3/22/15 Best Kind of March Madness

Hey Fam,                  3/22/15

March Madness continues on and this week we were blessed to have a couple of baptisms. It was a boy and girl. They are the children of  an amazing lady who was a referral from another family that was baptized .She is such an amazing lady didn't feel ready but really wanted her children to be baptized so it was awesome. As March Madness continues to escalate, Elder Ainslie and I had another mad week of great experiences.

Tuesday-I started feeling like I was coming down with something. So I took some Ibuprofen and went into the area. It was pretty rough, I must say but something amazing happened. Every time we would open with a prayer at the beginning of a lesson it seemed the pain would go away and as we would close with a prayer it would come back again. So we had some amazing lessons. We taught two people that was a referral from the lady whose children we just baptized. 

Wednesday-The sickness continued, we didn't have the car today so we walked everywhere. Even worse is that it rained the entire day, I learned walking in the rain while being sick is one of the most miserable things. We had another amazing day. Jethro continues to learn and grow in the gospel and was ordained on Sunday. He is amazing, church is becoming a big family reunion for him as he is inviting his ENTIRE family to come to church. He has 15 brothers and sisters that have families of their own. Lets just say he is a gold-mine. We finished up the day teaching a guy who wanted to know about what happens after death. lol we dropped a ton of puns about the restoration. He said he felt the spirit very strongly testifying of the plan. So another miracle!

Thursday- back to a 100 percent for me, but I gave the sickness to Elder Ainslie. He was a warrior and went into the area as well. We met a man , who has been to church. He is going through some struggles, namely he separated with his wife and she passed away. So he has a lot of great questions that the gospel can answer. We finished the day at the lady’s whose children we just baptized and got everything ready for her baptism on Sunday! Elder Ainslie finished the day at the toilet throwing up. :)

Friday-Ainslie basically died, he slept for 14 hours. So I played housewife and cleaned and cooked and got everything sorted. Call me Cinderella.

Saturday-Prayers were answered and Ainslie was healed. I'll share an amazing experience that we had. We met this less-active lady named Sister Covenant. She is amazing, she was married to her late-husband for 13 years. They had 2 kids and were sealed in the Jo-Burg temple in 2011. He passed away in 2013 and she has been less-active since. So we found her and went and shared a message about families with her. She said she felt joy that has been missing in her life while we were there. Soon she will be back to church.

Sunday- Madness continues with the 2 baptisms. The baptisms went flawlessly and Elder Ainslie baptized the young man, and I baptized the young girl. The most awesome thing was we had about 10 investigators at the baptism. Each of them came to us after and said they wanted to be baptized. AFRICA IS BLESSED and I am grateful to watch each miracle the Lord sends.

The madness continues and Elder Ainslie and I are experiencing joys of the work. The church is true and it's simpleness is something that is absolutely beautiful. 

2 Blessed 2 Be Stressed

Elder Broadhead

3/16/15 SURPRISE!!!!!

March 16, 2015

Hi Family,

Fun SURPRISE for Elder Broadhead with  Zac Card

Sawubona bufanas! 

March Madness continues here in Rabie Ridge and Elder Ainslie and I put together our best week together so far! Before I get to it, I had an unexpected arrival this Sunday. We had a prime member travel 16 hours to attend church this week, yes it was Zac Card. Zac and his mom came and got to experience church in a Rabie Ridge.Yes. . . it was approved by Pres. Dunn. It was awesome to see him and hear about his mission call.

Tuesday-We had zone conference. President Dunn gave us some great advice to help us continue on in the work! We got back and met with Lizwe (the less-active member from Zimbabwe ) and his family. They will be put on date pretty quick just got to clear up some problems. I also borrowed a little kids ripstick and got to shred through the township a little bit, the kids thought I was Tony Hawk lol. 

Wednesday-A verrrrrry verrrry busy day. Elder Ainslie and I did a lot of teaching. One of our recent converts, Jethro, is absolutely powerful. He is going teaching with us and we almost spend an entire day teaching different members of his extended family. Reminds me of Lehi and the tree of life. He is tossing out fruit to all those around him :)

Thursday-Weekly  Planning and getting lost. In one of my last emails, we met a guy named Kcalisto. We drove around forever to find his place and eventually stood in a middle of an intersection so he could notice us. Anyways our hard worked paid off . He and his wife hadn't been to church since 2010 and they have 6 kids and 3 are unbaptized. So another awesome family to work with. 

Friday-District Meeting and teaching :) we finished off at a members house and had a brie. It was a farewell brie for Elder Kolditz who is going home in 2 weeks. 

Saturday- another day of working :)

Sunday-Stake Conf and Zac Card and exchanges.

Well, Time certainly flies. While talking to Zac it was amazing to see how fast time moves. I hope you all have a great week and enjoy March Madness for me!

Elder Broadhead

3/9/15 Just trying to blend in. . . .

March 9, 2015

Good morning!!!! Sorry again about last week, time was short  and computers were SUPER slow. The weeks here in Rabie Ridge continue to fly by. I received the Christmas package and the Valentines one from the Young Women as well, so this week really was a party! A big shout out to the Young Women for their motivational hearts. . . .  now their hearts are hanging on my wallJ

 I realized that I haven't really described a township very well, so I will give you a better example. It is exactly what we experienced when we were playing in the basketball tournaments in Vegas and we walked into the gym and realize we are the only white team there. So whenever people see us walking around the kids come and greet us and we get strange looks from the adults. I'm just trying to blend in . . . . .

This week we have experienced some mighty miracles so I'll get to them.

Tuesday- One of our investigators, Samkeliso, who is on date for March 22nd gave us referral that we contacted and went and saw Tuesday night. We brought one of our YSA's named Eugene. It turns out that it is a family of four, they are from Zimbabwe, and the father was baptized in 1997. We talked a little bit longer and found out that Eugene and Lizewe are form the same place in Zimbabwe and went to the exact same chapel, they just didn't know each other. We had a powerful lesson about the gospel and families and they came to church!

African workout

Wed- Our car broke down, so we took it into the dealership. Turns out it is one of the oldest mission cars and is absolute dirt, so we got a new. Finished the day with a couple of lessons and moving chairs to a funeral. 

Thursday- We showed up to see one of our less-actives named Jeanette at her home. Continued to talk and turns out that her daughter is less-active and wants to raise her kids in the church. Continued talking and her son was in another room and we got an appointment to see him as well, great family!

Friday- It rained harder than I have ever seen and we were walking. It was pretty cool, just is very difficult to teach someone when it is raining on a tin roof. Elder Ainslie and I were practically yelling the restoration. "JOSEPH SMITH WAS A PROPHET!" so we ended by watched the restoration dvd and called it good.

Saturday-  My first experience at an African funeral and it was definitely interesting. Lots of food and lots and lots of singing. My vocal chords were aching by the time we were done. Had some sweet appointments and got ready for the Sabbath. 

Sun-Another fun day full of work!

Have a swell week. Love you all!

Elder Bhead

3/2/15 Short but CRAZY pictures

March 2, 2015

 I have to cut it quick because we went sight seeing on our P-day to  Soweto Towers.

They are 2 abandoned nuclear buildings  that you can take an elevator up and take pics at the top. It is 100m off the ground, and I realized that even though the mission life changes you, my fear of heights has stayed the same. This week has been great, adjusting to the township life; its different but no doubt I can do it.The work here has completely different challenges. We were struggling to get people to church in Alberton and here in Rabie Ridge they flow in like Stephen Curry stroke. One miracle we experienced was while walking on the street on Sunday night we were stopped by a guy who is a member who hasn't been to church in 3 years and wants to come back with his non-member wife and family. The Lord is working miracles. 
Mosiah 2:41

Elder Broadhead

2/23/15 Hellooo Rabie Ridge

Hey Fam,

 This week has been crazzzzy. Finished up saying goodbyes to my family in Alberton (it was rough to leave that place) and we drove up to the mission office Tuesday morning for Transfer meeting. The only way I can come close to describing transfers is just like in Hunger Games where the name pops up on the screen.

Good-bye Elder Weg

Rabie Ridge Flat

Anyway...........................I will be moving to a township called Rabie Ridge!!!  Pretty dang exciting, the place is just bursting it’s seams with investigators so I am ready to get to work. I'll give you a little background about the area. It is a township, looks similar to the small houses in a tight space in Mexico. There are about 150 active members and about 300 less-active people (crazy huh?) We and another pair of elders share the car every other day so we walk and drive. My companion is Elder Ainslie from the UK so my dream of having an English accent is about to be fulfilled. He has been out for 3 months, so he just got done being trained so it will be awesome.

Tuesday- we came back to the area and dropped the luggage off and went to see a recent convert family, the Chefu's. Sweet family. 

Wednesday- This was my first time walking for an entire day, so I almost died. Remember it is the middle of summer here and I know St George is warm but this is HOT and I forgot water as well :) great day I’ll never do that again:)

Thursday- Weekly Planning. The people that are ready for the gospel here is insane. I don't think I have ever seen so many investigators in an area book before. For that I am grateful. Walked everywhere, I see so many celeb look a likes here. TodayI saw a Chris Webber and a Gary Coleman (I gave him a pass along card)

Friday- District Meeting and work,  lots of work. I don’t think I have never sweated as much as I have this last week in entire my life. . . .  Walking in the hot sun everywhere, but I brought water so it was good.

Sunday- My first time in a township church annnnnndddddd church was the same. Minus the fact that the people here sing just like in the deep south. It is amazing. I want to record it and send it to you all to show you. They don't have anyone to play the piano so ward I volunteered for next week. I'm kicking myself for not practicing more in the 6 years that a took piano :( I should have listened to Sis Powell!  The ward is stellar, everyone executes there calling with diligence, something that I haven’t seen before. Life is great and I can't wait to continue the work here.

Peace out A-town.

Love Elder Broadhead

2/16/15 Eli and Goodbyes

Hey Fam,

My time is Alberton is winding low. Friday night I got the news that I will be leaving A-town and Elder Weg will be staying. I don't know where to yet, but Tuesday at transfer meeting we will find out. So it has been a week of goodbyes. . . it’s been hard so I'll just fast forward to Sunday because that was the most exciting day. Our Ward Missionary was also having his mission farewell so the chapel was packed. In addition to that we were having two baptisms.

                           So Elder Weg and I went and cleaned the font on Saturday.

                                   

Turns out that Elder Weg is very scared of spiders (that tells you how long since the last baptism). So we got up on Sunday and got everything ready for the baptism and shot off to church. Sure enough, Mormon standard time kicked in and it was empty until 5 to the hour and people poured in. Eli got a ride with a less-active sister that we helped reactivate. So church starts and no sign of Washington. We continues on in investigator class (we moved to the relief society room permanently because of so many investigators). Washington continues to be a no-show. So during the priesthood hour we left to check on him at his home and................................he wasn't there. So we proceeded onto the baptism. Eli was sooooo excited to be baptized and it was great that Jonothan(the ward missionary who is leaving on his mission in Durban South) was able to get some practice in before he hits it full-time in Durban. The service continues and I am still hoping for Washington to walk in dressed in all white clothes with a halo on buttttttttttttttt he didn't.

So Eli was baptized and the spirit was so strong. We then watched a Mormon message and got to hear a powerful testimony from Eli. While I was sitting listening to her I felt so grateful to have this opportunity to participate in this great missionary work. She bore testimony on her love for the gospel, and her savior. A very powerful testimony. After the baptism, I took goodbye pictures and proceeded on saying goodbye to all the members in the ward.

Later that night we went and checked on Washington. He came out and was extremely sorry and told us his story. Turns out saturday night his mother called him and told him that he shouldn't be baptized because he already had been. so at least we know that he defiantly passes the honor thy father and thy mother law. His concerns were answered when we talked about the Restoration and he is back on date for the 8th of march. More goodbyes and the week is done!

The opportunity I have had to serve in A-town is absolutely great. I can't thank President Dunn for sending me here. There are some amazing people wherever you go. I love you all and have a great week!

elder bhead

2/8/15 Blessings from obedience.

    

"Ola Ola,  Family. .                        February 8, 2015

Sorry about last week just ran out of time and didn't have time to write a weekly email so I'll give you a quick update of last week. First of all, last Monday we went to a lesson with an investigator family and BAM. They are watching the super bowl, I'm pretty sure it was the toughest decision to ask them to turn off the TV right after Russel Wilson ran for 30 yards. :( After that it was a busy week of teaching, testifying and preparing people for baptism. We will be having 2 on the Feb15th! So a lot of great things to look forward this upcoming week. Along with the success that we are having there have been some pretty "unique" challenges this past week.

 1-The stereotype of native people being afraid of water still runs true here in Africa. It is especially difficult when baptism is one of the central focuses of missionary work. Needless to say one of our investigators is afraid of the water and thus afraid of baptism. Such a shame.

2-African tradition has it when a man reaches "of age" he "heads to the mountain" so one of our investigators has left our area and gone to the mountain to become a man.Hopefully he'll be back soon.
3-Elder Weg and I were faced with an interesting question this week from a less-active lady. Is it appropriate to bring a Yorkie to church. I accidently made the joke of going to church with a little brother who is basically reminding me of a cute cuddly dog with long shaggy hair. Needless to say she has yet to come to church :(
So I'll get to what happened this week. Feb 5^th  Tuesday-We met with Phetani and this guy was with him. Turns out he was taught by missionaries 10 years ago and was about to be baptized, but moved before and fell through the missionary cracks.Well, he is back and strong and even has a family now. Talk about a miracle.

Wednesday-continued to prepare our boi, Junior Washington Hallawa to be baptized on the 15th. hahah funniest guy ever, I'll bring him back home when the 2 years is up. We taught about missionary work and he wanted a Book of Mormon to give to his friend. Yeaaaaboo!!
Thursday-Weekly Planning and nice appointments :)
Friday-Miracle alert. Elder Weg contacted into a guy about a month ago and I haven't written to yall about him. His name is William and he lived in England for some time. He said that he is really busy and turns out the dude is on an eternal grind. He wakes up at 4 every morning except Sundays and walks to work 2 hours away. Works a 12 hour shift and walks 2 hours back. So when we gave him the Book of Mormon, we didn't expect anything to happen. We come back and he read halfway through Nephi and said, "this is what I've been searching for". Still some work to do, but miracles are happening here in Alberton.
Sat-Busy day of service and teaching!
Sunday-Stake Conf and we met with a guy that came to church last week. He is from DRC and has a family of 2. Awesome family, they are searching for a church and they feel like it's the right one.
The A-town Turnaround is full swing. Anyways that is a quick update of the past 2 weeks. I hope you all are well and I know that the Lord blesses those who are joyfully obedient to his commandments.
Love Elder Bhead.