Sanbonani!
Victoria Street Market is the place to go if you want souvenirs from Durban. After we emailed last week, I hit it up with Elders Atkinson, Human, Petrie, and Dlamini. As we strolled through the authentic African merchandise, we ran into an American couple. The husband went to law school next to something historical from the life of Joseph Smith and told us we're doing a great thing. They were looking at a chess set that another elder had his eye on as well. But while they were looking at that, my gaze was drawn to the piles of spices the next shop over. They ranged from biltong spices, to masalas, to curry powders, to peri-peri, to spice for rice. And aside from the antique feel as you're looking at them, the best part is the names of some of the hotter ones. "Arson Fire Mother-in-Law Exterminator" and "Hellfire Chilly" I think were my favorites. Perhaps they're describing the what happens to your mouth as you're eating whatever they've seasoned, or perhaps they're describing the what inevitably happens on the porcelain throne the following night. Either way, the names are fitting.
Well, another great week that culminated in the baptism of our brother Ntokozo! Where to begin, where to begin...
So the Sitholes introduced us to their friend Siwe who's been coming to church with them the last couple weeks. Let's hear it for member missionary wory! Woop woop! Before our lesson this week, we had an interesting conversation though... Everyone was talking about how African parents beat their children, and I was just sitting back laughing my head off. At one point, Zama told us that her friend came running to her house one day from down the street to avoid her uncle, who came running up just after her carrying a sofa. A flipping SOFA! So I guess that's a thing. And they were saying that as kids, they knew when they did something wrong, and there were "tricks" they could do to not get beaten. Apparently the formula to avoid a beating is to tie grass together, urinate on it, and then find a small rock and put it under your tongue. And that's not just a South Africa thing, because Elder Kakar jumped in and said he did the same thing in Uganda! They all ended up agreeing it didn't work, though, because they still got beaten... Ay. I guess there's more than one way to discipline a child, eh? In the words of the bucaneers, "The beatings will continue until morale improves."
A couple weeks ago while I was on an exchange with Elder Ocitti, we met a family called the Simelane family. We had the chance to teach a few of the sons this week, and one of them, Thulani, had been taught by the missionaries in Bluff a couple years ago, so that's pretty dope. The crazy thing is this... They stay across the street from a (less active) member, so you would have thought they'd been tracted into before... But they hadn't! And Thulani's only been back in his house here for about a month, so perfect timing. The three of them we're teaching seem to be loving the gospel. Lungelo is especially intrigued with the Book of Mormon.
We've been teaching a couple dudes named Sfiso and Nhlakanipho, and they came to church this week. Holla! Sfiso keeps telling us he wants to be baptized as well, so we've got that to look forward to.
One day this week, I believe it was Wednesday, we had lunch at the boarding, and Elder Esplin walked in and told us there were a couple guys outside that had been robbed and were asking for any old clothes or anything broken that we didn't need anymore. I was a little suspicious, but Elder Esplin encouraged us to go check. I ended up giving away a shirt and some flip flops. The four of us were looking at our vacuum cleaner, and Elder Morole said, "I think that's broken, isn't it?" No one objected, so we gave it away. Later that afternoon, we thought back and decided the vacuum probably just had hair stuck in it and actually wasn't broken. But either way, we no longer have a vacuum cleaner. Hopefully it's gone to a good cause.
We're trying to set up a family history stand in the Queensmeade library, so we're working with Brother Gardner a bit. He was telling me this week that he's got grandsons about my age that should be going to church and serving missions right now, but for one reason or another are not. He asked me, "What's kept you on track?" I had to pause for a minute, because I wasn't really sure. And then I kept thinking about it the rest of the week... And what I decided is this: I've really trusted my parents since the time I was young. Trusted that they know better than me. So lesson of the week... Kids, listen to your parents!
Berea ward's cool for a couple reasons. People here have family in the States, so people from the States come visit a lot. This week, a sister was here from California, so it was cool talking to her a little bit. President Bricknell, the stake president, has a sister from Utah who's in town as well. We had lunch at their place after church, and while still being the most stereotypically Mormon family I've met in ZA, they're super South African. She was telling us that all the South Africans that are living in Provo know each other and have kind of a community together. They braai together, they make biltong together... Sounds awesome, and Elder Esplin and I were invited into it once we're home. Hurrah for Mzansi!
And also Berea ward is cool because it's one of the only places in the mission where elders quorum turns into the three old balding white guys leading the discussion and telling stories from their youth. Reminds me of home...
Ntokozo was baptized yesterday, and the service was beautiful. He was invited to church by his friend Bafana, who was invited to church by his friend Artwell. They're a really great group of guys, and Artwell had the privelege of baptizing Ntokozo. His testimony afterward was beautiful, and his mother keeps telling us what a big change she's seen in him since he started coming to church. Ah... The gospel is great, isn't it?
And then finally... Made my third trip to the Natal Lion Park this morning. Sometimes you luck out and see elephants as well, and today just happened to be our lucky day. (Although a bit unlucky for the inside of our car, which now wreaks of elephant slobber. Worth it.) Man... Africa's cool.
One more week of the transfer... Time's moving, eh?
Sala kahle, stay positive, and love your lives my friends.
Thanda kakhulu,
iGosa Johnson
No comments:
Post a Comment