Letter from Michael 1-121-2015- Eight Weeks Left

This week we did much finding. For a while my attitude about finding people in this area wasn't the greatest. Everyone we talk with is from somewhere else. Then I thought to myself as long as I am giving people the opportunity and at least finding for Elders in other areas than I'm doing some good and doing my part. It is about making the word of God known and building his kingdom. I must be prayerful and hopeful in all that I do as a missionary and good things are will come. We set up a booth last week and passed out many cards, pamphlets, and copies of the Book of Mormon. Hopefully we can teach some of them this week. Renato and Vusi were at church yesterday. Dell and Thendi are going to be interviewed on Thursday for baptism. 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." – Philippians

The slip N slide P-day was loads of Fun. The zone leader that was next to me in the pic at the Dunn's home sprained his shoulder. He is in the pic the day Hughes broke his shoulder.

Yes, the interview was nice. He mostly talked about how I feel about the last bit of my mission and he also talked to me about my plans for post mission.

I don't know the dates of the letters but recently I received letters from you, one from Dad, and one of the DeDen grandparents. 

Dell and Thendi's baptism is on the 25th of October and the transfer is on the 27th of October. A long time ago I made a deal with Nicki Pasi. He gave me a South African soccer jacket for the weights. He really wanted them and I got them for cheap anyway.

Serving a mission has been the most important time of my life. I do realize that what I am doing is not just about me. Obviously there is a greater purpose in all of this. The focus of my mission is not necessarily about what I can gain but about what I can give. It is a time of sacrifice and selfless service to the God and his children on the earth. I have enjoyed seeing people change and develop testimonies of the savior and the restored gospel. I have learned that it is always worth keeping the rules and commandments that have been set and the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in the work. If I don't have the Spirit I cannot teach.

It is interesting how serving God works. I can never be able to pay him back for all that he is done for me. I say this because every time I serve him or obey him he blesses me and my family so greatly. I once read a quote that said something to the effect, "If you give the Lord a crumb, He will give you a loaf." Sacrifice is something the I am grateful for and have understood better as I serve. We give up something important to us to the Lord for blessings of much greater worth. If I stayed home from mission I would lay up worldly treasures which will not last but my experiences and and blessings from serving a mission will be treasures in heaven where it will last forever. I came on mission with many weaknesses and even some fears. If I had never served a mission I wonder if I ever would have been able to over come them. I still have much more to learn and a long way to go but I know that I have overcome much in these last two years. I have strengthened my relationship with my Heavenly Father and have become a stronger individual.

 My mission has been the highlight of my life. I would not change this experience for anything in the world. I would encourage any young man that serving a mission is worth the short 2 years. If you serve the Lord you will never regret! I Know that there is God. I know him because I serve him. I have seen answers to every sincere prayer I have offered him. I have felt the Holy Spirit testify our Heavenly Father and our savior Jesus Christ. Anyone can know this if they become not just hearers of His word but doers of his word. I say this humbly in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

- Elder Michael Johnson

Part of his letter to his mom:

No, the temple trip was moved to Wednesday this week. In my studies I read a talk by Spencer W. Kimball about the apostle Peter. It mostly was about how Peter denied knowing Jesus three times but it wasn't the end for him. He was forgiven completely and was given all the keys of the priesthood. 

When asked how his interview with his president went, he responded:

I said it feels surreal to think that I'll be home so soon. It will be sad to leave South Africa and the mission but it is exciting to go home and continue on with life. He said he knows we are working well and he said I'm a good man. He told me that I have helped Elder Hughes with a lot these couple transfers.

Quote: "I may not always like to work, but I like what is in work, which for me is the chance to find myself and make a difference, for it is quite possible to work without results, but there will never be results without work." - Dick Plaistowe, SVP Sibanye Gold

Bishop Kirchman

Me/George/Edwin/ElderNovotny

The District: The Germiston Elders are in the back. (Elder Vataiki and Elder Morrill)
Elder Hughes and Johnson in the front

Letter from Michael 10-5-2015

It was an interesting Saturday for us last week. We got permission to go to the temple because a family that Elder Hughes was taught was going to be sealed for time and eternity in the temple. So we went there to support the family. We got there early on Saturday morning. It was actually too early so we found something to do while we waited. We went to the baptistery and witnessed baptisms and the did confirmations. I had never done that before in all of the times I have been to a temple. The Holy Spirit was definitely strong and present there.

After that the family came and we did an endowment session and then proceeded to the sealing room. It was my first time to ever witness a sealing ordinance. Even though I didn't know the family it was still nice to see. I don't remember the last time I felt the Holy Spirit so strongly. Afterwards the temple worker turned to me and the other 3 Elders and told us that our turn was not so far away. I said, "That is both a joyful and a scary thought."

Dell and Thendi are progressing very well. They were at church as well as Renato. I don't know if I said last time but Renato is on date for baptism as well. We still have not done the mega booth but we will this Saturday hopefully. We will set up a table and a big banner in Alberton City. then we will have some members with us with BOMs and pamphlets while we talk to people walking by. On Wednesday we are going with the ward to help out with the temple trip. We of course also got permission for that as well. We finally found a recent convert / less active member. His name is Washington. We had a good talk with him and will help him find a way to church this Sunday.

- Elder Michael Johnson

Part of his letter to his mom:

We will watch conference on the 17th and 18th when we have the DVDs.

The Church is so true! I will never forget that!

Today for zone activity we are going to have a slip n slide, water balloon fight, and braai!

Letter from Michael 9-28-2015

This week we started to teach Nicki's cousin, Aisha. Shane, Renato, Dell, and Thendi all came to church this Sunday. Renato, Dell, and Thendi are progressing towards baptism. Hopefully Dell and Thendi will get baptized on the 11th. Renato's baptism might be in December sometime. There was a primary program at church yesterday. It was a bit entertaining as usual. 

On Thursday I went to Germiston for an exchange. The Elders in that poor area Haven't had a baptism in over a year. Elder Morrill and Elder Vataiki should be having a couple baptisms next month though. Also, Thursday was national Heritage Day. So we went to the ward party for a bit in Germiston. I enjoyed the exchange we were able to teach a new investigator and found some new people for them to teach.

- Elder Johnson 

Part of his letter to his mom:

We meet with President Dunn on the 6th for interviews. It is strange to think that might talk is already scheduled. Is there a topic? Immaculate was basically taught everything before baptism; even the new member lessons. But we have done lots of review. 

We will be watching Conference late. We won't watch it until we get it on DVD.

When asked about the construction on a relatively new chapel, Michael wrote the following: It is new but the ward is growing fast. The chapel has gotten so much more full since I first came here. Sometimes there is not enough room for everyone in the chapel.

I have a small USB that I transfer pics over to. If there is a virus then I just format the small usb.

Part of letter to his dad:

I am glad bishop Sharp enjoys my emails! I know I'm not much of a writer and just give the bare minimum of how the week went. That is quite a shame about BYU.  

Nicky and Immaculate

Immaculate's baptism

Elder Huges'  broken collarbone 

construction on the chapel due to increased church attendence

Elder Rouse's bike accident

Selena in Whitbank, she is now a primary teacher

Whitbank Branch Pesident Nish and his family

Letter from Michael 9-21-2015- Confirmation

This Sunday Immaculate was confirmed a member of the church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. A less active member named Kristen came to church and also came with her boyfriend who we have been teaching. This was the first time that I saw the boyfriend, Richard, at church. They should be coming much more often now that they have a car. Renato, Dell, and Thendi also came to church. Dell and Thendi are on date for baptism on the 11th of October.

The Rugby World Cup is a huge thing here. Everyone is talking about it. Everyone is upset here that South Africa lost to Japan. Elder Hughes was quite happy to see that England beat Fiji. By the way there is a brand new greeny in my district. His name is Elder Vataiki who is from Fiji. He said last night was the coldest night of his life... poor guy... last night was nothing. He would die if he were sent anywhere with snow. The Bedfordview area split into two areas and so there have been some changes in districts. Our district is now only 4 Elders. It is just Alberton and Germiston. At least it will be nicer for call in reports on Sunday evenings. District meeting on Friday was about meaningful fasting which is something I needed. This transfer we are fasting 42 days for the purification challenge. Each companionship is fasting on a specific day for things they want to improve on to become more effective missionaries.

- Elder Johnson

Quote: "My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." - D&C 136:31

Part of his letter to his dad:

Hey! Elder Hughes is definitely getting better. He can move his arm around he just isn't as fast.

Shame that BYU lost. It sounds like it was still a good game though.

Part of his letter to his mom:

Bishop Kirchman did the confirmation. I tried sending pics but of course the viruses prevented that. No we only fast one day but we all take a turn.

Yes, people were there to support at the baptism. Sister Sibeko spoke about the Holy Spirit and Elder Hughes spoke about baptism. 

One of them that went home is in my group. Elder hughes can shower because he got the staples out on Friday. He now has to go back in six weeks. I will probably be gone by then. 

By the way we saw an old investigator from my first transfer here. She came to drop off a package to send to her son who is serving in Durban.

More people from my first area, Polokwane, came to Alberton today. I saw them at church and Sister Koopa's place for the lunch appointment. Sster Koopa is also from Polokwane. I think they were just visiting her though. At Transfers I saw Elder and Sister Winward who were the senior missionaries in Polokwane. I got to speak with them and say goodbye. They got a picture with me but unfortunately I did not have a camera with me at the time. They plan to serve another mission soon next year.

Elder Hughes with broken collarbone and Michael Sept. 2015

Michael at September 2015 Transfers

More of September 2015 Transfers

Letter from Michael 9-14-2015- Transfer Confusion & Baptism

Fortunately Immaculate was baptized on Sunday and it went well. We managed to last minute print up a program for her baptism. Renato, Dell, and Thendi were also there. Our lesson with Renato went well. He wants us to start coming every Wednesday night. We are getting to know him a bit better now. I forgot to tell you that last Sunday I got to teach the Elders quorum class. It actually went well and there was good participation. The lesson was about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. It was my first time teaching in that class.  

On Friday we went to the Hospital for Elder Hughes. Unfortunately the staples have to stay in longer which means a longer time with out a shower. He uses a lot of deodorant spray, "shower in a can." He has to go again this Friday. 

On Friday night we got the transfer news which shocked us all. Elder Hughes was leaving even though he has only been here for 6 weeks. The members quickly noticed a pattern that all of my companions are English, they get injured, and they only stay 1 transfer. Just today we received a phone call from the AP, Elder Warton, saying that he was sorry but there was a mistake when the news came out. So actually Elder Hughes and I are staying together. 

We had a great lesson with one of our less actives. We brought an active member over to fellowship Musa. She seemed to enjoyed that. We had a great discussion about the light of Christ and showed a video of Elder Bednar speaking about the light of Christ. We have been using many Mormon messages in our teaching lately. After the lesson since Musa has a 10 year old son we played Uno. So it was like a family home evening for them.

There is a Catholic church in our area that has a huge statue of the virgin Mary. Lightning has struck it 3 times fairly recently in some of the storms. It damages the statue each time and they even put metal conductors around it to try to stop the lightning from hitting it. It seems a bit strange... quite a coincident.

- Elder Johnson

Quote: "No man knows how much he can endure until he must. Strength, patience and ability increase with necessity."

- Rchard L. Evans 

Part of his letter to his dad:

Hey, thanks for the BYU update. It sounds like a great game. Those are some very long passes. They just have to get the running game started. So Hill is out for the season then? 

It was nice of Dan to give you the tickets!

Part of his letter to his mom:

Ya, Hughes's pain is wearing off. 

That is funny, I am trying to imagine you yelling or cheering like Dad for the game!

When asked: So did you get to baptize Immaculate? Yes I did.

Letter from Michael 9-7-2015  - Beginning September

This was an interesting week. On Monday we spent all day in the hospital to get Elder Hughes 2nd set of x-rays. Lo and behold there was no difference in the new x-rays. It was no shocker to us but they ended up deciding to do the surgery on Elder Hughes's collarbone. On Tuesday night we went back up to the mission home to stay overnight. Elder Hughes left at 5:30am to go down the street to the hospital. I ended up staying the day with the Florida Elders. I was with Elder Smalley who is training Elder Ete from Samoa. It was fun serving with them and I was surprised that I even spent the night at the Florida flat. Elder Hughes didn't come out of the hospital until Thursday. Poor guy... he was in so much pain. He can't shower until Friday when he gets the stitches out. At the Florida Elders' flat we made chocolate muffins and then at the end of the day we took it to the Gallant family. They are actually members in our area. We go to the Gallant's every Wednesday night for a dinner appointment.

Immaculate had another interview on Thursday night. Fortunately she passed and is able to be baptized this coming Sunday. She changed her mind and wants me to baptize her instead of her husband, Nicki. He will baptize their kids later on. Shane and Renato came to church. We Had another less active come to church. Her name is Kirsten. She hasn't been to church in the longest time! I never have seen her there until yesterday. We had a great lesson with her and encouraged her to talk with the bishop on Sunday. Thankfully it help and she started meeting with bishop on Sunday to get her life in order. One less active, Giselle, came back to church a few weeks ago. She has not missed a week since then. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! Love you!

Quote: 

"Coming together is the beginning;

keeping together is progress.

Working together is success."

Part of his letter to his mom:

Transfers are next week Tuesday. I am so excited for BYU football! My visa and one other Elder's visas got extended to December. I think today we will sit in the flat. Elder Hughes can't do anything.

13 weeks left. Doesn't sound like much, eh?

Part of his letter to his dad:

(After opening his dad’s email and finding nothing but an attached photo, he wrote: Must have been some play. Tell me the details... just like Mom always asking for details about my mission.")  When his dad finally sent the correct email he wrote: So far I saw the BYU pics. Looks cool.

Sounds like an awesome game and ending especially. Poor Taysom Hill can't ever catch a break. He gets injured the beginning of every season. Shame. It sounds like the back up quarterback is doing well though

.

(When he saw a photo of his mom opening presents, he wrote: Is Mom opening present or is it the kids... I can't tell. 

Letter from Michael 9-1-2015- Broken Collar-Bone

For P-day last week we played rugby! T'was fun! Not long after we began Elder Hughes dove over someone scoring. His shoulder went straight into the ground and he heard a crackling sound. One of our zone leaders, Elder Larson, came with us to the hospital. We got the x-rays and the break in Elder Hughes's collar-bone is prety bad. It is broken in two places with a bone floating in the middle. There is a huge bulge in his shoulder now. I wish I had the x-rays. One of the surgeons tried to send me he x-rays through email but it never made it through. 

Today we are going in for more x-rays and they will see if he needs surgery or no. I'm no Doctor but I would say he definitely needs a surgery. It is messed up! I seems as though all of my English companions are getting hurt. The members jokingly say they think I have a curse. 

Anyway, Renato, Immaculate, Vusi, Thendi, Dell, and Dell's mother came to church. Immaculate is having a another interview for baptism this Thursday. She is doing well. We had another less active member come to church. We have been able to set up some appointments with some members I don't know yet. We plan on dropping some non-progressing investigators and we will fine new ones.

Quote: "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply we esteem too lightly." - Thomas Paine

Part of his letter to his mom:

No. I did not do anything concerning EMT. There wasn't anything to do. We have a car now full time!

We started teaching Basil's girlfriend. Basil is a less active member. She is a nice lady and has been through a lot. We began teaching about the nature of our Heavenly Father and lightly touched on the Restoration. We started teaching Dell's mother about the Restoration and she enjoyed it. She left her church because she didn't think the pastor had the priesthood or was worthy of it. She enjoyed church the past couple of Sundays. She is going back to Zimbabwe this week. She is trying to find the LDS church up there where she lives. I think she will eventually be baptized too. Renato Lopes is beginning to understand how he feels about the church and is now recognizing now when he feels the Holy Spirit testify of truth to him.

(When asked how Elder Hughes is doing):  Yeah, it hurts especially when he moves it it is excruciating. He doesn't complain much though. Actually he doesn't complain. The skin is turning yellow around the injury. So the bruising has finally come through. I used to put the ties on him everyday but now he has a sling. I also have to help him with his shirts and I wash the dishes for him.

There was a dinner at the mission home for a missionary couple leaving and a new one arriving when...Right in the middle of the gathering we were treated by a visit of 4 Elders due to an injury sustained by Elder Hughes, (below). While playing Rugby on P-day, he broke his collar bone and ended up at the Flora Clinic for X-rays. We invited them over to have a quick dinner with us, while we consulted with the area doctor about possible purgers! never a dull moment in the mission home!- Sister Dunn 8-24-2015

Elder Allred giving Elder Hughes some advice about dealing with a broken collarbone. Notice the ties tying back his clavicle until he gets a brace.
*Note: he is going in for surgery in the morning- Sister Dunn 8-24-2015

Michael and the Bedfordview Zone- Michael in the back row 8-25-2015

b

Michael eating with his zone at zone conference 8-25-2015

2nd photo eating with zone