Plentiful Bounty

Hello Momma,

      That is very cool about the fresh produce food bank you worked at on Thursday.  I’m curious who grows the produce?  Here in the south coast, and I might say all over Africa, they are very big on agriculture.  For people it is just normal to use their land to grow and cultivate a plethora of fruits and vegetables, many of which we don’t have in the states.  In most of the stores you can find a good deal of fresh produce, which I like a lot.  I spend a good deal of my money on produce and try to eat well.

      So here is the thing, today I’m in Durban emailing at a cafe that is filthy with computer bugs.  I durst not put any of my memory devices in here.  I wrote in my journal what I want to share with you, but I’m going to send it via the Margate Branch computer later today, or the mission office computer tomorrow.  But I will inform you of the news.

      It’s transfers again (I almost can't believe it).  My beloved companion is leaving, and that I am sad about.  He has been so great, so happy and cheerful. He has such a warm heart, which has helped with bringing us together and has helped the work.  Now last night President Zackrison called.  He told me that the Lord wants me to train a new missionary again.  He said that he feels very good and very at peace about it.  I must remind you he has been in Africa one month, and I have seen president Von Stetten's mantle of authority pass over to him and he is definitely directed by the spirit in all his decisions.  This was good for me to hear because two weeks prior I had an impression that I should train in Margate, but I wasn’t going to tell my mission president that.  It was a confirmation that the Lord works in his own ways in his own time.  It’s beautiful.

      I got a letter from Mariah the other week.  We have been talking about the nature of our areas.  In her letter she said that on a couple occasions people have mistaken her and her companion for missionaries of another church.  I thought it funny because that is almost a daily occurrence for us.  I think this last week possibly 6 times have people taken us for missionaries of another church.  We are now trying to be very up front in letting people know who we are by telling them we are the "Mormons" (of course after we tell them we are from the ‘Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’).

      Anyways, I am really looking forward to training again.  My companion is Elder Brimhill from Mississippi.  These next two transfers are going to be powerful.  Things are changing in Margate and will continue to change.

I love you,

     Elder Gold

Editor’s Note:

      This week's continuation from last week's journal entry transcribed below in the previous post dated Monday, July 16^th, 2013:

      “….So, we are also four days into our forty-day-fast.  It is kind of hard for me to feel like I’m making a big change.  I’m not.  I am actually making small changes, sometimes imperceptible to me, though I feel like no progress is being made.  I know I need to remember that a very large ship is directed by a very small helm.  I pray my companion is also getting the spirit of our fast.”

      Landon included a photo of his journal entry that was written last night, and in it he proceeded to talk of different individuals who have been inactive for years and the progress they are making to come back to the gospel.  He mentions that he truly sees the difference their efforts are making in Margate.  He continues on by saying that,

      “Today at church we had six less active members in attendance.  It is nice to see all of them using their agency to make right choices.  For weeks prior we have been used as instruments in the Lord's hands in helping these individuals to realize their follies, and start on the process of repentance. 

      This evening we were visiting one of the less active members I’ve referenced.  I’ll call him Thaddeus, however it isn’t his real name.  I have a great hope in this man, who had knowingly turned from the gospel to live a hedonistic life-style.  I have seen in the last three weeks some very small progress as he is giving deeper thought to what we have been teaching.  Tonight, we had a very tender moment.  As we were bearing our testimonies he said to us, “You are going to think I’m crazy, but I can see God….  I can see God inside a person.  I can’t really describe what it is like, but it’s unlike anything else.  The last time I saw God in someone was when I was getting my patriarchal blessing.  I saw God in the patriarch, and now, I see God in the both of you.  Normally things don’t get inside my heart, but you, I mean God within you, has penetrated my heart.”

      Landon continues with his thoughts about this statement as he explains, “My feelings were tender as he spoke to us.  I know that what he saw was the light of the gospel influenced by the Holy Ghost, like the image of Christ in our countenance.  Oh my joy!  Oh my love and gratitude and thanks towards my God.  How grateful I am to be a part of this work.””

I Pray For Safety Often

Hey Mom & Everyone Else,

      You wanna know something funny?  Isn't it said that, ‘Once bitten by a dog, every dog in the neighborhood wants a taste?’  Well, since my encounter with that one dog, I have had four more near attacks. :p   I had to beat two dogs away with a sugar cane stick, me and my companion had to battle two more dogs in the middle of the street with stones, and a couple other close ones.  I hope you find the amusement in that, and not the worry.  I pray for safety often that the Lord does watch over us.  I trust in Him.

      Anyway, I wish I could have been there to hear those two young men give their mission farewell talks in sacrament.  I can really picture and imagine it, and I know that they are prepared because I know them and each of their characters.  It moves me to think about being apart of this work.

      Well, we know that there is a purpose in all things, right?  Since I have come to Margate, it has been very hard to find and teach investigators. However, we have given partial focus and have received tremendous success among the less active members of the church.  Anyway, we have located many less actives since I got here, and we have seen a few really deeply and sincerely start on a process of repentance.  It has been wonderful to see.

      My companion and myself also realize the need to be 110% in tune with the spirit in order to find those who are prepared.  We are starting a forty-day-fast to put away from our minds all things that will distract us and keep us from being the most successful servants of the Lord we can be.  By forty-day-fast I mean that we will not give into thoughts, feelings, or actions, which are not in line with our sacred calling.

      Thank you for your prayers, and all others who I know do likewise . . .  and not just for us, but for this cause of righteousness.  We need be fully engaged whether at home or abroad.  Please continue to pray for us, for yourselves, and all those whom we are striving to bring to the light of this Gospel.

With love,

        Elder Gold

Editor’s Note:

      After receiving Landon’s email I later opened an attachment that was his journal entry from a few days earlier.  I really liked the insight he gave to exactly what the Forty-day-fast was all about.  Here are his remarks.

      “Last week I received a letter from (a friend) who is serving a mission in the Kentucky, Louisville Mission.  She sent me a letter regarding a purification process they have been doing in their mission.  It was an answer to my prayers to receive this letter.  As I have been here in Margate, and looking at the nature of the area, I have realized that I cannot be an average missionary to be successful here.  My companion and I need to have greater faith, need to work harder, and need to be more obedient with exactness.

      The purification process she sent me was the experience of a Stake President (Church leader of many congregations) while he was on his mission.  He wanted greater strength and power, so he fasted for one day asking the Lord to show him all the things he did or thought about that took him away from the spirit and made him less focused and less effective.  Then for forty-days he did not do or think about those things.  Through the entire process his will became the Father’s will and he became a very successful missionary.

      I myself fasted today for that very purpose written about: That I might identify those things which keep me from being a most effective missionary, then for the next forty days, I will be giving those things up.”

      As I read this entry I was struck by how focused Landon really is on the purpose of his calling and just how much he is willing to do to get it right.  I am enormously impressed with his maturity and actions to be better.  There sure is a lesson to ponder in the reflection of his example.

P.S. . . . All Is Well With Me

Hello Family, 

     So, we have been having some great success in finding and teaching less active members these past few weeks.  There are many less active members who are not known by the branch (congregation), so there is no idea of who they are or where they are.   I’ve seen the hand of the Lord over us as we have miraculously found some individuals.  Our security guard is related to one family who no body knows.  Also, we were tracting on Saturday and met a girl in the street whose mother and uncles are also members and she directed us to them.  The Lord does love his children.
      The pelt is currently drying.  I’m sorry that this week my letter’s very short.  Time is just not with me.
      The treatment I am receiving for rabies isn't so bad.  That big ol' needle was straight in the leg.  The rest of my shots are in my arms.  I just go in on the days they tell me, get my shots, and leave.  Here's a photo of the countryside, which pretty much is Margate.  There isn't a far distance to get to the country, just a couple of kilometers.  The green plants are all sugar cane.  They plant sugar cane and bananas year round, and they are everywhere.

Elder Gold

P.S. All is well with me.

Modern Medicine and Priesthood Blessings

Dear Mom, Dad & Jordan (and all others who will read),

      Let me re-cant the past few days in the life of a missionary, starting with the temporal.  Wednesday night we were whizzing off to our last appointment.  The redneck gene that I inherited from dad reared to the sight of a dead animal on the side of the road.  We quickly turned around to examine and find out what it was, and we discovered it to be a serval (a wild predator cat).  Its pelt was beautiful, like that of a leopard.  It is a little bigger than a house cat with a long tail, pointy ears, and stout nose.  My first thought was, “Let’s skin it!”

      So, with the cat in the boot (trunk), we whizzed home . . . (our last appointment was notthere).  As you know, we have a security guard who watches over the house and us at night.  His name is Nkosi-khona (meaning ‘the king has arrived’).  Upon seeing us pull the serval out of the boot he happily expressed his desire to eat it.  Well, I thought to myself, “I found this thing on the road.  I don’t know how long it has been dead . . . Should I eat it??  DEFINITELY!!”  So, I went to work and skinned the whole thing.  Nkosi-khona proceeded to chop it into segments as Elder Chathyoka prepared the braai (BBQ).  The three of us sat around the fire and shared the cat.

      Thursday night we were in a village called Nosita.  We were visiting a less active family who has four very vicious dogs.  Upon leaving, two members of the family went out to make sure the dogs were not around.  I left the house and stepped into the dark night when the two members nervously said one of the dogs was there.  This battle-hardened veteran slowly

approached the two members keeping his eyes in my direction, giving a low growl.  They grabbed him and franticly told me to get inside.  Almost in an instant I understood why, as the dog ripped itself from their grasp and charged at me.  In an attempt to kick it, it landed on my left leg and for a few seconds threw me down like a stuffed animal.  Finally the members came
and, after kicking it hard, the dog released from my leg and left.  We went inside and found ripped trousers and a bleeding leg.  For all the damage done, I was shocked to learn the dog had only one tooth . . . I have 24 and all I could do was kick it.  They cleaned out my wounds and I went home.

      Friday we decided to tell Sister Von Stetten about the bite.  She told us to go back and make sure the dog had rabies’s shots.  Saturday we went there and, to no surprise, it was not current with any shots.  This is Africa.  By this time, we have gotten a new mission president,

President Zachrison.  I counseled with him, and there were two factors that led to the decision to go to the emergency room: #1, the spiritual impression he had that I should go (keep in mind that he landed in Africa the night prior, has never seen me, and is only talking over the phone).  #2, the terrible infection that was brewing in the wounds.

      Since I’m from over seas and don’t have medical aid in this country the cost for me to receive treatment is tremendously high . . . around 4000 Rand (approximately $400 US).  So, the Branch President Freddy came with us to cover the expenses.  Boy, am I glad we went to the hospital.  The doctor did not like what he saw.  Based on the infection, deepness of the bites, and situation he said the dog was rabid.  He told me that; “should you have put off coming in to the hospital a few more days, there would have been no treatment able to help you.”  He mixed a giant cocktail of Rabie-gamma, Tetanus, and other drugs in a giant syringe and injected me.  I will now be starting a 14-day course of rabie’s treatment to counter act the rabie’s.  I am grateful for modern medicine and priesthood blessings.  Both played a vital role in preserving me.  Also, while at the hospital they discovered I have ring worm.  Not to serious, but funny that all those things are happening.

      So, amid all those physical set backs, they don’t compare to the spiritual challenges.  This area is not easy.  We have had to start from scratch.  No investigators, and there is nobody to teach.  We have to go out and find them all.  You remember last week I told you about the Zoto family?  Well, we don’t have contact with them right now.  We don’t know why; they won’t answer our calls, respond to texts, and they are not home when we go by.  It looks like the same situation as Oren . . . and it breaks my heart.  I think it’s the closest experience I can have at this age that compares to that of a parent and a way-ward child; or Heavenly Father and us.  But, despite all, I have learned to keep a positive attitude.  If we dwell and complain and sulk, our strength is sapped, our faith shrivels, and we are not effective in this work.

      I really have a great companion.  Elder Chathyoka is from Malawi.  He joined the church three-years-ago despite terrible opposition from his family.  His father is a pastor/founder of another church in Malawi called ‘Tree of Life.’  They have about five or six branches.  His father reacted terribly to him joining the church, as the church in Malawi is seen as a satanic cult.

      Well, because of Elder Chathyoka’s faithfulness, his sister also joined the church around the same time.  She recently got a call to serve a mission in Kenya.  But that is not the main point.  The main point is that last Monday Elder Chathyoka got a short email from his mom saying that the WHOLE FAMILY is getting baptized.  Who is in the whole family?  Mom, Dad, six other siblings, and five extended family members who currently live with them.  We didn’t know what to think because there was not much detail in the email.  So, he got permission to call home.  He spoke with his older brother and confirmed it was all true.  They will be baptized the 14^th of July.

      What a miracle, his prayers were heard by God.  Because of his service, I know that the Lord has blessed him.  As I continue in this work, my testimony of it deepens.  I know this work is true.  I wish I could give all my time, the rest of my life.  I cringe that I have only seven more months remaining.  My hand is still to the plow.

I love you,

          Elder Gold

Editor’s Note:

 

            When receiving Landon’s correspondence this week the above photos were viewed yet, for a few hours, I was unable to read the words on the highly pixilated images sent of his journal entry that told the story.  Just think of how imaginative my mind got as I tried to conjure up the details of the story upon looking at the sequence of photos.  Once again, worry didn’t seem to overtake my emotions but a calm and methodical process took control.  The natural mom would of course be worried and concerned with such images, so my only explanation is that the spirit has helped in the process.  Yes, the photos and story told are exciting, humorous and shocking at points, but what I find wonderful about this letter is written in the final paragraph.  Landon tells of his companion’s family, all 13 members who will soon be baptized.  As I compiled this post I started to ponder how wonderful and miraculous this truly is.  Here we have a man whose son joined a church that he and many others throughout their country views as a religious cult, which I’m sure has brought much mistrust and concern.  Not only did his son join but also a daughter around the same time, and both will be serving as full-time missionaries.  This man is a religious man, so much so that he is the founder of a church, and not just a small church.  His church is rather large with five or six branches.  So, then I think about this being his livelihood and how he not only is providing for eight family members but another five extended family members living with he and his wife as well.  This man of faith has so many people in his household who depend on him for support both temporally and spiritually.  Imagine:  he has learned that the church his two children have joined is the restored Church of Jesus Christ and, through his own prayers and humility, gains a testimony of its truthfulness.  Now what?  Such courage I cannot fathom.  He now will leave the church he has built, the flock he has lead and the financial security he has created, and will be numbered among the saints…one of millions to follow the Saviors teachings and to join the greatest volunteer army this world has known.  Why would such a person give up so much you might ask?  Well, he truly knows that what he has been given is priceless above rubies by which there shall unfold mysteries of an eternal degree . . . for now he understands.

"What Jesus Do You Worship?"

Hello Mom, Dad and Jordan.

      Well what has happened this week?  A lot.  I’m still settling into Margate, not 100% knowing the area and some of the people but I will get there.  This is a great area (despite what others have said) and has so much potential.  Let me share something that has had a great impact upon me.  On Tuesday we went tracting in a township called Gamalakhe about 6 kilometers from Margate.  We intend on finding those who are prepared and ready to accept the gospel; and we can only do that being guided by the Lord’s hand.  We got out of the car and started walking through the dirt streets, a few taxi's passing us making a lot of noise.  We didn't really talk with anyone for five or so minutes.  We walked to a building that consisted of two levels and on each level about six single and separate rooms where people let (rent).  We knocked on the doors of all the upper rooms.  Nothing.  Went down to the road again and thought to keep walking but saw a man on the lower level dragging on a cigarette.  My companion called through the large metal gate that surrounded the lower level of the building to this man.  He approached.  We introduced ourselves, and a little hesitantly he asked if he could get his wife.  She came out and asked us first off what Jesus we worship.  Well, of course the true and living one who died on the cross and was resurrected the third day, who made a ransom for the sins of man, the only begotten son of God in the flesh.  She was satisfied with that answer.

      We went in and they had no room in their little room for us to sit, so they invited us to sit in their car.  We began to get to know them a little better, background, occupation, religious feelings.  We learned that this couple (married for 11 years and both in late 30's) had lost their first and only son about two years back when he was just one year old (he was stung by something).  She was crying and we felt compassion.  We opened to Moroni 8 in the Book of Mormon and read for them truth that spoke peace to their troubled souls and brought a peace that passes all understanding.  We left them the Book of Mormon to read (from Moroni 8 and Alma 32).  They invited us to come back two days later.

      On Thursday we arrived in the evening to meet the Zoto family (that is their name).  They were joyful to see us, and they were waiting and prepared.  They read both chapters and explained what they learned with perfect understanding that really only comes with a witness from the spirit.  We began teaching the ‘Plan of Salvation’.  It was music to their ears, and all the while the spirit gently confirmed the truth to everyone in that tiny room.  Halfway way through, I was prompted to extend a Baptismal invitation, which to me didn't seem the right time, but turned out to be.  It opened up the door for us to teach and testify of the restoration.

      Now let me summarize what took place:  They have tremendous faith.  When we asked them to pray they said they would, but also added that they already believe.  She shared with us that when we were at the gate (she has never let anyone religious come in), but something told her in her heart to go out and meet the two men.  Five months earlier she left the church she had been in for over 20 years, because she felt it was not right.  She had been pleading for God to show her the path.  She told us he has.  The father is equally as committed.  I have to be short in writing because my time is up, but that is the jest.

      I know God is leading and guiding and preparing people, that this is His work.  My heart is so joyfully glad to be here and to be an instrument.

I love you,

Elder Gold  

This Place is a Haven!

Hello Family,

       Well, still emailing at the chapel with restricted time but I can send photos now :)

       Okay, there is a lot to say. Let me try to say it all.

       We live in Uvongo, just four clicks from Margate.  I can’t believe president sent me here.  We are one and a half hours from the nearest elders, almost two hours from Durban.  ALL COASTAL!  We work the area between Port Shepstone and Port Edward.  It’s best comparison in all ways in Laguna Beach.  This place is a haven!  I see the ocean every day, sometimes just meters away.  I bite my tongue as I see empty clean waves overhead size.  But it is interestingly having a refreshing effect upon my spirit to be so close to the ocean again.  I just brim with joy despite all that lies ahead.

      So, Margate isn't going to be easy.  The branch has been here close to 55 years and has 74 members, only about 30 active.  It is a vacation and retirement community.  I had an interview with the mission president on Thursday and we spoke about the area and its challenges.  He confided a lot of trust in me, which gave me more confidence.  The Lord is expecting things from us.

      We live in a big house.  Three full bedrooms and a master, 2 bath (I have my own bathroom), large kitchen, 2 very large living rooms, car port, and extra outside rooms all on a piece of land about the size of half a football field... and its all ours... Oh, and we have a personal security guard who guards our property and us.

      My companion is Chathyoka from Malaui.  He is a very nice guy.

So my time is out.

Love you,

Elder Gold

Trying to Stay Focused and Work

Hey Familia,

  Thank you as well for your inspired letters.  Your letters have helped me a lot at times when I need it, and give me additional strength.  I do hear what other elders get from their parents; sometimes short, or bland, or full of information about the happenings of home that can sometimes distract.

      So the scriptures I wanted to get covered in animal skin have not yet come in. So I bought a little bit of leather today and when a pair of scriptures comes in I’m going to have the other elders bind it.  I thought about it and felt that the one pair should go to Jordan.  In fact that’s what I planned.  Hopefully he will appreciate them and gain a deeper love for the scriptures in the process.

      We went to this place called Victoria Street Market today as well, where they sell many souvenirs, traditional art work and such.  I don’t know when I’ll be back in Durban so I got some things that I’m going to send home.

      The week was a good week.  I’m trying to stay focused and work.  We had a lesson with a family that we hadn’t seen in a long while (a ma and her husband and young child).  Her questions revolved around infant baptism and why it is not needed.  Once again I saw the Book of Mormon shed clarity where there is confusion.  At the end of the lesson she said this:

      "I want to tell you guys something’s, and I hope it doesn’t freak you out; but I have to tell  you.  Every time you walk into my home, you bring a warmth and a light that I only feel when you are here.  I never feel it unless you're here.  There is a light around you, and I know that sounds weird, but I just need to tell you."

      I was very surprised at this, but we acted quick and told her what it was that she was feeling.

      We got this referral from the mission office for a man and his wife who stay in Westville.  We went to his home only to find out that he is a member (out of the church for 10 years).  He is still fairly young but married and has a child coming this or next week.  He has just had a change of heart after 10 years in the world. He just wants happiness.  We are teaching him like an investigator, and he is grabbing everything by the horns.  We have a lot in common (as far as roads walked), and relate really well to each other.

      Well, that’s my weekly report.  I’m currently reading the missionary chapters with Ammon and Aaron and those other fine missionaries.  So lifting.  I wish to be like them.

All my wishes and love,

God Speed.

Elder Gold