Well we were kicked out of our last internet shop, as they wouldnt allow us more time, and i thought that i wouldnt get to send a big email out but fortunately we just decided to come to another shop...
The week was a pretty decent one...It has been rainy and good thunder and lightning storms quite often. Which is nice for a change. I actually enjoy it when it rains, then i get to bust out that ol rain jacket...
There hasnt been anything too spectacular that has happened this past week...but monday we played some soccer in the rain and got way muddy and it was awesome...although we almost had to run home from the field becuase we were too nasty to get into any cars...but we worked things out...We had zone workshops on Tuesday about how to make our planning better...basically. It was good...i guess. Sometimes i wish they could just keep things the same as they are already going well...but i guess new ideas and new things to try out dont hurt us...so we've been trying to implement some of the things that we learned at workshops into our weekly and daily planning sessions. It's been going alright so far...no real dramatic improvements.
I'm really enjoying my time here in Ilinge now that i've been here for a few weeks...it always takes time to learn where people stay and get comfortable with all the members and investigators and so on...but things are going really good lately. We've been working with some of the Auxilaries, like the Elders Quorem Pres in helping him in his home teaching. He took us to two families that we didnt even know, and one was a Part member family in whom we are now going to start teaching. It's really been a blessing. Even through the Family Mission Plan that we're still working on, it'll help us establish the kingdom, and then the baptisms will be coming. Silindokhule is still on for the 25th of October and is super stoked about it. That kid comes to everything and loves the church.
On saturday we had our first Book of Mormon class that we taught. It went alright. Nothing too exciting. We were unable to access the tv to watch something, but things worked out anyway. For the first class we had like 10 or 11 people come, which was fine as we hardly even announced it. Then after the class we had some fun and played some games. It was good to see everybody laughing and enjoying themselves.
Church was a rainy one, and i think that's what made less people come on sunday. Although we still had a pretty good turn out...I tried to pay attention but sometimes it's hard when i just dont understand...but my xhosa is improving i suppose, and i can pick out certain things to sorta know what they're talking about...
Yeah basically there's not too much to tell...I only have a couple more minutes so i'll just end it there. Hope everybody is doing great!
Elder Devenney
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
sept 21, 2009
Molo Umjani!
For an update for the week...things are going pretty good. Ilinge is an interesting place. I was fortunate to finally see what a church service is like in Ilinge. Church started at 10 am...They meet in a couple of trailors but they're done up really nice. They have big grounds with a nice garden in the front, and the inside looks quite nice. The service was really good. As soon as the clock hit 10am then more people started coming in. We probably had maybe 60 or so people at church. I was quite surprised when only 10 were there at the beginning. But it was really good. I'm trying to learn the names which i find more difficult than anywhere else i've served, but it's alright. We have some really good leaders including the 1st Coun. in the Branch Presidency...he's a stud. Return Missionary, hilarious, and knows his stuff. His name is Pres. Ndlelo. All the rest are pretty cool too...idunno what to say.
Anyway...the week was pretty decent. Unfortunately our car is in the shop and still will be til the end of the week...so we've just walking around a lot in the area. It's a pretty good size area and so we spend a bunch of time walking. Especially if appointments fall through...then it gets really tough and tiring. But it's all good.
So Friday we had District Meeting and i decided to do it on Vision and Goal setting. We did an Area SWOT. It was actually pretty nice having to prepare for it. It all went really well.
Idunno if i told you...but when i was up in Namibia we ate some Giraffe and it was WAY good....just thought i'd let you know. O and also while i was in Nam i was drawing money out with my MSF card and i forgot about it for a minute or two and the ATM ended up eating my card. It was retarded. So i was without a MSF card for about 2 weeks...somehow i survived tho. They had to order me a new one and i just got it the other day. So finally today i was able to buy enough food for the week...i was a bit worried.
As for people we're teaching...we have one guy with a baptismal date sometime in october. I've only met with him once. We're teaching this 14 year old kid named Silindokhule who is awesome. Yo he's smart! He's been to church a lot and already wants to be a missionary. His sister is a member. He's like a 20 year old in a little boy's body. He's hoping to be baptized in the next month or so. We dont have a date for him yet tho.
Ilinge is good tho...as i think i might have said before...it's very rural. No street lights. Dirt roads. Cows walking around everywhere...it's a small township i guess. But it's fun none the less. People seem to be nice...i usually just let Elder Mkhize do all the talking since he can communicate...english is a big problem there. Probably more than half of church on sunday was in Xhosa...so i just read the Book of Mormon...tried to catch a few words and understand...but i couldnt that easily.
O i forgot to tell ya...Transfers were this week so the zone changed a bit...we lost i think 3 elders and 3 new ones came in. Elder Holt...my trainer from Canada...if you remember...is now a Zone Leader in Queenstown. It was a bit of a surprise but it's kinda cool. I'll have to go on an exchange with him sometime this transfer...so that'll be interesting since it's been about 9 months since i've seen him. He's doing well tho. He's almost done, he goes home in December.
Well that's about it. Elder Mkhize is a stud...we're doing really good. Hope you're all great!
Elder Devenney
For an update for the week...things are going pretty good. Ilinge is an interesting place. I was fortunate to finally see what a church service is like in Ilinge. Church started at 10 am...They meet in a couple of trailors but they're done up really nice. They have big grounds with a nice garden in the front, and the inside looks quite nice. The service was really good. As soon as the clock hit 10am then more people started coming in. We probably had maybe 60 or so people at church. I was quite surprised when only 10 were there at the beginning. But it was really good. I'm trying to learn the names which i find more difficult than anywhere else i've served, but it's alright. We have some really good leaders including the 1st Coun. in the Branch Presidency...he's a stud. Return Missionary, hilarious, and knows his stuff. His name is Pres. Ndlelo. All the rest are pretty cool too...idunno what to say.
Anyway...the week was pretty decent. Unfortunately our car is in the shop and still will be til the end of the week...so we've just walking around a lot in the area. It's a pretty good size area and so we spend a bunch of time walking. Especially if appointments fall through...then it gets really tough and tiring. But it's all good.
So Friday we had District Meeting and i decided to do it on Vision and Goal setting. We did an Area SWOT. It was actually pretty nice having to prepare for it. It all went really well.
Idunno if i told you...but when i was up in Namibia we ate some Giraffe and it was WAY good....just thought i'd let you know. O and also while i was in Nam i was drawing money out with my MSF card and i forgot about it for a minute or two and the ATM ended up eating my card. It was retarded. So i was without a MSF card for about 2 weeks...somehow i survived tho. They had to order me a new one and i just got it the other day. So finally today i was able to buy enough food for the week...i was a bit worried.
As for people we're teaching...we have one guy with a baptismal date sometime in october. I've only met with him once. We're teaching this 14 year old kid named Silindokhule who is awesome. Yo he's smart! He's been to church a lot and already wants to be a missionary. His sister is a member. He's like a 20 year old in a little boy's body. He's hoping to be baptized in the next month or so. We dont have a date for him yet tho.
Ilinge is good tho...as i think i might have said before...it's very rural. No street lights. Dirt roads. Cows walking around everywhere...it's a small township i guess. But it's fun none the less. People seem to be nice...i usually just let Elder Mkhize do all the talking since he can communicate...english is a big problem there. Probably more than half of church on sunday was in Xhosa...so i just read the Book of Mormon...tried to catch a few words and understand...but i couldnt that easily.
O i forgot to tell ya...Transfers were this week so the zone changed a bit...we lost i think 3 elders and 3 new ones came in. Elder Holt...my trainer from Canada...if you remember...is now a Zone Leader in Queenstown. It was a bit of a surprise but it's kinda cool. I'll have to go on an exchange with him sometime this transfer...so that'll be interesting since it's been about 9 months since i've seen him. He's doing well tho. He's almost done, he goes home in December.
Well that's about it. Elder Mkhize is a stud...we're doing really good. Hope you're all great!
Elder Devenney
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sept 13, 2009
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
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, 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
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