Zone Conference, Fast Sunday, and Conference

Monday April 3rd

well today, like I said in my last Email, we went into Durban to play baseball, Eat food, and play a bunch other games it was a really fun Pday!

but later tonight we went to the Reises for family home evening:) it was fun but they told us that South Africas government is about to get super bad.... well it already is, but its about to get super Duper bad! You know how they have 1st world countries(solid gov. - America), 2nd world (communist - North Korea), and 3rd world countries (country kinda stink but they at least have a basic Gov.) .... well south africa used to be 3rd world but it just got Demoted to "Junk State"which really sucks for them....... but for myself as an American the Rand is about to drop hard core; making everything super cheep to buy stuff... 

well,at least thats what they told us.... I dont know if its all true but thats what they said soooo.....

Tuesday

well were getting ready to go help Brother Steven paint his new fish shop! were gonna do that this afternoon and then visit a bunch of our investigators.. :)

Wednesday April 5th

well today was Zone Conference, its kinda like ZTM but mission president comes and its super long. it lasted all day, 9:00a-5:00p. but I mean I learned a lot! we did this 40 days of fasting thing where 1 district fasts for 1 day, then the next day they can eat but another district fasts that day, and on and on for 40 days:) we all fasted for similar things but one of the main ones was finding people... and throughout the last couple weeks we had a few people just SHOW UP to church. I didn't know their name, Ive never seen them before in my life. But they knew us, theyd seen us walking around town... and throughout the mission other areas have had the same thing happen to them... about 56 people Just SHOWING UP at church! so thats super cool:)

 

It was also nice getting to talk to all of our zone again!

but the best part was the treats they went out and got for us! the senior couple went out and got  KRISPY CREAM! but during Zone conference I turned around and a monkey snuck in the door and ate THREE doughnuts! lucky monkey got more than I did!

Thursday April 6th

well today we went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders. Sithole went to do Baptismal interviews in Toti and I went to Umlazi BB section with Elder hoopes. we had a lot of fun! hahaha we had a ton of appointments, we got fed 3 times, and yeah! other than the fact that I had to eat a big old plate of Kidneys, beet root, and soggy samp. it was not easy to eat, but I finished it hahaha! 

but yeah, Elder Hoopes is super cool!! hes from Idaho and hey were both gonna go to BYUI for the 1st two years so thats super cool:) 

But I have definitley been sheltered here in Toti. Toti has too many old people, and too many white people that feed normal food, and I always feel safe here, and Im not learning Zulu, and Ive had two WHITE companions. 

Umlazi is very interesting...... last week two taxi drivers got in a huge fight(very common), but one of them shot the other guy in the head in broad daylight... super sketchy but it gets even worse, he cut the dudes head off too..... sooo..... that sucks.

Friday April 7th

well today there was a bunch of riots apparently.. I didn't get to see any of them cause our mission president said not to got to certain areas... but I heard they also did a bunch of piece marches as well... in cape town they made a Human Chain of people that were holding hands! apparently it was HUGE!!!!!! google it!

either way, the people here are super ticked off at their president and their Supper corrupt Government! and they just got demoted to Junk state so that got them all riled up! but hey now I can say I served my mission in a 3rd world country and a Junk state! haha

and tonight we had a Ward dance! it was so much fun! Our ward isn't as big as the one back home but we still had about twenty five people and they had free food and we played Limbo and stuff! it was a lot of fun... But elder Schraedel did the worm on the ground he broke our phone screen.... smooth...

Sunday

well last week brother Mickelsons passed away... I had been taking him the sacrament for the last six months so that was really sad.... but sister Mickelson brought me his cufflinks.. they had the Initials "MM"so he wanted me to have them I guess:) it was really sweet of them:) RIP... 

did I ell you guys that my friend elder droubay (went to the MTC together, and went to Los Angeles with me to get my visa stamped..) well he was in that car accident in Johannesburg in December.. apparently he had a lot of nightmares and stuff so he couldn't sleep for the next couple weeks on mission..so he had to go home.. I hope he comes back out:(

Anyways, today was fast Sunday so we went to the reises to break our fast.. it was pretty darn good! and next week we should a few baptisms! Im super excited, except I have to give a talk on Easter, so that blows.

And it has to be a long one too!

pray for me! hahaha

I love you guys:) keep up the good work! Ill see ya in like a year and a half now! (that sounds a lot nicer than two years!)