A return date for my missionary and a lovely update

Drum roll please..... My boy will come home on November 2nd at noon. I am beyond happy! I was also so touched by his words this week. To know that he LOVES his mission and sees miracles and tender mercies each day, is all I wanted. My heart is so full of appreciation to those that have touched his life, love for him and those who have cared for him, and joy after reading the update for this week. It is exactly what I hoped for him!

Mitchell Thomas Merritt
to me, Josh, mary, Max, Megan, Ariel, Cody

Well, I forgot to write in my journal all week so I'll give you a brief overview of what happened....

miracles, Miracles, miracles. 

Monday- we met went to a sharks game (pictures next week). we met a man named Garet on our way to buy tickets... i thought he said Merritt, so i told him that was my name too... then he said DONT LIE TO ME! and I was like Why would i lie about that? He said "your names Garet too?" I was confused but intimidated and scared to say that I misheard him so I embraced the lie... I know it's wrong, but you didnt see the guy! he was older slightyly out of shape Afrikaans man wearing a full sweatshirt jumpsuit, like Will Farrell in Kicking and screaming... but due to my confused lie he gave us SIX FREE TICKETS because his friends never showed up! so tat was a miracle*

Tuesday- MLC. everything went well! I taught a lesson about teaching Simply so in doing so, I taught simply. it was fun and we played a game! then sister Thompson called me and asked if she could do the same game in Bloemfontein for Zone conference. it went really well.

Wednesday- Busy Busy Busy!!! Bunk Bunk Bunk...

we were with Elder Leichty and yo..... well... he's home now... eish.. 

Thursday-Elder sala and I did weekly planning, which was much needed. we set goals and analyzed where we are. to be honest. i am very excited to be here right now. We want to have 11 baptisms before i go home. which is high, but do-able. I am excited.

We met brother Siyabonga again today:) brother Robert has helped us out a lot along with Sister Naomi. Brother Robert referred us to Siyabonga, he is getting married on Wednesday so that he can get baptized on Sept 9th wit his son. They are so excited. sister Lilly is his Future wife and she's a member already!

Sister Naomi referred us to two families, the Chabata family (sister Faith, Thandi, and brother Knowledge all 35+yrs old and from Zimbabwe) she also referred us to the Mara Family (Lamine and his wife Kethia, and Ishmael they are from the Congo). they are planned to be baptized on the same day as Brother Siyabonga. and the chabata's 2 weeks later. I am so EXCITED pray that they continue to feast and read the book of Mormon!!!

the best part of my week though- I was so excited to see ALL of them come to church WITH THEIR KIDS TOO:) it was heart warming to see the excitement in their eyes! It's hard to explain but to see the spirit touch someone for the first time. it's unlike anything else. this church is true. Sunday was amazing. sister Susan came with her husband and kids, The Mara family, the Chabata Family, Siyabonga had work and he informed us earlier but his wife still came:) Im so happy to be serving in Berea and I hope the area continues to grow.

My favorite lesson of the week was with the Chabata Family- Our objective was to follow up on their book of Mormon reading, we gave them one the appointment previous. so when we met with them we asked "Did you read the book of Mormon?" and Faith shrugs a little bit and says " well.... I... Eish... its not the bible and..." Elder sala interrupts "whats bothering you?" 

"I have no idea who any of these people are???? Who's "Nepie" is it part of the bible? what is this book all about? I tired to read it.. but.. ugh" 

Then we started to explain. I think it was my favorite lesson explaining the book of Mormon by the end Sister Faith said, as she held the book of Mormon to her chest, "I need this. I need to read this. Thank you." Why was it succesful lesson? because they all asked Importnat Questions, not to disprove or to bash but to gain a stronger understanding. Why did they come with questions like that? Because their hearts were in the right spot. That is when I saw the spirit touch someones heart for what may have been the first time in their life... and that is my favorite part of mission.

the church is so true. Im so happy I came on mission... Also, you should read "Saints, the standard of truth" it's a book that the church wrote about church history! It's super good!

Also, one of our investigators, Brook was arrested for Attempted Murder because he was caught Stabbing someone (thats a big one)... so he's in jail right now. My question, Wheres the Proof? Lol. We went to visit him and....Eish, I dont want to go to jail. While we were there we met some nice people.  I sat next to Brother Ndlovu, turns out he's a member! I told him to prove it and he laughed then he proved it when he showed me a picture he drew of Joseph smith! i was impressed. But still....

Life in Durban

Monday 7-30-18

Well well well. Another P-day gone. we did a little bit of shopping and then we Started TRANSFERS!!!!!! We picked our Zone Leaders and our trainers for the upcoming transfer.

After Transfer Planning we Walked with Mandy to YSA where we got to visit and play games and share a lesson with the YSA. That was fun:)

Tuesday 7-31-18

We continued our Transfer planning. It looks Like a lot of people are going to move again, that's a shame. After Transfer Planning President took us to lunch at a classy Chinese place! it was delicious!!!! it had one of those spinning lazy Susan style things in the middle of the table with all the different kinds of food. I was Happy.

After Lunch we taught a Girl named Talent, all she wanted to do was Bible Bash so that wasn’t too fun. Then we got Bunked by Sicilia. So, we followed up on a bunch of people in Flamingo Complex and walked all the way to Christian... who also bunked us. But it was dark, so we just went to the office and did our Tuesday calls.

Wednesday 8-1-18

Today we did a lot more Transfer stuff. But President Thompson came up with the Idea of University Missionaries that work only on campus's. They’ll teach classrooms and Lead Discussions. Mostly in Bloemfontein, Durban, and PJ. But it sounds interesting.

We made good progress! then we Had DDM with Berea 2 and they did Transfer Predictions! That was funny to see! hahaha

We worked the rest of the day in our area, not much success, but were trying.

The we went back to the office and started Logistics.

Logistics is going to SUCK without a car. this is going to be stressful.

Thursday 8-2-18

We started the day, again, at the office. We finalized Transfers and It went Really well. A lot of changes were made by President, but I think it'll be a good transfer! He introduced University Missionaries (Elder Fullmer and Simayile). Their area will be the University campus! Our goal with them will be to teach classes and clubs and stuff. They'll serve at University of Free state in Bloemfontein and University of KZN in Durban. I was excited to have a desk and a dresser and a closet. But I guess I can do 3 more months with my bunk bed and cardboard boxes. shame.

Elder Sala and I are going to be the Only two AP's though... so that'll be cool. I’m excited to be comps with Elder Sala He's Awesome!

Him and I went and taught sister Emma and her son. Her son went to the Hospital because he touched the blade of a table saw. I don't know why he did that? But he said he regretted it as soon as he did it. poor guy. hahaha

Either way it's an awesome family! they should be baptized before I go! I'm excited to watch them progress!

Friday 8-3-18

Elder Simayile and I went tracting for like 4 hours this morning and he's done with this area. Frustrating. But we met some.... Interesting people. 2 Shembe's, A Muslim, 2 people from the Congo, and a few people studying. and Only one of them new about "Mormons" she said we were Amish.... so that was fun.

Also, I woke up this morning and I sound Like I'm addicted to cigarettes. My voice Sucks. but my throat doesn't hurt.... so thats kinda niceR... 

We also taught Sicilia, and the Mara Family (From the Congo) I love that family! they're very simple and sincere. They're excited to get baptized! We read Chapter one of the Book of Mormon in French! that was awesome!!! We usually teach and have Ishmael their Handicapped Nephew translate. It's kinda cool seeing their delayed response. for example, "Jesus Christ Loves us all, and he taught his gospel to Everyone." 

Ishmael *Repeats everything in French

Kate Mara *Gets excited, smiles, and responds in French*

Ishmael "She's wondered about that for a long time, how did he teach all people?"

Its just fun teaching this way. Very simple:)

After that appointment we went to teach the Youth... They bunked so we played soccer.

Saturday

WE FINISHED LOGISTICS AND THE NEW SCHEDULE AND ALL THAT STUFF. *Sigh of Relief*

I'm tired.

I downloaded the McDonald's App on our smart phone and I won a free spicy Cajun. so, I'm happy!

I worked with Sala again today! I love this guy, very easy going and happy to be here!

We made friends with a gang

I was called "Umlungumuhle" at McDonald's (Beautiful White Man) 

We taught David, Joey, Jackson, and Collette and Rose. all good lessons and I'm Happy.

We’re going to do our phone call's now... gotta go.

*moments Later*

Everyone’s happy with their news... not much to report.

Sunday

Today was Awesome!!!! I got fed THREE TIMES!!!! First the brays made us a picnic but because President told us to go to Pine town and speak to the members there and explain why they don't have Missionaries we could go to the picnic. Luckily, they gave it to us to go! Then Elder Simayile and I went and taught a Full Family from Zimbabwe, all over 30 years old and all four accepted to be baptized! that was dope! Then we drove to kwadebeka and a family that Elder Simayile knew from Queenstown made us dinner. Their son has the Coolest name ever!! He's 1 year old and his name is NEPHI KHETHOKUHLE *something* but his middle name translates to CHOOSE THE RIGHT!

then we had FHE At the Zuma’s and they gave us dinner too:) It was awesome!!!

they only problem was the Mara family and Susan didn't come to church.  However, a stranger came in to church with a book of Mormon and a Jehovah’s Witnesses bible. he said he was taught by missionaries in the past, but they stopped visiting him... then HE BORE HIS TESTIMONY IN SACRAMENT MEETING ABOUT HOW MUCH HE ENJOYS THE BOOK OF MORMON. It was crazy!!! 

But My voice still sucks and it's been like 3 days!!!!? What the heck???

SOME PICS FROM THE BLOG

Also, there's a Mail strike so don't send any mail. its been going on for a couple Months now...

Monday August 6th, 2018

today is the first day of my 16th Transfer. which means I have exactly 12 more weeks of mission. That is terrifying!

elder Motlankhanyane arrived. He's being relocated to the Botswana Namibia mission because of his visa. so we picked him up from the bus station. well, actually Elder Fullmer and Sala Picked him up and brought him to the chapel. We walked Mandy to a YSA activity so she can get to know people better. The topic at YSA was missionary wok because Junior is leaving tomorrow. Mostly a bunch of return missionaries came and answered questions.

It was good but then everyone started talking about racism and I was the only white guy in the room so they singled me out a bit and asked my opinion and I could care less. They asked if I've ever felt racially targeted on my mission or treated differently because im white. and the answer is obviously yes but I don't really care! It's new and not a big deal. hahaha

afterwards, President Thompson gave us some money for Milkshakes! that was dope!

Tuesday August 7th, 2018

Well we woke up at 4:30 am to take mots to the air port and then we came back to pick up sala and simayile and brought them to the air port and we picked up the new missionaries with President Thompson. We picked up 3 new missionaries, Elder Dikane-South African, Elder DeSpain(went to school and wrestled with Elder Fullmer, they were all happy to see each other), and Elder Swift. Elder Swift is cool. He's a white guy that was born in Zimbabwe, moved to Zambia, then Australia where he was baptized in 2016, then moved to cape town and now hes on mission! He was Baptized around the same time that I put in my mission papers!!!

Then we were driving to the Airport but we got in a small car accident, some guy rear-ended.. not too bad, small dent in the bumper.. totaled the car, but it's all good nobody was hurt and we're all safe. Next time elder Fullmer wont try to do a U-Turn in the Highway...

We were set back for a while because of that but we still took the new missionaries tracting and I took Elder Swift to the Mara family and we read from the book of Mormon! it all went great!

then we had dinner at president Thompson's house!

Wednesday August 8th, 2018

well we drove missionaries around all morning because, well we have one of the only cars. I'm so tired. we woke up at 4:30 again. 

we were waiting for the departing Elder to get here at 11:30 but they were late and didn't have a phone. turns out their car broke down and had to get a tow truck.Either way byt the end of the day everyone made it to where they needed to be.

We also had dinner with the Missionaries that are going home. Elder Groesbeck, Elder harp, Elder Homer(Oregon,sherwood), Elder Thompson, and Elder Isooba. I think out of all these guys Im gonna miss Elder Isooba the most. He's so funny! He's from Uganda and he served in my District when I was in Kwamashu!

Thursday August 9th, 2018

It rained today. I missed the rain. Turns out my darn shoe broke and I have a hole in the bottom where it wore through... shame... it'll last me. but I had a shoe full of water for a bit.

Elder Sala is my new companion and he's awesome! We took Elder Harp to the airport. And we talked with Homer and Thompson for a while too but we had an appointment so we couldn't go drop them off too. all is well

Friday August 10th

Appointments today-

Christian; He's excited to get baptized on  Sunday and his family should come with. 

Our 28's gang members: set up a new appointment and they let me take a picture with a machete that they had. pretty cool.

Elder Simayile and Fullmer are both training this transfer and today is Elder fullmers last day. Fullmer is training Elder Swift and Simayile is Training Elder Dikane. Before we all split up we went to roco mama's. It's Elder Sala's Birthday tomorrow so Fullmer and I split sala's meal 50/50. He was super happy:)

Mandy; super happy and is trying to convert her roommate, Lungi. Mandy is also terrified due to the fact that some day she's going to have to speak in front of people at sacrament.

Elder sala Played some soccer with the youth at the chapel and I wrote my talk for MLC. then we went to the office to type up stuff, and I made a power point Jeopardy game for MLC.

Saturday - MIRACLES EVERYWHERE!

Well today was one for the books. 

We visited the Mara family and it went really well! we taught them the 1st half of the Plan of Salvation and they're really excited about it! I love that family!

KFC was doing a deal, 12 pieces of chicken for 100 Rand so we split it 50/50! While we were there I we were talking to the cashier and her name was Nannie or something, wither way she did not want to be there today. Then a Muslim guy walked up and I assumed he was the manager because he was wearing a blue KFC shirt. I wanted to try and cheer her up so I was going to tell him she's doing a great job and make her laugh or something, so I asked "are you the manager?" and he said no. So I was like "well then who are you and where'd you get the blue shirt?" He said that he's temporarily working there so I asked if I could have one and he said no... so I asked what he does and hes a FOOD TASTER! It's like the coolest job ever eating free food and getting paid for it! So I told him that! and we talked for a little bit because nobody else was in line. We talked about how to be qualified, what he does, when Elder Sala and I are doing and all that fun stuff! and at the end of the day we got free Ice Cream! It was awesome!!!

The we went to visit a member named Robert because he had a referral for us! this is by far the most CELESTIAL REFERRAL I have ever received. 

It's for a family. the wife is a member and the father and children are not. and the father said he wants to get baptized. Like right off the bat he was asking about it. Im so excited to teach Brother Siyabonga Zulu and his wife Lilly:))

Sunday

Well they all came! The Mara Family AND the Zulu family! Im just so darn happy for them! 

Then we went to lunch in Umhlanga at a members house the Gumede's. If you don't know umhlanga it's where the temple is being built... So it's super nice. We saw a Black Lamborghini on the way to their house. No joke.

They made us some of the best Steamed bread that I've ever had! I say steamed bread mostly because I don't know how to spell the other name that it has... haha

then Elder sala and I went to FHE at the Zuma's. Great day!

Well I have more pictures on my camera but here are some of the pictures  we took with our smart phone...why? BECAUSE WERE THE AP'S!!!

The month of July

Monday_P-day

Regular Monday, nothing crazy went on.. pretty usual.

Tuesday 7-3-18 _ Carmageddon

Today was our first real day walking. Not just me but the entire mission as a whole! so that was just exhausting! I met a man named Christian, he's super cool. He's been investigating the church for a long time and was interviewed for baptisms but forgot what the Word of Wisdom was, like he knew all the principles of what we should and shouldn't do he just got nervous and forgot the Title of the commandment. So the missionary that interviewed him didnt pass him. After that he got super discouraged and disappointed and didnt come to church for two or three weeks. I feel bad ofr the poor guy. We also taught Beatrice, she's cool too.

then Elder Simayile and I took a taxi, I just kinda followed simayile while he spoke zulu to a bunch of taxi drivers and when he got on I followed. Turns out we got on the wrong taxi so we had to walk crazy far to get to our appointment....... That was'nt even home. So we visited a few other people in that area. Pretty nice day. but we misjudged how much time we have and it got dark super soon. Luckily, we have a Smart phone so we called an Uber. it was pretty cool, I felt like a baller.

Wednesday

DDM. tracting. Lunch. taxi. Susan. taxi. home. Kwamashu!

Well Susan is super cool!!!!! She works at Alfred Nkosi Hospital and she is extremely converted! Loves the gospel! She's been investigating for about 6 months but she hasn't been LEGALLY married, Just traditionally. last week we told her she should try inviting her husband to church and she did. She said that he's gonna come on sunday but only to sacrament. we said it's a deal!  so we're all really excited!

then we took a taxi back to our home and drove to kwamashu in our car. So for us we get to keep our car just for office business and exchanges with other missionaries, but when it comes to regular missionary work we walk. 

Thursday_ Kwamashu!

today was probably one of the happiest days I've had in a while. I was back in Kwamashu and  guess how we got to the area! WE TOOK A TRAIN! It was so cool:) kinda sketchy, but interesting, especially when elder Nobunga and I got separated from Elder Leckie when the train doors shut! hahaha but they had an emergency open so we got it figured out!

I got to visit, Omega and monde, the Msalis were out of town but I did see Maqa(I still don't know how to spell her name) and her little baby, The Ndlovu's, thutho, Lindo, thelani and his family, etc:) It was really fun! also when we got off the train Zamo was therewith her daughter. Zamo was investigating the church last year and were teaching her, but since then the missionaries stopped visiting. So we got her number and talked for a little bit! it was crazy because she lives in Stanger now and I'm literally the only missionary that would recognize her today because the past missionaries when home. Kinda crazy to see Heavenly father's Divine Design in all things:)

Good Day.

Friday

Today was kind of a struggle. I'm getting tired of walking everywhere. We're planning an Emergency Transfer and I accidentally told a missionary that he was leaving his area a week early and president wasnt too happy... We're all good now though! haha We've been walking places and getting bunked and that is significantly more frustrating than when we drove. Also, mandy was interviewed for baptism but we need president to come interview her next week some time:) no worries! We visited the Krtishingers and they fed us lunch. Super nice Afrikaans family! then at the end of the day we drove to Richards bay and we did a 4way exchange with 3 areas. I went with Elder Allen, Fullmer was with Elder Olson, Sala was in stanger, and Simayile was in Ensaleni:)

Saturday_Richards Bay

Elder Allen is awesome!! we had a good day. Not many appointment but we did a LOT of Finding! and it was pretty fun too:)

I saw a drank afrikaans guy in the back of a bakki wearing a Fred Flintstones costume yelling "How'z it, me lecker Boitjies!?" That was pretty entertaining!

Sunday

Mandy came, Susan came, SUSAN'S HUSBAND CAME TOO! Ayanda was Confirmed and they was pretty smooth! not too much to complain about... except walking everywhere, but that won't aolve anything. I do need new insoles, my feet hurt! hahaha

Monday

Today was a pretty regular day.. good P-day, but Simayile apparently scheduled a 2 and a 4 o'clock appointment that is an hour walk from our boarding... o a p-day... and the guy doesn't have a phone.. so we walked to it, he bunked and we walked back. two hours wasted. oh well.. we tried to talk to some people on the way to get some food and do some shopping. We also played some pool at a pub. I'm really bad.

at the end of the day we had to go to the office to do some transfer stuff and also, email, I don't really remember what we did but as we started to email sister Thompson called us! She said that they're having a FHE with a bunch of YSA in the Stake and they had a bunch of leftover pizza and cool drink so they gave it to us!!!!!!! It was awesome!

Tuesday Zone Conference

Zone conference was really good!! I didn't have to do anything except drove them all home! Everyone drove their cars to Zone conference and I drove the Mission Van and took most of them home:) It was good though because it was a combined Zone conference with Hillcrest Zone! so I got to see Bennett and a bunch of other guys! super cool! 

Elder Pentz gave a presentation about Aspiring! so that was terrifying! but hey, it was really good! 

After We dropped everyone off and made sure they were all in and safe we did our weekly call in reports! so we called all the Zone Leaders and made sure they're all happy! so that exhausting!

Wednesday

We taught Beatrice again today and we asked if she's been reading the book of Mormon and she said that he husband either hid it or through it away.. so that was sad. He doesn't like the church but she loves it. She told him one week that she wanted to go to church so he drove her to HIS church and dropped her off, then he drove home and watched soccer. and another week she said she wanted to come to our church and he just said no and refused to let her leave. so that was sad! Keep her in your prayers.

also, president Thompson interviewed Mandy and she passed! so that was exciting:) Mandy is so cool!

then president did our interviews. he's so cool! he drove us all home and was asking for directions and fullmer was like "You can take a left right into the McDonald's Parking lot and then we're home" Then he laughed sarcastically. hahaha but then president actually did it and bought us all Big Macs and Milkshakes! it was awesome! He's really cool! He told me more about Why he called me to be an assistant and it had a lot to do with "helping unify the mission on our purpose, working with stake leaders and being kind" so that made me feel super awesome!

Then elder sala and I packed up and went to Amanzimtoti for exchanges Super Excited! they moved to the Reise's House so I got to see the entire family!

Thursday Exchanges in Amanzimtoti

I was with elder Bir(FIJI) and Elder Warner(UT) and they are both Amazing missionaries and they taught me a lot! we got Chibobo's and taught some really good lessons! Some kids let me fly their Kite so that was fun! We visited Mhlegi and Mlondi (I baptized Mlondi) they're both doing great and sharing the gospel! Mhlengi's prepbaring to go on mission next year now! At the end of the day I learned some cool new taxi sign language stuff and we visited the Cebekhulu family! Phindy is still on mission in Madagascar but they still have our Family Christmas card on their mantel:)) AMAZING FAMILY! Buhle and Thula are still awesome!!!

Friday

normal day we did some good tracting, a lady from Zimbabwe opened the door and she was breast feeding which isn't too uncommon but it made simayile super uncomfortable and he froze and didn't know what to say so he asked "Is this your son?" she looked down as the little guy was goin to town and replied "uhh.. yeah" then I started laughing... it was super Awkward. but her husband was home so we talked with him... He mostly argued about the Trinity.. which was frustrating because he wouldn't listen and all his scriptures backfired at himself. We read about Christs baptism, Stephens vision, etc.

the next house Simayile asked the lady that answered what church she went to and she said "Christian gathering" and he asked "Is that and apostate church?"  and she said, "Umm its uhh, a Gathering church.." 

"Yeah but is it an Apostate church?" Simayile said " I guess you could say it's both.." so we taught her about why we have so many churches today..

Then at the End of the night we visited Mandy, and she was on cloud nine after she passed her interview! we set out a program for Sunday and it was awesome! I'll talk about baptism.

then on the way home we stopped by the church and there was a combined Stake Talent show and I saw SO MANY PEOPLE THAT I KNOW FROM KWAMASHU AND TOTI. Lindo, thutho, the Msali's, Mkhizes, Cele's, Moloi's Ande Msomi and his brothers, sister TV, etc. but I couldn't talk to all of them cause we had to leave and drive 3 hours to new castle for exchanges! But I did find out that Ntokozo is now the Deacons Quorum President (I baptized him in Kwamashu) and Pelile is gonna get married soon soon to brother Dhlamini, she is also teaching gospel principles class too!

Saturday(exchanges with New Castle)

I worked with Elder Miller and Elder C. Jewkes. It was a lot colder and rainier that I was expecting but luckily Miller had a nice yellow rain coat that I wore! super nice! Both are great missionaries!

Sunday

MANDY BAPTISM WENT REALLY REALLY WELL! a little more about her. He mom died when she was 15, she has 12 siblings and none came to the baptism but when she bore her testimony she said she feel like we area ll her family. She met the missionaries in 2014 and then she had a vision/dream that told her the message is true but she did'nt feel ready so she moved to Pretoria. now, she's ready. I wish I could tell those missionaries that she got baptized!

Also, During Sacrament some guy drove passed the church with the LOUDEST BASS (Sub woofer thingies) it shook the entire church!! It was crazy haha!

After church We had a few appointments that bunked, but Cindy fed us! super nice!

But the scariest thing happened ever! but I'll tell you all about it next week!

Monday7-16

Well today was kinda frustrating. We drove to Kwadukuza-Stanger a new phone because they got robbed. then we drove up to Richards bay and brought one of their cars back to the Pine town chapel, to gather them all together so they can be picked up and sold for the church. then at about 3 o'clock we were about to rest when Elder Hauck and Nichols call and tell us they're in Durban and need to go to the hospital. That was a long appointment. poor guy was just sick because he ate oatmeal from the cupboard that said it was purchased in 2015. Why do you people do this? President Thompson stopped by and visited him and we gave him a blessing and then president gave Elder Brown and Ballif a ride home. they were probably terrified because they left their area without permission.

But the other guys visited Mandy!!! She was so so happy after her baptism,. She posted photos on Facebook and all that and literally the best response happened. So she has "a ton" of friends on Facebook. Her Co-Workers (All Muslims and Hindu) threw her a Baptism party and made her cake and stuff at work. they said now she's gonna always have Sundays off so she can go to church! Also, a lot of her friends want to visit church as well as her friends from high school and college already go to our church and she didn't even know! Some of them were even baptized this year! She was so happy to now know that she's not the only person that believes these things:) 

   

Also the other guys picked up Almost Elder Dhlamini from the bus station. He's gonna go serve in Madagascar but before his plain leaves he'll be with us for a few days!

      

Tuesday 7-17

Eish it was a busy day. Simayile and I visited Christian and we brought Almost Elder Dhlamini (he's staying with us). We went over baptism and made sure he's ready. He will be interviewed on Friday so he's nervous but super excited at the same time. Then we walked to Flamingo and taught Cecilia, she's from Zimbabwe and is extremely nice. we taught her more about the restoration and the Book of Mormon, and it was nice because we had Almost Elder Dhlamini so we didn't have to worry about having a member present.

we had a few other appointments but then we went with the Liberian Missionaries (Pantoe, Langai, Blamoh) because they're getting relocated to Uganda. We took them to Vic Street. Vic street is where you get a ton of cheep souvenir stuff! then we tried to take them all to the Durban Temple sight but it was frustrating and we got lost so didn't see it. Then we drove back to the mission home and President and Sister Thompson made all of us especially the departing missionaries dinner to say goodbye! OH! And a new missionary came in, Elder Da Silva, he's from Brazil and only speaks Portuguese. I talked to him for a while using google translate. he's awesome! He almost passed out when I told him that some area's you could have 10-15 Investigators at church! he was so happy! 

Wednesday 7-18

Well we said goodbye to all our fellow Liberians,Im gonna miss Elder Pantoe.

Went shopping for Bikes with Elder peterson and Elder Fullmer. the last ones that simayile and I looked at were garbage. Today I saw a bike that was 85,000 Rand's! 

we also took Almost Elder Dhlamini to see the Temple sight and it's almost ready for the Angel Moroni, that'll be so cool! then we were nice and bought him Krispy Kreme! it was delicious! haha

Thursday (Exchanges with Chatsworth) 7-19

Eish. Chatsworth is a hard area filled with mean Indians.

Elder Leishmen was my companion for the day. He's young but wants to work really hard and is doing a great job at it so far. But his companion is making it kinda hard for him. ut today was my first ever day on mission when I worked a FULL Day when we had ZERO set appointments. Knocking doors aaaallll day.

It was a rough day for sure.

Friday 7-20

Brother Christian was interviewed today and it was awesome!!! He's pumped! and so are we!

We did a little bit of shopping because we haven't had the opportunity in the last few days. 

Then we visited Rose, crazy colored familyu in a sketchy part of town. And we also visited Mandy. Mandy is amazing. she's reading in the Isaiah Chapter s of the Book of Mormon and she made it really fun. I'm going to read the book of Mormon one more time before I come home!

then we were supposed to teach a YSA thing about missionary work but nobody came. so we got a head start on our late night drive to Ladysmith and Dundee.  

Saturday (exchanges in Dundee) 7-21

yo. Dundee is a nice area. but it was a lot of walking for me today. I worked with elder Nichols and I might add, he's a really cool guy! I liked him a lot. I met some cool people and Somebody that looked extremely familiar, but I have no idea where she was from? I think PJ? Speaking of PJ We met a guy today that was super interested but he said he was going to phuthaditjhaba for the weekend so I was able to give him their phone number and draw a map of where the church is. so that worked out really well.

Sunday 7-22

Church was awesome! we had like 5 people just show up that members invited! including a father lead family from the Congo! actually,  gospel principles we had 6 people from the Congo so that was kinda cool to see. Berea 2 also had 5/6 new people come to church too! it was really cool to see! Christian came to church and is super excited to be baptized next week! Susan came with both her crazy kids and her husband stayed for sacrament. Mandy was on cloud nine after being confirmed! the only slight inconvenience that occurred today, the Gospel principles class teacher gave a deep doctrine lesson about the pearl of great price and how we got it from mummies that Joseph smith bought (not true,dude). also, Bishop wants us to postpone Christians baptism because an 8 year old girl is being baptized and she wants it to be HER Special day. and peter jumped out of a four story window at the  psychiatric Hospital. so that's terrifying. the scary part was that he was on drugs and he was so full of rage that he Literally ripped the burglar bars off the window and made it four stories down without even breaking a finger. Luckily they tracked him down and locked him up better. Crazy Day.

Monday 7-23

Not much of a P-day. But we did visit Mandy and she's awesome!

Tuesday 7-24

well today we started by doing some tracting. I met some interesting people. Including King Noah/The Antichrist/Lord Voldemort/the professor from the movie "God's not dead"/ Racist Darth Vader.. We knocked on his gate and right off the bat he started cursing God and Swearing, and telling us about how he's done everything without God. I'm not a huge fan of working in Towns, township life is a lot better because people are a lot more friendly than people like that.

later today we drove to Bethlehem (4 Hours) and we spent the night.

Wednesday 7-25

We stayed in Bethlehem Last night because today we joined their Zone Conference. it was great! I spoke in Leadership meeting about 

Thursday 7-26 Exchanges in Lesotho with Ostler and Johnson

I went to Lesotho Today and it was pretty fun! We crossed the boarder, super confusing, and i stayed with Elder Ostler and Elder Johnson. it was nice! thy're both great missionaries! we had an appointment almost every hour:) I was Impressed with them:) 

Friday 7-27

drove home from Bethlehem and after the long drive We had a powerful lesson and it felt awesome! i haven't had such a good lesson in a long time! we taught the Mara Family (The Congo Family that came to church on Sunday). They're awesome! they said they want to be baptized! And next time we're going to try to bring President Thompson because then they can all speak french. so that'll be cool! I'm excited to watch them progress! 

also, We were supposed to teach The youth about missionary work but it turned into soccer...

Saturday 7-28

We saw Peter. Yeah the Semi Crazy peter. He's doing better. We taught his dad David and David told us that visiting hours changed at the psychiatric facility and that we could visit him now. so we called the other guys to come pick us up. While we waited for them he told us all the things he's done... it's messed up. he ate a sim Card, he was getting held down by the police and while they were restraining him he was holding his smartphone. Apparently he squeezed the smart phone till it shattered. But he didn't jump straight out of a four story building. He climbed down the sheer brick wall, jumped on to an air con, then to the ground, then jumped the fence and ran! But he did rip off the burglar bars of the Hospital, but I think another Patient helped him.

either way he's better now . We went to the Clinic and it was actually really scary in that place. it looked like a prison. and on the wall it was carved with someones fingernails "I will Kill you and put you in your dreams." "Bleed your Death upon me and I will Drink it in" "ONE DAY FREEDOM" "You cant Kill me because I'm already inside you.. You cant Kill me because I'm already inside you.. "  "Sick... Sic... Sic... Sick..."

It was terrifying. the ground was a cement with some blood on it, there was a bunch of people that were all super high on whatever the doctors gave them to keep them calm... Luckily, I made a friend. His name is George. He's like a 50 year old colored man that looks like the old man from the Cartoon movie "Haunted house" t. Either way he said it was his first day there. I said "it's nice to see you, How was your first day?"

 He responded, "Well, I was a bit excited this morning so they made me go to sleep..."

"Oh... Well... How was your nap?" 

"it was really good"  so making a friend was comforting...

Sunday 7-29

Well.. Junior spoke at church today and he started by saying "Good morning Brothers and sisters, today I was asked to talk to you about.... Racism.    *Long Pause while Everyone puts their phones down*...... Nah im just kidding.." then he continued his talk and it was really good!

But the Mara family didnt come to church:/