3 more Baptisms set

This week we had some great experiences. We have this one family, the Kgetsi family, that is really progressing nicely. We went to teach them this week, and the father (or Rra, as they are called here) had his cousin over. We taught him about the restoration and the Book of Mormon, and it was a neat experience because Debakaone and Leano (the Rra and Mma) were telling his cousin that he really needs to listen to our message, read the Book of Mormon, and then pray to know if it is true! It was great to see them bear their testimonies about the Book of Mormon. It was just a neat experience to see them teaching others what we had taught them! The other really neat experience happened yesterday. We went and taught this man, Mogogi and his fiance. When we sat down and started he had lots of questions about prophets, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon, he was very skeptical. He wasn't buying it, and just figured we were false prophets. But once we starting teaching and testifying, the Spirit really resolved all of his concerns. It was amazing, we really didn't do anything, the Spirit really worked through us to resolve all of his concerns, and he felt it so strong. When we were finished he said he was definitely going to read the Book of Mormon, and asked when we were coming back before we even got around to setting up another appointment. It was probably the best lesson I have been yet. And I decided that was because he asked questions, which invited the Spirit, and the Spirit was able to teach him and resolve all of his concerns. It was wonderful. I wish you all could have been there. This week we also commited three people to baptism, and we are hoping to commit three more this coming week! The work is progressing so well. I am just so lucky I called to this mission where the people are so ready for the message we have. My companion and I express our thanks to our Father in Heaven for sending us to this mission daily. We really are so fortunate, and it really is the best mission in the world!
Sister Barber

Diamond Mines!

This week went by so fast, time just keeps picking up speed, I kind of wish it would go back to those first two weeks where time seemed to be crawling! This week on Wednesday we took a trip as a zone to see the Jwaneng Diamond Mine. It is the largest Diamond Mine in the world! It was cool. It was an underground mine like I was expecting, but it was this big pit, kind of like the grand canyon in a way. It was cool. The trucks they use to haul the rocks out of the pit are the biggest trucks you will ever see in your life. The tires are taller than a one story building! Huge. If I could load pictures I would, but I can't so you will have to wait to see until I send pictures home, or I get home. But trust me, these trucks are massive! I once again decided that diamonds do not attract me. I don't need or even want one. I would much rather spend my money on something more useful. They are pretty sure, but they aren't worth as much as people think they are worth. So that was fun. And on the way to the mine, I saw my first monkey! FINALLY! I thought for sure I would have seen many monkeys by now, but I hadn't until wednesday, and I only saw it for a second! But I did see it! As for the work this week, it was good. We tracted into a lot of families. One of our goals as a mission is to convert families (father, mother, and kids) And we found quite a few this week just from tracting,so that is great. And one of them came to church on Sunday! It was great! Well, that is all for this week, hopefully more exciting things will happen this coming week that I can report on next week. I still hope all of you are making right decisions! Oh, and I have heard how great Springville girls are doing this summer. My mission presidents likes to give me updates! So know that there are people over here in Africa keeping track of you, and we are so impressed with how your summer went! Good luck this season. I wish I could be there to witness it! Keep working hard! I brag about you girls all the time!
Sister Barber

Address Change

The PO Box address has changed as of this week, so please take note:
P/bag 351 #272
Gaborone, Botswana

Also packages will get through quicker if marked "missionary supplies".

Until next week -

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!

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....

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

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