JAZZZZZZ

JAZZ WON GAME 7

enough said. This week was great.

This whole week for our boarding had a lot of anticipation. Getting updates midweek of the jazz losing game 6, really shattered the Mthatha yomies. BUT, waking up, rushing to the email shop, and seeing the results, we jumped and shouted for joy! Got a lot of crazy looks, but, THE JAZZ WON!

This week was great though! We had great a lot of great miracles with some amazing people, and a lot of sad disappointments as well.

GOOD NEWS: Lisekhona and Aviwe and Coraline all were interviewed yesterday and will be baptised this Saturday and Sunday!!! We are doing 2 baptisms because of some work issues, but all will work out! It will be soo great!! They were all so worried for the interview, but did wonderfully, because they have such strong testimonies!

Last night, was a little rough. So we met this boy, Sphamantla (14) on friday, who is friends of 2 members Live and Liviwe (14,15). Taught him. So Amazing. He really wanted to know if God lived. He asked him to pray and to ask God that question. He did, and the Spirit was soo strong. He got his answer and we asked if we could come the next night to meet with his older brother and sister. We got there and the brother turns out to be a Less Active member of 10 years who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood! We found out in the lesson he has joined another church and now is Rastafarian. The lesson was very hard, because he was arguin with us, but said that his brother can choose for himself to be baptised and come to church! Sphamantla came to church yesterday and loved it! 

We went again Last night, and this time, the brother freaked out and went all over us about the black christ and how he wont save white people, and about smoking weed, and all this stuff. He also told us that he is not gonna let Spha be changed by us cuz he is too young. I was heartbroken, mad, and well pretty angry to be honest. I didn't know how to respond, other than testifying. but of what? he knows the book of mormon is true, and knows a lot of scripture, but the Spirit told me to tell him the God loves him, and He loves Sphamantla. 

As we were leaving I pulled a BOM out and left it on the couch and watched Spha pick it up and smile at me. It was pretty funny. but yeah, it stinks knowing that this guy is holding back a future missionary, father and priesthood holder. As we left We just looked at it with an eternal perspective. One day. He will be baptised. I know it.

On our way home we stopped at a powerful referral from the older elders, Vuyokazi. She had requested a BOM. We went there, and she as an amazing family, with 6 people in the home!! She was so sad to miss church but promised to come next week! It was awesome that the Lord provided for us so quickly. We lost 1, but gained 6! If we decided to be angry and just go home, we maybe wouldve blown it.

Those are some of the highs and lows this week. mostly in one day. ahha. But I am thankful to Heavenly Father for this gospel and the miracles it brings. Heavenly Father is in charge of this work and proves it everyday. I love you all and am soooo excited to see you guys in 2 weeks!! hope you all look good for me ;) ahha

LOVE, Elder Ivins

(He didn't give any explanations about his pictures this week, but they were all adorable!!)