This week has been quite interesting...i can name the events and i'll give you details in a bit...1. Car Accident2. Elder Power's ever deforming hand thanks to a Spider Bite3. Went to the Hospital4...other stuff...
Well it's been like a rollercoaster this week. Lots of interesting things have been happening so it's been interesting to see...First off yes...#1 happened. We were going to go see a member, but i realized they weren't home so i made basically just like a wide left turn. As i was going back to the left side of the road a car, which neither me, robbie, or Power saw, came pretty fast and i'm assuming he was trying to pass us before we got to our lane. Well he slammed on the brakes, i was only going like 5 mph maybe...and our left front of the car hit his right driver side door. Basically didnt do much to our car but his was a bit worse of condition. He was driving a little green like smart car thingy...sorta. Well it was 3 guys, all of which i'm pretty sure didnt have a license and they immediately called the drivers dad who lived just around the corner. It was a muslim guy, and everything worked out. I'm pretty sure he's freakin rich anyway cuz the next day his car was fixed. It was just surprising, no one got hurt, but we still have to report it in. Our car is just a bit dented and paint off. No biggie tho. Just gotta be careful. Didnt take me too long to get in my first accident! K that's not something to be proud of..i wish it hadn't happened but hey couldnt help it.
My companion woke up Wednesday with a red mark on his wrist. Basically by Friday it had gotten worse and it was like a zit on his arm. We popped it a couple of times and it would have nasty white juice come out :). Well Friday we went to the Chemist and got some cream and just some pills. By Sunday it was hurting him so bad he couldnt even move his arm. We decided to leave church early and go to the hospital. We paid a bunch to see a doc for 3 minutes to have him tell us something we already knew. It was retarded. Basically every day it would be burning him constantly, and his whole hand is swollen. It's doing ok now but it's still looking disgusting. We have it wrapped up. I'll keep ya posted if he turns into Spiderman anytime soon...We took some nasty videos too, it's awesome!
For missionary work it's kinda been up and down. Thanks to Power we just chilled back at the flat and have been taking it easy this week. He cant really stay awake and focus all that much. It just drains him of all his energy.
We went to go to an appointment the other day to see this little family and the wife was waiting at her gate for us. She had the BOM in her hand. Basically when we got there she told us she didnt want this book and she didnt want us to come back. She said she had been talking to some people and they told her what we do. I asked her what she had heard but she wouldnt tell us. This happens a lot. People start brining out false accusations against us and we dont even have time to reply back. It's dumb. So she dropped us. I feel bad, but whatever you cant really help it. People rely on other opinions way too much. She hadnt even read what we wanted her to read so she has no idea what it really says when i'm sure they told her more anti stuff...well whatever i'm just venting. I'll stop...
We're just staying busy with lots of stuff...as usual. Nothing too much coming up. We might have 2 or 3 Baptismal Dates coming up so we'll see. We'll probably set them for sometime in March tho...But yeah just a heads up. One guy from Congo, his name is Sydney. I'm sure i've mentioned him before. Way cool guy. Then Sister Brinks (RC) daugther Celeste and her neighbor Alisha. We'll see tho. Well there's not much else to tell. We buzzed our heads the other night...and Elder Power did mine with his one hand...it was funny. but we look smart. We watched the Testaments for sports night...haha. Alright that's all the news. Thanks!
-Elder Devenney
Friday, February 6, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Jan 26, 2009
Well this week has been another pretty good one. We had Zone Conference down in Cape Town on Wednesday. Me and Elder Power got a bit lost..thanks to his terrible directions he was giving me...so we were pretty late..but it's all good. We got there eventually. Cape Town is pretty crazy and i dont really know my way around there too good...but i'm starting to. The Zone Conference was very nice. It's basically all day, well til about 4 or so...President Probst and his wife talked to us a lot of course...those two are amazing. Especially Pres Probst, he knows ALL i swear. We had a deep doctrinal discussion part of the conference where we could ask him any questions we wanted. That guy knows a lot...anyway...so yeah that was about it for that. Just eat lots and speakers and what not...
Thursday night and Friday we had the Zone Leaders come up for exchanges. It was Elder Nyoka and Elder Pappoe. They sleep over and then we just split the area and go with one of the ZL's. I'm sure you've figured this out by now...but yeah i was with Elder Pappoe. He wasn't feeling too good...but we tried doing some stuff and making the best of our time. Elder Pappoe is a 24 year old from Ghana. He's a professional soccer player...i can say that because he's played his whole life. He basically grew up training for the world cup and when he was only 15 his team won. He finished school and then decided to come on mission. He played in Ghana and all over, but his decision to come on mission was final and everyone in Ghana, including all the clubs and teams etc, said that if he goes on mission he's not going to be playing soccer in Ghana for the next 7 years. Well he took the opportunity anyway and left. Since he's been on mission his manager back home has still been working trying to find him a place outside of Ghana. Well good news for him because he's now signed a contract to play for Liverpool when he gets home. He only has one transfer left. It was quite a big sacrifice he had to make to come, but you can see the outcome of blessings that he's receiving as he's going to continue with his soccer career. Pretty crazy huh! So yeah the exchange went good...
He tried to skate a bit...i was a little scared for him...
On saturday we were visited by Elder Powers second family...well basically. They were on holiday in Cape Town, somehow got our number, and wanted to take us out for lunch. it's not quite allowed...but it's all good. So we ate at a chinese restaurant and then they took us shopping for food. Basically she hooked us up for the next 2 months of food and everything else we ever need. It's ridiculous. This family is very well off and the spend a lot on us! it was crazy! but we were grateful. It was fun and i know my comp enjoyed seeing them since they're from his home ward. So yeah that was most of our Saturday.
We got to confirm Sister Davids and Sister Brink as members of the church yesterday. It was Branch Conference here in Paarl so we had some members of the Stake here giving talks during sacrament meeting. Neither of us did any confirmations, we had a member and the branch pres each do one. It went really well and everything. But yeah since it was a special sunday it was crazy to see all the different people come to church. I have never seen so many white people at church before! haha! It was a good turn out.
Last monday we went driving in the mountains and went exploring. It was sweet. We live on one side of the mountains so we decided to go explore the other side of the city. It kinda took us a long time and we kept getting lost and going into random people's vinyards...it was pretty, but not where we wanted to go. So it only took a couple hours but we eventually found the right road and started up the mountain. It was an amazing view. We even saw a family of baboons and another male baboon later up on the road. we stopped and took some pics but i didnt want to get too close for Elder Powers sake...he's too innocent to get attacked by these feroscious?? animals...so we didnt leave the car...haha. But yeah the exploration taht we had was a nice adventure and we took some sweet pics. It would be the ultimate sunset spot cuz we could look as far north and south and west as we could, and we could even see Table Mountain from up there. (which is in Cape Town)
Well the work is still good. Me and Power are getting along way good...almost too good cuz sometimes it's hard to stay focused...haha. But it's alright. We're staying busy and just enjoying the time here. That's about it! See ya!
-Elder Devenney
Thursday night and Friday we had the Zone Leaders come up for exchanges. It was Elder Nyoka and Elder Pappoe. They sleep over and then we just split the area and go with one of the ZL's. I'm sure you've figured this out by now...but yeah i was with Elder Pappoe. He wasn't feeling too good...but we tried doing some stuff and making the best of our time. Elder Pappoe is a 24 year old from Ghana. He's a professional soccer player...i can say that because he's played his whole life. He basically grew up training for the world cup and when he was only 15 his team won. He finished school and then decided to come on mission. He played in Ghana and all over, but his decision to come on mission was final and everyone in Ghana, including all the clubs and teams etc, said that if he goes on mission he's not going to be playing soccer in Ghana for the next 7 years. Well he took the opportunity anyway and left. Since he's been on mission his manager back home has still been working trying to find him a place outside of Ghana. Well good news for him because he's now signed a contract to play for Liverpool when he gets home. He only has one transfer left. It was quite a big sacrifice he had to make to come, but you can see the outcome of blessings that he's receiving as he's going to continue with his soccer career. Pretty crazy huh! So yeah the exchange went good...
He tried to skate a bit...i was a little scared for him...
On saturday we were visited by Elder Powers second family...well basically. They were on holiday in Cape Town, somehow got our number, and wanted to take us out for lunch. it's not quite allowed...but it's all good. So we ate at a chinese restaurant and then they took us shopping for food. Basically she hooked us up for the next 2 months of food and everything else we ever need. It's ridiculous. This family is very well off and the spend a lot on us! it was crazy! but we were grateful. It was fun and i know my comp enjoyed seeing them since they're from his home ward. So yeah that was most of our Saturday.
We got to confirm Sister Davids and Sister Brink as members of the church yesterday. It was Branch Conference here in Paarl so we had some members of the Stake here giving talks during sacrament meeting. Neither of us did any confirmations, we had a member and the branch pres each do one. It went really well and everything. But yeah since it was a special sunday it was crazy to see all the different people come to church. I have never seen so many white people at church before! haha! It was a good turn out.
Last monday we went driving in the mountains and went exploring. It was sweet. We live on one side of the mountains so we decided to go explore the other side of the city. It kinda took us a long time and we kept getting lost and going into random people's vinyards...it was pretty, but not where we wanted to go. So it only took a couple hours but we eventually found the right road and started up the mountain. It was an amazing view. We even saw a family of baboons and another male baboon later up on the road. we stopped and took some pics but i didnt want to get too close for Elder Powers sake...he's too innocent to get attacked by these feroscious?? animals...so we didnt leave the car...haha. But yeah the exploration taht we had was a nice adventure and we took some sweet pics. It would be the ultimate sunset spot cuz we could look as far north and south and west as we could, and we could even see Table Mountain from up there. (which is in Cape Town)
Well the work is still good. Me and Power are getting along way good...almost too good cuz sometimes it's hard to stay focused...haha. But it's alright. We're staying busy and just enjoying the time here. That's about it! See ya!
-Elder Devenney
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Jan 19, 2009
So as you can tell this past week was a good one...I'll get more into it here in a bit.
Things are still going really good with me and Elder Power. We're just having a good fun time. We're like the same, so it's easy. Last week we played some soccer at a park and we did some nice skating ouside. He used to skate a little so i had to see some of his moves..i was quite impressed. haha.
We had the interview for Sister Davids on Friday. The Zone leaders came in to do it. She did pretty well and passed, but something kinda funny...we had been emphasizing about praying more about Joseph Smith and Thomas S Monson to know that they were prophets. Well she must have misunderstood us cuz in the interview she told Elder Pappoe that she had been told to pray in the Name of JS and Pres Monson. I laughed when he told us that. Obviously she wont be receiving any answers to prayer if she does that...but elder pappoe reassured her that no, that's not what they told you to do, and clarified it. So that was all fixed up and what not. Other than that he said she seemed ready and knew her stuff...
We had a great baptism yesterday. Sister Pauline Davids...ya know...she got baptized. She's my first! Getting to baptize her was an amazing experience..but it always takes a little while for things to actually set in. But it was a great service. Tons of people came out from the branch to support her and she even had a friend who i think was Roman Catholic there too. Two people gave talks...they were really good...from what i could pick out...since it was in Afrikaans. haha. Then as we got ready to do the baptism i sort of explained what and how it would happen. We have a font in the church, just so you know. We got there, said what i needed to say, and did it. She was pretty emotional about it, and i can tell that she was so ready for it. She has been very commited already from the time that i first met her. She's come to church 11 times before her baptism. That's a lot. Many times it's just like 3 or 4 before people get baptized...So she was definitely ready for it.
That was basically the highlight of the week...
We've been continuing with the Bakala Bidzou Family. They're awesome. I think Brenda has a lot of stress right now. She just started a new job and has to put Jovica, their daughter, in the cresh. (day care). I think she does a lot of the work with the kids and Bidzou just kinda relaxes and doesnt do much work. It must be hard. We're probably going to talk about how it's a two person relationship when it comes to the family, ya know, try to get Bidzou more involved and more responsible. The Congolese people just have their own ways of tradition. It's more the wife does everythign...and the husband works. But yeah...they're good. haha. idunno what else to say there...
At sports night we filled up a bunch of water balloons before and in the middle of sports we told them we were going to play some soccer outside and we ended up bombing all the little kids with water balloons. It was sweet! Earlier this week there were like 15 kids, outside of Alpha's place, that had grapes they were eating. Well they started throwing them at eachother and then i threw one at one kid..well bad idea. It was me, elder power, and robbie, we were all victims here..they started launching grapes at us left and right, i got pelted on the head and then i had to take a little kid for cover, it was a battle in the streets of flying grapes! our car got graped up, our clothes were gross, my hair was nasty for the next day...yeah but it was hilarious. They just wouldnt stop either! I tried to take cover but i just couldnt escape their skills..Alright well that was a pointless story. But where it ties in is we're planning on doing some drive by water balloon launching at those kids to get them back...yeah that'll teach them to mess with us.
I dunno what else to tell ya...Just lots of the usual teaching/finding/service/yeah...that stuff. ya know mish work. Things is good! Thanks!
-Elder Devenney
Things are still going really good with me and Elder Power. We're just having a good fun time. We're like the same, so it's easy. Last week we played some soccer at a park and we did some nice skating ouside. He used to skate a little so i had to see some of his moves..i was quite impressed. haha.
We had the interview for Sister Davids on Friday. The Zone leaders came in to do it. She did pretty well and passed, but something kinda funny...we had been emphasizing about praying more about Joseph Smith and Thomas S Monson to know that they were prophets. Well she must have misunderstood us cuz in the interview she told Elder Pappoe that she had been told to pray in the Name of JS and Pres Monson. I laughed when he told us that. Obviously she wont be receiving any answers to prayer if she does that...but elder pappoe reassured her that no, that's not what they told you to do, and clarified it. So that was all fixed up and what not. Other than that he said she seemed ready and knew her stuff...
We had a great baptism yesterday. Sister Pauline Davids...ya know...she got baptized. She's my first! Getting to baptize her was an amazing experience..but it always takes a little while for things to actually set in. But it was a great service. Tons of people came out from the branch to support her and she even had a friend who i think was Roman Catholic there too. Two people gave talks...they were really good...from what i could pick out...since it was in Afrikaans. haha. Then as we got ready to do the baptism i sort of explained what and how it would happen. We have a font in the church, just so you know. We got there, said what i needed to say, and did it. She was pretty emotional about it, and i can tell that she was so ready for it. She has been very commited already from the time that i first met her. She's come to church 11 times before her baptism. That's a lot. Many times it's just like 3 or 4 before people get baptized...So she was definitely ready for it.
That was basically the highlight of the week...
We've been continuing with the Bakala Bidzou Family. They're awesome. I think Brenda has a lot of stress right now. She just started a new job and has to put Jovica, their daughter, in the cresh. (day care). I think she does a lot of the work with the kids and Bidzou just kinda relaxes and doesnt do much work. It must be hard. We're probably going to talk about how it's a two person relationship when it comes to the family, ya know, try to get Bidzou more involved and more responsible. The Congolese people just have their own ways of tradition. It's more the wife does everythign...and the husband works. But yeah...they're good. haha. idunno what else to say there...
At sports night we filled up a bunch of water balloons before and in the middle of sports we told them we were going to play some soccer outside and we ended up bombing all the little kids with water balloons. It was sweet! Earlier this week there were like 15 kids, outside of Alpha's place, that had grapes they were eating. Well they started throwing them at eachother and then i threw one at one kid..well bad idea. It was me, elder power, and robbie, we were all victims here..they started launching grapes at us left and right, i got pelted on the head and then i had to take a little kid for cover, it was a battle in the streets of flying grapes! our car got graped up, our clothes were gross, my hair was nasty for the next day...yeah but it was hilarious. They just wouldnt stop either! I tried to take cover but i just couldnt escape their skills..Alright well that was a pointless story. But where it ties in is we're planning on doing some drive by water balloon launching at those kids to get them back...yeah that'll teach them to mess with us.
I dunno what else to tell ya...Just lots of the usual teaching/finding/service/yeah...that stuff. ya know mish work. Things is good! Thanks!
-Elder Devenney
Friday, January 16, 2009
As promised pictures!
(Sorry- its been a crazy week and I havent been able to post as much- Cory sent about 200 photos so ill upload as much as I can next week...stay tuned!)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jan 12, 2009
Well first off, transfer news came in last week and we found out that Elder Holt would be leaving to Kwa Nobuhle, which is a township down by Port Elizabeth...and also that i'd be staying in Paarl and i'd get a new comp..of course.
Well Elder Holt and i parted ways, said our goodbyes, and i welcomed Elder Power as my new companion. He's from South Africa, Petoria in fact, chill guy. This is going to be a good transfer. We get a long really well. Like a lot of the same music, same sports, he's big into soccer but he used to skate back back in the day so i'll see what he can do later today. We've been playing some nice soccer in the flat where it gets crazy! it's fun! i cant explain it...but yeah he's been out for 15 monthsish...something like that. Way good guy. So yeah...
As for this week, the first half was really just saying goodbye to a lot of people for Holty and that sort of stuff. We went into Cape Town for transfers on Thursday and he left, picked up new comp, and headed back.Friday we went up on Paarl Rock and had a little district meeting up there..is was pretty chill. Uh...we've been workin hard already but we've been having a lot of fun at the same time. I'll learn a lot this transfer i can already tell.
Sister Davids who is getting baptized this coming sunday invited us over for a good sized meal on Saturday. We had some fat cook, basically scones, and some Potchicos (dutch oven)...it was really good. It was her birthday too so wish her a happy bday mmk. She's getting excited cuz the day is coming up quick.
Our sports night was crazy on saturday. There were like 20 random little kids that came who i had never met before. haha. It was awesome. Played some soccer indoors, that sort of stuff. Plus we had all the usual guys so it was a really good turn out.
Other than that...not too much going on that i can tell you...Things is good. Starting to warm up again...but it's ok. Hopefully it wont be too bad. Yup yup...sorry if it's short but i hope everyone is doing good and i hope to hear from some of you soon! Thanks!
-Elder Devenney
(Hey Amber here- Cory just sent his photo card so check back in a day or so and Ill have uploaded a bunch of his photos !!!)
Well Elder Holt and i parted ways, said our goodbyes, and i welcomed Elder Power as my new companion. He's from South Africa, Petoria in fact, chill guy. This is going to be a good transfer. We get a long really well. Like a lot of the same music, same sports, he's big into soccer but he used to skate back back in the day so i'll see what he can do later today. We've been playing some nice soccer in the flat where it gets crazy! it's fun! i cant explain it...but yeah he's been out for 15 monthsish...something like that. Way good guy. So yeah...
As for this week, the first half was really just saying goodbye to a lot of people for Holty and that sort of stuff. We went into Cape Town for transfers on Thursday and he left, picked up new comp, and headed back.Friday we went up on Paarl Rock and had a little district meeting up there..is was pretty chill. Uh...we've been workin hard already but we've been having a lot of fun at the same time. I'll learn a lot this transfer i can already tell.
Sister Davids who is getting baptized this coming sunday invited us over for a good sized meal on Saturday. We had some fat cook, basically scones, and some Potchicos (dutch oven)...it was really good. It was her birthday too so wish her a happy bday mmk. She's getting excited cuz the day is coming up quick.
Our sports night was crazy on saturday. There were like 20 random little kids that came who i had never met before. haha. It was awesome. Played some soccer indoors, that sort of stuff. Plus we had all the usual guys so it was a really good turn out.
Other than that...not too much going on that i can tell you...Things is good. Starting to warm up again...but it's ok. Hopefully it wont be too bad. Yup yup...sorry if it's short but i hope everyone is doing good and i hope to hear from some of you soon! Thanks!
-Elder Devenney
(Hey Amber here- Cory just sent his photo card so check back in a day or so and Ill have uploaded a bunch of his photos !!!)
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