Easter in Africa, getting water from the well,

Happy Easter!
Hopefully you all feel the Love of our Savior and were surrounded by friends and family on the day we celebrate the Atonement. We want to share the joy Connor is experiencing on his mission. I try to post all I can. Some items are removed so you are not bored by family chatter. I hope you can continue sending notes of encouragement. If you need his email please let me know. Thanks again for supporting our Son with thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Hollingsworth Family

Gathering Water having some fun

Precious Moments

Notes sent home 3/28

Part of note sent to Me:

Dear Abambo,

Easter was nice. There was no "African" party or anything, But, people would hike to the top of this mountain to say prayers. It was interesting to see the migrations going into the clouds. I want to send souvenirs home, but it is too expensive this side also. I think I might try to send the "important" ones through one and the less important through the other. We do not get fed by members really at all here. The problem is Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, so most people are starving. I have eaten some weird stuff that has messed with my stomach though. Like dried fish fried in red oil stuff. Like the whole fish, head, eyes, fins, tail, and all. It was nice....Sort of. I have to agree. Smiles are contagious. I am famous in my MTC group because I made one of our teachers giggle like a little girl and get nervous when I smiled at her. It makes me feel uncomfortable. (I told him I ordered an OC-1, his favorite thing) So....an OC-1...you think I can run home, paddle it, then run back to Malawi?  

I am glad to hear things are going so well while I am gone!!! I look forward to seeing all that has changed when I get back!!!! Ngiyakuthanda!!!

Love,

Connor

Connors Companion is Elder Mabe. His full name is Shadow Aobakwe Mabe. Connor said he is like one of those ninjas in a video game. He turns 25 next month!!!

Elder Mabe at the well

Connor said they wanted to look Majestic...

Self Titled "Majestic"

Part of a note sent to Kylie:

Hi KyKy,

How was Easter for you? I bet your eggs were pretty and pink! I want to hear you sing! You have the voice of a disney princess!! How was the hunt? Easter is here, but it is not the same. How was Spring Break? was it fun? What did you do? I am so happy you say prayers for me!!!! It makes me feel warm inside. I pray for you too!!! I love you Princess!

Love,

ConCon

Part of note sent to Kelly:

Dear Amayi,

I feel good. I was just starting to get a rash on my arms, but it has gone away. We were told to take it everyday. I just use bug-spray and a net, and also a fan. You get malaria from mosquitoes who bite at night, I think. I should be perfectly fine. I will try to send some more pictures! Chitenjes are just like sarongs! The women tie their chuilodren to their backs using them. It is crazy cool! They come out with new designs like every week! President Erickson is here and we are having Zone Conference tomorrow. Elder Mabe and I are presenting on Finding People and Progressing Investigators. It should be super fun and I am excited to present. I do not know how we will watch conference or if we will be able to. I might just download the talks later from online. I have not found any vitamins, but maybe next Monday I will. I am so happy to hear about everyone having so much fun. It is wonderful to know the love that truly resides at home. I think my whole family has been blessed with talents!!! Which scares me though since where much is given, much is required. Tell everyone that I miss them too!!!  

The week has been quite interesting. I keep teaching in sign language so that is fun. At this point Elder Mabe still does not know sign so I have to teach alone. I find it  super interesting meeting all of the different Muslim people. A member named Sis.Chikapa taught me how to make these thick African tortillas called chipatis. I make them all the time now! I have been missing burritos but now I have them once again! What was crazy this week though is that a few days later we were in the meeting house. Elder Mabe, Elder Brewerton, Elder Kobyana, and I were announced to clean the meetinghouse which is not one of our duties, but we happily accepted. On Saturday while we were cleaning Sis. Chikapa and a few others were present. Randomly she passed out onto the ground. She eventually went to the hospital and is still there. We think it is something to do with hypoglycemia. After, Elder Mabe and I walked one of her kids towards his home. I talked to him all about school, chichewa, and how Elder Mabe is mesala to get his mind off of things. I really hope his mother is ok though. 

We taught a man named Aubrey this week. He is a pastor for another church and like usual he said "Thank you Jesus!!!" the whole time I prayed. He wanted us to hold hands for the closing prayer also. He is quite a funny man who is full of energy. I enjoy teaching him. On Easter, we had a lesson with the Mwales. We talked about the Atonement with them and they gave us chimanga. It was awesome!!! The Mwales are super kind and kind of remind me of being at home. This week I was thinking about Helaman 16:20-22. It talks about how after Samuel the Lamanite told the people about the signs of Christ that will come, how the people rejected it, justified it, and made excuses that he was just trying to decieve them. It made me think of all the signs that we are given today, how we are shown things, such as Spiritual promtpings, but we deny them. We say that those things are not true, we make excuses saying that what we are given are false. We see signs that the second coming is near, but we push away our time to prepare, we act like nothing will happen. But the gathering of Israel has begun, wars and rumors of wars are here, governments are corrupted, people act falsely, the time to prepare is now. 

Mother, I love you. I really do and I miss you. I pray for you and want you to know that I care for you.

Love,

Connor

Making Chipatis

Saying Prayers in Sign Language, wearing a chitenje (sarong/skirt), making fires, learning about agency.

Always with a bright smile.

Humble dwellings

Backyard

Notes sent home 3/21
To Kelly:

Dear Mommy,

MSL is sort of like ASL, but it is different. The signs are more instinctive than ASL, but it is super fun to learn!!! It kind of hurts your brain when you talk with your hands, but I love saying prayers in MSL. Elder Mabe is slowly trying to learn as well, but as of right now I have to teach on my own. I want Pleasure Pizza so bad!!! But I am glad to hear that my family is enjoying it! My shoes are holding up well, the Clarks are super sturdy! I do wear my lulus and no one knows what brand they are so it is awesome! I hand wash my garments myself and a some other clothing, but we have a man named George who is preparing for a mission so we pay him once a week to handwash our clothes. I have not found any vitamins, but I might today. As of right now I may have been having a reaction to the doxy so I was told not to take it for a few days to see if things calm down. If it is the Doxy then I will have to get by with bug spray and my mosquito net, but I know in the scriptures that if I am righteous that not even poison can affect God's servants. So I am doing my best. There are stores in town I can get clothes from, but not in our area. Our area we proselyte in hardly has food. Elder Mabe is amazing. We get along well and are slowly unifying as a companionship. I was trying to find a way to unify better when I was directed to Acts 4:32. This scripture made me realize that in order for us to be of one heart and one mind we needed to act like it. We have started to share, buy food as a companionship, and act more as brothers than strangers. It has helped quite a bit. He does indeed have siblings, but I think it is just him and one of his brothers who are members. His parents are not. I feel really good!!! I sleep enough. Although, I got a little messed up this week. A sweet lady named Damaris randomly started coming to church again. We wondered why. We visited and she told us that her husband had been keeping her from coming, that he hated the church. What killed me is that, just like Mary Chisare, her husband left her. He went to South Africa and left her alone with her two children. I really do not understand why these things happen, but I hope that soon a worthy priesthood holder will come by and sweep her off her feet. But for now we just come to support her and comfort her. Something funny happened this week though, I got in a mini-bus and the seat tore the back of my pants. I had to go to Sis. Nancys to get it fixed, I had to walk around in a chitenje for pants. It was awesome. Also, this morning I heated up oil on a pan, poored tomatoes into it for my breakfast, and the whole thing caught fire with a flame about 5 feet high. I grabbed the pan and had to run out of the kitchen with it. It was super cool!!! This week I read a scripture that made me think a lot. In Alma 5:18. It made me realize something. I feel like on judgement day, we will be presented with a number of doors. We will be told to choose one and enter. On each door will be written a certain degree of glory. Some will say this and that, and some we will know God and Jesus Christ will reside behind that door. I feel like we will feel so guilty that we will refuse to walk through that door, that we will decide that we are only comfortable with a lesser degree, one we are ready for. I feel like we will feel so guilty and ashamed that unless we repent, unless we follow the straight and narrow, we will be so ashamed and rather die Spiritually than look into the eyes of our loving Savior, of our loving Heavenly Father. We will refuse to go through the higher doors to live with God, and choose one where we won't feel so guilty. I think that is why they say we are our own judges. Because we won't be able to handle anything above that which we are comfortable. I don't know, maybe I am confused. But this is how I feel. Mommy, I look forward to your e-mails, it reminds me that my family is always there to support me. I am so grateful for it. I love you!!!

Love,

Elder Hollingsworth

Relationships are like rivers, they are rocky at first but eventually they fill with smooth sand

Saying Goodbye... when it hurts, it shows the time spent together has been filled with Love.

People ask us all the time, "How do you do it? How do you send your child to a foreign country in such troubled times?"
I really think the answer can be better understood if we consider leaving our Heavenly Parents to continue our progress here on Earth. Long ago each of us decided we would leave the comfort of our Heavenly Estate to come down to this Earth. We said goodbye to our Parents and Siblings, knowing we could only connect through prayer. We knew we were going to a place filled with temptations, struggles, sickness, and every manner of filth, but we understood these things were for our benefit, to finally have an opportunity to feel pain and sorrow so we really know Happiness and Joy. It is very clear to us that a Mission is an amazing opportunity to continue this learning experience. We also know that this exact time in Connor's life allow him the best chance to focus on Spiritual matters. He is healthy, doesn't have the complications of relationships, no children to care for, minimal finances to consider, and most worldly desires are minimized. All of these "distractions" are blessings he will experience in full flavor when he returns. Right now Connor gets to connect with individuals, to visit, serve, and teach a message of Hope. The People Connor is visiting with are his siblings, other children of the same Heavenly Parents that chose to come down to this Earth to feel, smell, see, hear, and taste all that Father has created. Yes, we miss him. Yes, we wish it wasn't $200 to send a simple box of healthy snacks. Yes, we wish we could give him a hug, but we have Faith the experience will inspire growth. We have Faith all will be well...

Partial Notes Sent Home from Connor 3/14:

Sent to Cannon:

My little buddy,

I have not seen any of the animals yet, but I want to!!! As soon as I do I will send you a picture!!!  I am still in Blantyre, it is always hot!!! I am always sweating and the people in the mini-buses smell like BO!!! It is awesome!!! This week I started teaching a little boy named Alex. His parents are not members but he has been coming to primary for awhile now and is old enough to be baptized. I think he is 10 or 11. Maybe 9, I need to ask him. What I wanted to say is that he reminds me of you. He is super sweet and kind and very smart!!! It made me very happy to teach him because I felt like I was talking to you!!! I miss you!!! I hope you know how much I miss you!!!! Ke go reta!!!!! A Malawian guy gavce me a chichewa name. It is Mwayi. It is because my name is too hard. The name means lucky or fortunate. I love you!!!

Love,

Elder ConCon

Sent to Kelly:

Hello Amayi,

Mattise is doing really well! He is excited because I have been able to teach everyone in sign including a new investigator. He is actually astonished because about a week ago he said I knew no sign language but now I can teach a lesson!!! I know the only reason for this progression is the Spirit, there is no other explanation. I was reading about the gifts of the Spirit in D&C 46:9-31. I was just thinking about the gifts we are freely given, as long as we are worthy we may use them. A verse that struck me was D&C 46:30. If we ask or pray in the Spirit we will be told what to say and it will be done as we ask it! It says it is because we are praying according to Gods will. It increases my testimony about having enough humility to place Gods will before ours. Often times I find my own wants and desires getting in the way of Gods plan for me. I must continually realize that he truly knows best and the only thing I need to know is that I should trust him! If something as simple as an appointment bounce, a job falls through, anything is to make us grow and become better afterwards. The sooner I can realize this the easier life will become. I have also found the importance of having the Spirit. EVERYTHING I do should be towards feeling the Spirit better. EVERYTHING I think should be towards that continual progression towards the Spirit. Revelation is communication between man and God. I teach about it all day long but I need to practice what I preach. I need to seek the Spirit so that I can receive counsel from God. Gracious is doing well, we have been visiting him. I know the gospel can help him and his family tremendously. I still do not know where the man who left is, but the wife found residence with a friend until she has enough money to go back to her village. I love my companion. I have found that you can truly appreciate someone for all of their differences. I know that as we continue to grow together we will also grow stronger in the Spirit. Relationships are like rivers, they are rocky at first but eventually they fill with smooth sand. I have been acting as a Senior Companion, making all the plans, introducing investigators, leading in teaching, but we work well together and have a few baptisms lined up soon. Hopefully by the end of this month, or the beginning of the next! I really did enjoy singing and playing guitar, I found the environment very comforting and the family is super loving. Elder Mabe and I are very excited for the coming packages! Thank you so much! FedEx is so expensive!!! That is crazy!!! 

It is nice to hear that it is raining at home, here when it rains it is like a thunderstorm with tons of thunder. I love it! I love that you are putting so much effort into the primary!!! I recently heard a talk about a primary teacher. She talked about how hard it was and how she was always in tears afterwards because it was not working. She prayed for advice and found her answer. She was told that she was making all the lessons about herself and that she needed to focus on the children. She hearkened to this counsel and found the connection. She got on her knees and would greet the children by name and talked about everything with them. I enjoyed this because it reminded me of you. About the selfless love you posses and how you share it with others. About the charity you have and the joy I see in you when you are able to serve those who are in need! It inspires me now and has been an example to me my whole life. I am beyond grateful for you Mom. I love you more than anything. 

Konda,

Elder Hollingsworth

Got a second quick note this week... getting Scurvy... in his head. Loves the children.

3/7/2016

Connor finds so much joy visiting with the children. He made a new friend named Nimrod.

Hanging out with the Children

Nimrod

Kelly asked Connor about teaching with sign language MSL Malawi Sign Language, and what he wanted us to send him:

My Momma,

I have indeed been teaching Mattise even though my MSL is not super strong, but I hope to continue to learn! There are lots of deaf people we can teach! In total about 6 investigators!! They are all super kind! I do not know why there are so many though. President Erickson has not visited, but he will at the end of this month!!! It is crazy that I have already been gone 2 months!!! Only 22 to go!!! I am getting nervous. There is much work to be done, but so little time. I am glad Dad has so much work, many here have no work whatsoever!! It is a little sad to me, no very sad. People have barely any food. Saturday, We had coordination with our new branch president President Banda. There we played guitar, sang, and ate food! It was awesome!  I wish I could send you videos, but the floods are crazy! Other than Peanut Butter Power Bars... I enjoy Tiger Bars, Fruit bars, Fruit, I think I am getting scurvy! But yes, Vitamin C and probiotics! And Anything you think I might need. I love you so much mom!!! So much!!!! Alma 56:47-48

Love,

Elder Hollingsworth

Learning others have real struggles can bring you down. Companions can be a challenge. Always find a way to smile...

3/7/2016

Walking in the Clouds

A small portion of a letter to me:

Abambo,

I am glad to hear that everyone is doing so well!!! Events sound good and family sounds good!!! I am excioted to see how everyone has progressed when I return!!!! Your dad quiver of surf boards looks awesome!!!! And you are looking super buff!!!! What is going on?! If you are buffer than me when I get home I will cry! I workout every morning and I walk up and down mountains, yet I gain weight! In the flat Elder Tshabalala and I always say "Oh, Elder, Looks like you are gaining weight today, you need to lay off the peanut butter" Tshabalala is worried since the girls back home told him not to get fat. I truly do feel blessed. I feel blessed for my family and this gospel and all that I have been taught! I hope to continue to learn and grow and do the things you have taught me to do! All I hope is that you teach my siblings the same things you have taught me!!! 

Love,

Elder Hollingsworth

Connor sent this pic titled: SEXY

A Letter sent to Grammy Kyler:

Dear Agogo,

Thank you so much for your inspiring words!!! Your insight reminds me of D&C 50:24. It is humbling me when I see the knowledge of those around me and I hope to continue to learn from all of you!!! Know that I pray for each and every one of you!!!! Ngiyakuthanda!!!!

Love,

Elder Hollingsworth

African Snail

A Letter sent to Cannon:

Hi Little Buddy,

I am glad you are enjoying school!!! Math is awesome!!! I think that is my favorite too!!! It is hard but fun!!! I have not seen any monkeys or hyenas. I want to though! I am doing well! My favorite animal is probably a lion! I have not seen one though... We have had 2 people join the church and are teaching many more!! Missionary work is super exciting!!! I love it!!! I cannot wait until you can serve a mission!!! Continue to be my amazing little buddy!!! Ngiyakuthanda!!!!!

Love, 

Elder ConCon

Samoosa made by Connor

Part of a Letter sent to Kelly (Mom):

Dear Amayi,

I have had a nice time this week, but it is sad. Things can be hard. My new companion is interesting...he has 5 months left on mission, he is about 24, and he says I need to resurrect him, or in other words re motivate him. He is lazy, complains, and does not want to work sometimes. I still love him though. Sometimes he can be rude but I know that companions are supposed to help you grow and develop as a person so I am excited for what I will learn from this companionship. Personal humility and charity for others usually solves problems. I think as we progress our relationship will grow! Something that is cool was that I taught a lesson to Bro. Mattise, the deaf member. Thursday I will also have to teach deaf investigators!!! I know the Spirit can guide and direct me! Something sad, very sad. A 14 year old boy named Gracious who we came to visit told us that 4 days ago he found that his family had moved and left him. He found them at his grandparents so now he has to move their things to the other home. We helped him walk his things to the grandparents. It was super far. He told us he thinks they left because of food. When we arrived at the grandparents we met his mother and other family. They told us how disappointing they thought their son is and how they want us to change him. We talked about the gospel bringing love into the home and asked the mother if she would forgive her child. It was difficult and made me sad. Later in the week, we stopped by a man named Chisares place. We found his wife Mary home alone with their child. We had 2 members present with us including a Sis. named Nancy. Nancy translated. We found out that Mary's husband was angry that her brother George was living with them so he left saying that he will find another wife. She thought this was a joke but now she has not seen him for 6 days. I shared Alma 7:11-13 with her and talked about how through Christ she can be strengthened. She is planning to go back to her village but needs help with transport but as missionaries we can truly do nothing. I never though I would have to deal with things such as this. Her brother also left 2 days ago. All I can do is pray for her and hope that God will help her. She is also being evicted from her home. Mission is hard but it helps you grow. Anyways, I am hoping all is well for you mother dear. I miss you a lot!!! Ngiyakuthanda!!!! Ndimakukonda!!!! Ke Go Reta!!!!!! 

Love,

Elder Hollingsworth

Crazy Man didn't want Connor to leave...

2/29/2016

Connor sent me a quick note and signed it like this:

Love,

Elder I miss Hawaii and Burritos

Parts of a letter to Kelly...

My Dear Momma,

I hike everywhere!!! It is crazy! But my shoes have been holding up!!! They have both open markets and grocery stores! I shop from both!  This past week has been sort of crazy! First, there was a mentally ill, drunk man who is about 6'3'' and jacked! He ran up to Elder Mpofu and I and began yelling! He said he was angry because he thought I had gone back to America and that Elder Mpofu had lied to him. Really I had gone on exchanges but he did not understand. He screamed and spit on me and started pushing me. He was about to punch Elder Mpofu. He then took a bracelet I was wearing and said he wanted to have it to remember me by. He then kept yelling calling us lairs. Luckily some guy in a truck pulled up and got the crazy man to hop in the back. It was interesting. The whole time I just calmly stared right at the crazy man. Later this week we found out transfer news! I am staying here and Elder Mpofu is going to Lilongwe! The weird thing is this! I am halfway through my training. You are supposed to be trained for three months or two transfers, but I have only been trained for one transfer. Elder Mabe is coming to "finish" my training but he does not know the area so I will be the Senior Companion. So basically my training has been cut in half because from now on I have to do it all. I also have to figure out how to teach the deaf investigators without Elder Mpofu! This Sunday I was told to give a talk on Sunday the night before Sunday. So I had 2 minutes that night to prepare. Fortunately, the Spirit guided me during my discussion on Faith and it went really well! I learned a lot from the talk myself and I am using the principles of Faith to help me confidence in Gods plan for this sudden transfer. I know from Ether 2:24-25 that God prepares us for the challenges we face and whom he calls he qualifies!!! I am still nervous though! Sunday it rained and there were flash floods! The river behind the Church was crazy!!! Mercy, the deaf, told me how last time it rained like this houses collapsed and one fell on her Father. She had to dig him out and he was hospitalized by the injuries. I felt bad for her.  Everyone was stuck in doors for a few hours after church. We took this time to have an MSL class taught by Mattise. He started to get angry and discouraged though because the people are not catching on very well. He later told us that if people do not start taking it seriously he will stop coming to church and just study on his own. This freaked us out so we told him about how there must be opposition in all things, that trials are for gain. I fear for him though. Sunday, I was able to confirm someone into the Church though! It was super cool! The Spirit really controls what you say as long as you let it! Her name is Madalo Phombeya! All in all this week has been crazy! But I get a new companion on Wednesday! I will do my best to keep you updated! I love you my Mommy!!! I miss you very much!!! 

Love,

Elder Hollingsworth

P.S.

If you do send me stuff, not saying that you have to, could you send me some dried fruit?I do not each much fruit and I am afraid of getting scurvy ;)