Welcome to Africa! First Email from the Field! Umlazi! Sept. 11, 2017

Wow it feels like forever since I last emailed! It has been a wild 2 weeks! Since I last emailed I have left the MTC and entered my real mission.  Last tuesday I flew from Johannesburg to Durban.  Very short and easy flight.  It was sad to leave all the homies from the MTC but I was excited to finally leave and go and teach real people! When I landed in Durban the mission prez and some other elders were waiting for us.  It was a great little meet up.  We sang church songs in the terminal with everyone which was a bit weird but super fun.  After we drove and saw the new temple that is in the process of being built.  The people of Durban are so hyped for it.  Everyone in the mission is excited too.  It should be done next summer.  Well we got to the mission office eventually and did some orientation stuff.  Kinda boring but we all eventually got a chance to practice driving and interview with president.  It was a intense interview but it got me excited to go out and get to work! Driving was sketch but I adjusted pretty well with the ten minutes I had to drive. Then we went to the mission home and ate dinner and had a testimony meeting. that was super powerful and everyone was excited to start! Finally we found out where everyone was going.  It was very intense.  I didnt care where I went. I just wanted to find out. 

 Wellllll...... I am in a place called Umlazi which is right outside of Durban. Lets just say it is the equivalent to how Compton is to LA.  It is super ghetto.  But is is still super sick.  shacks and trash everywhere and I am the only white person for miles. It helps to have a black companion. My comp is Elder Sibanda and he is from Zimbabwe.  He is super cool and we are excited to work.  He doesnt drive so I have too.  It is terrifying but I am improving.  The taxi drivers are INSANE and they always honk.  I have had some close calls but we have been safe so far. We have been extra afraid because the gangsters around here love to steal people's cars and burn them.  Especially white people. We got pulled over by a cop and he just told us to get out of town because is is especially dangerous right now.  We said screw it and just kept going.  Our flat, or apartment, is nice.  We have a big one that is meant for four elders but its just the two of us.  Lots of mosquitoes here but malaria is not a problem so we are all good.  

The missionary work here is boomin and we get fed every night by members. Sometimes twice a night which is scary because I dont eat all that much and some of the food is sketchy. Tons of tasty chicken but other weird foods with nasty texture. But we teach a lot which is super nice.  The ward is awesome.  Some people walk quite a ways to get to church because majority of people here dont have cars. Which is sad but that is life and it is normal here. The ward I am in is very strong and big compared to others in the mission.  There are like a million hills here and a million speed bumps as well so we have to go slow.  Also kids are running everywhere all the time so I dont want to run over any kids.  The kids are super cute and they look at me weird becasue they could probably count the number of white people they have ever seen on one hand.  They love to feel my arm hair and touch my watch.  Makes you appreciate what we take for granted in America.  Well my fingers are tired now.  I wish I could explain more specifics but it is hard over email.  I am doing great tho.  I miss you all so very much! Africa is changing me. And being a missionary is changing me.  So being a missionary in Africa is really changing me!  Love you all.  The church is true and it really does change lives! Eat some In n out for me because I miss burgers.  I will send heaps of pics in a separate email. Talk to you next week!

Week 2 in Missionary Training Center in Johannesburg

Wow this mission thing keeps getting better and better! Last Wednesday we got to go out and teach people in a town called Soweto.  It was INSANE.  It was my first real "Africa" experience.  Shacks, street vendors, and a ton of little African children running around everywhere! It is amazing to see what these people have and how happy they are.  We met some crazy people who wondered why God wasnt black but we also met a single lady with a three month old baby.  She lived in a very small one room shack.  We taught her about the Restoration and it wass awesome!  I just about hit my head on the roof but it was an amazing experience.  Kids love running up to us and messing with us "white men." But it really is amazing to see how accepting and humble these people are. We got home and had an amazing meal and we all just thought about the craziness we just saw. Truly inspiring and just reminds me that we are so lucky in America!

I got a new companion this week which was pretty cool.  He is from American Fork, Utah.  His name is Elder Elison.  We are doing great and love to work hard together.  He is headed to Zambia after the MTC which blows my mind.  I am so short on time but I have so many more amazing things to share! I wont be emailing for two weeks because next week on tuesday I will be traveling to Durban! The big leagues.  I love all you and thanks for the support! I will send loads of pics in two weeks! God loves you and I wish you all the best this next week!!