Week 15: Ntinda, Uganda

This week has been really awesome! there is one experience in particular I would like to talk about.

I had my first encounter with someone who was possessed... I even caste out my first demon.

We were having institute at the church. I was teaching with my companion down stairs. The sisters were having a Book of Mormon reading class upstairs. After we finished institute we left, but I felt that we should go back and check on Andrew.(one of the members) So we went back to the church and went upstairs to where to sister missionaries and the people in the class were. As we got up there, a women started breathing super weird... she was swinging her body back and forth and breathing hard out of her nose as she was shaking. She then fell out of her chair and was shaking and throwing her arms and legs everywhere, like a fish out of water. One of her neighbors was there and said she was possessed... and that it has happened before.. My companion was downstairs and there was only one male member who had the priesthood with me. We had the sisters hold down her body and I gave oil to peter(a member) to anoint her. he dumped all the oil on top of her head and said the blessing. It was so loud and everything was happening so fast and she was shaking so hard and breathing strange, but Then I came over and we both placed our hands on her and I gave her a blessing. I commanded in the name of Christ that any evil spirit depart and for her to be restored to her normal state.... After the prayer she started to calm down. Her breathing became normal and we got her to sit up and relax...

This was one of the craziest things ever... I felt a very dark feeling at first, but it was followed with the warmth and power of the Holy Ghost. 

That is one story I wanted to share with you this week. The work is progressing here and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being spread. I love my mission and wouldn't trade it for the world. I Know this is where I am supposed to be and I am happy to be able to spend 20 more months here among such wonderful, loving people. They are truly children of God.

Elder Halladay

A poem Elder Halladay wrote for me (his sister Alex): 

The majestic sunshine of Uganda beats upon my skin like a monkey on a bagoya! The smells of burning trash illuminate my sinuses of a overdue septic tank. The people in the city of Kampala treat me as though I have just cured cancer. My thoughts invigorate with the constant reminder that I am indeed a Mazungo... memories of old cause my body to recoil like a rat poisoned by a serpent, yet I am confused from the lack of understanding that seems so clear to interpret... My hair grows, my nails darken, my skin tans, and my frame frails.... Yet I am still Mazungo... What will become of this manifestation of a minority? how will he break the seal of the tempest tossed? I say to you his journey is one of understanding, and one unfolding before mightier eyes... this is my story, and this is my milestone of a man called a mazungo...