Mthatha Mthatha!

Hey! This week was fantastic! 

It may be coming to an end in mthatha... or there may be more to come. Pres Lebethoa wouldnt give up anything on tuesday when we saw him... hahha

In our interview it didn't come up but it was so fun to get to know him better. We talked a lot about goal setting and working hard. It reminds me of Elder Ballards last conference talk where he spoke about a goal is where we want to be and the path is the steps to get there. It was really awesome.

We spent a lot of this week preparing for KK and Anna's baptisms! The Watsons came to mthatha! It was a wonderful reunion with them! We had a nice lunch and caught up. Then he was able to int. KK. She was so excited to be fully ready for baptism. She and Anna were both champs this week in the bitter water, but their smiles and Spirit were much greater to see. They werent worried about the water, just excited to be making sacred covenants with God. It has been amazing to see them change so much in these past couple months. The Lord has lead us in both circumstances to find these wonderful sisters! It is amazing! We are excited for their third friend Busisiwe to be baptised this week and join them as our new recent converts!!

We went and had dinner with them. We cooked burgers with KK (something she has wanted us to make for her since we met..) and had a huge braii with Anna and her family. It was so much fun to celebrate for these two!

Exchanges with Elder Zander were quite fun... it included too many fun experiences ranging for eating chicken head... to riding stray donkeys.. to meeting amazing people that came to church on sunday.. having our fellowshipper pee is pants.... hahahaha It was just really fun.

We taught lots of good lessons too.. haha. They have been walking as their car is broken.. but none the less we met amazing people. The gospel is true

I love being on mission and this week was another great reason to be here. The lord is providing and blessing Mthatha. As Im reading in 3 Nephi it is sad to see the Pride of the people lead to wars, death, and separation. Stay humble and the Lord will bless us. LOVE YOU ALL.

Enjoy the Cabin, ski a lot, bike too. I recommend the bakery in Stanley for breakfast for the yomies sleeping at the end of the lake.

Elder Ivins 

Fwd: Happy Birthday Mandela!

From: Jarod Jason Ivins <jarod.ivins@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Jul 24, 2017 at 4:42 AM

Hello!!

This week was another amazing week. Lots of good work, lots of great people, lots of food!

Tuesday, everyone was feeling better... so it was a perfect time to celebrate for the birthday of the one and only: NELSON MANDELA. Mthatha is the closest big city to where he was born. He is from a small village about 30 km's outside mthatha named Qunu. We thought about going out there, for a huge celebration, but decided not too. They closed down the main street in Mthatha next to the Mandela Museum, and had a big party, so we thought that that would be good enough. There were things played on the tv all day about him, so it was really fun! It is crazy they impact that he had on everyone here.

The rest of the week was as normal. Shaun is doing amazing as our newest rc. He recieved the Holy Ghost yesterday, and gave an amazing testimony in church. He is so ready for the priesthood and really wants to serve mission after he finishes school next year! KK is set to be interviewed this week by Elder Watson! Im so excited to see them again, and then Anna will be interviewed this week as well. So we should have a wonderful baptism next week for the both of them! 

Our investigator Busisiwe is so amazing. We have run out of things to teach her. Hahaha. She downloaded the gospel library app.. and yeah.. just reads everything! We try to go teach Law of chastity... "oh i read that one.." so we say okay Word of wisdom.. "oh yeah I know that one too!" okay temples. she wont know it.. "I saw this temple magazine at church. Im so excited for the temple trip in december. My mom is late and i can be baptised for her..."

LIKE come on!!! hahaha it is so amazing! The best quote she said though was "Your church is just so exciting!" It made me really happy to see how bright and happy her life is becoming in just a short couple weeks.

Mthatha is really doin amazing, but satan is trying as well. I've been reading a lot in Helaman, about the Gadianton robbers, and all these apostate people. So be strong!! Dont let satan get a stretch on us!

I love you all so much! I love mission! It is going by so fast, and everyday is better and better. The people, the food, the spiritual experiences everyday make me so thankful that I am here serving the Lord. 

Love, Elder Ivins