July 14, 2014 "KFC"

So this week has been crazy.... at the beginning when I first came here the area was only teaching 18 lessons at the most a week.  There were some previous missionaries that didn't understand their purpose and kinda killed the area.  However this last week we taught 28.  I am not bragging but it is crazy to see the miracles that happen when we work hard and know our purpose.  So I have learned some very valuable lessons this week.

First, one day we were at kfc eating and this young man walked in.  Right as he walked in I felt I should go talk to him about the gospel.  However I was scared so I ignored it.  As we ate I could see him from the corner of my eye and kept thinking this guy needs the gospel.  It was as if something was physically pushing me to go but I kept fighting the impression.  Then I said to Elder Lucking that guy needs the gospel. Right as I said that he said oh the guy in the medical shirt? He even felt the impression!  Time went by and I didn't have anything to give him so I was about to go to the car but then he got up to leave.  As he was walking out he looked at us 3 times in curiosity and then left.  I didn't act on it.  After about twenty seconds I got up and tried to find him.  He was gone.   We got in the car drove around then got out of the car and walked everywhere looking for him.  We were too late.  I was so sad for the rest of the day! He was ready and prepared but I ignored it and now he doesn't have a chance to receive the gospel.  However I am so grateful for what I learned and have now promised to never ignore a prompting no matter how terrified I am.... 

So we are also teaching this young lady and she has been searching for a church for a long time.  She has been really scared to go to church and so on Wednesday we said you have to go that is the only way you will know if it is true! She committed to it.  She came and we were nervous cause she is quite shy! I was thinking to myself I hope she doesn't think this is all rubbish cause honestly I couldn't tell by her expressions.  Then after church she came up to us and said this church is true.. I got my answer! When am I getting baptized?? hahahah It was almost funny because it was so not real!

I Just had the coolest experience like two seconds ago.  When I left my flat today I saw a pass along card as I was closing the door.  I decided to pick it up and take it just in case I needed it.  So while emailing, this guy looked at me and I said oh we are missonaries.  He asked about it then I gave him the card and explained the Book of Mormon.  He is now looking it up on mormon.org hahahahaha the crazy things that happen on mission! Now he just asked me what makes me believe in Christ... I was able to bare a simple testimony.  I now have his number and am going to give it to the missionaries in his area! 

I am not lying this just happen 1 minute ago. 

I miss home but i bought myself a birthday present - some camo pants!! Also I would like to give Mpho some money for his mission.  He was working all day for 200 rand which is 20 dollars but quit because of the bad influence the guys were being on him. 

I need to go but about 100 dollars. He has no money and some of the money he saved his dumb brother spent.... I need to go but I love you thanks for all the pics on dropbox.  The dunns say hi they are awesome! 

MUCH Love, Elder olson! sorry I have to go I am going paintballing hahah

July 1, 2014 "KUNU ON"

I have also copied the final email he received from Pres Omer.  

Thanks for your love and support.

SO this week the gates of hell were opened up to us.... I kind of thought that the Lord let satan do everything possible to us to test our faith... At the beginning of the week elder Lucking got really sick and it was hard for him to work.  However he pushed through that.  Then Tuesday 3 of our app cancelled.  On Wednesday we had a powerful day planned then we got a flat tire and so we fixed it which cancelled one of our app.  Then we were driving to another app and our car broke down.  Then we waited for 3 hours for the guy to come and pick it up and that was the end of our day... haha I was so mad.  However we had an amazing opportunity to give a pregnant lady a blessing that we didn't even know.  Her husband isn't a member but she is and she was in our area and just thought we should give her the blessing.  So I was the one that did it.  I said something that after I realized I pretty much prophesied some things.... One of those things is crazy and I will let you know what it is next week if it happens after she has her baby.  But that was really cool.  There was also a time in the blessing when I tried to say something but the spirit constrained me from saying it.  I really don't know why but what I do know is that I didn't give that blessing.  I was just the lords mouth piece.  So after Wednesday we walked.... and our area is huge so we weren't able to make it to some of our app.   However the week ended great with a baptism for one of our investigators.  His name is Shaun and he is 16 years old.  He is so converted and it was definitely a special day.  So things are going well and I really am loving serving here.  Even with the rough week we still taught 18 lessons. 

Tomorrow I am going to meet the Dunns and I couldn't be more excited! Hopefully we can pick up a car while we are there haha.  Walking really makes the work hard where we are.  but ya that was my week! 

KUNU ON (By the way we kicked satans butt this week)

oh and i forgot I can't drive for 60 days because i got a ticket

Dear Elder Olson, 

We will certainly pass along that hug to your Mom! 

I can't tell you what a pleasure it has been to have you as one of our missionaries! Your thoughtful respect, your teachable nature and your humility have been so greatly appreciated by me and by Sister Omer. You came prepared and desiring to serve the Lord and you are doing so well. You are a trusted missionary and you will be a blessing to many as your mission and life continue. 

I also look forward to continuing our relationship post mission. In the meantime we will be praying for you and thinking about you. Please know of our love for you! President Omer

This the last email I received from President Omer..... 

June 23, 2014 "Killing it"

so this week has been amazing and I really don't know where to start... Well first off we taught 23 lessons this week.... and so that is a crazy achievement. and only 4 of those were member lessons.  Elder lucking and I are really killling it... haha but i need to stay humble so I don't have to get humbled! however I had a really cool experience this week.  We were talking to bishop and I asked him what needs to be done to strengthen the work in this area.  His response was that we need more priesthood holders.  This ward is really struggling with that there are twice as many women at church than men.  so that night  I prayed for a potential priesthood holder to come our way.  The next day we went to a members house to have a lesson with him and right before we were about to start his friend came and sat and listened as well... I was like what the my prayer was answered this quick! his friend isn't a member and now we are teaching him and I am almost positive this guy will be baptized.  It was crazy!!! but so I am also starting to learn some zulu which is really cool! elder lucking knows it enough to talk to little kids so that is how I want to be! and this week we played with a group of kids for awhile! we had to run from them so that they couldn't follow us! but I need to charge my camera so no photos today.  I will take lots this week!

Also sorry my emails are so short I am not to good at these things.  But if there are any specific questions then ask those. also it is very safe where I am. The only part that isn't is the taxis they are crazy but if I am not aggressive then it is safe.

Much love, Elder Olson

Suzi asked Jon what he wanted for his birthday.  Since it is difficult to send things, we are going to just put some money in his account and he can buy something there.  This is what Jon decided to do with the money.

Ok and I have an Idea for the money you are sending for my birthday... The guys here that are trying to go on mission can't afford it.  Of course the church helps with it but maybe that could be where it goes.  One of the guys in my ward that I have gotten really close to, his little brother spent his money that he needed to get a police clearence so now he has to sell his dreads to help pay for it.  Ya he cut of his dreads 2 weeks ago.... hahaha​

Much love, Elder Olson

June 9, 2014 "Saying goodbye"

Jon's latest.

Thanks for all your love and support.

He has finally figured out the value of sending photos.  One more email to come with photos.

So this week has been good! I have been saying my goodbyes to everyone and I actually got emotional saying bye to the Phanyaphanyas... They have such a special light about them and it was definitely harder to say goodbye to them than you guys.  Not that I don't love and miss you but I might never see them again and they have left a huge impact on me and my mission…  I found out Saturday that I am for sure leaving but I don't find out where or who I will be with till tomorrow! Its no fun but I have started packing which is full of mixed emotions... I am ready to leave but I want to bring

some of the people with me.  George when I said goodbye to him he couldn't let go of my hand and he just said please... please... don't forget me.  We taught him a lesson and at the end with it being my last time I bore my testimony and he was very touched.... I now KNOW without a doubt that this is where I am suppose to be after seeing how I have come to love so many of the people here.  It is amazing! However the work in the area is going through a transition.  There are not many investigators and the ones we have aren't extremely serious.  But I have a lot of trust in Elder Smith and I know it is in good hands

Also this week I eventually had to go to the doctor.  I had a very bad stomach infection and a very high acid intake which was very painful and so I decided to tell Sister Omer.  She got me in the doctors right away and it took about 3 days for the medicine to start working.  I was so grateful for her and how she treated me as if I was her son! I love them so much those two.  They are amazing and I had a great conversation with Sister Omer yesterday and we talked about how many of the same people we know! Their homecoming is July 20th so I hope the whole family can be there.  The talks you will hear will be inspirational!

Anyways have a great week! much love, Elder Olson

I wish I could be here for 5 years too... haha I really am loving it... I never thought I would get to the point where I don't want to go home.  I got a package but I have to pick it up today! So it is probably that one. I honestly can't wait to listen to the talk.  I am so nervous about where my new area is going to be I just hope it is township, which is where people live in shacks. Quite frankly I am sick of white people.... Here they are so rude haha but I sent the big email to mom this week.  Make sure you eat a tk burger and sharkys wings for me! hahaha?

FROM MOM:

Hi JON!!!

I hope that this letter is finding you HEALTHY and HAPPY!  I hope that you are in a new place and that that you are loving it.  If things have changed please tell us all about your new companion and area.

I am so sorry that you were sick last week. How are you feeling now?

You have been on my mind a lot this week. We are in Newport and although we love it here it's not the same without you. Everyone has commented numerous times how much they miss you. It's funny how different this years graduating class is from yours. There aren't as many kids and they are more mellow. I have watched them a bit and I think the reason I felt strongly about you going to school young was for friends. I think you all made each other better and you were meant to be a part of that group of boys. Don't forte about them. They were very influential in your life.

 I have also been thinking about family. I am so glad that we know we will be together forever. I don't think I have told you this, but if I have sorry. A few months ago I was in the temple and I was thinking about each on of you and the role you play in our family. I had the very strong feeling that Heavenly Father had a plan for us and that we were chosen specifically for each other. I had the strong impression that you and Abe were meant to be brothers and that you will counsel and strengthen each other in ways that no one else can. It was really cool and still makes me feel humbled thinking about it.  So, thank you for what you bring to our home. I love you!

I also taught a lesson about personal revelation and how if we are obedient and faithful our life can be guided in the right direction through personal revelation. The spirit was really strong. We had the girls spend twenty minutes in quiet contemplation to  feel the spirit and ask for direction in their lives. We asked them to share if they felt impressed and it was really cool to hear them talk about it. The spirit really does guide our lives if we allow it. I am really trying to listen and respond.

Annika and Jesse received their mission calls. It will be so awesome to have five Olson cousins out at once. They wanted to tell you where they are going so I can't. But I'm sure you know by now.

Madi is doing great!!  She is so beautiful and confident. Heavenly Father is really helping her right now. She's impressive!!

Abe is doing well. He is trying to play football and is being tough. His back is hurting him but he's hoping to build muscles that will support it.

We are hoping for him.

Lily is great. She's happy and the same. She is working on songs for you but she said they take time of she wants to get them to the point of recording.

Dad is great. He seems to have more energy lately. He is really turning into a softy and has a tender heart. He loves you very much and he is so proud.

Thanks for being my son. You are the greatest!

Remember...when the going gets tough the tough get going!!

Be obedient and hard working and many lives will be changed includingyours.

Loves and hugs and kisses!!!!!!!  I want you to know what an important part of my life you are.  I know that Heavenly Father knew I needed you. I love you!!

Mom

June 5, 2014 "Story from mom"

                                                                       Marks of a Man

As I jumped on board my flight from Miami to Salt Lake City, I paused for a moment to catch my breath. Seated near the front of the plane was an excited young man, probably 19, sitting with his parents. His hair was short and his clothes new and sharp. His suit was fitted perfectly and his black shoes still retained that store bought shine. His body was in good shape, his face clear, and his hands clean. In his eyes I could see a nervous look, and his movements were that of an actor on opening night.

He was obviously flying to Utah to become a missionary for the Mormon Church. I smiled as I walked by and took pride in belonging to this same Church where these young men and women voluntarily serve the Savior for two years. With this special feeling, I continued to the back where my seat was located.
As I sat in my seat, I looked to the right and to my surprise, saw another missionary sleeping in the window seat. His hair was also short, but that was the only similarity between the two. This one was obviously returning home, and I could tell at a glance what type of missionary he had been.
The fact that he was already asleep told me a lot. His entire body seemed to let out a big sigh. It looked as if this was the first time in two years he had even slept, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was. As I looked at his face, I could see the heavy bags under his eyes, the chapped lips, and the scarred and sunburned face caused by the fierce Florida sun.
His suit was tattered and worn. A few of the seams were coming apart, and I noticed that there were a couple of tears that had been hand-sewn with a very sloppy stitch.
I saw the nametag, crooked, scratched and bearing the name of the Church he represented, the engraving of which was almost all worn away. I saw the knee of his pants, worn and white, the result of many hours of humble prayer.
A tear came to my eye as I saw the things that really told me what kind of missionary he had been. I saw the marks that made this boy, a man. His feet - the two that had carried him from house to house, now lay there swollen and tired. They were covered by a pair of worn-out shoes. Many of the large scrapes and gouges had been filled in by the countless number of polishings.
His books - laying across his lap were his scriptures, the word of God. Once new, these books which testify of Jesus Christ and His mission, were now torn, bent, and ragged from use.
His hands - those big, strong hands, which had been used to bless and teach, were now scarred and cut from knocking at doors.
Those were indeed the marks of that man. And as I looked at him, I saw the marks of another man, the Savior, as he was hanging on the cross for the sins of the world.
His feet - those that had once carried him throughout the land during his ministry, were now nailed to the cross.
His side - now pierced with a spear. Sealing his gospel, his testimony with his life.
His hands - the hands that had been used to ordain his servants and bless the sick were also scarred with the nails that were pounded to hang him on the cross.
Those were the marks of that great man.
As my mind returned to the missionary, my whole body seemed to swell with pride and joy, because I knew, by looking at him, that he had served his Master well.
My joy was so great, I felt like running to the front of the plane, grabbing that new, young missionary, and bringing him back to see what he can become, what he can do.
But would he see the things that I saw, could anyone see the things I saw? Or would he just see the outward appearance of that mighty elder, tired and worn out, almost dead.
As we landed, I reached over and tapped him to wake him up. As he awoke, it seemed like new life was entering his body. His whole frame just seemed to fill as he stood up, tall and proud. As he turned his face towards mine, I saw a light about his face that I had never seen before. I looked into his eyes. Those eyes, I will never forget those eyes. They were the eyes of a prophet, a leader, a follower, and a servant. They were the eyes of the Savior. No words were spoken. No words were needed.
As we unloaded, I stepped aside to let him go first. I watched as he walked, slow but steady, tired but strong. I followed him and found myself walking the way that he did. When I came through the doors, I saw this young man in the arms of his parents, and I couldn't hold it any longer.
With tears streaming down my face, I watched these loving parents greet their son who had been away for a short time. And I wondered if our parents in Heaven would greet us the same way. Will they wrap their arms around us and welcome us home from our journey on earth? I believe they will. I just hope that I can be worthy enough to receive such praise, as I'm sure this missionary will.
I said a silent prayer, thanking the Lord for missionaries like this young man. I don't think I will ever forget the joy and happiness he brought me that day.

David Bryan Wiser

June 2, 2014 "Amazing experience"

I woke up today and said.... IS IT REALLY JUNE?  I couldn't believe it myself!  I have one more week here but honestly I am ready to leave.  I want to go to an area where I teach a lot!  I want to perfect my teaching skills because in this area I have definitely perfected my finding skills!  I have really come to love the people here though... It is going to be so hard to say goodbye so many of the people I have come to love.   

However I had an amazing experience the other day!  We were driving so we decided to start tracting and so we parked and went to knock on a door.  A man from across the street started to talk to me in afrikans and I was confused because he was black.  So I walked up to him and said I’m english.  He started to laugh and  said oh we don't have many of you guys here.  So i took this as an opportunity to share the gospel.  I had a nice conversation with him and gave him a pamphlet and walked away.  As we started walking I look at this guy that was just standing about 20 meters from us.  I felt very strongly that I should talk to him.  I introduced myself and said that we were missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He said I was walking by and heard you were missionaries... I live right up the street and want to know more.  We told him a little then he said that his wife was home and he wanted us to teach him now!  We walked with him to his house and taught a lesson to him and his wife.  This lesson was filled with the spirit and I know that they are ready for the gospel.  During the lesson the wife wouldn't even look at us and was very quiet and then two days latter we stopped by to say hello and she was smiling telling us she wants to go to church! There was such a light about her, it was amazing.  I know that they were prepared and I was grateful that the spirit worked through me and prompted me to talk to the other man.

Otherwise things are good.  This is going to be the only email I send this week I am in a big hurry to get back to the flat and rest.  I am quite sick. But don’t tell mom.  Here are some pics of a braai we had the other day.  The guy in the photo is Petros.  He is an amazing recent convert! 

(Thanks everyone for your support.  We appreciate you all.  We are excited for Jesse and Anika to get their calls this weeks.  It will be fun to have five cousins out at the same time.  Suzi read the email before I could delete the part about Jon being sick.  Now she is sick, but I'm sure they will both rebound.)

June 2, 2014 "BRAIIE"