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