2 Pictures - July 2013

The way to travel in South Africa is in the back of a Buckey

Xhosa Singers

HOMECOMING!

Dear Family, We got a email from the Bishop and we will be speaking the 22 of September. See you in 3 weeks.

 

 

LOVE YOU 

"Faith and Hard Work Combine to Gain Worthwhile Employment"

Journal Sunday July 22, 2013- We went to Lunga branch sacrament meeting today.Branch President Bell asked dad to speak. The missionaries speak a lot but it's usually the young elders

they ask to speak. He spoke on education and how important it is. I was so touched because first a girl about 12 years old played the piano. Then the next song we

song a little boy 9 years old played the piano for the members to sing. The Branch President said he was not a member because his parents are not members. He is

learning to play the piano by a young lady who is leaving to go on a mission ( Who was leading the music ). We were so excited when we came to church and saw

the stake employment specialist there. We have been wanting to train her and was having a difficult time getting with her. She informed us that she would be following

us around today so she could get training. Then we rushed to the next ward GuGulethu. The bishop there had asked dad to speak to the Relief Society and Priesthood

about employment. We run into the Mission President and his wife they were there for three baptisms that was being held after church. Dad and I had prayed that he could teach the things that the lord wanted these members to know. He taught by the spirit. Things came to his mind and heart that the lord wanted him

to teach his people. ( A short version of dad's talk ) We had bought a little toy bow and arrow for a visual aid. He asked if the members knew what it was. A young Elder spoke up and said I have been

bow hunting. Dad said I have four sons and they have loved hunting ever since they were young. You know what they practice and practice. They set

up bales of hay for there target in my back yard and they shoot everything. They go out scouting for the biggest buck. They hunt and hunt and hunt  and in all the

years they have hunted I think they have only brought back a few pieces of meat. Bow hunting is very hard. It takes a lot of skill .How many of you remember the story of Nephi in the

1st Nephi Chapter 16: 18 And it came to pass that as I , Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow which was made of fine steel: and after I did break

my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food. Nephi by having his bow break had lost his means of

production and became unemployed at that moment as a provider. He wasn't able to provide for some of the temporal needs of his family. Trials come to all of us at

various times in our lives. Nephi trusted in the lord that if he would put forth effort, the lord would bless him to become employed again as a provider. He served as

an example of faith, hope and love. Nephi was skilled in metal and wood working. He used his knowledge, skills and talents and "did make out of wood  bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow. Today the lord has provided many resources available through career workshops ,networking, resume assistance., L.D.S. Jobs We will be blessed if we follow example of Nephi when we broke his bow.

Nephi knew the importance of trusting in the Lord,

being anxiously engaged in finding solutions to his trials, Serving and helping others in their time of need.

seeking guidance from the priesthood

using our talents, time and resources the lord has given us and the importance of cultivating an attitude of gratitude.

We went on to the Khayelitsha ward. We taught for three and half hours the career workshop. It is 12 to 15 hours so we are coming back another day to teach the rest.

We take turns teaching this class. He is a great teacher being an employer for 38 years and having a lot of experience hiring people. He knows what the employer

wants. I never get bored listening to him. I know the lord sent us here because of the talents your dad as in employment to help the people of South. The lord uses our talents, time and skills to build up his church. We love you tons and tons Mom and Dad. ( subonana ) See you later. We miss you all very much. email us we are lonely

for our kids and kid in laws and grandkids.

"Blessings of Church Attendance"

Journal July 14 Sunday We had prayed last night where we should go to church today. We felt like we should go to Cleary Branch and Motherwell. We met with a returned missionary Lerato in the Cleary Branch

 We had taught him the career workshop last week. He wants to be a EMT. Emergency medical technical. He now needs the planning for success class so he can get a Perpetual

education fund. He needs the 8800 R for the six week course. The lord is concerned about this returned missionary getting the skills and education

he needs to make a living. After we met with him and gave him the information he needed. The Branch President introduced us to another member in the ward. He needed to higher his employment.

His name was Winston he was working for a company for 5,000 R a month. Which is around 500.00 American dollars. He makes and installs blinds. He only finished

up to 7th grade. He would like to go back to school and finish his education. He is 30 years old. Not married. His mom and dad have passed away he is the sole

supporter of his family. He supports 3 siblings and a uncle. He has been doing a few jobs in blinds on the side.

 Elder Van Sickle taught him about Goals. You always set goals if you want to get

anywhere in life. Short term goals are steps that get you to your long term goals. You need to set a goal of getting one customer per week he told Winston. That's one of the short term goals he needs. He wants to be in business for himself. So that is his long term goal. Then Elder Van Sickle taught him the formula he needed to use to succeed in getting customers. How you

network off of your old customers. So Winston said he hadn't been to church for three weeks. We told him that the lords blesses you for every commandment you keep. We said Winston

You came to church today. So Winston how did the lord bless you today for coming to church. He said, The lord sent you to teach me about goals and the formula to be able

to evuatually get into business for myself so I can quit my job and make more money on my own. He said my friend also worked for the same blind company and he is now on his own and isn't doing very well. Winston said, Now I know why he isn't doing well because doesn't know the formula.                                                                                                                                               

    

     The lord blesses us for all the commandments we keep. Going to church, Paying your tithing, Paying fast offerings, reading the scriptures, Keeping the Sabbath

day holy and many more.

    We went on to the Motherwell branch. We heard the branch president there wanted a career workshop for his members. Delsie is in this branch. She was less

active. We have worked with her and her family of three children. It as taken a long time to get Delsie to understand that she needs to keep her kids with her. When we

met her she only had her oldest son with her and the other two children were living with there grandmother who worked shift work and left the two kids alone by

themselves. They were only 3 and 8 years old. The 8 year old boy got caught shop lifting. She would only see her children that lived with the grandmother every

four weeks.They lived 11/2 hours away. The last time we saw her she had brought her 8 year old son

to live with her and was in the process of bringing her daughter there too. When we got to the Motherwell branch. We were so excited that she was at church with

all three of her kids. She said her two oldest boys could speak English really well. She had told the kids when we are home we are only speaking English in the house

and it has helped them a lot. It's very important that you know how to speak English here. The business world here is English. Because there are so many delects

here. Besides speaking there own lauquaqe they need to be able to speak English really well in order to get a job. Delsie has been working as a social worker but didn't

have the credentials for it therefore she didn't get paid very well. Now she is going to school. We soon found out that there was a two fold reason that the lord sent us to

Motherwell because Delsie was going to send her 3 year old daughter back to her grandmother's because her daughter required so much attention that it was hard

to get her schoolwork done. We felt the spirit really strong when we told her how important it was that she kept her daughter with her. It was better to have her in a day care and home with her at night.The lord wanted her little

family to stay together. By the time we had dropped her off at her house she told us that she remembered that when her daughter was at her mother's house she had

a hard time studying for worrying about her daughter.  She knew that we had come there today to help her see that she needed to keep her daughter with her. The lord

loves her family. Mission is so amazing. We love all of you. Keep the lord close by your side.

 

"The Armies of Helaman"

The Armies of Helaman are coming into many parts of Africa. God is sending them. He is having us get his soldiers ready to go on mission. So they can

preach the gospel. We are on our way to take Lazola January to the airport with his granny and grandpa. I was fearful a couple days ago that something was

going to happen and if we weren't careful these two missionaries would miss there flight. I prayed to Heavenly Father that they would make it to the

airport with everything they needed. We have seen the lord's hand at work today. The new bishop didn't know that Akona Haas didn't have a temple recommend

We had started to the airport when he called us. We met the bishop 1/2 way between Kwanobuhle and Uitenhage to get the recommend. Now we are going to the Stake President

to get it signed. I know we will make the plane because God can do anything.

     We made it to the airport. Elder Van Sickle and I was very concerned about these two young missionaries travelling and having to catch 3 different flights.

They have never travelled on a airplane before. It felt like we were sending little boys out into the big world. Elder Van Sickle went over every step they needed

to take. He showed them the carousel where they are to pick up there luggage and what it looks like. We told them you are not alone when you get out there

the lord will send people to help you all along the way. If you are ever in doubt about what you need to do, pray about it. When we have helped

a young man to the point where he is leaving on mission. We felt like they are our sons. It's sad every time not that they are going to serve the lord. But, because  this is truly a

goodbye because we don't ever think we will see them again in this life. You get so close to them for a matter of months some 6 months some a year depending

how long it takes them to get ready for mission. Then they leave to serve the lord and we know they will come back get married raise kids in the gospel. Serve as bishops,

Elders quorum Presidents, Relief Society Presidents etc. This is how the church is going to grow in Africa. We love you Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Elder and

Sister Van Sickle

"The Smith Home"

Journal June 27, Zane a young man getting ready to go on mission asked Elder Van Sickle to go with him home teaching.( So seeing how I am Elder Van Sickle's missionary companion that includes me ).

Zane has been asked to home teach 58 families. ( So 3 or 4 at home doesn't seem like that much ) 

     We entered the Smith home today. There was two sick people in the house. One lady there was sick with HIV Positive. She had spots on her face, body

and sores. You could feel the discouragement and poverty in the home. The house was in disarray.There was some clothes on the

couch. one of the children and I started folding them. I started to sing I am a child of God and he has sent me here. Emotion filled my heart because of there awful situation

and knowing that I am a child of god and he did send me to this very house. I couldn't continue singing. My mind is fuzzy what happened after that. I could hear

Zane in the back ground talking in Xhosa. When I was finally able to focus. We were here to give them a message and to give them help. Even when we have made

wrong choices in our lives. God will still send people to help us. He loves his children. When we first came on mission. We went to this house. Later on Elder Van Sickle

came and gave a blessing with the elders. There situation has gotten worst. The lord wants them to come back to his fold. They are his lost sheep.

 

 

June 2013

We have been traveling with the Henderson's We have been bringing the 12 step addiction recovery program to all the Stakes in the Capetown Mission. The Hendersons

flew in from Capetown to Port Elizabeth. We then had a stake meeting with all the bishops, Relief Society Presidents and the Stake Presidency in the Port

Elizabeth Stake. The next Day we travelled to East London and had a Meeting there and then on to  Queenstown. Then back to Port Elizabeth. We

know that Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. He was told none of the churches were true. We know that Joseph Smith did restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. We know

that the book of Mormon is true and if we abide by it's principals and teachings we will be a lot happy people. We love you. Mom and Dad Grandpa and Grandma and

Elder and Sister Van Sickle  

Picture 048. Notice the big flowers behind us. It's a poinsettia  tree. It is beautiful. It is in bloom because its winter here.

Picture 169 This is a funeral procession. All the people walk because they don't have cars except for the car transporting the casket. Mtobelli's brother that passed away

was of a different church. So this funeral was done by another church.

Continued Funeral Procession

Picture 170 The white building is the church they held the funeral in. While we were sitting there on wooden benches. Your dad and I kept looking up at the ceiling and

hoped it wouldn't fall in on us before the funeral was over. We had a hard time setting there and listening knowing what they were teaching was false doctrine. What an

experience.