November 6, 2017 Life in Newcastle

Another great week in Newcastle! It was a very hot week but still pretty great! Since we now have four elders in this area we share one car.  I am finally getting a sense of real missionary work by walking.  It really isnt too bad.  We feel like we are more involved with the people here which is nice.  My Zulu is slowly but surely improving! 

Well this week was sure great.  We Had zone conference on thursday which was super cool.  Elder Hamilton, prez of Africa Southeast section, was there.  Everyone thought he would give the mission a lot of fire, because that is what he has done in the past.  But that was not it at all, infact it was a great meeting that I think was really great for the whole mission.  He did a Q and A sort of thing that was super cool and very helpful. 

At church this week we walked with a family that we are teaching.  Almost all of them left after sacrament meeting except for one.  Her name is Sunshine.  She is 10 years old and such an example to her family.  I will attach a picture of me and her.  She is supposed to be baptized this month so we are super excited for that!!! 

Well that is about it for this week.  I am very excited for my future here and have really learned to love the people here.  So humble and full of love (except the Afrikaaners).  I love you all and wish you the best this next week! The Dodgers lost but life moves on! I hope you all take some time out of your week and count your blessings because if you dont they will soon be gone!! JK but kind of actually.  See you all next week! 

October 30, 2017 "Another New Companion"

Hello everyone! As you can see in the title I got a new companion! His name is Elder Futter.  Pronounced like butter but with an F. He is 8 months out on mission and is coming from the Madagascar mission and originally from johannesburg.  The missionaries from Madagascar have been taken out due to a plague in the country.  They split up all of the missionaries between other missions.  He is fluent in Malagasy which is pretty epic.  He is awesome though and we are working hard! 

Life in Newcastle is great as always.  We are teaching many people and trying to find new people to teach. This area is a town so missionary work is more difficult here but we are up to the challenge.  Everyone here has these very scary dogs that are super mean and I have no doubt that they will kill you. My goal is to teach an Afrikaaner.  they are pretty stubborn and dont like missionaries very much but I will find one!

Everything else is going very well.  I am really trying to enjoy the work.  I am here for two years so why not learn to love working hard!  

I think it is a blessing that I cant watch the dodgers because I would be flipping out and very stressed.  Nobody in Africa cares about the World Series or baseball so I am living pretty stress free.  

I ate Indian food this week which was super good.  It was a bit spicy for me but I tryed my best to enjoy it! There is this thing here that can be bought on the side of the road that is called Kota.  It is a loaf of bread filled with french fries, sausages, other meat, egg, and great sauces.  I will attach a pic, but these things are from heaven.  I feel like I may have a heart attack while eating them but they are a great once a week thing.

Well I hope everyone is having a great week! This computer I am using has no spell check so sorry for the misspellings.  I love you  all and love doing the Lords work.  This Gospel truly does change lives and on the mission it is so real. People I have taught and even myself have been changed so much by the teachings of Jesus Christ! I hope you all can realize the blessings in your life and give the glory to God.  He knows each of you personally and gives us challenges to help us grow.  Just be patient and have hope becasue after the challenges we will be better people.  

If you are having a hard week, pick yourself up and go serve someone.  I promise you it will feel good! I hope everyone has a safe week! Love you all 

October 23, 2017 "Newcastle"

As I mentioned last week I was transferred! So now I am in a place called Newcastle.  It is a nice town that is very racially diverse (kinda). There are blacks, colored(half and half), Indians, and whites.  The reason I say kinda diverse is because all the different races stay in separate areas.  It is crazy to see white people here! In Umlazi we never saw them except for albino black people. Well I love it so far and I feel much safer here than my previous area. The weather is a bit less rainy but here in a few weeks we should be getting a lot of rain.  

My new companion is named Elder Kumar.  He is so different from my last companion.  He is a lot younger and more talkative. We came out in the same MTC group so we know each other from then pretty well.  He comes from Fiji but he is Indian.  I get to drive again this transfer which is pretty nice.  We are planning on working really hard this transfer. Missionary work here in a town is a bit more difficult than in Umlazi.  People are a lot less humble here but they are still great. The people here area also a lot more educated which makes it nice and easier to communicate. I am very excited to try the Indian food here because I hear it is bomb, and very spicy.

The elders around me are really great too.  We played soccer this morning which was a blast. I am improving my skills and getting a lot better!  We just got a new trainee in the zone that is from England and he is super cool.  I love getting to know all of the elders here. 

Well the future is bright for this area.  The branch has about 75 who attend regularly so we are really working hard to increase that number.  The branch president is going through some issues at the moment so we are trying to be extra helpful to the branch.  We have some solid other leaders here so we will be fine.  

Well thanks for all the support and prayers.  I really appreciate it way over here in Africa! I hope that everyone has a great week!   I love you all and cant wait to hear from all of you!

October 16, 2017 "I am leaving Umlazi"

Hey everyone! I dont have a ton of time today so this will be short but I will attach a lot of pics.  This week has been awesome! On Tuesday is POURED rain and it was super windy so that was kind of scary.  It did a lot of damage here so we spent some mornings helping people clean up and stuff.  I am getting transferred to Newcastle! I really dont know too much about it but I am going to be companions with Elder Kumar.  He came out the same transfer as me so we are training each other for the next 6 weeks! The area is a lot less sketchy than my last one from what I hear.  I go there on Tuesday so that sure is exciting!  Elder Kumar is from Fiji which is legit! I can not wait! I am sorry this is short but I will have a lot longer next week! Love you all and thanks for the emails this week!

October 9, 2017, plus cool story he heard

Hello to everyone back home! How is everything? Let me know! Send me pics! Life here is good as always! This week was a pretty normal week. Nothing too crazy.  On Saturday and Sunday we got to watch general conference which was awesome. It sure is a lot better when you actually pay attention! It was amazing to hear all the amazing  talks and try to apply the teachings into my life.  

It has been another pretty rainy week.  Last week we had no electricity for about 4 days which really was annoying but we dealt with it.  Some of my food went bad but that is just life here.  I cant believe it has already been over a month here in Umlazi, but who is counting!!?? I enjoy each day and try to learn something new.  I have been trying to work on my patience lately.  I thought I was pretty good with it growing up in a huge family but being with someone at all times during the day really tests it sometimes.  I am trying my best to look at things with perspective.  Asking myself "does pointing out this flaw in someone else really benefit me?" The answer is usually a no.  I am working each day to improve.  

Last week on Monday we went on a bit of an adventure with some other missionaries. We just drove until we hit a place with open space and started to explore.  We thought we may get trampled by a stampede of rhinos (jk) at any point but we ended up staying safe.  It was a great time and we are hoping to explore more of it one day and maybe have a nice bbq in the trees.  

We have 2 baptisms coming up next week and 2 confirmations.  Very exciting stuff! One baptism is of a 11 year old boy named Thabiso.  His grandma is a member and he is very excited to get baptized.  The other is named Minenlhe.  She is a 20 year old woman with a son.  She is awesome and the church has really changed her life.  Her son is also awesome.  I would have taken a pic but I dont bring my camera anywhere really because I the thieves out here. Well there is a possibility this could be my last week in Umlazi but I sure hope not! Life is a bit sketchy here but still great! 

Well that is about it! We are trying our best out here and working hard! I hope you all have a great week.  Remember to cheer on the Dodgers this week for me!! Love you all


Cool story he shared in a second email:

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in a room. There were no distinguishing features in this room save the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked". I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed".

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title --- "People I Have Shared the Gospel With". The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine.

It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

Week 4 in Umlazi-October 2, 2017

The internet went out right before I sent this on Monday so here it is.

First off just wanted to give a shout out to my mom whose bday was yesterday! Happy birthday mom! It has been humbling to see how lucky I am to have a mom that is supportive, or even in my life.  Many here don’t have the support system that any of us in the United States are lucky enough to have. 

Another great week in Umlazi! This week was a quick and exciting one! On Wednesday we had Zone Conference which is just when like about 16 missionaries get together for a day with our mission president.  We learn all day about how to improve ourselves.  It was an awesome experience for me.  I love meeting other missionaries too.  They are all such great guys and fun to talk about life in the mission with them.  We talked about change and how what we do as missionaries is go around and ask people to repent, or to change.  WE teach them how to change and help them with it.  That is our job and it is awesome!

 The next day we had exchanges.  I was with a zone leader, Elder Dos Santos.  He is from Mozambique and a stud.  He taught me a lot and helped me understand a lot about my purpose here as a missionary.  Now skip to Sunday we had two baptisms.  One 13 year old girl named Ziyanda.  She is awesome.  She stays with here Grandma here because her parents are not around anymore.  Sad but she is always so happy and excited! The next girl is named Mouhle.  She is awesome as well.  She is only 10 so a bit more shy but another great example to us.  Her mom is not a member of the church but the girl comes with her grandma.  We forgot to fill up the font that we baptize in early so we were very stressed and trying to stall so that people didn’t get too upset. 

That night our power went out.  The way it works here is you pay for power then when you get low you pay again but my companion forgot it was low so it just went out.  Kind of sad but we just ended up going to sleep and you don’t need lights for that so it worked out. 

This week I have been studying about hope.  It is a Christ like attribute so I have been looking at scriptures on it.  My favorite is Ether 12:4 in the Book of Mormon.  Hope comes from faith in God that he will make sure everything in our life is alright.  We just need to trust him and keep a smile on our faces.  There will be trials but you just got to “saddle up,” as my MTC president said, and deal with it.  We all struggle with things for a reason and we just need to try our best and God will do the rest. 

I love you all and wish you the best of luck in everything you do this week! Count your blessings because believe it or not you are so lucky to have what you have. See you next week!

Pics: typical life in Umlazi with the trucks. and these are deep fried balls of goodness.  Called Amiguena or something like that.  Sooooo good and cheap but will give you diabetes. 

Week 3 in Umlazi-Sept. 25, 2017

Hello everyone! It sure was a great week.  I am starting to really like it here in Umlazi.  There has been some crazy rain and wind lately which makes missionary work a bit more interesting.  Today is heritage day in South Africa.  It sounds like one of those lame holidays that is just an excuse to have school and work off but it is actually legit.  We had a ward activity to celebrate today which was awesome.  A lot of people showed up.  We had boiled cow head and some other traditional Zulu dishes. Kind if gross tbh but I tried to enjoy it.  In case you are wondering, cow ear is not that good.  It may be tempting but you are not missing out.  It even has a little bit of hair on it that gets stuck in your teeth which just really tops it off.  hahaha it is rude not to finish your food here so I try my best to suffer through.  Pray for me hahahha.  Everyone was dressed in traditional clothing and there were some performances that were all in a different language but they were entertaining anyways.  

The missionary work here is awesome.  We struggle getting people to come to church though.  People dont have the money or cars to travel to the church.  We try to teach people that are close to the church but it can still be difficult.  We are working with one lady named Gugu (the names here make me laugh. Another lady is named Dudu). She is so awesome.  She struggles to come to church because of work but she is trying to get a new job so that she can go to church.  She lives in a section of the town that we cant go to because it is unsafe so we teach her at the chapel.  She walks like a mile just to meet with us which is awesome.  People sacrifice so much here to learn about Jesus Christ.  That is just one of the stories of the people that sacrifice.  

The kids in the picture below are very cute but also very frustrating.  They just run into our apartment and take our stuff! So annoying but they dont know any better.  Well I am doing well out here.  When times get tough I just think back to the fact that we live on an earth and breath the invisible air.  Pretty crazy if you think about it.  God loves you all.  He sent his son to suffer on our behalf.  He send his perfect son to suffer for us humans who are very stupid and always mess up.  That is just one of the ways he shows his love.  I love you all so much.  The pic of the goats is pretty representative of life here.  Goats and chickens just roam the streets and eat trash.  Also the gross stuff on the floor of that other pic is cow skin from the cow head we ate.  Nasty.  The pic of the little kids is just a fam that we eat dinner at.  The food we eat there is amazing.  Love you all and keep doing great things!