Baseball, piano playing and trusting the spirit

This picture makes his MOM so happy.....look how happy he is!!

Bring it!

Tossing the ball around...missionary style

Baseball tossing partner

Hello!! This week was great. Some great things happened with our investigators and also got to see and even play some baseball. Ahh it was great.

Tuesday. happy birthday dad. Got a new shower, so no bucket showers anymore. Booyah! ha Then we met a new investigator named Ernest. He is a super awesome guy. He first talked to us because he wanted to to know more about the bible and how to study it. We taught him the first lesson. He is super smart and super interested. We gave him a book of mormon. He is awesome. 

Wednesday we visited Benard and Anipha. They seem like they are gonna make it for the 10th of July. SO super stoked for that family. They are awesome.

Thursday we did some service in the morning. Did some digging and weeding and such at a school. It is funny what people think about americans. haha. Also love it when the spirit prompts you to teach something different than what you planned and it becomes a great lesson. Trust in the spirit! Also when we were teaching a lesson I looked out and saw a baseball field! (I was still apart of the lesson, don't worry). SO after the lesson I had to go check it out. Turns out that there are two teams here they are sponsored by the Indian sugarcane company. Not sure if they are the ones that went to the little league world series last year. It was sweet to see some people playing baseball and that they have baseball here in Africa. Also had to show some Ugandans that I can actually do push-ups. Then they wouldn't do it when I asked them to show me. haha. 

On Friday we had a good day had a great lesson where at first she wouldn't commit to come to church, but as we bore our testimony her heart softened and she committed to come to church. Trust in the spirit.

On Saturday we had a good day. Got bounced, but we helped clean the church and after I played catch with one of our investigators he is on one of the teams here. SO that was Awesome. It has been a long time since I have played catch and had a conversation. Man...... Baseball.(he loves baseball!) Also had a good lesson with a new investigator in the evening. Then found out that Ernest had finished the book of mormon and had some good questions. What!!!??? This guy is crazy! 5 days. powerful. 

Then on Sunday we had a good day 58 at sacrament. Sometimes it is hard to have such a young branch that still is figuring it out when it comes to organization and such, but it is fun helping them. Also I have playing the piano in sacrament meeting so I am learning some small piano skills.(What in the world??!!??  Who is this person?!!?)  Also had some interesting lessons later in the day. Let us just say keep the Law of Chastity kids. It saves from a lot of problems in the future. Today, we had a chill day. Stayed around the house and played some soccer. My skills are getting pretty good as well. ha.

Also had an awesome week of personal study. Learned so many great things. I have been loving studying the Doctrine and Covenants. There is some powerful revelation there. One of my favorite sections is 19. I love when it talks about the atonement. Verses 15-19. Some of my favorite scriptures on the atonement. Go and study it. Something that hit me was that Jesus Christ suffered for each and everyone of us individually. He has hope and love so great for each of us. Even though he probablly knew some people wouldn't use his sacrifice. He still suffered for each and everyone of us. He provided each of us a way back to our Heavenly Father. Let us not waste it, but use it to strengthen us every single day and week. That we can find ourselves with our families and Heavenly Father again someday. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Love YOU. Have a great week.

Love Elder Beck


Mom questions..
1. Have you seen the influence of women who choose to accept the gospel in their lives and then their decision affect others in their family in bringing them into the gospel?
That is a good question, but I haven't seen that happen directly, but I think I have seen it happen with a couple families. Where the wife is the one that introduces it to the husband or the one that gets the husband interested, but I can't point out a specific time.


2. What's something in your life that you feel like has change for you or that you have grown stronger in As a result of being a missionary?
My testimony, my knowledge, my english, Listening to the spirit, Charity.


3.  What would you say is harder being away from your home and family or learning to live with a complete stranger and becoming companions with them?

The harder one is leaving family. The stranger thing isn't that hard,
sometimes frustrating , but I am easy.

4. Where do you see the beauty in Africa? do you see it in the landscape, vegetation, animals, sky, people?
I see it in different ways in different places, but I always seem to
find it in the landscape or the sky wherever I go.

 5.  Spiritually, what has brought you the most happiness on your mission?
Finding and teaching a full family that is humble and wants to learn
the restored gospel. Also personal study. I love personal study each
morning.

Thank you mother. Love you.

Love Elder Beck


Here is the quote from president Monson...
> This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we
> live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come,
> and then they are gone.
> "I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short
> sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is
> important and what is not.
> "I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you
> plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to
> do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."
> Pres Monson.

Elder Beck in front of his apartment

Elder Beck and his little friend

Straight up cuteness

He finally got a chair!

His next companion

Somewhere in Lugazi...maybe right outside his apartment?

Lugazi....corn fields?

Transfer News!!

Hello! Transfer New today and guess what! NObody is moving in Lugazi all four missionaries are staying here. NOt what I was expecting and different than I am used to, as this will be my first time with a companion for more than 1 transfer. Should be interesting. This week though was a good week. I had a feeling that it was going to be a good week at the beginning of the week too.

So on Tuesday. We just had a nice day. All our appointments went through. We did some nice finding. A member came back from Kampala today, Francis. good to have him back. He loves to help us and is powerful. Finished the day with a powerful lesson with a family. Godfrey and Justine. I have high hopes for this family. Godfrey is super smart and can understand us so well. Justine is really humble and kind. They are already talking to the president about getting married and we also took Branch President with us to the lesson. It was a great lesson. 

On wednesday we had a nice day as well. WE taught our progressing family Benard and Anipha. They are great. Talking about their baptism and getting the church marriage, but they already are legally married ready for baptism. I just worry a little about how much they understand because of the struggle with English, but they haven't missed a Sunday since we started teaching them. I am excited for them. They will be baptized in July.

Thursday had a nice little tender mercy. I prayed to find an answer to a question an investigator had and my book of mormon reading for that day led me right to the answer. Heavenly Father does answer prayers! Also met a funny drunk guy. That wants me to tempt him? He also Loves me? then we had a super powerful lesson with a new guy. He wants his wife to be taught now. He is a super awesome guy. Friday was a good day. One of the members we visited his family and Robison, he is 14, ate soap after I faked eating it. haha. Robison is crazy!

Saturday was a tough day. We didn't go out much because of the rain and my companion doesn't like rain very much, So it was a slow day. Also found out that Godfrey got his schedule changed so he will be hard to meet with for a couple of weeks. So not the best day. 

Then Sunday we had a good day, but a lot of our investigators either got sick or their children got sick or they went to the village for their sisters wedding. Something always has to stop these people. Satan is not easy. But a good day. Isaac got confirmed and he helps us teach when he is not at school. 

Monday we got transfer news. Nothing new. Waited for the plumber at home. Got some things fixed at the home. Nothing to0 exciting. Overall it was a good week. We have about 5 families we are teaching. And there are a lot more that are waiting for us out there. So.... pretty excited to be here another transfer.

I also had a lot of really good personal studies this week as I continue to read the Book of Mormon and started Doctrine and Covenants. I really liked chapter 4 from 2 Nephi. Nephi really just expresses himself from the heart. His word are really powerful. He talks about the trials he has gone through and the pain and sorrow he has because of his weaknesses, but he finishes with a pep talk he tells us to put away that sorrow and pain and anger that comes from the devil and to let it have no place in you (2 Nephi 4:28) and says to put your trust in the rock of your salvation who is Christ who he trusted and will trust for ever and ever! (2 Nephi 4:34). Who is our trust in? Is it in man? Ourselves? or Christ? If it is in Christ we need not fear or doubt, because we will be filled with Hope and Love and Joy and Peace even amidist our imperfections as a person. I love that chapter from Nephi.

Thanks for the love and support and everything you guys do for me. It really helps me every week. Love you.

Love Elder Beck

NO QUESTIONS FROM MOMMA THIS WEEK....Since something went wrong with my gmail, I did not receive any messages from my son OR pictures..... {sad face}... however, I have found some interesting info about Lugazi.  See below.

Mormon Helping Hands Project at Mehta Hospital in Lugazi Uganda Africa...this was in 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnyf-w-0Aao



Here is a map and information about Lugazi, Uganda.... where Elder Beck is right now....

Lugazi is a town in the Buikwe District of the Central Region of Uganda. The town is also called "Kawolo", and the two names are interchangeably used by the local inhabitants.

The town is on the Kampala-Jinja Highway, approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) by road, east of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. (Kampala is where the mission home is)

In 2014, the national population census put the population of Lugazi at 39,483.

In 2012, a Little League baseball team from Lugazi qualified for the 2012 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This was the second ever team from Uganda to qualify and the first to make the trip to the USA.^[8]

Lugazi is also the home of the Uganda Revenue Authority SC, a member of the Uganda Premier Soccer League.

Sugar cane industry is big and wikipedia also mentions a golf course, which, I believe Elder Beck has golfed on.

On a side note, to update y'all. Elder Beck was in Kigali Rwanda for about 7 months, then transferred to Gulu, Uganda (nothern Uganda) for 6 weeks and now is in Lugazi, Uganda.

That's all I know.... anyone else want to add their 2 cents about Lugazi??

Another week, where did it go? Baptism, golf, riots, malaria

the Photo bombing continues...golfing African style

African golf wear? (Elder Gangire/Beck)

Hello! This week was weird because the days felt long, but I don't
know where the week went.

On Tuesday we had a lot of bounces of potential investigators, but had
a good lesson with Isaac preparing for his baptism on Sunday. Also had
a super frustrating lesson with a family that we had previously
dropped and I remember why we dropped them. They are super stubborn
and I just want to get up and walk away in the middle of the lesson.
Not easy. SOmetimes people just frustrate me. Why does sharing the
truth have to be so hard sometimes? ha. Then ON Wednesday we had a
super powerful lesson with our progressing family. Benard and Anipha.
They are awesome. Then we had a solid rest of the day.

On Thursday we did a lot of finding. And we met a lot of people that
weren't really interested in the gospel. Let's just say we hope that
we planted seeds for a lot of the people we talked too.ha. Then we had
a powerful lesson at the end of the day with a family. They are really
interested and they are both super smart. On Friday we had a tough day
full of bounces, but Isaac passed his interview and I taught institute
about the Book of Mormon. It was cool to learn more about how the Book
of Mormon came about and how important it is the the gospel and
church. I also know that anyone who reads it will get closer to God!
No matter if you have read it 100 times or Zero times.

ON Saturday we got bounced a lot again by our Potential Investigator
families. Nothing much happened except that Elder Tesch was taken to
the hospital and he has Malaria and Typhoid. SO that is not good.  (THAT IS

NOT GOOD AT ALL!!!  TAKE YOUR PILL SON!)   Not
fun. He is improving though and doing well. So it was me and Elder
Tembo just us for a couple days. 

Sunday was awesome. 73 at church.
with 2 inv (investigating) families there and I gave a talk on Obedience. Then we had
an awesome baptism service for Issacc. It was great and he is an
awesome kid. His family is awesome as well. Then we had a tender mercy
in the afternoon. There was no one to help us translate for a mama
that we had a lesson with, but a member from Lira was visiting Lugazi
and helped us translate and it was an awesome lesson. Also found some
really cool people that want to learn more and join the church so
hopefully we can teach them and their families. Today for P-day there
was some rioting and such so we stayed at home. I played soccer with
Elder Tembo and 3 other members of the church. It was fun. soccer is
fun. |Then Elder Tesch and Elder Roylance came back. Elder Tesch is
doing better and is recovering. SOme some rioting and stuff on the way
to emailing. Pretty weird to see, but we are ok. DOn't worry. (SAY WHAT?!!)

Elder Beck, Issacc and Elder Tembo

I learned a lot this week. One thing I really like was from the Book
of MOrmon. I started over reading it again and it is amazing how I can
continue to get new things from it every time that I read it. I really
like the story of Sariah and Lehi. How Sariah was complaining and
worrying about her sons and LEhi was able to comfort her with his
testimony. A testimony is very useful. Share it with others. I also
like HOw Sariah went through a trial of her faith. She was perfect in
her faith, but with the help of Lehi she was able to make it through
and she recieved a witness in the end that they were doing what GOd
wanted them to do and that Lehi was a prophet. She gained that witness
after the trial of her faith. Ether 12:6 I thought that was a powerful
lesson for each of us. We don't have to be perfect, but we have to
push through and after the trial or the difficulty we gain that
witness and we know the truth. Even Sariah says " I know of a
surety......" Powerful.

PUSH THROUGH with FAITH amidst any trial and
you will strengthen your testimony and personal conversion so much.
Love you. Have a great week.

Love Elder Beck

Mom questions.
1.  Do you guys usually dress down on payday? Or does it depend? I noticed that you were wearing your white shirts when you went golfing and I didn't see any golf clubs? Do you use golf clubs? Or is there a new golf in Africa?

Ya we dress down when we do different activities on P-day, but usually
in public if we are just walking around town we are in our uniform.
ha. I don't know what picture you are talking about. When we were
golfing we were in p-day clothing. That was after golfing on our way
back home. WE used golf clubs and the golf is the same as in America

2.  How is the music there¿ Does it vary from pave to place? Do you enjoy it?

The music is good. They have a lot of american music but also local
music. It isn't too bad. Some is good, some isn't. Just depends.

3. What are some of the activities that the teenagers do for fun?

Play soccer, and not sure what else. Hang out. Listen to music. Not really sure.

4.  Have you learned to cook anything new? If so ,what?

I have learned a little bit. Like gravy. brownies. crepes. tortillas.
and tacos. I am going to learn how to make a rolex. so I can make them
for you when I get back. (yum!)

5.  Did you say you have a washing machine or are you back to bucket washing?

WE have a washing machine, but we don't have enough water to use it or
we will be out of water, so we hand wash. I do some of mine or I pay
the guard to wash them.

Elder Beck in the sugar cane

Hello Beautiful Africa!!

Just another day in Africa for Elder Beck

Sunset in Africa

aaahhhhhhh!

Fast week, teaching and golf

Super nice week in Lugazi that felt like a couple of days

Hello beautiful golf course in beautiful Uganda!

Hello! This week was a super fast one so I will try to remember what happened.

SO tuesday was a super nice day. Because the ZOne Leaders came for surprise exchanges. Me and Elder Tembo were with Elder Nsengyumva. He is from Rwanda and  super nice guy and powerful missionary. I learned a lot with him. He was bold and confident in everything that he did. Learned a ton from him and had a great time as well. Something he said was that if you are a great missionary and obedient you will never be comfortable. YOu will always be pushing yourself. Even applies to life in general. WE also need to be improving and pushing ourselves to be better. We should never get comfortable wherever we are.

On Wednesday, we had a zone meeting. It went really well. We had some super powerful finding in the evening. We found two new families and taught another unexpected lesson.

On thursday it rained serious in the early afternoon, but was nice after that and me and Elder Tembo had a great day. WE had 3 powerful lesson. 2 with families that we met yesterday. and one with a super nice guy that could benefit so much from this gospel. I was excited about today. 2 new families that have great potential.

On Friday we had a solid day. But it is weird the things people think about the church. It is crazy the influence of satan and funny when people ask dumb questions.

On Saturday we had a good day. Really good lesson with Benard the father of the progressing family. He is humble and loving and willing to learn. It is awesome.

On Sunday we had a great sabbath and church service. We had 70 at church which was awesome. A great fast and testimony meeting. and an awesome baptism for the other elders in the branch. Also had a great lesson which led to a referal which led to a person that we met cleaning her house that seems interested. I love How the Lord works. Just Bam bam bam. SUper nice.

Then today for P-day we went golfing at the course here. It was a super nice course, but it is not easy when you are golfing with people that have never golfed before. hahaha, but still really fun and definitely gonna do it again. let's just say the swing is still there. haha

Hole in one in Africa....not! not yet!

Golfing in missionary fashion...but where are the clubs?
Do they just throw the ball?

This week was great and a few things I learned and that stood out to me. Was how contention really drives the spirit away. Not just contention on the outside, but also on the inside. The contention that people can't see. We need to get rid of that contention in everything we do even inside of us. Also that leads to what stood out to me as well. I read this talk from last general conference. it was from the women's general session. the first talk. It is about love and service. It was a really awesome talk and it is what we should do whenever we have contention in our lives. WE should replace with love and serve others. Always looking for opportunities to serve. We are here to be the hands of God and serve others it is our responsibility. So Love and serve others. Thanks for everything you do for me. Love You.

Love Elder Beck

Mom questions....
1.  Tell me something that made you laugh out loud this week? I showed a picture of you and two of your  companions from Africa to one of my patients and asked her if she could pick you out from the group of 3.... She nailed it!

When we were walking to the chapel in Mukono for a Zone meeting the other two missionaries were in front of me and Elder Tembo and there was this taxi entering into the road. When it went out it peeled out and shot water at the missionaries in front of me and Elder Tembo. It made me and Elder Tembo laugh all the way to the chapel. haha.

2. Does the mosquito netting really keep the mosquitoes out? Are the mosquitoes worse where you're at and then your other locations? Do you take a malaria pill every day?

Mosquito netting helps, but it is not perfect. There are not bad here at all compared to Gulu. In Gulu I got eaten alive. I am trying to remember to take a pill everyday.

3. What is one of the most beautiful things or areas in your current location in the lugazi?

The sugar can fields and also the golf course here. WE played golf today and it is super nice and beautiful.

4. How many people are you teaching right now?

We are teaching around like 15-20 people right now. some in the same family and such.

Thanks mother for the questions and the update about home. Love you.

Love Elder Beck

Hi there African Lizard friend.

Do you see it?
Ya, me neither.... not sure what he was going for in this picture.
Where's Waldo?