5.23.16 Moving the work forward!

5/23/16

Morning Fam!

Back at it again in the land of Mzansi. There is plenty to update you on and some exciting things happening! So this week, I'll give you a day to day run-down of life in the Jo-Burg mission!

Tuesday- we began our week on an exchange! So I went to an area in Soweto called Protea-Glen and Elder Ratsi held down the fort in Kagiso. Our first lesson pretty much set the tone for the day. We met a man named Moses. He is about 33, skinny as a rail, and struggling to overcome some addictions. His life has been h.e.c.t.i.c. He is an ex- drug abuser who has taken steps to change and he faithfully comes to church every week. He shared about how he smoked a cigarette this week and then he opened the Book of Mormon and instantly he threw and stomped out the rest of the bud. #alldatpower

Wednesday- back in the area with Elder Ratsi! It was another Power-packed day. It started  a little iffy we tried to have a member  come with us for the first couple of lessons. We weren’t very successful however, we ironed it out and ended up taking a prospective elder out. After the first couple of lessons he said, "Elders is it alright if I stay out a little longer" a little longer turned into the entire day and even though he is deathly afraid of dogs. We pushed through and had a great day!

Thursday- We awoke and got the news that a less-active member we had given a blessing to about a week earlier had passed away..... The family was already grieving over a lost granddaughter about a month before, and then they lost their grandmother. The other side of it, is we can see the  sparks of their testimony were being kindled. They knew the plan of Salvation, but for years they had neglected the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Trials indeed do make you stronger! They have accepted an appointment to meet with us again!

Friday- TEMPLE TRIP 

Because we have a temple in our area. President Dunn allows our entire zone to have a temple trip every other transfer. Oh how I love being in the temple and I know why in Primary we sing "I Love to See the Temple." After our session,  we had a district meeting outside of the cafeteria and even got to see some of the visiting  Elders Kevin Hamilton, Carl B. Cook, and Fandrianoma Ratsimbazafy. 

Saturday- another exchanges in Pimville. Had a service opportunity where we helped a recent-convert whose house was destroyed by the government, then excavate and dump a "load" of bricks and sand. At the end of the service I shouted "MOVE THAT BUS".............. everyone looked around and asked me where is that bus. . . . . I guess Extreme Home Makeover never made it to South Africa :)

Sunday- We had a baptism! A 13 year old boy who lives with his Grandma, his  named is Junior and he was baptized! It has been pretty interesting to teach him, because at 13 he was addicted to coffee. The problem was solved with a universal treaty that Hot Chocolate could be used and........he was able to be baptized! 

Love you and hope you enjoy your week!

Elder Bhead

5.16.16 Blessings of the Temple

5.16.16

Whaddup Fam!
First things first, sorry about the no-show last week. We organized a tour of the historic sites of Soweto and a kind member offered to take us around. I'll send some pictures next week. It was aneye-opening experience to tour and learn more of the history of the place that we serve. P.S. we were able to see the homes of  two  Nobel Prize winners. Double P.S. They live/d on the same street.

As to our missionary efforts this week, we continue to see growth and miracles everywhere we go. I'll share an experience that I had on Saturday. Melusi Nyoka, a young man from Nelspruit, went through the temple on Saturday to receive his endowments so we were able to go and support him.  While we were sitting down preparing to begin our session, a guy with one crutch walks through the door and it is.................Zach! I’m pretty sure  I told you about Zach, but he is a member in the Kanyamazane Branch who I was able to visit a couple of times while I was on exchanges. His brother ran over his leg about 6 months ago and he has had a rough
time getting back into the swing of things. We didn’t have time to visit before the session started but I was so happy to see Zach there. Anyways as I sat and waited I was humbled to be an escort in the temple. I don't think I have ever seen someone so happy to be in the temple. It made me really appreciate how close I am to the temple!
So after the session, I had the opportunity to help Zach change back into his regular clothes and he said Elder Broadhead watch this....... then without a crutch he was able to stands straight up. My thoughts were......cool man,  but can I help you tie your tie. Then he grabbed my shoulder and said. "That is the first time I have stood up, without a crutch, for 6 months." Then it hit me. Just as Christ healed those with different infirmities in the temple, he continues to do so today. I’m so grateful that the Lord has patience with us. It took me a minute but I was able to see the miracles that are in our lives every day. "He lives, and while he lives I'll sing. I know that my Redeemer Lives"
love you all!
elder broadhead

5.2.16 The Prodigal Son

May 2nd, 2016

My thoughts stems from a great lesson that I learned from our Soweto Stake President last Sunday in Ward Conference.It is focused on missionary work and the goodness of the restored gospel. My thought stems from 2 places. #1 Luke 15:3-31 In this chapter the Savior teaches us 3 profound parables.Many of us have read and pondered each of these in depth. The Parable of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. Each of these parables can be related to missionary work.
In the parable of the lost sheep, sometimes those we know fall less-active not because they willfully have gone astray, but in search of greener pastures they separate themselves from the flock and it is our responsibility to rescue them.
In the lost coin dilemma. I would open with this question? Was it the coins fault for being misplaced? Often, those who are new or returning members "fall through the cracks" because of lack of diligence by those in whose care they have been intrusted. It is our responsibility to sweep and clean the house until we find the coin. Then call our friends together and rejoice that we found it!
Finally, in my favorite parable of all time. The Prodigal Son willfully rebels against his father and goes away into the far land and wastes away his inheritance. Many we know have chosen to go astray and leave the security of Gods Commands. How then should we treat them? Just as the the Savior explains, Run and kiss them on the neck. We should be patient and when the time comes that they return we should rejoice in their return. not saying, "I told you so."
Second, To the Rescue:We can do it by Elder M Arnold. I am running out of time and typing as fast as I can but  this talk especially touched me, I won't write to much. Instead, let us go to the rescue of those that we know!

love you guys 

love elder Bhead

 

4.25.16 Soweto

April 25th, 2016

Welcome from the depths of Soweto. 

We had transfers on Tuesday this week and it was pretty bittersweet. It was amazing to serve in a small branch like Nelspruit, because you come so close to the members and
they are just like your extended family. So it is pretty rough to leave them, but I am excited to be back in the heart of Johannesburg and serve the in the famous streets of Soweto. I'll tell you a little about our area. It is called Kagiso, it is the township right next to Krugersdorp. It is about 15 minutes from the mission office, so I get to see all the new greenies when they come into the MTC. It is a very large ward, that just split into two. So there are two companionships covering the streets of Kagiso. My new companion is Elder Ratsimbazafy from ..........................Madagascar. The first thing that I asked him is "Is there anyone famous from Madagascar?" He replied, "King Julian". lolol he speaks French, Malagasy and an improvised English. 

About this week, there was a lot of running around and doing errands for other missionaries and it seemed like everyday we had something unexpected come up and put a damper on our plans:) I'll just share a thought that I had as I was studying this week. It comes from D&C 19:14-18 We had a training about 1 month ago about teaching repentance. So I wanted to make sure that I understood it clearly myself. In those scriptures, I think I caught a small glimpse of why the gospel is so important and why the gospel writer Luke penned the famous verse found in chapter one and verse 37 "For with God, nothing shall be impossible". Wherever we are in our lives. Whether it be the streets of Soweto or the Parkways of Provo, the gospel in its entirety will provide peace, love and joy for those who seek it. I love you all and hope that we each remember the simplicity of the gospel :)
Love Elder Broadhead

4.18.16 Sizle's Baptism

April 18, 2016

All good things come to an end. How true is that statement. 1996-98 Jazz, Kobe Bryant Career, Chad Johnsons last names, and Lebrons Hairline. lol, but my last week here in Nelspruit has been a great send off. From watching investigators make life changing decisions, to sunrises in the Kruger National Park, it has been a place that has changed my mission and in course changed my life. There have been many notable things happen this week. Starting with last Monday the senior couples (as senior couples do) decided to make a pickleball court and challenge the junior missionaries. Age does not mean grace :) 

Tuesday we had an exchange with the Kanyamazane Elders and I had the opportunity to interview 2 of the people they are teaching. I'll share there stories. 

The first is a man named Isaac Dladla. He is about 48 years old and lives by himself in a small little garage thingy (sorry for the description) He had a work related accident that left him with impaired movement in his left leg and his left arm. So daily things like putting on a shirt and moving around his home take a lot of effort. Needless to say, he met the elders while walking with his crutch and they scheduled a time to see him and invited him to church. He accepted the gospel and that is all she wrote. #faithlikepotatoes He continues to walk, slowly but surely to church every Sunday. 

The other is a young man named Basil. He is 18, and his mom and dad are both members and he just moved this side from Zimbabwe. Another prepared soul, who hopes to serve a mission in a years time!

Moving on to things that happened this week! We were blessed to have a baptism! Her name is Sizile  and she again has a wonderful story. We met about 2 months ago, when Sizile noticed the chapel near her home and decided to come and see what it was all about. We began to teach her at her brothers home (who is a chaplain at the prison and a pastor at his own church) Well fellow shipped and after dreaming about the Tree of Life in 1st Nephi 8 :0 she took the leap of faith and was baptized!  Soweto better be ready!

The gospel is true and is restored in its fullness!

Elder Landen Broadhead