May 2013

5/6
Hello,
Things are going pretty good. For my birthday, I am having the sisters make some Texas sheet cake that will be pretty awesome! The President told me last year: "One more year and you will be legal." I said Legal for what President; kids start drinking here when they are twelve.  I don’t think they really care what age you are, they usually send their ten year old children to buy them beer in the market.  Anyways, I think maybe I will eat out on Friday. There is a nice restaurant here called Spur. My time here seems short, but still seems far away.  However, time is going by pretty fast.  I think it is because I am with another experienced missionary. I don’t have to teach him what to do, he just knows. The teaching is great, because we are both experienced it run a lot smoother.  I think that makes is go by fast. 
Now that I am the Zone leader I make the rules.  I don’t have a Zone leader breathing down my neck saying: do this and do that!  Some Zone leaders are so tight, they are just like Robots, but I am a pretty chill person.  I work hard during the day and then relax and have fun in the evening.  Some missionaries don’t understand that sometimes that it’s okay to have fun.  Without having some fun it makes their missions really long. 
I wouldn’t mind staying in this area until I finish.  The couple’s missionaries want to move us to an unsafe place.  It is a lot like a ghetto in the U.S.  My companion and I already talked about it, and we won’t stay in that house.  If they want us to stay there then they are going to have to transfers us and remove us as zone leaders.   I don’t think they will it states right in the white hand book "housing should be Safe, clean and economical it should allow you to Maintain your Privacy and the dignity of your calling." so they can’t argue with me.
That’s all for now
Love Devin

April 2013

4/1
Easter was okay.  My companion has Malaria and a Urine Infection so we have been home. We did have a BBQ last night that was good.
Malaria is like the common flu here.  In fact, it is hard for you to come here and not get it. I am use to Malawi and Malaria.  My body is use to it but, he has only been here a few weeks so I think that is why he got it. However, it is pretty treatable you can get rid of it in three days with medication.  It is only when you don’t go to the doctor when it worsens and goes from stage 1 to 2, and then into cerebral Malaria.  If you don’t go in for treatment, it will kill in just over a week.  It is sad because, a lot of people don’t have money to the private clinics and the public hospitals they don’t have medication,  so they just refer you to a private clinic to get the medicine.  However, most people don’t have money to buy the medication so they end up suffering.  It is hard to see people suffer.
Driving in Africa can be more dangerous than Malaria.  Driving here is like the bumper cars at Lagoon. People just do whatever they want; the police don’t have vehicles, so even if they make a traffic violation they aren’t going to catch them.  It s just so strange, I think I’ll be the best driver ever after this!!
That is all I got for now till next week
 Love Devin.
4/8
I am doing pretty well.  We went to a dinner appointment last week to the Collins. They are an American couple.  He is from California and his wife is from Provo. I don’t know if you remember Mrs. Kramer she taught me math in Sixth grade.  Anyways, that was his wife’s mother. It is a small world!
 I keep the car pretty clean everyone seems to be amazed to ride in a nice clean car all the time I don’t think they know what to do. Thanks to Dad I learned quite a bit from him. I hate dirty cars.
 I had President and Sister Padovich get some Scripture cases from South Africa. One is made out of Crocodile, one out of Elephant, and the other Ostridge.  I got one for everyone they are awesome.  They have an imprint of the continent of Africa. 

4/15
I am doing pretty well.  The time seems to go by pretty fast here. I received a package from Donna the other day along with the one that you sent.   Hopefully, the other one comes soon.
 We will have some baptisms soon!! I think we will have about 12 of them. Lilongwe baptizes a lot.  Currently, we are teaching the chief.  We have taught him twice, but we will see how it goes.
 We are planning a trip to go to Lake Malawi; it is the 8th biggest lake in the world. The Tanzanians are saying that part of the lake is theirs and are claiming it.  Malawi says it is theirs; they are fighting, because they have discovered that there is oil in the lake.  The Tanzanians are only claiming the part that has the oil. They never had a problem the Lake, until they found oil.  People are funny sometimes.
 Tell Donna thanks for the package I enjoyed it. It got here pretty fast, she sent it the end of March but she sent it to Blantyre though. I think they might be a bit better about it.
Well that is all i have for this week love you all
 Devin
4/22
Well, things are great!  We went to Lake Malawi today (8th biggest lake in the world) It was pretty cool The scenery was great. It was about a two hour drive to get there.  It is in Salema,  if you wanted to look up the resort where we were at then you can.   We did a hike and that was pretty cool.  Transfers will happen again soon, probably near the end of May. This might be my last area. I might get a new companion but same area. I am happy where ever I am.
From your favorite missionary
Elder Jasper.

4/29
Things are going pretty good. We are still staying at the same place. They have not yet split the branch; I imagine that they will do it when President Padovich comes again in May.
I have been thinking about college. I am feeling motivated to get back into school when I return.  I am still feeling like medical school will be a good path/career choice for me.  I am hoping to get right back into the grove of college when I return.
I hope that you have a great week!!
Elder Jasper

March 2013

3/4
I am doing well.  I will be serving in Lilongwe.  We will be driving down there tomorrow.  I will be driving now since I will be the Zone leader.  I am just going to be super busy now. doing all sorts of stuff. Lilongwe is the capital city of Malawi.  However, it you can believe it, Blantyre is more developed that Lilongwe.  Lilongwe It is more like a village.  My new area is called Kuwhale and it is definitely a village. It has been dry here and with the heat it has been super dusty.  I have found that for the most part, Africa is super Dusty.
 My new companion will be Elder Govidisami .  He is an Indian, but he is from Durban South Africa. I met him once in Zambia, he is a young missionary but he is smart. We will be busy this week dealing with all of the logistics, since many people will be moving out and coming here.  We have to get everyone situated in their perspective areas and make sure everything runs smoothly.
 Today we are going to hike Soche mountain today.  That should be fun.  I was with Elder Muthoka from Kenya Elder Fairbanks from Highland and Elder Ngobeni from South Africa last night and we made Chapattis which are like tortillas but, they make them African style.  I will make them for everyone when I come home and we can eat burritos I guess( haha).

3/8
I am doing well; being a zone leader is a bit busy. Today they are rioting because the opposition party wanted to remove Joyce Banda.  They went with the police to arrest her, but the military surrounded her house so they couldn't get to her.  Then they arrested the leader of her opposition party, who is a son to the previous president of Malawi.  Anyways, there was some violence around the cities, as a result we are on lock down, but we were allowed to go to a small store to shop for the week. So, we were very busy today running missionaries to and from places.  I am driving- driving quite a bit now just doing stuff for the zone.  . It is difficult being a zone leader it is a lot of responsibility I feel overwhelmed at times especially today I have to prepare tomorrow for zone meeting and make zone goals and help the zone to progress. I will have a lot of work to do when I get back seems over whelming.
We did have 4 baptisms on Sunday that was nice.  Families are a gift from God that lasts forever through sacred ordinances preformed in his holy house. How great is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

3/18
Yeah this zone leader thing is busy we drive around a lot. We drove 88 miles in one day just doing errands and stuff, but we still managed to get 30 lessons this week! I don’t know if I told you or not that last week we had four baptisms. That is exciting. 
There is a lot of crime in the area. For example, we had our car window smashed by some crazy dude in our area. He threw a metal rod through the window.  Then, my companion drove the truck into a drainage ditch that only took twenty five men to lift it out. That was yesterday, not to mention it was raining (pouring) and I was soaked.  This week is just been crazy. 
 Well, it is getting down to the final countdown.  I only have a short time left here, only six months. It doesn’t seem like I have been away for so long. The difficult thing about being a zone leader is trying to keep a zone unity (missionaries getting along) we have had a few bumps in the road already.  Looking after each and every missionary and making sure they are doing what they are suppose to be doing.  The one thing that I have to realize is that I will not be able to be everyone’s friend because they don’t like it when you correct them a bit. I am grateful for my companion. My companion is good; he is smart and knows a lot of doctrine. 
I am hopeful we will be able to go to Lake Malawi for our Zone activity, but we have to wait till we get the other car back it is being repaired.  When we get the car back we should be able to go we have zone conference next week.
Devin.

Feburary 2012

Well, it is the rainy season here.  It seems like it rains 24/7.  When I wake up.....it's raining.  When I go to sleep.....you guessed it! It’s RAINING!!  I had to get a new hand book because mine had mold in it because of all the rain.   Speaking of the rain, with the rain there is a lot of bugs. 


BUGS!!

 

DINNER!!!

The rain makes everything so green.  However, it has rained so much here that the heavy rains are destroying the crops.   I hope that it will let up some and the crops can be saved.

 

Baobab Tree

These Trees are HUGE!

We just finished up our Zone Conference.  The theme for conference was taken from 1Samuel 17..."Who is your Goliath?" What holds you back... "Is there not a cause?" I had great time learning about our "cause".  As we work together we will make a difference.  I am blessed to be a missionary.

Transfers will come at the end of February or the beginning of March.  I am not sure if I will be transferred or remain here in Malawi for now.
I am glad to hear that everything is going well at home.   It sounds like lots of changes are happening with the new house, the twins going to a new school, and Bryce joining the Navy.   Change can be scary and is difficult for most people.  Most of us don’t want to leave our comfort zone.  However, changes happen daily.   Most changes are for the best some are not.  Change reminds me of missionary work.  If you dare to take the step into the unknown the blessing that you receive on the other side our great.  We are changing to become more Christ like.  Keeping the commandments is one example of that helps us to change, to become better, and to be more Christ like.  For people in the LDS faith we are required to give up coffee, tea, tobacco, 10 percent of our income, and our time.  We are required to sacrifice some thing.  Some wonder….when will my sacrifices pay off.  Sometimes our sacrifices will not pay off until after this life when we return to our father in heaven and inherit our exaltation, and triumph over all our enemies. 
That is all for now, Love and miss you!!
Elder Jasper

Wild Life

January 2012
This month I have been doing well.  However, I have been sick with a bit of the flu.  I am doing better now.  It has rain quite a bit here.  Some of the streets look more like rivers when it does rain. 
On January 21st we had our zone activity.  We went to Majete Wild Life Reserve Game Park.  It was great. The drive there was also pretty cool. We saw lots of big game animals and a beautiful water fall.  On Thursday we had to stay indoors because people were protesting about the devaluation of the kwatcha and no increase in pay.  The protests here can be violent. For example, when they protested in 2011, 27 people were shot and killed.  So, we went to the Shields (the couple’s missionaries) and stayed there for the day.
 We are getting a new mission president in June, because President Padovich is getting released.   I want to go to the hospital tomorrow to have my shoulder looked at it is bothering me.  I don’t know what I did but it feels like a muscle tear or a really bad strain.  I will go tomorrow morning. 
 We are supposed to be getting some more missionaries between now and March. That will be great!! So, I might train again and that would be great.
Well, that is all for now love and miss you all
Devin

Photo's

December 2012

I hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season! I hope that in the busy holiday season that people take the time to remember the true meaning of Christmas.  I hope that everyone can be with their families, help others, and renew their faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. 
"Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, 'Come, follow me.'
"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others" (Thomas S. Monson, "In Search of the Christmas Spirit," Ensign, Dec 1987, 3).
I love you!!
Happy Holidays
Elder Jasper

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November 2012

Nov. 6
This week has been interesting.  Due to the security issues here they are putting in our new security system.  We now have motion sensors at our flat.  If it gets tripped the security comes right out with what is similar to a SWAT team in the US.  As I said in previously in emails there have been a lot of break-ins into the houses here as well as in the Lilongwe area.  The word from Salt Lake is that if there are anymore robberies in the area or at the flats then they are going to close the country and take us out of Malawi.  We have a few new rules. They are: only carry a little bit of money, but enough to have if we meet any thief’s, we have to be home by dark to avoid being robbed.  The crime is up due to the devaluation of the Kwatcha (money) and there is a big food shortage. The food will run out by the end of this year.  As a result, the prices for food are going higher.  As a result, the people are more desperate for money and when they see us, they think we have money.  I am sad for the people here and to see their suffering.  The people here are good.  They are just so poor and desperate they are only trying to survive.
Otherwise, everything else is going pretty good. In addition, we have a baptism for the 24 of November.  I am excited about the baptism and fell that the work here is going well.
Love you,
Elder Jasper

November 12-26
On November 12 we hiked Michiru Mountain today and went to the Hyena Caves.  That was awesome.  Hyenas are very fast!  I must say I was quite impressed.
Here in Chewa is the national language of Malawi. I have been speaking Chewa most of the time.  Sometimes it is hard for me to remember English.  Someone asked me what something met in English the other day and I really had to think about it.  Wow! That was a bit surprising to me.  I hope I don’t need to go back to elementary school when I get back home (LOL).  It’s a good think I read my scriptures in English and write my family in English!!
I will be here in Malawi for awhile.  I am still training a missionary. I will most likely be in Malawi until around February.  However, I might train again after I am finished training this missionary.  We are supposedly getting another twenty missionaries between now and March!!  We will have up to 60 missionaries in the mission. 60 missionaries will seem like quite a lot considering that we only had forty before.  
Elder Jasper

October 2012

10/8/2012
I am doing well.  It is getting extremely hot here.  I feel like I am melting.  There is of course no air conditioning here and it makes it difficult to sleep here at night. But, hey I guess that is all part of the experience here.  My new companion is Elder Majafe from Botswana. We have just been looking for new investigators in our area.  Our next baptism is on the 24 of October.  We are looking forward to that.
10/22/2012
I am doing well. We did not get to watch conference this weekend but we will watch it next week. I am excited about watching conference and am excited to hear the messages from our leaders.  I had my interview with the mission president on Saturday. My interview went well.   Tomorrow is our Zone Conference.   I am looking forward to that as well. 
How is the weather in Utah?  It is HOT, HOT, HOT and extremely HOT here!! (LOL) It is so hot that I have a hard time sleeping at night. Last night, I think I fell asleep around two in the morning. 
The missionaries in Lilongwe are staying with us here in Blantyre they have been having problems with people breaking in at night and robbing them.   The office in Salt Lake said if it happened again and they would pull them out of the area.   Recently, the couple missionaries were robbed by the police!!!  As a result, they are staying with us until they can up a security system.  They want to put motion sensors, an alarm system,   and four security guards at night, and burglar bars on the doors.  Currently, we have a big wall around our house with barb wire. Until they get all of the security precautions set up the missionaries from Lilongwe will be staying with us. The reason why people are being robbed is because of the devaluation of the kwacha and there hasn’t been an increase in anyone’s salary.  In addition, they have a maize shortage, the food will run out by the end of the year and they won’t harvest until March. As a result, a lot of people will suffer. It is hard to see the people here suffer.  They are so humble and work so hard for what they have.  I hope that a solution can be found that will help the people here.
 Anyways, that’s all for today love you all Elder Jasper

September 2012

9/10/2012
This week there was a baptism on Saturday that we attended in Zingwangwa branch.  It was nice.  One of the members who we baptized in August comes from a Muslim family.  His family was not happy that he joining the church.  He was told to leave the church or he would be kicked out of the house.  It was a bit sad, however he found a job as a guard and found a small house to live in. I am praying that he continues to do well and finds support from others in the community and as well as members in the church.   I know the lord will bless him.
9/17/2012
I am doing well.  Everything is going well.  However, it is getting very hot here in Malawi.  It is really going to warm up in October.   October is usually the hottest month here.   There has been a bit of unrest here in the streets of Malawi.  People here are extremely upset about a Muslim internet video. I don’t know anything about it other than it sure has upset a lot of the people here.  They are angry with the American people.  I hope it settles down soon. It has been a bit scary.
9/24/2012
This week is going a well.  I should be getting my new companion within the next few weeks.   We are planning a zone activity to a game park.  That should be fun and exciting!

August 2012

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
(He said “all nations.”)
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt. 28:18–20.)
I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the lord and to teach his people.  In the month of August we had the opportunity to baptize 5 new members!  I am so grateful to be here in Africa, nation with such wonderful people and such a rich culture.
This month I am working with a branch missionary.  There have been a lot of transfers and I will be working with a branch missionary until around October 2 1012.