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