He got a new companion this week! His name is Elder Mashava and he is from Zimbabwe. He is 26 and has been on his mission for 10 months. Mikel said that he has a pretty thick accent so he's hard to understand sometimes. His native language is Shona and he learned Zulu while serving in Durban. Most Africans speak both their native language and english, so it's pretty easy for them to pick up on other African languages. Mikel has been trying to learn Afrikaans the whole time he's been in Kimberly and Elder Mashava is already better than him at it haha. This is what he told me about his new companion: "I am still getting used to Elder Mashava, Ill talk more about him in my mass email. You know how opionated I get and how stubborn I can be so I have struggled with this not only now but also with Jena but with Jena he understood me pretty well and we would be able to resolve it. People from Zimbabwe, at least out of the 6 I know are all stubborn people. they are hard to get through to sometimes and I am the same way so you can imagine haha. Im praying that I can be more submissive and understanding and let stupid small stuff that isnt even worth arguing over go. I just tell myselft I am becoming a loving husband, I dont want to argue with you, cough I mean my wife ;), I want to be able to understand and see her point of view, so right now I am practicing and trying my best but, eish I like to tell poeple Im not a nice person so itll be tuff haha." I hope that they are getting along and are able to work together well.
Mikel and one of their investigators
With Elder Mashava
Elder Mashava
Mikel is excited about his new companion though because he feels that he's a really powerful guy and that a lot of changes will be happening in the area as they start to get members more involved in the work. He talked about in his mass email how important members are. We are actually more effective than the missionaries because we're here for good, while the missionaries leave after a while. It was a good reminder for me because member missionary work is so important and we should focus on that!
He got one of the letters I sent in July this week... I guess better late than never :)
Cool picture of the moon!
Sadly, he doesn't get to listen to or watch conference for a while until they get a DVD copy. He's so excited to watch it though, he's been looking forward to it for weeks! I'm excited to catch up on it too, I didn't get to watch much because we were traveling for soccer last weekend.
If you know Mikel, you know he loves spicy food and this is one of his favorite seasonings. He was so excited when his new companion brought it with him! Apparently they sell it in Durban.
(Random side note: It's way funny to read his emails and notice all of the little sayings he's picked up while he has been out. :)
In his email to me he first talked about how important morning prayers are. Last week I had some of the worst days I've ever had, and I figured out that I hadn't been saying my morning prayers. As soon as I started my days went better! Morning prayers are so important, why would we ever want to face the world without first talking to our Heavenly Father? He wants to hear from us and wants to bless us!
Then he apologized for being a "sucky boyfriend at this whole long distance thing". Okay, he doesn't even suck at it!! And honestly, even if he did I wouldn't be mad. His purpose for being halfway across the world isn't to be thinking of me and sending me lovey dovey letters all the time. He's there to be serving the Lord with everything he has and bringing the gospel to those who need it! I don't care if he doesn't get around to sending me a letter or writing a long email. I'm okay with just hearing from him. I will admit that at first it was hard to accept that, but now I know that it's supposed to be this way. It's been so cool to notice how much he has learned and grown in these 3 short months, and I know that as he dedicates himself even more to serving that he will continue to grow closer to the Lord. I'm so grateful for him!
I love him and I am so proud of him! Another week down :)
I like the quote "if you cant stand it, kneel it" Like you said prayer makes all the difference and we shouldnt step one foot into the world without first talking to God. I always use your example of talking to God as if he were in the seat next to you. Thats how prayer can and should be. He lives and can and will communicate back to us if we are willing to act on his guidance. Things happen his way and in his own good time but it is bound.
It sounded like your days got better though and that makes me happy. I have been missing you like crazy this week as I fear more than anything that Ill forget a single detail about you. Just always know that I ALWAYS love you for time and eternity. :)
Player of the match eh, that is awesome, you are pretty much the best soccer player I know so thats cool. :) Im scared now because when I get back I wont even be a challenge for you and you are going to destroy me at soccer haha, you are going to have to go easy and let me win so I can still feel manly you know ;)
I love you babe and its soo good to hear from you. I dont know why but I teared up as I read this email, good tears, just I miss you and its hard but worth it and I cant wait to have our happily ever after story to tell :) the storys of happy ever after never come easy, you have to slay the dragon, do this do that or what what but in the end it is always worth it <3
Love you babe
Elder Mookie"
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