Dedication brings its rewards

Dear All,

We traveled to beautiful Knysna this past Saturday to fulfill an assignment from President Merrill. Knysna is not in a stake but is in the George District which is presided over by our Mission President. The assignment was to interview and set apart a young woman, Florenec Mthembu, as a full-time missionary. We had met Florence and her family on an earlier occasion and knew what a wonderful young woman she is. Her family is from a small country, Malawi. Her call is to the Luska Zambia Mission, which includes her home country. It was a privilege and pleasure to be with Sister Mthembu at this special time in her life.

Speaking of Knysna, we took missionaries out of there early this year. Unfortunately, it had been approximately one year since there was a convert baptism in the area. Well, the decision was made to reopen the area and President Merrill assigned Elder Lane, the missionary who was attacked and stabbed this past February. He and his companion, Elder Grover, began serving there just six weeks ago. The Knysna Branch has experienced some amazing growth during this short time. There were 56 people in church this past Sunday, which is nearly twice the number of six weeks ago. In Priesthood meeting the branch president looked at me and said, "tell President Merrill we want these elders (specifically Lane and Grover) here for at least six months...before they came we had maybe 10 priesthood holders attending...today we have 26." Beyond the increased activity of the members, many are being taught and being prepared for baptism. The elders expect approximately 12 new church members in June. It is so gratifying to see the excitement of the branch president, and other members, and to see how these elders are being rewarded for their dedicated service.            

We have been blessed to serve with Elder Hawkins, a young missionary from England who began his service in the Motherwell Branch nearly six months ago. He was trained by Elders Ivins and has subsequently trained another Bristish missionary, Elder Warren. Sadly, Elder Hawkins will be leaving us tomorrow morning. He and his companions have averaged one convert baptism per week during the time he has served here. These are all wonderful people whose lives have been greatly blessed, in no small part by the dedicated service of Elder Hawkins and his companions. We will miss you dear Elder. 

There are very special rewards which come to those who lose themselves in the service of others. This losing oneself is most certainly something which can be done as a missionary leaves the comfort of home, and the presence of friends and family, and is set apart to serve the Lord in a full-time capacity. It is NOT easy, but the rewards are indescribable. We highly recommend such service to all who are able.

All our love,

Elder and Sister Watson

The picture above is Sister Florence Mthembu, a new full-time missionary headed for the MTC in Johannesburg, South Africa and then on to the Zambia Luzaka Mission. (they say the camera adds 20 pounds...looks like it's all around my waist!)

Elder Warren (left) Brother Tungata and Elder Hawkins. Love these British Elders! 

The very sweet Mthembu sisters. Florence is setting a great example for the younger ones.

Elders Grover and Lane standing in the township overlooking the beautiful bay at Knysna. You can see the fog rolling in from the Indian Ocean in the distance.

Awesome Young Elders

Dear All, 

We greatly miss the association we have had with sister missionaries through the years! However, we continue to be extremely impressed with the quality of the young men with who we serve here in South Africa. Their dedication to the Lord and his work is truly amazing. They are also extremely kind to us more seasoned missionaries. We have learned that if you give them a little food they will do almost anything for you! 😉 Seriously, one of the greatest benefits of missionary service is the association enjoyed with these wonderful young men. It is an honor to be numbered with them.

We're still meeting in the tent! The church is able to provide modular prefab buildings for our use but we haven't been able to secure land in Motherwell on which to place them. We are speaking with the leaders a preschool and hope something might be arranged. They have had their power turned off due to lack of money so hopefully they are motivated to enough to make it happen. Sadly, church attendance has lessened since losing our school meetinghouse and having the ability to hold all our church meetings. So, we are hoping for a remedy soon.  

Despite the challenges with a meetinghouse for Motherwell, membership continues to increase. Four wonderful people were baptized in April and a great family moved into the ward. It is the Mike and Febie Rugara family from Zimbabwe. They live with their two young daughters in a home which consists of one room, probably about 12' x 12', with a double size mattress on the floor. They have one wooden chair which Sister Watson sat on and they turned a plastic bucket upside down and put a board and a pillow on it for me to sit. They made us feel like royalty because of the tremendous love and respect which they demonstrated. We asked how they like living in South Africa they said it was wonderful. They said "there is so much poverty in Zimbabwe and it is much safer in South Africa". Their appreciation for their new home, as humble as it is, gave us a renewed and deeper appreciation for the blessings we enjoy. We hope this story might do the same for each of you.

We love the work to which we have been called and we love Him who has called us. Our greatest desire is that all who we know and love will earn the rewards which come from living true to principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These rewards are incomparable and can be obtained no other way.

All our love,

Elder and Sister Watson

The picture above is Ntombizodma (Zoey) Singata, who is 9 years old and was baptized, along with her big sister Noshipo. We have told you previously about the Singata family being so special to us. Also special to us are Elders Warren and Hawkins, both from England. Elder Hawkins was trained in Motherwell and is now training Elder Warren here. Both are wonderful and dedicated missionaries who we love.

  

This is the Tungata family. Big brother (with tie) was baptized a few weeks ago and now he was able to baptize his younger brother, and his girlfriend. 

This is Zoey with our Branch Mission Leader, Makhosandile Gotyana, who baptized her. Love here smile and sweet spirit!

This is Nana who was baptized a few months ago. She just turned thirteen and is a faithful church member. We love her new hair due which is pretty typical of the beautiful braids which are worn by many younger women. Nana's natural hair is only 3" or 4" long