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