'How was your mission' depends on who asks, but I will give a summary here:
Is the mission the 'best two years of my life', I certainly hope not. There were lots of lows, but also some awesome high points. I learned a lot of things, especially patience with the the people. But what mattered in the end was...did I make a difference? I am glad that I came on my mission, glad that I crawled through my first several transfers (and thankful for a good trainer who helped pull me when I didn't want to crawl). It was hard. I disliked or even hated a lot of things, but in this case 'The end justifies the means'. Hopefully after 2 years I helped a few people along the way to have better lives, escape the standard cycle of life here.
I know that there is a lot of hardship and suffering here in Mozambique, I have seen it a lot. But I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches people how to get out of that cycle IF they are willing to full heartedly follow it. It is never easy and I don't think ever meant to be easy, but its worth it. People in the church may say or do things wrong, offend others or just be 'unchristlike' BUT the Gospel is still true because the Gospel is not made up of imperfect things.
There is a light at the end for all. Lights along the way. I look forward a lot to this 'upcoming light' of getting home next week. I love you all!
With love and many thanks for your support,
Elder Howell
Armando's Baptism