May 28, 2018 - Mission week 47: The 25th is a monthly holiday

The 25th was on a weekend this month, so everything was a madhouse.

people get payed on the 25th, and then go buy lots of things, and alchahol, and when its on a weekend, its extra party time. so that was fun.

Also, all the sudden, like all our investigators moved again, and also, the ones who stayed started calling us 'sir' out of nowhere. 

So honestly, I'm not gonna go through the 'day to day' this time, because Nothing super exciting happened.

Acually I am

Monday, we did nothing, and then had FHE with the Ngubane family as usual.

Tuesday, we finally met with a guy named Moses, who has been attending church for weeks, but would never let us meet with him. So that was fun, it was a good first lesson, he already knows a lot since he's been attending since like, late febuary.  then everyone canceled, and we got fed boiled Mogodu (cow intestine) for dinner and that was difficult to finish. 

Wednesday, was middleburg, and it was the same as normal, except for one thing, and this happens a lot, so I'll talk about it.       we go to a member named sister Petzer first, she's a very long time white member. She gives us lunch and we have good lessons, then we tried to meet a guy named vince, but it didn't work out, then we went to sis. Mavis and he two recently baptized kids, and they unexpectedly gave us two giant Kotas (those bread fry, and meat sandwich things) and then we went to the another investigator, and then we went to the Gumede Family, who gave us a giant dinner. Every once and while this happens and you get to the end of the day so full of food you want to just die. Each succsessive dinner is more than you can handle, but you HAVE to eat it.  so thats always fun

Thursday, was a whole day of trying to have something to do, since people canceled, then the appointment our branch pres. set up, that he promised "if it falls through, ill cook you dinner, so leave from 5 to the end of the day open", canceled, so since we can't tract in the dark, we got burger king. 

Friday, the zone leaders were in town, so Elder Ruben came with us. Only real highlight from that, other than him just being fun, is the fact Magic trick (which i have learned) really come in handy for teaching uninterested teenagers. 

Saturday, was more people canceling again, but we managed to make it work, didn't do a whole lot special. Don't even fully remember what we even did. 

Sunday, was a very nice sunday, good talks. and then I was teaching Ghospel Princples (like every week), and vince, that guy from middleburg was there. Tangent: he is the most golden boy ever, his member friend Daneil is doing an amazing job of fellowshiping, he is actually keeping commitments, he called us asking for good chapters to read from the book of mormon, then would have long conversations with Daniel about what he learned while the work out. THEN during this ghospel principles lesson on baptism, he said that, "I read 8 chapters last night, prayed about it, and then went to bed, I had some crazy dream I don't remember and woke up feeling so good, and just motivated to read more. I feel I have a testimony growing. This is deffinatly something True" so that was LIKE THE GREATEST THING EVER.  and he is gonna be baptized in a month. hopefully the last sunday of this transfer in case I leave. 

and then Today we are playing Ping-pong

and tommorow we are going to Pretoria, since Elder Witney L. Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy is in town and is holding a meeting for the Pretoria and Mabopane Zones. 

So to end of my super long email is a very motivation quote i heard yesterday, that is motivating me to actually exersise and get back to shape I used to be in. because even though I'm not as fat anymore, I am still not "healthy" 

and we are supposed to excersise as missionaries. 

but anyway the quote is 

"Stop saying one day, and start saying Day One"

which is actually motivating me to actually think of things I have always wanted to do, but never actually done. So When I get home, I am going to do a lot of things. Be the guy who is always doing something. be me in 8th grade. Just do freaking everything i want, because I can. (within reason and the Law)

THIS BUSH IS ON FIIIRRREEEEEEEE

a kid driving his car. Thought it was funny

 weird things no one knows the name of that showed up behind the chapel after church, they ran off quick so pictures arn't great

something I drew for the mission office

May 21, 2018 - Mission week 46: The African Flu

So Monday and Tuesday I had the flu. Went to a clinic a Kwa'Guqa member worked at, and waited in line for 3 hours for free medication, and then went back and slept more.

Wednesday, I was still pretty sick, but we had a very good appointment set in Middleburg, so we went anyway, We met this member who just recently moved In and came to church with his super prepared golden boy of a friend Vincint. We met them at KFC and had a good long talk, answered a lot of Vincints questions, and gave him a Book of Mormon he has already read a lot of. After that we checked on the recently Baptized Toka and Tshireletso, and had a lot of fun.

Thursday, we called and met up with a bunch of the people from the zone finding we did. Nothing really special there, just a few random guys. seem kinda ehh about it. But hopefully we can get them more on board.

Friday, we had district meeting and saw people in Phola, we tried a shortcut we found on a map, but after not actually taking that shortcut, we got lost, but managed to find our way there anyway, and now we know the real shortcut, which makes it take half as many K's to get there. So that's really useful, wish I Would have noticed it like 6 months ago, but whatever

Saturday, was extreamly average. and nothing happened. Lots of people canceled, so we called a  lot of the people who didn't answer from the zone finding.

Sunday, we had high coucillers they gave very nice talks. And then we had the first Branch council meeting in the history of me being here. SO that was fun I guess. Then we saw Sis. Pat.

Other Random things:

They are joking of giving me a Calling here, since its been so long.

our area has a population of 200,000

somebody keeps stilling members meat.

Clinics are an experience.

and its actually pretty cold here not. gotta wear sweaters and crap

kthanksbye

May 14, 2018 - Mission week 45: Another Six in Witbank.

So I told what happened monday last week, since I emailed so late, So this will start with Tuesday.

Tuesday, we did zone finding in the park in witbank, so everyone got to come down and see the place no one ever comes to, and we set up a stand with a big poster of the Book of Mormon, and took the contacts, and gave B.O.M's and Restoration pamphlets to all of them, we managed to give out all that we had in only 2 hours, and got about 70 names. that we have been slowly calling, and got a few fairly interested people, Will make us very busy this next transfer. Then we took everyone to see Sis. Pat, since she wanted us to, and we had soup and a lot of fun.

Wednesday, was pretty normal, left my planner at the flat again, and honestly don't even remember what we did. 

Thursday, we Interviewed two 'more-or-less' children of record, Toka and Tshireletso. and ate way to much food. 

Friday, we went to phola, and then were gonna meet up with some of the branch for bowling, but then everyone canceled and I started feeling sick.

Saturday, I was sick at the flat pretty much the whole day, but we did go to one appointment with the Maabane family, which was fun enough.

Sunday i was still way sick, but we had baptisms so We stayed the whole time, I did the baptisms and even though we had the water on since 7, it was only knee deep, and so that was really hard. Hit one of their heads on the faucet. so that was embarrasing, but she was cool about the whole thing.  the rest of the day was Skyping home, and me sleeping. 

I honestly can't think of more to talk about, other than the fact I am now the longest serving missionary in Witbank History, since I am staying with Elder Coka for another 6 weeks, making 5 tranfers here. Getting Elder Andam in Kwa Guqa though, and he's fun. he's the Only black american in the mission, and everyone always thinks he's South African, and he's way chill. 

I love you all. 

Life is good, as much as I complain sometimes. 

The work is amazing to watch, here we get to watch the Restoration happening right before our eyes, Sometimes it's slow, and it's usually hard, but It is the only way things will change. 

kthanksbye

sorry if i don't end up with pictures again, its raining, and the internet is all over the place.

May 7, 2018 - Mission week 44: I bounced

Hello Everyone, I am late due to a zone activity, a tampoline park called Bounce, which was very fun, and the place I'm emailing at today is having some crazy internet problems, so I'm typing really fast in a attempt to make sure I at least send something, which is why No pictures this week, even though I have a lot to send.

So Monday, we didn't do much, Other than almost have the zone activity we ended up doing today. And we made some nice pasta, since my Companion is a Mediteranian boy from Almost Italy.

Tuesday we saw a few people, the noteworthy thing being that one of our investigator familys, Ace and his daughters, actually read about the Book of Mormon, and best of all, Ace is blind, so they read to him as a family. (not good that he's blind, good that they are putting in effort). then at night we drove to Pretoria so we wouldn't be late for mission Tour the next morning. 

Wednesday, (Day 300 of mission) was said mission tour, with Elder Hamiliton, the area president. Talked about a lot of very good things, the best being "pure testimony". mainly talked about how testimony isn't a story, isn't a sermon, and is from the heart, and how those are the ones that will truely touch people. Afterwards we went to the Huge Menlyn mall and got some of the brand new CINIBON shop, and SUBWAY. which was pretty much the greatest thing ever. 

Tursday, was nothign noteworthy really. 

Friday, we had a good time seeing Recent converts for pretty mcuh the whole day, and also saw the Ngubane family for a nice dinner as always. 

Saturday,was also normla, can't think of anything other than "We taught a bunch of People the gospel."

Sunday was a wonderfully powerful testimony meeting that we had a lot of investigators almost come to. then all our appointments canceled. Then we made snickerdoodles.

Today, as I said we went to this huge trampoline park and then a nice seafood lunch, spent to much money, but had a lot of fun, got some way cool picture, but sadly can't send them due to internet issues. 

Also on Saturday I found a store with 'imported spices' and found some way nice taco seasoning, since cumin and chili powder is im0possible to find, gonna loook for steak seasoning like Montreal, spices here are few and all the same. 

Also miss having free refills at any resturaunt, even McDonalds. 
So yeah, thats that, The time continues to fly, and its been 10 months since I left, Gonna be a year before I know it. then gonna be home like that.
Its also funny, I skyped from Witbank at Christmas, and I'm still here to skype at Mothers day, so thats always fun. 
kthanksbye

April 30, 2018 - Mission Week 43: The Mines are Closing

So the area I'm Serving in is one of the largest mining cities in all of South Africa, and 2 of the bigger mines are closing since they are running out of coal. So lots of people are losing there jobs, and moving away, so the work is slowing down a bit, it's been very hard to find new people, and a lot of out good people are leaving town, so we are stuggling to stay busy. Plus it's the end of the month and a holiday at the same time, so everyone is either visiting home, or Drunk.

We managed to help a long time less active come back to church 3 times in a row now, and he is working on getting a temple recommend, His name is Allen. So that's nice. Put a whole family on Date for Baptism, which is also nice. Had interviews with the Mission President, and Finally finished getting our flat repaired. We had to have district meeting in our flat, since they were fixing some wiring. The Zone leaders came down, and Elder Ludloff came with us. We had a lot of fun, managed to meet a lot of people. Printed a few pictures to put on the wall, rearranged that whole thing, looks way cool now, and then I forgot to take a picture of it (or anything this week).

but this coming week I have a lot of picture plans, We will hopefully be bowling with a lot of the members and less actives, plus a way cool bridge to take pictures at, plus, zone activity and Mission Tour with Elder Hamilton.  So next week I'll have a lot to talk about. Should make up for this short one this week.

love you all

kthanksbye

Mission Week 42: this is week 42 (lame pictures Included) - April 23, 2018

This tranfer has been Flying by,  Elder Coka and I have been getting a lot done. 

Monday, We didn't do much, and Had an FHE with the Ngubane Family, which is always fun.

Tuesday, we had a lot of people cancel, but we managed to do some good finding in a park in Downtown Witbank. 

Wednesday, Was the same thing

Thursday, was Middleburg, we met with a members brother who just moved here from Zimbabwe, who is the most prepared guy I've ever met, He said he had some questions and basically just asked us the restoration. So that was awesome. Can't remember what else happened (forgot my planner)

Friday, we didn't have district meeting since The District Leader had to go to pretoria for something, and we had some guys coming to fix the many things that need fixing at out flat, so we spent pretty mcuh the whole day at the flat as they fixed the bathroom wall, a light, a door, and another wall. 

Saturday, (refer to tuesday) because the exact same thing happened, went more into downtown. 

Sunday, Nomfumoneko was confirmed, I baptized her daughter in Cold water (heaters broken) and then we played a south african game called 30 Seconds with a member family named the Ganegkomos. 

Week went by way fast, Baptisms are good. Everyone is leaving town on wednesday for this double holiday weekend. So Witbank will be a ghost town again. 

not much to talk about. The picture are some Fun Socks, and also the very common plumes of Smoke, and shaking from the very high number of mines around the city constantly blasting. That one shook our flat a bit. its fun

kthankbye

Mission Week 41: Baptisms finally happened, in cold water - April 16, 2018

Hello. I got a haircut last week. 

Life is good still here in Witbank. 

Thought I would Hiaku

This week has been very good. 

Man I miss Tacos. 

Tuesday, nothing happened really, everyone canceled except Nonhlahla, and we put her on date. 

Wednesday, we saw a few people and got the details for Nomfumonekos baptism set in order. 

Thursday, we had President Chadambuka with is from 11 till 5. so he joined us for weekly planning and at all our appointments in Middleburg. it was fun, they we're very helpful to the lessons. They we're gonna take us to dinner, but we got sideswiped on the way back, so that ruined the rest of the day, having to fill in all the accident paperwork. Everyone is fine though. just paint scratches and a small dent. 

FridayNothing really Happened, Everyone canceled, so we walked around a bit and got some new potential Investigators. 

Saturday, was kinda a mess. We had this ward picnic thing on a Kwa'Guqa members farm in the morning, but we had to be late, because of a flat repair guy, and then as we went we got bad directions, and eventually made it after driving through 'postcard africa' as pictured, the long lonely road, the only road i've ever known. once we got the most everyone had already left to the Waterfall, in a truck, and we walked with another member as a guide. Needless to say, after walking an two hours we got there as the came up form the falls, got back in the truck and drove back. so we didn't see this apearently beautiful waterfall, but we are going back next week. I got to see all the grass and dirt of that cattle farm though. Got a lot picture I can't send since Upload speed is slow. It was fun though, after that, we went back to Witbank, gave a blessing, taught some people, and ate chicken. 

Sunday was Baptisms. i gave a last minute talk in Sacrament meeting about Alma 5. Baptisms went very smoothly, the Banch president was requested as the one to baptize by both people being Baptized. Only bad thing to happen was the Cold Water, but it's done now. they will be confirmed next week. We have a lot of baptisms comming up in the coming weeks. 

So pretty much this. 

We wandered though Africa on foot. 

I bought some cool socks, ill send pictures of next week. 

We had Baptisms. 

Everyone hear loves the Black Panther Movie, because it has South African Actors.

and I'm gonna make some tacos. 

khanksbye

my haircut when the guy put in waaaayyyyyy to much gel. Felt like a bond villian

the Dzeka family

 my companion Elder Coka