In Memoriam: Elder Latu

In Memoriam: Elder Nofo-I-Lelenga Latu (1997-2016) - The outpouring of love and prayers for our dear companion and friend, Elder Latu—who died in a tragic car accident on Thursday—has been overwhelming and so appreciated. It has also been a genuine godsend to our missionaries who have been understandably devastated by this tragedy. Elder Latu was a phenomenal, consecrated missionary who inspired and lifted all he came in contact with. Every day and in every way he was all about doing the work of the Lord. He truly gave "the last full measure of devotion." And his radiance and effervescent spirit will be sorely missed. His unflinching commitment to his God and his religion can be best stated with the words of another similarly committed young person, Joan of Arc: “Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing, and so they give their lives to little or nothing. One life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it…and then it’s gone. But to surrender who you are and to live without belief is more terrible than dying – even more terrible than dying young.” Elder Latu certainly gave his life for what he believed in. And his stellar example will continue to inspire and lift us as we mourn together and work through this painful event. It will no doubt also help us as we collectively rise from our sadness and become even more committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ—which gives us the the clarity and certainty of knowing that Elder Latu's spirit indeed lives on. I will never forget the day we met Elder Latu and first saw his ever-present smile on a bright and beautiful morning this past August at the mission home in South Africa. Nor can I ever forget the stirring tribute to him yesterday morning, on Christmas Eve, where every missionary in Johannesburg gathered to reflect on Elder Latu's life, and on the 100-day reading of the Book of Mormon which culminated that same morning. As our missionaries bowed their heads in tribute, Elder Latu's companion, Elder Andrews, holds up Elder Latu's Book of Mormon,flanked by Elder Eatough (left) and Elder Droubay (right), who were all miraculously unhurt in the accident. Elder Latu's last journal entry in this study book reads, "I am so grateful for the joy I find in this work." Please join us as we continue to pray for Elder Latu's family in New Zealand, and for the missionaries who mourn our loss yet celebrate his remarkable life here in South Africa. ‘Oku ou ‘ofa ‘ia koe, Elder Latu.

 Elder Latu was trained by Elder Benson (above) and served in the village of KaNymazane. This picture captures his energy and positive outlook on all that he was sent here to do!

More information coming as we plan for a mission memorial!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Monday December 12, 2016
Well, it is finally "go time" and Elder Souza is the first one to fly out. We loaded everyone in the H1 and headed to OR Tambo International Airport. 

Elder Souza was met at the airport by sweet families and friends that came out to bid him farewell.

One last group show for this foursome before they start departing.

Good-bye Elder Souza- stay in touch!

These three are left and the flights are next and coming soon.
This is a great group that represent 4 different continents that they are flying home to.
We re excited for them all to be getting home before Christmas.

Home for the Holidays

Christmas is coming early for 4 Elders as they head home this week, just in time for the holidays. They came to the temple today to be interviewed with a final reflection before departing.

Here we are joined by our Assistants,
Elder Zitumane, Elder Nelson, Elder Turauskis, Sister and President Dunn, Elder Lefthand, Elder Souza and Elder Campbell.

Elder Souza, Elder Lefthand, Elder Turauskis, Elder Nelson

Elder Souza heads home to Brazil

Elder Turauskis is heading home to Lithuania 

Elder Lefthand heading home to Roy, Utah

Elder Nelson heads home to Brisbane, Australia

We love being with these great Elders and feel it is so bittersweet to say goodbye.

Thanks to Elder Campbell and Elder Zitumane for all their help in getting all the details of this mini transfer set up.

Mission Tour with Elder Ellis

Mission Tour with Elder Stanley G. Ellis and Kathryn K. Ellis
December 6 and December 8, 2016
Roodepoort Chapel
South Africa Johannesburg Mission

The Johannesburg Zone
Back Row-
Elder Andrews, Elder Hosmer, Blackburn, Flack, Eki, Latu, Eatough, Chikoore, Droubay, Sousa, Campbell, Zitumane, Irakiza
Front Row: Chaka, Bartice, Sister and Elder Ellis, President and Sister Dunn, Jennings, Sousa

The Roodepoort Zone
Back Row: Elders Avarell, Daniels,Blaylock, Higgs, Mbiriwiri, Mazinyane, Wride, Ott, Mavuso, Wolfgramm
Front Row: Elders Ebite, Luwiere, Sister Ellis and President Ellis, President Dunn, Elder Manoo, Elder Samuel

The Soweto Zone
Back Row: Elder Gwaka, Elder Chirwa, Elder Powell, Elder Cox, Elder Davis, Elder Curriden, Elder Malunga, Elder Hlophe, Elder Nelson, Elder Musiiwa, Elder Valikoula, Elder Wardle, Elder Allen
Front Row: Elder Thompson, Elder Blow, Sister and Elder Ellis, President and Sister Dunn, Elder Jorgensen, Elder Ansumana

The Vaal Zone
Back Row: Elder Adams, Elder Mugenyi, Elder Chaka, Elder Mkwizu, Elder Kei, Elder Lino, Elder Galbraith, Elder Greener,
Elder Dionisiu, Elder katia, Elder Davey, Elder Martinho, Elder Dorn, Elder Carr
Front Row:
Elder and Sister Duncan, Elder and Sister Jensen, Sister and Elder Ellis, Sister and President Dunn, Sister and Elder Robison

The Senior Couples of the SAJM!
L-R
Wells, Jensens. Duncans, Dunns, Ellis, Cards, Blacks, Larsons, Robisons

Bedfordview Zone:
Elder Masiya, Elder Derera, Elder Weidmann, Elder Kilgore, Elder Cowan, Elder Lambert, Elder Ete, Elder Schnepf, Elder Kealer, Elder Smith Elder Sibanda

Front Row: Elder Kagimba, Elder and Sister Ellis, President and Sister Dunn, Elder Nglaizi

Benoni Zone
Elder Benson, Elder Magesi, Elder Kwhela, Elder Mkhize, Elder Grame, Elder Shava, Elder Daki, Elder Lefthand, Elder West, Elder Chingomanje, Elder Engrom, Elder Reynolds, Elder Tima, Elder Shamanga
Front Row: Elder Austin, Elder Randrianandrasana, Elder Figuereo, Elder Rouse, Sister and Elder Ellis, President and Sister Dunn, Elder Mkhize, Elder Turauskiis, Elder Jangao, Elder A'homohe

Centurion Zone
Elder Wikaira, Elder Kuyangepi, Elder Musiiwa, Elder Stevenson, Elder Nielsen, Elder Warnock, Elder Treasure, Elder Morrill, Elder Marsden, Elder Sorge, Elder Bakes, Elder Kokotiko, Elder Reynolds
front Row: Elder Phiri, Sister and Elder Ellis, President and Sister Dunn, Elder Adamson

One for Fun!

Candids from the Mission Tour

Elder and Sister Ellis stay at the SAJM mission home to make this a real "mission tour." Even though they live just 20 minutes away, they gave us the tour experience so we could all spend more time together.

We enjoyed a nice evening together with dinner and time to really visit and discuss many aspects of the mission. Elder and Sister Ellis came to South Africa in August 2014, just a few weeks after we arrived. they also go home at the asme time we go home in July 2017. It has been sweet to share this journey with them.

Our day started with a healthy breakfast together before the mission tour began.

It is such a treat to have the Ellis' presence in the mission home- especially as house guests.

Add captionWe were also able to have our daughter Emi share in this experience. It is such a special time for all of us. We also had another night during the mission tour when the mission home was filled with wonderful house guests. Our Nelspruit senior couples and Sister Willis and Sister Foxx and the Assistants joined with us on Monday night before the conference began.

An extra shot taken after the zone pictures
L-R: Sister Foxx, Sister Willis, President and Sister Dunn, Sister and Elder Ellis, Elder Campbell, Elder Zitumane

On both days the conference began with announcements and then Elder Ellis gave a wonderful introduction about how to get the most form the mission tour. President and Sister Dunn both were asked to share a message or training. Afterwards, Sister and Elder Ellis presented and trained.

President Dunn doing a role play with Elder Kokotiko about the importance of getting people to church

Lunch happened after all the training. It is a nice time to relax and mingle with each other. We took group (zone) pictures after and there was one more training for zone leaders and district leaders.

Sister and Elder Wells oversee the lunch set up and help us make sure everyone gets served.

We had extra help today serving our chicken pot pies and salad!

Elder Ellis training the zone leaders and district leaders after lunch.

Elder Ellis also arranged for a senior couple discussion at the very end. It was a nice opportunity to discuss how things are going and some expectations.

Sister Robison grabbed me for a picture! Love this gal.

Some missionaries were waiting for the leadership meetings to end- allowing them some time to be together.

We feel honored to have Reagan Kate Reagan with us at our 2016 Mission Tour. We will forever remember having her presence here.

We had our little grand-daughter here and needed to take the opportunity to put her in a picture with lots of missionaries.!