May 29, 2012

I will tell you 2 stories though that are miracles for real.
STORYTIME ONE!!!!!
 We went to an area just outside of Naitiri market on Sunday to go visit a family called the Kulobas that we scheduled to visit. They are very strong in a church called Repentance and Holiness. Well, the 2 daughters, who are both in their 20's, were going to their own homes. We asked why, and they said it was just too late. We said ok, and we went to give them the Book of Mormon's we had arranged to give them because they had agreed the previous week to accept them and read them. Well, one especially I have felt strongly (Spiritually) towards is named Elizabeth, probably 27 or so. Well, she refused to take it. I was devastated! I asked why, and she never gave a good reason, and I told her to her face that she was not giving a good reason, and that she was being unreasonable. I was really upset. Tom, the branch missionary with us, powerfully explained that the B.O.M. has direct connection with the Bible. He explained how Lehi is a descendant of Menassah and I was astounded. I was praying in my heart the whole time so hard. She almost took it instinctively, but when she saw I was watching she pulled her hand back! GRR!! Well, her and her sister ended up leaving after they set an appointment to meet and talk again. About one hour later in the dark, she comes running up behind us and says, "When I refused to take it, Elder Schneider looked sad so I will take it..." HA! Ya right sister. I could sense that she was curious. She has a desire to read it, I can feel it. And I think she will. She literally tracked us down just to get a copy. The Spirit of the Lord worked a miracle in her heart, and we can expect more :)
STORYTIME TWO!!!!
On Saturday night we went to our neighbor's home to read the Book with him. He is 17 years old and his name is Kennedy. Well, he told us a story that morning about how he broke his cousin's phone, and needed money to get a new one, and offered to do some work for us. We said we'd think about it. That night, he told us that he needed 3500 ksh to get the phone by Tuesday or his cousin would bring Kennedy's father and grandfather into it. Kennedy fears them both because apparently they react alot. And in Kenya, beating your children is kinda natural. (Which, if I see it, I stop it.) Well, we couldn't help that much. But we gave him a "What every boy needs to know about becoming a man" talk. We told him to face his father and grandfather, to admit he did it, and to face the consequences. We told him all about how God will support the man who is honest, and trusts in Him. Well, by the end, he agreed to. We asked him to pray, and wow. That is the most sincere and pleading prayer I have heard from a Kenyan, not to mention a human being. Well, we went home and prayed the same. Sunday night, after fasting that investigators will recognize answers to their prayers, he bursts in our flat and goes "God Answered my prayer! I just told my father the truth and my grandfather and they were completely calm!! We went to our cousin's and talked it out and made a plan and I feel free!! I did it, I feel like a man! I'm free!! God helped me to do it!" His father even gave him 1500 ksh to start buying a new phone for the cousin. Well, we hugged him, congratulated him, and sent him home straightaway to thank God for the miracle.

Now... miracles happen in the mission field and at home. Those are just two :) Is God not blessing our area? He is. He has heard our prayers and fasts and the work is progressing :)
Love you forever Momma :)
Love, Conrad

From Elder Arineitwe to Leah May 22, 2012

Dear Mother.
It was so fun talking to you too. we had a wonderful Sunday evening on the phone. It was as If we have lived in the same house for all my life. Our conversation was for sure a mother to son conversation. You sound like some one I know well mother. On Sunday you asked me of the fun moments we have had so fur. I did not know what to say. Because every moment has been a fun moment. One day the was no water in the flat for a number of days, we almost complained, then a thought came, "consider the early missionaries, the pioneers of missionary work, even the pioneers of the church, they were willing to exchange their lives for the phrase, 'the church is true." We also remembered that almost very thing has been done for us to be on a mission. We have come on mission in the era of 'Preach my Gospel'. That alone caused us to count our blessings. naming them one by one. And at the end our faces were filled with smiles and anew song. We are so happy that you are sending to us a package. thank you for your love. MOM, Tell BEN, that am so great full for the baseball.Miracles are happening. We are receiving constant impressions from the Holy Ghost after prayer and we are committed to act on them. Heavenly Father sends them as good thoughts specifically for what we prayed for. We know that such thoughts that come to us after prayer are not just thoughts but are  personal revelation concerning what we should do. We have followed all those we received in the past. And as a result, we have the trust of the branch president, the there is a link between us and the branch, 4 instigators came to church this Sunday and we feel happy about mission. We are doing our very best.

I love you Mom. thank you for the prayers. we pray for you , Dad, Ben Jessie and Dan . Tell them I greeted them. Have a great week.  talk to you next week. l will send letters on Tuesday. they may delay because l will send them by the church's free system. It is expensive for me to send letters using the money am given. All is well we are smiling and laughing.    

From Elder Arineitwe on May 22, 2012

Dad, We are smiling even in this very minute, Am doing so great. miracles are happening in our area, We have won the trust of the branch president, Elder Schneider introduced the ward mission plan in this area which is literally linking us to members. This week we had 4 investigators at sacrament meeting. that came as a result of a proposal from my trainer. He suggested that we should split our area into parts and visit a part each day for the whole week. When we tried it out, it worked. all the investigators that came to church this Sunday came from a different part of our area. We are constantly receiving impressions on that which we should do.  And when an impression comes, we seek to act upon it immediately. Thank you for the package. thank you for all. It was a special moment to talk to you. Am going to send to you a letter with mother on Tuesday. Love you. Have a great day Greet all at home.  

May 20, 2012 Phone Call for Mother's Day

We were able to talk to Conrad and his companion on May 20th!  We talked for several hours.  It was great.  We also talked with Elder Arineitwe.  He's such a sweet kid.  They sound happy and so excited about their missionary efforts.

Mother's Day

Well, Conrad wanted to call on Mother's Day, but their power and phone lines were down, so we didn't get a call.  He's going to call this coming Sunday instead.  We are so excited to talk to him, none more so than his mother.  I hope the power lines are up and running.  I did speak with him a little yesterday to arrange the call for Sunday.  He sounds very happy and sounds like he has really found his stride.  He said I was right about the culture shock "thing".  But he's adapted and is blossoming as a missionary.

More May 8, 2012

Last thing Dad, keep your phone on you throughout the week .Apparently we are allowed to call home sometime during this week to make sure everything works! Maybe, I will pass it by our zone leader first, but be wary. I won't be able to talk for long, but just to make sure everything works. I love you Dad, you may or may not hear from me before Sunday. Ooooooo..... the suspense....
Love, Conrad
p.s. hope your nose heals. Don't end up like Michael Jackson.

May 8, 2012

STORYTIME!!!!! So for the past..... since I have been on a mission, I have been praying for our area to get better. And for a long time, it has hurt. But Elder Arineitwe and I have tried new things, worked HARDER, and prayed and fasted. Now, it is not us at all. The Lord requires us to work hard if we want a happy area with people to teach and success and progression. Well, we did fast and pray mightily and beg the Lord to help us and guide us to those whom He has prepared. Guess what? He led us to the District Officer (D.O.). Which is the equivalent to like, a step above mayor. He is over a very wide range of areas, and has a TON of influence. Well, guess who our only investigator at church was? Mr. Peter Majiwah, D.O. HE IS PROGRESSING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND, he has begun to connect us with local leaders, saying that it is important that they know what we are teaching. OH YEAH MAN!!!!! Now that they are softened enough to listen, we just need to teach with power and clarity and the Holy Ghost will work His stuff :) this is landmark for our area. Also, the Branch President has noticed our efforts. He was very pleased with the branch mission plan I made and he, of his own accord, pulled me aside on Sunday and asked if we would accompany him every Friday to visit a few families in the Branch. YES!!!!!! the Branch is becoming solid, they are rising to their sense of commitment. The area is increasing. We got EIGHT new investigators this week :) I can't describe the miracles being worked before our very eyes, but they are happening. I will tell you more when we talk. But know this, the Lord hears prayers. I prayed that I could "make a difference and help my brothers and sisters in Naitiri to know how happy they can be." And now it is coming to pass. *happy sigh* The Lord is there. The work is progressing, especially in Naitiri :) When I leave, the work will be in full motion. I don't say this to build up me, because I don't feel like I did anything really significant anyway. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the king of Creation!!!!! :D