It's the final countdown!!

Hello to you all!!!

This week has been grand! and busy! I can't believe how much has happened and how fast it went!! let's start off then!!

The week's excitement all started Wednesday when we had Zone Conference! It was a right good day full of spiritual things. It was wonderful to study the scriptures as a zone and to discuss what we were learning. It was sadly cut a bit short because of the number of things that needed to be done and President had to drive back down to Pretoria for Zone Conference that side. But in all it was fantastic!

Happy Thanksgiving on Thursday!! Sorry I didn't say it last week... It's not celebrated here so yeah... I hope you all enjoyed it though!!

Friday brought some more excitement, but also anxiety... Black Friday was a buzz and people were everywhere!! Trying to drive through town was a nightmare!!

Saturday was the much awaited day! So in the morning we had an activity and played soccer! It was so fun, and, my team won... not bragging, just stating a fact. It was also great because we got a couple new guys to teach! Activity = successful! We then got cleaned up and went about our day, but we were just anxious for transfer news. It took a while though but it eventually came through...... Transfer news is.... I'M LEAVING!! I'm going to Pretoria East to finish my mission with my good friend, Elder Gohnert!! I'm so excited!! I finally get to serve in Pretoria and now with a friend! I'll also be celebrating my birthday, his birthday, Christmas, and New Year's!! Oh what an adventure!! 

Well tomorrow we drive down bright and early. But I hope you all have a great week and stay tuned, because adventures to come!!

- Elder Burgess

Last District meeting.

Soccer! Representing the Albanian flag for Elder Coka. (it's pronounced, Choka)

Zone Conference, Elder Darley is leaving!

More than a book.

Hello! 

Long time, eh? Honestly, I wouldn't say so. This week has flown by!! Actually this month! It's the 20th of November already!

Well the week was good. It was the usual days of appointments and what not, the same old stuff really. Then came Friday. Friday was a great day. We were helping the senior couple that work in the office, Elder and Sister Owens, to clean out a flat. The flat's lease is up and the owners won't renew, so au revoir to that flat. 

But what was really fun was lunch afterwards. Sister Owens made lunch for us and it was a trip to the past because she made tacos! We had tacos, guacamole, salsa, bean dip, really a Mexican treat! It was so nice! She had made it because it's Elder Owens' favorite meal. And, apparently leading up to that whenever she would ask him what he wanted for dinner his reply was always, "I don't care, I'm getting tacos on Friday!" Haha!

Then Saturday we had an activity and played soccer; we actually had a good turnout. But the greatest news is I was able to play! That's right, I'm actually getting better! My health has been improving steadily but still it's improving.

Sunday was the highlight though. We had a special conference where we watched a broadcast for the South East Africa Area. We had the pleasure to hear from Elder Tad R. Callister, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, Elder Carl B. Cook and Elder Neil L. Anderson. All of their talks were wonderful and directed to help the people of the area. I especially loved Elder Cook's message about the Book of Mormon. He shared again President Monson's invitation and also the blessings that come from heeding it. I know the Book of Mormon to be more than a book. Its inspired words are from God and can bless your life, heal your heart, sooth your soul and bring you everlasting joy. 

So yes, it was a good week. This coming week has a lot in store. I have Zone Conference and on Saturday I find out where I'm finishing my mission. It's so weird to say that but it's true... Stay tuned!

- Elder Burgess

Flashback for the Americans!

Elder Yosi and Elder Khupiso enjoying tacos.

Saying goodbye to Sister Lebo (the one in the red cardigan) who's going back to Johannesburg to see her husband... she was very excited.

Reflecting

Hello to everyone! I hope you've had a great week. 

For myself, I've had a decent week, but can you believe it's almost half way through November?!

But anyways, "Monday" you already know from last week, so I'll start with Tuesday. It was a great day. We visited the Repatse Family and played a game called "30 seconds" after sharing a message. It's a game like Taboo where you describe the word on the card and your team has to guess but it's the latest things and has also South African trivia. It was a lot of fun! We played it a lot this week actually! On Wednesday our neighbor prepared a wonderful meal for us and the Polokwane Elders (who are teaching her). Her name is Louise and She's this sweet 76 year old lady who just loves what we're doing here and what we share with her. Thursday has officially become a not so favorite day here in Seshego because it's always the day that no one wants to see us!

But then came Friday. Friday we had exchanges and guess where I got to go? If you haven't guessed Mokopane then you're wrong. That's right, I got to go to my first area. It was great fun. I got to see some old faces and catch up briefly. No one really remembered my name but they remembered my face. It was fun but weird! Especially because either them or the elder I was on exchanges with, Elder Spencer, kept saying it's almost been 2 years since I was there.... It hit after about the 5th time that yes, it had been a long time since I'd been there. But I guess that's how a mission is. It's gone fast but has been wonderful.

The remainder of the week wasn't the best because I was sick again, But! I'm still smiling! I hope you all are too! I know this work I'm a part of is the Lord's work. I know He loves us. I know we are God's children, and I know He loves us more than we know. He wants us to be happy and that's my goal in life!

Love you all!

- Elder Burgess

Sister Mantome and her daughter Mpho from Mokopane.

The Ledwaba Family, also from Mokopane.

Elder Spencer and I.

And the amazing set up Louise made for dinner!

It's lovely being here!

Hi everyone! Sorry this is going to be short. There's not a lot to tell you though. The week was good, except for being a bit sick. Simply I can say it's lovely being here!

I sure love serving my mission, even with the setbacks. I know that this work is special and I'm so happy to be a part of it!

We went to a snake park, that's why this is short, but here's a couple photos. 

I'm doing well and we're working on getting some new investigators this week.

I do have some wonderful recent converts though! They're so fun! I'll try to send pictures of them later on!

Love you all keep on pressing through life!

Regards,

- Elder Burgess

Happy Halloween!

🎃 🍁 🎃 🍂 🎃

Hello Friends and family!! Sorry about yesterday, we had a zone activity and went to Tzaneen! 

It was way fun, just really hot!! We went and played soccer and you might recognize the place. I played there before, like a year ago though. It was nice to see Tzaneen again, a little weird but nice. 

So let me tell you about this week. It was a good one, but it went fast!! We did find a few new investigators. It was great with Margaret and Thabo (Some of the new investigators) because when we went back Margaret had read the pamphlet and started the Book of Mormon. Sadly we weren't able to share again that next time because she was busy working (she's a seamstress and a good one at that!). Margaret is a very faithful woman who loves God and Jesus Christ and Thabo is her 24 year old son. He's a student but helps his mom with her business. He's also very interested in what we have to share.

Other than that, we had an activity with the Polokwane YSA where we hiked a hill on campus of the University of Limpopo then played games after. It was fun but it was a big contrast from yesterday because it was so cold!! Man, Limpopo is bipolar! 

Great news!! Now attending Seshego branch are a few old friends from old areas! From Mokopane we have the investigator Johannes Chanza, who is actually not an investigator anymore, but a member!! He investigated the church for over 15 years!! Also attending with us is the Matholes from Lenyenye Branch. They actually moved away before I left Lenyenye. They were recent converts then but are now sealed!

It was a decent week. My health has been getting better, ever slowly but surely. Well I hope you have a great week!

- Elder Burgess

P.S.  Honestly, I kind of forgot about Halloween because it's not celebrated here...

Back in Tzaneen and loving the sights!

Bit messy from playing, just taking a breather. It was so hot!! and the turf wasn't helping!!

Brother Johannes Chanza, a former investigator turned convert from Mokopane!

Brother Mathole and his family from Lenyenye. I didn't get to say goodbye to them properly so it's wonderful to see them again.

Limpopo

I hope you're all doing well. This past week was a decent one. So I've been happy and just trying to get to know the people. It's weird being back in Limpopo. I recognize some places and some people.

But let me start from transfers. It was a little rough saying goodbye to the departing elders but the gospel helps us to know that there really aren't goodbyes.  But after saying farewell Elder Khupiso and I took to Limpopo. We arrived late but still I recognize the city of Polokwane. 

We went around the next few days trying to meet the people until Friday. Friday went well but by the end I wasn't feeling too well. Saturday then showed up and came with "great fun". I'll just tell you all this, don't get ulcers. For once I was out of commission. Even now I'm not doing the best but I'll get there.

So not too much this week. I'll let you know more when it happens!

Cheers all!

- Elder Burgess

Elder Khupiso and I 

Sister Mary Lamola

A Special Request

In Zone Conference we were asked "Why are you here?" 

It struck me that I wanted to know from others. So I have a request. I want to know: "Why did you serve a mission?" for those that did, "Why are you serving a mission currently?"

For others:
"Why are you in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?"

"What makes you stay?"

I'd like to get everyone's response that is willing. It doesn't have to be long but if it is that is okay. Write freely! 

I would like to compile everyone's testimony/ story and keep them and also share the responses on my blog. For those who are willing to send this, please put "I'm here because..." in the 'subject line' of your EMAIL and send it directly to ME. 

INCLUDE in the SUBJECT LINE of your email either:

If you are NOT okay with your response being featured on the BLOG and want it for my eyes only then type "(anonymous)". 

OR

If you ARE okay with me sharing it, include "(permission granted)". These responses will be forwarded to my sister so they can be featured on my missionary blog.

Thank you so much and I hope you think on it and help me with this project!

Sincerely,

- Elder Burgess