Uvuvuvuvwe onyetwegweuve ukuiau-Missionaries

This has been our quote for the week but I have absolutely no idea if it is spelled right so bear with me there.   This is from a trending video on the internet which people talk to us about. So we made qom remix of the name.  It was quite fun.  On to stories.

Story Number 1: DON'T COME BACK!  I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU HERE!

So this quote comes from one of my favorite ladies here in Mdantsane.  Her name is Sister K.  She is one of the ladies we deliver sacrament to,  she is hilarious.  Some where along the line of our conversation though I said, " One day, mama,  I could come back to see you."  She then told me the above quote.  She doesn't want me to come back to South Africa but she did say she would come visit me back home.  So I Invited her to my homecoming address in November.  Hopefully she will be there.  She is a wonderful Lady.  She reminds me a lot of my Mother.  Love you Mom.

Story Number 2: Amaqina

This is a food I got to try for the first time last night.  I have to say it was not actually to bad.  Not something I would want to have again.  The best part about it though was when they gave us the Chicken Feet and head.  I asked, "How the heck do I eat this thing?"  To which their reply was look at at Hlalumi.  Who I might add is five years old.  He then taught me how to eat chicken feet.  Moral of the story if you don't know how to eat something think like a five year old and figure it out.

Our tri-companionship will be just a companion. Our companion from Madagascar is returning to Madagascar so I will be training his trainee.  

Pray for rain. It is hot! In Cape Town a drought is very bad.  Little to no water, everyone rationing water.  In East London we are doing great.  Rainy season came finally and it has rained the last three days so we are good here, but they do need rain and water in Cape town.  Each missionary has been told since the start of their mission to store water either 5 liter bottles or 20 litters as many as they can. I think they are ok.  I don't know what is going to happen.  

That's all I have for you this week.  Love you all.

Elder Tucker 

KHUTHALA-Rugal

Good morning everyone!  This quote comes from a video game our fellow shipper was telling us about.  Now the game itself was in Japanese but since the people here don't speak Japanese they take what they have heard and put the closest Xhosa word.  To explain what happens with this guy though, when fighting him, he will grab you and say in a very deep voice "Khuthala".  When he does this you die.  The funniest thing is everyone knows it so when you say to literally any person Khuthala.  They know king of fighters. 

I am not teaching the new missionary to much because He is more Elder D's son.  My son went home. The flat is kinda quiet now.  But IT IS TOO HOT! I have melted four times this week, and no longer can use a blanket at night.  We are working with the less active members.  We have about six hundred people in our ward and only one hundred are active. 

But now it is time for Stories.

Story Number 1: "You promised."-Elder Smith

This I thought was a pretty funny and crazy story about the conversion of a member in our ward.  He is a very powerful member but took a long time to join the church.  So in the year 2004 there was a missionary serving in Mdantsane.  This missionary and his companion were working hard with this guy and he promised to go to church and did not come.  Not something very new to this man, but I guess it was new to the missionary.  After church these missionaries went to the man's house.  When he answered the door the young missionary was teary eyed, and had a tear running down his cheek.  All he said was, "You promised."  The man did not remember what he replied but he did remember what the missionary did in return. HE SMACKED HIM ACROSS THE FACE.  The missionary smacked a literal hand to face contact, QHWABA!  Both parties were shocked at what happened but the man said that was his wake up call to recognize the promises he makes and the things he does matter.  So if someone needs a wake up call,  Don't be afraid to be the one to do it.  Just do it in a more humane manner.

That was really the only highlight of the week this week.  It was a pretty slow week.

Any who, love you all.  I hope you all have a fantastic week. Elder Tucker

"Noodles are cool". Elder S.

I can't really explain this quote.  Just know that Elder Seni is a very funny guy and says some random things a lot.  He also knows just about every movie, song, or series ever created, except for Ferris Beuller's Day Off.  I got him there, but most everything else he knows.  Anyways enough about that, On to Stories.

Story Number 1: What does your shirt mean?

This week we were on exchanges with the zone leaders.  The zone leader that was with us unfortunately broke his leg playing soccer, so we had to go in for his check up to see if he could take off his boot.  Why we were waiting for X-rays, there was a guy that saw us and nearly shouted to the whole hospital.  ELDERS!  We started talking with him for some time about how he has met missionaries and things. He was trying to be all sneaky like and make us think he was a former investigator and what not. That is what some people do here?  Unfortunately he wore the wrong shirt, because it was his mission shirt.  I noticed this and very slyly but nonchalantly indicated to his shirt, then as he looked down asked, "What does your shirt mean?"  He then told us about his mission in Melbourne.  The best part was when he and his father were about to leave.  They kept asking if we were okay or needed anything.  We of course said "we were fine".  The Dad then said,  "Elders,  we need the blessings, can we please buy you something."  So we let them.  Great food.  I love nice members!

Story Number 2:  Number 11 and 12

One thing that happened this week was my companion getting transferred, putting me in a tripanionship with the other Elders in my district.  Which makes 3 areas and twelve companions now for me. It has been really fun because they are two amazing elders.  The coolest thing though is that the Lord knew this was going to happen because in our first few daily planning sessions. The appointments that I had set in my area were the blank spots in theirs, and the blank spots in mine were their appointments.  So everything fit together so smoothly and effortlessly.  It was amazing.  Then everything went great from there.  It's just that we now have a lot more kilometers because we cover a lot of area.  WHOOOHOO!

That is all I have for you this week.  Love you all

Elder Tucker 

HAYI !! FITSACH !! Makulu

Now I will not translate those words but it was a funny quote this week; because of what was chasing Makulu (old grandma). To put this in context this is what Xhosa people say to animals whilst they are being chased or attacked sometimes both.  This week when we were tracting we saw Makulu walking down the road  and then we hear a loud ruckus  and hear these words.  When we looked back this Makulu was being attacked by ducks.  We were dying.  We laughed for a good ten minutes before going to the next door.  Now as we move into story time beware of the ducks!

Story Number 1: There are two types of people in this world.

This week when we were visiting with a member we were asked a question.  "Why do white people like dangerous things?"  This question kind of opened my eye to the world of extreme sports. I will let you have that train run through your mind for yourself.  Back to the story,  this question lead to a discussion on wild life experts like the famous australian croc dude.  I don't remember his name but he died by sting ray if that helps any one.   

This member was telling us what it would be like if your animal documentary host was black.  While your guide is standing in his truck and looking through binoculars, "wow you see that snake there, that is a puff adder." " I don't see it"  '"You come look through these.  No, leave the bush,  leave the other bush.  There that's the snake" "That...is...a...stick."  Long story short make sure your host knows what he/ or she is doing.

Story Number 2:  January is a time of repentance. - Elder Hawkins

This statement came all too true yesterday.  We had the highest sacrament meeting attendance I have seen since I have been in this area.  We had about five investigators at church,  and four different less actives.  FINALLY! Our work is paying off.  It truly was a testimony builder to see them there and talk to them.  Also to see the joy that the ward had in seeing some of their old friends.  Now the only part is to keep moving forward,! We are hoping that we can continue those stats in the upcoming weeks. We want to help these people truly feel and know the joy that comes from living a gospel centered life.

That's all for this week.  I hope you all have a wonderful week. Elder Tucker

  

Yes it is a real Machette.

"My kids will not get any toys or dolls, just a bicycle". Elder S.

This quote comes from an Elder in my district and was in response to a conversation on demons and what not.  This Elder is super funny and so he says the most random things in conversations.  And unless you know Fijan, you pronounced that wrong.  That's alright though because it is Story time.

Story Number 1:  Women are troublesome - Mama K.

Each week my companion and I get the opportunity to administer the sacrament to those who cannot come to church.  Now these people have some powerful testimonies when it comes to the gospel.  They never complain that they cannot walk or are bed ridden but are always, always happy to see the sacrament.  Now because they don't have too many visitors, we will usually chat with them for a while after the sacrament.  This mama was telling us about her kids and said,  "Most people say that the men are troublesome, but I think its the women. " You two young men you watch your wives because they could be trouble." So to my wife, whomever that may be,  I have got my eye on you!

Story number 2: Drunk people love my comp.

This week because of festivities we have had a few run ins with some intoxicated people.  I some how seem to make them angry.  I guess when you are sarcastic with a drunk person, they just don't like it.  Its not like you could have an actual conversation anyways, but they always seem to love Elder C.  The best one was this Sunday we were picking up some meat that a member was giving us to braai (barbecue) and there was a drunk person outside their house.  When we got there Elder D. and I went right past,  but our companions got stuck there.  Whilst trying to free them from the burden of an intoxicated woman she started blowing kisses to them.  We were on the lawn laughing because they had no idea what to do.  Luckily we bailed them out.  So beware of crazy drunk ladies with pink hair. 

My goals for 2018 is to complete my mission and have at least 4 converts come to the gospel. That will be at least 2 in each of my new areas. Honestly 2017 was a great year for me. People say you can't have a bad day as a missionary so I just had 365 good days!  

Well Family and friends that is all I have for this week. I hope you all have a wonderful new year!

Elder Tucker