Your last transfer spot? Botswana

Dear familyWell this week has been pretty long. Monday we did our proselyting, because we switched our p-day so we could go to a trading post that is open only from monday to tuesday. Then on wed we had transfers. Part of what made the week really long is the news that I will be spending my last transfer up here in Botswana in an area called Kanye, It's a small village not to far south of the capital, Gaborone. We spent the night in the mission home on Wed night, due to Zone leader council scheduled to be on Thursday morning. It was really cool because during the evening hours we got to go to Dobsenville and prosolyte there. It was nice to see the old area, and I even got to go and strengthen some of the people that  I was teaching. Some of them were quite surprised to see me. Thursday morning we had a great Zone leader Council. We got to go into the temple gate house and listen to the Re-dedicatory Prayer of the land of South Africa for missionary work. There are some great things that were asked for and we can see that many of those things have already been recived Thursday evening around 4:00 And we got to Gaborone at about 9:00.
 President and Sister Morgan had some chili waiting for us and took our picture for the Botswana Mission board. After that we went over to the Gaborone Zone leaders flat to spend the night. Early on Friday morning, we drove about an hour to our area, we met the other elders in our flat/district and then we got to work. I must say, I can tell I'm not in South Africa anymore. The language is different and there are alot more Donkeys and Cows. We actually live in the village in a small house and there is a Rooster that crows outside our window at 6:30 every morning without fail. It's really nice to live here, other than that there is alot of dust that comes in our house and if you walk without shoes on your feet turn black. I am living with my companion Elder Hove, who was also in my district in  Tzaneen as Elder Palmers companion, And Elder Kafeero our district leader and Elder Oketa who is the acting branch President. It's the most unique district  I've been in my whole mission. So for the three days I've been here now, I've enjoyed. Unfortunately it is really cold wich supprised me because everyone says tht Botswana is HOT! I accidentaly left my coat at the Chapel yesterday so I was freezing my buns off as we walked around our area last night. So far that is the news for the week.

1. Did you have a hard time with jet lag when you went to Africa? Do you think you will have a hard time with it when you come back?

1.I don't remember really having any Jet lag problems. I just started following the morning schedule and I was ok.

2. Do you want to do your home coming talk before you testify or after the court stuff that Sunday would be the 20th to speak if you do it before?

2. I would prefer to do my homecoming talk as soon as I can. But not if that is going to be the day after I get home.

4.Where are you these days?

4. Botswana

5.Car M. wants to know if any American songs are they in the back of the hymn book that is there in Africa? Like star spangle banner.

5. The hymn book is exactly the same

6. Have you read the whole Book of Mormon now?

6.Yes

7. Have you read the whole Bible now?

7.no

8. Have you read the whole D&C now?

8.no

9. We read the newsletter for the mission but its always about a month behind so my question is have you completed the checklist that is talked about on the April letter and what is it about?

9. Well i've been working on it. It came out along time ago, infact about a year ago and it is a requirement for all New missionaries to complete. It is a choice for anyone else. When i was training a new missionary we were doing it together, I didn't decide to do it on my own until last transfer.

10.So did Elder Palmer always be the cook if he was a chef?

10.Yup he cooked quite alot, I mostly cooked Breakfast

11.The big converter that changed electical stuff that we got at the Missionary mall place was it useful to your there in Africa.

11.As a matter of fact i have really never used that thing. It's just been taking up space

12.Please take extensive pictures of those shoes Dad wants me to take and email them to the Missionary Mall and get them replaced before you come home as we will not have time to go back to Provo before the court and I have to go in two weeks so then I can pick up a replacment pair. Also any other items that need a lift so that you can have stuff to look good in for court. 

12. Alright but I'm not sure if they are worn out enough to get them replaced.

13.Dad wants to know how much of a difference this mission has made in your life?

13. I can Honestly say that I'm going to try and be alot more diligent when  I get home. I don't want to sleep in and stay up late, I want to read my scriptures every day, I want to be diligent in planning my days so that I can use my time as wisely as possible and not get distracted and end up procrastinating important things. And I'm Honestly very scared that I'll fall back into the old routine of just doing things when I feel like it or when I  only have very little time left to do it. It has strengthened my testimony, because of the experiences I've had and the things I have noticed fall into place. It has helped me to be a little more out going at the same time as being a little more calm and collected. It's taught me to think before I act and taught me to serve those that I care about. I've learned that Life is just a big Decision and I'm the one that makes it. If I want to be good at something, I have to choose to be I have to work on it I have to Focus on it. If I want to do what's right, then it's my choice, if I'm going to do something wrong I'm the only one to blame. I've learned that I'm responsible for helping those that have fallen down and need a lift, and if you don't know what to say and do then you don't have to worry because the Lord will tell you what to say and do. I've learned a lot more about the Atonement of Christ and why that is so important in our Heavenly Fathers plan. I think I can say that I've learned alot, the only thing now will be to stick to it and not forget it, I think that's why the scriptures are always saying "...Remember, Remember and perish not"

Love Elder T. Jones

P.s. I don't think that I will have a large amount of luggage to try and fit in the car. And I don't think it would be a problem if just Mom and Dad come to pick me up at the Airport. As a matter of fact I think I would prefer that.

Dear Elder

One month of summer is gone. The kids hit work hard this week at the ice house and working their animals to prepare for the fair. It finally got warm and has stayed warm. I mean we could still pick asparagus its been that cool and usually it ends the middle of June but there is still some on the banks that can be eaten. C was thrilled because Uncle Golden called to have him help load a hay load and made a lot of money in an hour. I think he is finally getting the gist of wait for it and then pay it off, his goal is a motorcycle. He tried to get his learners but missed it by two so back to reading the book and paying a bit more attention when driving and he will soon have it. His birthday was when he was at wrestling camp. Last year he was gone to scout camp so two years of not being here to celebrate. Jo went up to girls camp and so on Thur I went up to spend the day with her. They had a really good speaker come talk about how when hard things come into your life you have two choices one turn to him or away from him. The speaker told about how her Dad woke her up and said he was leaving and never going to come back and the next morning her Mom told her before you dial your best friend dial the one who will never ever leave you and knows everything that you will always and forever need. So she encouraged them to pray often instead of text or phone a friend on earth first.

Dad finally cut what hay he could even with our new river cutting out half the hay. Its taking a long time to dry out as the ground is so wet under it. Next weekend the scouts and Dad are going on an over night horse ride and so we have to go to the Vet to see why Hobbles is so slobbery and will not turn his head. Jo and K also have a 4-H show this week for the first time this year.

We are a bit distressed because upon getting your itinerary it showed that you arrive the day that the kids are all showing their fair animals, so based on that we have to leave at 4pm to make it to the airport if Jo and C are done showing will determine if they get to come with us. Add the fact that we have to rent or borrow a bigger car just to get your luggage in and that the next morning we have to be back at the fair at 7 am to sell all the market lambs, pig, and two steers we were a bit overwhelmed. Jo and C have resigned themselves to that fact that they might not get to be there to see you till later and even K and Mc keeps rubbing it in cause he will get to go since he has no animals this year to show. Our horse Christy that little black pony had a very pretty baby and then surprise June had a baby that we were not even really knowing that she was going to have one, her baby is really brave and has no fear of things. C also had gotten Pharaoh to load into the horse trailer and Jo is working on the other little yearling to load it.

 

Uncle Ray said that he thought you would make a great counselor when we were talking about school and Sam and when each of you would speak in sacrament meeting timing wise. Seth just graduated with his criminal justice degree from SUU and Chad is on the B county hwy patrol. Jacob is on the border patrol, and David works in the prison. Uncle Ray said you would make a great investigator since you have first hand experience with a mind of a deviant.

Please pray that funding will come through for you to live on campus if that is what will be best in the Lords desires for you. I am going to admit here that Dad hopes you do not go and will just be satisfied to do online till Jan. We could use help cutting wood and finishing the fields and you working will help you to have a little bit put away for school. But if the funding comes through in full I guess we will except that it must be the best, which of course then the housing will have to come through also.

Well that's about all the newsy news for this week. We are for sure wondering about all your exciting news cause there has got to be lots of changes for you this week with a new Pres. and new companion and place to live in. So fill us in on the adventure that you are living while teaching the good story of life to the African people.

 

Love your family

Transfered to Botswana

THE CHURCH OF

JESUS CHRIST

OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

South Africa Johannesburg Mission – Botswana Mission Office

Dear New Elders and Sister,

Sister Morgan and I want to welcome you to the wonderful country of Botswana. This is the top of the mission in more ways than one. You will create great memories here that will last a lifetime.

I am a counselor to President Poulsen and Sister Morgan and I serve as the senior couple here and we are here to help you to have much success in your missionary work. We take care of the rent for each of the flats, pay utilities, and give assistance if anything goes wrong with cars, or in your flat. We even help if you get sick.

Each of you are members of the great zones here in Botswana but we have to take care of immigration items to make sure you are legal in Botswana during your service here. We try to get Botswana residence permits for the duration of your missions. This way President Poulsen doesn’t have to move you in three months back into South Africa. It also gives you a chance to be transferred back to Botswana later in you missions if that is where the Lord wants you.

There are three wonderful zones here in Botswana with the Botswana West Zone with missionaries in Lobatse, Kanye, and Molepolole each having their own branch. The Botswana East Zone includes Gaborone with three wards and Mochudi with its branch. Francistown is its own Zone with three branches. Wherever you are called to serve the Lord will bless you if you are obedient and hard working. You will find the people very receptive to you and eager to hear your message.

May God bless you for your efforts and try to be the kind of missionary that your mother thinks you are.

 Please forward this letter to your parents as the address they will need for sending anything to you while you serve in any of these three zones is:
Sincerely,

President and Sister Morgan

To enjoy thier blog please visit here.

Botswana trip, & the wearing of the pass around suit.

For the Questions,
1. Do u drink chocolate or eat it or have it powdered since its grown in that country or is it a product that seems to be only for the very wealthy?
1. There is a ton of chocolate here and it's not expensive.

2.Last week his question was he wanted to know if a brown suit was his cousins that he left in Africa when he finished his mission and the answer is.
2.Yes the brown suit was worn by Elder Mark Owens from your own home town and he is your cousin. He is amazed that it is still around so take a day wear it to a meeting and then pass it on with your name signed inside he says its tradition.

3.Tell us what it was like to see Botswana the land inside of South Africa, along with your adventure to drive cars there??????
We hope there are some pictures to go with that trip that you took to Botswanna.
3.Well the Botswana trip was cool, I'll tell you a little about it in the meat of my e-mail

4. Brother Aubery what has happened we have prayed all week for him.
4.Well this week, we haven't seen him since last Sunday, but we will be seeing him on Tuesday night. He still seems to have some hidden concerns that he doesn't fully want to talk about so it's hard for us to address them.

5. What do you think of the info about driving busses as a side job.
5.I really don't know. Um.... I never though of myself as ever driving bus for kids but you never know.

The Elders letter
I can't tell you how excited I am to hear that they are doing Beauty and the Beast at Snow. It's actually making it hard to think right now. (in highschool Tyrell was Lafou and he loved being that crazy guy.)

Anyway lets start with Monday. Not much happened then but we had a good p-day and got some general stuff done like cleaning and shopping and stuff.

Tuesday We started of by going to The Paul Nicol's home for handicap people and we organized a massive service project, for our whole zone to come and paint a part of the place it should be pretty easy with 20 missionaries so it's going to be great. and as the day progressed, we went to our appointments. it seems like we've been struggling a bit lately because alot of people have dropped us and alot of people aren't committing. So Elder Hatch and I have been filling up our time with trying to find new people to teach. Tuesday was full, but everyone except for Benee and Maria and The Baldwin Family (both member families). So we did some finding around and actually found a good family, The Groenewald (pronounced with a dutch accent) family.
Wednesday I was on exchanges with Elder Ramahefarivo (from Madagascar) We got to go to an employee meeting for a store called Clicks, and share a message from the scriptures about unity. After that the rest of the day was a bit drab. We set up some posters produced by the Church in an effort to stop people as they walked by and talk about coming to visit them, and unfortunately all of the people we found were not really in our area. after about and hour of that, the Elders In Kwaguqa (Kwa-goo-[click with your toung] and say wa) Telling us that there was one of our investigators in my area that needed to be interviewed for baptism that was to be this last Sunday. So after finding where he was we went to go and interview him. We had made a plan to meet him at a toll gate on the N4 freeway which was about 30mins from our area. we got to the toll gate and called the investigator who said he was on his way. After waiting another 30mins we called again and he said he was having trouble to find a taxi and that it might me another hour wait. I realized that we weren't going to be able to to that so we made plans to see him on Saturday. After getting back to the area our 4:30 appointment didn't show up and our 6:00 appointment cancelled as well. so then Elder Rama and i drove to Sunnyside to switch back with his comp and my comp so that Elder Hatch and I could pack our things and drive to Jo'burg for the night.(because of the trip to Botswana the next morning). Finally we got to Jo'burg and we packed our things into the medical flat for the night.

Thursday was the day we drove to Botswana. We woke up at about 5:00am to get ready and we were at the Mission office by 6:30 to receive instructions and to load up to go. The purpose of the trip was to pick up 12 mission cars and drive them back down to south Africa before we had to pay a fine, because the cars are registered in south Africa. So what they did is they loaded us up into two vans for the trip up and then we had to drive the cars back. It was a long drive up, but a longer drive back. To give you some details let me tell you some numbers. There were a total of 12 cars waiting for us in Botswana and a total of 6 companionship's and one senior couple making 14 of us in total. So to get back to south Africa we had to drive back the 12 cars plus the two vans.......so do the math. OK each of us had to drive our own car WITHOUT A COMPANION!! I'm going to tell you that was one bazaar experience. We were put into groups of four to be sure and stick together. It was me Elder Hatch (my comp) and two others behind us. I was the only one in my group that hasn't served in Botswana so I was right in the middle. The drive was honestly one of the weirdest things because I had no music and no companion to talk to.So I realized how weird it was to talk to myself after having not been alone for the past year and a half. After a long drive we got home and the deed was done. Unfortunately i didn't get to see much of Botswana because we just went in and came out, but I can say I have now touched ground in three separate countries.

Friday we had a Zone meeting and it was great, we talked about our upcoming goals for this trimester, and I got to say a few things that I enjoyed in General Conference, about Being and Doing.

Saturday was hectic because we had to drive all the way to Kwaguqa which is about an hour drive and do that interview. After that we came back and started our own day which was mostly finding again. At 4:00 we went to Sunnyside to do another interview and then got back to our area. to finish of the day

Sunday was average, we had about 2 investigators at church, Benee and Maria's Neighbors Finally gave in and came to Church and then the day went on from there. Please just keep praying for us that we can find lots of good families to teach and Mom keep up the good work on setting me up for school. Sorry I haven't had the chance to reply to you yet Dad sometimes I just don't have time to say all that I want to say.
Love Elder Jones

The families newesy news.
I am to tell you that our bus driver says you really should start the CDL training when you get home and be on the sub Bus list with her hubby training you because then where ever you go you could be a sub driver especially if you go to Ceder City because there is a huge turn around that happens there with young drivers graduating and leaving to do real life jobs. You have to be 21 so in a few weeks you will be just the right age to start training and have a side job that is not to expensive to get into either.

Working on getting you set up for school when the time comes. After talking to Will live in person( info to follow about what that means keep reading) he said the same kinds of things you were saying that acting could be sorta of a dead end job type thing and so he was looking more towards the angle of teaching drama in schools so that he could actually make money in life, and he did say a mission sure changes your views of life and what you might want out of it all in the end. I am going to add to the fact that with much prayer you will be guided if the Lord as a set path that he needs to you be following just make sure you listen after you talk to him about that path.

So (brakets info meaning read on) lets get to some crazy news notes. First I ran into Will Casper at Snow when I went up to see how I could make school work for you at the point you come home in. He said he had just gotten a letter from you. Also to tell you that he would be trying out for Gaston and hoped that you would try out for Lafou in the January production to be put on at Snow. So I went in to talk to Dr K  who was standing near Brad Olsen when I found them and they said to both write them an email note that I can send to them to make them aware that you desire to please have scholarship's within both possible departments. I am thinking based on Brads statement that he may be hoping to pull you over to his dept. possibly. Brad also said to make sure and tell you hello and that it would be really great to have you back again and to have some more crazy fun like running you into the wall in a wheel chair.

Family news: The river is getting higher and higher because of the vast amounts of snow and how cold it has been staying. The kids set the tent up in the bottoms and then slept there one night but the next night Uncle Ray said that he had raised the river level again so we would not let them stay down there. Its amazing that they did not freeze out because it was really not that warm of a weekend. Nana had an Easter party that she planed that we held at Bethany house. They had to find eggs and they had been hidden really good so they had a hard time finding them. They played pin the tail on the bunny and it was so funny when C did it they fliped the bunny drawing upside down so that there was no way that he could get near the spot that the tail should go. They fliped it again on its side when Jord did it but he somehow got it smack on the right spot even with the eyes covered and hands tied behind his back. We were all laughing pretty hard over that game. Well there will again be a son of the hospital staff going to Johannesburg. The Bastians,the lady who once cut your hair and are in Jadies and Chads ward son just got his mission call there to Johannesbug but he will not leave until the week you are arriving here.
Love me all the family too.

Zane Jones
i love you Have you ate or seen misquitoes? How many people have you baptized now?

Are you doing good on your mission? Do you remmeber how old I am? I lost my front tooth a few days ago.Bryce is also loosing a tooth too on the same side as me.

Have a great day did u gitr preznts yet?

Love You lots jones zane