Elder LaHue

Baptism of Samkelo Nene! Sunday was an amazing experience. Sam, who turned 24 a week ago, was baptized! His mother and his wife, who is not a member, came to witness it. The spirit was present as we sang hymns and 2 of the YSA brethren gave talks. Sam was baptized by Bishop van Thiel. Afterwards he bore a powerful testimony, thanking his family and sharing what he has gained from the gospel. The ward is happy and welcoming to him! Later in the day we went over to his house to talk to him. He said he feels so clean and pure after being baptized. I'm so grateful for the Lord for granting me the opportunity to be a part of such a life changing event. Transfer News:  I'm leaving after an epic 6 months of serving in Amanzimtoti Ward. I love the members here. They have treated me like their son! I'm sure my Mom will be happy to read that. The last few days I have been running around saying goodbye to people. It is a little heartbreaking, but now I just say, "I...

Elders Da Silva, Nobunga, Mnisi, LaHue Some highlights from this week: 1) Zone Conference on Wednesday! The theme was "converted unto the Lord". I gave a 30 minute presentation on cultivating a spirit of hard work. Overall the day went quite well! All the speakers did an excellent job and, of course, donuts for dessert. 2) I was at the mission office this week going through some recent data and records. I had the thought to look up baptisms of areas I had served in, after I left. I wanted to see which people I had started to teach were able to progress on and make it all the way. I was shocked to find the names of 10 people I taught that had been baptized after I left! It was a humbling experience that strengthened my testimony of planting seeds of faith. Sometimes we aren't around to see the help we are to people! 3) On Saturday our goal was to walk the whole day as a test in preparation for losing our car next month. Our initial plan was to wal...

Short email this time because not much happened this week. I was out of commission during the weekend due to a cold. I feel better today. We were able to work a full day yesterday so I am recovering! Being sick as a missionary is the worst because you just feel locked up in your home all day and you want to go out and teach people but your body won't let you. I am looking forward to getting back on my feet tomorrow! On Saturday night we went to Quinton and Camilla's wedding reception. Camilla is the sister of our landlord and she served a mission in Australia. Quinton was baptized just over a year ago. They were both sealed in the Johannesburg Temple on Wednesday! Their reception was held at a nice lodge nearby our old flat. Even though I was sick, going to the party was so nice. We ate great food and laughed and danced! Everyone was so happy. Many pictures this week! Nothing else new for now. Sam is getting baptized this Sunday. I probably have 2 more weeks in Toti...

Elders Hauck & Kumar This week has been wonderful. I have gained a testimony of the principle of following up and not giving up on people. Earlier on my mission I would drop people quite quickly if I didn't think that they would progress soon. With Elder Warner we spent 2 weeks following up on people I taught with Elder Sala. One house we visited every day, and the person was never home! This week everything came together and many of those people we regained contact with. As a result, 3 of those people set a date to be baptized and a 4th person came to church for the first time this Sunday! We have been teaching her on and off for 3-4 months before she finally was able to keep the commitment of coming to church. It goes to show that people's concerns are real and that they take time to open up. We experienced a big miracle this week. On Friday we had an appointment set that fell through. We knocked on another door to see if they know where that person was. A w...

The Masondo family. Baya was baptized by her older brother Thobane! Another week in Toti! Elder Warner and I are doing a great work here. We have been finding a lot more than I was before and opening our mouths. This week we had 6 quality new investigators: Andile, Njabulo, Ntokozo (3 men); Byron, Catherine and Makayla (the family and friend of a member of the Elder's Quorum Presidency. We taught them in his home). The focus lately has been on people as individuals and familes, getting to know them and planning for them. In a week it is easy for us to find many new people to teach, but we have to work more effectively to find people who are serious.  Missionary Leadership Counsel was awesome, I thought that it was the best one I have been to since the one at the Drakensberg Mountains back in October. I love how much counseling we did together. As leaders of the mission we have a huge effect on the effectiveness of missionaries because of the example we set. Also we ...

Elder Warner (and Elders Silva, Maughan, Ballif & Nichols in the back) Post-transfers.. back into the swing of things now! On Wednesday we drove to Pinetown to drop off Elder Sala and pick up Elder Warner. He is the assigned driver right now, which I am happy about. I have drove every day since July of last year! The mission office finally decided to let me have a break. Elder Warner is from American Fork, Utah. Funny that he is my first companion from Utah after being a missionary for so long. He is a sweet guy and he enjoys music and reading. This week we have been working very hard. Lots of contacting. Unfortunately we didn't find many people, but the Lord blessed us in other way. 4 different people came to church this Sunday for their first time! Two of them were brought by one of our progressing investigators, one was brought by a member, and the other one just showed up randomly. It was very neat to see prepared people fall right into our hands. Josh was confirm...

Baptism of Josh Boucher! (w/ Tammy & Jarred) End of another 6 weeks! This was an awesome 18 weeks serving with Elder Sala. I have been very blessed to be his companion for so long. We have done a lot of great work and had many laughs. He is going close by to Pinetown. I am staying in Amanzimoti and my new companion is named Elder Warner. I have never met him and I am training him on how to be a zone leader. Excited to stay here!! This Mother's Day was filled with blessings. The biggest one of course was being able to talk to my Mom and tell her that I love her. (And the rest of the family as well!) This was my last call home before I see them in person. Funny story is that we were very late getting out of a baptismal interview and we had to drive from Umlazi to Durban to make the calls. We were 5 minutes away and then we got a flat tire on the highway. I think God has been trying to teach me patience these days. See pictures attached. At church we had the baptism...