09/28/2015- TWO BAPTISMS and EMERGENCY TRANSFER

Okay well this week has been interesting. It started off pretty harmless. We had a good P-day and on Tuesday we had interviews with our mission President which are always good. Then on Wednesday three of us in the district got sick and the zone leaders were coming to do our baptismal interviews. Three of us stayed home and the others went to Khutsong. They passed their interviews and the baptisms went great.

Leonard, Elder Hepworth, and Selo

Leonard and Selo's Baptisms

On Thursday and up until now I am still sick and I'm sick of being sick. On  Thursday it was heritage day here in South Africa so for our heritage we had a good old American BBQ. It was pretty awesome until I got a call from mission President. In the mission field their is this thing called an emergency transfer or ET. Long story short I'm leaving Khutsong just like that in the middle of the transfer to go help another missionary. I wasn't ready to leave Khutsong but I'll go where he wants me to go. I hate saying goodbye though. It is amazing to serve in South Africa but it is very far away from home and will be difficult to visit.  I feel a little nervous for my new area because I'm going to my first town area. I have been in township my whole mission and haven't taught one white person ha. Life is full of surprises and opportunities I guess. One thing I have learned is to go into things more positive. Over my mission there has been times when I felt like this sucks and then come to find out I love it two weeks later. Life is meant to be spent in joy. Men are that they might have joy so be happy. I love you all.

 

 

09/21/2015

Well the past couple of weeks have been good. I can't remember everything that has been going on though. We have been busy fixing stuff with the car and the flat because other Elders neglected them. It is easy to get that mentality that we will only be here for a short time so we can just leave the problems but I can't help but feel like I should get them fixed. I have gotten the car completely done but the flat still has problems. Unfortunately it has taken away from our time in the area. The area is still doing good though. Yesterday we were able to get a less active to church that we had been working with for so long. We came to church early and went to walk with her. He enjoyed being back and hopefully we can get her totally reactivated. We also had an investigator that we have been teaching come to church for the first time. It was a shock to see her there because we have been going slow with her. She isn't to good at English but good enough to be baptized I hope. The language barrier can really be a pain sometimes. It will be weird to go home and understand everyone. We should we have two baptisms this Sunday as well. The zone leaders are coming Wednesday to interview them. They are two great guys Sello and Leonard. Sello is 18 and really good at basketball. He loves the church and has progressed really well. Leonard is older than him and really good at chess. They will both be great additions to the great ward of Khutsong. We are still continuing to have fun as a district. Today we went bowling and ice skating. Ice skating is a lot like rollerblading but I haven't done that for a long time and it was pretty difficult. I can't believe how old I'm getting on mission. It doesn't seem real. Like everything in my life doesn't seem real until it is over. I couldn't believe that I was leaving for mission until I was then gone and here in South Africa. What I have realized is that when you do something the same for so long day in and day out you start to get tired. I have been trying lately to come up with ways to push through these months that I have remaining. If you have any advice for me let me know. Mission truly is great but I will never admit it is never easy. Have a great week everyone. I hope everything is going good for you all.

Elder Hepworth



Elder Ahomme and Elder Hepworth with Alvin and the Chipmunks!!!

 



Elder Ahomme, Elder Hepworth, and Elder Taylor Ice Skating!

 





Elder Hepworth Bowling!

 

Elder Hepworth, Elder Ahomme, Elder Taylor and Elder Willombe Ice Skating!



09/11/2015- ELDER HEPWORTH KNOWS HIS MOM

Hey mom,

So I just wanted to let you know that I won't be emailing normal time on Monday so you don't freak out. We have to take the car in to get serviced. We will be emailing in the evening here so I don't know what time that will be there but don't worry...be happy. I love you

09/07/2015- ELDER HEPWORTH'S "SISTER" MISSION IS OVER- ONLY 6 MONTHS LEFT

I took off my skirt this week because I'm done with my sister mission. This week was really fun. We found Domino pizza last Monday. I hadn't had it for 18 months and it was delicious.

We had district dinner and ate salmon with potatoes and sour cream. It was a meal that we definitely don't get to eat often. I haven't had sour cream since I was home either and it reminded me of home ha. We made a dance video and tazed each other in the district. I honestly miss doing fun and crazy things and I'm having a lot of fun with my district. Don't get me wrong though missionary work is still moving forward. The other guys in the district had a baptisms on Sunday and we put two more people on date this week to get baptized in the coming months. Khutsong is a great place to be serving. Every place has it's issues but the positives out way the negatives. On Wednesday we were on exchanges with the zone leaders so they could do a baptismal interview. The young man didn't pass because he had drank coffee a few days before so we are giving him a few weeks. It will be good for him and good for us because I don't want to baptize anyone who isn't ready. I don't know if it is a common fear or just my fear but I worry about my recent converts. I hope that other missionaries are taking care of them and they are still building testimony. I know God has a plan for all of us and if someone does get lost for a time he will make a plan for them to come back. I am an example of that. This week I read a verse in Helaman that talked about 3 things and each was like a stepping stone. It said if we come to know the truth and believe in the scriptures. Then we will have faith and repent. Then we will have a change of heart. The change of heart is what we are all reaching for and it starts with prayer, scripture study, and church attendance. Putting God first is top priority. I thank you all for your support and prayers.

Elder Hepworth