Christmas time is Nea...... Actually today. - December 25, 2017

Pretty Much Not alot to talk about. We couldn't go out much this week, and the entire city is barren since everyone left, so we have watched a lot of church movies, and done a lot of member visits, and nothing. When your under order to stay in your flat, theres not a lot to do. 

But I do have a lot of pictures to send. So thats nice. Pretty much, the few appointments we did have canceled. We saw a lot of members, had the most intense game ever of South African Monopoly at a members house yesterday. In the End I won, but not before the Other Missionaries ganged up on me and made a huge comeback. Today we Skyped which was the Best. Its so much easier than emailing. I wish we could just do that each week. The whole thing is a pain though, we had to find a member with a smartphone buy 10GB of data, and hotspot it to some borrowed laptops at the chapel, but we made it happen. 

Church was barren. 21 people, and the ward clerk had to preside because the whole branch presidency and whole elders quorum presidency was gone. And it was only an hour. I gave a Talk on the General Conference Message, "The Needs Before Us" I addressed, the needs of Service and why its important and why its a sacrifice worth making for the blessings of heaven. Service is the best way to make life better, and sometimes we need to pray for the opportunity to serve and for our eyes to be opened to who we can help. Usually those closest to us need us the most, and we a put where we are for a reason. Sometimes the small and simple things make the biggest difference. "What good does it do to save the world, if those closest to us are falling apart."

But life is good. We have to lay low pretty much until new year, but we will continue to see and do what we can. Life is good 

Merry Christmas

Kthanksbye

 Elder Funk and his companion had lunch with us today at my parents home. What great young men!!  --Jackie Pienaar

 ​Pigeons buy our flat​

 ​Neat Picture​

 ​Our Christmas Tree​

 ​Some house on a hill​

 ​The Township of Klarinet​

 Middleburg

 ​Zebras and Springbok​

 ​Zebras and Springbok​

 ​Klarinet again​

 ​comming over the hill on the way from Middleburg back to Witbank​

​View from the front of our flat. Witbank

This is gonna be a long one. - December 18, 2017

This week was probably the best week I've had on mission, kinda. It was a wild week.

So monday, we got the car fixed, played more ping pong, played some other games, had a good time. Not a lot to really talk about, except our usually 2 FHE families are both gone for the holidays. Everyone here, since this is a city, goes home to the townships and villages that they're family comes from, so this place is getting pretty desolate, many of our investigators and most of our branch are gone. 

TUESDAY was the BEST day. so there is a township called Klarinet about 20 minutes from our flat. we had knocked some doors, since Klarinet is the first place i've been without heavily secured gates around each house, and met 2 girls and their brother, Vivian and Tobilwe, we had a good-but-not-amazing Restoration lesson with them saturday and had our 2nd appointment here on tuesday, and when we came tuesday, they had read the book of Mormon to ALMA 34!!!!! no one here ever reads the Book, and when they do its like 3 pages, and they believed it and accepted baptism, they are going home for holiday like eveyone else it South Africa, but they will only be gone a week or 2.  After that we had an appointment with a lady named Sibongile, who had actually come up to US and asked us to visit her.so we did tuesday and it was a way powerful restoration lesson, she really felt the spirit and agreed with it all. She said that she couldn't come to church this week, but whould do everything she could to come next week, and that she would read a chapter of the Book of Mormon Each day, we called her later in the week to check up on her, and she had been reading as she said she would. And during the lesson i had asked her why she came up to us, and didn't just keep walking, and she said " I felt like i just needed to talk to you, you looked like you were walking with angels." So Tuesday was pretty much the best day ever. Missionary work is the Best. 

Wednesday, not a ton really happened except our best investigator moved back to Malowi until march. But we are gonna  keep teaching his girlfriend, who has been progressing OK, we only just started teaching her. 

Thursday was also pretty normal as well as friday.

Saturday was a national holiday, The Day of Reconcilliatoin, and we had to come back early and the rule of "dont go to any not set apointments" is now in effect. We have to be back at our flat if we arent in an apointment, since everyone gets way drunk and whatnot, or leaves to go home. December is the worst month for Missionary work in African Missions, which is the opposite of Back home, when its probably the best time, since everyone is home with family, and thinking of Christ, but we'll continue to do our best, and do what we need to to stay safe. 

Sunday we had like 12 people at the Branch, since everyone is gone, so that was funny. And we had 2 appointments and  one canceled, so we couldn't do a whole lot, so we made a nice lucnh and watched 17 miricles and a church history documentery that Elder Roberts had on his flash drive. 

Im getting a much needed haircut today, and it still doesn't feel like chirstmas. Everyone here says I look like Trump. 

Some things I read this week, were two talks by Elder Bednar. 'The Atomnement and the Journey of Mortality' and 'Bear up Their Burdens with Ease' two absolutly amazing talks that i couldn't do justice trying to summarize, so I'd say just look them up and give them a read. Its good stuff.

Sorry no pictures this week, my camera is having issues, but i will have many, many pictures next week.

I hope everyone is doing well this Christmas season. Africa is weird, but i still love it. Hope that Everyone Enjoys Star Wars. 

Life is good

kthanksbye

I like Stoney - December 11, 2017

Stoney is the Soda called Ginger beer that burns when you drink it even though it is non-alchaholic and tastes like super strong ginger ale. My companion does not like it. Joke relating to that coming in part about thursday.

But after emailing last monday we grilled (they call it braii here) burgers and ate it on some bread i made with fries we made ourselves, then well all played some games, and played ping pong at our chapel, beause they have ping pong at our chapel. Then we went and had dinner with the Ngubanes, who have the most adorable baby ever, shes like 1 and a half I think, ill try toget pictures one of these days. 

Tuesday, we did a lot of street contacting (since everyone has gates and we cant konck doors), in the township of Klarinet. It was pretty fruitful, and alot of the people we met that day, we met with for real on Saturday, the most noteworthy is a lady named Gracious, who was way into what we had to say, the whole time she was all "that makes so much sence" so well see how she progresses. 

Wednesday, we did service for the hillarious Sister Pat, shes an Africoner (white south african) who used to be an undercover cop, shes the funniest person i've met on mission. We mowed her lawn and she made us some nice EBLT (egg lettuce and tomatoe, and bacon) sandwhiches. We had some other nice lessons and learned our most progressing investigator is leaving to malouwi for 4 months in lke 3 days, so that sucks. 

Thursday, we got fed stoney at a dinner appointment after a nice day of peole canceling, and us just doing some finding. On the drive back we met up with the Kwa'Guqa, the 'qa' is a click.  Elders (Elder Harms and Elder Asay) to meet with a referal we gave them. Most people here are Zulu, which is a language with a little bit of clicking, but the super clicky one is Xosa. (Co saw) so thats pretty cool, but we went with them to Kwa'Guqa and met with the Referal, who actually was really happy to see us with them, since they were scared to meet Elders they'd never seen before. 

Friday, We had a nice District meeting, and afterwards had a lunch at McDonalds, and i got the Double Big Mac, which was a mistake. But next time i want to try the Chicken Big Mac, because it exists here. We met with a few people, but had a lot of cancels again, so we did a lot of Finding in a place called Dhuva Park, which went pretty well. 

Saturday was going to be the Branch christmas party, untill the Branch called everyone and cancelled it due to lack of funds. So we had to scramble to fill in the time that we thought that would take up, and call all the investigators that we told to come that it was not going to happen. So that sucked, but we spent most of the day following up on the people we'd met throughout the week while finding. 

Sunday we had church, and no one was there, we had like 10 people, and of course it was the day that the stake president came. So that was im sure stressful for Branch President Edwin. We had lunch with the Mcokis (mmm-*clicking t sound*-oh-keys) And then, since it was a massive rainstorm, everyone canceled, and no one goes outside, so we went back ot our flat and just called people. Then had Call-ins with the district leader.

Today, Monday, we had to take our Chevey Aveo in to the shop, becuse during the rainstorm i hit one of the massive, numberous Potholes and blew our tire, and on tuesday one of the headlights went out, and we aren't allowed to do the car stuff ourself, so we had to take it in. 

Life is good. I am loving it here in witbank, doesn't feel like christmas, no one decorates. Its raining a lot 

kthanksbye

Witbank (A.K.A eMelahleni) - December 4, 2017

There are white people here! lie 50% of the town is Afrikaans, (the white people) and so at church yesterday it was super weird for me to have there be white people other than myself. But good news, I'm feeling somewhat betterer. Honestly even though being sick has sucked, I have never really been "bummed out" about it. Maybe it's the prayers and blessings, but I have stayed pretty positive, and "lifes good". I'm companions with Elder Roberts now, and Its not as hot back here in South Africa, so that helps.

but, monday was nothing special other than what I said last week.

Tuesday we drove down to transfers, but in our car the one guy who knew the way, sent us the wrong way, and we ended up in the Durban South Africa Mission, so that was a problem, then we found our way and drove to Pretoria and got there only 6 hours late. Transfers take forever since this mission is the size of California to Colorado. People have to fly to parts of it, since the drive would take so long.  but then we made the companion swaps and me and elder Roberts drove to the beautiful town of Witbank. Things are so green and its all rolling hills here. A nice change from the Flat, brown desert of Botswana. 

Wednsday- Saturday we met with many members, its kinda a haze, and I left my journel at the flat, so woops, but long story short, white people and many dinner appointments.  There are many strong investigators here, the one you'll probably continue to hear about it kenny, but he is just awesome, but needs to get some chastity stuff in order, the usual problem. 

Sunday was nice, we had to conduct the music and elder roberts and I gave our testimonies. We didn't have many people come to church, and this is a Branch that used to be a ward, but due to the extreame racism of a certain number of members when the made a white guy 1st couceler, it lost enough members to downgrade to a branch. so we are working on building it back up to ward status. 

All things concidered, Witbank is awesome, it's a huge area, and there is a lot of potential, and its an actually developed city. Life is good. There is this stuff i walways see at stores called, I <3 mayo, which is a frozen desert, that I thought was litterally frozen mayoneise, but its pronounced maw-yo, and apearently is africaans for yogurts, so its just frozen yogurt, which is much less disgusting. Also random thing, Since KFC was started in Utah, and there is a KFC on every corner here, ive been wondering if Colonel Sanders was a member. Yeah.  Also i hit 5 months tomorrow. 

The Spirit truely is the Comforter. This is a hard thing, and its harder when your sick, but through the power of the Atonment i have been able to push through with a smile on my face. I will continue to do my best untill i'm done. As someone said in their testimony yesterday "Don't stop when you are tired, stop when you are finished"

kthanksbye

A picture of me "when the revelation for our area hits" here it witbank

Our district in botswana. 

A picture from the Drive back from Botswana of Botswana

Life's Good - November 27, 2017

Due to 'various' reasons, im being transfered back to south africa to a place called Witbank, with Elder Roberts from the MTC as a companion, so life will be very fun. But before we get into that, let us go over the week shall we?

Monday we had the Soccer I mentioned but that that night we had interviews with President Chadambuka, which went nice, we discussed a lot of things, have jokes, it was nice. After that we went back to the flat, and I got a message from the AP's that they'd forgoten to give me notice that i was to give a 15 talk in Zone conference the next morning. So I "prepared" that the next morning, and we went off to zone conf. It was great, my talk actually went very well, thankful for the spirit in helping me prepare fast, and make it meaningful, and spiritual. the rest of the conference went very well. then we all ate food that Sister Chadambuka made. Good times all around. LIfes good

Tuesday, was actually the zone conference.

Wednsday, Nothing special happened, accept a read an only confernce talk from  April, since we dont have the Oct. one yet, but its by Gary B. Sabin: "Stand Up Inside, and be all in." I was very touched by the message. My circumstances here might be.... what they are, i can face it positively and "Stand up Inside" even when i lack the ability to stand up outside. Life is good

Thursday, was exchanges with Elder Ruben, we had a good time having "Thanksgiving" which was us spitting a whole chicken from a resturaunt called nandos, and haveing the waaayyy nice 'Applitini' share size drink. 1.5 litres of non-alcoholic goodness. Had  cookies and Cream Magnum bar that was the best thing ever, then we got the interview done for our investigator Khumo, and saw some other people, but had a lot of cancellations. Taught several Recent Converts about the Temples and set goals with them on Baptisms for the Dead, and the Endowment.

Friday was Black Friday, and we were under order to not go out and about until 3, afterwats we say members, had district meeting and got the details of Khumos Baptism sorted out.

Saturday was Transfer News, and  like I said, im going to Witbank, South Africa, With my favorite guy from the MTC, elder Roberts. LIfe is good, I'm way excited to be companions with him. Hes a hard worker, but he know's how to have fun. So these next 6 weeks are going to go by way to fast.

Sunday, was Khumos Baptism, which I was only barely able to attend, it went very well, had the Elders Quorrum President, Bro. Boabilwe, baptize him at khumos request. The whole thing went well, and then i left for the Botswana Boarder, with only like 2 hours to pack, we drove to a place called Mofikeng, and stayed the night, as well as all of today, with The Elders here. We had a nice big breakfast, played some games, life is good.

I have been saying "life is good in my regular conversation like, all the time now, for no reason, and it just started out of no where, but its ok. life IS good. I've been feeling better to a degree, medicine is actually working now. Christmas stuff is up, i have christmas hymns and whatnot playing in the car, wish i could wear my santa hat.

Kthanks bye

Sup. I have no clever title. - November 20, 2017

This week went fast. Lots of stuff happened.

We had FHE with the Missions second councelor, Pres. Mangenela. Had a lot of fun, played mafia, had a nice thought, ate good food. we  were there a long time, since it was 8 missionaries and pres likes to talk.

Tuesday, was pretty normal. Elder Haffen was with us a tri-panionship for the day, he's a fun guy, but nothing out of the ordinary happened.

Wednesday, I saw the doctor, we met some people, i realized hymn 235 and 335 are the same tune with different words. We had some good lessons, but again, nothing extraordinary, or really noteworthy.

Thursday, we met with a ton of people and scheduled the Baptism interviews for Brenden and Khumo, who will be baptized this coming Sunday. we say a girl named Mpho about her question from the book of mormon, had some powerful testimony sharing  about it. We met with another Family, and had a good old time, talked about the Restoration. 

Friday, was exchanges with Elder Otlaadisa (oak-laa- dee- sa) which was fun, we went a contacted in a mall, met some cool people. We met with a lot of the recent converts and our neighbor fed us a nice meal, and we explained why her neighbors change all the time.

Saturday we weeded the yard of a long time member named sister Monpane (mon- pawn- ey), shw fed us fatcakes (scones) with eggs and chicken. After that we saw some people, but nothing "to write home about." had a nice time talking with sister Cheeza, long time member, about the difficulty of members 'building up zion' in africa. Which was then also adressed by Elder Neil A. Anderson in the Area Broadcast we had Sunday, he did a much better job talking about it then we did. The Broadcast was cool. Lots of people spoke, mostly the area seventies, Sister Oscarthorp, and Elder Anderson. One thing they said that i really liked "The mere passage of time, never solves the problem" we have to go fix thing, they dont just fix themselves.

today is the zone activity, which will be fun, lots of soccer and food. tomorrow is zone conference, so ill get to talk with president and everyone, which is always a good time

life is good, the work moves on.

Kthanksbye

I am a dead man - November 13, 2017

It's so insanely hot, plus i am sick. Not a fun combo. 

I've been working on my handwriting like I said. Hope it's actually improving. 

Speaking of improvement, whitewashing is starting to stop being a problem, and things are now 100% back on track how they should be. Filled in all the empty records, had a child of record baptism, got some new people added to the pool, and 2 guys should be baptized on the 26th. 

but Monday Nothing again. 

Tuesday, Read my favorite chapter of the Book of Mormon with some members, 2 Nephi 4, had a powerful time. Very strong spirit, they loved it. They were somewhat less active, but they've been "inspired to commit harder"

Wednesday, we spent most of the morning in the flat with me sick, but later in the day we saw a few people, mostly taught the Plan of Salvation, good day, but not a lot to report

Thursday, We say Brenden about tithing, he is the one who is very close to baptism. He loved that no one is payed, that the church has no debt, and that all the money goes toward helping others. He was very impressed. He loves the Church and can't wait to be baptized, but he can only meet on thursdays, so its been slow getting to this point. Hes a student at the University of Botswana, who comes from Swaziland. Cool guy. 

Friday, Went to the memorial service of an elderly member, we sang a lot at it, but it was pretty "Mormon" style thing. We went to see the investigator Prince, who's mom was sick, so we gave her a blessing. Saw a new investigator named Detere (Dee-Tear-Ay). had a good lesson about the Restoration, but his english is poor, so we need to take a translator with us in the future. 

Saturday, we went the burial of Bro Matatla (Ma- Ta-Kla) which was nice, they dedicated the grave, and sang alot of hymns, both Our hymns and the Traditional Motswana (word for Botswana's people) Hymns. But it was very hot and some people fainted. Its been consistently around 40C. (104F).

Its been a strugle not just staying in the car with the Aircon blasting. then we saw Kefeletso who is starting to seem less interested since we told her us coming doesn't mean she doesn't need to go to church, and that we dont just give out money. SO probably wont be seeing her much longer unless she starts to actually keep commitments. Had dinner with A member named Sister Mopane, and talked about Enduring to the end. Ill ask those who read this to go read 2 Nephi 31. 

Sunday was Nuts. The meeting was pretty normal, but during priesthood, the Ward mission leader says, "hey drive us to the Gaborone West Chapel, we dont have any baptismal suits and we have a child of record baptism today." So we drove over there, stole their suits and then ran back, just in time to have it start on time, but it was a stressful hour, because apparently, we were supposed to go get the suits, for the baptism no one told us was happening, so they got mad at us, until the Ward mission leader stepped in and told us it was his fault for not telling us.  

Today, We went and played soccer. It was 8 Elders since they're all here in town to go to dinner with the Second Counceler in the Mission Presidency, President Mangenela. So we're gonna go have a good time there tonight, but we played soccer, ate tacos, then had to find a new email place, since our normal one was closed.

The Clouds here are cool. Nothing Beats the African Sunset, wish i had a camera good enough to take better pictures. Upload speeds here are worse then the normal place, might have to send the pics next week. 

 

---

Heber J. Grant is a pretty neat guy - November 6, 2017

Bread

 Our Flat

 A bunch of baby duck and the guard swans a member has

a picture a member took without me noticing. I need a haircut, but most people turn me away because "we don't know how to cut white people hair, we dont want to mess it up, and it might ruin our clippers since its so long"

Happy birthday Addie. totally forgot it was halloween since no-one here even knows what it is.

So a few matters of buisness or whatever.

When is daylight savings so I can adjust my home clock, i have now been out 4 months. Heber J. Grant has inspired me ( more details in main body ) this ward is having a primary program next week, and it is forever managing to get hotter.

But Monday, was nothing again. P-days here are boring since my comp doesn't want to do anythign and the closest other missionaries are an hour away.....

Tuesday was Not Halloween. zero spooky spirit. But the zone leaders spent the night at our flat on there halfway point to the mission home for a meeting. they told us that zone conference will be the 19th and we are getting to Seventies, Elder Palmer and Elder Neilson (not The President of the Twelve). So that will be cool.

Wednsday, met with a recent convert named Torquil and his fiance Veronicah, She has crazy problems with anxiety that we are trying to help her with, and thats been going well. met some more members and saw some new investigators. 

Thursday we "Tracked down" one of our investigators who moved named Kefeletso, and taguht here, she was trying to get us to come, but lost her phone so we couldn't find her, but we met her brother on the street and he gave us directions. Finished the Elder Bednar Question Book of Mormon Challenge thing for the first one. The Question was 'how can I comfort those in need?', started it in the MTC, finishing it was powerful, those last chapters of Moroni are always my favorite. Started the next one with the question, 'How can I Always Remember Christ?' just hit Lehis Vision. 

Friday,we had a pretty normal day, and after meeting with a family who lives about a 20 minute drive away ( our area is like 45 min wide) they gave us directions for a faster way, but they forgot to tell us one of the turns and we took a 20 minute detour down a fun, but very bumpy dirt road through absolutely nowhere, in a Hyndai I-20, look it up and tell me if it seems like a nice offroading car, since its not. 

Saturday, met with our investigators mom, who is very much "We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible" Kind of person, but she wants us to come back and keep talking to here, so well see how that goes. 

Sunday, had Fast and testimony, lots of strong members in the ward. When we got home after getting fed/ checking some families, I was reading 'Teaching of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant" and I have been inspired by his quality of persistence and teachings (i read the whole book already) to do some real self improvement. Many of you know I am a very obsessive person. I generally don't have a problem doing the things i set out to do, assuming the involve other people/ are for others. but when it comes to fixing the problems with myself I am aweful at actually doing it. Those who have spent a long time around me know that I will Obsessivly talk about somethings and then never do them. So im gonna fix that, turn the 'curse' of my obsessiveness into a blessing of persistence. and i've set a few goals. starting small. one thing is im actually gonna start to consistently exersise, and two is im gonna improve my handwritting (something many of you will agree needs to happen). so thank you President Grant. Gonna actually do something about myself for once. 

But life is good. time flies by. its already november, if i was home i would have just finished the Marching band season. so thats wild. its already the second term of school. Christmas is just around the corner. But life is good, the work is good, the spirit is strong and the sun is so hot. I want to send videos but the upload speed makes it imposible, the few pictures ill send have been uploading the whole 15 minutes i've been typing this email. 

kthanksbye

"The Missionary Your Mom Says You Are" - October 30, 2017

The Week, in a shellnut, was busy, but also was slow.

Monday we did nothing. Thats really it. We tried to do stuff after P-Day ended, but we ended up just calling tons of people, and getting lost again.

Tuesday. I dont know if i mentioned i learned like 5 card tricks with Elder Fitz, and using those we got a bunch of apointments. taught A lady who saw me doing them for a kid of a member, and she wanted me to tell her how, and i said i would if she let us teach her. She actually ended up being way interested and agreed to have us back, without the magic trick bribe. Her name is Mpho, and we went back thursday and taught her with her sister Wendy. . Met with some more members. Finally got a copy of "Teachings of the Presidents of the church: Joseph Smith" when i found a box containing about half of the prophets books.

Wednesday, We got to know the Tlokweng (Tlo-K-Wayne) part of our area. met with some popel there. But otherwise, nothing special happened.

Thursdaywas our first full day. As mentioned Met with Mpho and Wendy, A guy named Brenden about the Word of Wisdom, with Seirra the American, The Modie (mo-dee-ay) family, who are all Born in the church, so they are was strong. I made Bread, and Blessed the Rains down in africa, since they make it way less hot.

Friday, Had District Meeting, had a fun talk about crappy Trucks with Elder Ruben, the District Leader, Learned a new magic trick from a member, met more members, met the nieghbors at our flat and had some fun conversations about why there neighbors change ever other month.

Saturday, we played basketball at the chappel, met Bro Nathanson, the Less active, super rich, white, architect, from Zibabwe. He and his wife are was nice, fed us, we had a good talk about a bunch of stuff, and the book of mormon. We met with more members, and I got Heartburn for the first time in my life. took me a while to even realize thats what it was. So that kinda sucked.

Sunday, went to church. Gave our Testimonies. i subconciously had my hands in my pockets for half of mine, and some lady walked up after and asked, very pretentiously,  "are you allowed to stand at the pulpit with your hands in your pockets?" so that was annoying, I think she probabaly will not like me now. I just responded, "yeah, whats important is what you say, not how you look" and she was like "oh" and looked me up and down, with a bit of a snear and walked off. Then her mom, who she lives with, walked up and invited us to dinner on saturday, so that will be fun. me with some other people, had our first Dinner with an Motswana.( the name for the people of botswana), which was pap and chicken. her name is Sister Violet, we watched the pioneer day Motab concert with her, she loves the motab, and had a lot of questions about them, that she figured i could answer since im from utah, and see them everyday apearently, but luckily i answered most of her questions. Later we were trying to find the home of a Recent convert who Sent us a sms with direction, but then, when we followed them and were in the wrong place, wouldn't answer her phone or text back, so we asked some people walking around, and some very funny drunk man was trying to sell us trees, 'for our church', for like 20 minutes, as we walked back to our car.

So that was the week. An explination of the title was something Elder Hamilton Said to me in Mabopane, that i was thinking about this week. "Be the missionary your mom tells people you are.", and something Pres. Chadambuka said, "Don't do anything you wouldn't tell your wife you did on mission."

halloween is not even a thing, where i am at. so the fact it is novemeber was quite a suprise. \

christmas stuff is starting to come up in stores. which is also weird considering the fact it is hot and getting hotter. Everything is brown, so a recent picture i recieved of Wisconsin, legitimatly suprised me. As said in the Force Awakens "I didn't know there was this much green in the whole galaxy". I miss grass, and trees, and colors other than brown. Everything is brown. Food, nature, buildings, people. Everything.

Sorry no pictures this week. My camera is having issues, and i was messing with it last night, but then left it on my desk when we left. so next week i guess.

kthanksbye

Botswana should be called Hotswana - October 23, 2017

So this has been a week of change. 

​the monkeys that are just everywhere. like this was all in like 5 minutes. 

So monday we completed our goodbyes to the people of mabopane, had a big district dinner at a place called Mugg and Bean, then packed and slept, packing was weird, and handing over all our peoples info to the other mabopane elders, for them to cover the whole place instead of half was odd. and giving them the keys to our flat. 

Tuesday we drove to Pretoria, met up with my new Ugandan Companion Elder Kiiza, and we both climbed in the 3rd car of our convoy, following the 1 guy who knew how to get to Gaborone. Our car was us two and Elder Fitz, so that was fun. We were told it would be a 5 hour drive. So we drove, up and up and up, through Fitz's former Area of Polokwane, and then 2 more hours, then we saw a sign that said Zimbabwe, 100KM, and called the lead car, which admitted it had been lost for the past 2 hours, so we made our way 2 hours back to polokwane, arriving at about 11pm, and stayed the night with them, turns out we had taken the N1 out of Pretoria, instead of the N4 out of pretoria, so we drove the 4 hours back to the office in the morning of Wednesday, and then did the 5 hour drive to the Botswana Border. We got our visa, which are 90 days, and then went to the area, arriving at about 6pm. Then the Elder who served here before us, showed us the gas station and the Ward Mission Leaders home, then they left us to find our own way back to the Flat. We are whitewashing, so we have 0 idea where anything is. we got super lost, and the next door elders came and got us.

Thursday we went through the area book, the one that contains all teaching records, adresses, directions maps, and ward leaders, only to find it hasn't been updated for 4 months, the maps are missing, the ward pages are blank, and no directions or names to those who can help, or current investigators. So we litterally just started calling down the list on the phone, getting a hold of who we could. Afterwards we made our way to the nearbye university of botswana (which is massive and way nice) and met a member, named Seirra, who is a AMERICAN RETURN MISSIONARY!!!! she has been very helpful in helping us meet investigators who live on that campus(there are many) and giving us directions. She grew up in AF and is here on an exchange program for Environmental Science. 

Friday was our district meeting, in the 45 minute away village of Mochudi, so the DL (elder ruben) came and had us follow him up, but then the had something come up after the meeting and we had to drive back without guidence, we got pretty close, only going 20 minutes past our exit, but we eventually made it back once again. 

Saturday, we went and met some people, and even got a bunch of new investigators. A big family who lives across the street from the chapel, saw me doing some card tricks for some kids outside the chapel and wanted me to go show there mom. She has very similar questions to Joseph Smith, so we told her the Restoration. 

Sunday we met more people that i was ready for. So many names, and families inviting us over, and people who wanted us to teach there friends. Since apearently the last missionaries were a little less that willing to do there job. they are happy to see us willing to actually go out and teach. 

On the Subject of my new Companion. His name is Elder Kiiza, he is a Convert of 2 years from Uganda. While he may lack a lot of the docternal knowledge long time members have, he does have a powerful testimony, that is way stonger that his grasp of the english language. Communication is hard, not gonna lie, and the cultural differences are different, but we are starting to figure out ways we can best work together as companions. Money here in botswana is different, and in oder to exchange my Rands from South africa into Pula (the currency here) i need my passport, which is locked up in the botswana mission home, 4 hours away in Francistown. So I will be using a bit of my money from home this month. Which is ok since USD buys a lot here. There is a store at the mall by our flat that sells way cool traditional african stuff for way better prices than in SA. So i expect to get a lot of take home items here. 

LIfe is good.Our flat is massive, it used to have 6 missoinaries stay in it. now its just us 2 so we have a lot of space, it has 3 bed rooms upstairs and a kitchen, and a living room. And the only working a/c is luckily in our bedroom. so i can at least sleep in less than 1000 degrees. Things are only gonna get hotter. since its becoming summer. The Police and government actually do something here, unlike south africa, so the streets are clean, people dont drive like they just stole the car, and not everyone is high/drunk all the time. But in a country with only 2 million people. things are very spread out. 

but yeah. Thats been my week. love you all. 

Kthanksbye