Pictures from South Africa

Xhsa

 

Hey Mom and Dad,

It is kinda hard to believe that come Feb 21 I will have said good-bye a month ago. Only 23 left to go. And I am excited to live each to the fullest. What I am finding is that the harder I work the faster it goes. Kinda interesting isn't it. I feel very bad for those who sit around and don't want to do the work.

Any who lets try and answer your many wonderful questions. My week has been good. We have many potential investigators. I have made two baptism invitations (one a soft one) and I felt good. My companion said that our numbers for this week have been the best he has had in this area. Cool right. I am starting to get the hang of Lesson 1. So there is a ward here but we barely fill the chapel. So there are many less active members.

I have not been able to meet with the Bishop yet, but I hope to get some time to do so soon. Both parties have such busy schedules. Soon... I look forward to seeing how we can best help him in our area. The thing is he has a matter of six missionaries in his ward. So in due time. And this Cosa language I come to find out is Xhsa (but sounds like Cosa, with a click instead of an X) It is a written language, and they have a Book of Mormon, somewhere. I am barely getting the hang of the greetings, but I pray everyday that I will be able to soon communicate to the people in the language that is easiest. Right now I am okay because I know that the Holy Ghost will still testify of truth for the investigator even if they do not yet fully understand.

No news yet on my visa, but transfers are coming up in two weeks. I think that if I were to leave it would be then. So again, hopefully soon. But I am willing to stay in Queenstown as long as needed.

That is so cool about Courtney. And it is amazing how the Lord answers our prayers. I pray every day and night that we are growing closer together through missionary work.

I can't wait to hear how the cultural celebration goes, Tell everyone how jealous I am.

As far pictures go, I am trying my best on the computer but it is very slow. I can't promise much. There is WiFi around here and so hopefully every now and then I can send through such means. But ultimately I can't wait to have a big slideshow popcorn party type thing when I get home. I will figure something out soon.

P-days are rather nice. Not a lot of time, shopping, laundry, braai (pronounced bry), and sometimes hiking (like next week), and the nature preserve (like last week).

I am still feeling a little shy and out of place but I am getting comfortable and a little bit more bold.

I love my area, in just a moment we are going to a braai with some investigators. They are the sweetest. You have a grandma, a mom, and a son (19ish). They are Devout Catholics, so they don't really want to be baptized. Nevertheless they want us to keep teaching them and reading the Book of Mormon with them. I am soon going to invite them to have family scripture time and prayer time, where they learn it by themselves as well as us coming over. Because I know that the Book of Mormon will be the key to their desire to be baptized. And if they pray about it they will be strengthened.

I thank you all for your prayers. I love you all very, very much. I look forward to Mondays just to tear up over your words of love and support. I miss you all, and I pray that you do feel close to me as you do missionary work, for I feel close to you as I help bring families closer to Christ. Have a wonderful week!

Love you with all my heart! See you in just about 23 months, which will go by in a blink of an eye, so make them count.

Love Elder Pennington

An Adventure Everyday

Hi Mom and Dad,

I am sorry it has been over a week, I did not get a chance to email last Monday. But I think I am okay for a while. There is a little internet cafe and we have a chance to use the computers there. So it all works out. I do not yet know an address yet so emails are okay right now.

I am so grateful for your emails. I just love to hear about what is going on at home. 

Oh yeah... Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday Dear Mom.....Happy Birthday to you!! Happy Birthday Mom I love you so much. Have Bryant, Meagan and Heidi all give you a BIG hug for me. 

I bet you are wondering about my mission. Am I right???

Well as you have been told I have a new companion named Elder Ramat. We live in Queenstown, SA. And we have the township of Mlungisi. And what an adventure that is. I have the shacks and tin houses and small brick houses. They are a good people. So loving and kind. Last Saturday we walked because my bike is in the shop. (Oh yeah I have a biking/walking mission except on Fridays when we have the car). This was a great way to see the area and meet the people. We had some conversations with drunks, my comp tried to get one to dance. Kinda funny, I thought of you dad. 

I am slowly becoming as bold as a lion. But right now I am kinda shy. Because as the kids could probably tell you, they speak Cosa at random and I can't understand them (I just feel like they are talk about me, the only white guy in the neighborhood) But I will get used to it soon. 

Now about my boarding. We have a two story flat kind of boarding. (I will take pictures of it, so that you can see it some day. I live with my Comp, and Englishman named Elder Lawson. And a white South African named Elder Slabbert. And it has been an adventure everyday with these three. Hopefully I will get some great stories for you guys. 

Church was great the last two weeks but I got a headach both weeks. I very much need to drink more water. Very much! but I am feeling good now. I just hope everyone will forgive me for being so out of it on Sunday :). 

I am so happy to hear that all is well with you guys. I am loving my mission. I love being here in Africa. I miss you, but I am realizing that this is part of growing up. I am grateful for all that you have taught me. And for your examples. I love you! I am grateful for your prayers and for your emails. I hope you have a great birthday mom. I also hope you have a great week. 

Love you soooo much, 

Love Elder Pennington