Hey family,
Just wondering where you are. I was a little bummed to not get anything from you but I understand. I hope all is going well back in the United States. Did you and President Poulsen figure out a good day for me to g home? Things are going well here in SA. We are still finding people and trying different techniques that the branch loves and tells us every day how cool we are for coming up with these ideas. We'll see if they work. I can't really think of anythihng way awesome to say. Sister Thuli is back at home now, and I guess she's doing okay. We haven't seen her lately. Take care and CTR.
Love,
Elder Jordan Langston
I sent Jordan two emails this week. Don't know where they went but it sure makes me feel bad that he didn't get anything.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Monday, 22 June 2009
Letter from Jordan 6/22/09
Hello family and friends,
I sure hope this email works. I wont send any pictures because I'm scared. But I will tell you about the past couple weeks and the frightening experience I got to witness.
First off, the weeks have been fine. I dont' remember much from last week but I remember it was a good one. Elder Whittle, my companion, is working me real good and keeping my mind off trunky things.
On Sunday, we had some random guy come to church and I taught Gospel Principles and Elders Quorum so I got to see him twice and answer his questions. He made a comment in E.Q. that he's never been to a church like this one and he likes how everyone is so kind to him and they can answer his questions. I later found out that other churches wouldn't let him stay because he was epileptic so they'd kick him out sayin he's got a demon in him. We are going to see him this week and he seems somewhat promising. We did some tracting on Saturday and found a lady and taught her. We went back yesterday and her husband and her 12 yr. old son was there. It was great. I love teaching little families like that, especially when they are somewhat interested.
For my lessons on Sunday, I forgot about the G.P. class lesson till Saturday night, and Sunday morning, the Elders Quorum Pres. called me to give the lesson but I didn't have the book so I had to read through his during Sacrament mtg so I could get the jist of what I was suppose to teach. It's amazing to see how the Lord works. Both classes turned out a success and people were feeling good with the lesson. The G.P. lesson was on the Atonement and I did the classic "pushups for donuts" move on my companion. I didn't have donuts though, just buscuits. Everyone loved it and my companion got a good workout.
I'm gonna tell you a story now that probably wont disturb you as much as it has distrubed me the past couple days. Thursday night, we went to see a family to do some finding stuff with them but they were busy doing renovations in their home. While we were there we got a "please call" from some number I didn't know. I called it and it was a guy saying he's from the church and he's there now with a lady who is bleeding from the head. We hurried in to the car and drove over there to find a group of people gathered around a lady being supported to sit up on the ground. She had a rag on her head and it was a deep red color and there was blood all over her jacket and her face had blood drippin down it. The story is that she use to sell veggies on the side of the street for a living, but got pregnant and went on a "maternity leave" but when she came back after giving birth to re-claim her veggie stand, some other ladies had taken over and weren't giving up their post. Keep in mind, these ladies are in their thirties. Anyway, I guess one of the ladies hit the bloody lady(Thuli) and then others joined in to beat her down with bricks and other things. She got away but collapsed from exhaustion in front of the church.
When we got there we offered all we could to help but nothign helped. She was getting really cold and we offered to put her in the car with the heater on till the ambulance comes(we didn't take her because the hospital would've waited even longer to cater to her if we took her). She couldn't move without feeling really bad pain so we just pulled the car to her and blasted the heater out the door on to her while she was covered in some blankets. After an hour and a half of waiting for the ambulance, they finally came and we left. We went to the hospital to see her on Saturday. She was laying in the bed unable to move( I think there are broken ribs) and unable to speak because of a busted jaw. Her head had gashes all over on it and they were stitched up. We found out that she was an old investigator and knows the church. She comes a lot and the Branch Pres. said she pays tithing even. We said a prayer for her when we saw her and she seem to like that. While we were there, I noticed some people walking around the hospital looking for someone. Thuli's daughter leaned in to whisper in my ear and what she said got me so fired up. I was honestly ready to kill someone. She said, "that's one of the ladies that beat up my mom." This lady has the crazy mind to beat an innocent woman down to the ground, almost to death, and then to rock up to her hospital to see how she's doing? I was furious! As she walked closer to Thuli's bed, Thuli caught a glimpse of who it was and she freaked! She was screaming and crying and trying to move but couldn't. Thuli's 12 yr old son started crying because him mom's murderers were there at her bed side. I thought they came to finish her off so I was on edge the whole time. I was honestly ready to punch someone so I left with Elder Robinson and told one of the nurses to keep an eye on them. I learned more about Thuli and that got me thinking about her and feeling more pain for her and her family. She's a single mom and has about 6 kids. If you could keep her in your prayers, that'd be good. Thanks.
There is going to be a baptism this Sunday. A guy named Thato. His whole famliy has been a member for quite some time but he's just now coming around. It's cool stuff. He says he wants me to baptize him too. I'll try to send pics.
I love you all so much! Thanks a bunch for all you'r support while I'm here. I'm trying to do what's right these last few weeks of my misison and I'm feeling my Savior's love as I do. The Church is true! Christ lives and loves me too! The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true. Take care and CTR!
Love,
Elder Jordan Langston
I sure hope this email works. I wont send any pictures because I'm scared. But I will tell you about the past couple weeks and the frightening experience I got to witness.
First off, the weeks have been fine. I dont' remember much from last week but I remember it was a good one. Elder Whittle, my companion, is working me real good and keeping my mind off trunky things.
On Sunday, we had some random guy come to church and I taught Gospel Principles and Elders Quorum so I got to see him twice and answer his questions. He made a comment in E.Q. that he's never been to a church like this one and he likes how everyone is so kind to him and they can answer his questions. I later found out that other churches wouldn't let him stay because he was epileptic so they'd kick him out sayin he's got a demon in him. We are going to see him this week and he seems somewhat promising. We did some tracting on Saturday and found a lady and taught her. We went back yesterday and her husband and her 12 yr. old son was there. It was great. I love teaching little families like that, especially when they are somewhat interested.
For my lessons on Sunday, I forgot about the G.P. class lesson till Saturday night, and Sunday morning, the Elders Quorum Pres. called me to give the lesson but I didn't have the book so I had to read through his during Sacrament mtg so I could get the jist of what I was suppose to teach. It's amazing to see how the Lord works. Both classes turned out a success and people were feeling good with the lesson. The G.P. lesson was on the Atonement and I did the classic "pushups for donuts" move on my companion. I didn't have donuts though, just buscuits. Everyone loved it and my companion got a good workout.
I'm gonna tell you a story now that probably wont disturb you as much as it has distrubed me the past couple days. Thursday night, we went to see a family to do some finding stuff with them but they were busy doing renovations in their home. While we were there we got a "please call" from some number I didn't know. I called it and it was a guy saying he's from the church and he's there now with a lady who is bleeding from the head. We hurried in to the car and drove over there to find a group of people gathered around a lady being supported to sit up on the ground. She had a rag on her head and it was a deep red color and there was blood all over her jacket and her face had blood drippin down it. The story is that she use to sell veggies on the side of the street for a living, but got pregnant and went on a "maternity leave" but when she came back after giving birth to re-claim her veggie stand, some other ladies had taken over and weren't giving up their post. Keep in mind, these ladies are in their thirties. Anyway, I guess one of the ladies hit the bloody lady(Thuli) and then others joined in to beat her down with bricks and other things. She got away but collapsed from exhaustion in front of the church.
When we got there we offered all we could to help but nothign helped. She was getting really cold and we offered to put her in the car with the heater on till the ambulance comes(we didn't take her because the hospital would've waited even longer to cater to her if we took her). She couldn't move without feeling really bad pain so we just pulled the car to her and blasted the heater out the door on to her while she was covered in some blankets. After an hour and a half of waiting for the ambulance, they finally came and we left. We went to the hospital to see her on Saturday. She was laying in the bed unable to move( I think there are broken ribs) and unable to speak because of a busted jaw. Her head had gashes all over on it and they were stitched up. We found out that she was an old investigator and knows the church. She comes a lot and the Branch Pres. said she pays tithing even. We said a prayer for her when we saw her and she seem to like that. While we were there, I noticed some people walking around the hospital looking for someone. Thuli's daughter leaned in to whisper in my ear and what she said got me so fired up. I was honestly ready to kill someone. She said, "that's one of the ladies that beat up my mom." This lady has the crazy mind to beat an innocent woman down to the ground, almost to death, and then to rock up to her hospital to see how she's doing? I was furious! As she walked closer to Thuli's bed, Thuli caught a glimpse of who it was and she freaked! She was screaming and crying and trying to move but couldn't. Thuli's 12 yr old son started crying because him mom's murderers were there at her bed side. I thought they came to finish her off so I was on edge the whole time. I was honestly ready to punch someone so I left with Elder Robinson and told one of the nurses to keep an eye on them. I learned more about Thuli and that got me thinking about her and feeling more pain for her and her family. She's a single mom and has about 6 kids. If you could keep her in your prayers, that'd be good. Thanks.
There is going to be a baptism this Sunday. A guy named Thato. His whole famliy has been a member for quite some time but he's just now coming around. It's cool stuff. He says he wants me to baptize him too. I'll try to send pics.
I love you all so much! Thanks a bunch for all you'r support while I'm here. I'm trying to do what's right these last few weeks of my misison and I'm feeling my Savior's love as I do. The Church is true! Christ lives and loves me too! The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true. Take care and CTR!
Love,
Elder Jordan Langston
Monday, 15 June 2009
I'm Angry!
so I just tried sending an email to you on this piece of junk email service, because we are suppose to use this one, and the price for being obedient is absolute anger! It lost my email again, and my pictures. I'm ready to punch something right in the face. I'm sorry I'm so negative about it but when I only get a small amount of time a week to talk to my family and it gets screwed up, then my week turns out crappy. The area is going well. Me and Whittle are getting along well. I love you all. Take care and CTR!
Love,Elder Langston
Love,Elder Langston
Monday, 08 June 2009
This is Sister J and her daughters, Lerato(sitting) and Sthembile(checkin me out). This was an awesome family and its the only pic that shows up on my card.
Elder Burnett and Elder Langston
Elder Langston and Elder Morris
Hello Family and Friends,
Elder Burnett and Elder Langston
Elder Langston and Elder Morris
Hello Family and Friends,
Sebokeng is a decent place so far. I'm still paranoid at night driving around in the township but I'm startin to calm down some. My companion is Elder Thomas Whittle from Blackfoot Idaho. He's a cool guy. I can tell that he'll help me do what's right so that's always good, right? The chapel we meet in is so big! It's beautiful!! But we are only a branch. I bore my testimony because I was invited to do so and after church everyone had to tell me that I have a deep voice. I made some friends already with some of the Mamas and we had two invitations for dinner last night, so we hit them both up! They told us that they want us to come back another night and have FHE with them. I said, "sho." We are going to an FHE tonight with a less active family and I'm going to take the guitar to sing hymns with them. I can tell that they will love it too much! After church, we go to the other end of our area where a handful of members and some investigators meet to have a "cottage meeting" or a meeting to hear talks and take the sacrament. We have 5 on date for the 28th of June so that'll be cool, except one lady is HUGE! She's awesome but I dont know how we'll baptize her. The Lord will give me extra strength to lift her, like Nephi got to break the cords from which he was bound.
I've had some cool dreams the last few nights and I even made sketches for a great idea for when I get home. I'll open up a restaraunt to serve South African food. It'll be a set up like Bamboo Hut or Panda Express and I'll call it "JOZI" or "KHAYA"(that means home in zulu). I'm going to organize for some of my mamas that aren't working or whatever to come to America and work in my restaraunt to make the best food that Utah and the rest of America has never tasted! What do you think? I'm pretty excited about it. Everyone I meet, I've wanted them to come to America so you can meet them and so they can see the states. I could never think of a way for some people to come and this is what I came up with.
I still haven't gotten the exact date for my release but I will see President on the 16th for a Zone Conference and I think he'll tell me then.
I dont think we have to go to court, and Elder Morris is going to go back to the house to get our stuff so I think I'll be getting some more of my stuff back. If I get my camera, I'll just give it to Wandile for his mission or something. I keep trying to think of some cool stuff to bring home for everyone but I can't think. I'll just do a small african thing for each family instead of buying something for everyone, if thats cool. I know everyone wants something african since no one will probaly ever come back here, unless I get married;) but I'll get the families something that'll last.
Thanks for all your prayers and support. I'm going to buy a new white shirt today because my other ones smelled like onion rings after church and it was embarassing. Plus there are nasty stains. I'll try some bleach first, but if not, I'll get one shirt that I can wear on Sunday. I love you all so much! Thanks one million for everything! Take care and CTR!
Love,
E. Langston
E. Langston
Monday, 01 June 2009
June email
Hello family,
So I guess I didn't get an email from you. That's ok. I'll still send something to you.This week was a good week. We did some tracting and also some pointing of bad guys. We went to the prison to point out who it was that hijacked us. That was the most craziest thing ever. You know how in movies they show this happening and the good guys are behind a one way glass and the bad guys are on a line with numbers and the good people say who it was and what not. Well, ours was nothing like that. We were in a waiting room, the 3 of us(Wandile and Morris and me) and then some indian guy called us to another room. Before we entered through the big metal door, he made us turn around. Oh yeah, we go in one at a time too and I was first. So I turned around and walked backwards into a room that I had never seen before and I just stared at the wall as the indian introduced himself and stated the case that Im' there for. After his shpeel I turned around and I was in the same room with 15 or more criminals, not hand cuffed or anything. I was to pick out the bad guy while all these black people were staring at me. I don't remember what the hijackers looked like but I wanted to point out a few of these guys on the line just because of the look they were giving me. I told the indian I can't remember what they looked like so I left and Wandile went in. He pointed someone out and he had to touch the guy on his shoulder and pull him out of the line and get a picture taken with him and the bad guy. It was crazy. On Tuesday we are going to the house where the guy blew his brains out to get the rest of our stolen goods that aren't covered in HIV+ blood.
I also got the call that I"m leaving Tsakane on Wednesday. I'm going to my last area in Sebokeng which istn' too far from Katlehong and in fact, its in the same stake. I hope we have stake conference sometime soon. I'm glad to be leaving for only one reason, tsotsi's. That is the word for bad guys. Friday morning, the people we stay with got their house broken in to and they think that we are next so they told us to always lock the gate when we leave and all that jazz. I'm sick of gettin things stolen from me.
The investigators are doing great. The Zweni family came to church yesterday, the whole family! While Sasa was going down the stairs of the school to go to Sunday School, she fell on the last step while holding her baby. She protected the baby and the baby didn't even cry or nothing. Sasa's knees were hurtin her pretty bad though. I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting and it was nice. I got the whole congregation laughing. I was talking about missionary work and going the extra mile(Matt. 5:41) and the blessings that come with it. I also taught Sunday School and almost the combined class the third hour.
Well, I can't think of anything else. I haven't gotten the package yet but hope to get it soon cuz I'm fresh out of money and I'm eating almost nothing now days. By the grace of God I'm able to get enough to get by though. Whether it be by members feeding us or Morris being a nice guy and cooking too much. It's great to see the blessings come from doing what needs to be done. I love you all. I still dont know when I"m coming home but I think in a couple of weeks, I'll have my flight plans and I'll fill ya in! Take care everyone and I hope y'all are doing well. CTR!
Love,
Elder Langston
So I guess I didn't get an email from you. That's ok. I'll still send something to you.This week was a good week. We did some tracting and also some pointing of bad guys. We went to the prison to point out who it was that hijacked us. That was the most craziest thing ever. You know how in movies they show this happening and the good guys are behind a one way glass and the bad guys are on a line with numbers and the good people say who it was and what not. Well, ours was nothing like that. We were in a waiting room, the 3 of us(Wandile and Morris and me) and then some indian guy called us to another room. Before we entered through the big metal door, he made us turn around. Oh yeah, we go in one at a time too and I was first. So I turned around and walked backwards into a room that I had never seen before and I just stared at the wall as the indian introduced himself and stated the case that Im' there for. After his shpeel I turned around and I was in the same room with 15 or more criminals, not hand cuffed or anything. I was to pick out the bad guy while all these black people were staring at me. I don't remember what the hijackers looked like but I wanted to point out a few of these guys on the line just because of the look they were giving me. I told the indian I can't remember what they looked like so I left and Wandile went in. He pointed someone out and he had to touch the guy on his shoulder and pull him out of the line and get a picture taken with him and the bad guy. It was crazy. On Tuesday we are going to the house where the guy blew his brains out to get the rest of our stolen goods that aren't covered in HIV+ blood.
I also got the call that I"m leaving Tsakane on Wednesday. I'm going to my last area in Sebokeng which istn' too far from Katlehong and in fact, its in the same stake. I hope we have stake conference sometime soon. I'm glad to be leaving for only one reason, tsotsi's. That is the word for bad guys. Friday morning, the people we stay with got their house broken in to and they think that we are next so they told us to always lock the gate when we leave and all that jazz. I'm sick of gettin things stolen from me.
The investigators are doing great. The Zweni family came to church yesterday, the whole family! While Sasa was going down the stairs of the school to go to Sunday School, she fell on the last step while holding her baby. She protected the baby and the baby didn't even cry or nothing. Sasa's knees were hurtin her pretty bad though. I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting and it was nice. I got the whole congregation laughing. I was talking about missionary work and going the extra mile(Matt. 5:41) and the blessings that come with it. I also taught Sunday School and almost the combined class the third hour.
Well, I can't think of anything else. I haven't gotten the package yet but hope to get it soon cuz I'm fresh out of money and I'm eating almost nothing now days. By the grace of God I'm able to get enough to get by though. Whether it be by members feeding us or Morris being a nice guy and cooking too much. It's great to see the blessings come from doing what needs to be done. I love you all. I still dont know when I"m coming home but I think in a couple of weeks, I'll have my flight plans and I'll fill ya in! Take care everyone and I hope y'all are doing well. CTR!
Love,
Elder Langston
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