Work slowly moving forward

Email #77
Area: Kwa Guqa
Companion: Elder Hehir

Excerpts from Mom's email:

This week was pretty good, we had 15 member lessons so that is really good. They are starting to show some interest, but slowly but surely they will come along. Not much to do on P-Day, we went to a all you can eat place last week and that was way nice; Billy G's. I'll try to clear up why they are going home early and stuff tomorrow at interviews. Yeah that (ingrown toenail) was about 2 months ago I think, but yeah it wasn't a big deal and now its healed no problems. It was so much fun actually to hang out with Smith-Holley and the senior couple the Butlers.

Excerpts from Dad's email:

I think he is seeing that working with members is the best way especially when you have so many. We could have at least 20 member lessons a week if we tried and just to get good with the members is the best and the work and time just goes by so much better and faster. Yeah I have seen the harvest and I have also seen the planting and its nice to be able to see all the aspects of Gods work and get a perspective of how He works. Although its far more complex than I can understand. I have been blessed to see a fraction of His hand and how he hastens the work not the missionary. The members are coming around some of them are starting to invite people to come to church. When we do and just talk and get to know them and share some gospel message to give them something to think about!

Couple picture we missed that were on Brother & Sister Campbell's blog

Brother & Sister Campbel with Elder Bryner

Picture courtesy of President & Sister Dunn's blog

Elder Smith-Holley and Elder Bryner after an in-grown toenail operations.

Difficult week

Email #76
Area: Kwa Guqa
Companion: Elder Hehir

Excerpts from Mom's email:

The rest of the week was crazy and hard. We watched a women burn to death in a car so that was traumatizing and horrible to watch. I will explain more about what happened and stuff when we Skype its a long story and I want something to talk about when we Skype as well. We watched the movie (meet the Mormons)turns out one elder in our district, his mom sent him the dvd in the mail and he got it in his last package! The baptism was really nice and hope he can keep up his good streak. He is so powerful and his name is Miracle and is 18. That is way cool to be able to see such a young guy like that especially here to accept and do what he is doing! tell Parker I said hi and hope he is doing good and I'm proud of him.

Baptism coming up

Email #75
Area: Kwa Guqa
Companion: Elder Hehir

Excerpts from Mom's email:

This week was a little better and I have adapted to some of the things that can get tough. This week has gone by faster and smoother. My companion is a good missionary, he loves to work and be obedient as good as we can. This area is really nice, I like it here just not used to it yet. The members are really nice, I think Cosmo was my most favorite area so far. If there is one area that I will go back to before I come home, that is that place. President Dunn usually lets you go back to an area for a day before you leave. I love sister Agnes and the Maake family, I miss them so much!!!! They are family to me and hope to see them again.

Excerpts from Dad's email:

The area is doing okay, we got a baptism this coming Sunday. His name is Miracle. He is 18 and has a good knowledge about the gospel. There is one family the Mphorengs that are members that I absolutely love! There is always one family that you consider your own in each area and leaving them is like leaving you guys, but to be honest its a little harder to leave them because you aren't sure of the next time you will see them. Its like that with you guys, but I know I have forever with you. Its funny and sad, but they never said in the call letter that you would have to leave your family more than once. We are trying to work more with members. Tracting is tough and I don't really like it, but it works here. But then the next time you have an appointment, they cancel or don't show. So we are trying to get the members on board and more excited. My companion is from England and been out 10 months or so. Leaving is so scary and I don't want it to happen to be honest. I have had so many life changing experiences and have met some of the most amazing people. It will be so hard to leave this, but not forget of course.

Pictures from Motupa

Email #74.1
Area: Kwa Guqa
Companion: Elder Hehir