Another Week Down

May 14, 2019

Sanibonani!

It was so nice to be able to talk to all my family yesterday. In fact, I'm talking to Nathan as we speak. I hope everybody had a nice holiday weekend celebrating mothers day:)

The work in Kwamashu is WACK. We have ran into some really cool people and I can see how some people are struggling so much. We met a lady named Cindy who was actually a baptized member, but she recently decided that she doesn't want to believe in God. We talked with her for a little bit and she shared with us her thoughts and feelings towards that statement.  I don't know if the things we said afterwards will change her mind, but I do know that what we said helped her to feel the spirit again. It is always good to help people remember what they are supposed to do to feel the spirit.

Me and My companion are getting along super well. Sometime soon (maybe) you will get a copy of our fire album that we are putting together. We are looking for a band name. Any suggestions?

I have been tested so much lately with my patience. We teach a lot of younger people and some of them love to talk, making us late for appointments. We also are working with a lot of companionships in the zone who are... doing their best. Just need a break maybe. A challenge is good, but it is a struggle sometimes.

I'm having a good time and I am feeling myself more lately. It feels good. I hope that I can carry it through with me to other areas as well.

Love you all:) Have a good week!

-Elder Moser

This is Elder Macapella. He went home last week after completing his two years:)
He is super cool and I'm glad I could serve around a future famous person.

This is me with the Other KwaMashu elders.
We are coming back from stake conference here

Response to Mom and Dad's Emails.

May 7, 2019

Hey mom! Don't have like any time and actually haven't been able to email at all, so don't kill me. I'm alive and doing good, and the weather is not cooling down even though it is winter time now. Also, my comp wears layers because he is no joke allergic to the sun. If he stays in sunlight for maybe 3 minutes he get hives and then boils. It is pretty bad. Elections are happening this week, so we can't really go out because there will be political turmoil and unrest. So, we are going to have to be productive in other ways.

Love you mummy:)

- Mose master

YOOO I didn't know that Porter got his call!!! Japan??? That is crazy!

Unfortunately, I can't send a long email. Yesterday the power was out and today only MY email hasn't been working and we are about to leave, so I'm kinda bummed. But I'm alive and well. Elections are this week, so we wont do much. I have had some guys air shoot me as like a threat, and another missionary in Kwamashu had some guys shout to crucify him soooooooo.... That's what happens when these people get drunk. But don't tell mum that:) hehe...

Love ya!

-Mose pose

Kwa-SMASH-u

April 30, 2019

We have been at leadership meetings and zone conferences and choir practices all week, that we haven't been able to do anything in our actual area. When we looked at our own Stewardship report and it was super small. Being a Zone leader is fun! YAYA

So we had like, 2 days ( or less) to plan for Zone Conference. We wanted to make it as unique as possible because all zone conferences are the same and lame. We had some really good speakers, McDonald's share boxes for lunch, and musical numbers. We even created a goal for the zone to have a regular routine of companionship study, and we made a jingle for all the elders in our zone to set as an alarm for a specific time of the day to do their study. I'll have to see if I can send a copy.

As you all know, we have a car now, but the other missionaries think of us as personal taxis. We were late to our own Zone conference because we had to go pick up the Phoenix elders, but they told us the wrong boarding to go to and they lived in the middle of nowhere!!! At least driving is fun, right?

There is a mall close by that a lot of people work at, but that is mostly only women. My companion tells me a lot of men work at car dealerships. The Branch president works at a Lexus dealership.

There is a really good fried chicken place called Chicken Licken. The thing people like in Africa is Church. There are HUGE churches everywhere. Like, seriously.

I feel safe in this area, although, not as safe as in the Bluff. I have to be aware at all times and in all places because you never really know what is going to happen, so you can't look like a tourist. We have to walk around like we own the place. the people here are familiar with missionaries though so that helps too

This IS the biggest zone. We have the most missionaries, 20 in total. Everybody is super spread out, and we had to pick up some of them for our zone conference, but they were so far away and the GPS led us astray, so we were late to our own zone conference. Kwamashu is not city, but we very much live in the city. In Berea Center, you can look it up. Traffic was crazy today because there are protests everywhere haha.

I don't like being a zone leader if you want me to be honest, but I'll do it. Everyone complains a lot so I feel like I have to reprimand children. And some missionaries don't like authority, so that is a pain as well. 

Now that all the big things are taken care of now, we will be able to do a lot more in the area and I'll have a better email next week:)

lovez youz

-Elder Moser

also, This email is on Tuesday because We got permission. We had to do some other business.

Those M&M's are me and Elder Morales.

Me and Elder Warner!! (Former companion)

Lol

Elder Warner!! (Former Companion)

These M&M's are us! Moser and Morales!

Kwamashu 1

Well, Kwamashu is super nice. Like, I could live here nice. Of course the weather kinda gets me, but I'm pretty sure that is just Africa in general.

I had SUCH a welcoming time to the Branch here. We had 4 baptisms of these girls, Thando, Khwezi, Annita and Nobuhle. They are all super energetic and fun and a good addition to the Branch.

The work here seems really good. I was told by President Thompson that out of every 5 doors we knock we will teach 3 of them. But, of the houses we have tracted so far, I have been told off by a lot of drunk guys because we are white. Which is kinda scary sometimes, but fun nonetheless. I miss the Bluff, but I'll be back so I'm not stressing.

Me and Elder Morales did some musical Shandis in the stake fireside, "Music and the Spoken Word." I have been able to sing! Actually, a solo in front of the whole stake haha. That was yesterday, the Bluff ward had me sing "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." That was fun. I did feel a little awkward with everyone complimenting me though. Fame makes me feel weird. Then, I also sang with the Kwamashu ward in front of the whole stake in a trio with this YSA girl named Zo and her mom. They both have really good voices, and my companion played the piano. He is like, a genius on any instrument. Like, we literally created an arrangement the day before. He and I just kinda combined forces and he played a really cool thing on the piano and then we sang. It was super cool. I wish we got a recording of it, because it sounded actually really good. the spirit was very strong and it was cool to listen to all the wards perform their own musical numbers. There was a lot of improvement since the last time in December. Next time they do it, its gonna feel like we are listening to the Tabernacle Choir... I'm pretty sure at least.

We sang hymn 29 and 177. driving is SUPER fun but taxis are crazy to compete with. You know me, I adjust to changes quickly ;)

I also saw a lil black Down Syndrome baby and it was SO CUTE. Driving to the area today we saw two guys that were dressed exactly the same way and we kinda freaked out about it. when I took a picture they were even walking in sync so you have to look really close to see there are two guys.

 Almost every appointment we have been in, people have pointed out that I am from England. I even had somebody pause us mid lesson to ask if I'm royalty. lol, never heard that one before! I have also noticed that I am really pale. I don't understand how being in the sun all day every day can make me lose my tan.... shame, eh?

I don't really know what it is like being a ZL yet. We don't know what we are doing because nobody has instructed us. We are just floating along and teaching ourselves how to do everything. I'm really close to all the elders in our zone already, so that makes things easier. We have zone conference on Friday, and we were the last ones to know about it! Eish!

Cheers Bru!

-Elder Moser

We have a car!!  SKRR, SKRR

Companionship Unity.

 I am never sure how I am supposed to feel when looking at this.

 Our neighbors painted it and put it outside our flat. haha

Look really close at the guy with the hat....

Leaving the Bluff Babyyyyyy

April 16, 2019

Well, after 7 1/2 months in the Bluff, I'm headed out. I'm going to Kwamashu to be a Zone leader with Elder Morales over the Durban Zone! It is going to be fun, but the Durban zone is the Biggest zone, so It is going to have a lot of responsibility.... Elder Morales is famous in Guatemala for his music production, so expect some music coming your way!

This last transfer with Elder Da Silva has been so good, and we have learned so much from each other. We have been trying to do things right, including following the mission schedule. It is really easy to slack, but we did good. I'm going to be sure to continue it.

We went tracking in a neighborhood that we found for a few hours last Friday. It was supper bizarre because literally everybody was Hindu. It was like we found a Hindu safe haven. They are the nicest people though, it's just that they don't listen to what we have to say. All we can do is bear testimony of Jesus Christ.

It is so hard to leave the Bluff! I feel like I am leaving Home for the second time, but it's ok. I see this as a blessing from the lord. When we get comfortable, he does things like this because he knows how we can best progress. I am looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead! Hopefully next weeks email is crazy!

love you all:)

-Elder B. Moses

MIA: I know, I know

April 9, 2019

Ya'll should already know why I have not written an email in a hot second. Things have been tough this side. I swear that every time we try to email, something goes wrong.

This whole transfer has literally been an emotional roller coaster. We have been putting in the work and it has really paid off with the two baptisms we had and the marriage we had as well, but for some reason, things have been really hard for us. We are doing to the work, and losing ourselves as we do it, but one of us has always been emotionally drained. It is kinda like that feeling of homework stacking up on you, and you know you have to do it all by a certain day, but you don't know where to begin and you just want to tuck up in a ball and not move for 6 days straight. for 6 weeks I have not known where that is coming from.

Well, I was in a lesson with my companion and he said some very profound words to me after the lesson. We are doing so much good that Satan is doing to best that he can to make us not feel that way. We know what we are doing is right and that we are promised blessings for missionary service and bringing others into the fold. 

As I was reading my book of Mormon, I came crossed a scripture that invites all to follow the "Good Shepherd". I know with all my heart that the Lord is here to help us. through prayer and the Scriptures, we can all have happiness and a knowledge of the saviors infinite Sacrifice. Which btw, what comes to mind when you hear "infinite atonement?"

Mission is hard, and I have said that before. But I know whose team I am on, and I know that he is watching over me, ready to succor me when I struggle, and is ready to chastise me when I am getting to comfortable. But, I know this is the Lords work.

Have a good week everybody!

-Elder Moser

One more thing to think about.

The baptismal covenant says to "mourn with those who mourn," and not cheer up those that mourn.....

                Ironing is a struggle this side

I got attacked.

I'm a Zulu Man

.

       The bishop is signing a B- Record on my back. 

            That other guy is Da Silva from Angola.

                A couple that we helped get married:) 

Thembalethu and Quinton's baptism

Notes to Mom and Dad

April 1, 2019

Ah mumsy, This email makes me laugh so hard! Especially the last paragraph, because you and dad sound like your bodies are shutting down. lol, I love my family.

Last week I didn't send an email because the computers shut down. I was going to try again Tuesday, but then we were just caught up with business. 

Me and Da Silva caught a little gecko a few weeks ago and named him Esteban. We let him go however, but every now and then we find him in our boarding. It probably isn't the same one but it is funny to wake up to my companion shouting "ESTEBAN! YOU CAME BACK!" hahaha. I love my companion. This has been a really fun transfer.

Love you mum:)

Sup?

How did your back get hurt last year? Was it the time that we went snowmobiling with Dudley and Leon? I don't remember, but I do remember the pain that you had felt. I sure do hope you get feeling better.

So I had a lady from the Durban ward come to me and consult me about my hair loss. It has been bad since being in the Bluff, but she told me she has a way for me to grow it back. Apparently it mostly has to do with my blood type and the food that I eat. When I told her my blood type, she told me the foods I should avoid. Red meat, wheat, hake, dairy and potatoes. If you know anything about me, those are my favorite foods and I usually eat them in abundance. So, now I am trying to stay away from those. There is also a shampoo that she has put me on that is supposed to actually help with decreasing DHT in my scalp to have hair growth improve. This is all an experiment I am trying. 

I hope you and Jesse get the opportunity to go fishing more this year. And if you go to Springfield, first tie on a red copper john, then off of the copper john, tie a black or brown crystal minnow. That works really well with sinking line. And then that gold and red or brown trout bouyants always work magic.

Love you Baba!

Response to Family's Spring Break

March 25, 2019

t's super cool that I calIed dad next to the Saturn V! I had no Idea! I guess that is the best gift I could give him outside of the country! We also talked about fishing a lot, so not too many new things haha. So you had a good trip to Florida? I bet you guys experienced a bit of the heat I'm getting, eh? You can sympathize properly now:)

So They asked me to do a song in sacrament meeting. I sang in the choir for ward conference yesterday so I think that they heard my abilities. I think I'm going to do "Be still my soul" and accompany myself. It will be neat.

Emailing is hard these days for some reason. We have been asked to do 3 hours of work on P days, but then it becomes a hassle for us to do shopping and emailing because We don't have cars. Also, I have pictures, I just forgot my camera. I don't think there is a way for me to upload the pictures anyways

love you mum:)

Sanibonani

March 18, 2019

Whats up fammmmmm? Sorry for not sending emails for the past couple weeks. I have kinda been awol, but At least I got to call my momma last week, so that was much needed:)

So my new companion Elder Da Silva and I have been getting along super well. What is better is we have been putting in the work and we will be having 2 baptisms on the 30th! 

We had a really cool experience with an investigator where he wanted to go to the beach but something told him he needed to go to church instead, so he started looking for a church to go to. He passed I think 4 or so churches before he gave up and decided to go to the store to get a drink. When he Passed our church he had a prompting that it was the one he needed to go to. Since then, he knows everything in the church is true and is ready to enter the waters.

My comp and I had a few instances this week that really tried our faith and our testimonies of the Book of Mormon and the church in General. We were bold in our talking and even confounded a few people. It is sad to see how a lot of educated people treat religion like the Pharisees. it reminds me of the passage in 2 Nephi 9 That talks about "to be learned is good if you hearken to the council of God." Reading that verse has really strengthened my testimony this last week. Although I may not be the smartest, if I hearken to God's council, everything will be okay.

Love you all! Find joy in the small things and enjoy your weeks:)

-Elder Moser

Sorry

March 4, 2019

hey mum

Sorry that I didn't say anything last week, all missionaries in my area were not able to email because the servers were down, so we weren't able to email anybody. I tried calling porter and Elise and Nathan because I figured they would be awake to answer my calls. I didn't get to do anything so it was pretty dumb.

This last week has been so hot. It is the hottest that anybody here has ever experienced. The Lord is giving us power to walk through this heat. I know it. You should look up how hot it has been lately.

Love you mumsy!

Bluff Zone Conference

Elder Moser

February 23, 2019

Kip G Thompson <kip.thompson@ldschurch.org>	Sat, Feb 23, 11:42 AM (8 days ago)
to me, Sister

Sister Moser,

I went to meet with Elder Moser today and discussed the situation with his cousin.  Not surprisingly, he was quite sad with the news.  We prayed together and I spent some time teaching with him and his companion.  I offered to connect him with you by phone today.  He suggested tomorrow would be better.

Please know that he is a great missionary.  He has grown so much and has become a marvelous missionary.  You would be so proud of him

All the best,

President Thompson

John Dudley Moser
September 14, 1993-February 21, 2019