week 94

A group of my friends are driving here to see me today so I'm super excited for that! But it means that I have a very short time to email.

 

I had a very mixed week of good and bad. There was a holiday, so on par with every other holiday here, missionary work was near impossible. I did however go on exchanges with Elder Ndlovu and saw the first girl I ever taught and baptized on my mission! She is going super strong. Awesome young woman.

 

As far as investigators we have Corney, Nthabiseng, Khaukanani, and Mmanape on date for October the 25th. We are working with a number of less actives members, too: Brother Jonny, Klass, Sharon, George and Priscilla. We are seeing other people as well, but these are showing the most progress at the moment. I get to do a baptismal interview on Saturday!

 

Oh, I learned how to make a long bow this week, that was pretty fun. I also designed a handgun.

 

I will send a better letter next week!

 

Love,

Elder Kelly

week 93: back in Sashego

Well, basically, everyone said the same thing when they saw me: "You've lost weight!" Which I suppose is a good thing haha, it is definitely better then the alternative. Unfortunately, a few have made it a goal to get it all back on me in the next 5 weeks. I can't remember the last time I was fed so much.

 

Coming back wasn't exactly what I expected. I had about a two minute conversation with each of them and then I didn't know what to say and it was a bit awkward. I suppose the best part was to reconnect with those I helped baptize. All of them, besides one, are still coming to church. The one that isn't is due to health reasons. I guess that means I did something good while I was here last. 

 

I'm starting to feel nervous. I'm pretty excited to be done with my mission, but not so excited to come home. I already had one friend offer to sneak me into Mozambique haha. I'm toying with the idea of going home just long enough to make the money to come back. I already have some job offers here. One is working in the mines as a welder and the other is working as an armorer for a private military contractor that operates out of Somalia. The latter is quite tempting as it has always been my dream to play with guns for a living, but Somalia isn't exactly the nicest part of this earth. I don't know. I still don't like change. Or making big decisions.

 

I know I'm out in the boondocks again because I nearly ran two baboons over the other day that were fighting in the middle of the road. I like it here. Well, except for the crime and pollution. Besides that it is quite nice.

 

Hmm, well yeah. That's about all I got. Sorry, but my thoughts are currently elsewhere and it is difficult to come up with things to say. My companion wakes up a lot at night and writes in his journal so I'm pretty tired. P-day is the one day there is time for a nap, so I am going back to bed.

On Fridays we play basketball with some of the township kids. Funny times!

Love,
Elder Kelly

week 92

I got the news Saturday that I'm being transferred Tuesday back to my first area, Seshego. I'm going home! And then in six weeks I'm going home home! It feels like I will be there now now. (Adding an extra word adds power to what you're saying...kind of. Like if someone says they will be there now, expect to wait for an hour, but if they say now now it should be within a few minutes.) Also I've been asked to be a District Leader and follow-up train. Last six weeks, might as well be hectic haha.

I very much hope my package gets here, it would make my life. Today is going to be hectic, I think 3... or maybe 2... people are feeding us. Plus we have to do most of the normal stuff.

Tomorrow is transfers, so that will be fun. I'm the only one I know that will finish in the area they started it, I'm quite excited for that. Already know all the members and the roads and such. I'm quite sad to leave Attridgeville so soon. There are some truly amazing people here and we were supposed to have a baptism this Sunday! Darn. It should still happen though! We just won't be here.

Oh, I forgot to say Attridgeville is merging with another area so my companion and I are both leaving. It seems I'm either sent to an area to speed the work up, or finish it up so that it can be closed. It has been a terribly tiring ordeal! President Dunn even told me when I left Nelspruit that the balance of my mission would be spent reviving areas that were extremely unproductive and it seems he was on key with that one.

Yah know, my first year I was in just two areas and this past year I've had five so far and as of Tuesday it will be six. It makes me sad I haven't gotten to spend the time in other areas that I did in Nelspruit and Seshego, but it is amazing to see what the Lord can accomplish given a few short weeks and a (most of the time) willing heart. Alma 26:12 is coming to my mind: "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."  Yes, I'm aware that they spent years out and about, but it is still applicable as far as I'm concerned. God is pretty darn good at getting work done.

Well, it is now time to pack and clean, so I'll send some pictures and move on!

Bishop and family

Sister Ouma and me

Stella, Colyn and me

Stella, me and Phindale

Love, Elder Kelly

week 91

The week was very good, but I'm still struggling with my companion. Seven more weeks...

Yesterday at church I had two visitors from long long ago! The first was Sister Makunye from the MTC and the other was sister Bridgett from Nelspruit. It was awesome to see people I quite enjoyed being around since there ain't so many like that in Atteridgeville.

I was privileged to confirm Thozama yesterday, that went very well. Elder kenyah is mad that she didn't ask him; I told him that if he showed an interest in her and didn't just flirt with her sisters at each visit maybe she would have. He didn't talk to me for the rest of the day haha.

Let's see here, I always forget what I want to say.

A verse that has carried much to my heart as of late is 3 nephi 20:8 "And he said unto them: He that eateth this bread eateth of my body to his soul; and he that drinketh of this wine drinketh of my blood to his soul; and his soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled." Christ is explaining how fulfilling the sacrament and the gospel can be. Often I've found myself partaking of the sacrament but worrying about investigators instead of pondering the Atonement. I'm working to correct this and wow it has been great to see the difference, it feels as though I'm actually doing something now. I taught Gospel Principles yesterday and we discussed this quite in depth.

There is a rumor going around they are closing the area next to mine and as of next week I'll be covering two areas. Should be fun, and better yet we will no longer have to share a car and the flat will stay clean! Woo! I'll know for sure later on in the week if this is truth or not.

I wrote (well continued writing) another poem this week. It helps me focus my thoughts. I don't like the beginning much, but overall I enjoy it, so yeah. Here it is:

In the beginning was the Word

It was with Him I could be found.

In our homeland Eternal hope did abound.

To this apostate world have I been sent

hope is dimmed by the lessor's spite.

The path may fade; strife shall rail

In this life I may even feel condemned to fail.

Yet upon His palms does my weakness reside

and for this reason I'll never be over-tried.
 

After the darkest night the sun shall rise

the refiners fire will burn to the end of mortal time. 

Hope is opposed to doubt, with faith we need not fear

for as time slips by the Savior's return becomes ever more near.

Also, let's send some pictures for once...

It ain't much different from home here.

This is Thozama, the one we just baptized and confirmed.

Thabang got married and is working on getting sealed now. He is awesome. 

Spring is here!

I don't think you ever saw Elder Bryner. Best companion ever. 

 

Mountains surrounding the area we start. Hartebeesport (spelled that wrong, sorry neh!) 

So, I'm trying to make a plan of what to do when I get home. I'm all over the place, from living under a rock to becoming an astronaut. Well, not literally, but that pretty much shows how lost I am. What do you think I should do? I'm thinking military or WVU.

Anyways, I'm sick and my meds have me on the verge of passing out, so I'll sign off here.

Love, Elder Kelly