Monday, July 13, 2009
07/13
Well, this week was great! With the three companionships in our ward, we had right around 30 investigators at Church on Sunday! It was amazing! The people here are so ready, it is unbelievable.Well, I made it through my first transfer, almost, I guess there is still a couple of days left. It went by fast, and i am sure the time will only pick up speed, kind of scary. I will be home before you know it. i will be staying in the same area with the same companion this next transfer. Which is good because we are starting to work well together, and I am just starting to get to know the people here. This week we met a lot of interesting people. One man has been waiting for our message his entire life. He has visited so many churches, and finally got fed up with them, and decided he would just worship on his own because he didn't feel like any of them were right. Boy did he love our message! When we got home we got a text from him asking how he could get a hold of the Book of Mormon! Awesome, so we will be getting him one tomorrow. Mission is great, the church is true. I'm not sure what else to say, other than every decision you make has consequences. if you want good consequences you will make good decisions. We really do control our own destiny. Every choice we make either brings us closer to the Savior or further away from him. It is up to you how close or far you want to be the Savior, but let me suggest that being closer is ALOT easier than being farther. Always remember that! Choose the Right. It is really just that simple. I hope you all make good decisions this week!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
07/07/2009
This week went by so fast, we did a lot of finding this week. We did a lot of stands where we open our trunk, here they call it a boot, and put up flyers that say free books about Jesus Christ, and Put light in your life. Those draw a lot of attention, so we get to talk to a lot of people that way, and we also did a lot of tracting this week. We talked to a lot of people. It was fun. However, it was kind of frustrating because sisters are not allowed to tract after dark, and we didn't really have many lessons this week, so we had a hard time finding things to do until 9. Most nights we just ended up calling people and trying to set up appointments. It is dissapointing to see when you know someone has felt the spirit. For example we watched finding faith in christ DVD with this family we tracted into, they really enjoyed it and i could tell they felt the spirit, but when we tried to set up a return appointment, they said, "we will call you when we are free." Ish, I hate when that happens. Hopefully they call. Other than that, things are going well. The weather has been chilly. I never thought I would need my jacket I brought, but I have needed it and wanted a thicker one like every day. Who would have thought that i would be cold in Africa, but I am. Well, I had better go, but remember that the Church is true. Till next time....
Monday, June 29, 2009
2 updates
Sorry there was no update last week - I was away from the computer for the week - while our mom had a brain mass removed. All is well, and everyone is now back home so now it's time for news from Ashley!
#1: This week I talked to my first drunk person. We were waiting outside an investigators house while he was getting his baptismal interview. We were talking to people that were passing by and handing out pass along cards, when this guy walks up to me and gets really close and says that he wants to marry a white american. He went on like that for a few minutes. He told me how he is going to England to study, and then he is going to be a famous soccer coach for chelsea, but he really just wants to marry a white american because he doesn't like the black girls from Botswana. This man could hardly keep standing. I thought for sure he was going to fall over. He kept leaving and coming back with more "brandy". He couldn't even walk straight. It was kind of entertaining. He told the district leader's companion that he was going to marry me. Man, he finally left for good when his friends came and led him back to his house. So that was my first encounter with a drunk guy. I hope I don't have too more of those, but I have to admit that it was pretty entertaining.My favorite investigators from this week was a husband and wife with a beautiful little girl. The lesson lasted TWO hours! but it was really good. We had our ward mission leader with us, and he got them so interested to read the Book of Mormon. It was great. The wife is so confused though. She used to attend this church here in Botswana, called ZCC, and they give their congregation this "tea" before they start their worship service, and she told us about the crazy things this did to her, make her shake uncontrollably, and have crazy dreams. It was very interesting. They also predicted that she would die last month. But she didn't so she left the church, knowing they weren't teaching about Jesus Christ. Then we knock on her door. We will do our best to unconfuse her. We have another appointment with her on wednesday. Some of the things you see and hear on mission are crazy! I am so grateful to have the gospel in my life, or I am sure I would be just as confused as some of the people we meet everyday! What a blessing to know the things that I know, and to be able to help my brothers and sisters here in Botswana to return to their Father in Heaven.
#2: This week we had two investigators get baptized. Tawanda and Nicolas. Tawanda is from Zimbabwe. He is amazing. I may have talked about him before, I am not sure. But we have only been teaching him for three weeks. He is so happy, and can't wait to get the gift of the Holy Ghost next week. He is a great man, and I am so grateful to have met him. Nicolas is an 11 year old boy. His whole family are members, but he wanted to wait to get baptized until his brother returned from his mission. So we have been teaching him, and he finally got baptized on Sunday. He is funny. We made him rice krispy treats as a present, and the first thing he said on Sunday morning was 'where is my gift?' Of course we didn't give it to him until after he was baptized. It was neat yesterday because we had EIGHT people get baptized into our ward! It is Africa's time right now. So many people are ready for this gospel! Africa is amazing. I am loving it here, and loving the people. I have met so many individuals who are so confused about their purpose in life and about God, and I love seeing them understand the simple truths we share. This work is great, and is moving forward well! On a lighter note, I did get proposed to again. i need to remember to try and stay away from men who have been drinking! Hopefully I will get more time to report next week
#1: This week I talked to my first drunk person. We were waiting outside an investigators house while he was getting his baptismal interview. We were talking to people that were passing by and handing out pass along cards, when this guy walks up to me and gets really close and says that he wants to marry a white american. He went on like that for a few minutes. He told me how he is going to England to study, and then he is going to be a famous soccer coach for chelsea, but he really just wants to marry a white american because he doesn't like the black girls from Botswana. This man could hardly keep standing. I thought for sure he was going to fall over. He kept leaving and coming back with more "brandy". He couldn't even walk straight. It was kind of entertaining. He told the district leader's companion that he was going to marry me. Man, he finally left for good when his friends came and led him back to his house. So that was my first encounter with a drunk guy. I hope I don't have too more of those, but I have to admit that it was pretty entertaining.My favorite investigators from this week was a husband and wife with a beautiful little girl. The lesson lasted TWO hours! but it was really good. We had our ward mission leader with us, and he got them so interested to read the Book of Mormon. It was great. The wife is so confused though. She used to attend this church here in Botswana, called ZCC, and they give their congregation this "tea" before they start their worship service, and she told us about the crazy things this did to her, make her shake uncontrollably, and have crazy dreams. It was very interesting. They also predicted that she would die last month. But she didn't so she left the church, knowing they weren't teaching about Jesus Christ. Then we knock on her door. We will do our best to unconfuse her. We have another appointment with her on wednesday. Some of the things you see and hear on mission are crazy! I am so grateful to have the gospel in my life, or I am sure I would be just as confused as some of the people we meet everyday! What a blessing to know the things that I know, and to be able to help my brothers and sisters here in Botswana to return to their Father in Heaven.
#2: This week we had two investigators get baptized. Tawanda and Nicolas. Tawanda is from Zimbabwe. He is amazing. I may have talked about him before, I am not sure. But we have only been teaching him for three weeks. He is so happy, and can't wait to get the gift of the Holy Ghost next week. He is a great man, and I am so grateful to have met him. Nicolas is an 11 year old boy. His whole family are members, but he wanted to wait to get baptized until his brother returned from his mission. So we have been teaching him, and he finally got baptized on Sunday. He is funny. We made him rice krispy treats as a present, and the first thing he said on Sunday morning was 'where is my gift?' Of course we didn't give it to him until after he was baptized. It was neat yesterday because we had EIGHT people get baptized into our ward! It is Africa's time right now. So many people are ready for this gospel! Africa is amazing. I am loving it here, and loving the people. I have met so many individuals who are so confused about their purpose in life and about God, and I love seeing them understand the simple truths we share. This work is great, and is moving forward well! On a lighter note, I did get proposed to again. i need to remember to try and stay away from men who have been drinking! Hopefully I will get more time to report next week
Monday, June 15, 2009
A Baptism!
As for Botswana, this week was good. So much happens in a week, I don't even know where to start. One investigator, Tawanda is amazing. He Texted us one night and said he knows this is the true of church of Christ, and doesn't want to wait til July to be baptized. So he will be baptized next week. We only started teaching him right when I got here. He said he has visited many churches but never got baptized in any of them because he didn't feel like it was the true church of christ. But he knows this one is! It is really neat to see how the Lord is preparing people to hear our message.
I feel like I have progressed so much in just one week. I am getting better every day at lessons and letting the spirit lead me and guide me in the things I need to say. It is a neat experience to not know what you are going to say, and open your mouth and out comes simple truths that people need to learn. It has been a struggle for me to do this because I have always thought about what I was going to say before I say it, so teaching by the spirit and not knowing before hand the things will say has been a bit of challenge for me, but I am getting there.
I haven't eaten anything too weird yet, but I am going to try chicken feet this week. I think...maybe. we will see, but I will let you know how they are once I do....Sounds horrible anyway. No worms yet, thank goodness!!!!
The Book of Mormon is a true book. If you haven't read it all the way though, read it, think about it, and pray about it. It will change your life! This church is the true church of Christ. I know this with all my heart. I love you all and miss you all. Til next week...
Sister Barber
I feel like I have progressed so much in just one week. I am getting better every day at lessons and letting the spirit lead me and guide me in the things I need to say. It is a neat experience to not know what you are going to say, and open your mouth and out comes simple truths that people need to learn. It has been a struggle for me to do this because I have always thought about what I was going to say before I say it, so teaching by the spirit and not knowing before hand the things will say has been a bit of challenge for me, but I am getting there.
I haven't eaten anything too weird yet, but I am going to try chicken feet this week. I think...maybe. we will see, but I will let you know how they are once I do....Sounds horrible anyway. No worms yet, thank goodness!!!!
The Book of Mormon is a true book. If you haven't read it all the way though, read it, think about it, and pray about it. It will change your life! This church is the true church of Christ. I know this with all my heart. I love you all and miss you all. Til next week...
Sister Barber
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
New (& Quickest) address
It is quicker to send letter and packages here to botswana, or I will have to wait for transfers before I get them, so just send them here to this address:
P.O. Box 402041
Gaborone, Botswana
P.O. Box 402041
Gaborone, Botswana
June 8 letter
I made it here to botswana! The people here are so kind and happy. i have met so many wonderful people already, and yesterday I got to witness my first baptism. Her name is Bakang, and she just started investigating last week! She is awesome. I was so happy for her. So that was a great way to start off my mission.
It is different here in that the houses are very dimly lit, only one light for the whole house it seems, so that is different. And goats and horses just roam free, crossing the street whenever. OH, and so do the people by the way. The just cross the street wherever whenever. I am driving and my companion keeps telling me I should just drive and they will get out of the way, but I don't want to hit anybody. That will take some getting used to! As for driving, I am already comfortable with driving on the wrong side of the road. It really didn't take long to get used to, everytime I started driving I just said to myself "the left side, the left side" But now I don't do that as much!
It really is a different world over here. So many people crammed into tiny houses with dirt floors. It is definitely an eye opener, but the people are wonderful. No one is rude, that is definintely a big change from Americans. No one slams doors in our faces, they all listen to what we have to say, they don't always accept it, but they always listen and thank us for our message!
Well, being a missionary is fun, but it is hard, and sometimes intimidating, but I am getting better and better by the day! Well, until next week.
Take care, I love you all, and miss you all more than you know.
Sister barber
It is different here in that the houses are very dimly lit, only one light for the whole house it seems, so that is different. And goats and horses just roam free, crossing the street whenever. OH, and so do the people by the way. The just cross the street wherever whenever. I am driving and my companion keeps telling me I should just drive and they will get out of the way, but I don't want to hit anybody. That will take some getting used to! As for driving, I am already comfortable with driving on the wrong side of the road. It really didn't take long to get used to, everytime I started driving I just said to myself "the left side, the left side" But now I don't do that as much!
It really is a different world over here. So many people crammed into tiny houses with dirt floors. It is definitely an eye opener, but the people are wonderful. No one is rude, that is definintely a big change from Americans. No one slams doors in our faces, they all listen to what we have to say, they don't always accept it, but they always listen and thank us for our message!
Well, being a missionary is fun, but it is hard, and sometimes intimidating, but I am getting better and better by the day! Well, until next week.
Take care, I love you all, and miss you all more than you know.
Sister barber
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
June 1st Letter
Well, yesterday I met the mission president, and I meet with him again today. He is from SPRINGVILLE! He is a red devil, and so it was fun to talk with him about that! I swear, someone, no matter where you go, you have a connection with. Who would have thought my mission presdient would be from springville, utah. We should have a good time.
Last week was our last full week in the MTC. It went by fast. On Saturday we got to "Babylon" as Sister Cannon calls it. We went to the mall, and we met this awesome lady named Alice. She is from Zimbabwe, and she wanted to know where she could go to church on Sunday. My comp and I have no idea where the church is, so we told her we didn't know. But we got her number and gave it to the APs. They told me yesterday, that they couldn't get a hold of her! I hope they keep trying, because she was a really sweet lady, and ready for the gosple in her life. It made me so excited to leave the MTC and start teaching people who really need it!
Well, that is all I have time to write now. Hopefully next week I will have more time and attach some photos. Oh, by the way, for all you Springville girls, there is a store in the mall here named "LEGIT"!!!! No joke, I took a picture of it, don't worry! haha...miss you all!
I miss you all, and hope all is well in your life. The church is true :)
Sister Barber
Last week was our last full week in the MTC. It went by fast. On Saturday we got to "Babylon" as Sister Cannon calls it. We went to the mall, and we met this awesome lady named Alice. She is from Zimbabwe, and she wanted to know where she could go to church on Sunday. My comp and I have no idea where the church is, so we told her we didn't know. But we got her number and gave it to the APs. They told me yesterday, that they couldn't get a hold of her! I hope they keep trying, because she was a really sweet lady, and ready for the gosple in her life. It made me so excited to leave the MTC and start teaching people who really need it!
Well, that is all I have time to write now. Hopefully next week I will have more time and attach some photos. Oh, by the way, for all you Springville girls, there is a store in the mall here named "LEGIT"!!!! No joke, I took a picture of it, don't worry! haha...miss you all!
I miss you all, and hope all is well in your life. The church is true :)
Sister Barber
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