9/29/14 The stories are TRUE!

Whaddup Fam,                                                                                        Sept 29^th, 2014 

                   

Another exciting week here in the land of Alberton. I'm finally starting to understand parts of the culture, but some things I’m learning about are pretty funny. For example,  people here still love chicken. There are KFC's on every corner and everywhere you go. Even in townships that have nothing  have a KFC. It’s like to equivalent to a McDonald’s on every corner in the U.S I guess.  And watermelon season is just around the corner for us:). The culture is awesome and I love it.

Monday- P_Day I wrote you last week about my biking in the Animal Preserve.

Tuesday- we continued to street contact downtown and we are dishing out referrals like John Stockton dishes assists.  Every day I meet someone with a unique story and everyone comes from a different African culture so it is pretty exciting listening to their stories. We also went tracting and knocked on gates and got chased by stray dogs. As we were tracting, Elder Martin and I had this feeling to knock on this gate. So we did and this lady let us in (NEVER HAPPENS) and we talked about the restoration. She has been looking for a church here entire life so she was very interested in what we were teaching her and we have an appointment this week. I know it’s a kind of cliché –ish mission story but as we were leaving I was thinking, Man IT"S TRUE, those kind of stories really happen!!

Wednesday- Another great day of contacting downtown and tracting. Here’s a crazy story. We were tracting in this neighborhood that no one answers their gates. The previous missionaries have called it the "Twilight Zone" or something like that. So Elder Martin and I went there. And one of the first gates we knocked on was a Guy who had taken all the discussions in East London and was about to get baptized but he had to suddenly leave. He literally ran out and opened the gate and started thanking us without ending. But he has read the BOM and also all the way through his Gospel Principles Manual and has stayed clean so that when he found the missionaries he could be baptized. Unfortunately, he lives in a neighboring area, but I'm glad that I could experience how the Lord works in gathering his kingdom.

Thursday- everything fell through :/ Those days are a little rough!

Friday- Another day of meeting awesome people. We met these three young adults who also are looking for a church to go to. So we taught them about the restoration and they all wanted a BOM. They play on a soccer team and wanted us to come and pray for their team so that they could win and take home all the cash they bet on the game. hahahaha They are awesome guys and actually started a soccer team for younger kids to keep them away from drugs and other things that are so prevalent here in S Africa. We’ll meet with them this week as well. 

Sat- I swear I met Akon. I'm not kidding, this dude looked the exact same. LIke same voice as well. So I tried to take a picture of him but it's blurry. We met with one of our investigators Pitchou and her husband who are both from the Congo. Her husband is one of the biggest guys I've ever seen. He's like 6'5" and like 260 of muscle. but he is a member of the Methodist church, so we gave them a restoration DVD to watch with their family and gave them 2 French Book of Mormon. awesome Family

Sun- I got to go to my first Braii which means like barbeque or something like that. Elder Martin was trained in an area right next to ours called Vooslorus, so us and some other members and the guys he baptized while he was there were trained by a Jojo (African Mother) in making Pap which is like tasteless hardened potatoes. hahahaha We ate so much food I felt sick. But the guys who Elder Martin found and baptized are still very strong in the church and they are looking to serve misions as well. Missions really do change peoples’ lives and their families lives as well

This week was so great and I'd like to leave with a scripture that is one of my favorites, It is 3rd Nephi 12:16. "Let your light shine".

Sawabona

Elder Broadhead

9/22/14 Zebras and many wives.

WHADDUP FAM,                               September 22, 2014

This week has been one for the books and easily the best week on my mission so far. I didn't get chased by a single dog this week. I am being watched over. I am learning so much. . .  I learned this week that people that have AIDS here are very willing to let you know they have it. I guess it’s just a topic of conversation here.. . . just like the weather. Also the people here have some of the coolest names. I'll throw out a couple of them:  Innocent, God's Gift, God's blessing, Loveness, and Miracle.

So ill get to my week:

Tuesday- we started off by street contacting for about 2 hours and I met some really interesting people. Out of nowhere some Jehovah's Witness people came and started questioning me. They are some of the craziest white people I've ever seen. Then later that evening I had one of the most humbling experiences on my mission so far. We met with this member from Malawi who moved to Johannesburg to provide for his pregnant wife in Nigeria. He lives in basically a closet and sells blankets on the streets and sends the money back to his wife. No coincidence he is one of the happiest people I know. . . .Really a humbling experience.

Wednesday- Elder Martin and I had a pretty great day. We saw a lot of members and one lady that had a spinal fusion about 5 months ago. She is straight from Zimbabwe and her husband died 5 years ago. She requested a blessing so we gave her one. 

Thursday- a day of dropped appointments and we went to this 4 hour fireside about African wedding traditions. It’s called "Labola" or something and it’s just like Johnny lingo where they have to give cows or chickens to the father of the bride as a gift. Obviously a problem here in Africa.

Friday- I got to go to a township called Katlehong. Look it up on google earth, we visited there last week and met again with an investigator named Florence. She walks 45 minutes to come to our church and has come the last 3 weeks. Such an amazing lady. We were able to teach her about the BOM last week and she said that she knows it's true :) she seems so much happier and she said that too. The gospel truly changes peoples’ lives even when they have nothing. 

Saturday- we were able to go to a Funeral. That basically sums up the mood of our day. We then had some dropped appointments and then met with a polygamous family. African traditions are so odd. This guy had a different wife for almost every day of the week. So we taught about how the gospel blesses families hahahahahaahah he was so excited and then we had to break the news. . . and just like that we have one less investigator. pretty funny tho, he was a cool guy. 

Sunday- Church Church Church, we actually had 55 people at our meeting! That’s like a 2 month high. it is so much different than back in Utah, but I realized some of the people here have the strongest testimonies because they don't have people to lean on. We met with our first counselor in the Bishopric and he reminds me exactly like Brad. He is 25 and got back from his mission 2 years ago. hahahah the bishopric here are so awesome, I love them. 

Monday- The reason I emailed so late today was that I went mountain biking in a nature reserve today. It is also my comps bday today so I bought him a cake. The animals there were unreal. I stood 5 meters away from a water buffalo and it was like looking at Pano Tiatia ahahahahaha jk the buffalo was bigger. We also saw springbok and zebra. and I didn’t crash so that’s a blessing. Then I barbecued Elder Martin some ribs and we indulged in the best meal so far on our mission.  

Every week seems to have it's ups and downs but Elder Martin and I have been blessed and we taught 16 lessons this week. That's a 3 month high. So with the Lords helping hand we are continuing the work in this blessed area. I have seen the blessings that come from being obedient and also know that the gospel can change people’s wives. . .  I mean lives J. Have another great week and I love yallllll

Ninjaniii 

Elder Bhead.

 

9/15/14 Week 2 Johannesburg Temple

Sept 15th, 2014

Elder Broadhead sporting a new haircut.

Well, another week has gone by and things have gotten crazier. This week in Alberton I realized that racism is still alive. It has been kind of sad to see how just because of skin color people are treated differently but I have realized that "black" people are definitely more humble and are more willing to listen to us rather than sick their dogs on us.

This week I was only chased by a wiener dog and a Australian Sheppard so I know that the Lord is watching over Elder Martin and I. Some good news is that Elder Martin and I taught the most lessons in our area in over 6 Weeks! It still seemed very slow and we spent most of our time tracting and getting yelled at in Afrikaans. 

Tuesday- we spent most of this day tracting and finding people but we ran into this lady from Kenya  we talked to her about the BOM and she talked to  us about Joseph Smith and the freemason stuff. We meet with her again this week and help her

Wednesday-  My first Zone Conference. I got to see all the elders in our zone and eat some lasagna. ( it was great to eat american food ) President and Sister Dunn are the best even though, I’m learning so much from them even though they like the Utes ;)

Thursday- all of our appointments dropped :( that basically describes our day and some days are like that!) Tomorrow is a new day.

FRIDAY- on Friday I had the opportunity to go teach in a township. A township is like those things you see in the movies of little shacks made out of tin and wood. I'll send pictures but I have never seen so many people in one place before. It was amazing, we taught a lady who walks an hour to church every Sunday with her 3 kids and brother. I don't think I have ever seen such a humble people. She was so grateful that we took time to come and teach her. and she continues to say she wants to be baptized. Really made my week :) All the black people call us "Mulango" which means white baby and they all try to take pictures of us with their phones.

Elder Broadhead and Elder Martin Johannesburg Temple

Also I got to go to the Temple on this day!! it is so amazing to be able to attend the temple while on my  mission. I loved it and it is a really interesting looking temple. 

Saturday- I got my first experience with a  Bible bash with the Jehovah’s Witness's. Jk you’re not supposed to do that . . we were tracting and these people in church clothes drove past us and slammed on the brakes and Elder Martin asked if they were members and that’s where it began. They talked to us for an HOUR and didn’t stop talking. Elder Martin tried to combat them with his broken English but it wasn't enough. So I asked the couple that was talking to us if we could have a turn. We taught and testified and agreed to take their pamphlet if they would read the BOM. The woman said that "it would be like snorting marijuana" so I think that was a no.   There are so many churches here it reminds me of the south. and everyone has "their own church" so tracting here is verrrrry ineffective, but we will find those elect. 

Sunday- we had 6 investigators at church! and a total of 60 members there so it was a success! I also got to taste authentic Muhaloj which is just like steak that has been cooked for a long time.

They always burn the fields so there's always bellowing smoke.

This week was great and I'm glad I have the opportunity to serve the people of South Africa and be chased by their dogs. I’m still adjusting to the culture, but it’s coming. I love my companion, he laughs at my jokes and he’s a hard worker. I've learned that I have been really protected growing up in Utah and I'm glad that I had great friends who kept me grounded.

Sawego

Elder Broadhead

Madagascar Elders

9/8/14 WEEK 1 Alberton

Monday Sept 8^th, 2014

                                               

 I’m finally here!!!      So I'll start with a recap of    last Monday and fast forward to today.  

Packing day at the MTC.

Monday. I woke up at 4:30 and said goodbye to all the Elders heading to Houston and started packing my own bags. I headed down to the travel office and from there we loaded onto the bus to SLC. I flew to Atlanta with an Elder that was heading to Brazil. I sat next to a lady that was flying into Florida for a big summer party she said that she clearly did not  like Mormons so I  guess I struck out. Then the flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg was CRAZYYYYY not to mention the guy sitting next to me only knew 3 English words which were "Tequilas, Jack, and Thank you". He was crazy. I don't think I ever want to make that flight again. In total I was on a plane for about 15 hours for that flight. oh my lanta I was so excited to get off the plane.

Alberton,  South Africa     Population 202,202.

So I was on the plane until Tuesday evening and I got off and met the President and Sister Dunn and the AP's. Also the sun here is HUGE it lights up the entire sky just like on lion king. I stayed the night at the mission home and said goodbye to the other elders that were just leaving. I said goodbye to my two Madagascar elders. Elder Ratamunkaka and Elder Ramananata crazy fun names. But they were both excited to head back and get on with life. 

Wednesday. I met my trainer!!!!! His name is Elder Martin and he is from Switzerland. He feeds me a lot of Swiss chocolate and makes me orange juice in the morning so we get along pretty well. He is probably one of the most humble elders I know. I really got spoiled with a great trainer. Also on Wednesday I got introduced to my new area ALBERTON!! It is one of the richest parts in Johannesburg so we are called "Doughboys". Interestingly enough the work here is verrrrry slow. Hardly any people answer their gates when we knock. Everyone has a gate and 2 crazy dogs and a electric fence. I guess that means there is a lot of crime here. Also there are no missionaries in the city of Johannesburg . . . . .  people are so crazy.

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   We live with members in our flat (apartment) and they have a 14 year old girl who likes to prank the missionaries. She gave us Oreos filled with toothpaste and also a cake thing filled with water balloons. Elder martin and I ate the Oreos without a blink and  I went to cut the cake and i cut right between all 4 of the water balloons. We left a note and toothpaste under the handles. They are some of the nicest people I have met. They fed us Sunday dinner last night and their house is huge.

    YES!!! that is a  Rhino.

 Thursday and Friday we met members and tried to get appointments but we just ended up tracting and getting chased by dogs. Acceleration is still helping, tell Alison that!!!

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   Saturday we also tracted for like 3 hours and met with members so the work is going well!  We already have matched the stats as the same elders in only 4 days so that is promising. Sunday was the best though we had church and there are 253 members but only 60 showed up. Very different than going to church in Utah.. . . so for lunch we went to this lady's house who is from South Africa and married a guy from Uganda and they cooked a feast. Literally an entire chicken with Pap which is like mashed potatoes. We met a 15 year old and he has wondered about what church is true so we are visiting him soon.

   
   

    Also the people from Zimbabwe and Congo are very very humble and smart. They seem to have a better mind for the gospel than those who are Afrikaans descendents. Sorry about the pictures. I couldn’t find out which was which so i sent random ones. I'll send the ones i wanted to send next week. also the mission pres informed me to be careful with my camera. Probably 50 percent of the missionaries have been robbed and stuff. so Im trying to be careful. I love you mom and your email really uplifted me. take care and i love you so much :)

   I've already got some pretty weird stories but I love it here. Even though I get chased by german sheppards and cussed out by Afrikaans but I love being a missionary :)

   Elder Broadhead

   
   

The Arrival 9/2/14

Landen's Email :

Hey guys, I'll shoot you all a quick email. . . but I'm alive!! I'll email you more next  Monday of everything that has gone on but I'm safe and sound with the AP's. I have all my bags so that's a blessing as well. Thank you all for your thoughts and scriptures. I love you all and take care!!

PS. its so crazy here!!!

Love, Landen

Dear Brother and Sister Broadhead:

Just wanted you to know that your great son has now completed his transition from the South Africa MTC and is now safely in here in our mission. He seems very happy. We are so excited to have him here. He has been assigned a great trainer and wonderful area. Details on his assignment will be mailed to you shortly. In the meantime, please enjoy the attached photos of him as he officially begins his full-time missionary service here in Johannesburg.

All the best,

President Dunn