Week 52: Teach people, not lessons

This week was a pretty busy week. On Tuesday Elder Siale and I did a lot of finding/tracting. We were able to find a lot of new people to teach. We had a really powerful experience with a man named Mfundo. Towards the end of our tracting, Elder Siale and I decided to knock one more house. After knocking, a 25ish young man came to the door. My first impression of him was, he seems standoffish and that he doesnt want us here. After talking to him for a few minutes he invited us in. As we started the lesson Elder Siale and I started talking to him about God and his beliefs and feelings about God. He kept silent for a few seconds, looked at the ground, and tears began to fill his eyes. Mfundo proceeded to tell us how he prays constantly but he feels his prayers aren't answered and that God isn't there. The spirit filled the room as Elder Siale and I were able to bear our testimonies to him. We somehow got to the Plan of Salvation/Atonement and were able to share just a little with him about it. At the end of our discussion you could tell there was something completely different about Mfundo. There was a light or happiness that was now present in him. After the lesson Mfundo shared something with us that confirmed that Heavenly Father was present in this entire encounter. He mentioned how he usually chases away people like us who come around sharing stuff. He told us how he felt something tell him to let us in. I know that Heavenly Fathers hand was present in helping us find Mfundo. There is a special spirit that is present in lessons when you teach people and not lessons. 

On Wednesday we had interviews with President Leavitt. The interviews for our zone were conducted at our flat. It unfortunately took up almost our entire day but we managed. I love interviews, as most missionaries do. President Leavitt is one of the most loving and inspired men I know. I was able to receive a lot of great guidance and counsel from him.
On Friday we conducted an exchange. I was in our area with Elder Nalesoni who is from Australia/Tonga. He is a great missionary, very hard working. We had a great time tracting all day in Northmead (town). We knocked a lot of gates and were actually able to talk to a lot of people. We were able to have many good conversations with people that ended with them saying they have their own church but thank you. However, in the end we were able to get 3 potential investigators and we had a great time.
On Saturday we conducted another exchange. I was in our area once again but with Elder Sande from Uganda. We had a great time.
Sunday was stake conference. Afterwards we went to the Stake Presidents home for lunch with him and his entire family. Let's just say their family reminds me a lot of mine. I can see my family being like theirs in 5 years or so. President Holmes proceeded to tell us if we learned anything from Stake Conference he hopes that it was that you should marry well lol. That was partially the message from his talk.
Later that evening Elder Siale and I did some more tracting in Northmead. This was my first experience knocking gates in the dark at night. I always had the attitude of nothing will come from tracting at night, all you will do is make people unhappy. Let's just say my attitude is changing. During this time of tracting I had a feeling I've never had before. We knocked one gate and an older gentleman came out. As we proceeded to share with him he stopped us and told us we were wasting our time. He then began to mock me and my American accent. Not too long ago I would have reacted with some sarcastic comment or walked away with a "screw you" kind of attitude. This time however it was easy for me to not be phased by it. When we got back in the car and drove home I just couldn't stop thinking about it. The entire drive I had a feeling of disappointment for him. When we pulled into the drive way I just sat there and continued to think about it. Thoughts of I want to be mad about it and talk trash about him came but the feelings that continued to come instead was just sadness because of what he just missed out on. This is something I have never felt before in my life. 
I know this gospel is true. I know that this life is a time for us to change. A time to put off the natural man. I know that the gospel is the tool for us to do that. I know that Charity is the pure love of Christ and that as we constantly strive to have it bestowed upon us, Heavenly Father will do so. I know that it is a gradual progression. I have seen how Heavenly Father will give us little tastes of what Charity feels like in our quest to have it bestowed upon us. This gospel is what brings pure joy. I'm grateful I have the privilege of declaring it unto the people of South Africa. However, we all have the privilege and obligation to share it with those around us. They need it. We have it. I think you can figure out the rest as to how they will get it.
Love Elder Rash 
Note from mom:  No pictures from Devon this week.  I told him it better not happen again! hehehe

 

Week 51: Not much to chicken feet

This week has been busy. As well as tiring. It started off with Zone Conference on Tuesday. We were instructed on Teaching People, Not Lessons. It was a very uplifting and spiritual Zone Conference. President Leavitt is such an inspired and loving man.

On Wednesday we went on exchanges with the Etwatwa elders. I was privileged to be with Elder Gaigulo, from Uganda, in our area. We had a great time.
Also this week I ate chicken feet for the first time. They were actually pretty nice! There just wasn't much to eat on them.
 On Saturday we had The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Helping Hands project. That was a ton of fun. We went and cleaned up a run down park in our area with many members from the Rynfield ward. It was a great time even though it was pretty chilly. Also we had the opportunity to bike for the day since the other missionaries didn't want to use them because it was too cold for them. So Elder Siale and I took the opportunity. We were having a great time and then... Let's just say we were both flying down a dirt road when we came upon a curve. I slowed down and made the curve, shortly after I heard some skidding and a noise come from Elder Siale. As I looked back all I saw was Elder Siale rolling down this dirt road. After seeing he was alright, for the most part, we had a good laugh lol. He took the curve too fast and the tires of the bike slid out from under him. Luckily he was wearing a helmet because that is what hit first and he put a nice crack in the helmet. He couldn't move his arm for 2 days but now he is all good.
On Sunday we had the baptism of Glynis and she is awesome. She has such a strong testimony and desire to learn.
I love you all. I know the church is true. I'm grateful for this time I have to serve as a representative of my Savior Jesus Christ. It is the best decision I have ever made.
Love Elder Rash

Exchanges with Elder Gaigulo from Uganda

Grilled chicken feet

Baptism of Glynis

Benoni Zone at Zone Conference

Elder Rash and Elder Saile

Most of the Benoni Zone

All smiles BEFORE the crash....

 

Week 50: HALF WAY DONE....Hump Week

This week has been great! My new companion is awesome. We get along super well. He is full of laughs. I don't think there has been a day when we haven't been laughing all day.

We were able to do service this week for some members, the Campbell family, in Northmead. It was tons of fun. The Campbell's are awesome. I got to climb a tree so we could slowly cut it down piece by piece. I may have pictures and videos of it next week.

Also Elder Siale and I got to grind peanuts and shred coconuts for an investigators family. Elder Siale went ham on the coconuts since he did it all the time back home.

We had a fun experience tracting in Northmead this week. Let's just say I'm glad I have a companion who I can just laugh with the entire time. Rejection isn't fun unless you have a Tongan companion lol. Elder Siale is very outgoing and just loving. We feed off of each other when we are out talking with people. It is so enjoyable.

The work is very busy. Our week is already filled practically every hour of every day. It's a little stressful trying to balance both areas, but we are learning. Elder Siale and I both spoke in the Northmead ward yesterday. It was really good. The members trust in us is definitely growing fairly quick.

Tomorrow is Zone Conference. It will be both Elder Siale and I's first Zone Conference as Zone Leaders so hopefully we don't fail with our training. I'm excited for the time I have to serve with Elder Siale. I'm excited for the road ahead. All I can say is time flies. I hope to make the most of my time on my mission. South Africa is definitely my home.

Love, Elder Rash

Grinding peanuts and rice with an investigator

Elder Siale shaving coconut

Elder Rash giving it a try

Trying to be African

Zone Leader Training

Transfer Day and seeing some friends

Stripling Warriors

Baptism in Kwa-Thema of some investigators Elder Rash taught

Minenhles baptism....fruits of Elder Rash's labor of love

Week 49: Getting used to change....

This week was good. It flew by. This week I had my first MLC. We were able to discuss a lot about how to better the mission, especially in reducing the number of cars.

Also this week we put Helen on date for baptism for October 14th. She happily accepted. She is still concerned with her smoking and how she is going to quit. We offered to give her a blessing and she accepted. The best part was when she decided to just come sit down on the ground in front of Elder Blow, a member, and I so we could give her a blessing. We all looked at each other and tried our best not to start laughing. So we all laid our hands on her head, as we sat on the couch, and gave her a blessing. One of the strangest blessings I've given but the spirit was so strong. I love this lady so much. As we were leaving she grabbed Elder Blow by the cheeks and called him sweetheart. Highlight of my week. Well almost.
The highlight of my week was being able to conduct my first ever baptism interview. Let me tell you. It was a sacred experience. I was able to interview a young 11 year old boy named Innocent. After I got to know him a bit, we started with a prayer. I was privileged with being able to offer that prayer. As I began the spirit filled the room and tears filled my eyes. I had just met this young boy but my heart was filled with so much love for him. At such a young age he had such a strong desire to be baptized. It didn't take me long to receive the prompting that he was ready for baptism. 
On Sunday we had a Book of Mormon fireside. That was a bit of a flop. Not many people came. We had to compete with the Stake choir. The stake presidency told us to go ahead and still hold it at the same time. Let's just say most people were at choir. 
Also this week was transfer news. Elder Blow will be leaving. He will be going to Pimville in Soweto. Right next to Protea Glen. Our birthplace. My new companion is Elder Siale. He is from Tonga. I don't know much about him. He has been on mission almost 18 months I believe. He has also been serving the past couple months in Sidwashine in Swaziland. Ryland's old area. I am excited to talk with him about that and his time there. I've only been here for 3 weeks but I feel like I know the area well enough. It will be fun. 
Today a member took Elder Blow and I to a Lion Park/Game Reserve. That was a lot of fun. There were some Americans there. Let's just say I know what an American accent sounds like now lol. As I talked to them they said they weren't sure if I was from America or not because I had a hint of a South African accent. I guess we will see when I come home. But this week was good. I had many testimony building experiences this week. I love you all. 
Love, Elder Rash

Eating "chicken dust" ordered from the side of the road

He says they are his new favorites!

Lion Park

Week 48: Walking builds character

Hello Friends and Family,

Well my legs and feet are worn. Elder Blow and I enjoyed car free week. We definitely learned a lot. We feel like the work may have suffered a bit because of it but obviously it takes more than just a week to transition from being a car area to a walking area. We enjoyed being able to cram onto crowded taxis and share the gospel with those on the taxi as we rode to our area. A couple days we had to walk an hour and 15 minutes to the taxi rank to catch a taxi to our area and then at night walk an hour and 15 minutes back to our flat from where the taxi dropped us off.

On Wednesday we spent our whole day working in Northmead, the wealthy white area. We walked from our flat an hour and a half to our first appointment. We enjoyed the noise of barking dogs as we passed by each house. That day we were able to meet with an awesome new investigator named Helen. She is a white lady in about her 60's. She is a referral from some members. She is so nice and basically a "chill grandma". Her favorite phrase is "Cool beans". That is basically the best way to describe her. When I told her I was from Arizona in the United States she got super excited. She has a great love for the American Indians and their culture. It related very well when we shared with her the Book of Mormon. Our Bishop had given her one last Sunday and when we came on Wednesday she had already began reading. She also came to church yesterday. We are excited for her. She has some trouble with smoking but we are working on that with her.

Yesterday I was able to give a talk in the Rynfield ward. When I was announced as one of the speakers, I was announced as Elder Blash lol. Elder Blow and I tried our hardest to hold in our laughter. I was given the topic of Charity. I was super happy when I saw I would be able to speak about Charity. In the past 2 months of my mission I have studied the topic of Charity quite thoroughly. I have come to understand the importance of Charity and how we obtain it. This life is more than just being a good person, living the gospel of Jesus Christ, and going to church. This life is truly about becoming like our Savior Jesus Christ. To love everyone we know and treat others with the love that Jesus Christ had and has for each and every one of us. This is not an easy task. Jesus Christ is the only one that has ever done it perfectly. But it is attainable and possible. As long as we pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that we may be filled with this love. As long as we are constantly striving to improve. As long as we let the thought and desire of charity consume our thoughts and desires. President Henry B Erying said that this is a lifelong quest in obtaining charity. I know it is possible. I know we slowly become more and more filled with charity. I know that charity is only bestowed upon those who are true followers of Jesus Christ. And when we receive this gift from God, and we meet Jesus Christ we will be like him. I love you all.

Love Elder Rash

P.S sorry about not sending many pictures. Since we didn't have the car I didn't carry my camera around with me.

Elder Blow is ready for his haircut

LOVE the garbage bag for a protector