May 2018

Monday 5-3

Today we Went to teach the Mantje Family for an FHE!! you'll never guess what happened.. Brother Mantje is the one struggling to find the gospel more in his life. His daughter is not happy with him. However, today we visited him and he brought a family from next door to hear our message. We taught them about the book of Mormon and I have never seen Brother Mantje so excited! He brought out his First ever book of Mormon and was Highlighting every Verse that we read!!!

Tuesday 5-3

Well today was a really good day. We went and visited sister Sisanda and she's super excited to be baptized. the only problem is that every now and again her boss makes her work on Sundays. The Lord will provide a way. May 27th is our Goal for her. 

We also had interviews with Mission President and did our very best to makes sure all the missionaries were working. Some Missionaries Did Not Want to work in someone elses area. They just wanted a vacation. However, I worked with Elder Walker and Elder Lewis, as well as their Member Present. They were awesome and Carried the Spirit with them. They Listened, asked good questions, and helped answer questions effectively. I was happy to work with them. We visited Gibson and I didn't inform them too well about his background and Elder Walker shared a perfect scripture that helped open his eyes to repentance and resisting Temptation. It was Inspired.

Wednesday (Zone Conference) 5-4

kinda stressful considering it was combined with The Lesotho Zone and their Zone Leaders did Less than Nothing to help us out. Everything went well though. However, I totally Forgot my notes for my 30 minute lesson about how to work with Ward and stake leaders... that was stressful. But I didn't forget the Ward Directories and Auxiliary leaders, and Ward Mission Plans that I asked to be Printed out for all the Missionary Companionships. They really appreciated it!!! So it wasn't Terrible.

Lunch: Share Boxes from McDonalds! Nice!

Thursday - Exchanges With Elder Gehlbach

After Zone Conference Elder G. was my companion for our exchange. He's a really nice guy that I hope to see again when I get home:) 

We taught Mokgadi and he said he wants to Be baptized before the end of June!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so so so Excited for this guy! We told him to pray about his own Baptismal date and to make it personal, He asked "What if someone wants to be baptized in, lets just say, about a year from now?". We taught him more about the GIFT of the Holy Ghost and how it can guide us EVERYDAY!!! It Strengthened my testimony, and his as well! He said "Okay okay okay, Personally, No later than June. I want this! What do I need to do before then?"

"You need to start by Coming to church and reading the Book of Mormon each day." HE said YES! (He did Comet to church this week)

we also Visited the Qinisile Family and I really like them! haha yeah we taught about the Importance of reading the Book of Mormon.

I gave a Presentation alone, because Gehlbach doesn't know what we were talking about, to all the Bloemanda bishopric. Either Way, they really like me now. haha I introduced the Prayer chain for to them and we want them to start Sunday and go for 30-40 days... Im excited for them! It'll help them out a lot!

  

Friday 5-5

A bunch of appointments as well as meeting with OUR Bishop! We set up the Appointment with him on Sunday, reminded him Tuesday, then reminded him the morning. HE COULD NOT SAY NO AT THIS POINT! When We reminded him this morning he was pretty Hesitant so I asked for just 15 Minutes, so he agreed. When we saw him tonight we arrived On Time, and took no more than 15 Minutes. I didn't want to break his trust it was the first time we've been able to have an effective meeting. In fact it was SUPER Effective. he gave us 10 Less actives to visit, agreed to meet with 3 of our investigators one of these Sunday, and even gave us a  referral! Then we left! I think he's starting to trust us now.

Saturday

Lunch:Sister Olga and Helesi, Received a Referral from them and are going to try to teach her Daughter-in-law.

We also taught Sister Fefa's Mom. We brought Sister Fefa's Son Bongani with us and Bongani said "She has never wanted to be taught by missionaries in the past, even before My mission. Thank you so much Elders" 

The Lesson about the restoration went really well and she agreed to come to church, but she doesn't have a a way to get there... so we called sister Tsoeu and Sister Tsoeu said she can pick her up on the way Sunday! 

Sunday 5-6

Bishop was a lot of help today and was a lot more inclined to Help us out, seeing that we are trying to help him out too! Thank You, President Thompson for all the advice thats been given! He even stopped me and asked if we could schedule another meeting to follow up on the work.

The Qinisile Family came to church, All of them! For the first time since I've been here the entire family came to church... mostly because they just needed that little push and i think stopping by With Elder Gehlbach helped them feel the gentle and loving Push.

also, BROTHER MOKGADI CAME TO CHURCH! He came with His ENTIRE family (All Members) and it was a really cool sight to see:) the spirit was very strong today. Even though we only had one investigator at church It was really fulfilling and a good day! I feel like our ward has come together and is seeking help from the missionaries a lot more, as well as, seeking to help us! We received roughly 6 Member Referrals in the past week, and gained a lot more of our Bishops help! I am excited to see what will happen Next week.

we also, had a Mission Wide Fast today. in its simplest form, All the Missionaries in SADM Fasted for Our areas and those we teach. I think it's bring us a lot of success!

Monday May 7th, 2018

Well well well.. Today was nice.. Elder Mapeka got hit by a car last night.. we checked up on them yesterday and he's fine! So we took them to bowling and helped drive them around just to make sure he can heal up a bit so he doesnt have to bike. It was fun! 

We also came back and played basketball for like an hour! 

We taught Olga about Temples and She really wants to go!!!

we also taught sister Mantje and her son Karabo. Karoba's the one thats super good at soccer!!

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday..... well we Were working.. But Im tired and bad at writing in my journal...

Saturday... TRANSFER NEWS! 

Im very excited to get a new companion!!! Elder Cobinah from Sierra Leone! I have no Idea who he is? But hey, I guess we'll see!

Elder Phillips is going to Ezakheni, the lucky guy gets to go back to Zulu! I miss that place so bad! Luckily Elder Trapnell has been keeping me updated and teaching me Zulu! also, my Afrikaans is coming along just fine.. I should be able to tease Rebecca Jordan when I get back because she's speaking Dutch and the two languages are similar!

Elder Trapnell goes home half way through the transfer so they will be in a three some with.... *pause for dramatic affect*... Elder Lowe!!! Im super excited to have this guy join the group! it'll be awesome!

so that'll be our district... oh! But Elder Huntington is gonna go to Kimberly!!!!! So I'll get to see him soon:)

What else happened today... Oh I tried to skype you... but a little miscommunication put us back a bit, no worries!

Sunday -HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!-

Today was good, Just Sisanda at church... Im getting tired of excuses from other people... Just being patient..

I taught Gospel principles, it was fun! I taught about Faith and Hope! Sisanda and the other missionaries Enjoyed it:) I might complain about not having many investigators coming to church but we are in a better position than rocklands 1 right now. They've had 1 investigator show up to church in the last 7 weeks!!!! And they live closer to the church, But have to WALK! I feel bad! 

However, We have a ton of referrals that we are trying to follow up on right now!

After Church, sister Khumalo gave us a big bag of food and said she doesnt want us to all come to her house for sunday Lunches. Instead she wants us to take it and go Skype our families!! she is super nice!!

The Entire Zone had to use the Senior couples house to do their Skyping, so I was in charge of shuffling in and out all the missionaries... Elder Phillips got mad cause I gave everyone an extra 10-15 Minutes.... I DONT CARE! TALK TO YOUR FAMILY! Its not like they were breaking any commandments! just wishing their moms a happy Mothers day! And Everyone got to go..... for the most part. I went too late and I think all the internet had been used or something cause it was struggling! Sorry Mom! I'll see ya in two weeks but I love you:) 

I called President Thompson and he gave me Permission to let me skype you as soon as max gets his mission call!!!

I liked talking with all the missionaries at the Hicks and Sister Hicks made some Amazing food for all of us!

Monday 5-14

Well it's Phillips last P-day so we traveled around Bloemfontein so he can get a sotho Blanket! it took forever and we ended up just going back to the first one we stopped at. He talked the lady down to R800 so thats not too bad.. he got a blue and Orange one. She said she'd order me the white and blue one from one from Johannesburg! Im excited!

Also, we did bowling. I bowled a 104? Either way, Im improving! I didnt roll anything lower than an 8!

Elder Phillips said Goodbye to brother Miji and his family, as well as the Mantje Family! It was really sweet:)

Tuesday May 15th

Phillips said goodbye and we taught some nice lessons. 

We also almost got car Jacked... Drove through a big group of people and two of them tried opening our fron doors and they were locked. However because Panto and trapnell just got out of the back their doors were open. so they opened the back doors and one of them was half way in, his left foot was inside the right door, and the left door had just been opened by another guy. I told elder Phillips to Hit the gas and as he did they both fell out and rolled throught the dirt.

Wednesday May 16th, 2018

Well phillips left at 12 and I worked with Elder Jewkes all day. Elder Jewkes is a District Leader so I Had him interview Sisanda Mnisi and SHE PASSED!!!! haha she will be baptised on May 27th:))) Im super excited for her! 

Later that day we went to Visit Ntokozo, one of Elder Jewkes Members that he's working with. He was super cool and very humble. He was Also HUGE! He plays Professional Rugby, #9 for the Cheetahs. I was gonna arm Wrestle him, but I didnt want to Embarrass him..

Then we Visited Mokgadi and taught him about the POWER OF THE BOOK OF MORMON. He Really wants to quit smoking! He's gone from 10 cigarettes each DAY down to 3!!! So he's made a lot of improvement! Im really excited and proud of him:)

Then we drove to the Bus station and Picked up Elder Nu'usa (gehlbach's new comp), Cobinah (mine), and Flake(Jewkes new comp). We also watched a Hobo poop on a fire and wipe with a burning piece of paper. I kid you not it was still on fire!!! 

Thursday May 17, 2018

1st day with Cobi, he's cool. We were in the car with the other guys and we watched a kid get hit by a car.. that was sad. . However, I think He'll be fine. He Jumped when it hit him, he went flying up in the Air but I think he just broke his leg... We werent able to stop but he wasnt there when we went back...

Friday May 18th, 2018

I really like being comps with Elder Cobinah. He's ready to work, and he doesnt talk as much as phillips! That's been really nice and a lot less stress... We taught a bunch of really good lesson and met some really nice people! (Hey this is Elder Trapnell. What's up. Stay fantastic. #blessup also, he keeps trying to steal all my floral ties. So send him some.  Please.  He's Driving me Crazy) 

We Also 

Saturday

We did a quick service for with the other guys for one of their investigators. We helped Plant a Garden! It went smoothly.

Then we ate lunch at a new Skambane place we found. the Owners name is Dick and We've become pretty good friends.

We went to the saturday session of stake conference and we hung out with S. Mark Palmer... cool guy...

Sunday _STAKE CONFERENCE_

Brother Mokgadi is doing really well.. He came to church and he loved it!! :) His daughter gave a talk at stake conference so he supported her

Monday 5-21

I was on the bus all... flippin'... Day.

we got off the bus at 6:00... eish... I was so tired. but then we had some activities at the Mission home and got to hang out with all the other Zone leaders, it was nice to kinda relax for a bit:)

Tuesday 5-22_MLC

MLC was really Productive, we learned a lot... HOWEVER, Breaking news.. This is like super Serious and Pretty darn crazy new stressful stuff. Like really really big news. The area Presidency has announced that as of JULY 1st, The All of South Africa will not have Mission Cars. I repeat. WE ARE LOSING ALL OUR CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm pretty Stressed right now because I am in charge of organizing the zone and preparing us for this change. Elder Cobinah and I need to work out a plan to have missionaries understand how to take Taxies to Zone conferences, District meetings, Exchanges, Transfers, Emergency Plans, how to work with Members on foot, organize new boardings, examine each area and determine which one would need bikes. Eish. Stressful. we need to turn this in as well as our Zone conference agenda by Monday. 

However, MLC was very productive. And we had Four-15, and Dominos, so that helped. The only Real Downside, was the fact that I got on a bus at 7:00 pm and didn't get off until........... 

Wednesday 5-23

......... This morning at 6:30 am. I'm so tired. I took a quick little nap then we went to our DDM. at DDM we set goals and have a plan to increase the Work in this area. I also announced to all the District about the Car situation. It wasn't too big of a deal because both of them are walking, we just had to let them know that they'll take taxis to Zone conference, and for transfers and stuff. 

Today was also our Mini P-day, we went to a few lessons throughout the day but we were still able to Email and get stuff done that we needed. We also bought a net for basketball and I'm so pumped.

Thursday 5-24 _Excahnges with Thaba Nchu (Elder Motlankhanayane... Aka, Elder Mots)

Well, I was in Rocklands working with Elder Mots and it was actually a really good exchange. He's a great missionary and he has improved a lot since I was with him last. We taught brother Mokgadi and he is doing amazing. He said that he fasted on Tuesday and it helped him a lot. Still at 3 Cigarettes but we made a plan to cut him down to 1-2 a day next week. We also visited stake President and taught Keddi. Keddi's been Up and Down but Bringing elder Mots helped a lot because Elder Mots is From Botswana so he speaks Tswana (very similar to Sesotho). That helped Keddi a lot because she only speaks Sesotho. We taught Lesson 3, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After which we had a quick little meeting about the Stake and how the missionaries are going to do without having any cars... Man, President Nyatshobas face was Priceless when I told him about the Change.. hahaha

Friday 5-25

Today was a really good day:) We Started it off by playing some Basketball! #Michael wantstoFly (It's an Inside Joke).. the hoop is so low elder Lowe and I can Allie Oop it to Each other! Also, we Won!! #LockDownDefence! We all pitched in and bought a net! So it was much more Official.

After that, we taught some good lessons and Met some really nice people. 

We went teaching With Bishop Nkomombini and it was really fun. We went and taught a Family and Xolani (8years) hadn't been interviewed by the bishop for baptism so We brought him with so he could do that:) Xolani Qinisile is adorable, he said he wants me to Baptize him so I'm gonna need to practice my Clicks! haha

Then we took him to See sister Sisanda and I have bad news. She's supposed to be baptised on Sunday but her boss is going to make her work... So Elder Cobinah and I are going to go to Mug n' Bean and talk to her Boss. Pray that Her boss will be understanding.

 

Saturday

Sisanda Boss didn't let her off.. but next week she's good! No worries, but he said that she can have MORE Sundays off:) He was a nice guy!

Sunday 5-27

Today Church was a lot of fun:) Xolani Was Baptized as well as Bishop's son. The service went smoothly and everyone was happy. However, I was not too happy when Primary got out I was on my way to get changed for the Baptism when One of the Primary Kids, Thebang (Lerato), Yelled: "GET ELDER MERRITT!!!!!" Then a wave of children attacked me!! It was Terrifying.

A note from mom-- I recently asked Mitchell if he was being obiendien and how he was doing as a missionary. I think he was a little offended that I would even ask, but the email the he sent from his Mission President to him to prove to me that he was being "good" was one I will cherish---

Mom- yes, this is what President thompson said about how I am doing: 

President Thompson

Elder Merritt,

What a great experience with the man you found. I wonder why nobody followed up with him before. A good reminder of the importance of Area Books. You did a marvellous job with Zone Conference. And, it was wonderful to visit with you in our interview and to be with you in Zone Conference. I reiterate my great gratitude to you for the stellar example you have been to other missionaries. I appreciate how enthusiastic you are. You have clearly demonstrated through your actions and understanding the importance of our journey. You have been a great missionary and brought abundant blessings to many people. I am thrilled with what you are doing.