Teaching and Finding

February 6th

"We work mainly with university students which is fun because they are fun to talk to and get to know and also great because they are receptive.

We were able to see Ntate Tladi this week and he is doing great. sadly he will be going to kzn for work for a few weeks which means he wont be getting baptized any time soon.... but all is good :) he continues to be interested and have good questions. We have had some real good discussions with him. This week we talked about the Atonement and what it really means. It was power!

The other exciting visit was with Michelle, She is super awesome and from Lesotho. I love Lesotho!!!!! Well she is super smart and knows a lot about the Bible and that's rare to find. So we get to have great conversations and really talk about the gospel in depth. It's cool because when you teach you learn and I am definitely learning lots. She invites her friends to come with us as well to join in the discussions. Their names are Grace and Bonny, They are also both great! We meet with them in the lobby of their flats which can be a bit of a hectic area with people coming in and out and what not. We decided that we would start by opening with a hymn, (Be still my soul, because its one of my most favorite hymns.) As we sung people stared but we didn't care! The spirit was strong, we all felt it. Super cool. I just love that feeling of peace and love. I really love these girls, as you feel the spirit with someone you grow to love them! We then continued to talk about the plan of salvation, where we came from, why we are here and where we go after this life. It was a great lesson."

At Brother Mandas House

"Sindi came to church!!! woot woot. We are now focusing on reading the Book of Mormon. The only way that anyone will truly come to know that these things are true is if the read and pray about it. so thats what shes gotta do if she really wants to know.

It is the end of the transfer and Elder Fransen will be leaving to New Castle. I will be receiving a brand new missionary so I don't even know his name yet haha. It was a great transfer and we had a lot of fun and worked a lot. It would have been nice to stay together another transfer, but the Lord is in control of his work and knows where we need to be.

I love you all and I love life!"

"The Robert's are home now :("

Mikel's mom included this in his group email. The mission president's wife posted it on her blog and I thought it was cool!

"Here are some common words in South Africa different than what I'm used to:

small truck = bakki (bah-key)

BBQ = braai (bry)

trash = bin

trunk of car = boot

pleasant surprise = eish (ay-sh)

really? = isit

stop light = robot

you're welcome = pleasure

grandma = gogo

woman = ma

grandpa or father = baba

how are you? = howzit

french fries = chips

beef fillet = fillet (fill-it)

zucchini = marrow

bathroom = toilet room

napkin = serviette

diaper = napkin

beef jerky = billtong

When South Africans shake your hand, they reach one hand out, but use their other hand to balance their extended arm...this is a sign of respect.

Grocery stores are in all of the big malls. It's common to see grocery carts being pushed through the malls.

Driving here is on the left side of the road.

Almost every home and apartment has metal bars on windows, and metal gates in addition to front and back doors - they are called burglar bars!

The thing that surprised me most when we arrived 7 months ago is that most homes have high fences with sharp spiked tops, and an electric fence on top of that, or curled razor wires. At first it looked daunting, but I hardly notice it anymore!

Most South Africans are very well versed in the Bible.

A taxi here is a van-like bus. They fit at least fifteen people in them, and they seem to rule the roads here!

Lot's of people hitch hike. There are different hand signals to represent where the person wants to go!

People walk on freeways here!"

Sneaky tank

Got to be on the radio!

We didn't get a group email this last week so hopefully we will get one tomorrow. He has a new companion who he is training and he told me he was nervous but also excited. In our personal emails we've been talking a lot about what's going to happen when he gets home which is crazy! It's getting so close. There's so much that could happen and so many ways it could happen but I know that as long as we trust in the Lord it will all work out. :)

Bloemfontein

We got some details about his new companion this week, so that was good! And while it seemed like the work was slow at first, they have found some people to teach and are super excited about it.

"So sorry for the short email last week. let me make up for it :D

So Elder Fransen, my new companion. Awesome dude from cali! (mom, what city are our relatives in california from?)  He was a wrestler in high school so we are starting to work out hard in the morning! getting "yoked" or "swoll" as they call it haha. he also did a lot of welding which is pretty cool so he would make his own knives and belt buckles and what not. pretty impressive.

He has been on mission just over a year now. We are really getting a long and the work is starting up now.

Bloemfontein is a town area, and towns are known for being a bit rough and tough on missionary work. Because of the holiday season a lot of our investigators are out of town so we have a lot of open time.... like all day.... so we go tracking, try to set up booths and get denied and all. the frustrating part about town is when you knock on someones gate you will see them peak out the window and then hide and not answer the door.... silly people don't they know that their families can be together forever through the message we share.... I guess they don't otherwise I don't know why they wouldn't answer."

"So the work has been a bit slow and disheartening. but luckily these past two days we were actually able to find some awesome people. things are starting to look upwards and momentum is coming. We met this guy name Thapelo and his two buds. they are going to the university and they had quite a few questions about why there are so many interpretations of the bible and all that jazz, we were happy to invite them to learn more of the restoration of the gospel that answers that question perfectly and how God has provided a way for us to know exactly what he wants us to know. to get rid of all confusion. its through the Book of Mormon.

NO one can know if the Book of Mormon is TRUE unless they READ, and PRAY about it! the best part is if they actually do that, they find out it is true and life becomes so much brighter!!!!

We also found this young women named Sindi, she is studying Psychology and is super cool. Her parents are pastors of her church but in recent times she has had lots of questions about the bible and things not making sense so she has stopped reading it. we told her its normal to not understand everything. I mean I teach the gospel 7 days a week and still learn more each day. the gospel is like a puzzle. you start with the corners. if I give you a middle peace and you haven't built the sides then you wont know where it goes. the peace none the less still has a purpose and place in the big picture but it needs to wait. we need a foundation. it is the same with the gospel and principles in it. for example if I don't have faith then why pray. there would be no point in prayer if I didnt have a belief that God hears me and answers my prayers, that He loves me, and Knows me. So we see we have to build from the foundation and hold on to those pieces we don't quite understand yet and continue to build our knowledge until we find out where it fits.

The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is awesome because it puts forth the doctrine of salvation so clearly and helps us really understand the teachings that get so mixed and confused in the bible. I love the Bible, I love the Book of Mormon and know them to be the word of God. I know the best way to find peace in your life is to read the Book of Mormon and pray. search it for answers. It is full of them.... you'll be surprised! :)

My good friend Kayla asked me this week what has been my favorite thing on mission... what a good question, I couldn't really give an answer because I just love so many things and there are to many to chose just one but  I did try my best with this reply.

I have loved being able to just meet so many wonderful people on my mission to see all the different backgrounds people come from and how the teachings and love of Jesus Christ fit perfectly into each of their lives. I have loved being able to learn more about my Savior and also about myself and I have done my best to serve with all I got. As a missionary people seem to naturally trust you and that is one of my favorite things is people trusting me enough to tell me whats really going on and coming for help. I love seeing how in all these different struggles, weather it be money, family, relationship, personal, or other all these struggles seem to find answers through Christ and it amazes me. It is something I didn't know before or even understand. Its still crazy to me how it happens. I have loved meeting new and incredible people everyday. learning different cultures and coming to love them. it'll be hard to leave them. I don't know its hard to say just one thing. I have loved my mission and look forward to the last months I have.

its been tough though. some days really suck. you just go out and try to find people to teach and no one wants to even look at you. it can get discouraging but one thing I have learned is hard work. I have really learned to work on my mission. to not get discouraged. and to press forward knowing all will work out. I have learned so much about life and how great it is. 

It doesn't come close to describing the love and joy of missionary service but maybe it gives you a hint of some things I love about being a missionary."

"The Roberts. Sadly they go home next month"

"Elder Henley and I"

"Elder Benissan and I"

"This was a great week. It has been a bit of a tough start. A lot of our investigators are out of town due to the holiday season and because of the recent baptisms we are really trying to build a teaching pool. We haven't been successful in the past as we have been doing all we could think of to find until these past two days. it seems like people are now just showing up, and real people with potential. Its actually really exciting. I was starting to worry about this area and that it would be too hard to get things going but now things really are starting to happen and it gave us the much needed moral boost to start of this week. We both look forward to working hard this week and getting all the little things in. Ie studies right on time, out to the area early and finding meaningful activity for every hour of the day. I look forward to great memories, and love to be had here in Bloemfontein. I am feeling more and more a sense of urgency as I feel I have lots of time to make a change not only in myself but in the area and others but at the same time I don't have anytime to waste, I really have to use it all and be effective in the way we do use our time.

Also gotta give a shout out to Hailey for getting a call to go on a camp with the U23 US Womens national team.... isnt she just incredible!!!! WOW!!!! :)

I love you all so dearly and I am grateful to be here in South Africa. It is home. God bless you all with the best new years ever!!!!

Elder North"

"New investigator Lethabo"

"She gave me a braid!"

It was super cute of him to give me a little shout out for going to camp. :) Camp was super fun and a really good experience. I learned a lot and hopefully it will only help me to progress even more!

2017

The last two emails we've gotten were kind of short, so I'm just combining them into one! After Christmas, he was transferred to Bloemfontein and got a new companion, Elder Fransen. We don't know much about his area or his companion yet.

December 26

"well lets see.... what happened this week.

We went to see Sphe who is our most promising investigator. He was unable to come to church this week but hopefully he will come next week. We are teaching him about living and keeping the commandments and he is ready to follow them! He is a power dude and likes to rap.

We found a few new investigators while trying to find less actives in mzingazi. We found this girl thando and guy Chris, they both used to live with a member so they have seen missionaries but have never been taught by them, we spent a good hour talking and getting to know them better and then they started asking all sorts of questions that all lead to the restoration of the church. so we left them with a pamphlet and will try to see them some times this week.

It sometimes gets hard to work during the Christmas season but we keep up the cheer by singing to carols and looking for adventures and service a long the way."

It was awesome to be able to skype with my family this week, they are incredible. All of my younger siblings have gotten lots lots taller.... not sure how I feel about that but eish, life moves on. 

Being a missionary has and continues to change my life every day. I may say I knew about the Savior a little bit before mission, but as a missionary I am blessed to try my best to represent Him every day, to try and do what He would do. As you strive to be like Him you come to know Him and understand just a bit more of His endless love for you. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to come to know my Savior who is Christ. He was born of humble birth, in a dark cave in a manger. He lived an exemplary life. and died in suffering for you. I love the Lord, He is my reason for hope, for love, for peace in all things. 

I love you all and hope you had a wonderful Christmas" 

It was only the day after Christmas that he emailed that week, so it felt like there wasn't much to tell in our emails since we had just talked the day before haha. But his email was really sweet so I'll share it :)

"flipits that was huge news I didnt know how to react honestly!!! ah you are so amazing I just want to go around telling everyone how awesome you are.  

I was talking to some kids the other day and they were just so happy that santa came and they had stories and all sorts of fun things to say.

Christmas is an awesome time of year. I loved skypeing. I never really got "trunky" missed home a lot after skypeing but I dont know, this time I just missed you so much like it was weird how much I missed you after just seeing you.... but life goes on. Some how you are just more beautiful in every way than I remember and ah just everything you do makes me just swoon haha. 

The new area will be a tough one. we will see how it goes. Mission President called me to tell me about my comp, appearently he has had some struggles with companions and what not. He said that he is doing better but just hasnt hit the ground running sort to speak and he wants that to change, Elder Francen is from Cali I think and he has been out for about a year now. 

Babe, I just dont know how to express in words the way I feel about you, I have been praying a lot, like a lot a lot. About us about the future about all that good stuff. Over and over again I feel so good about it all. I feel assured that its right, its not all just in my head, some fantasy or delusion that I have come up with. I want to be with you, every second of every day for the rest of forever. its just it. I love you. nothing can will or ever can change that simple fact. You blow me a way each and every day and I will try my best to keep up you, hopefully I dont slow you down to much. Thank you, thank you for emailing me every week and never mission one. thank you for being there for skype, thank you for making me feel loved at every low, sad, and down moment. thank you for your example of love, charity, dedication, work, perseverance and joy. Thank you for being you! I love that :)"

January 2nd

"Not much time this week,

It was a great week Elder Fransen is a dope dude,

we have done a lot of tracting in town.... eish... but somehow it has been pretty successful.

Because of New Years there arn't a lot of teaching appointments

Love,

Elder North"

I can't believe it's 2017!! He comes home this year!!! Looking back, so much has changed since he left and originally, that's what I was afraid of. But now I'm so excited to be able to show him this new life that I have been living and for us to adventure and have fun together again. It's crazy to think that we're nearing the end of our time apart.

"No-tract November"

He didn't send any pictures this week so this is all we got. Since his companion went home he's been bounced around a little but it sounds like now he'll be with two other Elders in a nearby area.

"Oh boy oh boy this week was grand!

So as many of you know my companion finished his mission and went home but the six week transfer cycle is still not over so I worked with a mini missionary. His name is Thobane Chiliza he is a return missionary from Enseleni, and he served in Zambia. It was so awesome to work with him and it helped a lot that he spoke Zulu. I am still trying to learn as much Zulu as I can, I get better each week but still have a long way to go. Ngifuna ukukhuluma isizulu, kodwa ngiyazi ngikhaluma kancane. Ngiyafunda.

So this week we made a lot of progress in the area by walking around greeting people with members. We were able to find a potential family that I am really excited about. our teaching pool is growing a lot and we are becoming very very busy.

(From his letter to the mission president)
This week was so good, as you know I had brother Chiliza as my companion. We worked hard and saw so much growth in just one week!

Well to start off and answer on how I will be exercising faith in the Lord is by starting "notract November" we are going to go the whole month without tracting, instead we will be networking and finding everyone we teach through members, less actives and other investigators. So far its been working so well. Our teaching pool is building rapidly and also we are finding more males by finding this way. It is hard to come up with creative ideas that will be more productive and effective than tracting but I think its already blessed the area a lot and got members more in the spirit of missionary work.

We are also going to try doing area blitzing, where we set up a booth in one area and the zone all comes to that area for a few hours that day and we contact as many people in a heavy foot traffic area. We believe this will allow us to get a whole lot of contacts from more than one area, especially so we can teach people who live in town. I believe that this will bring energy to the zone and also make a great impact for the area. More people will see us and know who we are. Instead of knocking on doors that we have no clue whats behind them we can spend the rest of the time we would be tracting following up on potential investigators.

We have walked a lot more this week. we park our car in a centralized area and just walk so we cant contact on our way to appointments and be seen. We also have had a member walk with us through the township and introduce us to everyone she knows, all we did was greet the people and get to know their names and numbers and let the member tell them we are missionaries from church and thats about all. We would then be on our way. Now when we go back to those houses they already kind of know us and we have found great success in coming back to their homes. We have also founds this to be one of our most effective ways in finding families to teach.

Brother Chiliza got a job and so I will no longer be working with him, instead I will be in a threesome with the missionaries in Enseleni which is Elder Waeni and Elder Reed. It's going to be hard not being in my area as much but I am excited to see how their area is progressing and see what we can do to make it even better.

Love,
Elder North"