Hello Blog readers. It has been a while since I have updated this thing called a blog. It takes a different level of commitment to update as I never know if people are really reading it or if people like it. I have had a few ask for an update so here you go!!! Enjoy the words and pictures below. All are taken from letters Connor (Elder Hollingsworth) has sent his family. Our lives have been blessed as we are learning from our Son through his personal experiences. Our Faith has grown, our love and connection as a family has grown, and we know Connor is doing great. Of course we are always concerned for his well being, but we are at peace knowing he is learning, sharing the gospel, sharing the Love of our Savior, and at the same time witnessing life changing miracles as he lives among our Brothers and Sisters in Africa. I hope the stories below somehow make your day brighter, give you hope, and make you smile. If you ever feel a sweet calm feeling while you read the experiences, if you ever feel an emotion that gives you hope as ponder missionary work, please recognize that feeling as the Spirit of Truth, testifying to you personally, how important it is to help others in this world. May the Lord bless each of you, may you feel his Love, and may you take that feeling and share it with others.
Sincerely,
Chris Hollingsworth
Connor's Dad...
Letters From August-October:
... It is also something I have been thinking about, how nice
life is when we stop thinking about what WE want, and instead think about what
the Lord wants. Becoming the Lord wants us to be. Doing what the Lord wants us
to do. Giving to others instead of wanting to take for ourselves. Or, I lives
become cluttered, our days become stressful, and what we THINK is happiness, is
not happiness at all. It is fake. It is temporary.
... I
love how you discuss about church together! It reminds me of 3 Nephi 17:3.It
tells me how after we have gone to church or conference, we can go home and
ponder and pray about what we have learned. By doing this we can learn more
ourselves from the Spirit and our knowledge can be written upon our hearts.
Then we can truly be converted to what we learn. Then, we are no longer hearers,
but doers of the word.
...I am feeling great!!! I take my vitamins when I
can, but I am trying to find time to sit down and fill my weekly vitamin box
thing. It is still winter, but it is beginning to heat up. The Cold did not
last for long. The rest will be hot/dry season the hot/wet season. Its seasons
are way different. I think that is why I was getting sick last time because my
body was so used to our climate. The Flat is nice, but we might move soon. I
still have water, last time we had no water because of the waterboard. (Connor has gone without water many times, often for days, and they constantly lose power in the flat where they live. You would never know it by his letters home.)
...Our knowledge in the Gospel can be limitless if we continue
with that Faith. That Faith in true and correct principles. Faith in our Savior
Jesus Christ. I know as you continue to strengthen your Faith, you can be a
light unto others to strengthen those are around you!!!
I know Elder Mabe will appreciate the words you shared. I
will miss him quite a lot, but I am excited to hear about what he will do at
home. I told him he needs to find a ruby! Proverbs 31:10. Now that Elder Mabe
is gone, I will be with two other missionaries, Elder Lewis and Elder
Chingwara until further notice. I may train or something else. Not sure. But,
Elder Brewerton left for Zambia to become an Assistant, all week Elder Mabe
drove the Zone Leaders truck as we handled the Zone in the Leaders absence, and
Elder Tshabalala has been transferred to Lilongwe. Everyone is disappearing and
it feels as if I am saying goodbye to family, but we all keep in touch and I
know how much they will accomplish! I was with Elder Mabe for a 1/4 of my whole
mission. An adventure I will never forget. I coordinated with him so that his 9
year old sister can marry Cannon.
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A great companionship celebrates a final nice meal together.
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...
. I still don't know if I will be transferred,
stay and train, or what! But, anything that happens is the Lords plan and will.
I have decided I am no longer concerned with where I go, but how I serve. The
Lord knows my faults, where I must grow, and just how to do it. I will go where
the Lord wishes for me since he has the master plan. I am still in the same flat. We are covering both my area and their
area right now so we are very busy
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| The Final Baptism before Elder Mabe returned home. |
... It is true, Elder Mabe has split. He almost did
not get on the plane because the Zone Leaders forgot his passport. They had to
hold the plane then he ran into the airport. I will miss him a lot though. We
kind of said goodbye, but we were nervous to really say goodbye since we were
both about to cry. But, I will keep in touch with him as he continues on his
journey through life. We were together for about 6 months, we have gotten to
know each other quite a lot. Being with the same person each and every day is a
wonderful blessing. We started to think and even act the same as each other as
our personalities rubbed against each other. One Elder even made the comment
that we now laugh the same. I hope that one day you will meet him and even his
family.
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| Just a friendly commute. |
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| Connor was so excited to see a familiar race shirt in Africa!!! |
The above picture is pretty special to our family. I personally know people involved in bringing the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to Africa. A country where women have always been afraid to voice health concerns as they are then looked as a liability and often abandoned or worse. Connor has been helping our family produce Breast Cancer events for the past 10 years of his life, and was pretty excited to see a familiar race shirt in Africa.
Below is part of a personal letter we received from Connor's Mission President. Connor didn't share the news.
Dear
Brother and Sister Hollingsworth,
Your son, Elder Connor G. Hollingsworth has
been called to serve as a District Leader and trainer in the Presidential East
area of Lilongwe, Malawi. He will be training Elder Chauke, a missionary who
arrives on August 23, 2016. Elder Hollingsworth was called after prayerful
consideration and because of his obedience, hard work, teaching skills and
leadership capabilities. I have watched
him develop these abilities while he has been faithfully serving in our
mission.
District
Leaders help direct the missionary efforts throughout their assigned district. They carry significant responsibility for
training and motivating missionaries and serve as role models for all
missionaries assigned in their district.
They communicate and enhance relationships between myself and other
missionaries. Their efforts are essential in building the Kingdom of God in the
Zambia Lusaka Mission.
I
thank you for your role in preparing in guiding such a fine young man. I appreciate the sacrifices you have made to
help support him in the mission field.
Connors response to us when we asked about his move and new calling...
... You seem to know more than I do hahaha But, I will actually
be in Blantyre still, they are just switching my area but still in the same
Zone. Did they accidentally tell you I am going Lilongwe? Elder
Tshabalala is still there. I have to whitewash the area though. Meaning I have
no companion to show me around. I am doing it on my own haha The area is huge
though. I am going to miss all of my members!!!
My tripanionship is coming to an end, which is a little
depressing actually. We have a lot of fun together. But, I am very excited
about everything and all I will learn and grow to do. I was hoping not to tell
anyone I was going to be a District Leader though. Often times people,
missionaries especially, look at leadership positions with a sense of pride so
I was hoping to keep it to myself and just serve the best I can. But, too late
for that. They already told you! But, its ok.
(pretty humble young man)
...I am doing great. I am still learning and growing. I
know my leadership position is given to me so I can learn and grow, not as
something I earned but something that will help. I know it will help me.
My new companion is from South Africa. His name is Elder
Chauke. He is wonderful, humble, and we get along very well. He thinks I am
kind of crazy with my quirky sense of humor. But, we enjoy. It feels strange to
train him, have to tell him what he has done wrong and where to improve. I hope
to give him a kind and loving approach from the approach I was given haha I
know he can become a great missionary.
It is also true, I have seen and known things I wish I never
had. But, I once told a lesson to an investigator named Jeffrey ( I changed the
name for privacy) He was struggling heavy with the Word of Wisdom. He needed
help. So what I told him was to look at a tree behind him He did so. Then I
asked if he could see me when he looked at the tree. He said he could not see
me. I said that looking to the tree was like looking to the Savior. When he is
your focus, all the temptations of the World have no effect. I feel it is maybe
the same with me. With all of us. If wee look to the Savior, the whiles and
evils of the world can never get us down. I hope to practice what I preach.
Just know that I am alright. I will be to the very end. Thank you for your
loving support.
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| Connor and his new companion Elder Chauke |
Depending
on the day we take a mini-bus, or we walk. Sometimes the minibus breaks down
though. But its super fun! The area is very large though. Very very large. But,
it is filled with many great people. Not too many members, but they are
all great nonetheless. Whitewashing was great, I have part of the area down
now, but there is still more to master. I think I can do it. I know I can if
God has mercy on me haha I love my new companion though. He never complains and
always does his best. He has to deal with my insane behavior most of the time
so he is a real good sport haha We live in a different flat now that is right
in town. Its crazy haha We can walk 1 minute and we are among all the stores
and shopping areas. We can't go into the market at night though because of the
troop of small children roaming the markets who attack and rob people. Its
super funny to think about but they are real.
Today, we hiked to
Mulanje mountain. It was awesome. Locals say there are evil spirits and food
that if you call your friend to help you it, you will be cursed. Many claim to
have had such experiences. Witchcraft is a big thing in Africa. It is awesome
haha
... My
new flat is great. It is different from the old. Much brighter and natural
lighting. My companion has been out for a month now because they now spend 3
weeks in the MTC. I have a lot of fun training him to be a missionary. He is
very humble and never gets mad. He is from South Africa. I don't know if the
bandit kids have knives, but they say they are dangerous hahaha Makes me laugh,
but we are sure to be careful at night. I feel great. Things are great. I am
going strong!
So
my shoes are pretty worn, not to lie. My companion said he was surprised to see
how short I have been on mission in comparison to how worn they are. But, they
are great haha That one with air cushion has popped though. But, they are still
awesome!!! Most my shirts are not as fresh as they used to be. Slight yellowing
because of dust and the sun. But they are fine. My pants are tearing at the
seems a bit, but I am sure to sow them up when I can. Doing my best haha
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| French Fries and coleslaw... yum. |
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| Having some fun |
(we place a small sum of money in Connor's account and told him to go out to dinner on his Birthday if possible and maybe purchase something that would remind him of his mission, something he could keep in his home for the rest of his life. He had different plans)
Elder
Chingwaras birthday was on the 15th so I used the money for my dinner to take
him to dinner. I felt it was justifiable. I have amazing support from my
family, packages, e-mails, but when he decided to serve a mission he was kicked
out. (many family struggles for this young missionay, details deleted) So, I felt like it was good for me to take him to dinner. Hope that is
ok.
I
don't teach anyone is sign language now.
It
was funny. By going out to dinner I got food poisoning. I was in bed for a few
days but I am better now. It is crazy to be sick on mission.
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| Birthday Dinner, followed by food poison. |
... The week was great. Learning something new everyday. Went to
a museum about Blantyre and Dr. Livingstone. Had a baptism of my good friend
Brother Matthews. Next week we will baptize our other investigatore Dalow. Very
excited for the both of them as they take this journey towards Eternal Life. Scripture
Study is great. I was pondering about Jacob 1:19 and 2:2. How as a missionary I
must magnify my calling else I am accountable for the sins of the people. We
are judged for what we say in this life, but also what we do not say.
I was thinking a lot this week. As I have grown
on my mission I am starting to see the great blessings of family. How happy the
family I have at home is. It has instilled a great desire within me to have a
family of my own. I do not wish to waste my time randomly dating girls. I hope
to prayerfully and progressively choose someone who can I see to be a great
mother for my children. Fortunately I have a long time before I have to make
such a decision, but my new favorite scripture is Ephesians 5:25. I shared it
in a lesson with the Chintendere family. I asked brother Chintendere how much
he should love his wife from reading this scripture, he said quite a lot. It is
true, a husband must love his wife the same way Christ loved the church. To be
willing to give your life for her and do all you can to focus on her needs. They
say if you want to bless your children, love their mother.
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| Connor said he was trying to look as buff as his new friend Brother Mathews |
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| Just some nice wasps |
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| Museum visit |
... It is quite a wonderful experience to do your
best and face failure. It is building my character and helping me to see that
the only happiness I truly have control over is my own. I can only do my best
to help others
... I loved the testimonies I have heard this week of our living
prophets. Even of our recent convert Bro.Matthews. He is having us teach his
brother now, Everson. We asked if he would tell us how he new these things are
true. He said very simply that he prayed, that he felt this was true and real,
that he should follow these guys. It was simple, but powerful. The Spirit did
the rest of the talking for him. I feel like too often we are so worried about
how well we "present" testimony, instead of bearing honest and true
conversion.
This week I was told a very sad story by a less active. She
is heart broken and cried. But, we are doing our best to get her back to the
path of happiness. We know that path is in the gospel, but first she must
forgive those who wronged her.
Conference was wonderful. It is wonderful to know the church
shares the same message with all the world. As Elder Dallin H Oaks said, this
is a worldwide church. It is not for one or for the other, we all have the same
divine DNA. We are all the same. This fills me with such happiness and joy.
What adds to my joy is the news that 2 of my investigators
and a few of the deaf ones I left behind are now going to be baptized. They
were all ready and fully taught, it was only a marriage certificate and
permission they were lacking. But, now they can enjoy the blessings of the
gospel and I am very happy about that.
... I still never have electricity but the candle life is good.
My companion is always great. We get along so well. He does not want me to get
transferred. He is like worried about it. Transfers come this next month. I
will probably be here though. That means I will be in Blantyre for a year.
... I will get shoes, but not yet. For now I can repair them.
... This week has
been sort of slow. I enjoyed fasting with Elder Chauke though. I thought about
how it teaches self-mastery. How if you can resist food, you can resist
temptation. How buddhism also teaches self mastery. Then I thought how there seem
to be bits of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all religions. I realized that it
is because it all comes from the Gospel. Every religion does. The Gospel was
given to Adam and Eve. It was the first. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is pure
religion. Directly from God. All other religions come from it. It makes me
think that those of other faiths really aren't that different, because we were
once all of the same faith.
... This last Sunday my companion and I talked about
Fellowshipping and Helping Recent Converts in Sacrament meeting. He spoke for
about 5 minutes and left the rest of the time to me. Pretty funny. But I really
enjoyed. Writing a talk on fellowshipping and member missionary work made me
realize just how important members are in bringing others to conversion. It is
so important!!! Members are supposed to be just as interested if not more than
missionaries about bringing others to the gospel. It is one of the greatest and
most beneficial things we can do. Members are supposed to be like shepherds who
will gather the lords sheep. Missionaries are supposed to teach the doctrine,
but the members are supposed to help with everything else. Including the
transition into the church. I love my Savior. I love his church. I know if we
can do our part we will help it grow.
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| New member Dalow |
... I
had an experience about people who stop coming to church this past week.
There
was a less-active member named George. He loves the Book of Mormon so we
planned to talk about how he cannot deny the Church is true, since he knows the
Book of Mormon comes from God. We planned to be as bold as possible. Then, I
looked at George in a different way. In the middle of the lesson I realized
this poor child of God was only 12, that he must have many questions with the
death of his mother only a few months ago. Also, with his Father being a few
countries away working in South Africa. So, I felt like changing the lesson.
Instead I felt a deep love for George, I saw him as one of my little brothers.
I felt bold enough to talk about his deceased mother, how since they were
sealed in the temple, he would see her again. I gave him a Families and Temples
pamphlet so he could study about temple sealing. I felt the Spirit guiding me
because I developed love for George.
I am
happy to say that the next day I saw him at church. I am embarrassed to say that
I was so excited to see him I ran and picked him up in my arms and screamed
"You're here!" as I ran down the hallway with him in my arms. It
filled me with such an incredible joy that I am so happy I felt. George is my
little buddy now. It showed me how important it is to not only teach, but to
love. That way the Spirit can guide because we are focused on one of Gods
Children. Not ourselves.
I feel like if we continue to love those who do not
come, the Spirit will be there to help us help them. I know that to be true.
-I hope you have enjoyed the update. As you can see from Connor's letters and his pictures, he is doing great, learning plenty, and has a strong testimony. I hope the final lesson of Love touched you like it touched me. Maybe take a moment, call or text someone you know... just to tell them how much you love them. Until the next update, may God bless you and your family.
Love,
Hollingsworth Family, including George (below with Connor)... smiles from Africa.
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Connor and his Brother George
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