Sanbonani!
So just FYI, that subject line is Come, Come, Ye Saints in isiZulu. It's kinda been the theme of the transfer for me, and especially this last week or so. I think on three different occasions we've been able to sing it, and I was able to mention it in a thought at a funeral and an impromptu sacrament talk. Come, Come, Ye Saints has meaning especially to the members here, but to the Mzansi nation as a whole. One uKhozi FM's former DJs (I think his name was Kansas City) would always play the MoTab's version of Come, Come, Ye Saints before signing off, so most people in the country are familiar with it. I think it kind of came to be an anthem for those fighting apartheid, drawing parallels to the Saints crossing the plains. Ah, music... How powerful it is.
This week! Has been busy. Busy busy busy but great great great. We started off last week with probably one of the bolder moves that us and the Z Man have made in a while... For the first time ever, two sets of missionaries are living in Umlazi! We talked with President a lot about this decision, weighing all our options, and ultimately we decided that if ever missionaries were going to live in the township, this would be the time and the place to try it out. Umlazi's the second biggest township in Mzansi, and the largest in our mission, and thus the most developed and able to host the elders. One of the fears was break ins. Every time we asked members, they'd tell us it wasn't safe. But at the same time, missionary boardings in some of the wealthiest areas have been broken into. President was saying that if that's the only thing that would be keeping us from moving to the township, let's go ahead and do it. There would be something not morally right about us not moving there simply because of race issues. Living amongst the people we're teaching... There's something good about that. So! Last Monday, we spent the morning helping the W elders move into their new place. Funny thing is, it's actually way nicer than the place they used to be staying at. They're excited as well.
The week got moving with a couple exchanges. I stayed in the area twice this week with Elders Van Winkle and Fox. Great guys the both of them. I think Elder Van Winkle is of German descent or something, but Van Winkle in Afrikaans means "of the shop." So sometimes people just call him Elder Shop for short. We had a great day together though. Got to teach some good lessons and do a little bit of walking around and talking to people. That's one of the things I love the most about mission... Just talking to people. Seeing what makes them tick. Elder Fox was all pumped up ready to do that as well. He was telling me after planning he just wanted to jump and sing and all that stuff! Hurrah for Israel!
We had the chance to follow up with a few of the people that came to church last week. One of the families that seems promising is the Shabalala family. Ma came to church, and she was telling us how much she loved it. A few of the members had told her about it, so she decided to come and check it out. She wants to come back again, but the concern is that the family has been Methodist for a few generations, and Baba is a very traditional man. (Traditional meaning ancestor worship, and Law of Moses style sacrifices and whatnot.) Change would be tough. I guess missionaries used to visit them a couple years ago as well. Sthembile is one of their daughters, and she was telling us that they have Books of Mormons and everything. They're awesome though. Baba, as traditional as he may be, greeted us with smiles and already invited us over to braai. Perhaps friendship, brotherly love, and the Spirit can soften his heart. We have hope, though. He already offered us his daughters as long as we bring cows to pay lobola, so I guess that's a good sign, right?
Some sad news came our way Wednesday evening. Sister Magaqa, Bishop's wife, lost her mother that morning. But in the Spirit of ubuntu, the whole ward and community rallied in support of her loss. Vigils were held each night of the week, and on Friday, we were able to attend. Bishop gave each of us some time to share thoughts with the crowds that had come in support. He's a great man, that one... A lot of people fear Bishop Magaqa. I'd heard about him in a couple previous areas, being known as one that "gives fire." But as I've grown to know him, he's one of the wisest men out there. He understands and loves people and knows how to, in the words that carried David O. McKay through his mission, "Act well [his] part." Even at a funeral where someone close to him passed away, he was able to play the part of a pastor and lift people's spirits in this time of sadness. The service that happened on Sunday was beautiful. Sihle Mabaso shared a though that was rather interesting. There are three things that need to be in agreement in your life: what you say you are, what others say you are, and what you really are. Sister Magaqa's mother was truly an example of that.
But, the week wasn't all sad. We finished it up with three baptisms on Sunday. And what a beautiful service it was. Punky was a brother we've been teaching for about a couple months now. Ah... And he's progressed so well! Funny thing is, he's actually the cousin of Brother Mthembu in the bishopric, and he's been inviting Punky to the gospel for a while now. I guess the timing was finally right. His testimony was beautiful and sincere. I think the gospel's truly made a difference for the better in his life, and he seems grateful for it. Silindile has been investigating the Church for a little while longer... Something like three years now! Most people had assumed she was a member. But for her, I guess the timing was finally right and she was ready to make that next step. The third was Athenkosi... Our nine year old friend. I think he had accidentally slipped past eight years old without getting baptized as a child of record, so we taught him the lessons and got him dunked! Great service, and a great end to the week.
We're going at it again this next week with three more exchanges, and then finally things will be back to normal... The work shall roll forward!
So this is kinda funny... The batteries in my alarm clock died this week. But that's totally ok because I'm so used to waking up at 6:30 that I don't even need an alarm clock. I'm just awake at that time anyway. Go figure.
Aight... I think I better tap out for today. I think we have like missionary work to go do or something.
Sala kahle, stay positive, and love your lives my friends.
Much love,
iGosa Johnson
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