Week 3 - Liberdade A - "The Party" by Childish Gambino

Alrighty, so shout outs to Mozambique cause they party so hard here that the festivities go until the 26th hahha not really but just because Christmas fell on a Sunday this year the Government wanted everything closed for the 26th so that is why this email is coming in a day late.

But oh my goodness guys, I feel like Buddy the Elf because of how happy I have been these couple of days. The number one reason is cause I got to see all of you guys (The Dirty 30 & 3/4's)! It was so good to see you guys and it was honestly so crazy to see how much everyone has grown up, especially the little kiddies! Thank you, guys, for all your sweet words and just for your smiles and Christmas wishes. Second reason is because I have been enjoying all that was sent in the Christmas package. I loved all the cards (which are now hanging on my mosquito net) and all the presents and treats. Third, just cause this time is "the most beautiful time of the year" as Justin Bieber says.  It is not because of the snow or cause of the 114-degree heat, but because of the spirit that comes with this great time! I am so very grateful for the chance that I have had to be in the mission field for two Christmas' now.

Since the fam has kind of been updated on most of the week so far it will be a short update section this week. So far, this transfer has gone by faster than any other on my mission with the this week helping out with it. We have been been battling with water and electricity problems but the past couple of days we have been all good. There is honestly nothing better than the energy coming back in the middle of the night after laying in your bed, sweating and rage punching mosquitoes for a couple of hours.  This week I did a division with one of my favorite Elders, Elder Mayeya. He is from Zambia and I have always told him that at least one time we would work together on our missions and it finally happened. I took him out to lunch at Maxxi's for a Christmas present where we enjoyed the most American hamburger and fries I have had on my entire mission.  It was super fun walking with him and getting to know him better. On Thursday, we had a service project helping a family in the ward prep the chickens that they would be selling for the holidays. It involved us killing and plucking all the chickens that we possibly could haha. Friday, we had Zone Conference, where we fit 60 missionaries into the mission office and had a great time. Saturday, we made it to the mission office safe through the heat and a storm to Skype. Sunday, in the morning we made some visits and then had just an hour of church at 11:30. We came home and I made lunch for everyone (shredded bbq chicken sandwiches with some rice bc Africa) and then we had one visit in the evening but then had to be home at 18:00,  So in the night we cleaned, I baked a cake and we were able to relax just a little bit.

For a just a little spiritual thought it comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson (S/O to Coach Thompson) and it says, "This time, like all times is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it." I have been thinking a lot about this little quote because it is so true for this time of year. Generally, all times are good but this time of Christmas and New Year’s is a great one if only we know what to do with it. Christmas, we have the chance to be with our families and remember the birth and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. New Years, we have the chance to be optimistic, set goals and have a new outlook on a new year. I don’t think it is coincidence that these two times fall together. It is because of Jesus Christ that we can progress and be optimistic. He suffered so that He could know how to help each and every single one of us be better in this life. So that we can feel of His and our Father in Heaven's love, joy and happiness. I hope that with the New Year coming we all have new goals and aspirations set for 2017 and I hope that we all turn to Christ to help us with these things that we wish to change, accomplish and feel personally but also to become better in blessing the lives of others!

Love yall! Have a great week!

Elder Chipman  

Snacks with Joel

The best Mosquito Net in the World. 

Division with Elder Mayeya

The Naughty Bubble

Our Security

Zone Conference in the Mission Home

Normal

Christmas Cake

Week 2 - Liberdade B - ''All I Want For Christmas Is You'' by Mariah Carey

What is good to the people who read these emails?!? It sounds like the weather has been perfect for getting reading for Christmas and everything so I just want to wish everyone an early Merry Christmas! This time of the year is a special so I hope everyone has a great/fun/safe couple of weeks!

As for me this week was still kind of a scramble with no companion for a couple of days. So, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I walked in a trio with Elder Ribeiro and Elder Dutra trying our best to split the time in both of our areas. But then during personal study on Thursday Morning we heard a knock at the door and yes... it was my companion. I was super happy that he showed up and that we could get back to some work. With 4 days of lots of work we also had lots of activities going on as well. On Friday, we headed out to the T3 house to drop off a cake for Elder Howells bday. Saturday, we had our ward Christmas party and it was a blast. I already feel right at home in the Liberdade ward. We were able to bring some investigators that are close to baptism to the activity and they were able to interact with the members which was really nice. We had a white elephant gift exchange and so not knowing what I would bring, I just thought to myself... ''What would Barb do?'' and it came to me haha. I wrapped up some brand spanking new Nike socks in capellana and legit everyone went nuts for it!  Then yesterday, with church being at 1:00 PM we headed out to do some visits in the morning and then we went and had a little breakfast at the house of the president of the elder’s quorum, Brothre Jopela. It was super nice and we were able to hear about how he was baptized and everything, which I always love hearing about.

As for a quick spiritual thought I want to stay on the topic of how Brother Jopela, his conversion and the church in general here in Mozambique. I have had the special opportunity to meet some of the first Mozambicans that were baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. From Chico Mapenda, who was baptized in Germany in the 80's, to President Samo Gonzalves, who was baptized in Portugal around the same time. We will truly never know all the work that we have done in this life. We have no idea the effect we are making on people and bringing others unto Christ. Because of  2 missionaries in Germany and 2 in Portugal there are now almost 10,000 people that have come to know the truthfulness and beauty of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t know those 4 missionaries and I don’t know if they know the effect that they have had but I am so thankful for them. In this Christmas Season and coming New Year I want to invite all of us to continue being abound in good works (Alma 7:24) through our service, example and testimony. We may see the fruits instantly that day, that week, that month or may not see the effect we made until the next life but I promise that if you have the desire to help others, there will always be someone that is thankful for your service.

To close... MERRY CHRISTMAS YA FOOLS!!! I hope everyone listens to the Justin Bieber Christmas Album while drinking some eggnog hahaha.

Luv,

Elder Chipman

Setting up for the Christmas Activity!

Christmas Activity Selfie with Elder Dutra. 

Galitos ft Coke Tower hahahha

I Love Mozambique

Week 1 - Liberdade A - Make Some Noise by The Beastie Boys

How is it everyone?! It sounds like everyone is doing great and gearing up for Christmas!

Well the best way I can describe this week was that it was like a Peyton Manning audible at the line of scrimmage haha. To begin, it has been super great getting back into the groove of living in Mozambique. My welcome back present has been that we have not had water in our house since the day I got there so that’s been super chill. Also in 6 nights being here we have gone 2 without electricity which is my favorite thing ever! Also, the audible came when on Thursday Elder Bindanda received a phone call saying that he had to go to Swaziland to do things for his documents so since that day I have been walking with members in an area that I am still getting to know and walking in a trio with Elder Dutra and Elder Ribeiro.

Liberdade is a pretty big area and it has lots of recent converts, inactives and lots of potential and so it’s time to work. But I have already gotten to know some really great people here! We are working with a lot of part member families right now and one is Ananeias and Aldencia. We are going to be working with them a lot to help them get married in January and have the baptism for Aldencia. They are super great and Aldencia loves the Book of Mormon. All the members have been super welcoming and loving. On Thursday I walked with Almica, who is are ward mission leader. He was super excited to hear that an American was coming to the ward so that he could practice his English and so we spoke lots of English while we walked together. I also walked with the ward secretary, Milerio on Friday.

Just to end I cannot explain to you guys the heat that I felt this week. Let’s just say that little kids make fun of me because of how much I sweat and I have been sweaty a lot these past couple of days! But everything else is going great! Elder Bindanda should be coming back today or tomorrow. Then after today it is 12 days until I get to see the fam on Skype! So, life is good - no stress! I hope you guys know how much I love you all and I appreciate all the prayers and support that I have received these past 15 months! You guys are the best! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Chipman

Family Home Evening

Waiting for missionaries and eating Mangos.

Views from Liberdade

Waiting for the train.

Train terminal, looking for platform 9 3/4. 

Christmas Package!!!

Week 12 - Fairview B - "Good Life" by Kanye West ft. T-Pain

My family and friends how is everyone doing?! It sounds like everyone has had a super great week transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas! Super sad to hear that lots of the kiddies are a lil sick, sending all my wishes for them to feel better here soon!

But so, this week has been pretty crazy.  I will just start with today..

This morning all the houses in Swazi were up by 5 o clock cause we had 11 missionaries traveling to Mozambique. 8 that were being transferred and 3 that need to do documents. So, by 6 AM we were all packed into a kombi for a road trip to Mozambique. I have known for about a week or so where I was being transferred to. I am now serving in Liberdade area in the Matola Zone. Matola is on the other side of Maputo.  It is a complete different city that I am getting to know down here in southern Mozambique. I will have the dope chance to serve with Elder Bindanda! He is from Congo and so the dude speaks French, Portuguese and English. He is going into his last transfer in his mission so we are going to be doing lots of work before he goes home! I haven't had much time to adjust yet. We arrived at the Mission Office and in 4 minutes we were all packed into the Mission Chappa to head to our new areas. But all I can say is I am back to the good life in Mozambique.

Since we left this morning, Elder Feliciana and I had the entire week to visit and say goodbye to everyone! The visits weren't too bad, but saying goodbye to everyone and bearing my testimony in sacrament meeting yesterday at church was super hard. I loved every single day that I had in Swaziland! It is crazy how fast 6 months went by. I am super grateful for the Swazi people, the members, the investigators, and all of the missionaries there that made my experience so great. Ancha was not baptized on Saturday. Her baptism will happen in probably 2 weeks but she was super funny about Elder Feliciana and I leaving, she was super sad but all will be good.

Also, this past week, Elder Feliciana and I were able to put together our Christmas Cards and sent them all out. I won’t say what we did cause it will be a surprise but all I can say is that it made us feel the true Christmas spirit which is the love and light of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I have seen a little of the 25 days of Christmas program that the church has going on. I encourage everyone to take part of it! Every day if we are focused on the true meaning of this time we will be filled with the spirit to help fulfill the true purpose of this time, which is to help others feel of this light and love we have in our lives.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Love,

Elder Chipman

Fun times in Ngcwilini

Cool Pic

The Avengers on their last night together. 

Going to miss this kid. 

Lembrancas

Packed up