Week 70: Why I chose to serve a mission

 

Dear Friends and Family,

It was another wonderful week here in Rynfield and Northmead. We had a great Christmas which we spent with members and missionaries of our zone. The obvious highlight was being able to skype with my family and catch up on all the changes that are happening back home. 

The days following Christmas were a tad slow but we managed and were able to do service all day on Wednesday.

Whenever people ask me why did I choose to serve a mission, my response has always been because I've felt the healing power of the atonement in my life and want others to be able to feel and know of it as well. In the past week or two I've truly been able to do that. We found a man named Thabiso about a month and a half ago. After our first lesson with him he pretty much vanished for about a month. Each week we would stop by his home to try and find him but never had any luck. A few weeks ago when we stopped by we found his mother. After talking with her for a bit she informed us that Thabiso has been struggling with a drug addiction for quite some time and that is why he hasn't been around. A few days later we were able to find him at home and had a lesson with him. As we asked him what he struggled with most in life, he began to open up. Over the past two weeks as we have visited Thabiso we have exchanged laughs, tears, hugs, and personal experiences. I have come to love this young man. He has 3 young boys who are the cutest. We have begun the 12 step program with him and have seen so much improvement and hope come into his life. I have loved being able to share with him about repentance, forgiveness, and the healing and redeeming power of the atonement. I have been able to relate to him on a personal level (not because I had a drug addiction lol) and testify to him of the Saviors love for him. Thabiso is amazing.

On Saturday, Elder Truman and I had an experience that took us by surprise. After receiving some revelation we both knew that we needed to tract a street called Farrar St. in Northmead. As we pulled up to the street it was raining so in Elder Trumans prayer he asked that the rain would either slow or stop so that we would be able to tract with a little more success. As we began the rain slowed to a sprinkle. After about 50 mins, as we neared the end of the street we had had no success. As we knocked on a gate, the gate began to open... We looked at each other as if not knowing what to do. In town people dont usually just open their gates for complete strangers. As we stood in front of the open gate, a man came out of the house and very politely said "come in". Before we had even introduced ourselves he invited us in to his home and offered us something to drink. He then invited us to sit down. Still in shock, Elder Truman and I began introducing ourselves and letting him know why we were there. We were able to have a short lesson with him and set a return appointment for next Sunday. Jason is 25 years old, currently studying theology, is in his 4th year, attends the Baptist church, and is currently the acting Pastor due to the actual one being ill. He is very open and willing to learn. I will keep you updated on how he is doing. #Tendermercies

Sunday, we were able to put together and start a "Come Follow Me" study group consisting of Recent converts, youth who are the only members of their families, and even non-members. We had a great time and foresee it growing into something big. We had around 17 people for our first week and we had just started announcing it on Saturday. 

The Church is true. The gospel has been restored. The priesthood keys are on the earth once again. Jesus Christ lives. His atonement is real and is open to all who will apply it in their life.

Love, Elder Rash

note from mom:  We had a wonderful 40 minute Skype with Devon on Christmas morning.  He looked and sounded so good!  Everyone got a chance to visit with him (as long as they were holding baby Kamdyn) and at the end, he bore a beautiful testimony!  It was hard to say goodbye, but he promised that from now until Mother's Day (our next Skype) will go by so quick.  I look forward to it for sure!  No pictures this week which bummed me, but I'm sure he'll send some next week.

 

Getting all set up for our Skype

 

I love my family (missing Caleb and Brittany)

 

Shelbie misses him so much

 

Dad having a little fun

 

Kamdyn meeting his Uncle for the first time

Week 69: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

December 24, 2018

Hello Friends and Family,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Well, I apologize now but this letter will probably be short. We had a great week and found some pretty amazing people. I'll tell you about them tomorrow when we skype.

The members here are amazing. They are so good to missionaries. We have had many members invite us for Christmas Eve lunch and dinner, as well as, Christmas day lunch and dinner. We are excited to spend a lot of time with members and their families during Christmas. They make us feel part of the family.

Elder Truman and I are doing great. We are having tons of fun in Rynfield. I foresee this transfer going by very quick. 

The Holidays have made it a bit difficult to teach because a lot of the people we are teaching have gone away for the holidays, but we are managing. We are working hard and having fun.

All is well in the life of Elder Rash. 

Talk to you tomorrow!

Love, Elder Rash

Elder's Christmas loot

Gift Exchange

How many Elder's can you fit in a tiny little flat?

Merry Christmas from Elder Rash and the Zone

Week 68: Surprises keep them on their toes

Dear Friends and Family,

Well there was a bit of an unexpected change and there is still potential for more.

Monday night, the night before we headed to the office for transfers, Elder Siale and I received a phone call from the Assistants. We were informed that a missionary has to go home for surgery on his ankle and there is now a vacancy in an area. They informed us that Elder Siale would now be transferred to this area and that we would not be in a trio. WE WERE SHOOK. We sat there for a few minutes in shock. Then he commenced his packing from 9pm till 11pm. So now it is just Elder Truman and I in Rynfield. This change took us for a loop. We have received confidential word that there is a chance Elder Siale will be transferred back here for his last week. That will be determined by what proceeds in the next few days.

Elder Truman and I had a good week though. We are getting use to each other. We teach really well together. Elder Truman is from Melbourne, Australia.

The highlight of this week was the baptism of Nqobile and the return of the one and only Elder Siale. Elder Siale was allowed to return to the area this past Sunday to say his goodbyes to everyone. We had a great last hurrah.

The baptism of Nqobile was very special. Practically his whole family came to the baptism to support him, including his mother who we have been struggling to get to church. Nqobile has one of the strongest testimonies of recent converts I know. He is dedicated and loves the gospel. He was baptized exactly 5 weeks from when we first met him. He is going to do some amazing things.

Well I'll be hearing and seeing your faces next week. Weird. I love you all.

Love, Elder Rash

Nqobile's baptism

Nqobile's family

Nqobile's family and friends

So happy for Nqobile

Nqobile's mom, Rose

Elder Rash loves this guy!

Week 67: Mission Tour, Zone Conference and Temple visit

Dear Friends and Family,

Congratulations Ryland and Raelee on the birth of Kamdyn! Clearly his uncle in Africa is his favorite. It's good to hear that everyone is happy and healthy. Sister and Sister-in-law you now have the go ahead to have a baby as well since I will be home by the time you give birth.

Sincerely,

Elder Rash

Well this week was great! We had our mission tour with Elder Sitati of the Area Presidency. So on Tuesday we had MLC where we were able to council and receive instruction from President and Sister Leavitt and Elder and Sister Sitati. It was a great council and its always great to be able to see Elder Jolley, Nielsen, and many other missionaries there.

On Wednesday we had our mission tour Zone Conference. We were once again taught and instructed by Elder and Sister Sitati. We talked a lot about honesty and how to connect with people and really know how to help them progress to baptism. One thing I have really come to know is that everyone is hurting in some way and the gospel can help them. We need to be willing to talk to people, ask them questions to get to know them, and listen. If we will do that, there will be at least one thing from what they say that we will be able to link into the gospel. Members and missionaries need to be spiritual physicians.

Friday we had the privilege of attending the temple. It is always an amazing time at the temple. I love being able to receive answers to my prayers in the most intimate and spiritual setting.

Saturday we were able to do a Light the World booth again at Northmead Square mall. The highlight was being able to watch the Bedfordview Stake choir perform that evening at the mall. It's amazing how Christmas brings people together.

Also Saturday evening we received a phone call from President Leavitt informing us what would be happening to our companionship this transfer. Soooooo I will be staying in Rynfield!!! Elder Siale and I will both be staying. We will be in a trio for the next 3 weeks until Elder Siale goes home. Our companion is Elder Truman. He is from Melbourne, Australia and has been on mission for about 9-10 months. We are excited to be in a trio for Christmas and to cram another bed into our tiny flat. It is going to be a blast! So Rynfield will become my longest area. At the end of this transfer I will have been here for 6 months and 3 weeks.

Sunday we were able to witness the baptism of Tumi Phango. She turned 8 on the day of her baptism. She is such a special and clever girl.

Well that is all from the beautiful country of South Africa. Elder Siale and I had a sweet moment when we were able to meet the 4 other children of the lady we helped move last week. They were traveling down from Malawi to live with their mother and 2 other siblings. 3 of these 4 kids are triplets!! They are the cutest!

Next week we will have the baptism of Nqobile. He is a powerful young man we found about 5 weeks ago. He has not missed a day of church or a lesson since the day we met him.

Talk to you all next week!

Love, Elder Rash

Family he helped move

I think she likes Elder Rash

Temple buddies

Zone Temple visit

Baptism of Tumi

Too cute!

Triplets

African Sunset

Zone Conference

Week 66: Light The World and SERVE

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you may have heard Elder Lamping, a missionary in the South Africa MTC who was set to serve in the Johannesburg mission, passed away unexpectedly on Monday after only 4 days of service. This has been a shock to everyone and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. I know that the Lord has a hand in everything and he certainly did in Elder Lamping's life. His service continues.
On Wednesday we were able to go on exchanges with Elder Palkki and Forward. I was able to go with Elder Palkki (Ogden, UT) in our area. We had a great time and had a lot of success. I enjoyed being able to learn from him as he comes to the close of his mission in 3 weeks.
On Friday we set up a Light the World booth at a mall within our area and each district within our zone took turns running it throughout the day. It was a great opportunity for us to invite others to join in on this wonderful Christmas campaign. Many responded very well and would like us to come visit them some time. Talking with complete strangers, especially white ones, is a lot easier for me compared to last Christmas.
Well since December hit, Elder Siale and I have seen the Lord bless us with all kinds of service opportunities. On Saturday Elder Siale and I made around 25 sandwiches and took them around to the homeless. What made this so rewarding and special was when we took the time to sit on the curb with them and have an actual conversation with them. We talked with many about their families, what it's like to be on the streets, our own families, why we are here in South Africa, etc. It was a very special time Elder Siale and I had with these people. 
On Sunday we were given even more opportunities to serve. We went to an old age home with the Rynfield ward to sing carols and give out cookies. Following that we had some appointments planned but we got an unexpected call from a member who was needing to move out of her room that day. We quickly organized some stuff and ran over to her place. We spent the rest of the day from 5pm-10pm moving her and her family to a new home. 
Sunday evening we also received word about a member who was in need of some major help with renovating the floors in his home on Monday but was too humble and kind to ask us missionaries to help. So we quickly phoned him Sunday night and told him we would have an army of 14 missionaries at his home Monday morning to assist. So this morning as a zone we helped a member rip up the carpet in his home and sand the wood floors that were under the carpet. What would have taken him 2-3 days on his own, we accomplished in 2 hours. It was a sight to see lol.
I wish before my mission I had the desire that I have now to serve others. There have been so many times I've wanted to serve on my mission but haven't been able to due to certain rules (giving people rides or money, holding babies, babysitting, etc.). I hope we will all act on the opportunities we are given to serve. By small and simple things great things are brought to pass. When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are in the service of your God.
Love,
Elder Rash

Light The World booth at the Mall

He was excited to see Santa

Chicken feet!

I can't believe he likes them!

Making sandwiches and feeding the homeless

I love this missionary!