The glass is half full.

If you have a moment, please email Cameron an uplifting thought from General Conference. Thank you. Enjoy your week, everyone! - Kimberli



Hello,

This past week hasn't been the greatest. There were several cancellations and plans just haven't gone according to plans. Regardless of that, I've been optimistic. This is the last week of the transfer and I plan to make it count!

I have had some good come from this week though. First would be watching people progress. There's different speeds and levels of progression in everyone. Some progress very fast and find accepting the gospel very easy. Others may have a hard time with a point or two and then some just need to take it slow. One such has been Sister Bessy. Sister Bessy's whole family has found interest in the gospel and the Book of Mormon especially. While yes, they have interest and desire to be saved, they just need things to come slowly to them. But I'm hopeful they'll continue to progress, especially the mother. She's intrigued and loves learning and out of the whole family, has the least conflict with the gospel.

I've loved being on my mission so far. I love being able to see who is ready and who needs time. Sometimes I come across someone and think "They have great potential" but then a thought comes to me saying, "It isn't their time." Which is okay! It can take people several encounters with the gospel before their heart is softened. The Lord knows us all and what's best for us. 

I'm so thankful for this gospel. I'm so thankful for having such a strong support behind me of so many faithful saints. Thank you all for your love and support, know it is greatly appreciated. 

- Elder Burgess

Here's a picture of what they call "Jesus Mountain"... I'll let you guess why. People here may not have the fullness yet, but they love Jesus Christ.

The hard, the good, and the emus.

Send Cameron a little hello note :) Have a great week!



Hello Everyone,

So life in Mokopane has been good. There's rough patches here and there but it's been good. We'll start with the hard parts so as to end nicely, sound good? Awesome.

So the hardships this week have definitely been watching people see the truth and then turn away. Whether it's from choosing their sins or not wanting to commit to bettering themselves, it's still depressing. But I'll keep going because there is still those that know this is true. 

We have Barak's (the nine year old boy) baptism in two weeks and I'm excited. He's progressed so well, he's even finished the Book of Mormon stories book! He can recall and tell you all about the majority of the stories, it's wonderful!

Second on the good list is our investigator, sister Bessy. We've had some good moments with Bessy and her family. They all love the Book of Mormon and read it like a novel. We've been reading it with them and helping them to understand the different words. We've been going with one chapter but last time Bessy's mom, sister Mabeba, insisted that we read the next chapter because she wanted to know what happened next. It was wonderful! I love Mokopane and the people. There's wonderful people here and I've learned a lot from them. I can't wait to see the other areas that I'll go to. If they're like this one my mission will go by instantly and I won't want to leave!

Mission life is trying, yes, but I'm growing from it. As part of training I took over as the leader for the area last week. It was interesting and definitely a learning experience.

Keep your heads up and remember that the Savior is there for all of us. We may find Him directly or through other people. Be constantly vigilant for His hand in your life.

Love you all,

- Elder Burgess

Some friends of a member have pet emus. Couldn't resist taking a photo.

Hold on to your testimony.

I hope you all had a very memorable Easter. Remember that this coming weekend is General Conference! Let's all be prepared to be enlightened. Here's this week's message from our boy. No photos this week but we'll see what next week brings. -Kimberli



Hello Everyone,

I hope you've been enjoying your Easter Holidays. It hasn't really felt like Easter for me without my family's traditions but that's okay. I hope you've all been able to enjoy your chocolate but that you haven't forgotten the true meaning of Easter. Please never forget the Savior and what He has done for us all.

This past week hasn't been very exciting. We've just been teaching and getting some disappointment. People aren't really progressing. They love what we have to say but once we ask them to do something they're gone. 

We have had a good time with Barak though. He's 9 years old and has his baptism set for April 17! I'm so excited! At first we had a hard time teaching him but now he's progressing very well and his English and social skills have improved! Elder Saiah made a profound statement last night about how he couldn't understand how a 9 year old has found that this gospel is changing him and improving his life significantly but others couldn't. I agree fully. It's sad how people are choosing to dwindle in unbelief.

Well I thank you all for your prayers, It means a lot to know that I have so many people rooting for me!

I encourage you all to reflect on your faith and your testimony. I've discovered this week that a testimony is very powerful. You don't have to be a super genius or know the gospel inside out, but if you know in your heart that these things are true then you can work wonders. Please look for how you can build that testimony.

Thanks again and until next Monday,

- Elder Burgess

When the going gets tough...

Happy Easter this coming Sunday! :) It's in March...strange, eh? It's another Monday and our boy has spoken!



Hello Everyone,


This week has been alright. There's been some rough moments and some sad moments. People have cancelled and rejected us... But, it's not the end. We've also had some success. We taught a lot of lessons this past week and we were able to finally meet with a few people we've been trying to meet now for weeks!

We also had Zone Conference. Zone Conference was wonderful. I learned a lot and having so many Missionaries around was spectacular! We discussed a talk called "Lock Your Hearts" by President Spencer W. Kimball. Technically he was still just Elder then though. It was given on a Mission Tour back in 1967! But the message is still applicable and not just to missionaries. It really got me thinking about whether or not our hearts are locked on the Lord. It can apply to all of us. 

We also had a great chance to meet with Brother Lucas, the pastor. Our meeting with him was extremely powerful! I feel we may just have broken some new ground with him. 

Lastly I would like to share something I learned. Do you have real intent? Well, do you? In Moroni 7:9 it says, 

"And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such."

This scripture got me thinking. At times in our lives we ask Heavenly Father but we don't see his hand in our life. How many times did this happen because we didn't have real intent? Food for thought.

Well thank you all for the love you have shown to me and the support you send my way, it means a lot. 

- Elder Burgess

Here's the Hippo Crossing sign that so many of you were asking to see.

Singing in the (pouring) rain!

Thank you for the continued support for Cameron! -Kimberli



Hello to you all!

So it's finally been raining here! We've really needed it and it has sure come down! Tuesday we started riding the bikes around and after our last appointment it was pouring. The moment we stepped outside we were drenched from head to toe! Today even the streets are rivers. I'm so happy we have the bakkie (truck) or else we'd be rowing down the streets!! Haha!

This week hasn't been too eventful though. We've been able to find some new investigators and we also lost a few. We have a new sister that was given the Book of Mormon a few months back. She's read it and loves Jesus now. So when she ran into us she recognized the name of the Church and asked us to visit. We went and started reading the Book of Mormon with her. She's very nice and fun.

Other than that I just have a slightly wild story. So we had Zone meeting up in Tzaneen, which meant that my district needed to drive up. Elder Saiah and I rode with the new Zone Leader, Elder Woniala. Side note, he's a wonderful elder and guy. Anyways, the other Zone Leader said that him and his companion would drive up. This was a bit concerning because his companion is very new on his mission, like just a few days. And he's only been driving manual for a very short while. Well on the way back home we get a call from them saying that their car is stuck in 5th gear. So eventually we get them to pull over so that they wouldn't die in the middle of the road. The stick was completely loose... I'm not sure if it was from elders being too rough with the car or if the new elder didn't push in the clutch far enough but the car was shot.

Sorry, not too much this week. Know I love you all and I appreciate your prayers.

- Elder Burgess

My bike tried to eat me...

God's love is very real.

Happy MONDAY everyone! Enjoy your day and smile because the world needs more positivity!



Hello all my lovely people!

So life here in South Africa has been moving. It's been good but a little hectic with transfers being delayed and now having the transfer finally here. So I will be staying in my area of Mokopane with Elder Saiah so he can finish my training. I'm so glad for it too. It's been nice working with him and I'm learning a lot. Also, we both wanted to stay here so that we can continue the work. We've begun to turn the area around. 

This past week had a few ups and a few downs. We'll go with the bad news first. A couple of our investigators, the good ones at that, have dropped us. They've moved away for school and work. But on the bright side we have received a few more investigators and we were finally able to contact one that's been really busy. His name is Bright. He's from Ghana and he finds so much peace learning from us. I love teaching him and I hope things continue to progress with him.

One of the highlights this week was definitely seeing Brother Pabale confirm his wife and daughter members of the church. We were asked to stand in and it was amazing. The priesthood is very real and it is the authority of God. On that, I can tell you of the best part of my week. We were visiting Sister Dorothy and her kids and at the end of the lesson her daughter asked for a blessing. Dorothy asked her who she wanted to give it and she pointed to me. I had the amazing opportunity to give my first blessing. Never before in my life have I felt the power of our Heavenly Father than at that very moment. I was so nervous of messing up, especially her name (it's Tshegofatso Belina Elena Koopa). It was amazing!!

I thank you all for all the love and support you send my way and know I'm returning it. I love you all and I pray that you strive to stay connected to your Heavenly Father.

Love, 

Elder Burgess

Behold, my new ride. We now have a bakkie and it's very fun to drive!

Knowledge is powerful.

Hi guys! So sorry this post was delayed-my fault. Moving has been hectic this week. Next week his email will be up on Monday. Please enjoy Cameron's update! 



Hello to you all!

Life here in Limpopo, South Africa is going well. It's been a bit harder of a week though. Plans haven't been going very accordingly. We met with President on Tuesday for training. They wanted to see how trainers and trainees have been doing this transfer. Things have been good for me and my companion but I'm not so sure about the other new missionaries. It went pretty well but the meeting was in Pretoria so we drove a lot that day.

Thursday I received my first package, which was hand delivered by the new senior couples, Elder and Sister Hall. My parents were able to meet them and give them my license, letters and some things that could help. It was really cool having it hand delivered. I'll be honest though, it made me miss you all. I hope you're all doing well. Friends and family are so very important and that's why I'm here, to bring them together. I want to have all those I care about, and all those I love, with me in the next life. I want everyone to have that chance also. I'm here to share the gospel and help others in progressing with the plan that our Heavenly Father has given us. 

I also had another baptism! it was for Sister Crystal. Her husband is the one that has been a member for 10 years. Yesterday he baptized his daughter and wife. I'm so happy for him! Seeing families being brought together has been such a blessing in my life.

I've learned so much on my mission and I've even learned about learning. Please read D & C 88: 77-80. It talks of learning, both in the gospel and things we learn from our lives on this Earth. There's also a surprising commandment that I didn't see before and that's to share what we know, both in the gospel and the world. As we do this we are promised that we will learn even more. The life before this life and the life to come are all about learning. Please continue to learn with me Brothers and Sisters.

- Elder Burgess

I got a little friend from home :)

Brother Pabale with his wife, daughter and the rest of his family. So exciting to see this baptism!