Dear Family and Friends!!
Good morning from South Africa, on this beautiful, hot summer morn! It sure is starting to heat up a bit and its making me have to change my white shirt every day instead of being able to pull off a few days with one shirt. Shame. Other than that, things are going great here! I got Elder Barnhurst back and he's doing ok. He still walks with a limp but thats about it. He doesn't use crutches or anything but we have to limit our tracting time so he doesn't get in too much pain and ruin the knee again.
Something great that is happening here that hasn't happend all my mission is that we are getting fed every day from the members!! I've made some great friends with the members and already we are getting a few referrals. Some of the members, since they have more money, have domestic workers that live with them and they'll bring them to church. One lady that came yesterday, Thandi, loved church but wants us to wait before we come to teach her stuff. She really seemed to enjoy church, though!
Say that reminds me, has anyone seen my friends who have come home from mission yet? And if possible, will you find their email addresses so I can write them? People like Brad Clark and Bryce Christensen. Thanks again!
There aren't a whole lot of investigators here so we do some tracting and trying to re-activate some of the less actives. The members here always offer us juice or food of some sort as we go visit them. I love it! I do miss the black people though and try to keep in contact the best that I can with some of my black brothers and sisters in previous areas. It is weird talking to white people too. They're hard to tract into. Yesterday we got told to "#*&#-OFF in a very angry way. I get so frustrated because these people don't understand what they are missing out on. I just wish they would listen for just a second and understand what it is that we have for them instead of telling us to leave once they hear "Jesus Christ."
Well, thanks again for everything. Yes, I did get my patriarchal blessing and I've used some of the stuff from the envelope in District Meeting. Thank you so much for all of that Dad! Its nice stuff! I love you all so much and thanks a bunch for getting those tickets for Eric. He appreciates it so much! He even fed us last night, so thanks a million! I wish the very best for all of you and I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving! Take care and CTR!
Love,
Elder Jordy Boy Langston
Monday, 24 November 2008
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Gold Reef
Thank you for your love, Mom and Dad.
This week has been an interesting one. I was put with a ward missionary because I wanted to get working in my own area, so I left Jozi Central and have been in Gold Reef. There isn't a lot of people to teach, just tracting, so we are doing better things. I've been chatting with the bishop and him and I are friends now and he's excited for the things that I have in mind. I told him that we should teach a Missionary Prep class but he said to just go to less active youth and teach them at their house. They have about 30 less active youth, YSA, and he's excited to get them coming back to church. We are also going to try to get activities set up for them so they will want to come back to church. Its a pretty small ward here. Only about 100 at church, but it'll get bigger! I'm excited to get to work with my real companion so I can start getting things done. Its hard being with a guy who doesn't know the area because we are living with a map and the area book. Thats all we gots.
The bird thing was fun! We went to Monte Casino and they got a bird park ther with parrots roaming free and little cage things that we can go in to touch the birds. I caught one and put it on Alfred's shoulder, my companion, and he was a little nervous. There was one bird that would walk around and say "hello". I hope the video works so you can hear it. I got so sun burnt there because the lady who took us wanted us to sit in the sun at the bird show because she thought a raptor was going to fly to the post we were near. Guess what, it never came. She was bummed when it was over, and so was I. They then took us to some cafe and bought us a burger and then as we were leaving, I spotted a USA store that sold Root Beer, so, of course, I bought one and drank it. I liked it...A LOT!!
Well, I sure love you all and am grateful for your prayers and love that is coming my way. Thanks for everything! Take care, and CTR!
Love,
Elder Jordan Langston
This week has been an interesting one. I was put with a ward missionary because I wanted to get working in my own area, so I left Jozi Central and have been in Gold Reef. There isn't a lot of people to teach, just tracting, so we are doing better things. I've been chatting with the bishop and him and I are friends now and he's excited for the things that I have in mind. I told him that we should teach a Missionary Prep class but he said to just go to less active youth and teach them at their house. They have about 30 less active youth, YSA, and he's excited to get them coming back to church. We are also going to try to get activities set up for them so they will want to come back to church. Its a pretty small ward here. Only about 100 at church, but it'll get bigger! I'm excited to get to work with my real companion so I can start getting things done. Its hard being with a guy who doesn't know the area because we are living with a map and the area book. Thats all we gots.
The bird thing was fun! We went to Monte Casino and they got a bird park ther with parrots roaming free and little cage things that we can go in to touch the birds. I caught one and put it on Alfred's shoulder, my companion, and he was a little nervous. There was one bird that would walk around and say "hello". I hope the video works so you can hear it. I got so sun burnt there because the lady who took us wanted us to sit in the sun at the bird show because she thought a raptor was going to fly to the post we were near. Guess what, it never came. She was bummed when it was over, and so was I. They then took us to some cafe and bought us a burger and then as we were leaving, I spotted a USA store that sold Root Beer, so, of course, I bought one and drank it. I liked it...A LOT!!
Well, I sure love you all and am grateful for your prayers and love that is coming my way. Thanks for everything! Take care, and CTR!
Love,
Elder Jordan Langston
Monday, 10 November 2008
Dear Family and Friends!!!
Greetings to you all from the heart of Johannesburg. Thats right, I'm in Jozi Central for at least another week because the guy I was suppose to go to just had knee surgery, the same as me, and he's hanging out with the president and so I'm in a threesome with some Elders in Jozi central. I'm in a car and will be in a car in Gold Reef as well. In Jozi, we don't really tract because its just a bunch of apartments and so we work with referrals, which come in abundance.
Well, church was nice. It was a historical stake conference because we had a live broadcast that was for all the African stakes and it was by Elder Holland, Pres. Uchtdorf, Bro. Merril and Bro Pace. It was pretty cool! They said for everyone to get a temple recommend and to be worthy for it because there will be more temples here soon. That was cool. Pres. Uchtdorf came up with a new meaning for CTR. He said it means Current Temple Recommend. That was fun.
Well, not much has really happend this week, just transfers, Jozi central, teaching people that are black. Oh yeah, I did get to go to my area to teach one guy that they had previously tracted in to and he's a nice white guy. He's got a nice house too! Its got a pool and everything!
Greetings to you all from the heart of Johannesburg. Thats right, I'm in Jozi Central for at least another week because the guy I was suppose to go to just had knee surgery, the same as me, and he's hanging out with the president and so I'm in a threesome with some Elders in Jozi central. I'm in a car and will be in a car in Gold Reef as well. In Jozi, we don't really tract because its just a bunch of apartments and so we work with referrals, which come in abundance.
Well, church was nice. It was a historical stake conference because we had a live broadcast that was for all the African stakes and it was by Elder Holland, Pres. Uchtdorf, Bro. Merril and Bro Pace. It was pretty cool! They said for everyone to get a temple recommend and to be worthy for it because there will be more temples here soon. That was cool. Pres. Uchtdorf came up with a new meaning for CTR. He said it means Current Temple Recommend. That was fun.
Well, not much has really happend this week, just transfers, Jozi central, teaching people that are black. Oh yeah, I did get to go to my area to teach one guy that they had previously tracted in to and he's a nice white guy. He's got a nice house too! Its got a pool and everything!
For Christmas, I don't really need much. I would like to have another CD and some pictures to enjoy for sure. Lots of pictures to keep me busy because I have to stay in the flat for Christmas. We can't even go to members houses to eat and do all that good stuff! So yeah, that stuff and maybe some food. I'll try to find out how and when we can call home for Christmas. Oh yeah, I'm in a rich area that has a reputation of giving things to the elders on Christmas. One misssionary even got an i-pod nano. I'm in for a treat.
I sent a package and the picture of the guy and me is the guy that sent the goods in that package. The other picture is me burning the tie that Ali gave me.
I sent a package and the picture of the guy and me is the guy that sent the goods in that package. The other picture is me burning the tie that Ali gave me.
Well, I sure do love you all and I'm glad to hear everyone is doing well. I hope the Thanksgiving goes well for you, Mom. I'm glad to hear the shed is going well. I wish you all the best and happy Thanksgiving. When is it? Take care and CTR!
Love
Elder Jordan Langston
Love
Elder Jordan Langston
Monday, 03 November 2008
What A Great Time to be a Missionary!
Ward members dressed for Halloween.
What a great time to be a missionary! I love it out here! I'll first tell you of the fun stuff we've done than I'll give you a taste of the spiritual awesomeness!
Monday, we ended up not going bowling because we got ther a little late so the zone leaders decided that we aren't going. We did have a great time at the halloween party though! The pinata was a big hit and I got lots of video of it so I'll send that home sometime soon. The kids came up with their own costumes and they are pretty awesome. I got a picture of the girls' costumes with the phone. The girl that dosen't look happy on the end is Mokgadi. I dont know what her problem was.
Monday, we ended up not going bowling because we got ther a little late so the zone leaders decided that we aren't going. We did have a great time at the halloween party though! The pinata was a big hit and I got lots of video of it so I'll send that home sometime soon. The kids came up with their own costumes and they are pretty awesome. I got a picture of the girls' costumes with the phone. The girl that dosen't look happy on the end is Mokgadi. I dont know what her problem was.
Thats about it for the fun stuff we did. We saw Richard and he was pretty disappointed that no came to pick him up and even tell him that they aren't coming but he was there yesterday and he loved it so much! I sat next to him in gospel principles class and he was loving reading from the manual and all that jazz. Nosisa was also there at church so that was cool! She's feeling a little better and so she forced herself to go to church. She's powerful!
We are still teaching Janine, a lady we tracted into, and she's cool. She's got some crazy sickness that is hereditary and she seems to always be sick. She's read to chapter ten than her eyes have been acting up so she hasn't read after that. She went out of town this weekend otherwise she would've been at church. After church I was talking with Moya and she met a new friend, actually a couple new friends that the other missionaries are teaching and we aer going to a buffet tonight with all of them and us four to celebrate me and elder Anderson leaving. I'm going to a town called Gold Reef. Apparently its a rich place and its a ward so thats good! I'm district leader again and I'm with Elder Barnhurst. I'm going there on Wednesday.
I'm' gonna answer all questions now, in order: Richard wants his whole family to get baptized. Mokgadi is ok. She didn't come to church though, so I dont know. She is about 18 and living with family still. She should get baptized on Dec 14. Thabo is going to be baptized 22 Feb or something because he's a youngster so he's got to come to church for 6 months before baptism. Richard lives far from the church. Like a 10 minute drive through the township and not a lot of people own cars. They all ride taxis in all townships, and they are little vans, like Dave's old Toyota that he had.
The shed is looking nice. I'm jealous that I dont get to help build it, but I think it'll turn out ok still.
Well, we are going to do some foot skating at a skate park we found near the computer place we go to. I'll send some video of the sweet tricks I do. Take care everyone and know that I love you all and am very thankful for all that you do. Tell Jeanette that she's awesome! She's so powerful and I wish I could be like her, spiritually speaking. Keep it up, Hermana Langston! I love you all so much!
Love,
Elder Jordan Langston
We are still teaching Janine, a lady we tracted into, and she's cool. She's got some crazy sickness that is hereditary and she seems to always be sick. She's read to chapter ten than her eyes have been acting up so she hasn't read after that. She went out of town this weekend otherwise she would've been at church. After church I was talking with Moya and she met a new friend, actually a couple new friends that the other missionaries are teaching and we aer going to a buffet tonight with all of them and us four to celebrate me and elder Anderson leaving. I'm going to a town called Gold Reef. Apparently its a rich place and its a ward so thats good! I'm district leader again and I'm with Elder Barnhurst. I'm going there on Wednesday.
I'm' gonna answer all questions now, in order: Richard wants his whole family to get baptized. Mokgadi is ok. She didn't come to church though, so I dont know. She is about 18 and living with family still. She should get baptized on Dec 14. Thabo is going to be baptized 22 Feb or something because he's a youngster so he's got to come to church for 6 months before baptism. Richard lives far from the church. Like a 10 minute drive through the township and not a lot of people own cars. They all ride taxis in all townships, and they are little vans, like Dave's old Toyota that he had.
The shed is looking nice. I'm jealous that I dont get to help build it, but I think it'll turn out ok still.
Well, we are going to do some foot skating at a skate park we found near the computer place we go to. I'll send some video of the sweet tricks I do. Take care everyone and know that I love you all and am very thankful for all that you do. Tell Jeanette that she's awesome! She's so powerful and I wish I could be like her, spiritually speaking. Keep it up, Hermana Langston! I love you all so much!
Love,
Elder Jordan Langston
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