The Lord Will Do His Own Work in His Own Time

Sawibona!

Well its been another good week here in South Africa! The Sun finally made an appearance yesterday and everyone is recovering from being swept away in the floods so I would say its a great day! Ok, thats a little over dramatic but ya its been just rainy and windy and normal tropical weather here this week. But today its very sunny (so far) and looks like a beautiful day! 

This week has been pretty nice. We have kind of decided that we need to do a lot of finding here. We were doing our weekly planning and realized theres not that many people to plan for. Most everyone is kind of falling away and we are dropping them for now. When you make phone calls and show up and no one is there, it gets pretty annoying. So this week has been finding finding finding! We seriously have contacted for multiple hours each and every day. We usually have somewhere around 3 or 4 appointments each day but the rest of the time its just standing on corners passing out materials and trying to talk to the world! Sadly its been a very normal week and I don't have much to share but there was something I thought was very cool. 

So kind of all week we have been struggling getting contacts. We talk to hundreds of people but only maybe 1 person will give us a number or accept us to come again. Its not been very successful and I was starting to really get down. Seemed like no matter how hard I tried I couldn't find a single person. Well yesterday we got to church early so we could greet everyone that came and be there when investigators showed up. It starts getting to 8:55 (church starts at 9) and no one has come. I was pretty disheartened and we went in and sat down. But surely just as the meeting starts, 2 members come walking in each with a friend they brought for the first time. And a few mins after that, Ntombi (who is Tokoso's aunt and one of our investigators) comes in with her son! Never ever have I been so excited to see someone new faces come in to the chapel! As soon as we could we went up to them and talked and scheduled appointments and they wanted to learn more about the church. At this point it seemed like an answer to our prayers. New investigators, at church, with member friends! Well just when I thought this was cool enough, Sis Tish (who is the librarian) comes out into the foyer after sacrament with a big box of old books and magazines that were for whoever wanted them. I knew that Gran (whom we take the sacrament to every week) would love some new reading material. I grabbed a few ensigns and started flipping through them. I love reading the 'Latter Day Saint Voices' and started reading them. Well the first one I read was in one from like 2002. I started reading and it was about how the Lord will do his own work in his own time. I found out this week how true that really is. There are people here whom the Lord has prepared to receive this gospel. Its just our job to find those people and lead them to the truth. And sometimes they even find us. It was a blah week, but this experience on Sunday, this made it awesome! 

Other than that the highlights of the week have been:

On Tuesday we went to Innocent's house and we helped clear the jungle and make a garden. I attached pics in dropbox. It was seriously a thick bush but I got to use the machete and hack through it like a real african. It was pretty legit. But we got rained out so we have to finish the rest sometime this week. 

Wednesday we had ZTM and talked more about finding. Seems we aren't the only area in the mission having the same problem. But it was a nice meeting and we learned a lot. I also received the Halloween Package! Thank you mother! Elder Ngandu thought the Ghost Poop Tic Tacs were hilarious haha. 

Saturday we went to the Riese/Russell family and watched the South Africa vs. New Zealand rugby game! SA won by the way! It was super fun! They made a bunch of hot dogs and we were going to have a competition until we remembered Elder Chapman is from Tonga... He ate like 15 in the time I ate 3. And I was finished after! haha. But Elder Farmer and Elder Neilson from Durban came as well so it was fun to talk with everyone. 

But thats about been my week this time. Not too much really happened but its been a good normal week. This week we have zone conference on Wednesday which should be good. But other than that its going to be more finding! Yay!! I hope everyone has a great week and I look forward to hearing from you soon! I love you all

Walking, Walking, Walking….

Well hi again everybody! I kind of can't believe this week is already over. Honestly it was a super short week and I feel like I must have slept through half of it. Weird. But this week has been very interesting. I can't say it was a 'bad'week, but it was not a nice week. 

Basically it all boils down to one thing. Our mode of transportation. So ok, Wednesday night we were at Sis Khetiwae's house. Well she lives kind of far from town, right on the edge of the township. It was late-ish around like 6:45 and it was dark and a little stormy. We had just finished a lovely lesson and were headed out the door. We needed to leave there and bike clear to the other side of town, back towards our boarding to meet with our last appointment. We grabbed our bikes (no they didn't get stolen, I know what you were thinking) and took off down the road. Well we were maybe a block away and I was a little in front of my companion. As I turned to start down the hill I heard him yell something. I stopped and turned back right in time to see that………………….his bike had a flat tire! Oh my goodness! (Hope I didn't worry anyone that time ;)) But ya his tube was totally done for and we had a long way to go and it was night and there's nowhere to get quick bike repairs done. So we started pushing towards the nearest gas station which is on the other side of town still. After a while we made it and tried to pump it up and hope it would last till we got to the appointment. We rode about 10 feet and it was dead again. So Elder Ngandu hopped on my bike and rode it while I picked up his bike and ran along side him. Now if riding a bike is an exercise, try being the bike! We must have gone 5 kilos! Halfway there, the pedals started falling off and I was dropping parts all along the road. It was a hectic evening. But then we took the bikes to Durban to get fixed and he said we wouldn't get them until Monday. Awesome. Now we have been walking all week and that absolutely slaughtered our lessons. We ended the week with the lowest stats of my entire mission so far and I feel so awful. Like I know we couldn't really do anything about it but its just not a good feeling. But the AP's found out and they called us and informed us that they had found an extra car and now we will be driving again today! Yay!! Means we will get to our good appointments on time but Elder Peterson will have to be doing some legit exercise in the mornings now! I still think we will try and spend a lot more time walking and maybe biking but it will be nice to get back on track with everything. Toti is just a big area to try and handle without one. 

But ya because of that our week was pretty finished. It was pretty normal and we meet the usual people but there was one thing that was really cool. So on Thursday we had to take the other Elders car into Durban to drop off the bikes. On our way back we decided we should stop by the mall where Innocent works and see if we could see him at work and find out how he is doing. So we made a quick detour and got over there. We asked around the car guards until one told us where he was. He was in the back on one of the sections that is less busy. We pulled up and he was so happy to see us! We started talking and he explained how his work works. The parking lots are divided into sections and the car guards rotate sections each day. Today he was on this section that he knew was the least busy. He said he wanted to call us and tell us to come and visit him at work because we would be able to talk but he didn't have any money to buy airtime. Me and my companion just kind of looked at each other really surprised then Innocent said, God really does allow miracles to happen. It was the best experience of my week! The Lord really will have his work go forward and make the ways for it to happen. We finally got to meet up and talk about everything. He still wants to be baptized but his new boss won't let anyone miss Sundays now... gotta see how that will work. His family is doing good but we could tell life has been rough for them lately so we went into the grocery store and bought him some lunch and a few extra treats to take home for his family. He was absolutely beaming when we left! I don't think I will ever forget that smile or this instance. 

We were able to meet with most everyone. We meet Mongezi again and had an awesome awesome lesson! We had dropped him and I had kind of forgotten about him but my companion really wanted to see him so we went over and it was the best lesson! Him and a friend were there and we talked all about the Restoration. We kept asking them if they would follow Christ's church and kept asking as we explained the entire lesson. At the end they both just said they wanted to meet again. It was a perfect lesson and I hope it continues! I can see them in the church now! They seemed so prepared to hear about the gospel. 

We saw Lucky and he sort of had a small step back. He is really good friends with a kid that goes to a very energetic church. And we saw him yesterday and he wanted to know why we don't speak in tongues... I know we have to but I really hate when it comes to the proving other churches wrong and tearing down some of the principles... I try and focus on the proving our church right aspect but sometimes there's no other way. But we tried to explain and we read from Corinthians and he seemed to understand. But he was going to go and share it with the friend and the friends parents (who are the pastors) and then let us know. I feel like we are in an epic tug of war with this other church for this kid. Its been interesting but I think he sees the truth in our message. Gonna see what happens. 

The Mhlanga house is still coming along nicely! All the walls are done and the roof is finished. Now its just putting on plaster everywhere and doing the tiling and putting in windows and everything else before Wednesday... the daughter that is paying for it all is going back to the army and it all has to be done before she leaves. But they have been working hard so hopefully it works! The family in the gospel is still at a stand still but should progress soon. 

Everyone else is either still the same or we didn't get to meet with them much. A lot of people were saying the whole come back tomorrow every day for a week... Some were gone to work outta town and some we just haven't been able to make it to. Its been a week but it really cruised by so fast! It'll be nice to be able to see everyone this week and get back on track. Hopefully we will find some more people as well. Should be a good week though! Gonna watch a rugby game for Family Home Evening on Saturday! I hope everyone has a good week! I love you all so much!

Elder Peterson

Rollin' in Style #adrenalinejunkie

Oh my goodness. This week has been a legit roller coaster. I want you all to know that there is nothing more thrilling than riding bicycles downhill, in the dark, with no lights, on a twisty road, with cars flying by, in the middle of Africa. #adrenalinejunkie.

So ya this week our car was stolen. It was Thursday about midday. We were at the church and a big white van pulled up. 4 guys came out and demanded the car. We had no choice but to give it to them and watch them pull away in it. They at least let us keep our bags and things which was really nice but we no longer have a vehicle... It was an emotional day to say the least.

But ya those 4 guys were the missionaries from the Kwa Mashu area in Durban ;) I guess there is a shortage of vehicles and theres 8 missionares there that walk 3 hours into their area. So the AP's said they need a car and we are about the only area around that could lose a car and still somewhat manage. So yep ours in now gone and we were given a sick pair of bikes. So we have been biking around a lot the last couple of days. Luckily the Toti 2 elders have a car and can drop us off and pick us up. Otherwise its a 10K bike ride from the boarding to the area. Really though its a blessing in disguise. I am going to lose so much weight and I will have rock hard thighs. No one will touch me in soccer by the end of the transfer. So far I haven't been too sore or tired from it. Other than my backside hurts from sitting on the seat all day. But by the end of the transfer (yes we will be on bikes for a full 6 weeks) I will probably be so drained!

This week has been pretty good though. The bikes make it a lot harder to see as many people as we use to see and our stats for last week about cut in half which about made me sick. Its funny though cause the numbers have gone down but I feel much more like a missionary. We talk to everyone, just hello as we cruise by and it just feels so much better! Its also like the lessons we have are 10 times better. They seem more natural. They are almost more informal and they work better. You feel like having a conversation and not just shooting out information like a computer. Its a great feeling. We had a lesson with Lucky who is Khetiwae's son. We were driving by and we saw him and we stopped and sat down in the shade under some ladies porch and we just started talking and by the end of it we had taught the entire Lesson 3! It was probably my favorite lesson of the week!

This week was kind of hectic with the transfer and things but let me tell you whats been going on:

Monday we just hung out and cruised around while Elder Nzioka said goodbye to everyone. Very normal boring day but nice to relax.

Tuesday we had to go into Durban to drop off missionaries and pick them up. Nzioka left to Dundee and Oluoch from Margate went to Kwa Mashu. We then picked up Elder Chapman who replaced Nzioka. He is a tongan guy who is probably 6' 5" and weighs close to 300. He is a beast! He has a scholarship to play football at BYU as a nose guard so he is basically ginormous! His companion Elder Mastara is like 5' 7" maybe 100 soaking wet. They look awesome together haha! He is super cool though and we get along really really well. He thinks its awesome I wanted to serve in Tonga and says he will cook dog for me one day haha. Elder Rasmussen's new companion is named Elder Ncube (Click on the C) who is brand new straight from the MTC! We got to pick him up and take him home. It was funny though because there is another missionary who is going to be trained by a different Elder Peterson so when I showed up at the Mission Home this kid attacked me and was so excited until I explained his companion was on the other side of the mission and he needed to take a 10 hour bus ride to get there... But I appointed myself as GodFather over the kid!

Wednesday we did service at the Deaf School all morning. It was nice and we got to play more soccer with the kids. I got invited to a B-Day party so that was cool. We went and helped the Mhlanga family more. The house has the foundation, floor, and walls done now. They are hauling! Lots of service today mostly.

Thursday was the day of sadness when we lost the car... We took a lovely walk from the church to the middle of the township about an hour away to meet Tokoso. Had a nice chat with him and then took a long walk back through the township at night to get to the chapel. Long distance but really not that scary. People are very scared but its not that bad I feel like. I will never take any of you there but still.

Friday we got the bikes. The fun began! We had a lesson with Khetiwae and then after we needed to drive from there into the other area and meet at a members house for dinner. Well that place is clear on the other side of Toti and deep into that township. So off we went! This is when we were riding downhill at night through the windiest most awesome road ever! I really felt so awesome! We cruised clear down the road and at the bottom there is a one way bridge that we need to cross. I got about half way and I saw a car coming from the other side. He saw me and stopped and I made it through. Well my companion had slowed down a lot and was a little behind me. The guy didn't see him and started to pull into the bridge and about knocked him but he slipped by and we continued our journey. But now it was straight uphill to get to the township. 1st gear for like 30 mins of pumping and we are barely moving. haha it was an adventure! But then the other guys found us and gave us a ride the rest of the way. I guarantee we got half way there. Our goal is to make it the whole way at the end of the transfer.

Saturday we played soccer in the morning. Mini was there so he is not dying thankfully. We had some investigators come which was nice. Tokoso came like normal, and Lucky came too which was so so good! Then Mongezi came. He was an investigator way way back that we dropped and now is picking up again so that was cool. Had a beautiful morning and played some good games. Scored 2 goals. No big deal. After we went and helped Khetiwae check papers so she could get them all done and come to church. Its been too long since I have done math. 2nd grade math was kicking my butt. We also saw Vusi and family and had a great lesson on the Book of Mormon. They are such a perfect family! Just have to get them to church and I swear they will be sealed in the temple. I feel so good about them.

Sunday we had good meeting at church. 107 people showed! Pretty awesome. Lucky came to church for the first time which was a huge step and he really enjoyed. He was fellowshipped good so hopefully he will keep coming and progressing. We had a lot of meetings with people today but not many lessons. Seemed to be members needing us and people not showing. Bad day for lessons but it was a very nice day. Couldn't ask for better weather thats for sure! You can check the weather online and just be so jealous its ok ;)

Innocent has been working all week again. We have called and talked a few times but thats it... His baptism on the 28th isn't looking too good right now...

Roger is in Richards Bay so we haven't seen him either. He is going to move there permanently in a few months so that will be that.

Things are going good and everything is working out nicely. We are just trying to get used to the bike situation and scheduling things. Proving to be difficult. But things will start working out and we will be able to do lots of work here! I hope everything is going well back home and everyone has a fantastic week! I love you all!

Elder Peterson

Let the Heavens Rejoice!!!

Hello everyone!

Well its a beautiful Spring morning and the sun is out, its like 90% humidity, the temperature makes you want to die, and all is well :) Its the start of a new transfer and things should be awesome! I am staying here with Elder Ngandu in Amanzimtoti. Only Elder Nzioka is leaving from our boarding. He is going to Dundee and the Elder that is coming is named Elder Chapman. He is a ginormous Polynesian guy. His companion Elder Mastara is like a pencil. Cut in half. It should be way fun though! I did learn that Elder Makande is going to Kloof to be his dying area. He will finish his last 3 months there and then he will be going home. Crazy to think he is almost done. But Kloof is in Durban so hopefully I will see him again sometime soon. We also found out that all the elders were taken out of Lesotho for reasons unknown. Big problems and its no longer safe so now Lesotho and Swaziland are gone so we are stuck in South Africa!

The week was good though! On Monday we went to that huge reptile farm I was talking about. Its called Pure Venom and it was absolutely terrifying! It was just snaked and spiders, and lizards, and crocodiles, and chickens, and turtles, emus! Ehh it was all the things that I hate bundled together in one confined area. And I paid 80Rn to see it! But it was way fun! Saw lots of fun things including a huuuuuuuge anaconda that made me so nauseous. It was disgusting and fantastic. We had a good time then went to the Margate boarding to make food. Me and Elder Rasmussen made some pizzas and we all feasted! So mom, you sent me that recipe for pizzas, I taught Elder Kakaire to make them, He taught Rasmussen, and then Rasmussen was reminding me how. The circle of life in Africa im telling ya.

Tuesday we held DDM in their chapel and came home. I made Nzioka drive so I could sleep on the way home. I didn't sleep at all on their floor. I usually can sleep anywhere but not that night. Too many snakes and spiders crawling on me.... But we went into the area and saw Roger. We are still working hard on his smoking and trying to get him to quit. He is doing better but still has a ways to go. But he is great and he wants to follow it so he will eventually. We also went to the Mhlanga and the house was totally down and the foundation was being made. The work is going soooo fast without us haha. They will be finished in a matter of weeks I am telling you. Before I leave here, the house will be made.

Wednesday was interesting. We were going to go to the other area and help an investigator paint the house but she bunked. So we went to help a member make her road. I thought that meant we were going to clear a place for a driveway. Boy was I wrong. We had to clear probably 50 yards of weeds, level the land, and make it wide enough for cars to pass and go down to her house. All with 3 shovels, a rake, and a pick. I have blisters all over my hands. We were seriously finished after! FINISHED! But we had to come home and shower and head out. We meet up with Khetiwae and crew. They have an interesting situation there and its so hard to try and help it out. So Lucky is her son who is 18. He use to be quite the hood rat and causing problems. Then he got in an accident and he decided to change his life around. He quit everything and wants to do whats right. But Khetiwae doesn't want to deal with him anymore. She wants to buy him a small house, put a bed in there, and let him live on his own now. He is only in grade 9 though. So he can't work full time unless he drops out and thats not good. We tried to get some negotiations going and get to a conclusion but things are too rough between them. Very very hard but we want to get him learning and ready for baptism but its not going well...

Thursday was quite fun though. We had lots of open time for finding. But honestly, at the end of the transfer you are just so tired for some reason and tracting and contacting are the last things you want to do. But we went out for it. Just down from the chapel there is a set of robots (Stoplights for you who aren't quite into the African lingo yet ;)). Elder Ngandu took charge in contacting the people walking around and handing out pamphlets and taking details. I was on pass along card duty. When the cars stop at the lights. I would walk down the middle of them and hand them to the people in the cars. Honestly worked really really good! White people actually took things from us!!!!!!!!!!!! Let the heavens rejoice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it was cool because some of the cards have a picture of the Book of Mormon and if the person calls they can get a BoM. Well I would hand them out and a lot of people said, "Hey I love this book! I read it all the time!" or "Hey! I have friends who are mormons! You people are really nice!" It was nice to get some positive reactions for a change! But one guy who was a taxi driver. I went up and offered him one and he just stared at me. I told him it was for a free movie and he just stared at me. I said well maybe these people want some and offered a couple to give to the people in the taxi and he just stared at me. So I asked him, Where are you going right now? and he just stared at me. So I just said, Well looks like you are going no where, Have a good day! Some people just don't wanna talk I guess haha. We laughed pretty good about it. We went and had dinner at Sis Sue's house. She made us a sheep knuckle stew. It sounds really weird and gross but it was quite nice. Just tasted like a beef stew really. Then we finished up at Tokoso's house. That family hasn't been progressing very well lately so we kind of just gave them a little fire and said they will be at the appointments we set. We set for every Tuesday and Thursday so they better be there or we might bring out more fire! But I hate fire so it prob won't happen haha.

Friday we did our planning and just had a very normal day. Up and down to appointments and doing whatever. Mhlanga's house was progressing more, not necessarily them but whatever. Vusi got called to work late shifts this week so we haven't been able to catch him much. Just stopped by before going home to see how he is doing but thats it. His daughter is always home so we stop by and say hi during the day since she is there alone. She asks for pictures so I give her ensigns she can cut pictures out of. But not much excitment today.

Saturday was transfer day. And transfer day is like a holiday in the mission I swear. We started the day by playing Soccer with the ward. Had a good time and the cleats were rocking it. Then after that our Zone Leaders, mostly Baba Elder Makande organized a soccer match between the missionaries and a local team in Umlazi. Figured its a good way to get good relations with a lot of guys at the same time. So we went to Umlazi in deep deep township area and meet up on a field. Well we start kicking around and all the people show up to watch a bunch of Mulungus (White people) play soccer. A decent sized crowd was now there and we were getting nervous. The team named the Trouble Tigers is supposedly quite the good club. Then we heard they were coming around the corner to the field. At this point we are expecting like professional ballers coming around cause the people are excited the kids are running around and we all think we are going to get eaten by some kind of animals! Then we see them. In matching gold and black uniforms storming down the hill. I have never been so petrified in my life! 15 or so thirteen year old boys came charging at us. We didn't know what was happening. The game started and they gave us a serious hiding. Of course all the africans started and me! Here's little Utahn me running around trying to play a sport I've learned over the last 2 months against a bunch of 13 year old veterans! Eish but they ran up and down us and beat us 3-0. the people were laughing so hard and I was just thankful it wasn't my area we were playing in. We came off the field not knowing whether we should laugh or cry. Like yes a bunch of people are our friends now and we handed out lots of pamphlets, but our confidence has hit rock bottom. hahaha I really wish I could describe just how awful that game was. We didn't even play. Its like when senior year football and we played beaver at homecoming and got hammered 55-0. It was quite the experience but it was really quite fun. But my cleats got finished. The insides tore out and I know why they were only $10. Still gonna put tape on them and use them but ya China shop shoes aren't Messi approved. But I got some mail so I was very happy today! And transfer news was good so no problems! Nice day for sure.

Sunday at church was the primary program here as well! From one side of the world to the other they still do the exact same things. It was a nice program though. An afrikaans couple had wandered into the church and I took charge to go and talk with them and make sure they had friends and everything. Things went perfect! People said hi and talked and talked. I sat by them during sacrament and they were during great. They took of the sacrament and all seemed well. The program went and and then probably 15 mins before the end of the service the lady leans over to the man and whispers some things in afrikaans then gets up and walks out. I thought she went to the restroom. A few seconds later he leans to me and says they need to go but they will be back next week. I was hopeful so I walked out with them to get their contacts. As we walked out he asks me, What is the name of this church again? and I told him. He said ok and then told me to go talk to his wife while he ran to the restroom. I went out and asked her how it was. She said "umm it was nice. Not exactly what I expected for a church but its alright." I then explained primary and the program and thats not how it usually is and everything. She didn't seem very satisfied though. I talked to them trying to keep whatever I could going and managed to take their number. They left and I went back in feeling a little down about it but nothing bad. After sacrament Jenny Reise called me over and asked me how it went. I explained what they said and everything. Then she who was sitting behind us and speaks afrikaans told me what she thinks had happened. Right before the lady got up, a child was up front bearing his testimony and said I know the Book of Mormon is true. And thats when she started looking around and talking to the husband. Eish... But we will call them and see what we can do and hopefully they will come back! After church we saw the usual's. Khetiwae and lucky are still not on good terms but he says he will come on Sunday no matter what. Saw Sis Thembisile who is Mini's grandma and she feeds us every sunday night. Well Mini has a serious problem and is going to the hospital probably right now today so thats not good. Not gonna go into details though. Then we finished up at the Riese family for some dessert and to help drown our sorrows in ice cream over the almost lost family. It was a nice day though. Things are going pretty good.

Roger finally got a job though! Only its in Richards Bay which is 2 hours away... So we see him today and then we will see what happens from there...
Innocent is so busy working we couldn't meet him but he should have his off day this week so we can see him and get ready for his baptism on the 28 Sept.

Things went pretty smooth this week and it was a good week. Just glad to get into a new transfer and get things moving forward! I have been so so tired for some reason but its like I got reenergized now? Its gotta be a weird mind thing/placebo effect. But I hope everyone has a fantastic week and I will talk to you all soon! I love you very much!

Elder Peterson

Tearing Down the House

Hello again! 

Well this has been quite the week! I don't know what it is about the last weeks of the transfer but you just start getting so tired and for some reason the work just dies! Its like everything goes against you for like a week and a half and then its fantastic again when the new transfer comes! I don't get it but I am looking forward to the new transfer next week! 

Its been a good week, nothing bad has happened, but its just not been as fantastic as the last couple of weeks. I don't know but let me share whats going on-

On Monday after emails we went back to the boarding and meet up with the Zone for our Zone Activity. We ended up playing a nice game of soccer and running around all over the place! Once we were all finished we went back to the house and started our Braai. We started some fires and cooked loads and loads of meat. Like the combined weight of all the meat would be like an entire cow. It was fantastic. We ate and sang and partied until the late hours of the night (which is 9 p.m. cause obviously we have to be in and safe). #LivingDangerous

Tuesday we had our normal DDM and then off to the area. We meet lots of people and had some nice lessons! We meet up with Roger and talked some more about the Word of Wisdom. He promised to live it and we are working on helping him do that. He is trying his best and wants to be baptized but he can't. We don't know exactly how to tell him either but we are working on it. Maybe using Presidents ways of just throwing in Chastity first is the way to go. We also meet with Vusi. Vusi is the younger guy we meet with President. We meet him and his girlfriend and daughter and had the best lesson I swear. Taught about the Plan of Salvation and they all just knew exactly what was going on. They answer questions and explain them perfectly and say the church is true. So awesome!

Wednesday we went to the Deaf school by the church and did some service. We went expecting like a small 1-2 hour weed, clean the leaves kind of job but nope! We got put in charge to watch over the kids while they cleaned up a race track, we had to set up computer networks and haul away old computers, we weeded and watered a garden, we played soccer and ping pong with them, and ate lunch with them. It was actually pretty awesome! The kids aren't all deaf. Its more of a school for deaf and slow learners. We talked to a lot and had a really good time! We saw Khetiwae and her daughter but the son has kind of left.... She hasn't seen him in a few days so no one knows.... We just hope he comes back and he's not back at the Church of Tongues! 

Thursday we meet with a less active as well today names Serenity. She is interesting. She comes to church sometimes but has no testimony of the Book of Mormon... She will read the Bible but not the BoM. Its kind of a weird situation but we went and talked a lot and built a good relationship. Now we have to build a strong testimony with her. We will see where it goes. We saw Vusi and family again and they were even better! We finished the Plan of Salvation and talked a little about the Restoration. They still love the lessons! We tried to go see Tokoso but him and his mom got in a fight and he isn't staying there at the moment. We lost him now too... Why do people just run away from home and no one knows where they are???? Frustrating but what can you do? 

Friday we did some service for Bro Stephen. We hauled a bunch of tile pavers around. Nothing exciting. We went home and weekly planned for a while then had some lunch. We went and tracted in a super rich part of town. That was a mistake. Didn't get to talk to a single person. A single person. Long day. We did get to play some soccer today though which was awesome! I bought a super cheap knock off pair of cleats from a China Shop and wore them. The members all thought it was awesome! Obviously it is awesome! And we played for a while. I always thought you have to have skill to play soccer, but nope, just have to wear cleats! Makes it so so so much easier! I felt unstoppable! We played a team of 13 year olds and beat them like 56-2! We must be professional ;) 

Saturday we saw Vusi again and taught the Restoration more. We explained all about the apostasy and how the same exact church was brought back. He said that it made perfect sense and it seems so true. Such a power lesson! We left him to read the Book of Mormon and we go back soon to see whats going on. We did some more service today. Helped Bro Stephen move a bunch of old furniture out of a storage locker into their house. We went for lunch and I made us some pancakes. Delicious pancakes. We went to the Mhlanga family and their house was missing. We showed up and the house is half gone! I was so confused! As we got closer I could see them knocking it down and shoveling it away. We went and helped! We started beating walls with picks and hammers and shoveled away the rubble. The house is made of like hard mud and concrete so we just broke it up. They want to make a bigger nicer house so we might be helping do that this week!

Sunday we had a packed house at church! 106 people! Usually its like 90ish. But we only had 1 investigator instead of like 8... What do you do? We went and had lunch with the Riese family then off to see Innocent. We watched the movie the Testaments with him to help show the relationship between the BoM and Bible stories and explain more to him. I also gave his kids that bubble wand you had sent me and they loved it! The bubbles started down the road and all the township kids were chasing them everywhere it was kind of funny. We saw Khetiwae and the son is still not home. We talked to her about Pioneers and watched a little of the Legacy to explain the early history of the church. She has been learning so much and doing great! She loves the church and loves the gospel so much! She will be an active member for life. We finished our day with a trip to Mini for dinner where we had steam bread and beans. The meal we get every sunday night. Starting to hate beans again haha. 

Its been a relatively boring week and not much has happened. Most of the investigators and doing ok but the work has slowed down way too much. We need something to change so we can get it back up to where it was a few weeks ago! But this week is looking to be pretty good so hopefully it will be! Its the transfer news on Saturday and although me and my companion will be staying, one of the other elders in the boarding will be leaving so someone knew will be here soon. That should be fun to have a change! But I hope everyone has a great week and enjoys whatever fantastic things you are planning! I love you all so much and am always thankful for your love and support. Now i am off to go to the largest snake, spider, and crocodile farm in Africa! All the things I hate and I am going to spend my P-Day there! haha Bye!

Love Elder Peterson

Teaching with President Z; majestic soccer move

Well another week down and what a week it has been! I feel like we have done so much and we have been so busy! Just lots of meetings and activities and the week just cruised by! (Not that its a bad thing!) 

On Monday after the normal routine we went back to the boarding and got together with the elders from Umlazi and we went and played soccer on a little soccer pitch down the road. It was super fun and we all had a blast! It was a decent field and I was wearing sandals so I figured I would take them off and just play bare foot. It wasn't bad at all. Only one sticker the whole game and things were fine. Well we went home and thats when the problems happened. I must have broken the arch of my foot or something cause I could not walk!! I ended up limping around for 3 days wanting to cry! But it is back to normal mostly and only hurts if I step weird. But it was a fun day! 

Tuesday we took off early and meet with a new investigator named Shadrack. He is definitely prepared for the Restored gospel. He is annoyed with all the religions and knows his isn't even true. We talked about Joseph Smith and the Restoration and he was taking notes like crazy! We got done and he was like thats all great but now he is dead so you are all as lost as the rest of us. Well let us tell you about a man named Thomas S Monson ;) Very good guy! We also got a call from Khetiwae and went to see her. Well someone during the night had tried to break into her home. They had kicked in the door and broken it. When they couldn't get in that way (and somehow no one woke up) he broke a window and used a long stick with a hook on the end to reach in and grab her purse. As he was pulling it across the ground and lifting it up to the window level, thats when Khetiwae had gotten the impression to wake up. She looked over and her bag was floating in mid air! She screamed, grabbed it and fought with the man and took it back. He fled. Crazy story but no one was hurt and nothing was taken. We got the door fixed and her windows replaced. We went to a member family for FHE and dinner and I meet my new best friend named Nokwanda. She is 5 and loves everything I love. Dancing randomly, singing primary songs, and playing guns. We had a lovely time haha.

Wednesday we helped Bro Stephen move a huge concrete picnic table thing from one side of his house, across the back yard, through a fence, and onto the patio by the pool. It was a bunch of pieces and each piece took multiple people to carry. It was seriously one of the worst things ever. But despite almost losing fingers and toes, (Dad, you weren't the lucky one this week I guess) we got it all put together and it looked really nice. We went to the area and meet with Innocent and family. They are all still fantastic and he has just been working hard. I also had a lovely time playing catch with his son. Kids love me. I think I will take over some bubbles some time and we will have a bubble party. We saw Khetiwae again and everything is fine. We sat down and her kids actually meet with us!! Well 2 of the 3 anyways but still! They participated and read and it was a great lesson! We read 3 Nephi 11 and the son wants to be baptized now. The Sis also wants to come to church again! Hopefully the family can join her! 

Thursday we spent the morning at the Deaf school that is across the street from the church. We are going to start doing service there so they invited to come over for their sports day. The school was having races and games and whatever so we went and watched and meet some of the teachers and parents. Got some good contacts and had some fun. We also had our interviews with President Zackrison today. It was kind of a normal interview and we just talked about how Toti has been improving and he is glad I am working hard in the town and not as much in the township. Said to keep working hard because the Lord is pleased with what I am doing. Pretty nice to hear that :) Well President also came teaching with us today too... That was definitely intimidating!! You don't want to mess up and you just get so worried! I was so nervous for some reason! But we went and it was actually pretty normal. We went into the first lesson and it was a lady named Elizabeth (Who happens to be Khetiwae's good friend) and Lucky (Who is Khetiwae's son). We were just chatting a little and President asked if she was married. Then talked about how he has been married 40 years and they were both shocked! Then he proceeded to teach the Law of Chastity from step one hahaha. And they were so excited about it! He was just telling them not to have sex and going the whole 9 yards! This was the first time meeting with her so we were kind of scared but she loved it! It worked perfectly some how! Guess we need to start tracting using the Law of Chastity haha! We meet another guy and President talked straight to his soul and the guy accepted the Restoration and Book of Mormon without hastle. I don't know how he does it...? We finished the day with seeing Roger. We planned on sharing the Word of Wisdom. Well we showed up and it was a little late for that. I think he was a little on the tipsy side and the lesson was sort of upside down... Roger also had given us a Bible DVD and he started talking about how he had bought a new video and we needed to watch it and he was going to give it to us and I thought President was going to smite us! Cause he never mentioned Bible or anything spiritual so President probably thought Transformers 4, Frozen, Fast and Furious whatever else. I just stared at the ground trying not to look him in the eye haha. But we got done and went home and talked about the day and he said he was really very impressed with us and he trusted our companionship and everything we were doing. He said the Lord would really bless us if we keep it up. Weight on my shoulders lifted!! Success!! 

Friday we meet the Mhlanga Family and their older daughter who has been in Sudan fighting the war just came home so they were all excited and just wanted to hold a huge feast so thats what we did! We ate and ate and ate and celebrated her coming home. Don't know her but I will celebrate sure! Wooooh! We saw Khetiwae and family and talked more about baptism and the restoration. Things are looking good there other than the sons best friend belongs to a... not so normal.... church. He is convinced he can speak in tongues and his parents are over taken by the spirit and people fall down and eish churches here are like nothing I have ever seen before. Like almost hilarious. But we will see what we can do. 

Saturday we played some epic soccer in the morning! The ward was practicing and some guys from a club wanted to play us. We did and obviously these guys are really good. Well there was one guy that was a striker and he was way high minded and I didn't like him. I was playing defense as a left back. Well this guy got the ball and was going to score and I couldn't let that happen. So I come running across from the side and just before he can get his shot off, I slide tackled him like a straight superstar! I flew across laying my body on the line! I hit the ball perfectly out of the way, hammered his ankle so he knew not to mess with me again and then stood up all in one fluent majestic movement. I felt absolutely invincible! Everyone was cheering and I looked like a total stud. Then the pain came. I looked down and I had some major road rash up my leg and on my arm and it hurt bad! haha. But I played it off and hobbled around for the rest of the game because obviously I can't show pain in front of all my brethren! But its pretty painful when my pants just rub it all day but it was totally worth it! Well we went home after and me and Elder Rasmussen (Serving in Margate, from Manti, here for exchanges) decided to get pizza. We ordered 3 for some reason and feasted! We ate and ate and ate and pounded them all! Nothing can make you feel emotionally so happy and physically so unhappy as eating 3 large pizzas. Worth it again. We then went to Durban for an Adult Fireside by Elder Cook. They were talking all about families and young couples getting married (President wanted missionaries to attend for this). There was a lot about culture stuff like lebola and paying families and whatever but they wanted people to understand how important it is to start families and be sealed in the temple to complete the Plan of our Heavenly Father. It was a really nice meeting. I am just glad I don't have to pay 11 cows to get married ;) (Don't get any ideas!!) 

Sunday we had 9 investigators and less actives at church! It was packed! Very nice service and everyone enjoyed. After we went on exchanges again and I went with Elder Mastara into Illovo which is the township. We went to a members house where they have a Cottage Meeting every week. Basically the members gather and sing, pray, and have a lesson. Like a mini church service. Well I was asked to speak. I talked about how all of us come from different cultures, whether it is from our forefathers or the culture of the world, and how we need to change and adopt the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Focused on how it doesn't matter what the worlds culture is, it is wrong if it is not following the teachings of Christ. Talked about how we can change our culture by keeping the commandments as starters and then developing Christ Like attributes. It was kind of last minute but it worked really really well. A couple missionary always comes and they even said they were really impressed. It was a fun meeting and fun to meet in a semi formal way and teach. We visited around and meet with Bro Cosmos. He is a member that is very very poor. He builds for work and does jobs for poor members of the church for free. He is very humble and doesn't want to ask others for help though. We talked and he hasn't had money for 3 weeks. He hasn't eaten in days. We went on a rescue mission and gathered a bunch of food and took it to him so he could survive another week. Super sad to see but it is so common here. We finished up and came home. 

Now this morning I wrote a letter and we went and washed a ladies windows and she made us some cow intestine soup. She wanted us to eat there but we said we were in a rush and asked if we could take it to go. I will not be eating that. Now its off to the beach to play beach volleyball with the zone and to have a braai after! Should be a good day today! 

I hope everyone is doing good and has a great week! I love you all very much! 

Elder Peterson

Preach My Gospel, Chapter 1

Hello everyone!

This past week has been full of many different experiences but will definitely be a week that I will remember more on my mission!

On Monday we came to email and after spending too long here we went home and just chilled around. I was writing in my journal and I started having lots going through my head and I started to have kind of an emotional breakdown or something... I don't know but I was asking myself some deep soul searching questions and then I kind of snapped and eish it was a dark day for me. But whatever I went to sleep and I woke up and thats when it got better.

Tuesday was probably the best day in forever. After falling apart I wanted to get myself back together and thats what I did. I got up, started exercising, got everything prepared and went straight into studies. I decided to go back to the beginning and studied Chapter 1 of Preach My Gospel, Your Purpose. As I was studying there was a lot that was just hitting me so much and I could really feel the spirit actually helping me understand how I could fix what I was feeling. As we started our companionship study I wanted to share what was going on sort of and some of the things. I was reading a part and the thought came to me that I needed to contact more. Now I absolutely hate contacting. Like I would rather tract and knock on doors all day then have to stand on a corner and contact people for 1 hour. Like I hate it. But I was reading and I kept having the thought that to fulfill my calling as a missionary I needed to 'Find through contacting.' Well Elder Ngandu loves contacting people like he will talk to anyone. So I started to tell him I think he needs to teach me to do that. I explained that I wanted to fulfill my calling better and I read from the last section of that chapter under "A successful missionary' and I stopped and just said, "I want to feel that the Lord is happy with what I am doing."and then I started to cry a little more and had to try and hide it. Such a powerful experience to me. Well as we continued through the day that spirit stayed with us and seriously we taught the gospel. I think we could have converted the Pope today! The only down side to the whole day was when we went to James. James has been doing so good and has loved everything we have told him. But we went today and his Muslim family has cancelled our appointments with him. We are no longer allowed there so the teachings will have to stop... We gave him all we could and then had to part ways... I am just praying that some day he will be able to receive the fullness of the gospel in his life.

Well Wednesday we put that contacting challenge to the test! I knew what I needed to do and we went and did it! We spent the entire morning contacting and got 8! I know you were expecting like 50 but 8 is a lot here in Toti. Thats more in one day than we usually get 2 weeks here! We were walking down the Beach Road talking to people and stopped at a younger couple. We offered them a pass a long card for a free DVD and they explained they were homeless and couldn't watch it. We talked for a bit and told them how much God loved them and offered to come back and meet them again. I was having one of those "the gospel is totally going to change these peoples lives"moments! I gave them 20Rn to go get some food and we took off. Well down the road a ways we talked to a security guard to the high rise and she told us about all these druggies that beg for money cause problems. Then she says and the 2 worst ones are those 2! And sure enough it was the ones I just gave 20 bucks to. Nice.... Thats why I hate contacting haha. But it felt good to fulfill my purpose more.

Thursday was the first day it has rained in months! I swear I can't remember the last time it rained! Well we had a great day and taught lots. We were able to meet with Innocent and every time we talk I just feel so bad for him. He is the most humble man I have ever meet. He has had the roughest life and it is still so hard. His wife is pregnant with baby number 3, he still works as a car guard where he makes no money, he lost his papers that say he is a teacher, and he still tries to come to church every time he can. I just want to buy them food, give them clothes, and find him a job! I feel awful but I am so thankful for him. He is such an example of patience and humility. We talked a lot and he has decided to be baptized at the end of September and then work on teaching his wife so he can baptize her later on. Hopefully their situation gets better and it can happen soon! But funny story. We were there talking and sharing scriptures and all of a sudden his little son walks into the corner pulls down his pants and starts peeing in a pot haha spirit took off but we all had a pretty good laugh.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were all full of very great lessons and we were able to meet with everyone we needed to. So basically we have some great investigators!

Roger is number one right now! I enjoy going to him more than anyone else I think! He is reading the Book of Mormon like crazy, he understands the lessons we share, and he came to church for the first time yesterday! He loved it and wants to come again! We went over after and talked and he had lots of questions and all basically went back to Joseph Smith receiving the priesthood. I think he is really understanding finally that this is the only true church on the face of the earth. At first it was shaky but now he is really understanding I think. Now we have to teach him the commandments and help him prepare to be baptized soon!

Tokoso and his family are doing good! He came to church but no one else. They are however reading the Book of Mormon and doing missionary work. We meet a new member each time we go there and the room is filling up when we teach! We want them to be baptized together as a family but he will be ready way before them.... We will see though!

The Mhlanga Family actually progressed some! We have been teaching mom english lately and she came to church yesterday! She really liked it and said she will come again next week. Hopefully when she starts coming more the other kids will come more as well.

Khetiwae was confirmed yesterday by Bro Rob (The elders quorum president). She was soo happy to finally have the holy ghost and kept telling me she wanted to feel the 'Bubble Bubble' inside of her haha That is spirit in Sis Khetiwae language haha She is a little off her rocker but in the friendliest way! She is the nicest lady here for sure! Now we are working on teaching her more about the church and the way it works and things are going great!

Mini is still doing great and just working on preparing to receive the Melchizedek priesthood in November. He is taking a special class with Bro Rob and should be ready by then. He is also preparing to go to the temple in a few weeks with his grandma to do baptisms for the dead! Should be an awesome experience for him!

Other than that we are still just working on finding people and getting them progressing. I hope things will keep up in the area and keep going as well as they are and start getting better! The ward is still helping us a lot and bringing us new people to teach and we are just trying to work together to make Toti ward grow. We are also still having fun with them too. We played a soccer match on Saturday against Umlazi W ward and beat them 4-0! I guess I am also getting to be quite the soccer player because I started defense as a left back and played the entire game! What can I say ;) And I look pretty good in the bright yellow kit even if the shorts only go to half way down my thigh haha.

Toti is great and we should have another great week. We have interviews with President on Thursday and he asked if he could come teaching with us after for the day.... yippee.... Hopefully we don't get too much fire and things will go well! I hope he likes tracting ;) But I hope everyone has an awesome week and enjoys school and work and whatever else is happening! I love you all very much and am so thankful for all the support and prayers! Salagathle

Elder Peterson