I felt like going Jack Bauer or Michael Weston on
some guys the other day. I wont tell everyone this I don't think, but the
other day my companion and I were walking and we heard screaming from around
the corner and everyone was running to see what was going on. We ran up
and saw six guys all fighting each other. 3v3 style. two were
beating some guys with these club things. A guy was about to grab this
woman and she pulled out a knife and tried to stab him. (we later found out
it was his wife) anyways the guy took the knife from her, punched her in the
face and threw her in the car. The other two guys that were with him
jumped into the car as well and they all took off. Some guys jumped out
and pulled out a gun and started chasing after the car only to loose them.
Anyways, we asked some of the guys that were watching what all happened
and I guess a guy had found out that his wife was cheating on him with some
other guy. So he grabbed two friends and went to take her back. The
other guy who was sleeping with the guys wife also had friends so it turned
into an all-out war. Anyways, we were shocked and it was crazy, but we
decided to still head to our appointment. So we continued on down the
street only to see two cars pulled over and see these three guys BEATING THE
HECK out of the woman. I yelled at them to stop and a guy pulled out his
gun and told us to "hamba" (go). Anyways there was no one else
on the street so I KNEW if we went over there it would get worse and they wouldn't
have a problem shooting us. So we watched them and walked past on the
other side of the street as they were hitting and kicking her. I had the
most distinct impression to grab my companion and say a prayer for her.
We stepped into someones yard away from the street and I said a prayer
asking that it would stop, and that their hearts would be softened. Well
as we walked out back on the street they had stopped hitting her and they were
both sitting on the ground next to each other talking. We walked away and
were basically flipping out. I was really amazed and inspired by the fact
that our prayer had stopped the violence. It was honestly a horrible and
crazy thing to see, but it was also a testimony building experience. So
yeahh, TIA. This is Africa. Besides that things are truly going so great!
I am loving it here. I'll tell more about what is going on in my mass
email. I hope you enjoyed the crazy story though.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Earthly Father, Heavenly Father.
What a week, ehh? This week every single night after getting home I collapsed on my bed and was proud of the effort I put into my day. Despite the rain, the rejection and frustrations that come, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Elder Olsen and I were talking after we had gone on exchanges for the day about our missions. About why we were here to serve and what we wanted to feel when we were going home. Something he said which I added onto really struck us both. He said, "I want to go home and look my Dad in the eye and be able to say, 'I did everything I could in South Africa. I have no regrets. I loved the people, fought for the gospel and forgot myself.'" I added on to that and said, "When I go home to Heavenly Father I want to be able to say the exact same thing."
We were both hit with the fact that we both have our earthly fathers, but we also have our father in heaven. If you ask me, both are essential in our growth from boys to men. Without my earthly father I wouldn't know how to work, love, forgive, serve and teach. Without my Heavenly Father, I wouldn't be know how to do the same things. My greatest hero's in life are my father figures. I have four pictures that are up on my wall. One is Dad's mission picture, one is Grandpa Platt's mission picture, one is Grandpa Thayne's mission picture and one is Christ. My greatest hero's. President Eyering gave a talk titled "The Priesthood Man." Basically everything in that described my Dad and why he is my hero. The best gift I can give you Dad is the assurance that I have been putting everything I have into this work. Happy Fathers Day, I love you.
Well this week was great! Still had our rainy days and still had our not as rainy days, but either way, the work continues moving forward. As I said earlier I went on exchanges with Elder Olsen which was an awesome experience. He is a "retired" AP and SUCH a powerful missionary. While on our exchange we decided to go tracting. On the first house we got rejected pretty harshly, so we moved to the next house. We knocked and a 19 year old guy opened up the door and before we could hardly say anything besides, "We are missionaries..." he invited us to come in and sit down. He proceeded to tell us about his life. Essentially everything in his life the past few months has fallen apart. His family is living off of about the equivalent $400 dollars a month. And that goes to rent, food, schooling and whatever else they need. He said he had prayed that God would send him someone to help him. He then said, "I know God answered my prayers by sending you guys to my home." Boom. We were very moved and taught him about the beginning of the Restoration, telling him of God's love for him and how he has given us families, prophets and prayer to help us through this mortal life. We then set an appointment to come see him the next day. Elder Olsen was back with Elder Bohn the next day and they committed him to baptism. So that is definitely an amazing mission story. Just a week before I told Elder Mashigo I always wanted to walk up to someone and have them tell me I was the answer to their prayer. It was great.
Our area is doing so much better than when we first arrived. We are teaching multiple families and individuals. We have been teaching so much that we were expecting 20 people at sacrament meeting on Sunday. We were sure most of them if not all would come, but of course, it rained extremely hard Sunday morning and only 5 people showed up. Obviously we were bummed, but still 1/4 of them came and it was pouring... So hopefully next week there will be sunshine and we can have more awesome people at church! Limo (a fifteen year old girl we have taught twice), Zolani (a different guy from the Less Active one we work with), Florence (A 22 year old girl from the Ncube family), Shirley (a 13 year old boy from the Ncube family) and then a guy named Happiness (who we found who was once taught by the missionaries. 17 years old.) So yeahh, it was still a good turnout.
Speaking of Happiness, we found him and set a time to come back and see him. He lives like two blocks from the chapel so it's awesome. We went to his house for our appointment (Elder Mashigo and I) and saw him chilling with two of his friends. Both guys were in their early twenties. Anyways we talk to them for a bit and invite them to join us for our lesson on the Restoration. They sat down and we started the lesson only to have another guy walk in an join us. So now we were teaching 4 guys ages 17, 19, 20, and 21. PRIESTHOOD! They all loved talking with us and really loved our message. So we are going to continue meeting with them this week. I am VERY excited about all of them. So pray your hearts out for them.
We also met a guy who kept trying to tell us how God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost were all one person. We pulled out examples: When Christ was baptized the voice of the Father was heard and the Holy Ghost descended upon Christ right then, When Steven (I think it was.) was stoned and saw Jesus on the right hand of God. When Christ talks about coming to earth to do the Fathers will and not his own, and several other examples. He basically said that God does that so people wont be confused by the deep doctrine of them all existing as one being. It was pretty ridiculous. The man "knew" his scriptures well, but he didn't really KNOW them if you know what I mean. He had no understanding and was basically yelling and saying that we don't understand the doctrine. I finally said, "Brother, you are lying. You do not understand the scriptures and you are leading others away." He was confounded. We grabbed our scriptures, shook his hand and walked away.
Brother Gcnia (who is a total stud. He once was a gangster and a street fighter, but had his life changed and is now the elders quorum president. We walk around with him and all the thugs come talk to us and show us respect, it's pretty sweet.) Anyways, he said that the guy we were speaking to beats his wife and leads a corrupt church. So he was pretty amazed at what we said and did. It was a fist pump moment.
Mmm not much more to say. Life is good as a missionary. The work is moving forward. I love you all and I am grateful for the love and support that consistently comes my way.
Shoutout to Talmage for killing it at his first week of college! And another shoutout to Dad. I love you loads.
Love,
Elder Mitchell Ryan Thayne
PS: Check out this awesome video.
http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2119328537001We were both hit with the fact that we both have our earthly fathers, but we also have our father in heaven. If you ask me, both are essential in our growth from boys to men. Without my earthly father I wouldn't know how to work, love, forgive, serve and teach. Without my Heavenly Father, I wouldn't be know how to do the same things. My greatest hero's in life are my father figures. I have four pictures that are up on my wall. One is Dad's mission picture, one is Grandpa Platt's mission picture, one is Grandpa Thayne's mission picture and one is Christ. My greatest hero's. President Eyering gave a talk titled "The Priesthood Man." Basically everything in that described my Dad and why he is my hero. The best gift I can give you Dad is the assurance that I have been putting everything I have into this work. Happy Fathers Day, I love you.
Well this week was great! Still had our rainy days and still had our not as rainy days, but either way, the work continues moving forward. As I said earlier I went on exchanges with Elder Olsen which was an awesome experience. He is a "retired" AP and SUCH a powerful missionary. While on our exchange we decided to go tracting. On the first house we got rejected pretty harshly, so we moved to the next house. We knocked and a 19 year old guy opened up the door and before we could hardly say anything besides, "We are missionaries..." he invited us to come in and sit down. He proceeded to tell us about his life. Essentially everything in his life the past few months has fallen apart. His family is living off of about the equivalent $400 dollars a month. And that goes to rent, food, schooling and whatever else they need. He said he had prayed that God would send him someone to help him. He then said, "I know God answered my prayers by sending you guys to my home." Boom. We were very moved and taught him about the beginning of the Restoration, telling him of God's love for him and how he has given us families, prophets and prayer to help us through this mortal life. We then set an appointment to come see him the next day. Elder Olsen was back with Elder Bohn the next day and they committed him to baptism. So that is definitely an amazing mission story. Just a week before I told Elder Mashigo I always wanted to walk up to someone and have them tell me I was the answer to their prayer. It was great.
Our area is doing so much better than when we first arrived. We are teaching multiple families and individuals. We have been teaching so much that we were expecting 20 people at sacrament meeting on Sunday. We were sure most of them if not all would come, but of course, it rained extremely hard Sunday morning and only 5 people showed up. Obviously we were bummed, but still 1/4 of them came and it was pouring... So hopefully next week there will be sunshine and we can have more awesome people at church! Limo (a fifteen year old girl we have taught twice), Zolani (a different guy from the Less Active one we work with), Florence (A 22 year old girl from the Ncube family), Shirley (a 13 year old boy from the Ncube family) and then a guy named Happiness (who we found who was once taught by the missionaries. 17 years old.) So yeahh, it was still a good turnout.
Speaking of Happiness, we found him and set a time to come back and see him. He lives like two blocks from the chapel so it's awesome. We went to his house for our appointment (Elder Mashigo and I) and saw him chilling with two of his friends. Both guys were in their early twenties. Anyways we talk to them for a bit and invite them to join us for our lesson on the Restoration. They sat down and we started the lesson only to have another guy walk in an join us. So now we were teaching 4 guys ages 17, 19, 20, and 21. PRIESTHOOD! They all loved talking with us and really loved our message. So we are going to continue meeting with them this week. I am VERY excited about all of them. So pray your hearts out for them.
We also met a guy who kept trying to tell us how God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost were all one person. We pulled out examples: When Christ was baptized the voice of the Father was heard and the Holy Ghost descended upon Christ right then, When Steven (I think it was.) was stoned and saw Jesus on the right hand of God. When Christ talks about coming to earth to do the Fathers will and not his own, and several other examples. He basically said that God does that so people wont be confused by the deep doctrine of them all existing as one being. It was pretty ridiculous. The man "knew" his scriptures well, but he didn't really KNOW them if you know what I mean. He had no understanding and was basically yelling and saying that we don't understand the doctrine. I finally said, "Brother, you are lying. You do not understand the scriptures and you are leading others away." He was confounded. We grabbed our scriptures, shook his hand and walked away.
Brother Gcnia (who is a total stud. He once was a gangster and a street fighter, but had his life changed and is now the elders quorum president. We walk around with him and all the thugs come talk to us and show us respect, it's pretty sweet.) Anyways, he said that the guy we were speaking to beats his wife and leads a corrupt church. So he was pretty amazed at what we said and did. It was a fist pump moment.
Mmm not much more to say. Life is good as a missionary. The work is moving forward. I love you all and I am grateful for the love and support that consistently comes my way.
Shoutout to Talmage for killing it at his first week of college! And another shoutout to Dad. I love you loads.
Love,
Elder Mitchell Ryan Thayne
PS: Check out this awesome video.
P.S. (He left out the part he sent us about all the stabbings, stealing, tire burning, trash throwing, etc. I guess he didn't want to worry all of you!) Well yeahh, things here are all good and crazy. I can't complain. Things here are nuts in a way though. Stabbings and stuff always happen. The other day a truck wrecked and boxes of "cool drink" (soda) fell on the ground. Literally over twenty cars stopped and crowds of people ran and started stealing all the cool drink off the street, running to their car with it and driving off. We all couldn't believe the dishonesty and lack of integrity. An old fat tata ran with a case trying to escape before anyone stopped him and slipped and fell on his back. It was funny. Then people started burning tires and trowing trash and stuff at cars. It was crazy.
family, I gotta go.
Ndiakhuthanda Wena, (I love you)
Elder Thayne
Monday, June 9, 2014
Just call me a trend setter.
This week has been extremely cold. It has rained every day, for most of the day. Then all of the sudden, it'll get warm for 37 minutes then freeze you all over again. Not really sure how it works, but I guess that is Cape Town weather for you.
Time is flying here, despite all the frustrations and everyday struggles that happen as a missionary. We are really taking the whole, "Pray as if everything depended on the Lord, then work as if everything depended on you" to heart. We have been tracting for at least three hours every day. It's been really fun actually. Believe it or not, we do get doors slammed in our faces. We even had a guy start yelling and saying he would throw us off his property and that ALL evil and wickedness comes from America, so he didn't want to listen to some people who are teaching the gospel and from America... Yeahh. It's alright though, we made it out alive. ;] it was a bit dodgy though.
We found another father led family this week. The guy's name is Luyiso, but we haven't been able to see him again since we found him. He seemed like a real searcher though, and that is who we are looking for. Those who are out searching for the truth.
Things here have been crazy hectic as always. (Missionary life) I had a cool experience yesterday though! We were RUSHING to an appointment because we were really late and while walking I had a thought to just go knock on this door to the right of us. The house looked pretty nice (for SA) and had two cars in front of it (so they could potentially give rides to other members... ;]) So I said to Mashigo, "Hey, lets just go knock on this door, I don't know if it was just me thinking it or the spirit, but lets try." He was a champ and said, "Yeah, we are late, but who am I to say no to knocking on a door?" So we knocked and a middle aged man opened the door and invited us in. (Basically that is what all the polite people do here. Which doesn't happen as much as we would hope.) Anyways, we sat down and I introduced us and told him what our purpose was essentially. We then spoke about how we share a message about how families can be together forever (because we saw his daughter in the room when we came in.) It seemed to impact him and he told us how back in 1994 or something like that he had scheduled an appointment with the missionaries but had to cancel because of a work conflict, but he said he wants to hear our message. So we are planning to meet with him on Saturday. PRAY FOR THINGS TO GO WELL! It was really cool to just be living worthy and to have a thought directing us to someone who wants to know more.
Sunday came along and we were expecting a total of three families to come to church. Guess how many came? Basically 1/2 of one of the families (Florence and Shelton from the ncubas family...try saying that one correctly.) and a girl we have taught once who we didn't expect to come (Limo).. So we had 3 investigators at church, which is only like 1/4 of what we expected, but that is another missionary moment for you. We are continuing to have faith though and hope that we will have them all at church next week.
Thandi (The offended investigator) and Zolani (Our once in the branch presidency, now extremely less-active) didn't come to church as well. So after our Dinner Appointment, which was wonderful because we NEVER are fed here, we went and checked up on them in their shack. We talked to them and they said the whole, "the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak." excuse and said that they weren't able to iron their clothes and didn't have proper shoes.... *face palm* We then went on to talk to them about showing actual faith. James 2:18 - show me thy faith without thy works and I will show you my faith BY my works. That hit them pretty hard. Then I had the impression to ask them if they are living the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity.... Nope. They said they are heavy into drugs, smoking and alcohol. And they aren't living the law of chastity, but are preparing to get married. So basically our job as missionaries just got a lot harder, but at the same time, now we know what they need help with so we can seek for specific inspiration according to their needs. They are truly wanting to change though, and that desire will be essential. So Thandi and Zolani need your prayers.
I am gaining SUCH a powerful testimony of prayer. As a missionary I don't think I was really taking advantage of the power of prayer like I should have been before. We now pray before going into lessons, before we leave the apartment, every night, every time we start and end tracting and then other random times throughout the day. The windows of heaven have been opened to us and we are really able to SEE people for who they could become. All this finding is making things as far as teaching start pretty slow, but with time things will really pick up and we are going to make a big difference here in Khayelitsha.
Elder Mashigo is a great companion, just needs to be encouraged and he always works hard. I am really learning a LOT from the other companionship in our district. Elder Bohn and Elder Olsen. (Our current District Leader and our Former AP) They are really teaching me a lot and helping me out in my growth as a missionary with my knowledge and testimony. It's pretty awesome.
Anyways, that's all I have for this week! I love you all. Keep the faith and remember that God is just waiting to bless us, but that is all determined by how we live.
Love,
Elder Mitchell Ryan Thayne
Time is flying here, despite all the frustrations and everyday struggles that happen as a missionary. We are really taking the whole, "Pray as if everything depended on the Lord, then work as if everything depended on you" to heart. We have been tracting for at least three hours every day. It's been really fun actually. Believe it or not, we do get doors slammed in our faces. We even had a guy start yelling and saying he would throw us off his property and that ALL evil and wickedness comes from America, so he didn't want to listen to some people who are teaching the gospel and from America... Yeahh. It's alright though, we made it out alive. ;] it was a bit dodgy though.
We found another father led family this week. The guy's name is Luyiso, but we haven't been able to see him again since we found him. He seemed like a real searcher though, and that is who we are looking for. Those who are out searching for the truth.
Things here have been crazy hectic as always. (Missionary life) I had a cool experience yesterday though! We were RUSHING to an appointment because we were really late and while walking I had a thought to just go knock on this door to the right of us. The house looked pretty nice (for SA) and had two cars in front of it (so they could potentially give rides to other members... ;]) So I said to Mashigo, "Hey, lets just go knock on this door, I don't know if it was just me thinking it or the spirit, but lets try." He was a champ and said, "Yeah, we are late, but who am I to say no to knocking on a door?" So we knocked and a middle aged man opened the door and invited us in. (Basically that is what all the polite people do here. Which doesn't happen as much as we would hope.) Anyways, we sat down and I introduced us and told him what our purpose was essentially. We then spoke about how we share a message about how families can be together forever (because we saw his daughter in the room when we came in.) It seemed to impact him and he told us how back in 1994 or something like that he had scheduled an appointment with the missionaries but had to cancel because of a work conflict, but he said he wants to hear our message. So we are planning to meet with him on Saturday. PRAY FOR THINGS TO GO WELL! It was really cool to just be living worthy and to have a thought directing us to someone who wants to know more.
Sunday came along and we were expecting a total of three families to come to church. Guess how many came? Basically 1/2 of one of the families (Florence and Shelton from the ncubas family...try saying that one correctly.) and a girl we have taught once who we didn't expect to come (Limo).. So we had 3 investigators at church, which is only like 1/4 of what we expected, but that is another missionary moment for you. We are continuing to have faith though and hope that we will have them all at church next week.
Thandi (The offended investigator) and Zolani (Our once in the branch presidency, now extremely less-active) didn't come to church as well. So after our Dinner Appointment, which was wonderful because we NEVER are fed here, we went and checked up on them in their shack. We talked to them and they said the whole, "the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak." excuse and said that they weren't able to iron their clothes and didn't have proper shoes.... *face palm* We then went on to talk to them about showing actual faith. James 2:18 - show me thy faith without thy works and I will show you my faith BY my works. That hit them pretty hard. Then I had the impression to ask them if they are living the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity.... Nope. They said they are heavy into drugs, smoking and alcohol. And they aren't living the law of chastity, but are preparing to get married. So basically our job as missionaries just got a lot harder, but at the same time, now we know what they need help with so we can seek for specific inspiration according to their needs. They are truly wanting to change though, and that desire will be essential. So Thandi and Zolani need your prayers.
I am gaining SUCH a powerful testimony of prayer. As a missionary I don't think I was really taking advantage of the power of prayer like I should have been before. We now pray before going into lessons, before we leave the apartment, every night, every time we start and end tracting and then other random times throughout the day. The windows of heaven have been opened to us and we are really able to SEE people for who they could become. All this finding is making things as far as teaching start pretty slow, but with time things will really pick up and we are going to make a big difference here in Khayelitsha.
Elder Mashigo is a great companion, just needs to be encouraged and he always works hard. I am really learning a LOT from the other companionship in our district. Elder Bohn and Elder Olsen. (Our current District Leader and our Former AP) They are really teaching me a lot and helping me out in my growth as a missionary with my knowledge and testimony. It's pretty awesome.
Anyways, that's all I have for this week! I love you all. Keep the faith and remember that God is just waiting to bless us, but that is all determined by how we live.
Love,
Elder Mitchell Ryan Thayne
Monday, June 2, 2014
Now Residing In One of The Top Ten Most Dangerous Cities In The World. #legit
Alrighty, well it's been another wonderful week! I really can't complain. As you guys know, I have been moved to Mandalay which is in Khayelitsha, and my new companion is Elder Mashigo. (Ma-she-ho) He is from Johannesburg and is one funny black kid.
In the other area we have an emeritus AP ;] (Elder Olsen) and Elder Bohn, who will probably be an AP or something someday. They are two really hard-working and good Elders, but in our area.. it is going to take a lot of work.
So basically I decided, on our first day, and as junior companion, that we should go tracting. We hit the pavement at 1 PM and tracted until 5. The issue with that was neither of us had ever been taught how to do it... but we started figuring it out by the end of that time. :] Straight up I said a prayer with my companion that we would find those who are ready. On probably our fifth house (which I had the distinct impression to go towards) we found a Father in his home sweeping the floor with his little son and playing with him. BAM. Eternal family maybe? No, eternal family DEFINITELY. So we told him that we shared a unique message about how through faith in Jesus Christ families can be together forever and that relationships with our loved ones don't have to end at death. The guy was really classy about the whole thing and had us sit down and talk to him for a bit. We left him with a pamphlet about the plan of Salvation and we are going to visit him and his WIFE (he is actually married with two kids. We couldn't believe it.) hopefully this coming week. I don't know why, but I absolutely love that guy. And his little 3 year old son was one of the happiest kids in all of Africa. SO CUTE. The guy's name is Xolani. SO PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM. If you guys saw him and felt the love God has for him like I did, you would know why I want them to have the gospel so badly. So pray for them to accept our message.
We kept tracting and found another father-led family. Him and his wife are also a young couple that has one kid though. They are MARRIED! I cannot tell you how crazy that is. Anyways, they had been taught by missionaries before and are wanting to learn more about the gospel and have a forever family. So that's another amazing story.
We then followed up on a family where only one 16 year old kid was a member. The mother, two sisters (mid twenties) and younger brother (13) had all been taught and dropped by the missionaries being lazy I think... So we talked to them and recommitted them to following in Christs footsteps and being baptized. It. Was. Amazing. Their name is the Ncuba family.
Then last of all in the tale of a hardworking weekend we went to see a lady named Thandi. Now, Thandi started dating a powerful member of the church and moved in with him. When that happened the members sort of rejected them both and he went less active. She had been investigating the church for a couple years, but the lack of love from the members turned her off. So basically we went over their to talk about their concerns. (This is something that should have been done a LONG time ago... Like a year or more ago. But the Elders were lazy and dropped her.) Anyways, we talked to them and heard their story. After hearing the story I asked her a few questions. "So Thandi, do you believe that this church God's church once again restored on the earth?" She said, "I KNOW that it is his church, and I want to follow him, but the people treated us bad and it made me loose interest." So I responded, "It's sad that you are going to give up eternal salvation, everlasting happiness, an eternity with your loved ones and a life in the presence of God all because someone treated you bad at the Lords church." She just sat there quiet for a moment and then said, "You're right. I just need to let go of this anger, but I don't know how." I testified that only in and through Christ will she be able to let go of that anger and find that forgiveness. I reminded her of God's love for her and her responsibility to act on the knowledge she has obtained. My companion whipped out Mosiah 18:10 and told her she needs to push forward and prepare to join His fold. It was POWERFUL. The less active "husband" (they still aren't married.) Zolani bore his testimony about his desire to go back and to have an eternal family. We all teared up and felt the spirit so strong. Thandi said she missed having the Elders in her home (which is nothing more than tin slates held together with some wood and a sand floor.) We are going back on Wednesday to start helping them progress and hopefully come back to church.
So yes, the area was dead... and still is pretty dead. We only taught five lessons in like four days, but it'll get better. It is just going to take lots of effort and time, but the Lord has prepared people who are SO ready to receive his word. We just need to sacrifice and work to bring it to them. I have seen and felt the Lord have an active hand in the work we are doing here. My companion on Sunday told me he has never been happier on mission and those lessons we taught together are the best lessons he has had his entire mission. I understand why that is the case though, it's because he really now is working and striving, through prayer and study, to have the spirit in the companionship so that we can help those who so desperately want to change.
Attatched below are a couple pictures from the baptism we had on the 25th. (Last Sunday)
The picture shows everyone who was baptizing and being baptized. We baptized Phelisa, Lamla and Abigale. The other Elders baptized Nkosinati and Wocumisa. So yeahh, I cannot wait for that day when we baptized FAMILIES here in Khayelitsha.
Cape Town itself is SUPER cold compared to Mdantsane. I am now in the Western Cape Province. It's really sweet here, the people are a bit more worldly and proud, but the Lord works with all kinds of people. So it'll be a good transfer.
I love you all! Thank you for the love and support that you guys give me! I miss you all loads!
Love,
Elder Mitchell Ryan Thayne
Monday, May 26, 2014
You Only Serve Once!
Moloweni!
This week has been pretty much one of the best. We were able to see EVERYONE that we have been wanting to for the past several weeks. We were actually able to see Siphinathi. Now, for those of you who haven't been following the journey of Elder Thayne super closely, Siphinathi was the first baptism I had in SA. Three weeks after baptism he got some friends that really became a bad influence on him and he stopped coming to church and started dodging our appointments with him. It eventually got to the point that he would run away and hide from us when we would see him or try to meet with him. It truly was sad. It was just a testimony that those who aren't living the way they know they should are uncomfortable in the presence of people who remind them of what they should be doing.
Elder Ramat and I went to the Nake family's home and started teaching Mlondolozi. He said that Siphinathi was hiding in the back room. I asked him to go fetch him so I could teach them one last time and say goodbye. Siphinathi came out pretty sheepishly, but I just ignored the fact that he was hiding from us and treated him real well. We talked and testified about the power of repentance and how to matter what has happened we can ALWAYS come back. Satan likes to convince us that after we have gone astray and left Him that Christ would never want us back. THAT IS A LIE. I told him that if he wants to have the joy he felt in his life once again that he could have it. He would just need to turn back to God and leave behind whatever is holding him back. He told us he really wants to come back to church and wants to change.. So I am praying that desire lasts with him. Sadly, he didn't come to church even when he said he would. Dahh well, I know he will come back someday.
So on Sunday we had another mass baptism. This time five people we baptized. On our side we had Lamla, Phelisa and Abigale. Then Elder Mchunu and Elder Maciver had Nkosinathi and Wochumisa. Most of the ward was able to attend because it was right after church, so that was nice to have a lot of support for them in making this great decision.
When I was saying the words to baptize Phelisa, her grip on my wrist slowly got tighter and tighter and tighter. I put her under the water and she got up just so excited and so shocked at the feeling she was having. Then Lamla came down into the water. Lamla is real tall, just like his brothers Luvuyo and Yonela. He didn't bend his knees when I put him under, but all in all it worked out just fine. I kind of had to shove him under the water. Afterwords he told me he felt "so happy and soft inside." Probably was the most descriptive thing I had ever heard him say, so I was on cloud nine. I really hope that Lamla goes on a mission.
This week is transfer week! So I will be getting a new companion and FINALLY will be moving to a new area! I have LOVED Mdantsane and loved the people here. The work has been very successful and I have lots of wonderful memories, but it's time to blow this popsicle stand and experience something new. I find out my transfer news sometime tonight. According the the AP's I will be happy with my new companion. And President said, "Elder Thayne, it's time for you to have a rest." So I think that is a good thing... but all the signs are pointing to me having a great transfer ahead of me, but honestly I plan on having a great transfer every transfer.
I'll let you all know where I am next week! Pity I didn't hear my news just a few hours early, then I could tell you what is going on.
Something I have found is that the Lord truly doesn't give us what we have in mind, but he does give us what we need. I learned that lessons while I was having to wait to come on my mission and it is something that I am continuing to learn as I am out here serving. God ultimately knows what is best for us and what we need to have to grow. How blessed our we?
This is a quote that my friend Elder Lewis sent out last week in his email. It really is so true.
"Sometimes we may ask God for success, and he gives us physical and mental stamina. We might plead for prosperity, and we receive enlarged perspective and increased patience. Or we petition for growth and are blessed with the gift of grace... and when we plead for relief from physical, mental, and spiritual difficulties, he may increase our resolve and resilience." - Elder Bednar
I love you guys so much. The Lord is mindful of us and what we need to experience to become who He needs us to be. Now, shall we not go on in so great a cause?
- Elder Thayne
PS. Sorry about the lack of pictures, I'll get some from Elder Mchunu and send them out next week.
This week has been pretty much one of the best. We were able to see EVERYONE that we have been wanting to for the past several weeks. We were actually able to see Siphinathi. Now, for those of you who haven't been following the journey of Elder Thayne super closely, Siphinathi was the first baptism I had in SA. Three weeks after baptism he got some friends that really became a bad influence on him and he stopped coming to church and started dodging our appointments with him. It eventually got to the point that he would run away and hide from us when we would see him or try to meet with him. It truly was sad. It was just a testimony that those who aren't living the way they know they should are uncomfortable in the presence of people who remind them of what they should be doing.
Elder Ramat and I went to the Nake family's home and started teaching Mlondolozi. He said that Siphinathi was hiding in the back room. I asked him to go fetch him so I could teach them one last time and say goodbye. Siphinathi came out pretty sheepishly, but I just ignored the fact that he was hiding from us and treated him real well. We talked and testified about the power of repentance and how to matter what has happened we can ALWAYS come back. Satan likes to convince us that after we have gone astray and left Him that Christ would never want us back. THAT IS A LIE. I told him that if he wants to have the joy he felt in his life once again that he could have it. He would just need to turn back to God and leave behind whatever is holding him back. He told us he really wants to come back to church and wants to change.. So I am praying that desire lasts with him. Sadly, he didn't come to church even when he said he would. Dahh well, I know he will come back someday.
So on Sunday we had another mass baptism. This time five people we baptized. On our side we had Lamla, Phelisa and Abigale. Then Elder Mchunu and Elder Maciver had Nkosinathi and Wochumisa. Most of the ward was able to attend because it was right after church, so that was nice to have a lot of support for them in making this great decision.
When I was saying the words to baptize Phelisa, her grip on my wrist slowly got tighter and tighter and tighter. I put her under the water and she got up just so excited and so shocked at the feeling she was having. Then Lamla came down into the water. Lamla is real tall, just like his brothers Luvuyo and Yonela. He didn't bend his knees when I put him under, but all in all it worked out just fine. I kind of had to shove him under the water. Afterwords he told me he felt "so happy and soft inside." Probably was the most descriptive thing I had ever heard him say, so I was on cloud nine. I really hope that Lamla goes on a mission.
This week is transfer week! So I will be getting a new companion and FINALLY will be moving to a new area! I have LOVED Mdantsane and loved the people here. The work has been very successful and I have lots of wonderful memories, but it's time to blow this popsicle stand and experience something new. I find out my transfer news sometime tonight. According the the AP's I will be happy with my new companion. And President said, "Elder Thayne, it's time for you to have a rest." So I think that is a good thing... but all the signs are pointing to me having a great transfer ahead of me, but honestly I plan on having a great transfer every transfer.
I'll let you all know where I am next week! Pity I didn't hear my news just a few hours early, then I could tell you what is going on.
Something I have found is that the Lord truly doesn't give us what we have in mind, but he does give us what we need. I learned that lessons while I was having to wait to come on my mission and it is something that I am continuing to learn as I am out here serving. God ultimately knows what is best for us and what we need to have to grow. How blessed our we?
This is a quote that my friend Elder Lewis sent out last week in his email. It really is so true.
"Sometimes we may ask God for success, and he gives us physical and mental stamina. We might plead for prosperity, and we receive enlarged perspective and increased patience. Or we petition for growth and are blessed with the gift of grace... and when we plead for relief from physical, mental, and spiritual difficulties, he may increase our resolve and resilience." - Elder Bednar
I love you guys so much. The Lord is mindful of us and what we need to experience to become who He needs us to be. Now, shall we not go on in so great a cause?
- Elder Thayne
PS. Sorry about the lack of pictures, I'll get some from Elder Mchunu and send them out next week.
How is everyone!? Thank you for all the love and emails I received this week, it really means a lot! I love hearing from all of you and seeing how life is back home.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
May 25, 2014- SAVE THE DATE!
Well lots of great things have happened this week. And I don't remember a single one. Just kidding.
The Good:
-We have three people that are going to be baptised next Suday May 25th. Abigail, Phelisa and Lamla. I was asked by Phelisa and Lamla to baptize them. Yes, I am just as shocked as you all are.
-Elder Ramat and I have really learned to communicate and are becoming a lot better at being pals. Of course this happens my last week with him.
-My Xhosa is getting pretty good. By pretty good I mean I can say like ten words. I was being called "Mlungu" over and over till one woman I know called me that and I just said, "Umnyama wena." (You're black.) Basically everyone died and started laughing so hard. They couldn't believe that I responded to them in Xhosa. #winning
-Our flat is clean on most days. Miracles can and do happen daily.
-Elder Obonye, Elder Taylor and I all made a rap titled YOSO. You Only Serve Once.
The Not So Good:
-I definitely ripped a pair of my suit pants. Luckily I have a spare.
-Two of the people we were preparing to be baptised dropped off the face of the earth. So I am not really sure what happened to them. We were pretty frustrated, but we are keeping the faith and going to continue trying to work with them.
The Funny:
-I just can't seem to keep hold of money out here. We get about $60 worth of money to live off for two weeks. It's actually quite hilarious I must say.
-No one believed me when I said that I did jui-jitsu for 10 years. So Elder Steele and I decided to wrestle/fight. We was a wrestler in high school and was on the national team actually. So naturally everyone thought I would be destroyed. 30 seconds in I choked him out with a guillotine. Thank you Dad and Mom for making us do hard things so we aren't wimps. He couldn't believe it.
-A guy, while we were filling up petrol, (this happened while I was with Capozzoli but I forgot to tell you guys about it) walked up to us and told us that the night before he had a dream. He said that in his dream he was told that he needed to go to this petrol station and wait for two "white angels" to pull up in their car. He then said he had received that vision because we were meant to buy him a full tank of petrol. Ohh my word it took everything we had not to burst out laughing. People will come up to us often and claim to have some real reason for us to buy or give them something. That time was pretty hilarious.
The Spiritual:
-This week we had a really powerful experience with a less active family. We were teaching them about God's love for us and our love for him. I stressed and emphasized the point that God has given us everything. He has promised us eternal happiness and joy. ALL He has asked is that we obey His few commandments and help build His kingdom. That is it! As I was testifying one of the more "hard-hearted" women started to cry. She was really feeling the spirit and had a desire to show God her love for him. She said she realized that he has done so much for her and that she just needs to start showing Him how grateful she is. It was a really wonderful moment for all of us I think.
-While driving I had this distinct feeling to go check on some investigators that we hadn't seen in well over a month because of their lack of commitment and because of the fact they had been dodging us. Anyways, we went to their house and started talking to them. We met a less active guy who hadn't been to church in over ten years! We set a return appointment and they committed to start coming to church! It's just really awesome how the spirit will direct us if we are willing to listen.
Basically it has been a good week. I feel real good about how I have spent my time here in Mdantsane. Transfers are going to be happening next week. So I am assuming that I will be leaving Mdantsane because I have been here for six months now. And what a glorious six months it has been. I am already a 1/4 of the way done with my mission. It may not sound like much, but time has flown. I don't want my mission to go by too fast! I am loving it. I love you guys and I am so grateful for all the love and support! Keep in touch. Mosiah 2:41
Love,Elder Thayne
Monday, May 5, 2014
I got bit by a venomous flesh eating spider!
Things are going good here, it has just been slow with the holidays and everything going on. After elections, which are on Wednesday, we should be back to normal and being able to teach more. We only taught like fifteen lessons this last week which was frustrating, but I am sure we will teach a lot more this coming week.
It is my third week with Elder Ramat from Tanzania. It is for sure really different being with a native African, but it is going pretty well. We have some really cool things happening. Mlondolozi's and Siphenanthi's dad, Tata Michael Nake, came to church after we visited with him last week! It was pretty amazing. He knows a lot about the gospel and we hope to help him progress and if he keeps coming to church we will baptize him before I leave!
If everything goes perfectly we will have six more baptisms before I leave at the end of this month. Four of them will be potential Melchizedek priesthood holders. So we are excited about that. This is all us reaping what we have sowed over the past few months. It's pretty nice. The names of the people are Mlondolozi, Derrick, Michael, Lamla, Abigale and Phelisa. So please pray for them that all will go well and they can be baptized on schedule.
I have been really trying to learn Xhosa and take it more seriously. I got a notebook and titled it Xhosa for dummies, so hopefully the stuff that everyone is putting down it it sticks with me! I am learning a lot. I am trying to qualify for the gift of tongues. Because that is probably what it is going to take for me to get fluent in it. I want to memorize the first vision in Xhosa so I can say it to the people we are teaching in lessons. I think it could be pretty powerful.
We have started to do district lunches every day in an effort to keep uniting the district. Elder Mchunu and I have been around each other for going on four and a half months, so we are already really tight, but we wanted to quickly have the other guys feel welcome and a part of the district as well! I really think it is helping! The annoying thing is we always have them at our flat since we have a gas stove, and since it's at our flat we always end up doing the dishes afterwords...
Well three days ago I woke up with a bump on my elbow. Over the past few days it has grown bigger and bigger and there is now a hole in my arm. It's swollen up pretty big and is getting pretty painful. Apparently I was bitten by a South African Sack Spider or something like it. The venom slowly burns through the flesh and destroys the cells. It can get pretty bad I guess. So I am getting taken to the Doctors office in a couple hours to get me some antibiotics or something like that. The Senior couple, the Boyces, are pretty worried about it since it has happened a couple times to other missionaries before. So we will see what ends up happening. I just think it's kind of sweet that I am here in Africa and got bit by a flesh eating spider.
I really don't have too much more to report. It hasn't been raining too bad the past week so there wasn't any more flooding. And hopefully there should be some more cool finding stories next week because we really are going to try to build our teaching pool of investigators. Please pray for those we are preparing for baptism and if anyone you know is preparing for a mission, pray for them to get called to South Africa. It's the best place in the world.
Cheers,
Elder Thayne
Our meal we made, we had no plates so we used frying pans. This is me, elder Ramat and elder mchunu. Elder Maciver took the picture.
Then this is us again with a bunch of avocado's that I climbed up in our tree and fetched the other day.
It is my third week with Elder Ramat from Tanzania. It is for sure really different being with a native African, but it is going pretty well. We have some really cool things happening. Mlondolozi's and Siphenanthi's dad, Tata Michael Nake, came to church after we visited with him last week! It was pretty amazing. He knows a lot about the gospel and we hope to help him progress and if he keeps coming to church we will baptize him before I leave!
If everything goes perfectly we will have six more baptisms before I leave at the end of this month. Four of them will be potential Melchizedek priesthood holders. So we are excited about that. This is all us reaping what we have sowed over the past few months. It's pretty nice. The names of the people are Mlondolozi, Derrick, Michael, Lamla, Abigale and Phelisa. So please pray for them that all will go well and they can be baptized on schedule.
I have been really trying to learn Xhosa and take it more seriously. I got a notebook and titled it Xhosa for dummies, so hopefully the stuff that everyone is putting down it it sticks with me! I am learning a lot. I am trying to qualify for the gift of tongues. Because that is probably what it is going to take for me to get fluent in it. I want to memorize the first vision in Xhosa so I can say it to the people we are teaching in lessons. I think it could be pretty powerful.
We have started to do district lunches every day in an effort to keep uniting the district. Elder Mchunu and I have been around each other for going on four and a half months, so we are already really tight, but we wanted to quickly have the other guys feel welcome and a part of the district as well! I really think it is helping! The annoying thing is we always have them at our flat since we have a gas stove, and since it's at our flat we always end up doing the dishes afterwords...
Well three days ago I woke up with a bump on my elbow. Over the past few days it has grown bigger and bigger and there is now a hole in my arm. It's swollen up pretty big and is getting pretty painful. Apparently I was bitten by a South African Sack Spider or something like it. The venom slowly burns through the flesh and destroys the cells. It can get pretty bad I guess. So I am getting taken to the Doctors office in a couple hours to get me some antibiotics or something like that. The Senior couple, the Boyces, are pretty worried about it since it has happened a couple times to other missionaries before. So we will see what ends up happening. I just think it's kind of sweet that I am here in Africa and got bit by a flesh eating spider.
I really don't have too much more to report. It hasn't been raining too bad the past week so there wasn't any more flooding. And hopefully there should be some more cool finding stories next week because we really are going to try to build our teaching pool of investigators. Please pray for those we are preparing for baptism and if anyone you know is preparing for a mission, pray for them to get called to South Africa. It's the best place in the world.
Cheers,
Elder Thayne
Our meal we made, we had no plates so we used frying pans. This is me, elder Ramat and elder mchunu. Elder Maciver took the picture.
Then this is us again with a bunch of avocado's that I climbed up in our tree and fetched the other day.
I was kissed straight on the cheek by probably the most drunk and crazy guy I have yet seen in South Africa. He stumbled up to me and my companion and said I am a beautiful mlongu and planted one right on my cheek. Definitely not one of my most graceful or composed moments as a missionary... I kinda shrieked and jumped away. As a missionary you aren't used to physical contact. So when a really drunk guy plants one on you, you tend to react a bit dramatically.
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