July 31, 2017

This week has been full of ups and downs. 

PDay last week, of course, was towing the car so not too eventful.

Tuesday I was on exchanges with Elder Wamunyima. We had a fun time and we were able to see several people in the evening which was really nice. 

Wednesday through Sunday things were quite normal, seeing people. 

We had two of our investigators drop, a mama and daughter. Friday we were supposed to have an appointment with them but they texted us saying that they have no need for anymore bible. They are content with what they have and they didn't want us back. Reminded me of 2 Nephi 29 haha. 

We also had great success with our investigator "Gift." 

The previous Sunday on his way home from work he got mugged and the tsotsis took his phone and such. He was feeling pretty bad but he told us that it is just a trial and he forgave those guys. He has faith for days. In the lesson we talked about tender mercies and we told him he did the right forgiving and forgetting, and how God will bless him. He also talked about how after he has met us and has been reading the Book of Mormon he's seen the hand of God in his life. 

We saw him Sunday and he said just after we had left the appointment, the tsotsis came to his home and apologized and gave back his phone. It just goes to show we will only receive a witness, after the trial of our faith, he had the trial and received the witness. It was powerful. 

Today for PDay we went to the Franschhoek Motor Museum. Amazing stuff... the collection cycles every 3 months but there were so many rare and expensive cars. Enjoy the Pictures

From the best mission in the world- 

Elder Smith

Bugatti 1928 type 35B, This very car won the 1928 Targa Floria, raced in 9 Grand Prix, etc. 

Ferrari Enzo

Rolls Royce Phantom 1 1928

Mercedes-benz 1929 S Type

July 24, 2017

Hello, everyone! Time is flying, 11 months tomorrow, I'm still green though..... I hope

On Monday we started out by going to Fish Hoek and Simon's Town. It was one of the most beautiful drives I've ever been on. When we got to Simon's Town we went to Boulders and saw the penguins. Man, they are stinky. Anyway, on the way home, we drove along Baden Powell Drive which follows the coast of False Bay, beautiful drive for sure. It was weird to see snow on the far mountains past Somerset West though. 

Tuesday we were back in action trying to save souls but on Wednesday I had a good exchange with Elder Mthembu and we had a fun time. He's an awesome elder and it's good to serve with him. 

Friday we had a Zone Meeting with a great training from Elders Hugo and Wamunyima. .... although it was an early start to the day. 

Sunday we actually had ward council and ward choir so it's fun to see stuff picking up in the ward. Our powerful investigator, "Gift", told us he had read the Book of Mormon for 4 hours straight. Powerful stuff, he had told us earlier he had a dream that he needs to Read AND Pray a lot more because there is something special. It's pretty cool. 

Today, (Monday) we towed our car haha! The second attempt, the ignition was giving us trouble and after our first attempt Saturday we actually got it towed today. Fun Stuff.... in the process Elder Matare and myself made 106 Peanut Butter Cookies.... yum

1. What’s the best thing about being a missionary?

The food and seeing people catch the vision. And being in South Africa
2. On average, how many dinner appointments do you have each week?

Mthatha (1 or 2) KwaMagxaki (4 or 5) Mandalay (1 about every 2 weeks)
3. How many investigators do you have right now? Who are you teaching currently?

5: Gift, Inam, Unathi, and Terresa/Coffant (husband and wife)
4. What are some differences you notice in clothing in your area?

Modesty hahaha, I'll leave it at that
5. What has been your favorite P-Day Activity so far?

Addo Elephant Park, the Castle, or Baywest Mall in PE
6. What do you like about your companion?

He can dance pretty funny, and he can cook cookies
7. What kinds of foods do you cook for yourself in your apartment?

Everything from worms to curry to chicken to anything
8. What are some of the local sayings and expressions people say in your area?

a lot of things, shap is a common one anywhere (kind of means like sure or good or whatever you want it to mean)
9. What is the music like in your ward?  

Hymns haha, no it's good

Does everyone sing? 

Yes

Does it sound good?

Depends how hard you listen ;) ya it does
10. Do members or investigators ever ask to see photos of your family?  

Yes

What do you tell them about your life at home?

People have a misconception because of TV and media that the United States is all big buildings, rich business men, but they get surprised with the pictures of So. Utah. They find it interesting how my mom's side of the family is all blonde ish and dad's is so dark haired and white haha.

Until next week in Mandalay!

Elder Smith

False Bay (looking towards Cape Peninsula and Simon's Town

Penguins in Simon's Town

Towing the Car, Wohoo!

July 17, 2017

Time is really flying and time is soon approaching on 11 months and a year- but- I'm not over the hill yet and Mandalay has yet to see the fire so there's still a lot to do. 

Monday we started out with a fun P-Day, as recommended by Elder and Sister Hansen, 

We went to the Castle of Good Hope in the center of downtown. It was an awesome castle and it made me feel like I was in Europe again. We went on a self guided tour and had a fun time wandering around through all of the castle. It had a beautiful view of Table Mountain too, the day was perfect. Afterwards we took a short drive on the coast to Sea Point and took some pics. There's a reason why they call it the most beautiful mission in the world ;) 

The rest of the week we've been keeping busy with the work. The work is slowly but surely picking up. We actually had PEC with the ward this week and the ward mission plan is starting to motivate the ward to do good. Our investigators are starting to keep commitments so hopefully in August we will be able to have some baptisms! 

Mandalay is growing on me, it's dangerous, but your prayers and support are really helping. We'll be working to get some more investigators and get the work rolling like mad. Sorry for the short email this week but things are still going going going! 

Elder Smith

July 10, 2017

The weeks are flying by

We started out this week with a Braai at the Zone Leaders and Elder Steffensen bought some giant steaks and they were pretty great. One of the Pirate Ships at the Disney Studios was moved closer to the N2 so we had a nice view of it on the drive. 

Tuesday I was on Exchanges with Elder Wamunyima, my Zone Leader and we had a great time with some powerful lessons. 

Wednesday Elder Steffensen came back sick and so we were put in sick rest for the day so I did a lot of cleaning and studying. 

Thursday was a normal day, we had a great lesson with Coffant, one of our investigators and we actually set a baptismal date for him on August 20th. 

Friday was powerful, we had a meet and greet (kind of a zone conference) with President Lebethoa and his family and the three Cape Town Zones. It was powerful and he is going to be a really awesome mission president. He is full of fire and is ready to push this mission from the get go which is awesome! I'm excited. 

Saturday we had a normal day and had a nice appointment with our bishop and his wife in the evening.

Sunday we had a great day at church and afterwards went to Mama Doreen's for an appointment and she fed us some nice sandwiches. Following we went to our Lunch Appointment at mama Mtila's with the other Elders. We had a great time there. Following that Elder Steffensen and I drove into Cape Town and we had a nice DA with the Hansen's (The Sr. Couple. He was a history teacher at Snow Canyon) We had a great taco salad and I was able to help Sister Hansen with some music stuff and we had a nice lesson. 

As a district we've been looking for ways to push the ward and increase the ward's involvement with missionary work, as of late there is none, but we drafted a Ward Mission Plan in District Meeting and we presented it to the Bishop. We now have a spot on the bulletin and we're hoping it will work to bring missionaries and members together. Our vision is that the Missionaries and Members will be equally yolked to bring 5 individuals unto Christ per month with full retention and support. The Vision scriptures are D&C 38:40-41, and 18:10,15-16. We'll be pushing this for the ward and we're optimistic it will bring good change.

Another Week in Mandalay

Elder Smith

P-Day Braai at the Zone Leader's (Elder Steffensen and I had the 3 steaks)

One of the Priates of the Caribbean ships at Disney Studios Cape Town

Exchanges with Elder Wamunyima 

After Church

The District

July 3, 2017

Hey Everyone!

Time is flying in Mandalay,

July rolled around and we now have a new mission president as of Saturday morning. It's sad to see President Merrill leave but we're all excited to have President Lebethoa

This past week has been pretty average but something funny happened. I contacted Brother Albert, one of my recent converts from Mthatha baptised in October, and the rest of his family actually lives in Mandalay haha! And his son Shaun was baptised back in January and we visit him quite often. It's pretty funny how things work in the church. It's pretty cool to make that connection and get in contact.

Our shower knob broke on Thursday so the hot water wouldn't shut off so that put a hitch in the day haha. But Tony the plumber came and closed off the tap so he'll be back this week to finish repairing it. As of late we shower downstairs with the other elders. 

We're really pushing the work and trying to help the members get involved. It's going to be an uphill battle but we've got some plans and the desire so we'll see how it goes. We had another great DA with Mama D on Sunday, the second in a row. She's a fantastic cook. 

Sorry for the shorter email but all is well. 

PE Zone Conference (previous area)

Sunday

The District