Centurion Comes

Our living room keeps filling up with the most awesome Elders. Today the Centurion Zone comes and we look forward to greeting and meeting with 16 Elders.
I am loving the opportunity to discuss the Book of Mormon on this 42 day of our 100 day mission wide read. we all read Alma 5 today.
Elder Jorgensen, Elder Stevenson,  Elder Mukwiiza, Elder Nielsen

We began talking about "digging for gold" and watched the mormon message- "Flecks of Gold" as we started

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEfg-Z-TOc8

This dynamic group had so many nuggets from their reading that they enthusiastically shared today. I was very enlightened by the chance to visit with them during the interviews.
Elder Mukwiiza, Elder Nielsen, Elder Stevenson, Elder Jorgensen

Next group up: Elder Kokotiko, Elder Morrill, Elder Martinho and Elder Adamson. I don't know how the discussion keep being so stimulating and invigorating, but they do. Thanks Elders for sharing from your heart. It is clear that your effort in reading the Book of Mormon is resulting in inspiring impressions.

We were sad to see them go and look forward to seeing them all soon. President Dunn does a great job connecting with each one- during the one on one interviews!
Next up- 4 Elders from Rabie Ridge and Tembisa

Elder Lino

Elder Treasure

Elder Sorge and Elder Nielsen

Elder Treasure, Elder Sorge, Elder Lino and Elder Nielsen
They brought their insights and ideas to day and the time went all too quickly. Thanks for sharing and being such awesome Elders.

The crippled mission mom:)  handing out a special packet to supplement the reading, before they leave. 

Our last group was as enthusiastic as the first. Truly, this group of Centurion Zone missionaries really brought their knowledge, insights and testimonies today. I could not have been more inspired and impressed all day.
President Dunn with Elder Wikaira, Elder Randi, Elder Bakes, and Elder reynolds. Thanks zone leaders, Wikaria and Reynolds for being so prepared and having you zone show up to participate!

Bedfordview Comes Knocking

Wednesday October 26, 2016 finds the jacaranda tress in full bloom and a bit of a windy, cooler day.
The Bedfordview Elders total 16 and they started arriving at 9 am for interviews.

Our first group of the day has Elder Wegrowski (who is a short-timer, as he goes home on Nov. 11th!) and his companion Elder Smith, Elder Schnepf and Elder Kagimba

Next group up includes Elder Sibanda, Elder Derera, Elder Weidmann and Elder Masiya.

We engaged in meaningful discussions about "digging for gold" in our impressions of the Book of Mormon. Every missionary has shared insights that have been most relevant to them.

 “There are trace amounts of gold in everybody, 0.2 to be exact.  

It’s in our bodies, our bloodstream; 

but the highest concentration of gold is found in the heart. 

Gold. It’s in us all; 

only some have the strength to dig it out.”

2016 Olympic Ad

I think reading and writing in the scriptures is like mining or panning for gold.  Each of us brings different tools and work ethic and interest to the study, and the amount of gold we find will reflect that.  I find it interesting that we are all serving in a land rich with gold. Johannesburg is specifically known as the city of gold.  

 I am impressed by the gold nuggets of insight that are coming as impressions.  A gold nugget is not yet a refined piece of coin. A nugget is a smallish, jagged, treasure of a find, usually you picture it torn away from a larger vein.  Just like real gold nuggets, our impressions must be flushed out, we have to look to find them and then ponder and polish it in our minds for the greatest value. Impressions are gold nuggets, but will stand the test of refining and expanding to bring them to their full value. That is why you gather to discuss, after much private reflection.

What will I do differently today and tomorrow because of what I have read about this person, or this story  or this testimony… or this behavior choice? To write those questions- and answer them- teaches us about making the commitments they we ask our investigators to make.  And it is mining for gold in their own hearts and characters, as well as in the scriptures.

We all shared many different perspectives from our reading.

Elder Kilgorre ponders

Elder Reid and Elder Eki both offered insights today that were powerful and listened to others share their impressions.

President Dunn enjoys a minute sitting with the entire group. He conducted 16 interviews today as he met with each missionary in the Bedfordview Zone.

We Begin With Benoni

Our interview cycle begins with our biggest zone- Benoni. On Tuesday October 25th,  24 Elders were scheduled to arrive in groups of 6. Here we have Elder Gramu, Elder Smalley, Elder Tima, Elder Dube, Elder Lambert and Elder Mkwizu.

We were ready and excited to greet them and welcome them into the mission home. I am glad to be up and standing on my recovering ankle. This provided a great focus for me and I was excited to see missionaries after a few days of recovery at home.

Come on in!

Our second group was Elder Daki, Elder Jangao, Elder Kuyangepi, Elder Khwela and Elder Kealor.
Elder Austin is in this group, but was laying down as he was feeling under the weather.

During our interviews today we also had a few transfers happening -6 to be exact. Due to exciting occurrences such as Elder Weidmann returning today after going home to Switzerland for a gall bladder surgery. We were so glad to get Elder Weidmann back. He is such a great missionary and we are so glad he could get his surgery and return to the SAJM.

Irene was extra helpful today, since I was not able to be on my feet easily. She helped me serve drinks, watermelon and granola bars to everyone throughout the day. It keeps her busy as so many missionaries were coming and going all day.

We also had another very special guest today. Elder Benson's father- Ryan Benson was in Johannesburg on his way to Zimbabwe for a safari expedition. He was able to stop by and spend time with the missionaries today. I enjoyed having him here to interact and discuss the Book of Mormon impressions with each group. 

We started off with a little summer time snack of watemelon!

As stated above, we had different groups drop in due to the transfers happening today- to pick up or drop off missionaries that were changing- so at different points of the day, we kept having more missionaries for Brother Benson to meet. His son, Elder Benson is serving up in KaNymazane, so he was not one that would be dropping in. They wanted it that way...with no plans for father to meet son in the mission field!
Elders Kuyangepi, Daki, Weidmann, Brother Benson, Eti, Eki, Kealor, and Jangao.

Today, in the time we had together, each missionary shared special sections they had been touched by in their recent reading from the Book of Mormon.

Many great insights were shared and we talked about the need to "dig" deep to find the things of greatest worth. We also discussed how important it is to make it relevant and personal for us.

Brother benson added so much to the discussions today. It was wonderful to have his insights, questions and testimony as part of our discussions.

Another group photo with a totally different set of missionaries.
Elders Reynolds, Katia, Chingomanje, Brother Benson, Mkhize, Cowan, Zitumane, and Dube. in front is Elder Rouse and Elder Magesi -

Our final group of the day, included Elder Katia, Elder Figeroa and Elder Chingomanje.....

...and  Elder Shava, Elder Shamnaga and Elder Campbell.

also Elder Valikola
What a great way to start the interview cycle. So, for the next days ahead, we will be doing the same thing with all th missionaries. Each day will be quite a bit smaller however. Benoni is our biggest zone- with 24 great Elders. 

Bears and Prayers Comes to Soweto

On Sunday October 23rd, President Dunn shared the bear story in a fireside in Soweto. 

The fireside started at 2:30 pm. Some of the members stayed after their earlier meetings that ended at 12 pm. A few needed to take a nap in between to make it to the start time! 

haha- It shows a lot of diligence to be willing to come to a 3 hour church block and then stay an additional 3- 4 hours to hear a fireside. It is nice you can lay down for a bit on the benches before the meeting started again.

The Dobsonville Elders planned the fireside, invited all their investigators and even sang a special musical number.

Elder Curriden, Elder Cox and Elder Pickup sang "Where can I turn for peace" while Elder Powell accompanied them on the guitar.

Missionaries are invited to initiate a fireside in their branch or ward, if it has not been offered yet. We find it is a great way to strengthen the ward or branch, while bringing investigators to the church for a faith promoting story. Thanks, Soweto District for leading out and for your amazing success in Soweto.

We were able to offer a lunch after the fireside and invited Irene and Bishop Shabalaya and their family to join since Dobsonville in Soweto is their ward- and also the Soweto District to thank them for planning such a successful event.  Elder Zitumane and Elder Dube helped serve the lunch to everyone. 

Potchefstroom Branch Conference

On Sunday October 16, 2016 we found ourselves in Potchefstroom with Elder Greener and Elder Nglazi for their branch conference.

It was a pleasure to take Joe and AL with us.

Here is President Dunn with the wonderful branch presidency, Brother Sydney Robbins, 2nd Counselor, President Kwai Kwai, David Rampai, 1st Counselor

Look at the brightness in the faces of these great women members. We love visiting with the members in Potch!

These two friends on the left are both expecting babies in the next few months. Sister Robbins and Sister Kwai Kwai are joined by Sister Horlick

This great couple, Hendrick and Natasha Pretorius were sealed in the temple yesterday, which was a year after Hendrick's baptism and 6 months after their wedding. They will add so much to the branch. Brother Pretorius was just called to be the Executive Secretary.

The Gubler girls-
Mother and daughter- what a great new addition to the Potch branch this family is. They were prayed here!

Does it get any cuter?

Brother Pretorius, (new Executive Secretary)  Brother Gubler, (new Elder's Quorum President) President Dunn, President Kwai Kwai and Brother Robbins