"It sounds like your going to tell your clan names or something.""proceeds to give clan name and praises" -Fellowshipper and Me

Good morning everyone I hope you all had a wonderful week.  This quote comes from one of my recent converts who just started fellow shipping with us.  He was kind of shocked when I was introducing myself in IsiXhosa.  So then he said the above to which I proved that I could.  Its fun being a Malungu that can thetha. But on to Stories.

Story Number 1:  Is this tripe? No this is not.  Yes it is, this is a lung.

This was my thought process the other day.  We went to a dinner appointment with some members.  They made my favorite. dumplings.  It was super good.  When I got the plate though.  The meat seemed different and things; I ate it none the less.  It was super nice. As I was eating it though. I was trying to figure out what part of the animal I had.  Until I noticed the Bronchus. Turns out lung is pretty nice with dumplings.

Story Number 2: Dangerous Paths

A lot of times when we teach about the apostasy during the restoration we get a lot of comments that follow the same general idea.  "I believe all churches are the church of God."  We encountered this the other day when we were teaching a new family.  Until now I never really understand how to open their minds to the idea that God has one true church.  When this gentleman said this though, our fellow shipper, who we really haven't  taken with us much shared the story of Joseph Smith.  Then brought in the Idea that The Prophet Knew it would be dangerous to live only part or even a false gospel and a false teaching.  Joseph Smith needed to find truth and safety.  I never really saw things like that.  I usually tell people he was looking for truth, which is true.  When this brother shared that the whole lesson was edified that "Truth brings safety".  I urge you in your life: Make sure you know the paths you are walking.  Especially where they will take you.  I know the gospel is the path for all to get back to our Heavenly Father, and though it may not always be easy, it is definitely worth it.

That is all I got for you this week ladies and gentleman.  I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Elder Tucker

I am good, but I don't speak Afrikaans- Me

Good morning Everyone.  This quote comes from a my encounter with a lovely Boer (white Afrikaans speaking male).  Now these guys are very straight forward so he saw me and came up to me and started to speak Afrikaans.  The above was replied.  He then proceeded to tell me that I needed to change my hair cut.  I think it might be because I got it cut from the Indians down the street.  They do a great job, he did not like it though.  I respect his opinion, but I disagree. Any who onto to other stories.

Story number 1: Bringing them back to the fold

This Tuesday we had a dinner at the chapel for some schools and police people and things to raise awareness of the church in Rosedale, because we are opening a cluster there.  Now we had a few school representatives come, one of which was a super less active brother who did not realize he was coming to church until he was here.  He even threatened to not pay the taxi driver because he swore he took him to the wrong address.  That is when the First counselor noticed who he was.  He proceeded to go fetch him and cordially invite into the chapel.  We did not have a huge turnout for the Event, but we all considered it a success that we got to see and talk to this brother.

Story number 2: Transfer News done right.

So last transfer news day, we had a cake for another reason but me and another elder really enjoyed it.  Coincidentally a lady in her area makes really nice cakes for really cheap.  So we asked for one and for her to write "Transfer News" on the cake.  She did.  One of our zone leaders really loves transfer news day and since this is his last transfer news, he goes home next transfer, we wanted it to be fun.  Needless to say he went crazy when he saw the cake.  It was super fun.

I think the most spiritual moment this week was when I was talking to a less active brother.  My companion and our fellowshipper went back to sit in the car.  I felt that we needed to talk to this gentleman and see what we can do to help him.  There was not really any cool thing that came from it so far.  It was just good and nice for him to see at least one person is not gonna give up on him.

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

Elder Tucker

I have no quote for the week-Me

Sorry ladies and gents, my mind for quoting things, I must have left at the boarding.  I honestly cannot remember a good quote for this week.  I guess from there we can move on to stories.

Story Number 1: Amandla kaIncwadi kaMormoni (power of the Book of Mormon)

This week, we have been reading a lot of the Book of Mormon with people.  The reason we have been doing this is because there is great power in the pages of the Book of Mormon.  Now a experience I would like to share is not mine, but it was told to me by one of our members.  This mama went to a meeting for her daughters school.  She met a lady from her old church.  This mama then shared the Book with the lady and Started reading her favorite chapter.  This lady then felt the spirit and wanted wanted to know if it was true and asked uBawo wethu waseMazulweni right then and there.  After that she wanted a book for herself.  So the mama then said, "No, come to my house and I can get you one."  That ladies and gentlemen is inviting others to Christ by using the greatest tool we have in this world. So in the words of our late prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson.  "If you have not read the Book of Mormon.  READ IT".

Story Number 2:Chapel Cleaning

This week it was our turn to clean the chapel.  My job was to polish the pulpit and the sacrament table.  That is something I have never done.  I have to say it brought a whole new perspective to that table.  The reason being is, that table is not just a table, but literally where the symbols of Christ lay for all who seek repentance are placed.  As I thought about that, my care and cleaning of that sacred altar was a lot more thoughtful and careful.  So next time you are in sacrament meeting, and you see that table, remember what it stands for.

There is something about the men in our ward and Africa! Excited B. is going to Joberg. He will love it there. I have a few friends there. Cool about the Elder that is going to Durban also. SA is great. 

Well I love you all and I hope you have an absolutely incredible week.  Elder Tucker #1

"You don't to a garden to pick bad flowers". Brother Rolo

This week we had a fun week but this quote comes form an appointment where we had learned that this lady's daughter had died at age nineteen. She died in childbirth.  None of us really knew how to move forward after hearing this information.  The quote above it what our fellow shipper said and I thought it was really cool.  So I thought I would share it with you.  By the way the daughter was an absolutely amazing person that was loved by many.  It all comes back to what Elder Christofferson taught us.  Heavenly Father is the Gardener. On to stories.

Story Number 1: Holy Hour

This week we learned of a community program that some of our recent converts started to help youth in the community draw nearer to Heavenly Father.  They invited us to go there and introduce ourselves and what we do.  There was a huge turnout.  We took pictures but I can't find my camera unfortunately.  When I find it though, I will send pics.  Anyway, the meeting was absolutely awesome, one of our members talked about seeing and executing change in our lives to make it better.  Then there were a few scriptures shared, mostly about Christ and repentance.  It was powerful to see what two young men can do for their community!  Everyone really enjoyed it and we will get to go again this week!  We can't wait for it.

Actually that is really all that happened this week for us here Uitenhage,  We have been doing a lot of street contacting to find people, which has been fun, met a lot of people that love Christ but don't understand the Gospel.  Luckily there is missionaries for that.

That has been my week.  Love you all.  Have a wonderful week. Elder J. Tucker

OHHH I AM A LUMBER JACK AND THAT'S OK--ME

Good morning Everyone.  So this week was a very interesting week.  As you may have noticed from the above.  I felt like a lumberjack this week.  But with out any further ado, we will get to stories.

Story #1:  The subject line

So this week, we were doing a service project for one of our members,  where we were taking out a giant tree stump that is in their yard.  Previous Elders had cut it down, only using an ax.  Which was quite impressive since it is a pretty massive tree.  We spent most of the service digging and spading then when the we were deep enough we would get the ax and start chopping roots.  It was super fun.  While doing that I felt the urge to sing the phrase above.  It was a joy, and we get to continue again next Saturday.

Story #2:  A visit from the Executive Director of the Missionary Department.

For those of you who don't know who that is.  His name is Elder Brent H Nielsen. This week we had zone conference which was a very very powerful zone conference.  A few of the things they discussed was greater companion ship unity, goals and plans, the missionary purpose in regards to the Enabling power of Christ's Atonement, and a focus on the Book of Mormon.  My personal favorites, was that of Companionship unity, and the Book of Mormon. That is because they brought new ideas and things that I truly saw could work in my area.  It was super powerful, and I am grateful for the Lord that allowed me to learn from these wonderful gentlemen.  

That's all I got for this week ladies and gentlemen.  Love you all.  Have a great week.

Elder Tucker

Black malungu to white Jelly Bean the Eagle has landed. Elder Barbe

This quote comes from an Elder that is a very hilarious guy.  That is all the background you will get for that.  Any who HELLO EVERYONE!  I hope you are all doing well and welcome back to Elder Tucker's weekly e-mail.  This week we have a couple interesting stories for you, so lets get to them.

Story Number 1:  Don't Gag on the Spoon.

So as most of you know, it was Teron's birthday on Monday, so we decided to celebrate it by making peach cobbler.  Unfortunately we don't have dutch ovens here, so it wasn't the best, it was still very good though.  The missionary that was preparing it though mixed everything and threw it in the oven.  "It"was there the whole time it was cooking.  None of us knew.  So we pulled it out of the oven and let it cool for a little bit before distributing this wonderful desert.  When cutting it though there was a something blocking the knife from going through.  So using our detective skills we found that there was a spoon in the cobbler.  Luckily no body ate the spoon and it did not effect the cobbler.

Story Number Two:  Scrabble

This Wednesday my companion was not feeling well, and we did not have a car so we would have been walking that day.  In his condition, he was not up for that.  Unfortunately we spent most of the day in the boarding.  While he was sleeping though, I got very very very bored.  Earlier in the week I found the game scrabble in our boarding.  I decided rather than sit and do nothing.  I might as well have some sorta fun.  If you are connecting the dots, yes I played Scrabble against myself for two hours.  Probably one of the most productive sick days I have had on mission.  I have included a picture of it.  The score was 184-173 .  I won.  

I also saw some of my favorite people on this planet once again.  It was a wonderful reunion.

Our P-day last week.  We had to get the chapel keys from a lady that was not home at six, do shopping, and file a damage report at the police station, all whilst trying to contact the lady to get the keys to the bishop. Our fellow shipper accidentally opened the car door hitting the car door of a car next to ours.  It was a very stressful day full of Detours and things.  If you get to go to Elder Owen's homecoming that would be cool. I am very excited for our last Skype because the next time I see you will be in Salt Lake!  Elder Tucker

"Prove it". Me

This week we have a lot of run ins with some very....sassy...yeah that's a good word.  Anwho we have met some very sassy young women, now they kept telling us lies about their age and all of these things trying to get us to give them money.  I say 'prove it".  They do not like it.  The girl's  asked me to prove my statements.  Little did they know I was prepared. I can prove it! Who I am, and where I am from, even from an eternal perspective. Sucks for them, they were flabbergasted.

I don't feel twenty today though.  What is it supposed to feel like?  I guess I will figure out. Thanks for all the Birthday wishes.   

Concerning the baptisms that we had last week. Absolutely amazing feeling to be a part of life changing events.  I was very nervous though because at the start of sacrament meeting they were not there.  Not even one.  They all shuffled in though and got confirmed.  It was very stressing.  But its okay every thing worked out.  

I hope everything at home is going well.  Only six and a half months.  We are almost not sister missionaries! Elder Owens returned home. He was a great Elder and companion. We had fun as you can see from our P-d pictures of sand boarding.  So fun great day! 

My new companion Elder Barnabas who has been out 16 months.  He is from Papua New Guinea. 

Finding:

This Thursday was a very rough day for me because when i looked at our plans for the day, we had absolutely no appointments.  I told my companion, which by the way it was his second day in the area.  We planned a ton of people to go visit.  Some of them worked out but it was a lot of just setting appointments.  There came a point in the day though that we had nowhere to go.  I told my comp that  we were gonna street contact.  We did and I have to say that was the highlight of my day.  Because I felt like I was actually accomplishing something.  It felt so amazing just to share a little bit of the gospel with random people on  the street. It was an incredible feeling.  I wonder how it would feel to share it with your friends?   

That's all I have for you.
Elder Tucker