Elder LaHue

Mfundo Ndaba & Sandile Somehow I have survived 21 months of being a full-time missionary! It blows my mind sometimes when I think about it. 3 months to go!! This Sunday we had the baptism of Ayanda Mbanjwa. Since we hold church at a school we had to drive to the nearest chapel with a baptismal font, which is in a town called Chatsworth. I included a video of how we got there: many of us piled in the back of a pickup truck. (which is illegal in the US but common in SA) Many members of Umhedula drove to the chapel to show their support! Poor Ayanda was feeling ill in the morning but she was able to power through the day. All in all it was a neat experience! Here is a scripture that helped me this week: D&C 63:20 "Nevertheless, he that  endureth  in faith and  doeth  my will, the same shall  overcome , and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come." In order to overcome difficulties in our lif...

Elders Hinnen, Walker, Christensen, LaHue, Maughan, Silva Another week down. Good things are happening in Umbhedula! People are progressing well. Next week we will have the baptism of a woman named Ayanda. She has been investigating the church for several months now. We are also teaching a cool guy named Mxolisi. He has been trying to quit smoking. We showed up to his house this week and to me he looked noticeably different. He told us that he has put down the cigarettes! He came to church yesterday as well. There is also a family we are teaching with a father and his two sons. On Thursday the APs came to our area so I got to work with Elder Sala again. It was so nice. We worked with a member who served with him back in the Harare, Zimbabwe mission. We ate tripe together! It is cow intestines. Pretty tasty with bread. On Friday the ZLs came to our area so I got to work with Elder Russell for the day. We are friends already and he started his mission in this area so we had a g...

(Top): Elders Dos Santos (Jr.), T. Christensen, Russell, Maughan, Bodnar, Leishman, Makhuvele, Atkinson, T. Walker (Bottom): Elders Bennett, Hinnen, Pentz, Silva, President Thompson, B.Walker, Kabisa, Bernard, LaHue Combined Zone Conference: Hillcrest & Durban Zones! On Tuesday we had a massive conference at the Berea Chapel. We took a big taxi from Pinetown to Durban with our whole zone. There were 34 missionaries there! Attached is a picture of 5 of my last 6 companions. The other one is serving as a branch president in Newcastle while still a missionary. I can't imagine having to do that! The work in Umbhedula is getting there. We have 3 solid people that we teach each week. We found 2 new families that we are starting to teach! Members are still being very helpful with giving us rides. I think I am used to walking now. It went from blazing hot to freezing cold in one day! I have devoted free time in the evenings to improving my Zulu knowledge. The last ...

The extended Royal Family (minus Elder Baker): Elders LaHue, Bodnar, Hinnen, Leishman, Kabisa This week was legendary. We were on foot!! I have so many stories and miracles to share. I won't even be able to list them all! Also these days I will have less time to email because I will be in an email shop. I will have less pictures each week because I can't take my camera to the area due to being on foot. Safety reasons. Elder Hinnen turned a year a mission this week. I can't believe it's been that long since I trained him! They grow up so fast! Catching taxis is so cool. We walk up to the side of the road and wait until the taxi with the sticker color we want passes by. The one we look for has a yellow leopard. Then we flag it down by holding up a certain sign with our hands that corresponds with different parts of our area. For example, to get to our area we point one finger downward. It costs 6R to get to where we work each day. My legs are really sore fr...

Please bear with me. The email situation isn't sorted out yet. I won't be able to get up all the pictures I want to. Or have enough time to properly respond to everyone. I am sorry. Umbhedula is an awesome area. Very hilly, cool windy climate for now. Yesterday was our last day with the cars so we are officially on foot. We have no idea how to use taxis. Tomorrow will be an interesting day. The members are great and they have been very helpful looking for places to rent so that we can stay in our area. Safety is the main concern now. The mission schedule changed so that we are out earlier and back home before dark, which in winter is 6pm. I should have more updates for you all next week when I am more settled in. Here are some pictures of saying goodbye to the wonderful members of Toti. Love, Elder LaHue The Riese family! We lived in a side room in their home. (Top): Jean-Louis, Quintin, Camilla, Sister Riese, Martinese, Vikus (Bottom): Natasha & St...