"Here Kitty, Kitty!"

Hi Mom,

      Ok, so, Elder Komakech is leaving.  I’m sad but it’s time.  He has been a fantastic companion and one that I’ve learned a lot from.  He is very humble and kind person which allowed me to improve my relationship with him.  Whenever I would mess up or made mistakes his kind and humble nature always helped me to become better.  It has been a great three months.

      My new companion is Elder Chabane, and I do not know him yet because we pick him up tomorrow.  He is South African.

      Last week, on our Preparation Day, Elder Komakech, Elder Francom, Elder Roberts and myself went to Natal Lion Park.  Just a footnote about Elder Roberts: he has been with me in areas of my mission ever since I went to Thaba Nchu.  He served as my zone leader there and now I’m his district leader and he is still my zone leader. Needless to say we have become very close friends.  He is from Tremonton, Utah.  He will be leaving next transfer.

      Well, back to talking about the small reserve we drove through last week.  It was very exciting, we had an absolute blast, and the animals we encountered were amazing.  When we first drove through the reserve we didn’t see anything for a long time, until my companion spotted four elephants in the distance.  The elephant herders brought them to us and we were able to see them up close.  We actually got to touch them.

      After driving through the reserve we drove into the lion cage.  This is where they keep approximately 17 lions and lionesses.  All that separated us from them were the windows of our car.  The lions actually are pretty tame though.  It was just very neat to see them even though they were not in their natural state.

      Let me transition to some of the missionary work going on right now.  We are teaching a 15-year-old girl who I will refer to as Laura.  She is living with her aunt and cousins who are members but less active.  Laura has just grasped the gospel so strong as we have been teaching her.  Amid her learning and growth it has offered her aunt an opportunity to help her in the gospel.  I think the most amazing thing is how much her aunt has grown just in helping Laura understand and receive the gospel. She started coming back to church, and Sunday after church at the end of a lesson she was tearful in telling us how she is so happy that Laura is progressing so well, and that she  "the aunt" is beginning to feel the spirit again and the love of Heavenly Father.

      We had a similar experience with another part-member, less active family on Friday.  I love working with the less actives because of my own experiences.  I know what it means to repent and to feel the warmth and light of the gospel and love of God after the dark night of transgression.  My heart really goes out to the individuals trying to get back into the church, because I’ve been there.

This work is so true.  I love it so much.

I love you mom,

Elder Gold

"Cry, The Beloved Country"

Hi Mom,

      This week was a spiritual one for sure.  We fasted and prayed a considerable amount as we try to bring about success where it’s needed in Pinetown.  We fasted to be able to find fathers and father-led families.  The Lord was kind by delivering a handful of individuals to us, as well as helping us retain some people we have been teaching.  On Saturday night six of us missionaries in the district were with the Senior Couple.  We ate dinner and watched a film.  A few months earlier we did the same, but watched a film on the church history in Africa.  It was very inspiring.  This time, however, we watched another film, but much to our surprise it wasn’t a church film.  It was called, “Cry, The Beloved Country,” and took place in South Africa near the beginning of apartheid in 1946. I wont say much about it, partly because I have too much to say.  Its story line deals with a complex and moving relationship between a black pastor and a white farmer and how the walls of racism are broken down between them.  The story also highlights the struggles and challenges of the natives during that time.  Those challenges still continue, even today.  Let me explain:

      We are teaching a man who I will call Teddy.  He is about thirty-years-old, is from a small farm town in Zimbabwe, and has a wife and two kids who still live there.  He left Zimbabwe after loosing all his money in a fraud business scam (probably having roots with the government).  Right now the government has a lot of problems and corruption is ramped.  So, in search of a better life Teddy came here in hopes of finding work.  Not long ago, after applying everywhere for a job, his passport, ID and other legal papers were all stolen.  After this unfortunate event he got job offers, none of which he could accept because he had no documents.  Teddy started doing local piece jobs, and people scammed him there as well (they didn’t pay him).  He is confined to selling trinkets at intersections, and is probably making somewhere around two or three dollars a day (maybe even less).  He really has nothing…one pair of pants, one shirt and a jacket.  He can’t even get money to go back to Zimbabwe yet, but he is trying.  I don’t mean to sound gloomy, but it paints the picture of his life and his reality right now.  Above all, through all of these challenges, he has continued to seek the Gospel.  Yesterday he walked 3 to 4 miles (one way) to get to church.  I’m so humbled by his determination to hold to the truth he has received thus far.  I'll continue telling you about him as the weeks go by.

I hope you are doing well mother.  I pray for you often.

I love you,

      Elder Gold