I finally have pictures for ya'll!

June 10, 2019

Hello associates. Howz been the week?

I have been sick for the past week. As I am composing this email, I am actually hacking a lung, and it hurts really bad. I don't want to go to the clinic, so I will take the Zulu remedy and eat plenty of oranges.

We met some pretty crazy people this week. The investigator who came to church and surprised us is still meeting with us. We want to meet with his friends as well but when we come to see them and they see us from afar, they run away really fast. In fact, when we came to see them, one guy didn't have a place to hide so he just spread eagle on the ground and pretended to be asleep. Haha, I hope they know we are quite harmless.

We had 3 baptisms yesterday, all kids under 15. The thing I love about kids getting baptized is when they bear their testimonies. They always say the most profound things. One of them, Sandile, said " If I could explain how I feel in one word, it would be clean. I;m going to go to all my friends and tell them I have no sins anymore"

I'm getting along well with my companion and we are working well together. He has surprised me. This week we are setting some good goals. We also have Zone conference. This will be President Thompson's last one, so it is going to be really different. Wish us the best with the preparations.

Ngi Thanda ya'll. Have a blessed week.

-Elder Moser

 

Hey mom! Sorry to hear that Luthia is gone. Just get another exchange student, right? Get one from south Africa. That would be cool. Then they could tell you about everything that I am experiencing right now:)

It feels good to have hit a year. I'm looking back at everything that happened in the past year and it feels like one, but went so fast. Now that I now what I'm doing I fear its gonna go by faster now.

This morning I got a call from one of my friends on mission. Last night President Thompson told him his father had passed on. I can tell he is hurting and I really want to help him with it. He is being strong and knowledge of the plan of salvation is really helping, I just wish I knew of a way that I could help him.

This week we ate chicken from a member family.... It still had some of the feathers on it and It wasn't cooked all the way... Also, I am still a zone leader, and I am going on an exchange to the Bluff tomorrow. Seems like I just can't get away from that place loll. Actually, the couple i got married finally got baptized yesterday! Just took extra time for the Baba to quit smoking, but when I interviewed him, he had stopped for 3 weeks!

Ngi Thanda wena!

-Elder Boopers

Us in Illovo!
The dark haired one is Bezerra. The other is elder Nichols from Idaho. 

This is chicken with Putu. I made the Putu. I offered the Gogo that I
make it for her. She was surprised a mlungu would offer that. haha

We were running at night and this crab dude ran across the road in front

 of us and Scared us to DEATH. We thought it was a rat! 

These are the kids that were baptized: Sphesihle, Kitty and Sandile.

Metanoeo

June 3 2019

Change has been coming in full force this week. I feel like with a new transfer it always gives you extra room to look at what you can improve on. I have been looking at a lot of the things I could be doing better and I have been doing my best. I read a Talk from president Nelson were he talks about the word "Metanoeo" and how it means changing our mind, Knowledge, spirit and breath. Christ wants us to change so much he even wants us to change the way that we breath! time to change just a bit.

This week has been really good and feels like fresh air. Me and my companion elder Bezerra have been doing a lot of finding this last week. We found % potential priesthood holders all in the same house, and I am already finding them as really close friends! One of them named Thabiso came with us to church on Sunday. He even stayed for the class afterwards and a baptism. I feel like the whole experience answered a lot of questions he had asked us a few days prior. It made me really happy to see.

Along with that, the whole zone has been having us come to do baptismal interviews for them. It is so cool to visit other areas of the mission and see their successes. Everyone wants to do exchanges tho, so I'm not too excited about that.

my calculator watch is still working so nobody worry about that. Use it on the daily because I am getting progressively worse at math haha.

We had a dinner appointment this week were my companion was so full that he couldn't finish the Putu on his plate. He didn't want to be disrespectful with not eating his food, but he was so full that he had to put some in his pocket hahaha.

This transfer is gonna be a good one and I hope to baptize like crazy! love you all!

-Elder Moser

BTW, there is a member in this ward named Wamke who was actually companions with Spencer Barbre. We talked about him a little bit yesterday after church.

You know, I am doing a lot better. There were a lot of hidden things I was kinda struggling with, but we had MLC on Tuesday and Wednesday and that actually answered a lot of questions for me and this week I have been really powerful. I am leading the area yet again, and it is just as fun as always. Elder Bezerra sometimes doesn't really contribute much sometimes and I feel like I'm doing things on my my own a lot. He is really quiet and doesn't say much, but EVERYTIME we are getting ready to go somewhere, it takes him a long time to follow. Those are the moments he becomes social for some reason haha. gotta help with that.

Today we went to the biggest mall in the mission called Gateway. Again I guess. We didn't really have anything to do but I wanted to do something. We got waffles for lunch. They made me really sick because it had ice cream and carmel on it. remember when I could have a lot of sweet stuff and you told me that one day I wouldn't be able to handle it anymore? That time has come hahahahaha. Shame.

I can't believe I am about a year now. Feels like just yesterday that I was in the bitter cold of Lesotho. I miss it, but it does get kinda cold here in the mornings. I actually fear that I am losing my immunity to the cold the longer I am here in Durban. It is super hot and I don't get sick from it.

May 28, 2019

May 28, 2019

I think I'm going to give up on this whole email shindig.

Transfers just happened, but we did transfers on Monday. Meaning, I got shafted and didn't get to email. I'm trying to make up for it today, but only have a short while because we have to go to MLC in like, 20 minutes. I want to give details, but sometimes I just can't.

You don't gotta stress though, we are tracting in safer areas. We put a great big map in our boarding and then color coded it to see the safe and not safe areas. We do have appointments in the not as safe areas, but I feel fine. I always check to see if I feel uneasy, and so far I have felt at peace with all of it.

I'm staying in Kwamashu another transfer, but elder Morales is going to Hillcrest to be ZL there. We just swapped companions and so I have the ex. Hillcrest Elder Bezerra. He is from Brazil and is half my age on mission. Speaking of which, can you believe I am going to hit a year in about a week????? That is crazy to me! I remember when Nathan hit that point in his mission. I actually had a Brazilian elder who I was in the MTC with come to me asking if I was still planning on going home early and how that made him sad, but I don't remember ever telling him I wanted to go home early haha. I am excited to see what me and my new companion can accomplish. He is a little quiet so I feel like I will have to open him up a bit. Break him in, if you know what I'm saying.

We attended a funeral last Saturday. It was my first African one. Holy cow, it literally took so long! It was at a Christian Church and a good portion was in Zulu. there was a band and people would go up and do, well, exactly what you would think they do in an African church. There were a couple times I forgot I was even at a funeral. Kinda like a concert. There was a lot of incense burners and I was scared I was gonna get a bloody nose haha. They also had a portion where you could come up and take the bread and Wine, actual wine mind you, but only if you were worthy... So that was interesting. They wanted my companion to perform at the funeral a song he wrote but he had to decline since we represent a church haha. And because it wasn't really fitting haha.

Hope you have a good week! Tell the youngins' I love them! 

-Elder Moser

Letter to Mom

May 20, 2019

Sorry for not posting any pictures.... Ever. I know a lot of you probably don't ever read this and just look at the pictures, but Honestly, I haven't even touched my camera in a long while because I fear it getting stolen. We have found ourselves in some pretty sketchy situations this week. 

First off, the week was a lot better and we got way more new people to teach. One of them was a man named Tony who was actually a white man who was married to a Zulu lady. He is super cool and we talked with him for a bit to see if he would be interested. But what was cool was this kid that was walking by the house and saw us in there and politely asked if he could listen to our message. He is our age and seems to be sincerely in search of truth with religion. We are going to teach him again this week.

My time with Morales is already coming to an end. He has been in this area for 5 transfers already so we are guessing that he is bout to head out. If that is the case, i'm nervous to who my next companion will be! I like this guy. He cool.He is just cool because of his talent with Music. He is also just a happy guy. His zulu name he was given is Jabulo, which means happy. We got along super well. I hope he comes to BYUI, but it depends on where music will take him in his country.

Love ya'll.

-Elder Moser

Hey mum!

I really like your Epiphany. So much that I am going to start using it for member visits. It is a little bit easier to visit members in Kwamashu. We were at a members house and the couple fed us dinner, which was mince and beans over rice, and chicken. I thought about home cooked meals and how we would never have 2 meat dishes in the same meal, but 2 is a small number in this country haha.

This week has been a lot better in terms of missionary work. On one day, we got 7 new investigators. That was really cool. And we didn't find out until after that we were in a dangerous section of our area. Found cool people though, and we also found a white man who married a Zulu girl and lives in the township, which is nothing I have ever seen before haha.

We went go-karting today at a HUGE mall called The Gateway. The go karts were super fast and fun. The whole time I thought back to all the times you called me "Dash" with my speed, and it propelled me to take first! I was flying. So fun.

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!