March 31, 2014 "One of our investigators stabbed another investigator..."

But this week has been great! We had solid lessons all week and then we had church.  We had Pauline, Sethu, and Temwa  at church which was great!! We took them to a baptism that the other ward was having.  After, all of them said that they need to be baptized! We set a date for them in class for the 20th of April! So we should have 3 baptisms which will be great! The hard work is definitely paying off! Also this week Pauline moved out of her boyfriend's house and left him.  She knew that she couldn't get baptized if she was living with him and he wouldn't commit to marriage so she left! That to me shows so much courage and a desire to serve the Lord! She has 3 kids with this guy and she was still so willing to follow in the Savior's footsteps to be baptized.  

We also had one of our investigators stab one of our other investigators. He got really mad and got a knife and stabbed him... The guy said if that would have happened before we met him he probably would have killed The boy which is a scary thought... but that made me think even though we can't baptize this man the Lord put us in his life for a reason and I believe that this is the reason.  To save both of their lives.  He had to go to the hospital and get stitches and doesn't even want to report it to the police.  However, I just feel bad for This boy.  He never seems happy and it would be so hard to grow up without a dad like he is.  He really only talks to me so I need to talk to him and tell him how bad that could have been.  Other than that, things are good!! I really don't get sad...  its just my personality so I guess that is good.  Mom thinks that I am keeping that from her but I really just am this way.

Much love, Jon

The boy is 13 and The man is 35. My companion is great! We are really getting along however this is my last transfer with him. So only 1 month left then I will stay in the area and he will leave.  The church is nice! It looks like a typically LDS church and last week we had 129 people attend which was great!!

Emmie was taken until they can get the adoption papers done.  I wish we could adopt her.... haha but yes brother Phanyaphanya is doing amazing.  Hopefully they can figure out why he is losing blood soon! They are always happy! The Africaaners are tough. It is really hard for me to talk to them tracting cause I know they will just say no. Elder Van heerden usually talks to the whites and I usually talk to the blacks... hahah

I went to the city and wow it is poor and quite scary.  I was the only white person. It is crazy to see how satan has taken control of so many people there... It is sad but everything is cheap there so that is why we went.

I miss your food by the way.... shame I am not the best cook

hahah we should! (Suzi told Jon we should try and adopt Amy)  but I think Temwa is trying to but there is prostitution everywhere. It is dirty a lot like Vegas

March 25, 2014 "Kota"

This week was great.  I was very humbled this week though.  I had an experience with Emmie, the girl that Temwa took in.  We were at there complex visiting another person and Temwa wasn't home.  However, I decided I would go see if Bryan, the oldest son was home.  Right as I opened the door (we just walk in) I heard crying... I realized it was Emmie.  She ran up to me and just hugged me.  So I picked her up and she wouldn't let go. I think she is reminded when she is alone of how her parents would leave her for hours on end.  When I was holding her I was almost mad.  I wondered what did she do to deserve this life.  And then I realized that she is Heavenly Fathers daughter and that he loves her more than I can even imagine.  Ah...and my heart just ached for her. She finally stopped crying and I said a quiet prayer and I was comforted that she will be ok and that she was brought to Temwa so that one day she can grow up in the gospel.

Now I have more of an urge to get Temwa baptized and make sure that she has a solid testimony so she can raise her kids in the church.  I was quiet for the rest of the day because I see how much Heavenly Father has given me and then I think what did I do to deserve this.  Who am I to be sad that I didn't get this gift or not be grateful for the food I have in the fridge. Ahhh...I was mad at myself but it just makes me want to strive to be a better person.  And sorry that I have been using the home card. I gave Temwa some money to feed her kids so I needed to use it.  But other than that the week has been good!

We picked up another family and they seem very interested! They all sat around as we taught a lesson and the father, a black man, asked question after question and it seemed after the lesson they didn't want us to leave!! We have another lesson with them on Sunday!!  I also learned how to drive stick this week!! I realized how fun stick is and wonder why Americans like auto! So when I get home I'm going to find myself a stick!!! A day doesn't go by that I don't express how grateful I am for everything and what I have been given!! Thank you for everything!!

You guys need to make KOTA.  Look it up.  It is a quarter loaf of bread with chips (french fries) and all these different kinds of sausage and polony. haha Sounds weird but it would be fun for the family!! Google it or something

You are the best but I love the care packages. But you don't need to send them they are expensive! And you know how to drive stick???? I should be getting the other package this week I will let you know! I don't have any new names for the temple but brother Phanyaphanya is out of the hospital and doing well!! I will keep you updated!      

March 17, 2014 "4 New Investigators"

All is good in SA.  Thanks for all your love and support.  

This week was maybe one of the best weeks of mission yet!! We worked our butts off and got 4 new investigators and two of them are married which is awesome because that is what we have been praying for.  A family is what this ward needs and this could be the family for it.  We had our first lesson with them and they are very interested and had many questions that the gospel can answer.  I have realized how simple this gospel is and how satan makes it seem so complicated and sad.  However when we know our savior and try to draw closer to him in everything that we do, then we will experience that happiness and joy that we know that the gospel can bring.  I am also so grateful for the gospel and how it centers around families. I love teaching the plan of salvation so that I can bare testimony of families and how I know that my family will be together for eternity.  We had a lesson with Pauline and Sethu and this was an amazing lesson.  We felt prompted that we should go into it without a lesson and just talk about them getting baptized.  Sethu bore testimony that before she didn't know that she should get baptized but she realized that it is following the savior and she says she knows that she needs to do it.  Pauline knows that she does too. She said she might even need to leave her boyfriend who she has 3 kids with because he won't marry her.  She said God comes first in my life and I will do what ever it takes to follow my Savior.  After that we gave them blessings.  What was said in both of those blessing did not come from me or elder Van Heerden.  We both could tell that the spirit comforted them and strengthened them with the words that came from our mouths.  After, everyone was quiet and it was as if the spirit was just telling us to listen and feel the comfort and the love that the savior provides for us.  I am so grateful for the spirit in my life and how it strengthens me so much and makes it so I can follow in the Saviors footsteps.  Well that is all I have about this week.  I love you guys and I  can't wait to spend ETERNITY with you guys.  

I am learning that when I put God first in my life I am blessed. So, I realized that if I leave a transfer early and go home for school that is putting the worldly things ahead of God.  I realized that I have been called to serve for 24 months and that is what I think and believe I need to do.  I know that I will be blessed for it in the long run. What do you guys think?  Also, I got the package with the cream and the candy.  All the missionaries in the flat loved the candy! I have gotten so close to the zone leaders because we share a flat with them.  I want to be able to be like them and work work work like they do! Love you guys!! 

Also, try to give away a BoM this week. Whether it be at work or at the store! It will be cool to see if you can!!

Thank you for the response, I love you!  It's interesting I can feel that those who have passed on are in my life daily guiding me. Even Grammy. I have to go but I love you guys so much!!! Dad give mom a hug for me and don't let go till she gets bugged. hahahaha

Elder Olson

March 10, 2014 "100 Rand"

All

It's missionary Monday.  It is so great to read all the missionary emails.  Suzi woke up in the middle of the night when Jon's email came in (of course) and had a little interaction with him.  He shared a very spiritual experience with her, it is one that we will let Jon share as he wishes. We were truly touched to see the Lord's hand in his life.

Hello family!  This week was great.  Another quick week went by and I am still happy!! One of my investigators is really coming along!  Themwa the single mom with two boys! This week she took in a 3 year old girl named Amy because her parents just abandoned her.  Amy doesn't even know how to speak because her parents gave her no attention.  She is coming along though and is extremely happy! I told Themwa she will be blessed for this action and she agrees!  She sent me a text the other day and said she doesn't really have money to buy food for them.  I gave her 100 rand to help right away then told her to talk to bishop about the welfare program.  She almost cried when I gave her the money even though to me it really isn't that much.  It was cool to see.  Her date for baptism is April 6th and I am confident that she will get it.  That will probably be my first because Peter still can't find the money to buy his passport and the church can't help because he is illegal right now.  I love Krugersdorp but it is hard when people just yell at us for trying to talk to them.  What I realized last night is I have to be able to do anything for my investigators because that is showing the love that Jesus has for us.  Through me doing this I can show that this church is about love and sacrifice and that I love them so much I want them to experience this great blessing that will bless them for eternity!  That's all I have for this week.  I forgot to take pics with my investigators so I will send those next week!

I haven't received your package yet, but I heard that it takes sometimes 1 month to get here so we will wait patiently.  Also when you send a package put a picture of Jesus on it.  As weird as that sounds it works!!  Yes I do have names for the prayer role.  Thando, Luhle,  Shemaiah, Michaela,  Mzwandile (dad) Thando (mom) last name is Phanyaphanya.  I know mom already did but they need it more than ever.  The dad is in the hospital again and he is losing blood and they can't figure out why. 

All of the missionaries in the flat decided that we are going to get dedicated to working out.  We are taking pictures now and then another in 6 weeks.  Whoever improves the most wins! haha I think I got this in the bag!  (Jon sent his picture for the competition.  I didn't include it because I know everyone had enough of his flexing when he was home.)

March 3, 2014 "Safari"

All
We hope you are doing well.  Jon went on a safari today and so he ended up emailing much later than normal so we had a little “back-and-forth” with him.  He is doing great and is happy.  Attached are a few pictures from the safari.
Thanks for all your love and support.

I just got back from a safari so we did emailing later! 

Shame about the car though!! At least Abe is ok though.  I hope all is well, but before I answer questions I want to tell you a story.  So we were at new missionary orientation and we were talking about the tender mercies of our Heavenly Father and if we have experienced any on mission yet.  I felt prompted that I should share a story that happened to me.  So this was my second week out and we were doing a lot of tracting.  We did about three hours a day for about three days.  Half way through the second day I became discouraged so I started pouring my heart out to my Heavenly Father in personal prayer.  I was praying that our hard work would be noticed and if we could please receive an investigator.  I prayed and prayed and still no one let us in their gates.  This was the third day and we only had appointments left for the day and I knew it would be pretty much impossible for us to get an investigator.  However I still prayed for one.  Our last appointment of the day was with a recent convert and when I walked in I saw that he had a friend with him.  Right away I directed my attention to him we started teaching him the restoration of the gospel.  He has been coming to church and meeting with us.  When I told this it brought both me and President Omer to tears.  The spirit was so strong in the room.  At that moment I knew that I am not a good missionary. I have nothing to do with my success but the spirit is the reason for all of my success.  I also learned the lord will bless us.  He may not bless us right away but he will ALWAYS bless us for hard work and obedience.

This week was great!! I am working hard and I feel like that I don't even need anymore training! We keep teaching the investigators that we have they are all progressing. Themwa came to church this week and really enjoyed it, which made me so happy! I experienced my first fast and testimony meeting and wow it was powerful. There was a line of people waiting to bare their testimony! I am learning a little bit of Afrikaans but not a lot.  Just enough to say hi and how are you.  My goal this week and what I will be praying for is to find a father and family.  Or even a strong young man that could be a great leader and priesthood holder.  In Krugersdorp we need strong roots (priesthood holders) so the branches don’t break.  So it is a missionary’s responsibility to make that happen.  I want to stay in this area as long as possible. I want to see the difference in the ward.  We are already starting to see it but I know we can double the progress. 

I got a haircut.  It has been raining here the past few days. Usually it just rains at night but it has during the days constantly. 

I usually don’t take my camera into the hood but I will one day! Will you guys pray for peter he is one of my investigators.  He can’t get baptized unless he gets his passport renewed but he cant afford it.  The lord will provide a way with prayer and faith though. 

This is from our car.  (Picture of lions)  It was scary but so cool at the same time. They are huge animals.  I’m going to make sure I have one as a pet during the millennium.

Tell Mimi good luck with her surgery and that I miss her and will be praying for her!! Tell President Dunn and Sister Dunn hello for me and they can email me if they would like!

(Here is a letter from him mission president.)

Dear Elder Olson,

I am so glad that you are reading and drawing strength from the Book of Mormon. The Book is such a powerful witness of the Savior and provides such clarity to the principles of the Gospel. You mentioned getting tired. This work is tiring and demands a great deal from those who are willing to do it with faith. In the end "missonary tired" is a great kind of tired to be feeling. I can tell you have come here to "be about your Father's business." Thank you for having that commitment to the work! President Omer