Departures Arthur/Carter

Elder Arthur and Elder Carter depart for home mid-transfer!

 On Tuesday February 16 we said good-by to Elder Arthur headed back to Ghana. He was able to stay most of the transfer, but had to leave a week earlier than his group due to visa issues. We will miss him.

Elder Arthur left a great legacy of service and leadership. he will also be remembered as of late for his amazing feat of carrying 25 Book of Mormons on his head for the Christmas talent show! He did this while singing and playing the guitar. We love you Elder Arthur.

Wednesday February 24

Just last week we headed once again to take a missionary for a departure. We are always sad to see these great young men leave us, but excited for their futures. Elder Carter has plans to go into the Royal Airforce and be a pilot. He heads back to the United Kingdom. We love you and will miss you.

Elder Carter departure

A baptism in Tsakane

We were honored to attend the Tsakane branch for our first time on Sunday February 21st. We were so impressed to see 5 baptisms in the same day. Elder Mazinyane and Elder Natwijuka are doing such a great job. They had an investigator class of over 20 pepple and 10 of them are on date to get baptized. 

We could not believe how amazing the ward members were. One special little blind girl had practiced her original song and payed it for us. We were so honored to share such special experiences.

A Bear in Verrininging

On Saturday February 20, 2016 we headed to the Vaal to offer a bear fireside. Over 150 people came with about 10 investigators. It was a great success. 

President Gwebu and President Dunn. The Vaal District was created over 2 months ago and this great man is the new District President. He has done such a great job in such a short amount of time, organizing and leading this new district. The hope is that the Vaal will become a Stake as it grows. We are honored to work with him. This bear fireside was a chance to bring people together and grow the branches.

People like the personal story and pictures that go along. Here is a picture of President Dunn when the rescue people found him after the bear attack.

Great to see all the missionaries form the Vaal Zone in attendance.

Great memories of all the members and investigators in attendance to follow:

Three beautiful women!

Elder Asay, Elder Shava and Elder Nelson

Elder Watenga (zone leader on left) introduced us to many members and investigators in attendance

Elders Nelson, Shava,  Mavuso, Khwela and Vataika

Loved the kids

and teenagers....

Elder Mavuso and Elder Manoo.

Elder Nelson and Elder Shava with some great members and investigators.

Proud daddy

Our zone leaders, Elder Asay and Elder Watenga with a great member.

More great poses
Elder Nelson, Watenga and Manoo

Ikageng training

On Thursday February 4th we headed to Ikageng and provided a training for the area leadership in Potchefstroom, Jouberton and Klerksdorp. We stopped first for a second interview and met up with Elder Opolot and Elder Chirwa. The Msane's are always up for meeting and greeting missionaries.

Great to meet with the investigator about to be baptized.

President Dunn loves seeing his missionary sons!

President Msane  form the Mission Presidency provided a great training. He is the newly called Mission President in Kenya to start in July 2016.

Branch leadership was in attendance.

We had leaders from Young Women, Relief Society and Primary represented by these great women.

Also, President Kwaikwai, President Robbins and Counselor in attendance.

The Charchencko's brough President and Sister Kwaikwai with them form Potchefstroom.

Elder Robbins serves in the branch  presidency in Potchesfstroom. We were so glad his wife Liza could join with him for the evening.

Great evening...great training...great time to be together and be strnegthened.

Ikageng Interview

Ikageng Interviews happened on Tuesday February 23, 2016. We held this group off until the very day of the world wide training, so they would only have to drive in (2 hours) once. We enjoyed the time spent with each of them being interviewed, as well as a workshop.

L-R
Elder Opolot, Elder Zitumane, Elder Jorgensen, Elder Chirwa, Elder benson, Elder Bergman
What a great group of Elders.

We started with filing out the Financial "pop" quiz I prepared for each of them.

We then made a healthy, delicious and inexpensive smooothies. They did a great job and we are putting blenders int he flats over the next month, so they can use this skill.

I also demonstrated how to make home made bread. They looked on with amazement. hahah

Finally, the came up with their own ideas of how to set 10 Commandments for Financial Fitness. I am using much of what they listed in the Cumorah Crest this transfer. Thanks, Elders. Keep up the great work.

Mission Leadership Training

On Thursday February 25 we hosted our monthly Mission Leadership Council. The church has requested that we hold them more often, so we have them each month, not just once a transfer. 

We start with lunch and look at the good helpers I had in the kitchen. Elder and Sister Larsen and Sister Swells are helping chop last minute items for our Cafe Rio Copycat lunch.

Elder Masoka and Elder Pickup enjoying their last MLC together as companions. Elder Masoka goes home in just 4 days.

We are honored to have President and Sister Msane joining with us today. They a e preparing for their own role as Mission Presidents in Kenya starting in July 2016.

Elder Adjin and Elder Hepworth leading the Soweto Zone. Elder Hepworth is also headed home on Tuesday March 1, 2016.

Elder Asay from the Vaal Zone getting ready to consume his lunch!

Dig in!

President Msane with the Allred's and President Dunn. The Allred's leave today for home after 18 months. They will be so missed.

Enjoying lunch with our special guests, the Peterson's.

The meeting begins with a farewell to the Allred's. It was wonderful to pay tribute to them and also hear from them. A sweet way to honor them on their last day. The timing worked out so well.

Elder and Sister Allred shared their testimonies and amazing experiences.

Elder Peterson gave a Communication Presentation. It was very applicable to all of us present. It can help the zone leaders in dealing with so many various issues between companions.

President and Sister Dunn, as well as the Assistants, all have parts in the announcements and discussions of the meeting.  It went very well and it was special this time to have a training that is so helpful and applicable.