Merry Christmas!

Ah Christmas has come and gone. Surprising and a bit sad. 

Christmas here was complete opposite from home. Most people are just partying with house music and alcohol and if people decorate it's as far as a small tree in the corner, like 4 ft or less. But nonetheless, I enjoyed it. We had dinner at Sister Sarti's, then at the Povanho's and lastly at the Swartbooi's. We had many families inviting us to dinner but we could only make it to a few. At the Swartbooi's I had turkey... it was the first turkey I had had since Thanksgiving 2015 and it was wonderful. By the end of it all I was struggling to finish the meal at the Swartbooi's, but, I prevailed!!

Utah: Christmas Day 10:30 p.m. BUT Africa: December 26th 7:30 a.m.

This morning I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to my family. I was able to Skype and see them all. Family, I love you so much and I'm so grateful for you all. To everyone, I hope you've had a great Christmas and that you're enjoying all the new gifts and keeping the Savior in your heart.

To the missionaries, I love you all. I'm so proud to be serving with you and I hope and pray that you work hard and that this time that you've had to talk with your families will give you a boost to work hard.

This past week was a decent one. This coming week I hope goes well. We received Transfer news and Elder Mosweswe is leaving me to go to the coast, Swakopmund! My new companion will be Elder Ndlovu from Durban, South Africa. He's a cool kid and I'm excited to work with him.

Well I hope you all have a great week and know you're loved!!

- Elder Burgess

Here's us at the Swartbooi's

This is what happens when you eat three good meals. Here we call this a "Kapunda" kuh-poon-duh.

"It's beginning to look a lot like...SUMMER!! Everywhere you go."

Wow how time flies!! I can't believe that Christmas is already here! I have to wish a Merry Christmas to you all now but for my family, I'll be seeing you later! 😉😘

Well this past week has been a good one! Despite many people being gone we have still been able to see quite a few people and some were people that we've had trouble seeing for a while now. 

It was a good time this week, except for Tuesday- Friday, where I was sick. Funny enough, the day I was the sickest is the day we had the most appointments. Don't worry I'm doing well now. The Lord blesses us in our afflictions and works in mysterious ways, that's for sure.

For example, my highlight of the week. When we went to the barber to have Elder Mosweswe's hair cut, we met a young man by the name of Isaac. Isaac is a 19 year old from Angola, the northern neighbor to Namibia. He was here in Windhoek for a doctor's appointment and was leaving the following day. We introduced ourselves and told him what we do. As we talked his interest was greatly peaked, especially when it came to finding the true church. He asked if we give out bibles and if we had one. 

I replied, "We do but we don't have one. I do have this though." And proceeded to pull out a Book of Mormon. This kid was in love with it! As I explained all about it he just kept saying, " Wow, this is wonderful." Then came the tough time. He was leaving and we had no way to contact the elders in Angola. We gave him our number for when he came back to Windhoek but it just didn't feel like enough. 

I began thinking of how we could help this young man more and then it hit me. A few weeks back we met with a man who worked in Luanda, Angola. He's been taught by the missionaries all the lessons but wanted us to visit. Right before leaving, I had asked him for the contact details of the elders in Angola. I had no idea why. They were useless to me but it felt right to write down their information anyway. Now fast forward to our time with Isaac. I sat there thinking, "I have no way for this young man to find the missionaries." And immediately a voice responded, "Yes you do." I was then able to give this young man the contact details for the elders in his very city.

It's amazing how the Lord works, truly it is.

Well I hope all of you enjoy this Christmas Season and that you remember why we celebrate it; the REAL REASON. 

Love,

- Elder Burgess

There is no faster way to HAPPINESS.

Hello Everyone! 

Life this week has been. Yep, it's been. This past week we only had a few lessons. People were right when they said Windhoek becomes dry in December. For example, our sacrament attendance is almost half of what it was. Yeah, joy.

But there were still good moments, and bad, but we'll get there. Hold your horses, keep your shirt on, slow your roll, "take your pick, I have more."

So this past weeks highlight has been Sister Ottilie, and I'm proud to say, she is now our sister in the church! We had some wonderful lessons with her and I've never had someone so prepared. This experience was a dejavu moment from Sister Phina and Brother Nico (If you'll remember they're my beloved family from Lenyenye). Sister Ottilie was interviewed and passed and Saturday she was baptized then the following day she was confirmed. I'm so happy! I truly love this work. There's a reason they call it the Labor of Love.

I also had a great chance to see the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. If you haven't seen it, "I highly recommend it, it's so choice!". There was a wonderful talk on Christ's birth but it addressed how we wouldn't celebrate the birth of Christ if it weren't for His Atonement. I had a great privilege to give a talk on this very subject. 

I must say, I truly love this gospel and church and I really, really love our Savior and Redeemer. I'm so blessed to be His servant and messenger. I urge all of you to re-evaluate the call you received at baptism to share this gospel. There is no faster way to happiness. 

Love you all,

- Elder Burgess

Picture: Elder Mosweswe, President Samahia and his son who just wanted to be in the photo, Sister Ottilie and her daughter Valentina and your's truly.

Mission Tour & little sheep!

First off, a shout out to Elder Keaton LaMont, Happy Birthday Bro!! We're 20!

So this past week has been quite eventful. To start off, Elder Mosweswe and I have been working hard and seeing many people. Sadly, due to the holidays, many people are leaving so from about now to January this place is going to be dry... and wet. Dry in people and wet because the rain is supposed to be coming.

As many of you know, I'm no longer a teenager. In all honesty this was the most boring birthday I've ever had, not the worst but just boring. Plus, I don't even feel older. I still feel like I'm 18 and just graduated high school... I've decided, and I declare to the world, that I'm forever 5 years old. There, it's settled.

Anyways so the events of this week.

On Friday we had Mission Tour. Mission Tour, if you'll remember, is where a General Authority generally (pun intended) comes and has a conference with the missionaries. This year we had Elder Ellis come. It was an amazing moment really! He had such wonderful messages and by the end of it all, four hours had passed and it was like I had just blinked. 

Then on Saturday we had a Christmas party. At this party we had a bit of disorganization and guess who became the three wise men? That's right, three missionaries. So with short notice we had to select gifts for the baby Jesus. I took my scriptures, figuring that they looked like a box, Elder Desouza took flowers and Elder Mosweswe took a rugby ball...he thought the Christ Child could play with a toy. Over all, it was interesting. We had a few investigators come as well so that was good!

Ah and now for the end of the story of this week. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Namibia hates missionaries. So we've been having car troubles here, for everyone. We've had a car die and one go far away, so currently there is supposed to be 2 cars in Windhoek and 8 elders... but, there's 8 elders and 1 car now. So here's how the story goes. Elder Reynolds, our district leader and fleet manager for Namibia, has been having problems with his car because the alternator died. Well now we've lost my car. That's right, I'm back to walking, and it's the hottest part of the year. I'm going to be drenched most of the time, from my own sweat (gross but true) or from the rain.

So this is what happened. I was driving when the car started making a funny noise and the oil light came on and the temperature started to spike. I pulled off and discovered that the cap to our water reservoir was missing (probably blew off while driving because the pressure and heat became too much) So after some time, a lot of water, and pushing the car down a hill, it blew up. Just kidding, we got it back on the road. Well some time goes on and the oil light comes back on. I decided to call in Elder Reynolds. After a brief check up, the doctor (Elder Reynolds) discovered that the car had blown it's head gasket.

So now we have 1 car. We ended up taking the alternator out of my car ( with permission from our fleet manager, Elder Hawkins) , which is brand new, and putting it in Elder Reynolds car. So I guess we can be positive and say we have a functioning car...

But please remember D&C 58:4 where it says "For after much tribulation come the blessings."

All is well and the work will go on! 

Have a wonderful week!!

- Elder Burgess

Sorry the picture is fuzzy but this is all of us with Elder Ellis. Our photographer also timed it perfectly...

Here are our sheep at the Christmas party.

This was my birthday dinner party.

The rainbow.

Hello family and friends,

I hope this finds you well. It's been 7 days since my last contact with you all and I fear you've missed me greatly. Whether this is true or not, it does not matter.

Well, on my end, life is good. Missionary work is going well but at times it's rough. The wonderful part is the good far out weighs the bad. This past week Elder Mosweswe and I were trying to top last week's success but sadly, we barely fell short. However, looking back, we had a great week. We had 9 investigators at church, 9 progressing investigators and most of our days were full of lessons. I've really come to love Namibia. The work here is moving!!

This week started off well too. We had a wonderful surprise of rain on Monday and we got quite a sight, a double rainbow. For one, rain is scarce and rare here and two, rainbows have symbolism. I'm not sure if you know but the rainbow was the sign of a covenant God made with Noah and with Enoch. Many know that after the flood a rainbow appeared to show Noah that the earth would not be flooded again but it was also for Enoch, Noah's great grandfather. It was a promise to Enoch that the Zion he had built up would return with the Lord at his Second Coming and that his family would go on forever. So, the rainbow promised the world eternal families. Just a fun thought.

We had a great moment with Sister Megan when she gladly accepted a baptismal date. I'm so happy and I know that Megan and her recent convert sister, Vinoliah, will be able to help each other in this crazy world.

We had Zone meeting this past week as well. Elder Darley and Elder Hamilton came back and they even treated us as their old flat mates. Elder Darley hit his year mark and we celebrated with ice cream. This week was good and life is just getting better. But, December is right around the corner and people are leaving for the holidays... I'm not excited that's for sure.

But it's part of life. Love you all and have a great week!

- Elder Burgess

The weather was so nice!

...I've found it and I'm never letting it go.

Hello to my people. I hope everything is well and that you're smiling. If not, you should because you're reading a letter from your favorite missionary!!

This week has been a hoot! Okay, it's been so so. I've been sick this past week but today I'm doing great, in comparison to the beginning that is. Despite being sick, I've still been able to see many people and we met with some new investigators. 

We had an interesting meeting with a family on Tuesday, the !Garus-oab family. Yes, I spelled it right. Some names are crazy! I will pay anyone who pronounces it right. Trust me, I'm keeping my money. Anyways, they're a great family but they like to debate. For them, they insist that all answers must come from the bible. And if it doesn't state it plainly then they dispute it. So I had some fun. As time went on I started getting frustrated. We were sharing scriptures about the pre-existence, Jeremiah 1:5, and then explaining that we were all with God before. He only wanted to accept that God knew Jeremiah because He's God. Finally, it got to a moment where I started sharing scriptures and testimony that aren't straight forward but, with reasoning, make sense. By the end they were silent. They also were glad and understanding. I must say I love this Gospel and the truths that are found in it. Because of the Restoration we have full truths and understanding.

So our friend, Ottilie, is doing wonderfully. She's loving the church and the gospel. She's looked around to other churches and she was about to give up when she met her friend, Sarti, a member of the church. Day one she loved the church and day two, her daughter loved the church. Her daughter, Valentina, was even in the primary program yesterday and she did wonderfully! Ottilie is doing great and she can't wait to be baptized!!

I know this church is true. I know it is the one and only true church. I've never seen so much happiness and love than in this church. If being on my mission has brought at least one thing to my life it is a love of the gospel and scriptures. I promise you all, the Book of Mormon is true. I never truly understood the power that it holds but I've found it and I'm never letting it go. 

Thank you all for your prayers and I encourage you to go read Moroni 10:4 and truly ponder what it says. I promise that your heart will be changed if you search it with faith.

Cheers!

- Elder Burgess


Oh yeah a small thing I forgot...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

I can't believe I'm missing one of my favorite holidays again!! first work and now my mission... 2018 Thanksgiving will be great, so help me!!!

Love you all and I hope you remember to thank God for all that you have and all the people in your lives! Heaven knows I'm thankful for you!

Enjoy the pie! 

I apologize, I've been sick so I haven't taken pictures. Here's a quick photo to prove I'm alive and show off my new haircut...it looks the same as before, I know...but there's not much I can do with it on my mission, okay?!

Encouraging success.

How are you all? I hope well.

So I don't really have too much to say. We got Transfer News and Elder Darley and Elder Hamilton went to Swakopmund! They've been telling us how it's so beautiful and they live right on the beach! But other than them leaving, nothing changed in Namibia. I'm still companions with Elder Mosweswe.

For this week though, it was actually really good. We had many lessons and met many new people. We've been working with a Sister Megan, a recent convert's sister and she's really getting into the gospel. She and her sister have been getting closer and making a better relationship because of it too. She even came to church! We had 6 Investigators at church and they brought friends!! It was wonderful because now the friends want to be taught!!

So since these guys, Elder Darley and Elder Hamilton, have left we've taken over the whole of the branch's boundaries and its big!! But we also have the flat to ourselves now... which is also big! 

Like I said, not much to say this week.

I hope you all have a wonderful time this week!

- Elder Burgess

Our district in Nam before these guys left: (Left to Right) Your's truly, Elder Gohnert from South Africa, Elder Bagoole from Uganda, Elder Desouza from South Africa, Elder Hamilton from Washington state, Elder Khupiso from South Africa, Elder Reynolds from Vernal Utah, Elder Ndlovu from South Africa, Elder Mosweswe from Botswana and (Kneeling) Elder Darley from Idaho.

Happy November!

Hello everyone! 

I hope that your week has been grand!! Happy NOVEMBER!! Wow time is flying!! And hey, I'm almost 20. Wahoo!!!!

Anyways, this past week has been going well for me. The weather has been so nice! It's been cloudy and raining and I've been loving it! For us here in Nam, things have been okay on the missionary work side of life. Things just keep going! We had a great moment on Friday though! So on Thursday Elder Mosweswe was on exchanges with Elder Reynolds and they were walking down the street we live on when they're stopped by a sister. She asked them a wonderful question, "Why do you keep passing by but you never visit my family?" Turns out she's a less active and we went and saw them on Friday. It was sad because the mom was caught at work but we were able to see her kids and talk with them. 

So on Saturday we ran into an interesting fellow named Erastus. Erastus was a member. Now I've stated how people say that even though they've been baptized but he literally was a member. It was about a year ago that he left the church and had his records removed. He read some anti-Mormon literature and in his own words he felt that "there were things kept from [him]". So he left and then tried pulling other members away. It's sad what bad publicity can do and it's even sadder that some people believe what they read. It was a sad moment talking to Erastus but it couldn't take from the highlight of my week.

Ottilie, a wonderful sister and investigator has accepted a baptismal date!! So she's actually been taught by sisters over the phone and now us. Her co-worker and friend, Sarti, is a returned missionary and visited the states for General Conference just barely. The sisters asked if she had a referral and she gave her friend's number. Since then they've been chatting and teaching her. Ottilie has been coming to church and loving the discussions. When we went there Saturday night she said, "We need to talk about baptism". It was amazing and by the end she accepted to be baptized on December 10th! 

I've been loving my mission so much and since I've been able to meet and teach people I've gained a great appreciation for the gospel and for our Lord, Jesus Christ. A really really cool thing about the work is that it's moving! This coming transfer (i.e. next week) we're sending missionaries to Swakopmund. Swakopmund is a city on the coast that has a branch but has never had missionaries!! Who ever goes there is about to make history! I would love to go there eventually. I hear it's really beautiful and it's on the coast! They baptize in the ocean!! HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE!?!?! I of course might not go there ever but still the thought is cool.

Well have a nice week and "Don't forget to pray"!!

- Elder Burgess

Elder Mosweswe was in a hurry, in the morning, it seems...

Happy Day of Cavities!!

Happy Birthday, Conrad!!! (my nephew) and... Happy Halloween!!!

I can't believe it's Halloween!! It's a shame that they don't celebrate it here in Nam.

So this past week has been pretty good. I'm surprised it's gone in all honesty. Monday night we went to the Desousas' place for FHE. We had a good lesson and played spoons with them. Then on Tuesday I went on exchanges with our District Leader, Elder Reynolds. Elder Reynolds is from Vernal Utah. He's a cool guy, kinda quiet though. There's something about me and exchanges, I swear I'm cursed. Every time I have an exchange things just go wrong. Appointments cancel, no one picks up, and things just don't go to plan. But, every time, the day ends up being great!! Funny how it works out.

On Thursday we went and saw Brother Felis, a father-led we just found. This man is out to correct the world. It was probably one of the most frustrating appointments ever!! He wanted answers and if the bible didn't state it clearly, word for word, he'd dispute it. Then he starts telling us that our problem is that we don't think... I'm quite happy with how we handled the situation. We calmly testified with scriptures and eventually left, fuming on the inside but knowing full well that we kept the Spirit with us. 

On Sunday we had a beautiful Sunday and a District Fireside. Elder and Sister Gatten, Public Affairs missionaries for the area office, came and spoke on social media. They spoke about how everyone should be using social media to spread the church to "Bring the Church out of Obscurity". It's a big goal for our mission. But I got thinking and decided that we need to do this everywhere. So my challenge for you is to share the Church over social media. 

My last challenge is on missionary work. We need missionaries. The world needs missionaries!! So please come! Young men, prepare yourselves now. Be ready and excited. It's a wonderful time. Sisters, if you're not sure, pray earnestly to seek the answer. Everyone knows that Sisters have the strongest testimonies. And lastly, Senior Couples. There is a great shortage in couple missionaries. We need you!!! The world needs you!!

I'm thankful for all that I've been able to learn and for your love and prayers. I would also like to thank Doug Archibald. Doug passed away a week and a half ago and I would just like to thank him for his dedication in this life to raising wonderful children and being a great example and addition to the world. Doug, thank you. You will be missed. My heart and prayers go to his family. I love you all and I'm grateful for having you all in my life.

Until next week Friends and Family!

- Elder Burgess

We went for a hike Saturday. It was beautiful and really windy!

The family is ordained of God.

Hello Everyone!!!

So this week has just flown by! We have had an eventful week with many lessons. We've been visiting this lady named 'Nanal'. She's the Branch President's daughter and has been investigating for a little while now. Before, her knowledge of the church was built by the internet and all the messed up views that the world has of Joseph Smith. Luckily she started to see that she needed an open mind. She's very concerned about her family's well being and wants the greatest life for them. The funny irony is she's married to a member who's super less active. The church has been around her forever! She's been really involved and really attentive. She's a great sister and now her sons have been joining us. They have also been attending church consistently. I have high hopes for them. 

We have some wonderful families in our branch. One of my favorites is the 'Desousa family'. They live just down the street from us. We've been teaching their maid, Patience. They're wonderful though!! Whenever we're nearby we stop and get a drink and they're so loving and fun. 

Another such family is the 'Katjotjo family'. They bring my story of the week. They are a younger family and have some really adorable kids. We shared with them how to share the Book of Mormon and our testimonies of it. By the end it was amazing!!! They left us with a kneeling prayer and can I just say, the family is ordained of God. Heavenly Father truly delights in the family.

Well I thank you all for your love and kindness and I hope you have a great week!

- Elder Burgess

The Namibian sun is hot but gives some really beautiful sunsets!!

It's an oven out here.

Hello Everyone!! 

Life is doing well. This past week was good, just very hot! Namibia is definitely a desert. I've been getting to know the area a lot better this past week. We've been able to meet some wonderful people and do some great things. 

Every week we visit a soup kitchen and help feed children. It was so cool to be a part of that!! The kids were all so kind and it was just a great feel! I'll attach pictures. So we arrived and waited for the kids. I got put on dish duty. It wasn't that bad though. 

I'm kinda not sure what to share... 

Elder Mosweswe and I are getting along and working on getting the area to grow. 

Oh interesting story. So in our area, Wanaheda, there are two companionships and we both had cars. So you know what happened to our car (still no news on our car). But now the other elders' car just broke down today... Namibia just hasn't liked missionaries. We'll keep going though. Looks like we're all walking!!

Sorry there's not much but I'll attach a couple pictures and they're worth a thousand words!! 

Thank you to you all!!

- Elder Burgess

Elder Hamilton and I are ready to serve! And serve the food. 

The kids just kept coming.

Namibia - a new adventure

Hello to you all.

We flew out for Namibia Tuesday night and didn't arrive until around 11. Namibia thus far is pretty great. It's a desert though! There's just a lot of sand and vast expanses of nothing. Surprisingly, there is a lot of hills. My new companion is Elder Mosweswe. He's from Botswana and he's only been out for 3 months. He's a great guy and a good worker.

So adventures started right off the bat. After we arrived we went to bed. Wednesday morning though, the games began. The work is good this side. The members are involved in missionary work, mostly because there hasn't been missionaries here. Right now there are 10 missionaries in all of Namibia. There are 5 branches but missionaries are only with 3. I'm serving in Weneheda. The other areas are Katutura and Windhoek. They're all close to Windhoek but there is a branch on the coast and up north. President is hoping to send missionaries there soon. It's kind of daunting having only 10 missionaries in a country...

So an interesting story this week was a great prank. Day one we visit an investigator named Flaviano. He starts in on The Book of Mormon and how the Bible says no additions. We do our best to explain and get him to read...then Sunday came. Sunday morning we arrive at 11:45 for correlation (our church starts at 1) and we see Flaviano. Then he joins us in correlation.... Sure enough the guy is a member and one good actor.

Oh and then I had a car...had... I drove it for one day and it quit. It had just come out of the shop for service and now the engine has practically gone kaputs... looks like I'm walking. 

I've been enjoying my mission greatly and Namibia is such an exciting step. I'm so happy to be here! 

- Elder Burgess

My new companion, Elder Mosweswe, and I.

Crossing borders.

So a lot has happened this past week! But sadly, not much work...

On Tuesday, I had an interview with President Chadambuka. It was kinda funny but also a little sad. What made it so, was the fact that he didn't even know that I'd been in Limpopo for 9 months, let alone, Lenyenye for 6 months. Well after his initial shock he proceeds to say, "Well, I haven't heard anything..." then he paused briefly, "bad about you." Then He tells Elder Malemo he hadn't really heard anything about me, good or bad... Ah well, looks like I'm flying under the radar!

Because of the time of my interview we were only able to have one lesson and give a blessing. Wednesday came around shortly with Zone Conference. Zone Conference was really great actually. I learned a lot of great ideas to better the work. 

This whole week was disturbed though, by Transfers. So Transfer news came in on Saturday and you're not going to believe where I'm going!?! 

I'm..... STAYING!!! Bummer I know. Lenyenye is great though, it's a shame I'm actually leaving...

Yes folks, I'm leaving Limpopo. In fact, I'm leaving South Africa. I'm going to...

Namibia!!! 

I can't believe how fortunate I am!! Going to Namibia is a real treat! There were only 6 elders in Namibia and when I go over, there will be 10. They're opening two new areas. I believe my area was already existing. It's called Wanaheda. It's right outside of the capital, Windhoek. Wish me luck!! I'm not sure when I fly out though. 

As excited as I am, I am sad to leave. There's a lot of people I've gotten close to here but, it's part of life. A change of scenery will be nice. The worst part though, Namibia is HOT!!! Wish me luck!

- Elder Burgess

Elder Bagoole and I were on exchanges when we took this photo. Funny enough we're both going to Namibia. Here we go!!

I thought I'd send these too. This is when we did service for a less active family on Saturday. I climbed the tree and was chopping limbs with Brother Wally, the one in Orange. That bit of blue is me.

  

Here is the Lenyenye District, AKA my roommates on our last Sunday together.

When you're in the service of your God, there is no language barrier.

Dear peoples not in South Africa,

First, sorry you're not in South Africa, I am. Second, how is life?

For me, life is great! This past week disappeared and here I am again. So this past week was a bit down, a bit. We had so many appointments, (I mean a lot!!) but they almost all fell through. Majority of the people we saw were chance encounters and lucky timing. 

We had a great lesson yesterday with a family, the Mafetus. They are our regular Sunday appointment. They don't really know English though. Because of that, it's been interesting for me. I've been getting a lot better with letting the Spirit guide my words. That whole lesson I had no idea where they were coming from! The lesson begins and Elder Malemo, who knows the language, starts talking. Then he turns to me and just nods... I sat for a second and thought, "Well I'd better speak". I didn't even know what he had shared with them or where he stopped. I just opened my mouth and let it flow. As we were leaving I was thinking maybe I'd ruined the lesson but Elder Malemo was so pleased and happy, saying,"Wow, that was a really nice lesson!" I sighed inwardly and agreed.

We also celebrated Heritage Day! It was pretty fun seeing the traditional clothing and just spending some time with the members! 

My favorite moment this week though was sacrament meeting. So we're sitting there and they just blessed the bread when no later than a second, five small finches fly into the chapel through a mistakenly left open door. The whole time during the sacrament was filled with the sweet sound of bird chirps and flapping wings. It was really a beautiful sound and sight!! I wish you all could've seen it! Then for the remainder of the meeting they had fun flying around and dive bombing people, which became pretty entertaining!! Over all, I hope your week was as great as mine.

I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom restored to this earth. And most important of all, I know that Jesus Christ is our savior and redeemer and that shortly, He will come and claim his people and that day will be one of unsurpassed joy.

Love you all!

- Elder Cameron Cannell Burgess 

Some of the Relief Society sisters sporting their heritage.

Elder Burgess photobombing a selfie with a selfie.

Myself helping with the clean up.

soccer & staying strong

Hello Everyone!                                             9-20-16

Sorry about yesterday, we had a zone activity and there is too many elders for us all to have emailed. For our zone activity though, we played a variation of soccer called five-a-side. It's an enclosed area and a smaller field with only five players to each side (hence the name). There's no outs and you can't have it in the air above your head or else it's a foul. It was so fun!!! Sadly, I wasn't the brightest and didn't really take many photos... Sorry. But Maybe we'll go again. I'm very sore though!

Update for the week:

It's been an iffy week. I've lost my pocket tag in the area and I've had no luck in finding it. Also, we've had a lot of cancellations so we only had a few lessons. I've been keeping my head up but sometimes it's hard being a missionary. I understand now when people say it's not an easy thing. BUT, there's a lot more good than negative. I've been truly loving my mission. 

Our area finally got some rain thankfully but of course it was right after we washed our truck...the wash was null and void. People on our side are doing well. We've been finding some more less actives and hopefully we're helping them regain their testimonies then build them up stronger than they were. 

I thank you all for writing me and keeping me updated on everything you. I'll do my best to respond as often as possible.

Well that's all for now I guess, tata!

- Elder Burgess

"Chomi" means "friend".

An unexpected trap...

Hello Everyone! 

I hope all is well and that life is treating you well. I'm doing great but It's been hot!! I'm sure many of you probably remember me saying, "I'll go anywhere but I'd prefer some place not too hot", Well, It's too hot. It's been in the high 80's low 90's but it's only spring... There's a chance I won't be here for Limpopo's Summer... I hope.

Anyway this past week has been good despite the heat. We've found a few new investigators and a couple people who have been less active for a while. Yesterday we had some less actives at church who haven't been there for almost 3 years!! It was great! And they were laughing and really enjoying themselves!! The work is improving for sure. 

I can't really believe where the time has gone. I've already surpassed the year mark for when I got my call and I've been out for 8 months... 2 years is really short.

Not a whole lot but I do have a good story!! Elder Bagoole locked himself in the bathroom. So here skeleton keys are still used quite a bit and the problem with them is after a while they wear out. Well, when Elder Bagoole was attempting to exit the bathroom, the key broke. So here we are waiting for him so we can leave and we hear a knock and a soft voice. I couldn't help but laugh!! The best part was we couldn't just remove the lock because the lock is literally in the door! 

Then! Elder Griffey starts getting all excited and starts putting his heavy shoes on so he can kick the door down. We eventually called the office couple, the Hawkins, and asked for permission to kick it down. They didn't answer though. We waited and waited and Elder Griffey was about to go ahead and do it when Elder Bagoole escaped with a butter knife. It was all pretty funny!!

Well That's all for now!

- Elder Burgess

Elder Malemo attempting to free our captive, Elder Bagoole.

Elder Burgess is famous!! Just kidding, I forgot to send this from when we were in the newspaper for Mormon Helping Hands. 

"Rise up, dust yourself off, and move forward." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Heyo!!

So sorry not a lot of time today.

I'm alive, I'm happy, I'm eating, etc.

Life is going well here in Lenyenye. Elder Malemo and I have been working hard but still struggling. People here are ready but we haven't found the REALLY ready ones yet. We literally had an investigator welcome us with a big smile and give us chairs then she went to get her friend... A few minutes later her sister came by and said, "She left, you know?" We walked away laughing but still a little sad. We've been able to see many less actives though!! We're trying to get them back to church so we can start a group out this way. There actually used to be one! We're going to get it back!!

I'm sorry this is so short but it's because we went to a crocodile ranch. It was pretty cool and there are some BIG crocs!!

Love you all, have a nice week!!

- Elder Burgess

Hello, Hello, Hello! This is Nat King Cole.

Just kidding, it's Elder Burgess!! 

So not a whole lot but this week has been interesting and long!! Driving down to Pretoria was a hoot (not), and it's been kind of slow. 

So my new companion. His name is Elder Malemo. He's 19, just 28 days older than me, and he's from Bloemfontein, South Africa. He's a really cool guy! He's really fun and a good hard worker! I definitely feel we're going to help this place grow!! Our goal is to get a Group started in our area. I think it's possible at the moment but it might be him that does it. Who knows if I'll be here another transfer. 

Not a whole lot happened this week. We were able to find a lot of less actives! It's quite sad though, many have joined other churches. And the saddest thing I've heard, and I've decided it's one of the saddest things to be said is: "I was a member". People don't understand, it doesn't work like that!

There's still much to do here!! Hopefully in the near future less actives will stop dodging us and we can get them back to church. Elder Malemo and I are trying to focus on them so that a group can happen. It's possible because we had three less actives at church Sunday! 

So my spiritual moment this week was with a new investigator, Lillian Mtolo (good luck pronouncing that). We have been teaching her The Plan of Salvation and she's been very responsive! She's asking questions and I feel that she is very ready for the gospel. I'm so excited to continue teaching her!!

Well "Tha- tha- tha- that's all Folks!"

- Elder Burgess

Elder Malemo and I

Transfer news!

So this past week has just flown!!

Things in the field have been rough. We've had nearly everyone cancel on us or they weren't there. It was sad, but I'm not discouraged. I'm still loving Lenyenye but there's a lot of work to be done! Where's "Eye of the Tiger" when you need it!?!

It has been interesting though. There's been a lot of health problems throughout the mission and in my district two elders got ringworm. One of them, Elder Nielson, was able to have it go away without much worry. But Elder Baldwin wasn't so lucky... his ringworm became infected and covered the whole of his right shoulder. The worst part was when a member clapped his shoulder, which caused it to bleed. The poor guy is doing better. He's gone to the hospital and he'll be better soon, no worries!

So we received transfer news and I was quite surprised. I thought for sure that Elder Bagoole would be leaving, but nope. He's been in Lenyenye my whole mission!! So what's happening is Elder Matjie, my companion, is leaving and then they're opening an area up here in the district so even more elders are coming up! That means that there will be 10 elders in my district! So my new companion is Elder Malemo. He's been on his mission three months longer than myself. He came with Elder Saiah, my first companion. Oh! and Elder Saiah is coming to my district so that will be interesting!

Also, I'm losing my nice flat... Okay, technically I'm not but now four elders will be living there, it's going to be interesting.

When I find out more about Elder Malemo I'll let you know! I'm driving down to Pretoria again to pick him up. It's like a 4 1/2 hour drive one way! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

- Elder Burgess

We were doing service and nearby there were these little girls pushing wheelbarrows with water in them, so I thought I'd help out. Sister Hall thought she would take a picture.

This is Blessing. He is a member's nephew and the smallest 3 year old I've met!

Elder Matjie and I, after coming back from the area one night, heard frogs, and I mean LOUD frogs. So we went hunting and found this little guy.