"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

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" "MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TOO BUDDY" Elder Chalke and random pedestrian.

I loved skyping with you guys on Christmas. All the internet cafe's were closed on Christmas so our mission president allowed us to email at a later date. 

This comes from an activity we were doing this past Monday as we were driving.  In Africa it is common to have windows down while driving all year round.  So when driving we were getting bored,  we decided to talk to the pedestrians on the street.  Some people were very happy, whilst others were confused.  Some were just drunk.  Any who STORIES!

Story Number 1: YOU WAIT!  Wait until we hear the cat.- Elder Dlokova

This Monday one of the Elders in our district was seeing if he could get us a Christmas Lunch.  Once he sent the SMS to a part member family he got really nervous and fidgety.  No one really knew what was going on with him because all he said was for us to wait until we hear the cat.  Then we would know what to do.  After about ten minutes of waiting, we heard the cat...AND GOT LUNCH!! It was awesome, a traditional Xhosa meal of Chicken, vegetables and rice.  Then played a game called thirty seconds which is like charades but with talking.  It was awesome. 

Story Number 2: My hands need some WD40.

Some of you may know but during high school  my language credit was american sign language.  Which I truly loved.  Incredible class and language.  Well one of the Less active members in our ward is deaf.  This week we went to visit him and since the languages are sort of similar I got to use my sign language.  I realized I am really our of practice.  But it was awesome to see the teachings we gave put into sign language and the spirit come into the home so that everyone could understand.  Incredible time.  And the father who is deaf even asked us to sing for his family.  It really threw us off guard but we sang anyways. Very fun, not good singing, but fun.

Well I hope you all have had a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.  

Elder Tucker

P.S.  We are emailing today because all the internet shops were closed Monday.

During the conversation with Elder Tucker on Christmas he said that "he works with less actives and referrals." He said "there is 675 members recorded, but around 90 people come to church". Elder Tucker said "there is alot of work to be done!"

We like meat, PIGGY, piggypiggypiggypiggy-Crazy Old Lady

This comes from...you know what... nah.  I will let you make up a story on how I got this quote. But on to stories that I will tell you.

Story Number 1:  CHIEFS FOR LIFE!

Now this week was a very slow week.  So as we were going from home to home we saw a man that we see every now and then.  He is always wearing a Kaizer Chiefs robe and a crazy hat to show his dedication to the team. I wanted his picture so bad.  Luckily we saw him.  So we pulled over and asked for his picture.  He was very willing which was awesome.  Unfortunately he did not want to learn about the Gospel though.  So the picture is included.

Story Number 2: Transfers

As we have come to the close of another glorious transfer in the South Africa Cape Town Mission, we got transfer news.  So Elder W and I will no longer be companions.  He is going to Queenstown.  And my new companion is a new missionary so in mission ( and IsiXhosa) terms, unyana wam.  I am grateful the Lord has given me the opportunity to train someone and for sure we will have much fun (maniacal laugh).  Any who it will be a joy to see what is in store for the next  transfer.

Love you all.  have a lovely week.

Elder Tucker

"They will come again, and I will again eat chicken, and suka Elders"

This quote comes from My companion about a less active doing what he calls a "technical dodge".  In this case the dodge included us getting free KFC so it was one of my favorite dodges. The less active was canceling the appt. but they had chicken. As a joke I said "Oh Thank you!" He said "no actually here, and gave us each a piece of chicken".  Suka means "go away". But on to stories for the week

Story Number 1: If you are doing a painting service, bring professionals.

This week we got the opportunity to paint for someone.  And we have to people in our ward that have one of the coolest jobs ever.  The make and develop colors for paint.  So they know how to apply them and what not, so we asked them to help us.  Man these guys paint well but the coolest part was them teaching us about paint.  Its actually quite interesting.  There is a lot that goes into paint, I won't really bore you with much details but just know that there are people whose literal job is to make colors and name them.  

Story Number 2: Visiting the bush

In Xhosa culture in order to become a man you go to the bush. You are there for about three weeks.  Well one of our fellow shippers was there, so we decided to pay him a visit.  It was interesting because nothing really happens there.  But it was an interesting perspective to the culture because I had never seen or been there before.  What I will tell you though, it does not teach you anything for life.  The real bush as we call it among the Elders is a mission, which actually teaches you life skills and what not.  So in short, if you get the opportunity.  Serve a mission! 

That's all for this week folks

Elder Tucker

Busy with the food, but no gain-Brother Sayo

Hello friends,

This quote comes from a brother in our ward.  We were teaching a lesson to him and he kept looking at his arms.  To picture this guy think of a really tall, really skinny guy.  A toothpick.  After five minutes of looking at his arms and us just wondering what is gonna come out of his mouth.  That is what he said.  It nearly  put me on the floor.  Now on to the good stuff.

Story Number 1: OHHHHH! YOU JUST GOT BURNED!

This week we had exchanges on Saturday.  It was super fun because the other Elders in my district are cycling elders, so I got ride a bike all day.  (For Lane,  The bike company is called Giant, 29 size frame, didn't get wheel size.  Same gear stuff we had on the bikes at the resort, 3 in front, 8 in back, not sure what else you want to know). Any who is was super fun.  From about 12 to 5 we were riding bikes through the hills of Mdantsane NU14.  Which in that time every lesson we had dropped so we were in the sun.  I got crazy sunburned.  So these past few days  haven't been the most fun.  Also the shocks and seat aren't that nice so it hurts to sit.  I enjoyed every second of i though.  Except the bumpy parts.  I can still feel them.

Story Number 2: Viper's Tree

Lately I have been having a desire to cut down a really big tree only using an ax.  If your asking why, its because I can......I think.  Any ways, back to the story, I was telling this to a Less Active we are working with.  His stage name is Viper.  Well this came up in context because when we saw him we were near this really big tree.  After I told him my desire he asked, "How old do you think this tree is?"  I replied," Probably about twenty or twenty-one."  The tree is twenty three and was planted when he was a baby, so he literally grew up with the tree.  I thought that was pretty cool.  

It made me think that just like this young man had a constant in his life, so do we.  That constant is God.  He created us and sent us here to earth to live, although we don't always notice or appreciate Him, He is always there. We can learn a lot from trees.

Those have been a couple of my adventures.  Hope you all get some good ones this week.

Elder Tucker