Week 30: The People of South Africa are prepared!

This week was filled with baptisms. Baptisms of the living as well as the dead. We were able to attend the temple with Fannie, Francisco, and Phumi and our ward as they participated in baptisms for the dead. All three of them loved the temple so much. It was amazing to see that after such a short time after being baptized, they made the temple their goal and they made it there. It was such an amazing experience to be in the temple with them.

Then, Sunday we had the baptisms of Nonhlanhla, Paballo, and Motheo. I had the privilege of baptizing Nonhlanhla. It was such a sweet experience and spirit filled. I have never met people who have been more prepared for the gospel than them. They have such strong testimonies of this gospel. They are going to go far in the gospel. Next is to teach the father/husband. Missionaries from the Durban Mission are currently doing that. My hope and prayer is that he is as prepared as they were so they can go to the temple as a family and be sealed for time and all eternity next year.

Also on Sunday, Bro. Fannie gave a talk. Not only did he give a talk but he was assigned as the final speaker! The best part is that he gave a powerful talk for 20 minutes and at the end complained because he wasn't able to finish his talk lol. After only being a member for four weeks he is already doing things that people who have been members their whole life struggle to do. After talking to Bishop, Fannie will be receiving the Melchizedek priesthood next stake conference. He is so powerful and was so prepared for the gospel. We are looking forward to when he is able to go through the temple for himself in a year.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve and teach those that are here in South Africa. There are so many people here in South Africa that are prepared for the gospel and treasure the gospel. I know this gospel to be true. 

Love, Elder Rash

 

Francisco and Phumi with Elder Rash at the Johannesburg Temple

Fannie and Elder Rash at the Johannesburg Temple

Sunday Baptisms

What a beautiful sight!

Look at that smile!  Baptism of Nonhlanhla

Nonhlanhla's family.  Elder Rash is just BEAMING!!

Week 29: We are always on the look out....FINDING

This week was very productive. We were able to do a lot of finding through members and people coming to church. Finding is such an important part of missionary work. Here in South Africa we need to be constantly finding to find the elect, or those that are truly prepared for the gospel. We were able to find 16 new investigators this week. The past few weeks we have been stressing because it seemed like the work here in Kwa-Thema was coming to a halt. The Lord was able to ease those concerns and worries as we had 28 investigators at church. This was such a blessing and we were so happy to see all of these people coming closer to Jesus Christ and coming to church and being able to feel the spirit.

One investigator in particular that we have been working with is, Sthembiso. He is a young man about 23 years old who is a quadriplegic. The past 3 weeks we have been going over every day to read from The Book of Mormon with him. He is such a humble and joyful young man. The past 3 weeks he hasn't been able to come to church due to some things coming up. This week at church as we were sitting there waiting for the first speaker to begin, we looked over to see him and his wheel chair entering the chapel doors. It was such an amazing thing to see. He enjoyed church so much and it was amazing to see all the love and fellowship he received from the ward. He is currently on date for baptism for May 6th.

Nonhlanhla, Motheo, and Paballo passed their baptism interviews! They will be baptized this Sunday! They are so ready and have such strong testimonies of this gospel.

We will be attending the temple this Saturday to do baptisms for the dead with our ward and recent converts. We are super excited.

That is all for this week. I love you all and will talk to you next week.

Love, Elder Rash

Soccer with the District

Week 28: Be a Member Missionary

This past week we were able to hold a Ward Missionary Devotional on Sunday. The theme was D&C 88:81. Those who have been warned must warn their neighbors. We focused this all on people "warning their neighbors" or sharing the gospel with them. I was able to speak and let them know how much of a blessing they are to us as missionaries when it comes to finding people to teach. Everyone we are currently teaching now have come from referrals. We had two other speakers who talked about the Book of Mormon and the importance of it and how it brings safety for the soul. We then had 3 powerful testimonies from recent converts and current investigators on how members sharing the gospel with them has now in turn blessed their life so much. And also how the Book of Mormon has blessed their life. Their testimonies were powerful.

Nonhlanhla, Paballo and Motheo will be having their baptism interview this week. In preparation for their baptism on Mar 25th. We are super excited for them and they are so prepared and know this gospel is true.

I hadn't ever really had a testimony of member missionary work until I came on mission. Now being a missionary I have truly seen the importance and effectiveness of member missionary work. It can be as simple as sharing what you love about our church or about how the gospel has blessed your life. Take advantage of every opportunity to be a member missionary. You will bless the lives of many. I know this gospel is true. 

Love you all,

Elder Rash

Week 27: Things will get better....Just focus on the Lord

This week was good. It went by a lot faster than last week. The work here in Kwa-Thema however has seemed to slow down. Many investigators aren't keeping commitments or coming to church. This week we only had 5 that came to church. We are going to have to do a lot of dropping and weeding out those who aren't truly prepared for this gospel. We are going to start focusing on the elect.

Speaking of the elect, Nonhlanhla, Paballo, and Motheo are progressing rapidly towards baptism on the 25th of March. They are so prepared for the gospel and have seen the blessing of it in their life. Nonhlanhla is the mother of Paballo (9) and Motheo(11). We have practically taught them everything, or they have taught us, and all they need now is a baptism interview. We were able to meet Nonhlanhla's husband on Sunday. He works as an electrician on a diamond mine near Cape Town. Which is like a 4 hour drive away. He is only able to come see his family at the end of each month for about 3 days. We luckily were able to meet with him this time to share with him what we have been sharing with his family. We also got his permission/support for his family to be baptized. We will be getting in contact with the missionaries in Cape Town so they can go and teach him so he may be able to join his family in the waters of baptism.

I truly have a testimony that there are certain people in the world that have been prepared by the Lord to receive the gospel. Others, God is still working on. It is our job to open our mouth at all times so we may find those that are currently prepared. I love this gospel. I love the people of South Africa. And I love the Lord.

Love,

Elder Rash

Note from mom:  No pictures this week.  He sent me a personal e-mail letting me know that he got his Birthday package!  YIPPEEEE!  He was super happy that I sent Reese's peanut butter cups and 100 Grands!  Chocolate is very expensive there, and I was really afraid to ship it for fear it would be gross/melted by the time it got there.  But it only took 4 weeks for it to get to him!  He was in better spirits this week.  They had Zone Conference last week and he was able to talk with his Mission President about his frustrations and he said he felt better after that!