Keck found out he was leaving Saturday morning to go to Maxixe with Elder Twiguimala. So that was crazy. Also I am staying in Sommerschield currently and my new companion will be Elder Trinidade and he is from Brasil. He will not be here until Wednesday so for the past few days I have been with two new Elders who have been staying in my house. Elder Stewart and Elder Arvarado. 

It was weird losing Elder Keck. He was a great trainer and companion. But I am happy to be furthering the work here in Sommerschield. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of time left to write so I'm just gonna send a bunch of pictures. We lost internet today so we lost a good chunk of email writing time. But I'm loving the mission and I'm excited to get back to work with my new companion. I'll let you know next week if I will only be speaking Portuguese this transfer. FYI this transfer ends on November 30. Random info but I think it is important. 

I can't stress the importance of having hope everything will work out. Before Elder Keck left he told me that the Lord and the mission president must have a lot of faith in me in my second transfer to be taking charge of an area I still don't fully know. And I would agree with that. There are a lot of things I don't remember and things I don't know how to do. But I know that I can do everything through Him if I have faith. Love you all! 

Until next week!

-- 

Elder Nimmo

P.S. People have asked about sending me a birthday/Christmas package and instructions. Here is the best counsel that I can give: Packages usually take about a month-4 months to arrive. FYI. Keep in mind it is hard to bring things because of transfers so if you are gonna send stuff make sure I'll use it. I am not trying to be pessimistic more along the lines of realistic. So If you think I'll be able to bring it with me or use it, send it haha! I'll love it! Do not send anything perishable. And send it in a box that will be somewhat protected from rain and rats. Also, if you send food/candy items make sure the smell is concealed, I think that is how rats/mice get into them. Also mold can form on the packages on the way over so no open food. Plastic containers are good though. I will really love and appreciate anything. All packages go to this mission home address:

Elder Nicholas Carothers Nimmo

Mozambique Maputo Mission

R. Tenente General Oswaldo Tazama, 1429

Bairro Costa do Sol

Maputo, Maputo

Mozambique

(important that all packages have this phone number with address)

259-21-496-881

Elder Hard and I, he left today too.

L to R: Elder Chase, Elder Mortimer, Elder Twiguimala (leaving), Elder Hutchinson, me and my companion/trainer Elder Keck (who is being transferred to Maxixe) all together at our Zone Conference. We bonded during my first transfer/past 6 weeks.

 Elder Chase, me and Elder Combs during a selfie break at Zone Conference. 

No throwin' up deuces from Elder Combs.

This is a game! Guess what this is!?!? It is a fruit called MASALA.

More commonly known as the lion king fruit. 

Kind of tastes like bubblegum and a little hint of apple.

Week 12

"...as I have testified to them of the gospel my own testimony has grown."

Monday, October 12th, 2015

Throwing up the peace signs. I was able to meet up with Elder Brown and his companion Elder Heald at KFC. My companion, Elder Keck, was there too obviously. This Elder and I traveled together from the Provo MTC over to Mozambique. 

Hello Everyone! 

So I already told you about last weeks P-day so that means I get to tell you about everything else. This week we had a good amount of meetings. We made goals with the Bishop and we are trying to reach those goals. We have such great families here in Sommerschield and my heart longs to stay here with them and see them enter the waters of baptism. With transfers happening next week I feel anxious and my trainer told me that most people feel that way the whole mission. We have six families currently who are progressing and probably will get 3-4 more families this week. For being white washed we are doing pretty well. I have felt so much joy as I have taught these wonderful people and as I have testified to them of this gospel my own testimony has grown. 

The people here have such faith. I will share one cool experience we had when we were teaching a family. So Jorge and Hortencia have four children and one nephew they look after. The three oldest sons are 12 or older. Last time we visited with them Jorge offered to close with a prayer. Hortencia was not there unfortunately because her father had passed away. When he was saying the prayer he said one thing that stood out to both of us, "I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Your church on earth." This was such a blessing. I have not been able to see the fruits of my labors quite yet but hearing that gave me hope. It was the first time our investigators had shared what they know to be true. I hope to help everyone I come in contact with to feel that same way and be able to say those same words. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to serve in this area and I know this is the Lord's work. 

I hope everyone can have a great week!

Elder Nimmo

This is the view, from beyond the metal bars of our apartment, onto the streets of Sommerschield. We live on the second floor. 

Week 11

"Tell a man there are a trillion stars in the universe and he will believe you. Tell a man there is wet paint on the wall and he will touch it just to find out."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

The two Elders you don't know are Elder Holt and Elder Combs (with the glasses.) It was supposed to be a serious photo but Elder Holt just couldn't stop smiling.

Hello Everyone,

        First let me say sorry for not being able to write yesterday (Monday). There was a national holiday called the Day of Peace celebrated and in all of Maputo almost every store was closed so we had to wait until today to email. 

        Second let me just tell you about how awesome it was to have the opportunity to watch the Saturday Morning Session of Conference. One thing that I really laughed hard at was when President Uchtdorf said "Tell a man there are a trillion stars in the universe, and he will believe you. Tell a man there is wet paint on the wall, and he will touch it just to find out." I feel like a lot of times we are like this haha. I know I am. We doubt what people say because we only trust in ourselves and our personal knowledge. That is one of the most important things I have learned since I have been on my mission is that we rely on ourselves for a lot when we should rely on Heavenly Father and Christ more than anything! While we are still on the topic of General Conference I would like to just say that the Lord speaks through his servants! I felt the Spirit so strongly as I was listening and realizing that so many of the talks given were the same basic message. We all need to be disciples of Christ and follow Him because it is only through Him can we obtain salvation and exaltation. I loved the talk about the Potter and the Clay and how we need to be centered on Christ. A good friend of mine told me that his favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5,6 and I have come to love it as well. It says:

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We need to learn to trust in Him and have Him at the center of our lives if we do we will never go astray and we will be happier because the amount of joy you think you can have in life without Him is incomparable to the Joy we feel with Him guiding our lives.

So brief overview of my week. Monday: P-day haha. Tuesday: we had a district meeting as well as a zone training. Then Elder Keck and I went to the register and tried to get marriage documents for people in a different zone. It is a pretty normal thing here in the mission. Then we were able to study and go out. Wednesday: It was a pretty normal day with one exception, I counted my blessings. I'll talk more about that at the end. Thursday: We studied in the morning went out after lunch taught a couple families and then went to teach an English class. No one showed up. Then we were fed a wonderful meal by an American family who works at the American Embassy. It was good!!!! Friday: We went to the office and I had my first interview with President Koch and did some weekly planning. We went into the area and taught some families then we had a meeting with our bishop to make some goals for our ward then went out and taught again. Saturday: We had a pretty normal day with one exception, General Conference!!! So good! Sunday: was super busy we went everywhere and got to meet a lot of people it was a super spiritual weekend. I can't wait for the rest of General Conference! Yesterday was perfect! Although we did not go and write emails we did go to a place called Rodezio Real which is the Mozambique equivalent of Tucanos Brazilian Grill, an all you can eat steak buffet. It was so good. Also, a couple weeks ago we walked for a while, it was over six hours of nonstop walking and a total of 9 hours without sitting. Pretty crazy! But back to the story on Wednesday!

So back to Wednesday, we were teaching a wonderful family and after the lesson the wife asked us if we wanted to teach her friend we met the night before. We said yes! Obviously haha! And she took us to her friend Alice and her husband Castigo. These two have been legally married for 26 years, a pretty big deal in Mozambique. When we met them, we asked if we could share a quick message with them and they kindly accepted. Now there was construction or something going on but their house was shaking and was extremely loud. Best description is probably to imagine an earth quake. We asked if we could start with a prayer and they agreed. Elder Keck offered the prayer but I offered one as well during his prayer. I prayed earnestly and with faith to Heavenly Father to stop the rumbling and noise if it be His will so that we might be able to testify and the Spirit might be able to be felt by these two wonderful people. The rumbling continued through our prayer and as soon as we all said Amen the rumbling stopped. We were there for a full 35 minutes without any rumbling. I was able to tell them about the Restoration with Elder Keck and shared with them Joseph Smith's vision. I felt the Spirit so strongly and felt the love of my God and of my Savior.

It is my hope that we might pray with our hearts and have faith in our Heavenly Father. That we might have Christ-centered lives and be able to find joy through Him. I know that when we ask in faith we are blessed and great things can come to pass if it be the will of Heavenly Father. I love this church, I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I know they love each and every one of us. I know Jesus Christ died for all of us. I have a testimony of Joseph Smith. I know that he restored the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth and I know he was a prophet. I love you all and I wish that you would draw closer to Him. Until next week.

Elder Nimmo

All of us at Rodezio Real - it was so good!

The photos are kind of blurry but we're a happy crew.

This is what a chappa looks like -

I was in the back row -

And this is considered empty!