(16 February 2009)

Dear Family, (16 February 2009)

On Sunday we visited one of our investigators and found out that she has cancer. Both Elder Rajohanesa and I felt impressed to give her a blessing. I felt the spirit as she was blessed. On our way to meet the other missionaries that spirit was carried with us and we broke out into song. My testimony was strengthened that night.
Also this week we contacted and taught 2 referrals that we received from the office. Both were single mothers, which isn’t exactly what we should focus on but they were great. They really seemed to believe the things which we taught. We also received another new investigator from the Sifuba family. They have had a relative staying with them for quite some time, and he has been coming to church for a couple months now. His name is Nkululeko, and he is a potential Melchizedek holder. Sister Sifuba was awesome to have present at that lesson because she had a wonderful conversion story.
This week we put Tryphina on baptismal date for the 22 March 2009. Sadly enough she wasn’t able to make it to church this Sunday. Out of our 14 new investigators from this week only 1 showed up. Her name is Bella, and we had only met her on Saturday. She came to church and Sister Rebecca fellowshipped her well, and even had her over to her home after church.
I’m finding it hard sometimes to not compare myself to other missionaries and their success. I just hope that I’m doing all I’m suppose to do to receive more success and the Lords sees fit to give it to me. It’s nice to push yourself especially to hit your goals which you have made, but many times it is stressful. I’m hoping to find a balance somewhere. We had Zone Conference this week, and president Poulsen spoke about the clay that we have in our mission, or the things that we need to fix and do better at. It just seems like there is so much to improve on. It can be very discouraging at times, but I know with the Lords help I can do what He wants me to do. Thank you all for reading. I appreciate it a lot.

Elder Lane

Dear Family, (9 February 2009)

On Saturday evening we were able to teach a “father led family” (a key indicator that president is having us tract.) that we tracted into previously. We shared the message of the Restoration with the father and mother. They accepted it well and we were able to set an appointment to see them next week. The father’s name is Ephraim, and he has a twin named Stephen. When we were done teaching Ephraim and his wife Monica we decided to help Stephen drag a big tree they had cut down out of their yard. The tree was very heavy. Stephen tied a big wire from his vehicle to the tree and was dragging it with the car as we lifted the tree up and guided it. That probably wouldn’t have been the way I would have done it, but hey we were able to help. Stephen thanked us for the help and asked us if we had set another appointment with his brother. He then told us we would be joining us next time. Service really does work. When you serve others they are more willing to accept you and trust you. They will want to listen to you.
Also on Saturday I was able to speak to Mbuso. He is the Recent Convert that got in the accident back in Durban on Christmas day. I’ve never known someone who has been in such an accident. I think I feel for him more than I have ever felt for anyone else. When I spoke to him he was crying and telling me how he missed us (Elder Lind and I.) He said that he wanted to go to church and he wanted us to come visit him. I was so hurt to hear him like that. He seemed to be really scared, not sure what he would do with his future. The doctors are talking about amputating his leg, which I’m sure, is the cause of a lot of his fears. I was just very heart broken to see him in this much altered state from which I was used to seeing him in. The Lord preserved his life for a reason, and I hope that in time he will recover perfectly.
We’ve received a couple referrals from the members. The two referrals that we received have been to church a couple times already. One of them is a cousin to Dumisani, our ward mission leader. Her name is Tebogo. The other is a friend to a recent convert of ours, KB, who moved from the Soweto ward. Her name is Samu. Both believe the church is true; we are just working on them receiving the witness from God and not just us. Our lesson with Samu was great; we were even able to teach her mother there with us, who goes to another church. She said she may come to our church if we visit hers.
On Sunday we had my first baptism where I have baptized someone that I have found through tracting. Nana Gare was baptized. She was supposed to be baptized by a brother in the ward, but he wasn’t there so I ended up baptizing her, which was awesome. At first she was really scared to get into the font but I told her it would be quick if she would cooperate and not fear. It was wonderful. I only had to do it once because she went under completely the first time. She told me that she wanted me to force her under so that she wouldn’t have to do it again. If you are not completely submersed in the water then the ordinance needs to be performed again. Also Nana had me give a talk on the Holy Ghost for her baptism. As I gave my talk I looked out in the congregation and noticed some people sleeping. I knew who they were so I decided to call them by name and thank them for sleeping while I spoke. The congregation thought that was pretty funny and so did I. You got to have a laugh once in a while at church meetings.
An old Gogo named Amanda kept her commitment to come to church. We hadn’t taught her but just briefly spoke to her in her home this past week. She came to church and brought some of her granddaughters. We decided to visit her on Sunday in the evening. Amanda told us that her granddaughters loved church and that they were coming back next week along with her. We then taught her and her grandson, Bradley briefly, and set an appointment to come back. My new companion is awesome, and I love him dearly. He works great as a missionary and I think the work will progress very well here.
Rebecca, one of our members here in Dobsonville who we visit, somehow was able to find my emails that I send from searching Google. She told me that she printed them all out and read them all. She seemed to enjoy them. It made me feel really good to know that someone found my writings to be so interesting that they read through all of them. I really appreciate those who read. Thank you.

Elder Lane