10/19/2015 - MAHARA FAMILY BIRTHDAY PARTY

This week was awesome. It started off kind of bad but turned out amazing. On Monday we went to our appointment and had forgotten our phone to call the person so we couldn't get in the big gate and it was a bummer. Then on Tuesday we did service at a home for special people. We feed the little kids and it is a cool experience to be around so many humble and perfect spirits. Then there wasn't much the rest of the day. On Wednesday we got a knock on our window at 6:30 by the zone leaders saying that President wanting to come teaching with us. So we scheduled an appointment and President and sister Dunn went teaching with us and it was super spiritual. Then that set up the rest of our week. We decided to go check a referral and as we were talking to him a lady said hey Elders. So I went and talked to her and it was a member. She had been praying for missionaries the night before and it just happens that we met her on her way to work. We are going to visit her this week. It was a cool experience. On Thursday we had a birthday party with some members and I think we had more fun that them. Then later we found out if was another members birthday so we got a lot of cake ha. This weekend we watched general conference and it was really good. Personally I think the theme was faith, hope, charity, and love. I like how the spirit guides them on what they should talk about before and then we get to see it all come together. I don't remember who it was but they had the wheels spinning in my head. I was thinking about what it meant to be cool. Growing up and in school usually the ones who are cool are the ones who are unique in a certain way. Like really good athletes for example. These days the world is such a way that everyone can be sinners. It is more unique to be a follower of Christ as we are. We are cool. You are cool and don't forget that. Have an awesome week.

Elder Hepworth


Birthday party with the Mahara family.

10/12/2015- STILL LEARNING THE ROPES OF A "TOWN" INSTEAD OF "TOWNSHIP"

Unfortunately I still don't have any pictures but I will take some this week. I have had a better week because I'm starting to get used to town. Last Monday we had an awesome family home evening. Then on Tuesday we had to go to the mission home for scheduled interviews with President. If you remember I had those a few weeks ago but because of the change and zone change I went in again. It was funny because President keeps track of how old we are on mission and we have interviews every three months so he said you are 21 months now. I was like ha no ways I'm still 19 you saw me two weeks ago President. He was like oh yeah haha. On the way to interviews we got stuck in heavy traffic which I don't really like. When we were sitting there I was looking out the window and then my companion starts freaking out and the car in front of us hits us. I don't now what he was doing but he rolled back like ten feet and made a nice tent in the front. I couldn't believe what had just happened ha. One senior couple told me if you can drive here you can drive anywhere. The rest of Tuesday and Wednesday everything cancelled on us. We even have cancellations for Rugby games. Cancellations can really get on my nerves. God is more important right? We were supposed to have a baptismal interview on Tuesday but something went wrong with the family and we weren't able to see them the whole week. We think that they got kicked out of the house that they were renting. Life can get tough. I just hope that we can work out there baptism still and they get things fixed. The rest of the week was pretty good. Members feed us good here. We had Roman's pizza for one visit which is like Pizza Hut and a Braii (BBQ) for another. Then our Sunday dinner we had spaghetti and salad with cake for dessert. Once I figure out how to work town well and get comfortable I will be loving this place. We have some pretty cool investigators that we are working with. Each come with there own challenges though. It is fun being here. I'm looking forward to seeing conference this weekend. I hear there was some good stuff. Well my time is up so have a great week everyone and don't forget what is really important.

Elder Hepworth

09/05/2015 - BEDFORDVIEW ORANGE GROVE- FIRST TOWN

Well it is interesting being in town and this place is very town. This place is part of Bedfordview but the area is called Orange Grove. I feel so out of place because it isn't just black people anymore. There are black, white, and Indians in our ward. I was so nervous and looked like a greeny baring my testimony yesterday. I will get comfortable soon. I kind of feel homesick for my last area and my last district but it's good to be here. My new companion is Elder Ainslie from England. He has been out for 11 months now. He  is a cool guy. I don't know how to work in town so he is teaching me the ropes. This week was pretty good. We don't teach as many lessons as missionaries teach in township but it is still a good amount. There isn't much to talk about this week because it has been a week full of trying to get used to things here. I'm finding it weird how hard it is to adjust to the change. When you talk about something or are taught something it can be a lot easier said than done. Well I hope everyone has a great week. Don't forget to enjoy life.

Elder Hepworth

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