Fwd: Bye Mac n roll.

3 weeks and I get to see this face!! Who wants to come and see it too??? Enjoy our crazy missionary!

From: Jarod Jason Ivins 

<jarod.ivins@myldsmail.net>
www.10kmilesaway.blogspot.com

HEY HEY!

Well this week was really good and went by SUPER fast. It has been awesome and I loved it. i received my Xhosa clan name: Tshawe. and my Xhosa name: Qamisa. So while we drive I will just yell in Xhosa greetings and funny things that Mzo gives me to say. It is so funny and people are soooo shocked that a mlunghu is yelling at them. Everyone smiles and goes nuts. Its awesome. Other things I will say is where is my girlfriend, funny jokes that people who have come from the bush know, and just agh its awesome. 

We haven't been seeing investigators too much recently and need to update our teaching pool, but we do have 2 sisters preparing for baptism! one has been prepared really well to receive the gospel and knows it is true, we have the 17 for her, but it will be moved cuz she will be busy out of town. her name is Sheila and is super nice and learns a lot very well!

The other, Mama Makoba has been taught for about 3 years, and is finally accpeted baptism! it is awesome and she has finnaly realized that it is true, and has been coming to church so much like why wouldn't I do this sooner. I'm proud of her. We have a couple more working for baptism and it is great to see them come to church!

This week was our last week of the transfer and we got our transfer news. Elder McCarroll will be transferred to Bellevue in Cape Town and I will stay here in Motherwell and be Training! My new comp is Elder Hawkins! He is from the UK and had visa troubles so went to the MTC there, but now will be here next Saturday! Elder McCarroll leaves Wednesday so i will be in a tri this week and then the party begins! But I am super excited. A little nervous, but the Lord will help. 

We had a really cool experience yesterday while contacting a referral, Lilian. She wasn't there, but her daughter Nandi (27+-) was. We had a great lesson with her. She said she feels that God has been offline to her, and not there. It was sad to know she thought that, but we helped her a lot and focused on prayer. When we promised her that God loves her, and that he is there, she started to cry. We just sat there for about a minute in silence. and the spirit was really strong, and we know she felt it. we closed and asked her to pray. In her prayer she was so sincere and by the end was bawling. She got up after and left and it was really cool. She lives in Mthatha and I really hope that she will continue to meet with the missionaries there. 

Yesterday was awesome. We went to the Cwele's house, members, and they fed us SOOOO much. They had a great dessert as well. After that, we went straight to X's mom, Sis. Oliphant. MORE FOOD. hyped. We couldnt finish it, and then Mzo and Elder McCarroll got soo full, that after, we went to a field where they just puked. then later at the Willie's more! it was pretty awesome. I guess the relief society pres rebuked everyone on how we don't get fed, so I'm excited to see what happens.... hahhaha 

This past week has been awesome to see the amazing love from members. I am gonna miss Elder McCarroll so much. He is amazing and gonne be a great guy, and I'm so hyped for training!

I hope all is well at home and everyone is enjoying skiing and getting ready for Christmas!

Love everyone and talking and hearing from you guys!

Love, Elder Ivins

1. Cwele's fat feast

2. Makhulu, Mama, and Nikki, Mzo, Makhosi, Us

3-4. Nikki and Makhulu