Fwd: THANKSgiving

From: Jarod Jason Ivins <jarod.ivins@myldsmail.net>
Subject: THANKSgiving (Said in the Blindside accent)

SUP people

This week flew by. It was really good! We have been working really hard and been seeing a lot of people. I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Greening and Elder Takavingei, and both times we got fed. Maybe they are the goodluck charm. they are awesome Zone leaders. This week we ate mphukoqo, 7 colors and a lot of chicken. which is really nice.

Nozi and Lisa both got interviewed and will be getting baptized next saturday! I am so excited for them and it has been really awesome to see them accept the gospel and to gain a testimony! Anawe we havent seen in a while, but hopefully after exams we can be able to help her progress. Her sister, unfortunately is falling behind, we went to see her on her birthday, and her friends came and told us to come back later, and Mzo was able to find out she didn't want to see us cuz she was drunk. ugh. Kind of a set back, but we will hopefully be able to help her see that those things do not bring true happiness, and that the gospel does.

We have a couple people that are doing well, like a young boy named Ayabulele who loves the BOM, but unfortunately this week is leaving for the bush, so we wont see him for 3 weeks. but hopefuly he will keep reading there!

Another guy is Andisiwe, he works at the gas station by our house. he works so much, but is a great guy. and really interested. I hope he can learn more and can see that even though he will make sacrifices, God will bless him. That is where faith is so important, trusting and hoping that Heavenly Father really is there and will help us. 

This week is Thanksgiving, and it is a lot different not to be going to grandmas. People dont really do anything for Thanksgiving, so we might be doing a big dinner next Sunday for it, which would be really nice. It is crazy how fast everything is going. That 3 months are down. but, a lot of work is left to be done. 

This transfer has only 2 weeks left, and Elder McCarroll thinks he will be leaving, which is really sad, but i hope we will have a lot of fun these last two weeks. 

This week was also full of a lot of unfortunate sights, of seeing multuple dogs get hit and smashed, many people saying come in and then having onl;y their robes on, and those being wide open. Agh sketchy. hahaha, last week we played rugby and soccer, and had a couple kids from the university play with us, and now are interested and meeting witht the elders! And this week we are going to be playing paintball. Should be fun!

I hope everyone is doing well and I love to hear from everyone. It makes my days and weeks so much better to get pictures and to talk to all of you! Thank you for the prayers and love. I am so thankful for my family and friends and everyone. Thanksgiving is a great time to tell people you love them. I love to serve in this beautiful and amazing place. 

Elder Jarod Ivins

Elder Greening and I with mphukoqo.
Elder Takavingie and I
3rd meal from yesterday from the Mashiqa family!