The Show Goes on...!

ANGOLA

Elder Dunkley and Montgomery

Back: Elder Merkley?, Eckman, Stewart , Dredge, Wilhelm, Montgomery, 

Front: Harper, Clifford, Dunkley, Arrington

38

The show goes on!                                                                                          April 29, 2013

OLA MINHA FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!! 

  This week was pretty good. it was kind a hard after having the two baptisms and then our next two baptisms fell because one of our investigators found out his girlfriend is three months pregnant and on Wednesday she got an abortion, something very common in Angola, and the other investigator  found out her fiancé has  a wife..... so lots of bad situations this week, but it’s ok!!! I’m not losing faith. me and Elder Dunkley had a pretty slow week, but were gonna change the way we work our two areas and make sure we get the maximum work in this next week. We’re really excited. 

but ya it was a pretty normal week, it’s starting to cool off just a little tiny bit, so that’s nice.  after about  80 at night it’s ok outside and bearable. I sweat so much that I don’t even realize it anymore. Only on my face, but we pretty much walk around soaking wet all day it’s fun stuff. really humid~which I’m not used too. The dry getting off the plane in AZ here in about a year  the dry is gonna be like a nice little welcome home. I love dry haha I hate humidity. 

Everything is going good here in Luanda, we’re just trying to rebuild the area after the work Clifford and I did, then you sift through and get some baptisms, and then start over! That’s the missionary life-.

I’m good here in Cassequel. Just working hard and trying to follow the spirit, which is the hardest thing to do for sure, especially when your training and have to make a lot of major decisions yourself, but its good, and I’m loving it!!!

ok now for answering questions!!

Things with Elder Dunkley are awesome, I think I learn more from him each day than he does from me so that’s fun. It’s harder than I thought it would be being a trainer, mostly because I’m not a natural teacher, I do better just getting in the driving seat and showing someone and explain, then let them try, instead of teaching, so I’m struggling with that but me and Elder Dunkley get along great. I tease him a lot about his Texas pride that pride is the fall of all things and stuff like that, but its good we have a good time. 

We haven’t had any more flooding, just a few small rains.

Yes I met the Freeman’s once at church two weeks ago. They are really cool. I already knew Brother Freeman but I just barely met Sister Freeman, and I thanked her a ton for the package. 

The other family is the Weggeland’s and they live in the same building as the Freeman’s. They are from Utah and Texas and Alaska (oil engineer for BP) and we eat dinner at their house every Sunday night. It’s a nice treat to start p-day.

please send ...

   dad, we haven’t had a ton of fun stuff to do, mostly because we like to relax on p-day  if we don’t go to play soccer, because with Angolan traffic, that would put New York traffic to shame, we waste like half the day going any where, but today we tried to go to a war museum, but it was closed haah so we just walked around the Luanda equivalent of the boardwalk in Newport and took pics that was pretty fun. 

haah the food is always expensive, but we have been finding new supermarkets lately with good stuff from the US, like today elder Clifford and Dunkley, they bought gatorade today, a case of 15 for 40 bucks!!! ahaha if that puts stuff in perspective. 

Dad you’d actually be really proud, I’ve lost like 20 pounds in Luanda so far, and I am in better shape than I was the end of my senior year when I had my beach body and all that. that’s how much we sweat here in Luanda haah

I’ll be sure to figure out what is the deal with mother’s day I haven’t heard anything yet but ill let you  all know next week for sure. 

Anyway I’ll wrap this up. I love you all have good weeks!! Kaleb happy birthday! and Rex happy bday too!!! Love you all and cant wait to hear how the week went!! Have a good one lots of love and prayers all the way from Angola!!! 

com amor,

Elder Colin Jay Montgomery

Baptisms -" happiest day of my mission"

Baptisms "happiest day of my mission"

Elder Montgomery, Filo. , Elder Dunkley Colin was blessed 

with the opportunity to baptize F. " happiest day of my mission"

Elder Montgomery, S.G. and Elder Dunkley

baptism day 

Elder Clifford, S.G. , Filo., Elder Montgomery, 

(the one on the left I didn't get a name for,she was taught and baptized by Elder Arrington and Elder Merkley) 

S.G. and Filo. were taught by Elder Clifford and Montgomery

37                                                                                                                    April 21, 2013

OLA MINHA FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow this week has flown by so fast, one- me and elder Dunkley are working like champs all day every day, Literally. and two- I was stressed out of my mind over our baptisms, but I’m glad to say and the pictures show that tudo correu bem! (everything ran good!!)

Oh man it was the happiest day of my mission so far when S. G. and Filo.,  were baptized. I had the opportunity to do the baptism of Filo. ,  Holy cow I was nervous, but it was such a spiritual experience. I felt the spirit testifying to my heart when we were down in the water that I was truly helping someone else partake of a saving ordinance and that they were truly making a covenant with Heavenly Father. So cool. Gives a new perspective on the temple for me!!

Anyways, I wanted to give a shout out really quick to Luke! HAPPY BDAY THIS WEEK! 15!! Holy cow. I remember when you were born!!! So crazy. happy birthday Luke! love you cuz!!

Anyway, ya this week went awesome. I truly have never felt happier as a missionary than I do this week, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here in Angola to be preaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ that I know is true, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t!! I love the opportunity I have, it truly is a once in a lifetime thing, and I’m loving every second of it!!!

Sorry that I gotta cut this off but my times up. I love you all! Have awesome weeks and know I pray for you ALL every single day! To all my buds that are going out right now, DO WORK!!! I love you!!!!!!

Com amor,

Elder Colin Jay Montgomery

52 semanas no campo missionário “SEMANA CORCUNDA” (Hump Day)

 “SEMANA CORCUNDA” (Hump Day)

and Birthday all in one week

Thank you Sister F. for taking a birthday package to Elder Montgomery

american deodorant, white strips, socks, new t shoes, tie 

and b-day cards from friends and  family 

this mamma (Tammy) is envying this beautiful cake made by Fil..... Elder Montgomery was 

spoiled by her she made the B day cake and cooked them B day dinner.

Fil.... will be baptized this week. Congratulations to Her!!!! Amor

Ola Minha Familia!!!!!!!!!! wow I cannot believe how fast this week went, but nothing compared to how fast the YEAR  of my mission has flown by holy cow I cannot believe that this week I hit my hump day. nuts for sure!! but I know that Lord has blessed you all and me too in this last year, and I am grateful for everything I've learned an all the experiences I've had. It sure flew by and i know the next one will be even faster!

So this week was good. I finally got feeling better and me and Elder Dunkley got into our full work load. He is such a champion. He loves to work and wants to speak the language every second he gets. He is truly gonna be an awesome missionary. Obviously he’s still learning but he’s already doing so good. I’m super proud to be his trainer. He definitely makes me look good haha
 This week has been an awesome but hectic one! We've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to find new people at the exact same time we are preparing a few for baptisms! but I’m happy to say Sunday we had two people pass their baptismal interviews, S.... G..., yes that’s really his name, and F..., they are both young in their twenties and truly awesome. Me and Elder Clifford found both of them and have seen them progress all the way through so its super cool to see them preparing for baptism and they will both get baptized this week on the 20th! I’m so freaking pumped out of my mind that I can’ explain>!!!!
Then on Friday was my bday!!!! woohoo 20 years old!!! I don’t feel any older but Elder Eckman my DL explained that I can now use the phrases "when I was a teenager/kid" and "kids these days..." so you’ll hear those used in my future emails!! Other than that my bday went off without a hitch. Pretty normal day, had some dry Angolan cake, ate some steak , all the works! It was awesome! I loved it or sure, then on Sunday, yesterday, I got my package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was sosossoo stoked to open it. I loved every single thing that was is it!!! I’m so excited for the American toothpaste and deodorant, and mom, you did so good picking the shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I lover them!!!! So comfortable and perfect for soccer and everything. thank you so much! I got my debit card too without problem’s- so that was a truly awesome way to end the week! I loved the package! Thank you! I still haven’t met Sister Freeman but mom please give them a huge thanks for me!!!

ok well sorry this is so short. I think just with every week in the mission it gets harder to write things that happened because I forget so much! sorry! but I love you all!!!! pray this week for S.... and Fil.... baptisms to go tudu bem! I love you all so much and can’t wait to talk to you net week!  Have awesome weeks, and I love you all!~~com amor, your Elder,
Elder Colin Jay Montgomery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Elder Dunkley, Colin's New Companion, Week of being sick, and lots of Water

Week 35 in Angola

Colin's brand new to Angola companion Welcome Elder Dunkley,

at the internet store where they email.

(the next 4 pictures are via Sister Dunkley from Elder Dunkley's  first 3 days in Luanda)

their flooded apartment, it is HOT and HUMID!!!

Out side of their apartment, I wonder if its under construction or if 

this is just as good as it gets.

City street in Luanda ,rainy season no street drainage

need a boat.

ola minha familia!!!!!!!!!!                                                                              April 8, 2013
wow. first to everyone I just want to say thank you! I love you all sosososos much and I am so grateful to get all the birthday wishes! They truly warmed my heart and put the best kind of tears in my eyes. thank you all so much!!!!!!
  So I am sorry this will be a short one, I’ll try to answer all questions and everything and talk about elder Dunkley! He’s from Texas and we get along awesome! He got here Saturday morning, so we worked Saturday and that’s all we’ve been able to do so far, but I love him and am super excited to be his trainer!!!! it truly will be an awesome and fun experience!!!
   Mom I’m super excited for the package, the Freeman’s live in the same building as the Weggeland’s and we go to the Weggeland’s every Sunday night for dinner, so I’ll get my package Sunday night right before p-day it will be perfect! I’m stoked out of my mind!!
but ya I did get to say goodbye to the other elders. It was super weird to think that I’m there in a year!!!!
 and yes mom I forgot to say I got ms Weiss' letter, and I just have not had time to write ANY one back, tell her I promise I didn’t forget and I was so grateful for her letter and that she remembered me as much as I remembered her! She was truly one of my favorite teachers!! and tell her I really do know how to write its just the time!
  So anyways, this week has be theeeeeeeeeeeeeee loooooooooooooooooongeeeeeeeeeeeestttttttttttttttttttttt week of my entire mission. Tuesday night I got a headache that would kill an elephant and then a fever; I think the worst I’ve ever had. and they stayed until today. So I haven’t really slept, eaten or done much this week besides work. I tried to do my best but I know I was pretty out of it, and without eating or sleeping, because I also have the worst swollen throat I’ve ever had. So this week has been a long one, but it’s all starting to go away and we finally have water and power. So this next week should be super fun!!
Elder Dunkley  and I will start his training program tomorrow and I’m super excited, one because every greenie brings a new spirit to the companionship, and also because we have 7 baptisms in this next transfer!! I’m so stoked for that and for being companions with elder Dunkley he’s super excited to be here and so am I!
  Ya anyways, I’m doing good now, don’t worry about my health it will all pass and as soon as I can eat again I will be fine. The one plus is without eating this week I am sure I lost like 15 good pounds of saved up fat! woohoo! ow I gotta be careful I don’t wither up and die!
ya I’m doing good! thank you all so much for your love and prayers, and for alllll the birthday wishes, written and spoken. I was able to watch Tori’s video and each of your messages put happy tears right on my face! thank you all so much! I love you all so much! Have an awesome week! love yall!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Montgomery

ps.I sent a message back to him and he was still on emailing so I asked…

Mom: Love you son!!!! Do you think you have the pre malaria ? Do Thompsons know you've been sick ? Is your throat from the other symptoms too or a an infection ? What meds have you taken did you go to a Dr?
Love Love you!!!

Colin said:  ya I’ve been to the hospital and done every test in the world. They think its just some weird flu. Negative for malaria, typhoid, and a ton of other stuff so that’s good. LOVE YOU!!!!

Mom:  Did they give you meds? Shots with clean needles? Drink lots of water don't get dehydrated , that causes headaches too . Love you take care, soups will be good getting back on food :) Love you son!!! Hope your weeks great prayers. 

Colin:  ya I have everything I’ll need:) and I’m drinking so much it’s not even healthy I think I’m gonna get water poisoning ahah I love you so much mom! Have an awesome week! Be happy! "don’t worry about me, BUT PARTY WITHOUT ME!" motto of the week:)!! share with everyone! I love you so much! can’t wait for the package, than think, next month, Skype again for Mothers day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):)Love you!!!!

34 Weeks in Angola, No Air Conditioning or Water

This is the coolest Story this is J. she was baptized by Elder Robby Tarwater in '09

he is Elder Montgomery's cousin, and was on of the first 4 Elder sent to open Angola from Mozambique 

when President Packard was there. J is holding a picture of 

Elder Tarwater at her baptism. This is so cool. 

Elder Montgomery with J. at the Cassequel  Branch Easter Sunday.

OlA MINHA FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So wow, this week has been an adventure... if I wasn’t ever feeling like

I was in Africa now, I sure have this week! so to start off, the work is

good, I feel like me and Elder Clifford have been working really hard

 and the Lord blessed us as much as he could this week. or as much

as we earned anyways. All of our investigators are doing good, and

I’m excited to see how good they do in these next few weeks.

TRANSFERES were today,,,,,,,..... and da da da daaaaaa

I AM GONNA BE A TRAINER OF A NEEW MISSIONARY

 HERE IN ME AND ELDER CLIFFORDS AREA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so crazy. I’m freaking out.

Elder Clifford will still live in our same house, but Elder Wilhelm is

leaving, to be a zone leader, and Elder Clifford will be with

Elder Dredge and will be the district leader for the Luanda 1 district

. I’m stoked for Clifford. and then I will take over our area, first time

for that, AND I will be training a new missionary when he gets here this

week! I’m completely overwhelmed and don’t feel ready or like I know

the area enough, BUT I know that as I rely on the lord, especially in this

time, he will bless help and guide me. I still don’t have any idea who my

trainee is, but I’ll find out this week. So this next week I will walk with

Elder Arrington from Utah until the new elders get here because he and

I are both training and apparently the new elders are being delayed a little.

idk. but ya. that’s pretty much the big news. I’m overwhelmed and excited

and scared. over all I just wanna be a good trainer and give the new

missionary an excitement about the work and about Angola. ... lots of

extra prayers this week please!!!!

Aside from the craziness of transfers, this week has been hot and dry.

I say hot because we have been without power since last Wednesday.

 it kind of stinks because this week has been super hot and our apartment

is without air conditioning. it’s like sleeping in August in AZ with no ac

in the night when it’s like 11 at night and still 100 degrees out. ya not fun.

 I wake up soaking wet from sweat. It’s the best!!!:) and then aside from

that, we have been without water since last Saturday so we've been

taking showers with 1.5 liter water bottles for a week. I haven’t really been

able to wash my clothes either and I found some mold on one pair of garments

 because they were so hot and sweaty from working hahaah sorry if that grosses

 you all out. but don’t worry I destroyed them the right way.  but ya so this week

has been dry and hot. but we've worked a ton and tried to not let it stop us, and

 have been praying for more families and stuff, and were getting them. Blessings

 from the Lord are truly coming. I’m excited to have the spirit of a new missionary

 and see how his testimony can change the heart of the people were teaching. super

excited for that.

It seems like you all had an amazing Easter and I’m super happy to hear that:)

I was trunky for a few minutes this week thinking about the Easter pageant.

 I love the Easter pageant!

another cool thing that happened this week, we were at a members house

having a family night, and somehow the old missionaries got brought up and

I told them I was cousins with Elder Robby Tarwater, and they all got super

excited, and then a moça named J.  she said he baptized her! she showed me

the picture and then at church on Sunday we took some pics together. I hope

 it works and that you all got them. sure cool story and connection that he was

 here and baptized her and then I’m here now and her whole family is still active

 and awesome. I love knowing that missionaries do really make a difference

because sometimes I feel like we don’t haha but ya that was cool.

Anyways sorry this is short, I'll wrap it up, but I love all of you so much! have

awesome days and know that I love you all! pray for me this week with my

 trainee to be a good dad to him and for our investigators to make changes

in their lives and be baptized. I love you all! have good weeks! kisses to

Graham Beau and Claire, and happy anniversary to Greg and Court, and

Kate, I’m so  sorry I didn’t write it last week but I meant to tell you Happy

b-day! Happy Birthday I hope it was awesome!!!!!!  Can’t believe your

getting so big,. I promise I never forgot and won’t ever forget you! Keep

growing up and being awesome! Love you and love you all!

com amor, sem ar condicionado, e sem agua,

(with love and no air conditioning and no water)

Elder Colin Jay Montgomery