Hello again everyone,
I am so sorry about last week where I sent pictures I had very little time to write things but I am taking lots of time to write today so this should be a longer letter. So first of all I just want to start out by saying thank you to everyone. I love all of you and I am so grateful for your love and support. Thank you for the prayers that you have said in my behalf. I truely feel them and know the lord is blessing me and helping me so I dont let any of you down. So again thank you for all that you do for me.
Ok so what has been going on this week... where should I start. Ok so last week after emailing we went shopping for our food and then we also bought stuff so we could have a braai/ barbeque. It was alot of fun. The other elders played soccer with some kids while me and some other elders watched over the meat to make sure it didnt burn. Well we had fun and all but part of me wishes it could have gone just a little bit longer. But thats ok.
Then on Tuesday and Wednesday I went to the office again for some more training. This time they told me that I would be responsible for everything in the office. We will be rotating jobs around and so that way I will be doing a little bit of everything. So its going to be good and I am going to be super busy. I should be going into the office sometime this week and so who knows maybe next time you hear from me I will be sitting behind a desk all day. Haha funny to think that I am the one to do that but the lord works in mysterious ways and who am I to question when he has a specific assignment for me. I will do it the best of my abilities and it will help me grow as much as going out into the feild and teaching all these great and kind people has.
Then this week we have also met a new father led family that are going to be good investigators I feel like. Last sunday I guess they came to the chapel to ask if they could use it for their marriage. Elder Khumalo told them they would have to call the presidentcy. So on Tuesday we went to their place and we gave them the numbers to call. Then on Thursday we get a call from the lady who was very upset and down because she couldnt get a hold of the presidentcy and some complications for her and her husband (they are just wanting to do the offical ceremony at the chapel but they are already married). So we helped her get a hold of the branch predsidentcy and then they said she had to come talk to them. But when we saw her that day it was amazing. We went and she had lots of questions and concerns because nothing has been going right for her and her husband since they have started planning this wedding. so she told us she tried to kill herself and she was thinking of canceling the wedding and everything. That is when we watched the movie 'Together Forever" with her because she was asking for advice but we are not aloud to as missionaries. So we watched that movie and by the end of it she was coming up with everything she was asking questions about herself. She address all of her concerns and she even learned. She even said that she felt she needed to be a part of the church not just for the wedding but even after and everything. the spirit was so strong we as missionaries never said one word to her. She came up with it all through the spirit. All we did was go in and listen to her and then my companion said we should watch the movie with her and after she did all the talking. We never said a word. Its amazing how the spirit works. They both even came to an activity we held on saturday and she even came to church yesterday. They should be a good couple for sure to teach.
Then with good times there is also sad times. We got a call one night telling us that sister posisie (one of our members in our area) passed away. A few days before we saw her and gave her a blessing and I remember after the blessing she just looked at us and said "Thank you I feel reliesed from all pain and sorrow and suffering" Im sure she really did. But at least we know she went peacefully. I am going to miss her she was a terrific member and lots of people loved her. She was a great example to me and to others. Her presence will definately be missed in the church.
Then on Saturday we held another U-night at the chapel with all the areas. I kept geting told that it was going to be impossible and that it wouldnt work but it was the biggest one that we have had and it was a huge success. It was amazing. We watched a movie about Christ and then played some games it was a good experience.
Then yesterday I had the oppertunity to baptise Phillemon. That makes it 60 people I have seen baptised and 11 I have taught but I barely missed seeing them baptised and so a total of 71 people with 22 of them I got to personally put them in the water. It was a great experience exspecially with the confirmations we had of a few other recent converts in the morning as well. The lord knows what it takes to bring people to the truth. I am just so grateful I can be a part of it. Not to brag or anything because it is all the lords work but it does remind me of my mission scripture Mosiah 23:10-11 "Made me an instrument in bringing so many of you a knowledge of his truth."
I know that the lord loves each and everyone of us if we will just submit and do what he asks. If we want blessings all we have to do is obey.
That is my week and I loved it. My time is up but I love each one of you and I hope all is well. I hope to hear from you all soon. Hope you are doing well. May God bless all of you with whatever you need and want.
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
New Assignment
Hello everyone,
Sorry I didnt write last week I was very short on time and things just were not on my side. So I will make sure today is one of the longer letters I will write. So this week has been a good week. Things have been going good between me and my companions (yes its companionS not compnaion I will explain). So last monday we went back to the lion park agian for the new missionaries that just came into the area. It was fun as normal. The lion cubs were alot more playful this time which was fun. Then afterwards it was just a normal typical day from there.
So the next major thing that happened this week was on Wednesday me and Elder Kapata were teaching and when I got a phone call fromt the Assistants. Well I have a new assignment from the President. In a few weeks I will be leaving here in Sebokeng and I will be moving to the office. One of the seinor couples that have been working there in the office got moved to an area to help that area and so for now they are placing me and one other missionary there in the office until they can get another seinor couple in there (or until further notice). So I will be there for at least a few transfers president said so it should be interesting. I will be taking care of paper work and computer work and all that thing. So until I go to the office I have to go in a few times per week so I can recieve training in my new postition. And now as I said I have companions because to fill in my spot they have sent down another elder named Elder Khumalo who I need to train him and my companion on the area before I leave since I have only been with Elder Kapata for a few weeks. I am excited to accept this new assignment but I am also sad because I have only spent three months in this area and its just starting to take off. But hey if thats what the lord wants I will do it. And just so everyone knows my P-days are going to be switching from Mondays to Saturdays when I am in the office so just look for my letters around then.
So on Friday we had a zone confrence. It was a more different one that the ones in the past. People were just yelling out randomly and they werent taking things seriously or they were just complaining and it was just different. But on the brighter side one of the branch missionaries from my last area is helping in our mission for a transfer and so I got to see him there at the zone confrence and kind of get updated on my last area. Apparently alot of the people I was working with were baptized and now fully active in the church. So it sounds like that area is looking up as well.
Then on Saturday we had our yearly 'Mormon Helping Hands Service Project" We went and we helped clean up some of the places around our area with the members. It was a great experience. So as we were cleaning (of course Im the only white guy) a drunk guy comes and starts yelling "Lakua (La-coo-wa)" Which means white person. Haha. He kept trying to get me to come over to him and so he could ask me for a job. Well obviously I dont even have a job myself. All the members tried getting him to leave me alone tried getting him to go away. But nothing was working. So all of a sudden theladies living around the area we were cleaning come rushing from cleaning their clothes or what they were doing and they start yelling at him and throwing rocks at him telling him to leave and to stop bugging me because I was actually helping them and doing good. Haha it was a crazy neat experience.
Then on Sunday we had two baptisms. Sello and Solly. It was a great experience but also kind of disorganized because it was the first one we had combined with the other area. But also after the baptisms yesterday we were going around to some former investigators and we came to one named Joesph. He was being prepared to be baptized but he doesnt know why but missionaries just stopped going. So we talked to him to find out what he remembers and he remembers alot and he knows alot. He still wants to be baptized and so he should be coming up in the next coming month or so. Its great how the spirit works some times to lead us to the people who are truely prepared.
So that was my week and its been a great one. I will always love and look back on these times often. I am so grateful I came on mission. Well everyone else is waiting for me so I got to go but I hope to hear from everyone soon. Thank you to Jacob, Emily, Shauna and Kyler for your letters. I hope I get to keep hearing from you and seeing how things are going. Talk to you soon.
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay.
Sorry I didnt write last week I was very short on time and things just were not on my side. So I will make sure today is one of the longer letters I will write. So this week has been a good week. Things have been going good between me and my companions (yes its companionS not compnaion I will explain). So last monday we went back to the lion park agian for the new missionaries that just came into the area. It was fun as normal. The lion cubs were alot more playful this time which was fun. Then afterwards it was just a normal typical day from there.
So the next major thing that happened this week was on Wednesday me and Elder Kapata were teaching and when I got a phone call fromt the Assistants. Well I have a new assignment from the President. In a few weeks I will be leaving here in Sebokeng and I will be moving to the office. One of the seinor couples that have been working there in the office got moved to an area to help that area and so for now they are placing me and one other missionary there in the office until they can get another seinor couple in there (or until further notice). So I will be there for at least a few transfers president said so it should be interesting. I will be taking care of paper work and computer work and all that thing. So until I go to the office I have to go in a few times per week so I can recieve training in my new postition. And now as I said I have companions because to fill in my spot they have sent down another elder named Elder Khumalo who I need to train him and my companion on the area before I leave since I have only been with Elder Kapata for a few weeks. I am excited to accept this new assignment but I am also sad because I have only spent three months in this area and its just starting to take off. But hey if thats what the lord wants I will do it. And just so everyone knows my P-days are going to be switching from Mondays to Saturdays when I am in the office so just look for my letters around then.
So on Friday we had a zone confrence. It was a more different one that the ones in the past. People were just yelling out randomly and they werent taking things seriously or they were just complaining and it was just different. But on the brighter side one of the branch missionaries from my last area is helping in our mission for a transfer and so I got to see him there at the zone confrence and kind of get updated on my last area. Apparently alot of the people I was working with were baptized and now fully active in the church. So it sounds like that area is looking up as well.
Then on Saturday we had our yearly 'Mormon Helping Hands Service Project" We went and we helped clean up some of the places around our area with the members. It was a great experience. So as we were cleaning (of course Im the only white guy) a drunk guy comes and starts yelling "Lakua (La-coo-wa)" Which means white person. Haha. He kept trying to get me to come over to him and so he could ask me for a job. Well obviously I dont even have a job myself. All the members tried getting him to leave me alone tried getting him to go away. But nothing was working. So all of a sudden theladies living around the area we were cleaning come rushing from cleaning their clothes or what they were doing and they start yelling at him and throwing rocks at him telling him to leave and to stop bugging me because I was actually helping them and doing good. Haha it was a crazy neat experience.
Then on Sunday we had two baptisms. Sello and Solly. It was a great experience but also kind of disorganized because it was the first one we had combined with the other area. But also after the baptisms yesterday we were going around to some former investigators and we came to one named Joesph. He was being prepared to be baptized but he doesnt know why but missionaries just stopped going. So we talked to him to find out what he remembers and he remembers alot and he knows alot. He still wants to be baptized and so he should be coming up in the next coming month or so. Its great how the spirit works some times to lead us to the people who are truely prepared.
So that was my week and its been a great one. I will always love and look back on these times often. I am so grateful I came on mission. Well everyone else is waiting for me so I got to go but I hope to hear from everyone soon. Thank you to Jacob, Emily, Shauna and Kyler for your letters. I hope I get to keep hearing from you and seeing how things are going. Talk to you soon.
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Companions, Cottage meetings, & Car wrecks
Hello everyone,
Sorry about last week I guess I was down in the dumps and all blah. So I am doing better this week and things are going to continue improving I hope. The lord has plans for me that much I know. So yeah last week monday after emailing everyone we went shopping with our district leaders. Afterwards we went back to the flat and I was getting the cold treatment beyond all cold treatment. So we got ready to leave and then we left late and so we missed our first appointment. But I am so glad we went to the second appointment. We held a family home evening with a full member family combined with a recent convert and his family who are not members (yet haha). Well for the activity we watched 'Finding Faith in Christ'. It was so amazing and the spirit was so strong. The recent converts family was making comments and participating when they usually dont like to. Well that is also when I recieved inspiration on what I needed to do with my companion. So that night when we got back to the flat I just did what we call the the 'swallow and bury technique' Pretty much I took all the blame upon myself and just let him know a few of my opinions. Well it worked but he still doesnt talk to me too much or anything and so we have just been working together. Sometimes you just got to 'let the dead bury their dead' as Jesus Christ tells us. And I know I am one to hold a grudge alot of the times and so this was a major learning experience for me.
Then we have been busy teaching people until about Wednesday when my companion starts going to the other area and another missionary with me because he was sick so the work was slow. Also me and my companion hasnt really done any planning this week because the two missionaries in the flat across from ours lost their keys and so they have been staying in our flat with us even until now. To get clothes and things they had to climb up the balcony and go in through the patio door. It crazy I am surprised we havent been arrested for burglary or anything. Friday night we went to a dinner together just as a district. We went to a Portegese resturant. It was fun but it also wasnt well planned out and so it was a little crazy but thats ok. So in the area we have been holding what is called U-nites or Cottage meetings. Its where the members gather together and hold like a big familly home evening. Well our area is divided into zones and so we are trying to get one of these u-nites started in each zone. Well we held one in zone seventeen for the first time on saturday night and it was a big sucess. We had fourteen people there total and one of them was less active and another one was an investigator. That is the biggest u-nite we have had since I have been here. Two other zones have been having u-nites and we might start combining zones soon. Well saturday morning we held a fireside at Sharpville. The mission president came and he helped us teach the people and he over saw everything. It was alot of fun I want to try to get one of those going for our area in Sebokeng.
So saturday I also recieved the news that my companion will be leaving on Tuesday. I will be getting a new companion and hopefully I will be able to implement more of the plans I see for this area. Ever since we found out my companion was leaving we have just been driving around and letting him say good bye to people. Well last night (sunday) we stopped behind a car that was turning and about two minutes later we hear this screeching and another car came and slammed into the back of our car. The only thing damaged on our car was the bike rack that holds the bikes on the back but the front of the other guy's car was demolished. (I will hopefully get pictures of this too so you can see) but the bumper was off and smashed into pieces. Glass was all over from the lights breaking and all. Well the guy was drunk and so he didnt see us apparently. But thank goodness no one was hurt and the only thing damaged on our car is the bike rack which is still usable and good. The lord was definately watching over us and that guy last night. We dont even know how the bike rack survied the impact because it was not that strong in the first place but it did. And it save us from injury as well. Well today after emailing we will be going to a zone activity where we will have a meeting and then play some sports. So that has been my week. I love all of you and thank you for the love and support you have given to me. I hope I can hear from you all soon and I promise your letters are coming soon. Love you and talk to you next week.
-Your Brother, Son, Friend and others
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay
Sorry about last week I guess I was down in the dumps and all blah. So I am doing better this week and things are going to continue improving I hope. The lord has plans for me that much I know. So yeah last week monday after emailing everyone we went shopping with our district leaders. Afterwards we went back to the flat and I was getting the cold treatment beyond all cold treatment. So we got ready to leave and then we left late and so we missed our first appointment. But I am so glad we went to the second appointment. We held a family home evening with a full member family combined with a recent convert and his family who are not members (yet haha). Well for the activity we watched 'Finding Faith in Christ'. It was so amazing and the spirit was so strong. The recent converts family was making comments and participating when they usually dont like to. Well that is also when I recieved inspiration on what I needed to do with my companion. So that night when we got back to the flat I just did what we call the the 'swallow and bury technique' Pretty much I took all the blame upon myself and just let him know a few of my opinions. Well it worked but he still doesnt talk to me too much or anything and so we have just been working together. Sometimes you just got to 'let the dead bury their dead' as Jesus Christ tells us. And I know I am one to hold a grudge alot of the times and so this was a major learning experience for me.
Then we have been busy teaching people until about Wednesday when my companion starts going to the other area and another missionary with me because he was sick so the work was slow. Also me and my companion hasnt really done any planning this week because the two missionaries in the flat across from ours lost their keys and so they have been staying in our flat with us even until now. To get clothes and things they had to climb up the balcony and go in through the patio door. It crazy I am surprised we havent been arrested for burglary or anything. Friday night we went to a dinner together just as a district. We went to a Portegese resturant. It was fun but it also wasnt well planned out and so it was a little crazy but thats ok. So in the area we have been holding what is called U-nites or Cottage meetings. Its where the members gather together and hold like a big familly home evening. Well our area is divided into zones and so we are trying to get one of these u-nites started in each zone. Well we held one in zone seventeen for the first time on saturday night and it was a big sucess. We had fourteen people there total and one of them was less active and another one was an investigator. That is the biggest u-nite we have had since I have been here. Two other zones have been having u-nites and we might start combining zones soon. Well saturday morning we held a fireside at Sharpville. The mission president came and he helped us teach the people and he over saw everything. It was alot of fun I want to try to get one of those going for our area in Sebokeng.
So saturday I also recieved the news that my companion will be leaving on Tuesday. I will be getting a new companion and hopefully I will be able to implement more of the plans I see for this area. Ever since we found out my companion was leaving we have just been driving around and letting him say good bye to people. Well last night (sunday) we stopped behind a car that was turning and about two minutes later we hear this screeching and another car came and slammed into the back of our car. The only thing damaged on our car was the bike rack that holds the bikes on the back but the front of the other guy's car was demolished. (I will hopefully get pictures of this too so you can see) but the bumper was off and smashed into pieces. Glass was all over from the lights breaking and all. Well the guy was drunk and so he didnt see us apparently. But thank goodness no one was hurt and the only thing damaged on our car is the bike rack which is still usable and good. The lord was definately watching over us and that guy last night. We dont even know how the bike rack survied the impact because it was not that strong in the first place but it did. And it save us from injury as well. Well today after emailing we will be going to a zone activity where we will have a meeting and then play some sports. So that has been my week. I love all of you and thank you for the love and support you have given to me. I hope I can hear from you all soon and I promise your letters are coming soon. Love you and talk to you next week.
-Your Brother, Son, Friend and others
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay
Monday, August 1, 2011
Lion Park
Hello everyone,
Sorry this is going to be a very short letter this week because I am out of time because I had to write a big presidents letter. So today I finally got my dream and I went to a lion park today. I got plenty of great pictures. I will be sending them home soon so everyone can have a look. So things are going ok. I am still trying to get on my companions good side but it just seems like no matter what I do nothing is going to help. But I wont give up something will work I just need to find out what. So this week has been pretty boring but its ok not much to write. So I am sorry I am not writing much but my time is up. I love you all and I will write more next week I promise. So keep me in your prayers and I am keeping you in mine. Talk to you soon.
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay.
Sorry this is going to be a very short letter this week because I am out of time because I had to write a big presidents letter. So today I finally got my dream and I went to a lion park today. I got plenty of great pictures. I will be sending them home soon so everyone can have a look. So things are going ok. I am still trying to get on my companions good side but it just seems like no matter what I do nothing is going to help. But I wont give up something will work I just need to find out what. So this week has been pretty boring but its ok not much to write. So I am sorry I am not writing much but my time is up. I love you all and I will write more next week I promise. So keep me in your prayers and I am keeping you in mine. Talk to you soon.
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Comps...hmmm...
Hello everyone,
How is the week going for you this time? This week has been a busy week for me with many different things happening lately. So the power has still been out off and on during the week and so it has made teaching some what difficult. But teaching still has been steady and going on anyways. We are also getting even more on the good side of the branch presidency. They are talking with us alot more and letting us be aware of things and they are also joking and having fun with us. They have also started giving us special work to do. They have listed some families that have less active members and that are part member families. We have went and been busy with that list. There is one less active lady that I have been working closely with because she is an older lady and she has family that wants her back so much. So the other day we invited her to an activity we were having and she came to me at the end of it and gave me a hug and said thank you. She said she wants to come back so bad she just needs the strength right now and I am helping her to get that strength back.
Now it seems like the only problems I have been having is with my companion still. This week he was yelling at me twice and he refused to work with me as well. I dont know what to do because I am just asking questions and I get yelled at and then when I dont say anything I get yelled at so right now I am at a complete loss. But time will tell. So that is my week nothing too much exciting but things are going alright. Well I will talk to everyone soon hope all is well. Have a good week.
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay
How is the week going for you this time? This week has been a busy week for me with many different things happening lately. So the power has still been out off and on during the week and so it has made teaching some what difficult. But teaching still has been steady and going on anyways. We are also getting even more on the good side of the branch presidency. They are talking with us alot more and letting us be aware of things and they are also joking and having fun with us. They have also started giving us special work to do. They have listed some families that have less active members and that are part member families. We have went and been busy with that list. There is one less active lady that I have been working closely with because she is an older lady and she has family that wants her back so much. So the other day we invited her to an activity we were having and she came to me at the end of it and gave me a hug and said thank you. She said she wants to come back so bad she just needs the strength right now and I am helping her to get that strength back.
Now it seems like the only problems I have been having is with my companion still. This week he was yelling at me twice and he refused to work with me as well. I dont know what to do because I am just asking questions and I get yelled at and then when I dont say anything I get yelled at so right now I am at a complete loss. But time will tell. So that is my week nothing too much exciting but things are going alright. Well I will talk to everyone soon hope all is well. Have a good week.
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay
Monday, July 18, 2011
An up and down week
Hello everyone,
So times are going crazy. Sorry I couldnt write last week you know lots to do and so little time as I am sure all of you know. So things in ways are looking up here in Sebokeng and in some other ways its getting down. So our stats dont look as good as they did when I first came here they slowly and slowly keep going down. I am trying to keep them up but I have lots against me. I know stats dont mean much but the thing is when I see what they were at and what they can be it just bugs me too much. So one of the things that is against me alot is my companion. Well my companion is the type that is very laid back and relaxed and if things dont happen it doesnt bother him none. Instead of doing things that really help the area grow he wants to go finding at night when all gates and doors are locked and there is no way in to talk to people. I have tried to ask him questions and talk to him but I am struggling to get any response. But over time I hope things improve. Even without him I will help this area grow.
So another challenge that has came my way this week is the power or electricity. People in Sebokeng were without power for a day to two days this past week. The thing is it is winter now and so everyone is staying in doors and turning on all the heaters and all the kettles for tea and the tvs and they are using lots and lots of power and so the city turns it off for a time so they can save and well when they turn it off people cant do cooking or washing their clothes or what they need to. Most people just lived off of bread for two days straight and they were without heat so they were cold and in the dark. And as if that isnt enough the gas tankers that deliver to the gasstations to fill up are on strike. So petrol is going to be short very soon and we have been on a limit with the car we can only drive to the area park the car and walk the rest of the day until we can drive back to our flat. So we have been walking alot and its causing even more problems for everyone else. So needless to say its been a crazy week.
But on a happier note. This week we had one baptism. His name is Sipho. He is thirteen and the grandson of one of our older members. He has been coming to church for a very long time and he was excited to be baptised. Also the branch presidentcy is starting to take down notes when we missionaries talk and they ask us questions and they volenteer to come teaching with us as well. So things are looking up and things seem to be getting better. Its just like pulling teeth in other areas but hopefully soon we will be overcoming those challenges as well. Well that is all for me this week but I love you all and hope to hear from you soon.
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay
So times are going crazy. Sorry I couldnt write last week you know lots to do and so little time as I am sure all of you know. So things in ways are looking up here in Sebokeng and in some other ways its getting down. So our stats dont look as good as they did when I first came here they slowly and slowly keep going down. I am trying to keep them up but I have lots against me. I know stats dont mean much but the thing is when I see what they were at and what they can be it just bugs me too much. So one of the things that is against me alot is my companion. Well my companion is the type that is very laid back and relaxed and if things dont happen it doesnt bother him none. Instead of doing things that really help the area grow he wants to go finding at night when all gates and doors are locked and there is no way in to talk to people. I have tried to ask him questions and talk to him but I am struggling to get any response. But over time I hope things improve. Even without him I will help this area grow.
So another challenge that has came my way this week is the power or electricity. People in Sebokeng were without power for a day to two days this past week. The thing is it is winter now and so everyone is staying in doors and turning on all the heaters and all the kettles for tea and the tvs and they are using lots and lots of power and so the city turns it off for a time so they can save and well when they turn it off people cant do cooking or washing their clothes or what they need to. Most people just lived off of bread for two days straight and they were without heat so they were cold and in the dark. And as if that isnt enough the gas tankers that deliver to the gasstations to fill up are on strike. So petrol is going to be short very soon and we have been on a limit with the car we can only drive to the area park the car and walk the rest of the day until we can drive back to our flat. So we have been walking alot and its causing even more problems for everyone else. So needless to say its been a crazy week.
But on a happier note. This week we had one baptism. His name is Sipho. He is thirteen and the grandson of one of our older members. He has been coming to church for a very long time and he was excited to be baptised. Also the branch presidentcy is starting to take down notes when we missionaries talk and they ask us questions and they volenteer to come teaching with us as well. So things are looking up and things seem to be getting better. Its just like pulling teeth in other areas but hopefully soon we will be overcoming those challenges as well. Well that is all for me this week but I love you all and hope to hear from you soon.
Elder Aaron Giles Lindsay
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)