Mormon Missionary we love you.

Well this week has been pretty exciting I could say. Starting with Tuesday we had Zone leader Council which really helped a lot on how we can better improve our zone performance. Zone leader council took most of the day to attend, but we did have some time to visit an investigator and a member family that invited us for dinner. I'm really excited to apply the stuff to our zone.

Wed we had another interesting day. We had some appointments up to about 4:00, and then all of our appointments after that had to be cancelled because the Assistants asked us to go and pick up a missionary from the airport, because they were going to be in the north east. Well we did as we were asked and we went to the airport and waited a long time until the missionary finally came out of the terminal. We picked him up because he arrived 2 weeks before his MTC date, so until he enters the MTC he is going to be working in our zone with Elder Heward. He has quite an interesting story. He is originally from South Africa, but he has been spending the last year in Utah. He went to Utah looking for his long lost father, Found his father, Found that he was a member of the church, and ended up joining the church as well, and decided to serve a mission. He got his call to serve in the Johannesburg mission, because there actually wasn't any other option due to visa problems. In all of this he accidentally overstayed his visa and got thrown in jail for 4 days so now he is in South Africa early. Story of a life time!

    Thursday was interesting. we had planning as always. And then we had exchanges so that our Investigators could be interviewed for baptism. I went out of the area because I don't quite know it yet, and I went to an area where the missionary has been there as long as me, and that was our only option because the district leader had to go do the interviews.... Lets just say we were a bit lost and we didn't make it to our appointments. The car also started to overheat so we had to take it to a petrol station and get it cooled down. In all of that we did manage to contact some great new people, one of which was a father led family and we set 2 appointments so you can't say the day wasn't a success.

Friday was also interesting. Due to the recent events of Elder Van Heereden's life we had to pick him up and take him to the U.S. consulate building so he could turn in some forms that would allow him back into the United States after his mission. He plans to go back because he has a scholarship to BYU. That didn't really take a lot of time so we were back in time for district meeting. Which was great! The rest of the day went ok. We did a lot of finding and also an interview for some Elders in the zone. It's been hard to be in our own area this week but it's paid off. the Zone just achieved 30 baptisms with a goal of 31 so we were really close to making it for may. I'm sure we'll make it for June with a goal of 30.

Saturday was a normal day apart from when the first thing we had to do was change a tire on our car that had gotten a screw in it. After changing and fixing the tire, we were rolling awesome.

Sunday was great, we found out that we cant use our shower because all of the plumbing is plugged up and whenever you flush the toilet the base of the shower fills with sewage water, so we went over to the other Elders flat to shower and prepare. We made it to church on time and filled the font! As church started we had another interesting experience with one of our investigators named Ral, coming to church completely out of his mind I'm not sure what he was doing, but he was definitely under the influence of something very hardcore, because after a while he could hardly stand straight or stay awake. He kept falling on my shoulder and then waking back up. Finally we had to go out with him and try to figure out how to get him home. It really makes me feel sick inside to see so much self induced pain. He is definitely struggling so keep him in your prayers.

     On a lighter note we had 3 baptisms and the baptism went wonderfully. It was the baptisms of Renaius, Sarah and Tafadzwa. It was a good end to a week. Other than that we are now staying in a different flat until the plumbing is fixed up.

1. Baptisms did they go through?

1. Answered

2. Where is your companion from again?

2.He is from England

3. What is the town area like there?

3.It's a lot like Monroe but bigger

4. Did you need money put in account it should be working for you now.

4.well i don't know if i need money but i could probably use it.

5. Is there anyone that has inspired you while your serving there whether its a member or one who joins.

5.I would say Elder Van Heereden

6. What is one food that you would like to never see again since being on your mission.

6.um..... i don't know. Probably Mgoudu (this is cow intestines)

7. DO you HAVE you temple recommend up to date
7.yes
8.How is the changes with the mission president affecting you?

8.hasn't happened yet

9. So now are you being able to run with the change of place and companions?

9.I'm getting it now

Well that's all i have time for
Love Elder Jones

To my dear Missionary son

I am trying to make sure you get at least one note this week as I am at Beths typing it. The computers at home are having issues so that's why I am thinking ahead as we have to take Dads in to get fixed and we might not have it back in time to write a note Sunday.

I need to know out of those two classes which one you would want of the jump in class, Marriage and Courtship or the Public Speaking if taking the time to drive up there is something you want to do. I have to get the registration on it done next week. It can be dropped up till Aug 22 if you want to change you mind but as of right now one has to be picked and on your schedule before the class filles up. Its not really one I want to pick but I did say that the Marriage one would be the best as a class working towards graduation just pick based on the names and then we will reevaluated as the time gets near.

The kids are done with school today and so summer has started. I hope I can keep them busy. I have decided that I wont work because first I have no car to drive. And I kind of need to be here to referee the kids being at home. Jo and C both are going to be working at the ice house so that xxes me out of a car to drive. I also need to be on top of Jer and keeping him eating. I found out that I still may have the job come starting school because the boy who I sat with will be back on the bus come Aug. So it looks pretty good for my chances.

Well enough about me. We want to hear what your adventures are right now. Now that your in a new spot.

We think we have asked you every question that is possible to ask we too are having a hard time thinking up things to ask. Maybe I need to ask Mark and Chad what they would like to know about you now that you have been there so long.

Well Maybe there will be more letters later this week but as of right now that's it for my computer time as I have got to head for home to keep the roof on since they are all there and most likely doing the swim in the mud or play in the water while they change it since they think summer is here. The crazy thing is there is still all the snow in the mountains to melt and its cool all the time unless we have a really fast snap of warm up.

Love you lots keep up the good work for the Lord. Have the best week ever