Well its been a great week! I don't want to jinx it but its been much cooler this week! I think winter is just around the corner! So I guess my last summer in Africa is coming to an end. Usually when things end I hate it but I am SO excited! I love winter!
Our area is doing well. We have found quite a few new people. We found this guy last week and he was kind of dodging us and not really interested so we finally met with him again and taught the restoration over again. He had a total change of heart. He seemed totally prepared and loved it. Then yesterday we met with him and taught him about the Book of Mormon and he loved it and understood it so well. We had been praying that people would be prepared and he was prepared right before our eyes! It was awesome!
We also fasted with two of our investigators. Their family is not really happy about baptism and I have never seen any investigators with stronger testimonies right at the start. They are so faithful! So we fasted with them and it was a really cool experience. I know the Lord will prepare a way. Its just a matter of waiting for HIS timing.
OH.....so it seems like people die here left and right!!!!! EVERY weekend with out fail we are invited to a funeral. Elder Fozard and I went to an inactive members funeral and xhosa funerals are the best, we clap sing and jive (dance). haha it was so fun and then after the TWO hour funeral of fun we have the after tears where we eat. There is always a big line but they make the melanges (whites) go the front. Which is a little uncomfortable but maybe its because I look malnourished and not because I'm white? haha but it was fun and don't get me wrong we don't just funeral crash we really do mourn with the family. It was sad to see them bury their loved one and we were not as rude as I sound its just an experience we never get back home and no one knew we were having as much fun as we were. Maybe I shouldn't share this I sound really bad. but funerals are so different here.
I forgot it was St. Patties day. I love corned beef and cabbage but its all good. I will be there next time. It sucks seeing my comps and district prepare to go home, especially Elder Fozard, but I know it will be all good it will be lonley for a while but it will get better then I will be home before you know it. It goes too fast most of the time. Well I miss you all so much and I'm so thankful for all everyone does for me while I am serving. I am so grateful for my family and all that they do for me. I have been so blessed and I know I forget that sometimes. I am so lucky to have so many people who write and give me strength. I am so spoiled! Well I hope everything is going well love you!
Love,
Colton
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Rat Dog 03/12/12
Hello All,
We are walking down the dirt road and we hear barking around the corner so as usual we each pick up a brick and prepare to throw it. As we turn the corner we stop and and look down, my Ugandan companion says Elder.....Is that a dog? I look down and laugh so hard....... " a Chiwawa!" I haven't seen one of those in FOREVER! hahaha he is still confused at what it really was hahaha. The town ship dogs are usually mean and hungry so we have to defend our selves but even I wasn't to scared of the Rat dog.
We have had a great week this week. We were able to find four new investigators and were pretty excited about them. They were all found this weekend so we have appointments this week. I pray they go well!
We had a great lesson with our recent convert. She is AWESOME she is in ALMA in the Book of Mormon and she understands so well. She has one child and stays by herself. Her husband left her in 2007 and she hasn't heard from him since. She is so self reliant. At the same time she is so very poor. She makes African beads to sell. She is so humble. She does know about the church welfare program but would never ask. So the other day we had an awesome lesson with her and when we were walking out we saw the Van Sickles pull up with the Relief Society president. We went and talked to them and they said the Bishop stopped by to visit our recent convert and realized how she had nothing! He had them go to get a list of food that she would need! When they asked her to make a list she didn't know what to do she has never received help before and was so confused at what to ask for that she said "can I give you the list tomorrow!!!!!! Man, we do not know how good we have it! My heart melted when I herd this. She is so faithful and has great trust in the lord. I know it is because of her obedience and faith that she was able to find the church and is know receiving help that she never even expected. I LOVE THESES PEOPLE!
We have been working hard with less actives while still trying to build our teaching pool. We have been teaching these two sisters they are the most powerful investigators I have ever had. They would NEVER miss church but their mom doesn't want them to be baptized now, obviously their old enough but it would cause problems in the family. So we are going to visit their aunt who has al ot of control with the mom. We will fast and pray with them so hopefully they can be baptized!.
So the other day we were visiting Siphokazi, a recent convert and her son Pakamisa the 6 year old with down syndrome, and he put a hair piece on and said in xhosa " I'm Oprah" hahahahahahahaha I about died. That kid is so funny!
Well as you can see the week was good. I got letters which was great! And Brooke, yes I got the tape but don't chance sending stuff with out the Jesus stickers again hahahahahah. It was an awesome tape, thank you! MOM and LAURA happy birthday yesterday! I hope you both had great days! And Grandpa B happy birthday tomorrow, ya old fart. Have a great week love ya.
We have had a great week this week. We were able to find four new investigators and were pretty excited about them. They were all found this weekend so we have appointments this week. I pray they go well!
We had a great lesson with our recent convert. She is AWESOME she is in ALMA in the Book of Mormon and she understands so well. She has one child and stays by herself. Her husband left her in 2007 and she hasn't heard from him since. She is so self reliant. At the same time she is so very poor. She makes African beads to sell. She is so humble. She does know about the church welfare program but would never ask. So the other day we had an awesome lesson with her and when we were walking out we saw the Van Sickles pull up with the Relief Society president. We went and talked to them and they said the Bishop stopped by to visit our recent convert and realized how she had nothing! He had them go to get a list of food that she would need! When they asked her to make a list she didn't know what to do she has never received help before and was so confused at what to ask for that she said "can I give you the list tomorrow!!!!!! Man, we do not know how good we have it! My heart melted when I herd this. She is so faithful and has great trust in the lord. I know it is because of her obedience and faith that she was able to find the church and is know receiving help that she never even expected. I LOVE THESES PEOPLE!
We have been working hard with less actives while still trying to build our teaching pool. We have been teaching these two sisters they are the most powerful investigators I have ever had. They would NEVER miss church but their mom doesn't want them to be baptized now, obviously their old enough but it would cause problems in the family. So we are going to visit their aunt who has al ot of control with the mom. We will fast and pray with them so hopefully they can be baptized!.
So the other day we were visiting Siphokazi, a recent convert and her son Pakamisa the 6 year old with down syndrome, and he put a hair piece on and said in xhosa " I'm Oprah" hahahahahahahaha I about died. That kid is so funny!
Well as you can see the week was good. I got letters which was great! And Brooke, yes I got the tape but don't chance sending stuff with out the Jesus stickers again hahahahahah. It was an awesome tape, thank you! MOM and LAURA happy birthday yesterday! I hope you both had great days! And Grandpa B happy birthday tomorrow, ya old fart. Have a great week love ya.
Love,
Colton
Monday, March 5, 2012
No Time 03/05/12
It has been a great week. We had zone conference and it was amazing. We had a training on working with less actives. It has been a huge focus in the mission and its not easy work. People often forget the sacred covenants they make and we are all here in this life to help and lift one another. One of those covenants is to serve others. We can do that by going to church with the thought in mind " who can I serve today". We can also help others to keep active in church so they can receive the blessings the lord has to offer them. We learned a lot more then just this, but I really like those few points. We also learned a lot about prayer and what a meaningful prayer really is. I'm getting kicked out of the email shop now because its closing. I am really working on having meaningful prayers. I know that our Heavenly Father is there and that he loves us. I know he will answer us. Our area is doing good. Its been one of those weeks where everything just drops but we spent the time working with less actives and recent converts. These people are legit! Our area is on fire and I love this work. I sent off a few letters and grandma I got your letter. Thank you! MOMMA HAPPY BIRTHWEEK!!!!! I love you all, sorry this is a lame email I will spend more time on one next week.
Love,
Elder Balmforth
Love,
Elder Balmforth
Monday, February 27, 2012
02/27/2012
HELLO!!!!
Its been a great week! We have been so busy visiting every member on the ward list. This week we finally finished our area. It felt so nice to have it done! Now we are finishing a large map with stickers indicating Strong Priesthood, Aaronic priesthood, Less actives, Actives and in actives. We are giving the map to the Bishop and the Elders quorum Presidency. It will help with their home teaching and will help strengthen the ward by bringing back Less and in active members. We can already see the fruits of this work. When we got here they averaged 120 in sacrament meeting and now its any where from 170-200. Relief society was packed with chairs in the hall way and Priesthood was also incredibly full. Its just been so good to see this great change. The ward and the Van Sickles have worked so hard and it is paying off. We have also built our teaching pool by sharing this message with part members or friends of members. Automatic support! We have many investigators we are just trying to make their baptismal dates a little more solid and help them progress more. I have felt the spirit with us so strong as we have been in our area and I love the constant companionship of the holy ghost. It has been great to teach a mission prep class in the ward. We have 13 students and 10 already have their mission papers to start filling out. This last lesson was on personal worthiness and I tied it in to obedience to mission rules. I t was so easy to testify how important those things are because of how amazing the spirit is and how this work is impossible with out it. This week on Wednesday we went to PE to pick up the zone leaders so it was nice to get away for a couple hours. We went to McDonald's and when we walked in you will never guess who was there>>>>the Van Sickles! haha they had taken 4 young members to the doctors in PE for there mission papers and they were just getting them lunch after so they bought us lunch too. The lord new I was broke! Elder Ssemanda and I have been living off on chapatties and mince. They are filling and fattening, which is exactly what I need! I haven't gotten any post in 3 weeks because the office hasn't sent it! I don't know why. But its okay. I'm sure I will get a ton this week. Well, I love you all and miss you. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Balmforth
Its been a great week! We have been so busy visiting every member on the ward list. This week we finally finished our area. It felt so nice to have it done! Now we are finishing a large map with stickers indicating Strong Priesthood, Aaronic priesthood, Less actives, Actives and in actives. We are giving the map to the Bishop and the Elders quorum Presidency. It will help with their home teaching and will help strengthen the ward by bringing back Less and in active members. We can already see the fruits of this work. When we got here they averaged 120 in sacrament meeting and now its any where from 170-200. Relief society was packed with chairs in the hall way and Priesthood was also incredibly full. Its just been so good to see this great change. The ward and the Van Sickles have worked so hard and it is paying off. We have also built our teaching pool by sharing this message with part members or friends of members. Automatic support! We have many investigators we are just trying to make their baptismal dates a little more solid and help them progress more. I have felt the spirit with us so strong as we have been in our area and I love the constant companionship of the holy ghost. It has been great to teach a mission prep class in the ward. We have 13 students and 10 already have their mission papers to start filling out. This last lesson was on personal worthiness and I tied it in to obedience to mission rules. I t was so easy to testify how important those things are because of how amazing the spirit is and how this work is impossible with out it. This week on Wednesday we went to PE to pick up the zone leaders so it was nice to get away for a couple hours. We went to McDonald's and when we walked in you will never guess who was there>>>>the Van Sickles! haha they had taken 4 young members to the doctors in PE for there mission papers and they were just getting them lunch after so they bought us lunch too. The lord new I was broke! Elder Ssemanda and I have been living off on chapatties and mince. They are filling and fattening, which is exactly what I need! I haven't gotten any post in 3 weeks because the office hasn't sent it! I don't know why. But its okay. I'm sure I will get a ton this week. Well, I love you all and miss you. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Balmforth
Monday, February 20, 2012
Hot in PE 02/20/12
Hello every one!
Its been a great week! I'm sure my emails are sooooooo much more boring then Katee's, but oh well! things here are going good. Its a hot mother today so I'm happy its p day so we don't have to walk around in the heat!. I have a new companion named Elder Ssemanda. He is really cool. He is from Uganda. We are having a blast. He can make chapattis. It is like tortillas but better so I think we will have that soon! We also get to drive to PE to pick up the zone leaders so we might get McDONALDS!!!! I hated mcds before but its a rare thing now! Our area is doing great. We have built a really strong relationship with the ward.
Things are going well. We have been working hard to re activate and also strengthen all the recent converts. Can you believe that over 40 people were baptized in ONE ward in ONE year! I can't! The sad thing is that they are not all active. So its been a lot of fun work to help strengthen them. Little do they know I am probably the one being strengthened. They are such amazing people. We are working with one right now who is struggling with some obedience issues. His story is really cool though it all started with one small step in the wrong direction. Satan is so clever to help us make one small mistake and then he leads us in the a huge pile of sin. That is why exact obedience is so important! Stupid Satan! Well our recent convert is so strong we have been focusing on the healing powers of the atonement and I will lovingly say anyone who doesn't believe that there is a savior has not done their research and has not prayed about it! I know that Heavenly Father sent his son to suffer and die for each of us. He has felt our pains and our temptations and our griefs. I know he has. Becasue of that atonement we are able to be made clean. I'm so thankful for the atonement! Thanks for all you do I love and miss you.
Love,
Colton
Its been a great week! I'm sure my emails are sooooooo much more boring then Katee's, but oh well! things here are going good. Its a hot mother today so I'm happy its p day so we don't have to walk around in the heat!. I have a new companion named Elder Ssemanda. He is really cool. He is from Uganda. We are having a blast. He can make chapattis. It is like tortillas but better so I think we will have that soon! We also get to drive to PE to pick up the zone leaders so we might get McDONALDS!!!! I hated mcds before but its a rare thing now! Our area is doing great. We have built a really strong relationship with the ward.
Things are going well. We have been working hard to re activate and also strengthen all the recent converts. Can you believe that over 40 people were baptized in ONE ward in ONE year! I can't! The sad thing is that they are not all active. So its been a lot of fun work to help strengthen them. Little do they know I am probably the one being strengthened. They are such amazing people. We are working with one right now who is struggling with some obedience issues. His story is really cool though it all started with one small step in the wrong direction. Satan is so clever to help us make one small mistake and then he leads us in the a huge pile of sin. That is why exact obedience is so important! Stupid Satan! Well our recent convert is so strong we have been focusing on the healing powers of the atonement and I will lovingly say anyone who doesn't believe that there is a savior has not done their research and has not prayed about it! I know that Heavenly Father sent his son to suffer and die for each of us. He has felt our pains and our temptations and our griefs. I know he has. Becasue of that atonement we are able to be made clean. I'm so thankful for the atonement! Thanks for all you do I love and miss you.
Love,
Colton
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sooooo Tired!!! 02/13/2012
Hello,
I know that if I don't write I will be in trouble. I am soooooo tired. We moved into a new apartment this week and it is HUGE! So empty but it's nice. It has just been exhausting moving plus I didn't sleep much last night so I'm sooooo tierd. Which is why this email will be short and if I don't respond to other personal emails I'm sorry. I really am. But we had the open house on Saturday and it was so much fun! It was a huge success. There were TONS of non members and while the youth washed their cars we gave them a chapel tour around to the different displays. Every one loved it and we have a lot of people to go visit! I'm so excited. it was alot of work but a very creative finding method. So I found out I will be staying and I'm so happy! I'm learning alot in this area. Elder Mooki is going to Cape Town so that's too bad and my new companion will be Elder Ssmanda from Uganda. I hear he is a good cook. I sure hope so. I am on the last belt loop on my belt I can't get any skinnier, none of my pants fit right any more. I could use more fat hah. So hopefully we will see that soon. Elder Pearson is going to the office so he can heal quicker. Poor guy, he will enjoy the office though. Elder Cowey is replacing him so that is sweet. I hope I can handle two English guys in the district haha, but I love them both they are awesome. They are two of my favorite elders. AGAIN I had so much to say and I left my planner at home!!!! But more about the open house. I loved seeing the ward come together and help all of the visitors. The spirit was so strong and I just knew that is where Heavenly Father wanted them to be. It was amazing. I'm sorry this is short I love you all. I got two letters this week from my grandmas! Oma and Grandma Harward. Everyone knows I have the best two grandmas because I usually get a letter from each every week! Today we are going to PE and the Van Sickle's are taking us out to eat. They are awesome! Well I love you all, have a great week.
Love,
Colton
I know that if I don't write I will be in trouble. I am soooooo tired. We moved into a new apartment this week and it is HUGE! So empty but it's nice. It has just been exhausting moving plus I didn't sleep much last night so I'm sooooo tierd. Which is why this email will be short and if I don't respond to other personal emails I'm sorry. I really am. But we had the open house on Saturday and it was so much fun! It was a huge success. There were TONS of non members and while the youth washed their cars we gave them a chapel tour around to the different displays. Every one loved it and we have a lot of people to go visit! I'm so excited. it was alot of work but a very creative finding method. So I found out I will be staying and I'm so happy! I'm learning alot in this area. Elder Mooki is going to Cape Town so that's too bad and my new companion will be Elder Ssmanda from Uganda. I hear he is a good cook. I sure hope so. I am on the last belt loop on my belt I can't get any skinnier, none of my pants fit right any more. I could use more fat hah. So hopefully we will see that soon. Elder Pearson is going to the office so he can heal quicker. Poor guy, he will enjoy the office though. Elder Cowey is replacing him so that is sweet. I hope I can handle two English guys in the district haha, but I love them both they are awesome. They are two of my favorite elders. AGAIN I had so much to say and I left my planner at home!!!! But more about the open house. I loved seeing the ward come together and help all of the visitors. The spirit was so strong and I just knew that is where Heavenly Father wanted them to be. It was amazing. I'm sorry this is short I love you all. I got two letters this week from my grandmas! Oma and Grandma Harward. Everyone knows I have the best two grandmas because I usually get a letter from each every week! Today we are going to PE and the Van Sickle's are taking us out to eat. They are awesome! Well I love you all, have a great week.
Love,
Colton
Monday, February 6, 2012
Hey, This Book really does work!! 02/06/2012
Hello,
I have so much to write about and I wrote it all in my planner and then, I left it at home!!! Before I forget Happy Birthday Liz and Grandpa. I know Grandpa is happy celebrating his birthday in heaven. This week was an answer to probably a lot of prayers. It was rainy and very cool all week long! I had all my energy back by Wednesday and it was awesome! I have been beating myself up about being so slow in the hot sun but this week was such a blessing. Now its super hot but if the Lord can work for me then I will work for him! Actually I would work for him anyways. But this week was good. For the past couple of weeks we have been planning a church open house for the community and it has been a lot of work for the whole district. Its going to be huge. It will have a free car in the parking lot and then in the building we will have different displays (Restoration, Book of Mormon, Temples,Baptism, Ect.) We are really excited and I hope people come. It has been announced on the radio and in the news paper. So things are looking good. There is an awsome couple here named the Van Sickles we LOVE them they have helped so much and elder Van Sickle is JUST like my dad so that's been cool! Also the Taylor's are amazing! The whole zone went to Ado Elephant Park today and that was a ton of fun. There are all kinds of animals like elephants, lions, zebra's, giraffes, except I didn't see the giraffe! It was a blast! We just drive around and get so close.
This week we met with Babalwa. She reminds me of my friend Mishon. Her brother in law is a recent convert and she is preparing to be baptized. I guess they decided to read the Book of Mormon when they didn't have much to do. They are both out of work and desperate to get jobs, so as they were reading, Vuyos (the brother in law) the phone rang and it was someone offering him a job. At the end of the phone call Babalwa put down her Book of Mormon and said, "#@!& that book really does work!!" hahaha I love Africans!!
I also know that that book, the Book of Mormon IS the word of God and it is true! Reading it will bring us closer to God and help us know how we can rreceive full salvation. I love you all and hope everyone is doing great! Oh and congrats on getting engaged Brad. That is so awesome!
Love ya!
Colton!
I have so much to write about and I wrote it all in my planner and then, I left it at home!!! Before I forget Happy Birthday Liz and Grandpa. I know Grandpa is happy celebrating his birthday in heaven. This week was an answer to probably a lot of prayers. It was rainy and very cool all week long! I had all my energy back by Wednesday and it was awesome! I have been beating myself up about being so slow in the hot sun but this week was such a blessing. Now its super hot but if the Lord can work for me then I will work for him! Actually I would work for him anyways. But this week was good. For the past couple of weeks we have been planning a church open house for the community and it has been a lot of work for the whole district. Its going to be huge. It will have a free car in the parking lot and then in the building we will have different displays (Restoration, Book of Mormon, Temples,Baptism, Ect.) We are really excited and I hope people come. It has been announced on the radio and in the news paper. So things are looking good. There is an awsome couple here named the Van Sickles we LOVE them they have helped so much and elder Van Sickle is JUST like my dad so that's been cool! Also the Taylor's are amazing! The whole zone went to Ado Elephant Park today and that was a ton of fun. There are all kinds of animals like elephants, lions, zebra's, giraffes, except I didn't see the giraffe! It was a blast! We just drive around and get so close.
This week we met with Babalwa. She reminds me of my friend Mishon. Her brother in law is a recent convert and she is preparing to be baptized. I guess they decided to read the Book of Mormon when they didn't have much to do. They are both out of work and desperate to get jobs, so as they were reading, Vuyos (the brother in law) the phone rang and it was someone offering him a job. At the end of the phone call Babalwa put down her Book of Mormon and said, "#@!& that book really does work!!" hahaha I love Africans!!
I also know that that book, the Book of Mormon IS the word of God and it is true! Reading it will bring us closer to God and help us know how we can rreceive full salvation. I love you all and hope everyone is doing great! Oh and congrats on getting engaged Brad. That is so awesome!
Love ya!
Colton!
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