Zachary's Latest Transfer

Don't Let Me Go

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith..." (2 Timothy 4:6-7)

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Sanibonani!

I'm being haunted by myself.

I wrote a song earlier this year relating to my experience as a missionary.  It's no masterpiece by any means, but it conveys a lot of what a missionary may feel in their missionary service.  I wrote the last verse and chorus long before the end of my mission, but I'm getting the shivers at the thought of its fulfillment.

Here's the song (last verse and chorus underlined): 

Don't Let Me Go

There's a place out there that's meant for me.

I got an envelope in the mail,

Just can't wait to see

Where I'm going. Excitement is growing.

Packing up my suitcase, Saying goodbye

To the world I know and the family I love.

I just might cry,

But I know where I'm going.

Oh, just let me go!

There's a whole new world that I need to know.

Please, don't let me stay.

I'll be back again someday

When I'm coming home.

I hope that they don't see it on my face.

It's a different world and I just feel so out of place.

My energy's thinned.

This day's just ruined.

I look at a picture of my Mom and Dad.

I get on my knees and say a prayer; I feel so bad

And I feel so ashamed.

But there's promises I've made.

Oh, don't let me go!

There's a work out here that I still need to know.

Please, just let me stay.

I'll get better every day

Before I go home.

Packing up my suitcase; time to go.

Each month has flown and I feel I've grown.

The race is won;

My mission is done.

I'm sitting in a jet plane flying high,

But I feel so low as I climb up in the sky.

Tears are streaming

Because I'm leaving.

Oh, don't let me go!

There's so many people that I've loved and I've known

Please, please let me stay!

I'll be back again someday

But I'm going home.

In the past few days I've been repeatedly asking myself 'Am I already done?  Am I really going home this week?'.  It's a nice thought reuniting with the family and friends, enjoying snow, and saving the shirt and tie for Sundays.  Yet, at the same time, it's a terrible feeling to imagine a world without my family and friends in Africa; without pop and chicken; without Zulu, Tswana, siSwathi, etc; without the scorching African sun; and without the absolute honor of serving my Savior full-time.

It's a fact that I'm leaving a home to return home.  I won't be able to repay my Lord Jesus Christ for this sacred and special opportunity to serve the people of South Africa.  In these 24 months I feel that I've grown and developed into something more through His abounding grace.

Like the second verse of Don't Let Me Go describes, there were tough times.  Intestinal parasites, multiple robberies, deaths of loved friends; all of these have been ninety degree curveballs that I've swung at and have missed.  Luckily for me and for us all, there's no such thing as striking out in the gospel.  It's not so much about how many times we fall, but how many times we get back up.  Here are some of my favorite words from President Uchtdorf that have given me much encouragement that I hope will bless you in some way:

"It’s human nature to stumble, fail, and sometimes want to drop out of the race. But as disciples of Jesus Christ, we have committed not only to begin the race but also to finish it—and finish it with our torch still burning brightly. The Savior promised His disciples, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

"Sometimes after stumbling, failing, or even giving up, we get discouraged and believe our light has gone out and our race is lost. But I testify that the Light of Christ cannot be extinguished. It shines in the darkest night and will relight our hearts if only we incline our hearts to Him (see 1 Kings 8:58).

"No matter how often or how far we fall, the Light of Christ ever burns brightly. And even in the deepest night, if we but step toward Him, His light will consume the shadows and reignite our souls.

"This race of discipleship is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. And it makes little difference how fast we go. In fact, the only way we can lose the race is by finally giving in or giving up.

"As long as we continue to rise up and move toward our Savior, we win the race with our torches burning brightly."

I express my immense gratitude to those who have continually encouraged me to finish my mission despite the curveballs, to those who have written online and in letter, to those who are fellow servants in Christ, to my God and my Savior.  Your love and your support have been invaluable and I am eternally in your debt.

I'll likely write a final post next week after my homecoming talk and jam session.  I wish to see all of you there as you are able to attend (more info to come).  I'm excited to reunite with you and to catch up.  May the Lord bless you all!

Ngiyakuthanda kakhulu!!!

SALE KAHLE!

The Parable of the Flight

I've received a lot of hysterical feedback on last week's article, "I Crossed Paths With An African Chief." I'm glad so many of you are enjoying my past as I have. What I find to be just as hysterical is the fact that I'm going to be boarding a plane home in nine days. I can testify of all RM's ever: missions goes by quicker than you could ever imagine!

As I wrote last week's article, I realized that the process of taking a plane flight is a lot like a mission.

Here ye, therefore, the parable of the flight:  

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Before the actual flight, physical and mental preparations are made by the passengers in anticipation of the trip. After arriving at the airport, baggage is inspected at security checkpoints and flight itinerary is checked. From there, the trip to the terminal can be frenzied and rapid (as so many of us can attest to) in worry that the flight could be missed. Upon arriving at the terminal, the passengers are finally permitted to board the plane. Soon enough, carry-on baggage is safely secured in the overhead compartments, seat-belts are fastened, and the plane approaches the runway.

The take-off is rapid and quick, the ascension to cruising altitude is exciting. All passengers on the plane have a similar destination in mind, but the flight is different for every passenger as the plane reaches cruising altitude. The airline ensure that the best pilots and air hostesses provide their passengers with the best experience possible. All are provided with complementary food and drink, though the option to purchase additional sustenance is readily available. Passengers have either purchased to sit in first class while others have chosen economy. Some passengers entertain themselves with the in-flight entertainment. Others (attempt to) sleep while others carry on working on their laptops and phones.

Eventually, the pilot announces the commencement of the final ascent, and all return to their seats, buckle up, and get ready to land. As the plane floats down into the clouds, all passengers eagerly look out of their windows to behold their long-awaited destination. The plane soon crawls out from the condensation and the sight of land is once again seen. The plane slows its speed, approaches the runway, and gracefully glides onto the concrete.

After the plane docks, all passengers quickly unbuckle their seat belts and reach for their carry-on baggage and file out of the plane in an energetic shuffle to dive into the world awaiting them outside of the confides of the plane.

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Now, as you read through Elder Benson's quick analysis of the process, I hope you missionaries/RM's were able to pick up on a few parallels between a flight and a mission. For those who have yet to embark in such a work, here's what Elder Benson could offer (I'll avoid the pre-mission goodies and jump straight into what I desire for you to take away):

The MTC is rapid and quick, and the missionary soon arrives in their destined mission. All missionaries on mission have a similar destination in mind, but each mission is different for everyone. The Lord ensures that the best Mission President and wife are provided to give their missionaries the best experience possible. The Church provides many booklets such as 'Preach My Gospel','Adjusting to Missionary Life', and 'The First Twelve Weeks' (all of which have proven to be life-savers).Yet, even with all resources available, the missionary ultimately decides if they will make the most of their mission. They have the option to invite others to come unto Christ, or to 'sleep through' their mission, trying their best to cruise through their time in the mission field. They have the choice to change their behavior for the space of a few years, or to transform their nature for a lifetime.

Eventually, the final ascent of the mission arrives and the missionaries board a plane home. They take their seats, buckle up, and take off in the plane for the final time. As the plane floats down into the clouds, all missionaries eagerly look out of their windows to behold their long-awaited home. The plane soon crawls out from the condensation and the sight of land is once again seen. The plane slows its speed, approaches the runway, and gracefully glides onto the concrete.

After the plane docks, all missionaries quickly unbuckle their seat belts and reach for their carry-on baggage and file out of the plane in an energetic shuffle to dive into the world awaiting them outside of the confides of the plane. They finally embrace their families and loved ones, get released by their Stake President from full-time missionary service, and take off their name badge.

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I suspect that the experience of taking off the name badge is most painful part of missionary service. It can be painful because the missionary is full of regret of wasting their time as a proselyting missionary, or it can be painful because the missionary truly consecrated their time as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that each of you who embark in the service of God as a missionary will take this blessed opportunity to consecrate your short time as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ in the service of your God and your fellow men, which will inevitably transform your nature.

My grandmother served as a mission president's wife a decade ago, and she sent me a most wonderful letter that I thought would really round off this parable of a missionary trek.

"The mission is the beginning of a lifelong upward trajectory of becoming better, finer, more mature. Now that you know how to find truth you're so much better prepared to find your future through the divinely guided, clear, most direct path to success and happiness. I think it's always a bit of a shock to come back into what is sometimes called the "real world".  Just remember, you're in the real world now. What a privilege to be able to serve the Lord full time. That is as real as it gets. The worldly world dims by comparison. But it's still a beautiful world and you're destined to have a beautiful life--made all the better by having honorably served a beautiful mission." -Elaine Benson

Photo with the Roodeport Zone.  Seven countries represented in this zone alone. #funfact #onlyfivefromUtah

I Crossed Paths With An African Chief

I can't believe it!  It's only two weeks until my two years are done!  Time truly flies when you're having fun.  With these two years drawing at a close, I feel it appropriate to give honor the man who gave me my first real glimpse into Africa.

After a short flight from Utah to Atlanta, Georgia, my fellow servants of God and I boarded the plane that would take us to our new African home.  We were all incredibly excited to begin our missionary service in Johannesburg.  I was no less excited than my brethren, especially when I discovered that sitting directly behind me was a large African man arrayed in fiery orange robes stretching down to his ankles, with a matching kufi hat perched atop his head.  I beheld this peculiar sight, but nonetheless continued to place my suitcase in the overhead compartment.

After a short wait, the plane rumbled onto the runway and quickly increased in speed until its wheels lifted of the ground, taking us towards African skies.  We soon reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the pilot turned of the 'Fasten Seat Belt' sign, and the air hostesses began to cheerfully assist the airline patrons to whatever they were in need of.

These hostesses swept through the isles, dishing out peanuts and drinks as normal until they had passed my row.  As I began to open my package of peanuts, I heard the deep voice of the robed chieftain thunder to the hostess, " I... Want.... Hot Water."  Being the naive boy I was, found it hysterical that the stereotypical African and I had finally crossed paths.  Throughout the seventeen hour flight, this chief entertained me as he continued to proclaim hot water to be his beverage of choice.  I don't think there could have been a better man to give me a proper welcoming to the people of which I would be serving.

Luckily for me, I have matured since then and have grown to love the rich culture found here in Mzansi.  Though this man was quite different from the people of South Africa, I have grown to love the incorporation of these peoples' unique history and culture into their everyday living.  The pride in which they exhibit towards their ancestral lineage is unmatched.

This past week, South Africa celebrated one of my most favorite holidays: Heritage Day!  Heritage Day is a day in which the people of South Africa celebrate and honor their lineage.  Whether they be Xhosa, Zulu, Tswana, Swathi, or Sothu, everyone dresses up in their traditional attire and come together to celebrate where they have come from.  Robes, headdresses, crowns, and various beaded ornaments appeared on every street, lighting them up with color and energy.  I only wish I had been able to take more pictures so I could show what true heritage is.

After this day drew to its close, I had a time to reflect on its likeness in our lives.  We all descend from a mixture of backgrounds.  We all were raised to honor different customs and traditions.  To a degree, we all know of a different world.  But should these differences separate us?  Should we not celebrate these differences?  Can they not unite us?

In the scriptures, Zion is described as those 'of one heart and of one mind. (Moses 7:18)'  Their source of strength was in their unity.  I know that it is achievable in the world we live in.  We, as the people of Earth, may understand God differently and may view the world differently.  But as we put aside the differences, we become united in a greater cause.

Like Moroni in the Book of Mormon, we can stand together as people of different faiths and nationalities and say, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children" (Alma 46:12).