Happy Birthday to me!

Eita da Family and Friends,

Thanks for all your birthday wishes that have been sent to me! I sure do appreciate them and feel your love! I have a feeling that my birhday will be a good one! I already had a lady call me and sing happy birthday to me over the phone! This weekend has been full of birthdays! A member turned 12 on Saturday and we stopped by to watch her blow out her candles and munch on goodies before we went to the movie night. Yesterday another young man turned 12 and we went there to eat some wors and pap and it was nice.

So the movie night was nice. We watched "The Other Side of Heaven" and everyone was loving it. It was kinda cold in the school house that we were meeting in and so I would make sure that the door would stay closed but not shut because the handle was broken and if the door shut completely, we'd be locked in. I was doing pretty good at doing what I do the whole movie, then at the end one of the girls was getting a little bit cold and Shimmy, the recent convert, noticed the door wasn't shut all the way so he took it upon himself to do the honors. Boy was everyone upset with him. Right when he did it, I said, "NO!" He then tried to open the door and felt no handle and said, "Eish." We were all locked in the room and Shimmy said, "lets just get someone outside to open it." He doesn't think well because he did a lot of drugs back in the day. We are on the second story of the building and in this huge field with no one around. We finally got one of the little kids to wiggle his way out of the window with bars on them and open the door from the outside. That was sure a relief.

Thanks for the package! I've been rationing the goodies and I'm about out. I am trying to find a member with an oven so I can fully enjoy the delightness of the cake! I might just eat the frosting with a spoon. Say that reminds me, I came up with a new invention: peanut-butter syrup. You know how everyone loves to put peanut butter on their pancakes and then throw on some syrup? Why not combine the two for a tasty treat? I've been making that but I find that I just put it on bread or if I'm real desperate, I'll just eat it with a spoon. I'm getting so fat, if you can't tell from the pictures. But check out my suit. It's nice, right? I got compliments on it. The material is what they use for the school boys uniforms so everyone was trippin that I would make a suit out of it. I call it my birthday suit! The work is going well. We struggled this week because elections was going on and no one was home because they all go to their rallys to support the new rapist president. I don't understand why they choose people who are prisoners or ex-prisoners rather, to be their president. I dont get it. We've been meeting a lot of people that just want to bible bash because we are only trying to teach father-led-families and other males. They are the difficult ones but they are what we need in the branch, so they are our focus.

I'm glad to hear that Dan is doing okay after the cutting of the arm. Thats a nasty cut. I am also happy to hear that Troy is fat. I can't wait to call and talk to everyone on Mother's Day. What day is that, by the way? I dont even know because out of the many holidays here, they fail to remember their mothers. I talked to President in a letter and told him the situation and am leaving it up to him. If he'll let me go home a little early than I'll hit up Fall semester, if he wont than it looks like I play the waiting game while I earn money.

I always have dreams that are so real of me being home and doing things, then I wake up in South Africa. I need to make the best with the time that I have left. I love you all so much! I can't wait to talk to y'all! Enjoy the week, and thanks again for all the birthday wishes. I'll be sure to take pictures and videos of the party tonight! Thanks Camille for the journal and the little sign. I sure love you all!

Take care and CTR!
Love,Elder Jordan Langston

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELDER LANGSTON!

Monday, April 27th is Jordan's 21st birthday.

He has always been a happy, fun, energetic, loveable, boy. When he was born, an older neighbor woman looked at him, saw the dimple in his chin and said, "A cleft in the chin, the devil within!"
He has proved her wrong...well...maybe a little devil.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JORDAN!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Letter from Jordan

This picture was taken by Wandile, a man in the area. Jordan is wearing the tie sent to him by Bryce Christensen's mom, Wynette. Notice the houses and road in the background.

Love the pictures of baptisms. Jordan with Siphiwe, Rita and Wandile.

Hello again to all my friends. I'm glad you came to play. The fun and learning never ends! Here's what I did today(this week). A little quote from Barney, if you will.

How is everyone? I'm doing great. No, I'm not getting transfered this transfer, so that means in my last area I'll only be there for three months. I'm still here with Morris and things are getting better between us. We are getting along and have good times together.

I made the mistake to mention to people that I KINDA know how to play the piano. Everyone thinks that I'm some pro now and they want me to play in Sacrament Mtg. That's not even the worst part! One of the previous missionaries use to teach piano to the people here and he's long gone. The members are now wanting to me to teach them how to play. At first, I thought it was just for people who know notihng about piano so I thoughts to myself I thought, "ok sho. I can do this." Only to find out that the people that are in the "class" are gooder than I thought. One of the ladies, yeah a 28 year old lady, said "I'm ok, I just struggle with my left hand sometimes." "Struggle with the left hand?!?" I have a hard enough time with the right hand, nevermind the left! They all think that I can play cuz I just say, "I took lessons when I was younger." (failed to mention that I never practiced) and they think that I'm just being modest when I say, "I"m not that good." Man, I'm an idiot.

Sunday was nice. Rita and Siphiwe got baptized and it all went well. When I baptized Siphiwe(big kid) they said it was like a tsunami that came out of the font and it wet the carpet about two feet out from the font. When I was in the bathroom changing and he was in there, he said, "Elder Langston?" "Yeah?"I asked. "Thanks." He'll be a good priesthood holder. He'll be 16 in June. Rita is 26 and was baptized by her neighbor, Wandile, who introduced us to her one Sunday evening about two months ago. The other picture of me was taken by Wandile yesterday while we were in the car.

So my party has been moved to the actual birthday date since I'm staying longer. One of the members accidentally slipped something about a party when she was talking to me and her sister got mad and said "its a surprise!" I pretended I had no idea what is going on, but I knew. I knew.

My knee is doing better. The one that was operated on is starting to hurt more though, my and wrist and sometimes my shoulder will hurt. I dont know what's going on but I dont like it. The weather is still being crazy. It'll be way cold in the mornings and in the evenings, but its hot in the day still. The leaves are starting to change colors and its making me trunky.

I sure love you all! I love this gospel. We were talking with Agent about prayer because we noticed he never prays while we are there and so we were wondering if he even knows. We taught him and asked if he'd pray and for the first time in three months that I've seen him, he offered a simple but powerful prayer. It was just awesome! About the whole HIV AIDS thing, yeah. Almost everyone has it. Not really, but I'd say a safe guesstimate would be 65% of all South Africans are HIV+. Honestly. We are teaching a couple of them. It's almost not a big deal anymore. Like if you were to hear about someone at home with AIDS, I'm sure people there would flip. It's kinda just a common thing to find here. Same with deaths. So many people die here, and it just kinda flows like a natural thing. Sad, I know.

I'll send home some pics on a DVD and also the flash drives. I also got me a suit. There are some young girls that are members and we are teaching their mom, but their father wont even let them come to church when the mom isn't around. He's being a real bum. I went to his business that he's got, and I ordered a suit. I chatted with him for a bit and I'm hoping that it'll lighten the tensisity between us so he'll listen what we are teaching his family. I hope it'll all work out.

Well, I'm going to quit typing because the more I type, the more angry I'll get when myldsmail loses my letter. I love you all so much! I hope everyone is doing well! Know that I"m doing fine and I am thankful for your many prayers. I hope the best for Dan. I'll keep in my prayers! Love ya'll! Take care and CTR!

Love,

Elder J. Langston

Sanibonani

Sanibonani Family and Friends!

Things are going well here in South Africa. The weather is starting to get chilli in the morning and evenings and still hot during the day! I finally got a car so I dont' have to ride the bikes all the time, which is a good thing because when I'd be riding and my knees were feeling ok, I'd see a jump that would tempt me. Being the sucker that I am, I swerve to hit the jump and fly like ET on my bike. When I land, I regret the whole thing, but hearing the cheers of the black kids around me and seeing the little girls giving me some attention makes up for all the pain. Then when I sleep that night, I hurt again.

Remember how I said that we had 9 set for baptism this week? Well, only 2 are getting baptized now. One guy, Agent, is still smoking. Portia doesn't know if she has a testimony or not. So Rita and Siphiwe are getting baptized on the 19th. Siphiwe's mom is a member and she loves me so she said she's going to throw a huge party for me on the 20th of this month for my birthday! I"m so excited!

Easter season around here is crazy! Everyone is drunk from Thursday till Monday, because today is "family day" in South Africa. We went with our investigator, Portia, to her old church on Saturday. They fed us and sang good songs, everything else about the thing was so false. There were people speaking in tounges, the pastor telling everyone to "take" blessings from God, and all they did in their preaching was talk smack on other churches. I didn't hear one thing about Jesus Christ. I can't wait to see her this week so we can talk about it.

The rest of this week has been ok. Nothing too exciting, again. The service on Sunday was a good one. Nice talks about the Atonement and things. Last night we went on splits to do some home teaching with recently ordained Melche.... Priesthood holders. It was nice. I hadn't been home teaching in so long and it was weird being with someone who wasn't a missionary. We saw this way rich family and we played UNO when we were done with the lesson. We are going to the family's house to play tennis right after emailing.

I'm sorry I dont have any pictures. I dont take any anymore. I need to start taking some of the townships and stuff because it wont be long till I dont get to see it anymore. Well, Sorry this isn't much, but I think it'll do. That'll do pig. That'll do. Oh yeah, did I tell you we got more dogs? And one reminds me of Beuford? (sp.?) Ok, family, I'm gonna go now.

We at a ghetto email shop and the computer is no bueno. I love you all so very much and wish you all happy days! My knees are doing good. My relationships are doing good with everyone. And my faith is strengthening as I do what's right. Take care and CTR!
Love,
El. Jordan Langston
AKA Johnny King(Nkosi)

Happy Easter!

Hello Family and Friends,
I'm not going to try to attatch any photos this time because I'm afraid of what might happen. I'll just write a nice short letter.
First off, I got word that the package of contacts is here but I haven't gotten them yet. We'll be going today to get them after we play a bit of tennis at a members house. I'm not going to be playing but I'll sure watch.
Second, I did watch conference and I loved every minute of it. Good news, I only fell asleep for about ten minutes out of all the sessions! I'm getting better. We also got to eat at the senior couples place and we ate some good American Chilli!
So my knees are doing good now. Well, they are doing okay. Things are going okay with me and Morris. I got my "trunky call" the other day and I'll be getting home on the 28th of August as of now. I kinda want to see if I can come home just a week earlier so school doesn't just crash on me especially if I have no money to get to and from school. I think Pres. will let me register for class while I'm here. I'll try it and if I can't, then I'll let you know. He's pretty cool about the whole school thing. He told me to start school as soon as I can and not wait.

We got some new dogs at the flat. Two new basset hounds that are huge! They aren't ours, but the owners of the place where we stay. They run in our flat any time the door is left open for even a second. They are kinda fun though.

The work is going well. We are trying new finding approaches and getting the members more involved. I have a feeling that I will be leaving this area on the 22nd but I dont know for sure. The baptism of Shimmy went well and we have another baptism coming up on the 19th. There are nine on date for that, but I dont think they will all make it. Pres. is telling us all to put people on date early, but I just seemed to get disappointed when the people bail on their date. But I still think its good for them to have a goal and know what we are there for.

I can't really think of anything else to say. Thanks for everything. I've got some good suveniers..(I can't spell) that I'll be coming home with and I think I'll get some more for everyone to enjoy. Yes, its getting cold here. No, I haven't been to the dentist. I haven't worn my retainers for a while, but the teeth still look good. ;) No, we haven't moved to the township.

We've met a few crazy people and we even had a guy try to steal our bikes while we were in the car and they were locked to the rack. I had to get out and re-tighten them on the rack and as I was, he just kept doing some weird chant and dance right in front of me. The other guys wanted him to try something so I'd get to punch him, but he didn't.

I sure love you all. Tell Grandma and Grandpa Langston that I got their letter and I'm working on sending them one back. If you could just get me their address, because I've got three different ones for them and I want the real one.
Take care, dear family, and CTR!
Love,
Elder J. Langston