HEY! WE GET TO DRIVE THE COLORFUL BRIDGE!!-ME

Last Sunday the other Elders in our district got in a car crash. Don't worry everyone is all good. The lights here are merely suggestions.  So we have been helping them out on getting to and from their area since we stay in the same complex.  Now we have been adventuring a lot to find the quickest route to and from their area to ours and one time we ended up driving on a very colorful bridge that I have wanted to drive on but never knew how to get there. (video included)

Story number 1:  Some moron forgot to fill up the car on Saturday.

Hey......wait a minute....It was me that forgot to fill up the car.  That was rude.  We were very low on petrol on Sunday.  So we were a bit worried about the car getting where we needed.  I was like,  "Nope  we will be good.  We have super faith.  Keep the commandments and we will be good to make it where we need to go".  Then I had a prompting to look at the book of life (missionary daily planner).  I realized we could walk to our appointments yesterday because they were all super close to each other.  The promise in 1 Nephi 3:7  is very true. While walking though the township we got invited to three parties; and were offered mqombothi twice. ( Which is an Traditional African beer).

Story Number 2:  Book of Mormon is there to confound false doctrines.

This week we had a lesson with a pastor who knows his Bible.  He is a very wonderful man but what we didn't want was a bible bash.  If your not sure what that is.  It's basically and argument fought using The Bible.  He said he had some questions. We decided we would only use the Book of Mormon to answer all his questions. He agreed to the terms.  It was so much better and turned out to be a super awesome lesson.  The spirit was there and we answered all of his questions and everything else he could think of. Absolutely awesome lesson.

We have a baptism this weekend we are super stoked for. I am enjoying Motherwell, it's incredible. The people we see and just the area is awesome!  We will see what happens but this might be my favorite area of the mission. No crazy food lately. We do have Root Beer Tarzan!

We have a few investigators on track for baptism next month. Well That was the week for me.  I hope you all have an awesome week.

 Ndi Yaku Thanda Nonke

Mdala Tucker

Images :Hike last Monday, my next level shoulder angling, an Aqua farm, but that was too boring so we call it the Dinosaur fighting arena.

"Elder, I have an idea. "What?" Clusters

First off that to me sounds like a quote from a movie.  A bit edited and adapted to my needs but still, not sure the movie though. Stories:

Story Number 1:  Tetris Champions of the Year.

Last Monday we were moving all of the stuff out of our garage. It was all going to East London for a new senior couple.  We had to fit a whole bed, two couches, a washer and dryer, two desks, desk chairs and a fridge into a small pick up truck and a decently small trailer.  We did it! Then we tetris'd all of the stuff in our garage to fit our car in there finally! We won that battle as well.  It was super fun. 

Story Number 2: Well then, that was strange.

Lately we have been finding a lot more people! We found one of them through a referral that we were visiting.  While visiting this guy, he went to get some movies from a friend or a neighbor or something.  We saw this person who said "hello" to the the young man we were visiting and then said hello to the others around her as you usually would.  The next day we get a "please call".  To explain a "please call", here there is no unlimited minutes or what ever you only get a certain amount then if you want to get more you have to buy airtime ( minutes).  So everyone keeps airtime like their life depends on it, which it does if you need to call an ambulance. "Please calls" are a way around that.  It's basically a text saying call this person at this number.  So we get these all the time, then we call. The person answers and said "this is my number. I am the person that you waved at yesterday".  We knew it was a girl so that narrowed it to about a hundred people we saw and said hi to.  Then we figured out how she got our number and so we got it narrowed down to about forty.  Still no idea who this was. We hope to find out but we will be glad to teach her.

And last but not least.  Elder Smith and I have recently discovered about "Clusters" which we want to integrate in our area.  We believe Clusters may be what the Lord wants for this area;  because all of us have had this idea and revelation including the stake president.  One of the problems we have is the people have to travel so far to church. Some just can't get there. So we think maybe we could have a series of smaller meetings closer to the members we just need a more solid plan on how-where-when.  Cool stuff though.

Until next time, stay grand

Elder Tucker

It's very true you can see in a lot of people the guilt and shame they feel from past sins and that is why I think most converts are a bit skeptical at first.  Once they feel the healing power of the atonement though you can tell they are all very very happy and it's a  wonderful feeling and sight to see.  Anyways Love you mom.

I have been with Elder S.  for some time now and I am starting to be able to read him.  When he starts doing an action or when a song comes on or what not. It's a lot easier to anticipate what people are going to do after you learn to live over 18 years with Teron . It's been very funny because my companion will start to say or do something and before he can even start I will throw in a comment or action that makes him wonder.  Fun stuff.

Story number 1:  Mosiah 27:8-14

This was a scripture passage we decided to share with a recent convert family.  This family is incredible and the have some of the strongest testimonies I have ever heard.  A bit of back ground on this family.  The mother is the pioneer.  They used to live in Kwamaxaki, where the church was literally across the street, one day in 1995 she decided to go, loved it and was converted.  Next her daughter followed in line. I am not sure when she was converted.  Then much time passed away and the family continued going to church with the mother and the daughter.  Eventually the Older son followed suit and became converted in February; which led to his younger brother and his girlfriend also being baptized in April.  Now the Emphasis was on the Tata, who at this time is not a member.  We shared this scripture and spoke about the prayers that the father had for the sons. Then the actions which eventually led to Alma's conversion.  Very awesome lesson.

Story Number 2: Where are you teaching her?

This week we had branch council meeting.  Those are very fun if you have a good branch president, and we do.  To open things up he had all of the auxiliary leaders give reports on their auxiliaries, which was good to hear and then he asked us for our progress report and indon don.(what what)  We gave him our report and explained some things on there and then before we were finished the Relief society president said," also I have a new investigator for you."  The branch president looked at us and was kind of shocked. Why?  Good question.  Now any missionary will usually be excited out of their mind for a referral, we however were very relaxed.  He then shouted, "  Write that down that is a referral!"  To which we replied we had already started teaching her.  Needless to say most people there were very confused.  The relief society president didn't realize that our focus on teaching her family the night before was for the new investigator!  All in all,  Branch council meetings are not as boring as you would think they would be.

To close I would like to show you our P-day breakfast and how fancy it was.  Elder Smith and I are great hosts/cooks. 

P.S. That is bacon Elder Tarzan, chew on that. Oh wait you can't.

Someone Broke Africa-Elder Tucker

Good morning everyone.  Yesterday and kind of recently it has been a bit cold.  We have had to wear jackets and indon don(means what what).  Now I thought I was going called to Africa.  ITS SUPPOSED TO BE HOT IN AFRICA.  So this has been a recent saying in Mother well.  Time for Stories.

Story number 1:  Meet and greet?  Do you mean Zone Conference?

This week we finally got to meet President Lebethoa and the whole fam damily.  (That was for you father)  They are all very wonderful and incredible people.  They have four kids aging from 13 to 5.  Each one of them has a testimony of the gospel.  We received a great training from him on The First Presidency Message in "Preach My Gospel and our purpose here. Great stuff.  Did not find out what his mother tongue is though.  I am betting isiSutu. 

Story number 2:  A Port Elizabeth Apology.

One of the recent converts we are teaching is preparing for mission so, Elder S. and I wanted to share about our purpose.  There is a Mama there that just torments some missionaries, specifically the ones that were in this area previously.  To me she is hilarious.  Now her daughter the recent convert called her "old".  She had to apologize so she did with a kiss to her mom.  The mom then looked at me and said, "Do you want an apology like that?"  Elder S. and I burst out laughing and said, "Well if I want to go home for sure but,  I would rather stay here on mission."  It was just funny.  

This mama also beat our fellow shipper with stick. He was answering questions she hadn't asked.  She is fun.

Typical day is teach and teach, I can't really think of a spiritual moment this week. We invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost then enduring to the end. 

So in conclusion listen to your Elders or you might get beaten with a stick.

Shop Shop chomis

Elder Tucker

Today is going to be an interesting day Elder. -Elder Tucker

I have found out this week that Heavenly Father is truly a father indeed and loves his "Dad jokes".  His are a little bit more real  than the ones we are used to though.  Needless to say I almost regretted saying that on Thursday morning.  All of the stories today come from that day.

Story Number 1: "I was this close. This close" - "Mighty Ducks 2".

 I know I told some of you this but maybe not all.  When I was getting transferred, I really wanted to go to a cycling area.  While our car was in the shop, there was no other car to use but there were bikes!  I said, we would take the bikes!.  It was fun for a little while until Elder Smith's bike had a flat tire.  We had no pump.  So we walked to a gas station a ways away.  Pumped up the tire and about as quick as it was pumped up it was flat again.  So we didn't get to ride bikes to much unfortunately,  That is the reason we were walking. We just need a new tube and then we can figure something out with them.

Story number 2:  "Are you doing this to get out of going to church?"- ER Nurse

Also this day we had a trip to the local emergency room,  do not worry everyone is fine and dandy. It was just that he didn't eat.  Since we didn't have a car that day and the bikes were not able to work we were walking. Previously we had decided to go on splits that day so we could see more people.  Whilst we were walking across Mother well my temporary companion/fellowshipper was doing very well but then kind of started zoning out during our only lesson that day.  He is usually a spaz so I didn't think to much of it.  As we were leaving that appointment he started acting more funny and as we were walking he looked very drunk.   Luckily a members house was a round the corner and I had some water on me, I thought maybe he was dehydrated. I gave him some water and we went to the member's home.
     Then I remembered he was diabetic- didn't know which type, and he was showing symptoms of low blood sugar. Not drunk- definitely an altered level of consciousness! I started treating that by giving him fruit juice while getting in contact with my companion; then used my fellow shippers phone to contact the senior couple in the area. They had a car. Too quickly he was unable to speak but I knew he could still listen, and he was still able to swallow. The Senior couple arrived and we gave him a short short blessing and went to the hospital. Turned out his blood sugar was very low. At the ER they put him on an IV with dextrose in it, and he is doing very well now!  I was glad to use my Lifegard/EMT skills! It was a testament to me that the spirit brings all the things to your remembrance in the very hour and at the very moment you need it. 

We had two baptisms this week of awesome investigators!

 Also a family baptism!  Here are Pictures:

One is of everyone, and then the young women I baptized.  Then the last one is of one of our members and one of my best friends!  Their names are S. and L.That's what I have for you, sali kahle. Elder Tucker 

"Dancing without music is awkward and unfulfilling".-Elder Wilford W. Anderson

This week Elder S. and I have been listening to the 2015 general conference while in the car and this is by far my favorite quote so far.  So if your gonna dance make sure you can hear the music or you won't be fulfilling anything.

Story Number 1:  By the way were moving.

This week has been very fun.  Our branch moved from the tent.  I am going to miss that tent.  That was a nice tent.  Now we are meeting in a school, called Vesubuhle primary school, which is really just down the road.  And yes you're probably saying that wrong.  I can't really explain how to enunciate that.  But  it was really a surprise.  They told us on Thursday that everything was settled and then we moved there for Sunday Services.  The school is very small compared to the tent, and a lot hotter!

Story Number 2:  Two missionaries and a fellows shipper can get a car moving pretty quickly I will have you know.

One night as we were going to drop off our fellow shipper and get food thanks to our wonderful members here!  We saw a tata(old man) pushing his car then shuffling to the driver sear to steer his car. (If you want an example of that, watch my father run. He is a good shuffler.) We thought we would help him out.  So we stopped and went back to push the car;  and when we did man it was moving!  We had to run to catch up to it. He went to the nearest gas station and he got it filled up.  Moral of the story, if your bored see how fast you can push a car.

I hope you all have a  wonderful week.

Elder Tucker-(Not the Kenyan)

From Dad's letter:

Lala kahle tata. Good stuff in th April 2015 conference I learned about dancing and hearing music.  To understand the reference go listen to the talk. Thank You for teaching me to hear the music.  You're the best father a young man could ask for.  Love you

Guys,guys,guys. It's challenging guys!

The title is an on going joke we have with our fellowshippers.  One day an investigator said this to the missionaries which were here previously. Phrase has stuck.  The funny part is that you actually can find a bible next to almost every Tv here.  Except in members homes it is usually a Book of Mormon, or both.

Story Number One:  Should we move him?

Whilst traveling home one night Elder S. and Elder Tucker came to a traffic jam at a three way intersection. We were wondering what was going on and found that a drunk Tata(old man) who was sitting down in the middle of the intersection.  Elder Tucker asked, "Do you think anyone will move him or are we going to do it?"  We ended up moving this man.  I have seen some drunk people but most could at least walk.  Not this man.  Elder S. was holding onto his shirt to keep him up whilst Elder tucker was trying to figure out where this man lived. Luckily a group of young men came and helped him get to safety. There is charity in South Africia!

Story Number Two: Former Investigators

On Tuesday Elder S. and Elder Tucker had a quiet morning, so they decided to find some of the investigators they thought might be interested in hearing again.  We contacted them and it was great! We found two that committed to baptism!  Very awesome stuff!

In conclusion. Make your life less challenging and put a Bible next to your Tv.  Elder Tucker