Monday, December 19, 2016

Week 80: I have felt like Job these last few weeks


Well this last week was not too productive. Elder Oliveira and I spent a lot of time at the house and at the clinic because of the abscess that I had. For those of you who were not aware, I had a abscess on my face on my jaw that took quite a bit of time, money and suffering to get rid of. Today I am pleased to announce that I am okay! Finally! The abscess is gone, and I am just recovering a little bit. Thank you all for your prayers for us missionaries. We really do feel your support and the power of your prayers.

Congratulations Dad on your graduation! I know you have been working for a long time to attain this goal that you have had. I know you have worked really hard, like you do with everything, to get your Master's Degree. I am grateful for the diligent example that you have set for me all my life. You do not cease to amaze me, Dad. I love you and I am so proud of you and your accomplishments.

Just a quick update. We are planning two weddings for January. Elizio and Clara decided to get married, Finally! Hercilio and Saquinna have been traveling for work, so we haven't seen them lately, but when Saquinna came to church yesterday, so that was good! We also found that really nice family Idelson and Suzana. They are already married and I have not been able to get ahold of them in a really long time. I know that they were planning a trip, but I don't know where they are. We really want to visit them, but it has been a while.

Well, that is all I have for now. I will see some of you on Friday when I Skype home.

Have a Good Week.
Abraco Forte!
Elder Rash

Note from mom:  Elder Rash really had a hard week last week.  Going to a medical clinic every day, 3 times a day, for 6 days!  He is feeling much better and says that he is 90% better.  The abscess was really bad a required lots of medical attention.  We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers on Elder Rash's behalf.  He has felt them and so have we!  No pictures that we feel we can post of the blog due to the nature of the pictures (all of the abscess that is really nasty!).

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Week 79: No time to be sick when you are in the Service of our Lord


Firstly, Happy Birthday, Dad! I don't know your exact age, and I won't even try to guess, but I do know that your birthday was yesterday! Know that I was thinking about you and that I love you.

Secondly, Happy Birthday, Elder Hofeling! Elder Hofeling had his birthday on Dec. 9th and I hope everything is going well with him in the Philippines.

Thirdly, Congrats to Spencer Ellsworth on the mission call to France! That is Awesome! Welcome to God's Army!

Well this week for me was... Different... To say the least. For the first few days of the week, Elder Goes and I were running Nampula by ourselves; which was a little difficult. Both of us had important lessons that we wanted to have, and we just didn't have enough time to work both areas efficiently. So we weren't as efficient from Friday until the following Thursday when our companions arrived. 

Then, when our companions arrived, it seemed as if there were so many surprises that we had to take care of here. A young woman got her mission call, and so we were asked to plan a surprise party/reveal for her- she will be serving in Zambia and reports in Jan.

Friday was the only normal day that we had. We got out to work and worked for the full time.

Saturday we had baptisms planned in the morning, AND we learned that one of the members that we love very much , we learned that he had suffered a fatal accident and passed away the night before. His wife is in the hospital in critical condition, and his funeral was yesterday. So that has brought a gloom over the whole branch. Also on Saturday we were full with English classes, trainings, and other meetings.

On Sunday and Monday I was unable to leave the house because of Health Issues. I could hardly get out of bed at times. But now I am getting better.

My companion is Elder Oliveira. He is from Sao Paulo, Brazil. He is 26 years old. He is the epitomy of Christlike service, and Christlike love. He helped me out a lot while I was sick. He has been very patient with me and very loving. He speaks excellent English, and has 14 months on his Mission.

We are planning 2 weddings for the month of January. Elizio and Clara, and Hercilio and Saquinna.

I think that is all I have to report on for now.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.

Elder Rash
 
*  Note from mom:  Elder Rash has been seen by a doctor for his abscess that we found out is on his face!  His face swelled up and that's when it became a concern.  He is on antibiotics and feeling better.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Week 78: Ups and downs are part of being a missionary


This week was alright for us missionaries here in Nampula. We had ups and downs, but that is life, right? I also had a week full of surprises; to say the least.

I really don't have a whole lot to report on. With transfers and missionaries getting sent out of Nampula and some other surprises, Elder Goes and I did not get a whole lot of work done. We had to try to work two areas and run the branch at the same time, so we were not as efficient as we have been in the past weeks. Elder Taukiuvea ended his mission and went home. He left Nampula Friday night. Elder Osorio also left Nampula on Thursday to go down to Maputo. We were down two missionaries.

We really saw the effect that all this caused when Sunday rolled around and only 134 people showed up to church. Like I said, we typically have 180 or 190, and we typically have 15 to 25 investigators, well I only had 5 investigators... Man, it hurt me.

But during church I was asked to play the piano for the branch, and I did a pretty decent job. I have been learning some new hymns and practicing quite a bit, so I was able to play for the branch without any problems.

My new companion will be Elder Oliveira- from Brazil. I am super excited to work with him! This will be my first companion that is not a natural english speaker! I really like Elder Oliveira. He is a great missionary and super obedient; so I am excited to see the blessings come to this branch because of him and his work here. Elder Goes' new companion will be Elder Draney- one of my companions in the MTC. The two of them should help each other out a lot and their area should progress really well.

I am excited for the new adventures that this next transfer will bring.

I know God lives. I know Jesus is the Christ. I know God loves us and that we are His children. Christ invites us to come unto Him and be perfected in Him. He did suffer and die for our sins. We can repent of any transgression that we commit. Repentance brings peace and exaltation. I am so grateful for the Atonement of my personal Savior, Jesus Christ. This is the work of the Lord. I am eternally grateful for the privilege I have to be a missionary and serve the people of Nampula and Mozambique.

I love this work. I love my Savior.

Elder Rash

*Note from mom:  No pictures this week.  Please keep Elder Rash in your prayers.  Sometimes, extra prayers are helpful.  He CAN do hard things!