First P-day Pics at the Golden Gate Game Reserve

I apologize for the sideways pics! When I get a bit more time I'll try to correct them. :)

Hanging in there with the Spirit, and just literally hanging on, perhaps to the roofs edge....

Getting his feet under him, Suiting Up & Serving

hello everyone!

so because i want to email so many of you, i am going to just send everyone an email each week talking about what i did that week, what was good, bad, and awful. i am hoping this will make it easier to get to everyone. i will still talk to everyone individually to answer questions and stuff but most everything will be in this email.

so monday dec 9th was p-day. after emailing all of you we took off to a place called golden gate. it is a small animal reserve type park. i was hoping to see zebras but there werent any. i did get to see some cool deer things that i think were gemsbok. i also saw antelope, buffalo and flamingos. it was a nice little drive and i got some cool pictures.

tuesday we went on exchanges. my companion elder m went to bethlehem and the district leader elder w came to phuthaditjhaba with me. we did a baptism interview for bro c. after we stopped at a home where we got into a bible bash by some pastor. got to love em.

wednesday was a hectic day. elder r is another elder that stays in our boarding. he is companions with elder k and they are in the driving area. well elder r was taking elder w back to bethlehem while me and his companion stayed behind. he got pulled over and taken to prison for not having a valid drivers license. so the couple missionaries had to save the other elders and bail him out. they brought him back to phuthaditjhaba but he is banned from driving. which means now i get to drive! luckily they got an automatic car so i wont die. now i am driving on the left side of the road on some of the worst roads in south africa. its nice!

thursday we painted an investigators house. none of the other elders would climb the sketchy ladder to paint the walls so i had to. im the biggest guy in the group and this ladder is four sticks tied together at the top by some twine! it was a miracle i didnt die!

friday we did our weekly planning which took all morning. after we did tracting. we tracted around an area that has been untouched by missionaries. we actually got to talk to quite a few people and leave pamphlets. we went to one older couple. we showed up and just started talking just casually. we introduced ourselves and the church and they started looking around nervously. we asked what was wrong and they told us about some other guys who had come saying they were children of god trying to share a message but they needed money. those guys ended up robbing the couple. we assured them we weren't robbers and we told them more about ourselves. They really seemed to warm up to us and asked us to come back! hopefully something will happen with them.

Saturday was hectic. we lost bro c  to an alcohol problem the day before his baptism... i was suppose to baptize him on the 15th of Dec. we had 8 appointments and all fell through. we didnt meet a single one. my companion and i were just walking down the road silently when we both just stopped infront of a house. it was one we had gone to before but the people didn't seem interested. we went up just to say hi and they let us in. inside the two sons who were late/mid 30's were there visiting. we talked with them mostly and they were very interested in our message and were both very powerful. they were the exact kind of potential priesthood holders this branch needs. we took their contacts and are hoping to continue teaching them. Sunday everyone was so excited about the baptism but we had to tell everyone it was being postponed... i was just down all day. it was supposed to be such a fantastic day for bro c  but now its gone.... i taught the investigator class about the gifts of the spirit.   everything went well.   after church we went and visited some less active members. i couldnt understand it, they are all so powerful and knowledgeable!    but they dont come because of the branch president who doesnt know his keys or how to lead the church... it has caused many people to leave the church.   Seriously tons say they will come back only when he is released.   its a big problem.

But overall,  it has been a super crazy hectic week but all the chaos did make it go by so fast! its funny, i think back on the week and i remember all the good lessons we had but i didn't remember the bad until i looked at my planner.  There really is so much good and great things happening here. The gospel in africa is exploding!  They all love the message, its just a matter of breaking the bad habits and the cultural customs that is rough. The people are quite prideful about those things. But every day i keep pushing forward. I try my best to follow the mission rules and do everything i can to be the missionary the Lord needs me to be. The work is rough, the days are long, and i come home finished, but it must go on. I only have 23 months left to convert the whole of South Africa! I love you all and couldn't thank you enough for the support! like you always say, :Suit up and Serve!" Love Elder P

Other bits and pieces from individual emails:

I love you so much mom. I cant even describe how thankful i am to have a mother that cared and loved me all my life. Kids here have no parents. Mothers leave them all day and go to the taverns then come home with men and its just bad. So bad. I am so thankful for you and dad and the safe home you raised me in.

I really hate reading these emails. I just start crying in the middle of this crazy internet cafe and everyone just looks at me weird but i dont even care! I really actually have been feeling so so good! Like there are so many disappointing moments, as you will read in my big email, but like my attitude has totally changed! I really just feel pretty great all the time and i enjoy going out and talking with people. Its crazy though because by the end of the day, i am straight finished! like i dont even want to eat! (But i do anyways because i love food) Mission really is so interesting. Its the greatest, its the worst, its the happiest, its the saddest, i dont understand it most the time! But really i feel much better about everything and all is well here in Phuthaditjhaba! But for reals look this place up on google to understand what im talking about here! or look up Qwa-Qwa. Its like the same place. But i really am looking forward to food that isnt rice!! We eat rice covered in hotdogs, onions, and tomatoes like every day. Or sometimes we sub out with some oxtail beef stuff. I was hoping there would be plentiful fruit everywhere but theres really not at all... Im sad... But the juice here is so nice so i kind of get the effect of fruit even though its just straight sugar! You really need to get your christmas up! I even put up my sign you sent me and set up a christmas tree! We play christmas music all the time too. You gotta step up your game... But ive been trying to send emails with pics but it really just doesnt work here! Everywhere i go they just dont work so i am sending home prints of the pics and ill just start sending the chip home. Tell dad i will prob use my card to buy 1 GB cards so i can just send them and not have to worry about losing all of my pics if one card gets lost or broken. Things here are weirdly cheap so hopefully it wont be too big of a deal. Thats about what i have for the moment but i sent that big email so hopefully that will help answer some questions! I love you so much! Tell brenner i love him and miss him as well. The letters are on their way somewhere! Love Elder P

Guys, proceed with caution--when he says "Funny thing" you won't find it funny...

Dad

I really feel like we had the exact same week just on opposite sides of the earth! Mine was crazy hectic and full of all sorts of disappointing and crazy moments but it really was such a quick week. I think i am starting to understand the whole losing yourself in the work and the time goes by quickly thing. I will be honest, the time still seems like it is going to take forever and i will be on mission for the rest of my life, but some days i get home and get ready for bed and it really feels like i just went to bed like 10 minutes earlier.   I hope that makes sense and i dont sound like some crazy guy... But honestly this week i have been feeling so much better about everything.   I was dying and so finished but this last week, i have had such a happy feeling like all week.   Theres been plenty of rough times dont get me wrong, but i still just have peace inside me.   I can tell that i have the spirit with me always.   I really dont think i knew what it felt like to have the spirit as a constant companion but now, being here, it is such a blessing!  I have peace all the time. The people still are racist towards me and there have been some sketchy moments that i will not tell you about until i am home but the whole time i just felt calm and secure.   sounds like all is well in Zion. thats cool you got to go with mom up to temple square and listen to motab and have a super cool date night!   I also hear you have avoided decorating for christmas somehow....? Never thought id see the day... But tell me about the whole job thing with Jacey? She said that she is doing the pretests now? Is this a part time thing? Are you trying to set up for 2 pretesters? I really am thankful that you are helping her out with this.   You will have to let me know what is happening. Overall ive had a pretty good week. The work is going slowly but surely. The food is still mostly just rice and hot dogs. I did see chicken heads and feet but i aint eating that yet! Funny thing though, so here everyone is Sutu. The young men around this time of year head up on top of this mountain and spend like 2 weeks up there. Its like a cultural initiation type thing where they prove they are a man. I guess they go up there and with sticks and rocks they circumcise themselves.... Weird. But my time is up for this week. I will let you know more next week. I love you and i am so thankful for the support you give me. 

Love Elder P

I'm glad all is well there! Tell emerson that uncle ham would love some pictures! i cant remember if i told you or not but i sent some pictures to emerson the other week so hopefully she will get them! Mostly the kids love me now! Like if i walk through a group of them i just get in a huge group hug and just stand there as they flock around me! its interesting with adults though. They will say hello but race is still a big problem here. They will listen when i talk but rarely make eye contact. Once i visit them a handful of times they will warm up to me but its still rough.     We cleaned a bunch, but (the apartment) still has a long way to go before i can shower in peace! The members feed us occasionally but its usually just rice and a small piece of chicken. It really is such a poor place and its so sad to me. 

Missionary Mom Christmas

While sitting in the temple this week, this is just what I was thinking about:

A Missionary Christmas (author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there. No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair. His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun. I've bought him all white clothes because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred. I've reread November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words. Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run. Abraham seems closer because,

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war? Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more. My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton For two years we will pray for him,

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine. He's always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine. The stories and lessons he always heard, his choice and mine are one. I'll put my faith in God's hand. This year,

I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand: Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand. It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done. My gift has taken years to make, This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands the sacrifice I'm making. Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking. For He has done it all before-- greater love, there could be none. For years ago God gave to me,

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray; Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say. Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make.

This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

Mold, Maggots, and Cockroaches, OH MY!

Excerpts from our emails this week 

That scripture really is one i look at all the time. 1 Nephi 3:7.

So I am in a place called Puthaditjhaba or Qwa Qwa. You should be able to google it and see. But it is interesting. I am the only white person so everyone either looks at me like a crazy person or they think i am the coolest thing since running water! (Running water just came about a year ago) It is very primitive here. I eat rice rice rice rice and more rice. They just eat it for everything because it is cheap. I found chicken heads and feet but i havent eaten any yet. The apartment is decent sized. About the same as your house now. But it is dirty and nasty and covered in mold! I think i have been getting poisoned just being in there... But i love teaching! i hate walking everywhere cause it takes an hour to walk to our area... but the teaching is awesome! I have already had one baptism and we have 5 lined up for the rest of the month! Everything is good here though. I was really homesick the last couple days and i wanted to come home but i did some praying and figured stuff out and i am all good again! 

So ya i can read music so i have been learning hymns! :) i can play called to serve, praise to the man, sweet hour of prayer, and a bunch of other ones i can play parts of! :)  

Mostly hand sanitizer doesn't exist here. I am going to die!! I sent pics of the lions in the mail and i am trying to email some so we will see what happens! I am sure you have heard and know that this last little bit has been hard.... Everything is going good for the most part. This branch is struggling bad but we are bringing in more potential priesthood holders so hopefully we can help turn it around! I really do feel that support from everyone. When i get down (which is a lot) i just start thinking of family, friends, neighbors, everyone and i remember why i am here. I am not here for myself. I am here for these people who need to experience the happiness that is in our little valley. People here have no hope in life and have no purpose.... Those we find really need and i mean they are looking for this gospel. they are looking for the hope and the guidance. I hope all is well and i cant wait to skype you on christmas! I will try to find out more when i can! I love you mom. Tell Brenner i love him and miss him. I also sent him some stuff in the mail so hopefully it comes sometime! Love Elder P 

 hahaha you dont judge me!!! It was the last elders that left it awful so we had to clean it and there were maggots and cockroaches all over! Nasty! But i made them clean it so i didnt die!! 

This has been a really rough week for Elder Peterson..Prayers on his behalf would certainly be appreciated, and an encouraging email would be great, as well! :)
dallis.peterson@myldsmail.net

Phuthaditjhaba, Elder P's first area!

Yessss! The first email from the field!

Madre!

Ok yes i got the pictures and it looks like you had quite the eventful time with E(merson)! I am seriously so glad i didnt have to do christmas lights this year! They are way to ridiculous! Ammon probably planned to be gone so he wouldnt have to help either! haha what a genius! But with the job, that is awesome!! He really is some kind of business superman! Emerson is such a crazy cute little girl! You will have to make sure that these letters i am sending to you get handed to Marissa. I am sending them today and there are some pictures for emerson in them. Tell brenner that the hunt still continues for more weapons. Also i saw some lions the other day!! They are crazy huge! They were kind of far off but i am going today hopefully to go get some pictures to send next week! Karate will be way good for him and way cool to learn! Maybe he will be able to take me when i get back! muahahaha! I am glad D(anielle) and B(rett) are doing good! Hopefully the car does work cause that thing is a piece... It sounds like everything is going quite smooth back home which is great! You will have to tell everyone Hi for me!

My first week here has been hectic as can be! I got called to serve in Puthaditjhaba! It is the most ghetto, poor, primitive place in the whole mission! the people are mostly great and listen well but it is so nasty and dirty here i am kind of afraid for my health... But we had our first baptism yesterday and the girl asked me to talk about the Holy Ghost. We have a ton of investigators with dates on the 15 and 22 of Dec. I am pretty pumped about that! My companion Elder M is so cool! He has only been out a year and i am his first trainee. We get along great and teach very very well. The other 2 elders in our boarding are also awesome and we all get along! The only problem with this whole thing is i have to pay so much to email so im trying to hurry and get in as much as i can in a short amount of time! but all is well here! I cant wait to hear more! I love you all! 

Love Elder P

Some additional excerpts for his dad:

Padre! 

The MTC was awesome! My companion was awesome! The food was awesome! Everything was awesome! Ive been trying to send pics but these people are not letting us so they will come next week! So the investigator in the MTC was just playing a role. He was hired to act as one. But still we were the first group to get him to commit. Some companionships didnt get him to at all. I really feel like i learned more in those 12 days about the gospel than i did in the last 18 years of my life! It was crazy! So now i am in Puthaditjhaba. It is the most primitive place in the mission. But the people are great! My companion is named Elder M. He is from Malowi. We get along great and have a strong teaching pattern. We had our first baptism yesterday and have about 5 lined up for the rest of the month! This is crazy because the average is 2 a month at the best! I can feel the spirit really just put words in my mouth when i teach. Its weird because i can never remember what i taught after! But my time is up here today. The people are way pushy and weird that run this... So read the email i sent mom! Love Elder Peterson I will write more next week! and in a letter!

His dad's letter to him (because its full of great missionary advice):

               Elder Peterson,

It has been so nice getting all the photos and Emails from Sister Reber, it looks like all of you enjoyed to MTC so much, what a great group.

Tell me a little about your experience in the MTC.

What happened to the man you two committed to baptism? is he moving forward and if so who will baptize him?

By the time you get this Email, you will be in your first area, with your trainer.  This will be a very exciting time and a growing time, you might start feeling a little home sick and if your companion is about done with his mission, he might be getting trunky  But now is the time to learn all you can from him, it was my trainer that really got me to love missionary work, we worked hard because he was leaving and wanted to make sure he accomplished everything he was sent to do and I was on fire from the MTC and also finding Janie, (the lady that know my name from her dreams). Cam, I hope and pray that the two of you really dive into the work, as my trainer and I did it; will set the stage for the rest of your mission.   Get to know the members and share with them your love of the gospel and your love for them, it will pay off big they will love you and trust you with their friends and family, and you will be an instrument in converting many. 

Write and tell us about your area, new companion, apartment (or as we called them "our pit"), the food and anything else you can about where you are. Also send as many pictures as possible. 

Things here are the same, we are all doing great and sooo very proud of you and the things you are doing, Sister Reber was truly impressed by your willingness to try and to do things, she said President Reber and she know you will be a great and effective missionary, but mom and I know that from the time you where born, you have always been willing to try everything and have always been a light in our lives, continue to Suit-Up and Serve and be a light in the lives of those around you.

Cam, I Love you and I'm so Very proud of you !!!

DAD

The following is a description and photo of the area around Phuthaditjhaba, taken from the travel blog "My Take" (Ammon, I think you would enjoy this blog) :
The surrounding landscape was fascinating to observe, with its vastness, the yellowness of the maize in the surrounding fields and the distinctive flat-topped hills seemed reminiscent of the U.S. Prairies, Australia, and Arizona (the last being what my American friend said). The vast flatness of the land seemed to stretch for miles into the distance, broken up only by frequent flat-topped peaks, and save for grass and maize, devoid of much vegetation. This being winter in South Africa, the landscape seemed particularly arid.

We also passed a dusty but populous town with an incredibly difficult name that I can’t pronounce – Phuthaditjhaba. During the apartheid era, it served as the capital of QwaQwa, a bantustan homeland. Some parts along the side of the road were charred black from being deliberately set on fire, a sight that would be all too common in the next 2 days. This was a tactic to protect against raging wildfires, burning the ground to make it so dry that fires would not spread.