So this week has been a bit interesting. As i was up in Namibia, after Elder Schamel and myself had finished doing weekly planning on thursday we got a call from President Probst. He told me that my visa was expiring for Nam on the 11th of September...friday. He said that it would be illegal for us to stay there without a renewed visa and that i could possibly go to jail.. So he told me that i would be receiving some transfer news a week early. It kinda came as a surprise although i did know my visa was expiring and i figured i'd be transfered anyway...but it was a bit sudden for me as it came very fast. I was told that i would be leaving the following morning within 24 hours and that i'd be heading down to the Eastern Cape of South Africa to a place called Ilinge. He also asked me if i'd like a bit more responsibility...i said yeah sure...so i'm a District leader now. That was good news i guess...
I said my goodbyes to those that i could in my area and in my last area...packed...had a late night finishing up stuff...then hopped on a plane heading for Cape Town. Elder Frager, Elder Hoffman, and myself were the only 3 that were leaving Namibia. It was a bit difficult as all our hard work was about to pay off in Nam...There were multiple baptisms coming up in the branch. Three this weekend, and 4 more about 3 weeks from now. So it was a bummer to go but either way things will be going great up there. We definitely left that branch better than it was 6 months ago.
So i got on the plane and like i said headed for Cape Town. I ended up going with the ZL's in Cape North and working in Langa for a day or so. Sleeping over at their boarding. The following morning the plan was that i'd go fly down to East London with President and Sister Probst, as they were going for stake conference. So that's what i did. I had a nice little chat on the plane with President and Sister Probst which was good. The flight was about 2 hours down. Then we got our rental car and drove outside of East London for about 45 minutes to the Mdantsane ward to have a bit of a conference. (this is saturday) So we got there in time for the Priesthood Leadership training meeting...and stayed later for the Adult Session. Elder Rendlun of the Area Seventy was there addressing and it was way good. After that it was about 7pm and i ended up grabbing all my stuff and loading it into the Queenstown ZL's car and driving back to Queenstown. That's about another 2 hour drive east. Got in about 9pm or so and stayed over at their boarding. Sunday we had Stake Conference but since Queenstown is so far away from EL the leaders did it twice. The one out in Queenstown was at about 2pm. So i eventually got with my companions...Elder Mkhize who will be my actual companion. He's from Durban. And Elder White who is about to leave, he's been in Ilinge for 6 months. I'm replacing him. But as for the next couple of days we'll be together in a 3some til transfer news comes. So that's my current state.
So if you're a bit confused...Queenstown is about as far east as we go in this mission...well south and east. The only thing farther is Mthatha. Ilinge, where i will be working, is about a 25 min drive outside of the main city...it's way rural. There are no street lights. And you drive for about 10 min on a dirt road to get out there. It's nuts. But it looks pretty cool. I was only in the area for a little bit yesterday so i cant really give a full account of what it's like. It's big time Xhosa speaking tho...So it looks like i'll drop all the Afrikaans i've learned and focus on trying to communicate in Xhosa. It might take a little bit. Apparently they struggle to find people that speak really good english in this area...but it'll be fine. We'll work it out. I've got some good ideas for this place...so it should be good.
Queenstown isn't too big of a city...maybe like Ogden or something. Definitely nothing like Cape Town. But we live in a pretty nice neighborhood. Probably the most quiet place i've lived so far. It's really nice. Well the boarding is a bit small...it's like one room with everything in it...and then a bathroom. But it should be fine. I'm a bit excited to start a new area...the only thing i'll struggle with is that language barrier. But my companion can speak Zulu so it's pretty close...he can communicate pretty well.
As of anything else....not too much is going on. Just going to try to enjoy this new opportunity and responsibilities...should be fine. It was a bummer to leave Nam, especially Elder Schamel...we were only together for about 4 and a half weeks. It was a way short transfer for the two of us.
Hope that gives you a bit of an update on where i am and what's going on here! Find me on a map!
Thanks,
Elder Devenney
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
august 24th, 2009
Like i said last week, i got my new companion Elder Schamel and things are going fantastic. He's a way cool guy and we get along great. Companions have been a great blessing on mission so far. But yeah, he's chill, we laugh a lot, he's learning the area way fast which is great, he's a smart elder, so it's been nice having him. It's weird tho, the transfer is already half over and i've only been with him for a week. It feels so weird...
So the week was really good. We worked hard this week and have been seeing those people that we kinda neglected the past couple of weeks because of the mix up of working two areas. Basically we've just been working hard to see all the members and progressing investigators that we have so that Elder Schamel will get to know them quick.
We had Zone Conference and Workshops friday and saturday. It was really good. Zone con is always amazing and President Probst really helped us get motivated for the work. Although some things are changing in the mission...They're being more strict with rules and what not...it's quite sad. Music has been tightened...it's now only hymns and MOTAB. So that's a bit of a bummer. Basically that's the biggest one that you'd probably care about...anyway tho. Workshops was good, we addressed a concern that was perfect for us here in Namibia. Our Branch Mission Leader is kinda a joke, he's alright, but he's just really busy. In workshops we realized the importance of him and his role and how we can help him feel better about his calling. Because we meet with him once a week to discuss our areas and investigators and how the branch can help us...but sometimes we dont feel that information gets to the Branch President. But what we're going to do is try to introduce a Branch Mission Plan, so that us and the branch are all on the same page. It's kinda the branche's vision on what they want to happen in 6 months time, etc, and how us as missionaries can help to achieve that vision. It's a really great thing, that neither of the two branches have right now. But yeah that's going to be happening in the near future.
Another great thing that we all did on Saturday was the Mormon Helping Hands Project. We went to a place up in Katutura, north end of the city, to a place called Mt Sinai Center to help take out dead grass, move lots of gravel and dirt and bricks, and planted a way nice garden. We must have had about 150 people from both branches come out, plus non members that came and helped. It was a great activity. That took about 4 or so hours in the morning. From about 9am to 1pm. It was good also to have President and Sister Probst there for it. It was a nation wide thing...all across africa, everybody was doing it on the same day. So yeah, that was good.
Other things to report on are not too much...things are doing really good. We saw a lessactive family yesterday just because...and the mother really showed her love for us and our visit. Like it was an answer to her prayers. Then this morning we sent a text to her inviting her and the family to a family home evening tonight and she sent us back like a 4 page text telling us thank you so much and yadda yadda yadda. I wish someone did that more often. When people tell us that we're answers to their prayers, and exactly what they needed at that time of day, it really makes us feel good that we left our boarding in the morning and we did it accomplishing something and helping out at least one person. It made us feel special...
Thanks for all the love and support from everybody! I really do appreciate it! The week was good, nothing too much to say...
Played our zone soccer today in which my district creamed the other district...finally we won one! The whole 4 transfers i've been here it's my first time that we've won...so that made us feel good. We're thinking about getting a trophy..haha.
Alright, love you all!
Elder Devenney
So the week was really good. We worked hard this week and have been seeing those people that we kinda neglected the past couple of weeks because of the mix up of working two areas. Basically we've just been working hard to see all the members and progressing investigators that we have so that Elder Schamel will get to know them quick.
We had Zone Conference and Workshops friday and saturday. It was really good. Zone con is always amazing and President Probst really helped us get motivated for the work. Although some things are changing in the mission...They're being more strict with rules and what not...it's quite sad. Music has been tightened...it's now only hymns and MOTAB. So that's a bit of a bummer. Basically that's the biggest one that you'd probably care about...anyway tho. Workshops was good, we addressed a concern that was perfect for us here in Namibia. Our Branch Mission Leader is kinda a joke, he's alright, but he's just really busy. In workshops we realized the importance of him and his role and how we can help him feel better about his calling. Because we meet with him once a week to discuss our areas and investigators and how the branch can help us...but sometimes we dont feel that information gets to the Branch President. But what we're going to do is try to introduce a Branch Mission Plan, so that us and the branch are all on the same page. It's kinda the branche's vision on what they want to happen in 6 months time, etc, and how us as missionaries can help to achieve that vision. It's a really great thing, that neither of the two branches have right now. But yeah that's going to be happening in the near future.
Another great thing that we all did on Saturday was the Mormon Helping Hands Project. We went to a place up in Katutura, north end of the city, to a place called Mt Sinai Center to help take out dead grass, move lots of gravel and dirt and bricks, and planted a way nice garden. We must have had about 150 people from both branches come out, plus non members that came and helped. It was a great activity. That took about 4 or so hours in the morning. From about 9am to 1pm. It was good also to have President and Sister Probst there for it. It was a nation wide thing...all across africa, everybody was doing it on the same day. So yeah, that was good.
Other things to report on are not too much...things are doing really good. We saw a lessactive family yesterday just because...and the mother really showed her love for us and our visit. Like it was an answer to her prayers. Then this morning we sent a text to her inviting her and the family to a family home evening tonight and she sent us back like a 4 page text telling us thank you so much and yadda yadda yadda. I wish someone did that more often. When people tell us that we're answers to their prayers, and exactly what they needed at that time of day, it really makes us feel good that we left our boarding in the morning and we did it accomplishing something and helping out at least one person. It made us feel special...
Thanks for all the love and support from everybody! I really do appreciate it! The week was good, nothing too much to say...
Played our zone soccer today in which my district creamed the other district...finally we won one! The whole 4 transfers i've been here it's my first time that we've won...so that made us feel good. We're thinking about getting a trophy..haha.
Alright, love you all!
Elder Devenney
Monday, August 3, 2009
August 3, 2009
Hello Everybody...Hope the week has been great for you...
I'll start where i usually do...past monday...played some wicked volleyball in which i loved and brought me back to the good ol days...i might have already told you...but yes it was fantastic. I'm amazing...that's just about it...
The next couple of days flew by and which i dont really know what to say. Been seeing the usual people...nothing to report on there. But we do have 3 with a baptismal date...Sara, mona, and andrew. All related. Andrew is a joke tho and i'm pretty sure i dont even like it when he's there. He doesnt take things seriously...so we just kinda had to give him one anyway since his sisters have one...but if he's not going to be doing what he should etc etc i have no problem saying no to him. But we're happy for them. Aiming for the 22 August. Paul...We were stoked for him and had planned on 5 September for his Baptism. We talked to him...it's still something he wants...but he said what about October. We said that's fine. I think he's just a little nervous about his English and he just wants to be taught more...we dont want to push him. But he's so awesome! Others...just finding lots of new people to teach...I dont want to say anyone new becuase i wouldnt be surprised if we dropped them by next week...where's my faith...lacking i guess. I'll let you know more next week.
K so funny story...was on exchanges with Elder Tsiu...he's the district leader (this is friday) which was probably the worst day to do it on but he had no choice...So after District Meeting the whole zone went to Cattle Baron...a pretty nice steak place to eat...usually we like to go out to lunch after DM...K so we go and there's this other kid in the other District who's been having a hard time...not really enjoying mission right now...but anyway...it was a good day for him. He was having fun, talking a lot, just enjoying the day. Bad luck struck on his side and when we were eating he wasn't feeling too good...Well he ended up throwing up all his food...he didnt make it to the toilet. It was close to all of us and some other people...it was so brutal to watch. We felt pretty bad...So idunno if you felt that was funny or not...maybe it was just more funny when i wrote it in my journal...k i'll move on...
Things went alright the rest of the weekend. We had a great Saturday for some reason...idunno what it was...O and i had basically my first fight with anyother missionary. I wont name names...i guess...but it was just ridiculous. He's a stubburn missionary...doesn't really respect our time and doesnt really care about anything else but what's best for him...and we're under his wing right now...there's not much we can do. There was a bit of tension going on...but whatever i guess...
So anyway. Fragar and Ballard went to Cape Town. Ballard is finished with mission and is going back home to the states. They're down there for a ZL council. So on the good news...we have the car for the next couple of days. It makes things nice.
Transfers comes on Tuesday, of which i'm pretty sure Carver and i are staying together. We're hoping we do. He hasn't been with a companion for more than just 1 transfer before...so it's about time. And i'm pretty sure Pres knows how well we're getting along and making things progress in our area...
Alright well that's all...Things are pretty good for the most part! Hope everybody is healthy! I'm a bit sick...:(
Thanks!Elder Devenney
I'll start where i usually do...past monday...played some wicked volleyball in which i loved and brought me back to the good ol days...i might have already told you...but yes it was fantastic. I'm amazing...that's just about it...
The next couple of days flew by and which i dont really know what to say. Been seeing the usual people...nothing to report on there. But we do have 3 with a baptismal date...Sara, mona, and andrew. All related. Andrew is a joke tho and i'm pretty sure i dont even like it when he's there. He doesnt take things seriously...so we just kinda had to give him one anyway since his sisters have one...but if he's not going to be doing what he should etc etc i have no problem saying no to him. But we're happy for them. Aiming for the 22 August. Paul...We were stoked for him and had planned on 5 September for his Baptism. We talked to him...it's still something he wants...but he said what about October. We said that's fine. I think he's just a little nervous about his English and he just wants to be taught more...we dont want to push him. But he's so awesome! Others...just finding lots of new people to teach...I dont want to say anyone new becuase i wouldnt be surprised if we dropped them by next week...where's my faith...lacking i guess. I'll let you know more next week.
K so funny story...was on exchanges with Elder Tsiu...he's the district leader (this is friday) which was probably the worst day to do it on but he had no choice...So after District Meeting the whole zone went to Cattle Baron...a pretty nice steak place to eat...usually we like to go out to lunch after DM...K so we go and there's this other kid in the other District who's been having a hard time...not really enjoying mission right now...but anyway...it was a good day for him. He was having fun, talking a lot, just enjoying the day. Bad luck struck on his side and when we were eating he wasn't feeling too good...Well he ended up throwing up all his food...he didnt make it to the toilet. It was close to all of us and some other people...it was so brutal to watch. We felt pretty bad...So idunno if you felt that was funny or not...maybe it was just more funny when i wrote it in my journal...k i'll move on...
Things went alright the rest of the weekend. We had a great Saturday for some reason...idunno what it was...O and i had basically my first fight with anyother missionary. I wont name names...i guess...but it was just ridiculous. He's a stubburn missionary...doesn't really respect our time and doesnt really care about anything else but what's best for him...and we're under his wing right now...there's not much we can do. There was a bit of tension going on...but whatever i guess...
So anyway. Fragar and Ballard went to Cape Town. Ballard is finished with mission and is going back home to the states. They're down there for a ZL council. So on the good news...we have the car for the next couple of days. It makes things nice.
Transfers comes on Tuesday, of which i'm pretty sure Carver and i are staying together. We're hoping we do. He hasn't been with a companion for more than just 1 transfer before...so it's about time. And i'm pretty sure Pres knows how well we're getting along and making things progress in our area...
Alright well that's all...Things are pretty good for the most part! Hope everybody is healthy! I'm a bit sick...:(
Thanks!Elder Devenney
Monday, July 27, 2009
July 27, 2009
Hello!!!!
Well the week started out last monday...going to the Okapuka Game Reserve. It's about 30 Kms outside of Windhoek. It was pretty nice. We were in the big safari jeep thing...driving through bushes etc...it was pretty dope. We saw Giraffe, Rhino, Baboons, Springbok, Gemsbok, Waterbuffalo, and a few other things. No elephants tho...or lions or whatever...so that kinda sucked. But it's all good. The Rhinos were like 5 feet from us at one point. 3 of them. It was way cool. Got some way good photos and videos. So yeah that was my first game park experience and i'd say it was pretty sweet. Obviously could have been better...but anway...
As for the week it was kinda a rollercoaster. Those days walking around get so hot and tiring, especially if we dont have appointments. Saturday was such a hard day for us...we must have walked over 10 miles...we didnt have one appointment that day so we didnt know what to do....well we did...but it just didnt work out. So it was a LONG day. Other than that the week went pretty good. We've found a few new people to teach, even a solid family that we feel pretty good about. It was sad...two of our investigators that we saw this week...named Esmaralda and Lipertine...of which we just started teaching, came to church this sunday. It was great to see them there...the only bad thing was that they were there at 8:30...and no one else was even there of the branch. Except Bro. Katjotjo...cuz he's a faithful guy. Not even the presidency was there...they all rolled in 5 minutes before nine...it was ridiculous. Anyway...they had a good time and really enjoyed it. We taught the gospel principles class and it was excellent! Taught about prophets...had a nice vid...anyway. With the two girls we have great hopes for them.
Paul...we're considering and still praying one whether or not he should have a baptism date. We'd like him to. But we'll see i guess...We had a great lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and drew it out perfect for him...it was very spiritual as Mario was still there and helping him understand it better. Mario shared a powerful testimony about his conversion and the choice he made to join the church. But the only bad thing is idunno if Paul understands about the Authority when it comes to being Baptized. So we're going to have to explain things better for him...i'll keep ya posted on that.
Friday night's class went great. We had speakers looking back at all the Christlike Attributes that we've been teaching for the past 4 months since the class started. Both members and investigators participated and gave talks. It went great. Then, as Carver and I are in charge of the games...we had a nice basketball shooting/question answer game that we had prepared. It was hilarious. O idunno if i told you but the Allens left, (the Senior Couple up here) they finished and just went back home this past week. We got a new Senior Couple, the Jones. They're so great! They attend everything and love to have fun! So we're pretty excited. Obviously they dont know a lot about Africa...but you have to start somewhere.
Sunday night's class was actually more of a seminar given by Ballard and Fragar. It was on Goal Setting. It was actually really good. I wish i was better at it...i started to when i was with Fragar...but havent done too much with it since. I know i need to start tho. So it was very inspiring. That'll be one thing i'll definitely be doing when i'm home...
As for everything else it's going pretty good...not too much else can i say. This is the last full week of the transfer...then news will come half way through next week. Carver and i are staying together tho...we know it! i would have it no other way...haha. Thank you! :)
Elder Devenney
Well the week started out last monday...going to the Okapuka Game Reserve. It's about 30 Kms outside of Windhoek. It was pretty nice. We were in the big safari jeep thing...driving through bushes etc...it was pretty dope. We saw Giraffe, Rhino, Baboons, Springbok, Gemsbok, Waterbuffalo, and a few other things. No elephants tho...or lions or whatever...so that kinda sucked. But it's all good. The Rhinos were like 5 feet from us at one point. 3 of them. It was way cool. Got some way good photos and videos. So yeah that was my first game park experience and i'd say it was pretty sweet. Obviously could have been better...but anway...
As for the week it was kinda a rollercoaster. Those days walking around get so hot and tiring, especially if we dont have appointments. Saturday was such a hard day for us...we must have walked over 10 miles...we didnt have one appointment that day so we didnt know what to do....well we did...but it just didnt work out. So it was a LONG day. Other than that the week went pretty good. We've found a few new people to teach, even a solid family that we feel pretty good about. It was sad...two of our investigators that we saw this week...named Esmaralda and Lipertine...of which we just started teaching, came to church this sunday. It was great to see them there...the only bad thing was that they were there at 8:30...and no one else was even there of the branch. Except Bro. Katjotjo...cuz he's a faithful guy. Not even the presidency was there...they all rolled in 5 minutes before nine...it was ridiculous. Anyway...they had a good time and really enjoyed it. We taught the gospel principles class and it was excellent! Taught about prophets...had a nice vid...anyway. With the two girls we have great hopes for them.
Paul...we're considering and still praying one whether or not he should have a baptism date. We'd like him to. But we'll see i guess...We had a great lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and drew it out perfect for him...it was very spiritual as Mario was still there and helping him understand it better. Mario shared a powerful testimony about his conversion and the choice he made to join the church. But the only bad thing is idunno if Paul understands about the Authority when it comes to being Baptized. So we're going to have to explain things better for him...i'll keep ya posted on that.
Friday night's class went great. We had speakers looking back at all the Christlike Attributes that we've been teaching for the past 4 months since the class started. Both members and investigators participated and gave talks. It went great. Then, as Carver and I are in charge of the games...we had a nice basketball shooting/question answer game that we had prepared. It was hilarious. O idunno if i told you but the Allens left, (the Senior Couple up here) they finished and just went back home this past week. We got a new Senior Couple, the Jones. They're so great! They attend everything and love to have fun! So we're pretty excited. Obviously they dont know a lot about Africa...but you have to start somewhere.
Sunday night's class was actually more of a seminar given by Ballard and Fragar. It was on Goal Setting. It was actually really good. I wish i was better at it...i started to when i was with Fragar...but havent done too much with it since. I know i need to start tho. So it was very inspiring. That'll be one thing i'll definitely be doing when i'm home...
As for everything else it's going pretty good...not too much else can i say. This is the last full week of the transfer...then news will come half way through next week. Carver and i are staying together tho...we know it! i would have it no other way...haha. Thank you! :)
Elder Devenney
Monday, July 13, 2009
July 12, 2009
Well of course i wrote a message and it didnt send...so this one will be a lame one. Sorry...
We had Zone Conference on Friday...and it was great. President Probst shared some great personal stories that were exactly what we needed to hear. Both him and Sister Probst are amazing and i enjoy it more and more now when they come and do the Conference. They really got us excited and encouraged to do more work and work harder.
Saturday we had Workshops with the AP's. We were focusing on finding out concerns of people we teach. and how to go about doing it. It was nice and it helps out a lot. We did some role plays...it was lame...but we had to do it. That's about it.
Carver and i are doing great...like usual...as expected. O and what's amazing is all my soccer skills that i'm great at. I have about 6 or 7 solid tricks that i know that i'm pretty proud of. What's an advantage of walking around in our area is that we get to mingle with all the people there. There's always a group of kids around every corner playing soccer and we always mess around with them. They teach me some stuff but for the most part i can do a lot of the tricks they can...and they think it's amazing. Carver isnt too good...but he's learning...haha. we practice back at the flat. That's the fun times.
Other than that i dunno what else i want to say...the week went great...sorry...i'm too lazy to rewrite all i said before. Thanks!@
Elder Devenney
We had Zone Conference on Friday...and it was great. President Probst shared some great personal stories that were exactly what we needed to hear. Both him and Sister Probst are amazing and i enjoy it more and more now when they come and do the Conference. They really got us excited and encouraged to do more work and work harder.
Saturday we had Workshops with the AP's. We were focusing on finding out concerns of people we teach. and how to go about doing it. It was nice and it helps out a lot. We did some role plays...it was lame...but we had to do it. That's about it.
Carver and i are doing great...like usual...as expected. O and what's amazing is all my soccer skills that i'm great at. I have about 6 or 7 solid tricks that i know that i'm pretty proud of. What's an advantage of walking around in our area is that we get to mingle with all the people there. There's always a group of kids around every corner playing soccer and we always mess around with them. They teach me some stuff but for the most part i can do a lot of the tricks they can...and they think it's amazing. Carver isnt too good...but he's learning...haha. we practice back at the flat. That's the fun times.
Other than that i dunno what else i want to say...the week went great...sorry...i'm too lazy to rewrite all i said before. Thanks!@
Elder Devenney
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
June 22, 2009
Yeah so transfer news will come tomorrow. Just so you know. I'm still gonna be in Namibia...no worries there. But who knows what'll happen. My time with Fragar has been a blast...especially these past few weeks. It's going to be sad splitting...But it'll be good to see who my new companion will be...so anyway...
Lets talk about the great success of the week...first off...the highlight of the week was the Movie Night. There was great opposition tho...especially on the night of the event. So first off...we got the movie in the mail this past week...as you know it was the Emma Smith movie. We finished printing off tickets...spreading the word...etc etc. Well the night came...and we spent most of the day setting up, running errands...things like that. We bought a sheet...set it up in the chapel, rearranged the seats to be more theater like...got all the popcorn and the popcorn machine, organized all the sign up sheets. All that stuff ok...Anyway...the night comes and people start to show up. Lots and lots of people. I'll tell you first off that there were 112 people there...73 of which were nonmembers. That is a HUGE successs alone! We had everybody sign in Name, addresss, phone number, so we have everybody's contact information. And we'll do follow ups in the coming week. So anyway...another great thing is that we had Rovy singing and playing his guitar as people came in. It was awesome! K so here's the opposition...5 min before we were going to have everybody come in...one of the sound adapters broke, two missionaries then left to run half way across the city to the southern mall to buy the adapter to which they arrived only 10 min before it closed. They did get it tho. The banner that we had that said "Cinema" that went in the front hanging in the air didnt get finished til about 30 Min before everybody started arriving. And so we had to fetch that before people came. o and first off...the branch gave us a budget of N$600 for the night...earlier in the week we went to cash the check...and because it had a little line on it..they wouldnt accept it...it was stupid. So we didnt have the budget money at all for the night...but we worked things out anyway. K then also on the night...it just so happened to start to rain, and not only rain, but hail half way through the movie. We had to stop it for an intermission because the hail on the tin roof of the church was so loud that we couldnt even hear it through the huge speakers...It was quite a challenge. Then after it was all done...we spent about an hour after cleaning everything up. And i forgot to mention that we took shifts going to primary watching all 20 kids and trying to entertain them and control them, as well as keeping everything in order. So really...none of the missionaries watched the movie. We were busy the whole night. But good thing me and Fragar watched it back at our flat anyway...K so that was the night! and it was great!
Another highlight was on thursday...we went to Miriam Haita's place...as we were invited over to make cookies. So we went. To our surprise we also had a very nice dinner waiting for us. It was her, her son Peter, and daughter karen. (She is the one who wants to be a member, teaches herself everything at work, and who's husband is completely against her joining or even meeting with us, also the kids, but luckily he was out of town for a week so we got to see them a couple times this past week) it was nice. So We made peanut butter cookies, and coconut cookies. they were great! even tho we burned some...
We were so beat from the movie night that saturday we just had a chill relaxed day. Didnt do a whole lot...Uh...That's about it really. The week was a great one tho...way way busy with preparation...but it was good. Lots to do with Public Affairs as well. We're hoping to meet with the Prime Minister for the Parliament day on 9 July. We're still organizing invitations to Politicians etc...i'll keep ya posted. That's all! Thanks!
Elder Devenney
Lets talk about the great success of the week...first off...the highlight of the week was the Movie Night. There was great opposition tho...especially on the night of the event. So first off...we got the movie in the mail this past week...as you know it was the Emma Smith movie. We finished printing off tickets...spreading the word...etc etc. Well the night came...and we spent most of the day setting up, running errands...things like that. We bought a sheet...set it up in the chapel, rearranged the seats to be more theater like...got all the popcorn and the popcorn machine, organized all the sign up sheets. All that stuff ok...Anyway...the night comes and people start to show up. Lots and lots of people. I'll tell you first off that there were 112 people there...73 of which were nonmembers. That is a HUGE successs alone! We had everybody sign in Name, addresss, phone number, so we have everybody's contact information. And we'll do follow ups in the coming week. So anyway...another great thing is that we had Rovy singing and playing his guitar as people came in. It was awesome! K so here's the opposition...5 min before we were going to have everybody come in...one of the sound adapters broke, two missionaries then left to run half way across the city to the southern mall to buy the adapter to which they arrived only 10 min before it closed. They did get it tho. The banner that we had that said "Cinema" that went in the front hanging in the air didnt get finished til about 30 Min before everybody started arriving. And so we had to fetch that before people came. o and first off...the branch gave us a budget of N$600 for the night...earlier in the week we went to cash the check...and because it had a little line on it..they wouldnt accept it...it was stupid. So we didnt have the budget money at all for the night...but we worked things out anyway. K then also on the night...it just so happened to start to rain, and not only rain, but hail half way through the movie. We had to stop it for an intermission because the hail on the tin roof of the church was so loud that we couldnt even hear it through the huge speakers...It was quite a challenge. Then after it was all done...we spent about an hour after cleaning everything up. And i forgot to mention that we took shifts going to primary watching all 20 kids and trying to entertain them and control them, as well as keeping everything in order. So really...none of the missionaries watched the movie. We were busy the whole night. But good thing me and Fragar watched it back at our flat anyway...K so that was the night! and it was great!
Another highlight was on thursday...we went to Miriam Haita's place...as we were invited over to make cookies. So we went. To our surprise we also had a very nice dinner waiting for us. It was her, her son Peter, and daughter karen. (She is the one who wants to be a member, teaches herself everything at work, and who's husband is completely against her joining or even meeting with us, also the kids, but luckily he was out of town for a week so we got to see them a couple times this past week) it was nice. So We made peanut butter cookies, and coconut cookies. they were great! even tho we burned some...
We were so beat from the movie night that saturday we just had a chill relaxed day. Didnt do a whole lot...Uh...That's about it really. The week was a great one tho...way way busy with preparation...but it was good. Lots to do with Public Affairs as well. We're hoping to meet with the Prime Minister for the Parliament day on 9 July. We're still organizing invitations to Politicians etc...i'll keep ya posted. That's all! Thanks!
Elder Devenney
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
June 8, 2009
Wow it's actually a bit chilly today...
Got lots of good stuff to report on this past week...
First off...things are really in motion right now. We got lots of good stuff happening in the coming weeks. One of which is the Movie Night that'll be on the 19th of June. We've organized it all and we're hoping to watch the Emma Smith movie. We hope! The word is in...but they just have to send it up from Cape Town. We've been busy printing tickets...flyers...etc etc. We handed out tickets to everybody at church yesterday...one for them, and one for a friend. We've been spreading the word even here at our famous internet shop. We invite all. It should be one of the biggest activities the branch has done...maybe ever. We're going to make banners...organize food...all that good stuff. We're trying to involve as many people as possible. This is really going to be a good opportunity for us for finding. We will have a system of everyone that comes will put all their information on a paper, so we can contact them in the coming weeks. It's really a big missionary effort on our part to find more investigators in a way that's fun and just outside the normal church, ya know.Other upcoming events are Public Affairs...We've organized about 30 YSA to go to Parliament at the first week of July. We're going to have 2 training sessions...because we dont want people to look like fools in front of a bunch of politicians ya know. Anyway...that's up and coming in the next few weeks...so we'll be pretty busy with all of that.
As for people we're teaching and stuff that happened this past week...it goes as follows...I'll start with Rovy. Of course we met with him a couple times this past week...everything went great. But the highlight was that on thursday night we decided to go see him actually perform. He's in a band with him and his younger brothers...they're so sick! it was a place called Zenzo and it was an outdoor place where food was served and they just played...it was chill. We ate, and just listened to him perform. He even dedicated a song to us...josh groben. haha. It was tight. He plays guitar and lead vocals. But yeah they played a wide variety from...eagles, enrique englasies(?), some new stuff, Hotel California, a bunch of other stuff too, some spanish songs. Anyway...it was tight. It was the first time i had to talk over music when i was talking to someone. Then we got pics with the group and just chatted with him for a while. Then Friday came around and he came to the Scripture study class. And saturday we saw him early in the morning, just read from the BOM, then later that day we went out to lunch together in town. Went to a nice outdoor place. Then of course he came to church. So yeah...Rovy is cool. It's just tough still cuz he's not planning on marriage for a while...and he's living with that older lady. But it's all good...just good to be his friend.
Fausta...we've invited her to be baptized. We've given her two options...either the 4th of July, or the 18th. She hasn't decided yet. But she really likes the church...and she comes every week. She's makin lots of friends too so it's good.
Last is Miriam. Met with her and taught her at the Heymans. Her and her daughter. Went really good. She's got a hard life with her husband not giving her much of support...and she so wants to be a member...it's kind of sad.
We met with this Shalihu family. I think i might have said something about them before...they have a daughter who's 14 and her name is Ana. She loves us coming. Just watched Finding Faith in Christ DVD..but it went really well. They've been struggling right now and are just having problems with the family...finding workers...and Ana and her gymnastics. Ana travels all the time to SA and Zim and all over for her gymnastics, and wins a lot. But they're looking for a sponser for her. If i wasn't a missionary we would help her out so much more, anyone that could just listen to her talk would just melt and couldn't deny her a sponser. The family just has to pay for all the travels and competitions out of their own pocket...and they're struggling to do it. So yeah...we're trying to help them out. We've been sending them spiritual scripture texts each night too...to help them out. But yeah the big surprise came at the end when we were just about to leave...Ana runs into her room and then comes out with $N40 dollars to give to us. We were like "no way!" you need that more than us. But she insisted...she said it was prayer money. I think she just really wanted to give it to us and she just thinks we should get paid for it. Anyway...we're hoping to take that 40 bucks and double it and buy her a birthday present cuz she had a birthday like a week ago. Should be a good surprise.
We readjusted our Saturday schedule this week and got out in the area at 830 in the morning. We got to see a lot more people...cuz not everybody was drunk...as they usually can be at night. Then we just did our studies mid day..and had normal schedule at night. We're thinking of making it a district wide thing...which will help everybody out a lot.
Well that's about it basically...things are going really well. Just staying busy...Yup yup...hopefully we dont run out of steam these next couple of weeks...Hope all is well! thanks!
Elder Devenney
Got lots of good stuff to report on this past week...
First off...things are really in motion right now. We got lots of good stuff happening in the coming weeks. One of which is the Movie Night that'll be on the 19th of June. We've organized it all and we're hoping to watch the Emma Smith movie. We hope! The word is in...but they just have to send it up from Cape Town. We've been busy printing tickets...flyers...etc etc. We handed out tickets to everybody at church yesterday...one for them, and one for a friend. We've been spreading the word even here at our famous internet shop. We invite all. It should be one of the biggest activities the branch has done...maybe ever. We're going to make banners...organize food...all that good stuff. We're trying to involve as many people as possible. This is really going to be a good opportunity for us for finding. We will have a system of everyone that comes will put all their information on a paper, so we can contact them in the coming weeks. It's really a big missionary effort on our part to find more investigators in a way that's fun and just outside the normal church, ya know.Other upcoming events are Public Affairs...We've organized about 30 YSA to go to Parliament at the first week of July. We're going to have 2 training sessions...because we dont want people to look like fools in front of a bunch of politicians ya know. Anyway...that's up and coming in the next few weeks...so we'll be pretty busy with all of that.
As for people we're teaching and stuff that happened this past week...it goes as follows...I'll start with Rovy. Of course we met with him a couple times this past week...everything went great. But the highlight was that on thursday night we decided to go see him actually perform. He's in a band with him and his younger brothers...they're so sick! it was a place called Zenzo and it was an outdoor place where food was served and they just played...it was chill. We ate, and just listened to him perform. He even dedicated a song to us...josh groben. haha. It was tight. He plays guitar and lead vocals. But yeah they played a wide variety from...eagles, enrique englasies(?), some new stuff, Hotel California, a bunch of other stuff too, some spanish songs. Anyway...it was tight. It was the first time i had to talk over music when i was talking to someone. Then we got pics with the group and just chatted with him for a while. Then Friday came around and he came to the Scripture study class. And saturday we saw him early in the morning, just read from the BOM, then later that day we went out to lunch together in town. Went to a nice outdoor place. Then of course he came to church. So yeah...Rovy is cool. It's just tough still cuz he's not planning on marriage for a while...and he's living with that older lady. But it's all good...just good to be his friend.
Fausta...we've invited her to be baptized. We've given her two options...either the 4th of July, or the 18th. She hasn't decided yet. But she really likes the church...and she comes every week. She's makin lots of friends too so it's good.
Last is Miriam. Met with her and taught her at the Heymans. Her and her daughter. Went really good. She's got a hard life with her husband not giving her much of support...and she so wants to be a member...it's kind of sad.
We met with this Shalihu family. I think i might have said something about them before...they have a daughter who's 14 and her name is Ana. She loves us coming. Just watched Finding Faith in Christ DVD..but it went really well. They've been struggling right now and are just having problems with the family...finding workers...and Ana and her gymnastics. Ana travels all the time to SA and Zim and all over for her gymnastics, and wins a lot. But they're looking for a sponser for her. If i wasn't a missionary we would help her out so much more, anyone that could just listen to her talk would just melt and couldn't deny her a sponser. The family just has to pay for all the travels and competitions out of their own pocket...and they're struggling to do it. So yeah...we're trying to help them out. We've been sending them spiritual scripture texts each night too...to help them out. But yeah the big surprise came at the end when we were just about to leave...Ana runs into her room and then comes out with $N40 dollars to give to us. We were like "no way!" you need that more than us. But she insisted...she said it was prayer money. I think she just really wanted to give it to us and she just thinks we should get paid for it. Anyway...we're hoping to take that 40 bucks and double it and buy her a birthday present cuz she had a birthday like a week ago. Should be a good surprise.
We readjusted our Saturday schedule this week and got out in the area at 830 in the morning. We got to see a lot more people...cuz not everybody was drunk...as they usually can be at night. Then we just did our studies mid day..and had normal schedule at night. We're thinking of making it a district wide thing...which will help everybody out a lot.
Well that's about it basically...things are going really well. Just staying busy...Yup yup...hopefully we dont run out of steam these next couple of weeks...Hope all is well! thanks!
Elder Devenney
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