Exhaustion, and Absolute Bliss

The weeks have been full. The days have been busy. And then, how much I've learnt. I can barely imagine what my life would've been without having been here. The Lord truly sets the path and, if we follow, oh the blessings we will reap.

So far, Chatsworth stands to be the longest area in which I've served. Adding that I'm serving here with another companion; Elder Varner from San Diego California. I don't know how much longer I can handle his amazement with all things South African. Yes, he's only been here for two weeks.

I can hear Sister Hul's words echo from my first few weeks on mission, "Well, I can tell you this - I know that you will be serving with an American companion. And I hope that changes your attitude."

That was a response to my sometimes often rant of not liking how Americans change things (like spelling, for example - it still drives me mad). Now, her words echo true as I serve with my second American companion. And guess what? His favourite word is onomatopoeia. He even knows what pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is. Yes, that means I like him, but don't tell him that.

Our first few days set the tone with powerful lessons, and still we're holding true. He calls us the A-team; him, myself, and the Holy Ghost. Let's just say, you can't say no to us. From people not being interested, to them inviting us to come back.
Though, we've also had the miserable day with absolutely no appointments pulling through. Still, the blessings continue to pour. Literally. We've been soaked by the rain twice in the last week. I don't think I've ever worked this hard, or been this exhausted before. We're sleeping like rocks with all the hours we're putting in.

Not to mention the precarious positions we find ourselves in. We had a Saturday evening baptism and, somewhere along the line, someone forgot to pull the plug from the baptismal font. So, when we went back the following day, without a towel, without spare clothes, we got creative. Let's just say that it would have been really awkward if anyone walked in.

The highlight of the week, though, would have to be our encounter with a lady named Ethel, and her family. We had a referral from the missionaries in Queensburgh, telling us to visit this lady and her family, so we set the appointment. And it just so happens that she lived right next door to a family we just started teaching the day before (also a referral - from a Roman Catholic man who doesn't believe anything we say).

Turns out, she wasn't home, so we started talking to her other neighbour, who didn't want anything to do with us. By the end of our conversation, we were invited back to share with the whole family.

Then comes the call from Ethel. "We're so sorry we missed you, please come back." We go back the following day, and five minutes in, everyone is laughing, and simply having a good time. The family asked us questions, we asked them questions, and it was just all out good.

Turns out Ethel is a less-active member of ten years, and her husband and children didn't know much. When we pulled out a copy of the Book of Mormon, you should have seen her eyes light up. She looked at it as if it was the most precious thing in all of existence. And my heart just melted. That's how important this book is.

She said that it has been ten years since she's even seen the book, and that her and the family had been going to other churches, but once you've tasted truth, you can't settle for anything less.

Her husband, Takesure, said that he wanted us to come back seven days a week (after work of course). Best reply to return appointment ever! We'll be seeing them again on Wednesday.

We're exhausted! We're booked! In complete demand - really, that phone doesn't stop ringing, and the days are full a week in advance. I love it! There are moments when the Spirit cuts so thick, and you see things the Lord wants in so much detail. He takes us to people, and he brings people to us. He shows us things we could never have thought of before, and it brings people so much closer to Him.

Trust Him! Give the book a chance. It means so much to us, and millions across the globe. It has changed my life, and it can also change yours.

Moments in Time

It wasn't what I expected, and I'm still not sure that I'm used to it, but this is His work, and the little moments in time are the ones that matter most. From not knowing what to do, to unplanned, unexpected highlights of note. In the end, the Lord speaks, "Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation." (D&C 58:3)

It started on Monday, at the mission home with President and Sister Zackrison, and an on-the-spot Family Home Evening message for the Newcombe-Bond family. He looked at me, and I at him, What are we going to teach this family? We need to make this count. And, as a tender mercy, the idea came to me an the verse to him - inspired by the Spirit. We grabbed their attention, and even got the kids to think.

"Can I even do it for my sister?" Katrina asked, as we extended the invitation.

On Tuesday we offered service to the Holtzhausen family, hauling out branches coated in thorns, offering the same for their neighbours at a later date. Afterwhich, we went to McDonalds for lunch before our first long list of appointments in the area. Another blessing from the Lord, out of nowhere. We met a guy named David, for the second time that week, and after a long chat with him and his family he invited us to scouts that Friday evening (he's the assistant scoutmaster).

The day continued as we got to know a few less active members, witness the dedication of a home, and end with a powerful lesson on prophets with our, then, only investigator. Developing a relationship of trust is one of the most important things we can do, after helping them develop that relationship with God. Still, I am surprised at and grateful for what they're willing to share.

Wednesday came and we were able to sign up to volunteer at the local hospital, being assigned to the Occupational Health Department (another tender mercy of the Lord). We were able to meet a couple of people who knew a little bit about Latter-day Saints and offered the opportunity to assist with spiritual upliftment between and after therapy sessions, in addition to our assistance with patients and other activities around the hospital. We even had a good conversation with a local Jehovah's Witness couple proselyting in the parking lot.

On Friday we ran into a wall, with service in the morning and attempted tracting in the area later that day. Suffice to say that we should've just listened to our local Bishopric and Stake Presidency when they said "You shouldn't have even tried."

On Friday we had our first lesson with a new investigator who shared with us much of her current trials and challenges. Following the Spirit, we were able to speak the words she needed to hear and share with her a portion from the Book of Mormon which led her to say, "I needed to hear that." She took a copy of the Book of Mormon after we closed in prayer, along with a pamphlet of the Restoration.

That night was scouts and, to be absolutely honest, I had no idea how that was going to be of any benefit to us and our purpose as missionaries. However, as we arrived, David (the assistant scoutmaster) introduced us as "The Americans volunteering for their Church as missionaries." We were able to speak to many that night as the activities went on, and have others see who we are. David was really impressed that we showed up, even offering an extended invitation for the Friday nights to follow, and the scouts were more than excited to talk to us about absolutely everything. We were even able to meet the kids of a less-active family we'd been trying to get a hold of. We planted a garden that night, more than just a few seeds.

Then was Saturday. A day I won't likely forget, but an experience I probably needed. We met a man a the Shongweni Market who vehemently opposed LDS theology - in fact, he outright opposed all forms of organised religion, excluding his own, nameless, underground group of true disciples. As I found the first opportunity to begin speaking, he immediately cut me off and began his attempt to tear down every foundation of my belief and testimony. He told me that God was testing me, and that I failed. "You didn't have anyone to talk to. If I was there, I would've stopped you from making this grievous error." Even that God did not love all His children.

His opposition just reminded me of how important, and dear, my testimony is, and the words of a hymn came to mind (The Time is Far Spent).

"Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;

The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.

Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;

His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose."

I left him with a thought as we shook hands to say goodbye, "If we don't ask Go, how can we really know?" And his absolute refusal to ask God (as he never had) set in stone that his words couldn't be true. God loves us. I know this. He answers prayers. I know that too. I am where He has purposed me to be. That I know without a shadow of doubt.

We had a lesson with the Duma family that evening that granted me the opportunity to answer questions they had about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Restoration thereof. Questions to which I had answers. Things which I knew and felt to be true. We ended with bearing our testimonies, each of us smiling and committed to work harder at finding people to share this beautiful gospel with.

On Sunday we received a phone call from the new investigator we met with on Friday. The joy expressed over the phone was more infectious than anything I know. She said that after our lesson everything changed. She read the pamphlet cover to cover, reads the Book of Mormon every opportunity she finds, that the joy she felt was like nothing else, and that everything was going so much better than before. "I am a witness," she said.

It was a great week. Next week I'll tell you about how I took my companion to visit at Hillcrest Family Church, and the phenomenal encounters we had there. Apparently one of the ladies I was talking to was flirting with me like nobodies business. But that's a story for another time.

God loves you. Remember that. Never doubt that. He knows you and cares for you more than you could ever imagine.