Here’s
some responses to questions I sent:
1. When's your Pday
and what time of day do you write your emails? Well, this is my last Pday here
soo... haha :) I’m leaving for Zambia on Tuesday.
2. How's the food in
the MTC? I don't really eat... haha :)
3. Did you ever find
the small "Preach My Gospel"? Yes
4. Have you been to the temple? Yes, it was really cool!
5. How many missionaries are in the South Africa MTC and are they teaching any languages in this MTC? No, they are not teaching any languages, and there are 17 total missionaries, 8 in my district.
6. What's your daily schedule? Lessons, practice teaching, lessons, practice teaching, with a sports day.
7. Do you need us to send you anything? Not in South Africa, just food :)
4. Have you been to the temple? Yes, it was really cool!
5. How many missionaries are in the South Africa MTC and are they teaching any languages in this MTC? No, they are not teaching any languages, and there are 17 total missionaries, 8 in my district.
6. What's your daily schedule? Lessons, practice teaching, lessons, practice teaching, with a sports day.
7. Do you need us to send you anything? Not in South Africa, just food :)
CARLY SENT EXCERPTS FROM
HER JOURNAL:
MTC
DAY 1
The MTC is a
wonderful place. I love the spirit here, and the Church is true. I love what
they have taught us. One thing they taught us is that investigators need to
trust us as missionaries. They taught us the famous triangle. As you grow close
to your Heavenly Father you will be closer to your Investigators. As your investigator
grows closer to your Heavenly Father, you will as well. This can be applied to
many things in your life—husband, family and your companion.
I liked a lot what we
talked about when we talked about the potential of people. What does the gospel
bring us? It gives us security, purpose, peace, sense of belonging and much
more. And what may someone who is drinking, and doing drugs looking for?
Security, belonging, and much more. Everyone is searching for what the Gospel
brings us! Most have no knowledge it’s what they are looking for. They put their
trust in something other than the Lord. For example, one might put their faith
in drugs, when in reality all they need to do is put their faith in our
Heavenly Father. One of my religion teachers told me that Satan tries to be a
copycat and I believe he is except with him there is an end to this
"belonging.”
Anyway the first day
at the MTC has convinced me that being a missionary will not be an easy
experience. It has taught me that we must focus on others. I want to be the
best missionary I can be--not because of myself, but because I want to help the
Savior help his children. I am so grateful for this opportunity to share the
gospel and be a full time missionary. I know I am far from perfect, but I WILL
give my whole heart to the Savior. I WILL accept criticism and continue to
grow. I WILL pray everyday with real intent. I WILL be 100% obedient. I WILL
love my companion. I WILL be 100% focused on my mission. I will continue to use
the gift of repentance. I WILL work and give the BEST I can for 18 months.
My companion name is
sister Namatsa (BUTALI). She is so awesome!! I met her in Uganda last summer.
What a tender mercy. I love this Gospel and I know it to be true.
MTC
DAY 2
We learned to be
diligent in our study of the gospel. I love what it says in Alma 21: 7-10. You can
RECEIVE the word of the Lord and you can RECEIVE the words of the Gospel during
general conference or even church. I like what it says in this verse because it
uses the words NEED and diligence. We need to study what we are taught. Listening
and feeling the spirit is so awesome but with no action, we shall only receive
a portion of this word."
MTC
DAY 3 (I am just
summarizing now.)
In the scriptures, prophets
are commanded to cry repentance and the people often harden their hearts. I
find this interesting because we have been taught as missionaries to build
trust and then invite others to repent. Prophets can’t necessarily do that to a
group of people. In my experience, one reason people harden their hearts is because
if a stranger calls you out to repentance you will likely get VERY defensive.
We are human and we have the tendency to be prideful. We learned that building
trust could allow others to accept the gospel with a more humble attitude.
MC
DAY 4
The missionary
handbook is SO cool!! I decided to read it with my companion because she hasn’t
read it yet and there are so many things to learn and so many promises. I am
determined to be the best missionary I can be. The handbook has this great
promise. "You will be expected to maintain the highest standards. You must
strive to fulfill what the prophet says, live mission rules, follow counsel of
mission president and devote ALL time and attention to serving the Lord,
leaving behind ALL personal affairs, as you do these things the Lord will BLESS
you and you will become an EFFECTIVE advocate and messenger for TRUTH.” Isn’t
that everyone’s hope to be the best missionary. It continues saying more stuff
and then it says obedience will show YOUR LOVE for him, earn TRUST and
CONFIDENCE with nonmembers and members and qualify you for the companionship of
the Holy Ghost.
God truly asks so little
of us. And gives us so much!!
These AFRICAN people
ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!
They know the gospel
SO well, not just spiritually but they understand the Book of Mormon so WELL! I
am impressed by so many of them. I will share three examples of Elders I truly
love.
Elder Maaka:(COMING
to ZAMBIA)
He is a convert to
the Church and went with the missionaries to teach BEFORE he was baptized
because his family wouldn't allow him to be baptized. He is an incredible young
man and he will be an example to his mission and to this world. His testimony
is unreal, his knowledge of the Book of Mormon is incredible, His love for
missionary work--no words can describe it. African culture is a little laid
back compared to America and he works so hard for this Gospel. I am impressed
and will forever look up to his happiness and positive attitude! I love that
missionary!!
Elder Adjin:
Also a convert--his
parents are giving him no support for his mission but he came anyway. He is a
quiet guy but his testimony is beautiful and so good!!!!
Elder Nwandwe:
He has studied the scriptures
so much and has many versus memorized. He quotes prophets all the time. He is
AMAZING.
Most of the young men
here are converts. I am surrounded by people whose testimonies remind me of
Roman’s testimony. They have ALREADY given their whole heart to the Lord. I
know personally I struggled with trust, ALWAYS second guessing my decisions. My
whole heart was not with the Lord. Their whole heart was with the Lord from the
time they knew the Gospel was true even before their mission. I am grateful for
this trust I have gained in life and in the Lord because of their example. I
know things will work out. Whatever is supposed to happen WILL happen.
The Church is in good
hands in Africa. These Africans are amazing people. What a BLESSING to know
them. The MTC has 17 missionaries total, 5 girls and 12 boys. 5 are white (2
from England, 1 from Finland) 1 Tahitian, the rest are African. 12 of the
17 are converts and 10 ARE AFRICAN!! They are the best!! Imagine being
surrounded by those with the testimony of Roman and the humility and respect
for this Gospel like Jeff.
Well love you all!!
This is long...
Probably won't get
emails this long hahahah ever again!!
But I love you!! Thanks
for everything
And don't worry about
me. I am happy here and not homesick.
Love,
Carly
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