June 4, 2018

wassup peeps.
 

So yeah finally saw some snow this week  but just in the mountains. Sadly it stayed only for a day. But it has been insanely cold here.  I never thought it would get this cold so turns out I have been wearing that saga coat I regretting bringing a few transfers ago. So yeah we get home and go straight to our little heaters and throw our blankets over us and just shiver for a good 10 min before feeling our bodies again. I don't understand it just is so dry!  

We have been going hard with the work though and its going good except for our main homie killer is getting kicked out of his house.  He  has been pretty depressed lately so we gave him a blessing and really urged him to come to church but he didn't.  I don't understand some of these people. But all I can do is try. 

So this morning we all jumped in our trucks and went for the mountains.  We went to a place called Mahale dam and it was an insane drive. Kinda reminded me of a road to Hana? the one drive around the island in Maui.  So it was windy and cliffs on both sides, driving through tiny villages.  It was just something that i could never describe. I've never seen mountains like this and then seeing people in grass and clay huts living on the side of a death cliff. But I guess they actually feel safer in the mountains then in a valley or whatever.  Anyways it was super cool and if anyone plans on coming to Lesotho at any time you have to go and do it. 

Also we had zone conference this week and got to have some fun there and were focusing on lifting our companions. and me and my comp are already best friends so its gonna be easy! 

anyways here are some pics.  In Lesotho everyone wears these dope blankets and so we had to get some. pics don't do these mountains justice.

May 28, 2018

Hey what is crackin good people. 

I hope everyone is living strong this summer.  I heard there are some mountain lions out and about so watch out for those.  

So this week was pretty fun!  We had a lot to do and i'm drawing a blank of what happened... But basically we met a really nice maye who only speaks sesotho so we needed to bring a member and he did so well. But its very nice to feel like the person you are teaching is actually being honest. I feel like I actually believed her when she said she would come to church so I guess we will see. But other than her we have the classic man "killer" who is doing good.  He is struggling money wise but he has a business plan and we are praying it works out for him. He is ready to be baptized.  We also have Alex and he really wants to be baptized so we will continue teaching him.  

We are preparing for zone conference tomorrow! Super stoked to see the zone and some old friends!  Also some news for the mission they are taking all the cars away in a few months so we are on the search for a new place to stay that is closer to the church and trying to find some cheap warm clothes to buy because we are on the cliff of winter.  Every night we've got 3 heaters on and bundled to the max.  

Something nice happened though recently. We get dinner every Saturday night from a wonderful family and they cooked us trout.... and then gave us a trout to take home. so yeah the best meal I've had in a year!!!! Made me miss how food should be. its okay one more year of eating differently and then ill be back to panda express and cafe rio.. 

Okay well keep it real and live it up!! 

peace and blessings

this is our investigator killer

May 21, 2018 - Lesotho

Dumela peeps!

So I'm in the place I have been wanting to serve for the whole mission!!!  This place is so sick! Mountains and cliffs on every corner!  We have to have a truck because the roads are so bad.  Its like off roading all day every day. Also the drivers are insane!  Everyone just does what they want. Also its crazy because this is the 7th dangerous country in the world!  We just had an investigator hurt a man with a shovel the other week. and then was trying to hurt  his own mom.  The man fled the country and no one has found him so that's sad. 

Next week were going to baptize a man named Siboli. aka "killer". Siboli means killer but the guy is super nice.   

The branch is super small and is mostly girls.  We usually have a lot but there is a college where most the members go and its way up in the mountains in a placed called Roma. We go there like once a week to see some people and they are all really cool.  

My new companion is from St. George. His name is Elder Thompson. He goes home in 3 months and has had a girlfriend waiting for him so hes pretty excited.  But this kid is dope!  Were already best buds and were hoping to hangout after mission but he has friends that are just as crazy as mine all around the world too serving.  The guy reminds me of Mat West. 

But anyways were doing great and have had a crazy week getting into another country but everything is swell.   I hope everyone is stoked for summer and enjoy!!!

Mothers Day

Our video call for Mother's day was perfect.  He sounded wonderful and looked great.  He bore his testimony in Zulu for us.  We noticed a little bit of an accent developing.  He did inform us that he was getting transferred to Lesotho which is a different country with in his mission.  He was pretty excited about it and we are excited to hear about this new area.  

No email since we spoke to him for Mothers day

May 7 2018

Hamba kunjani 

Over my time in Africa I've grown to just accept everything I see whether on the street or the walls or anywhere. And the other day I just thought to myself this would never happen anywhere else in the world. This country is one of a kind. There are pigs eating dirt with painted flag on its butt. Or a man riding a donkey with a makeshift wire attached to a shopping cart with 6 kids in it. Or a bunch of little kids that make toys out of milk cartons and bottle caps that work perfectly. It's definitely the little things I will miss about Africa. And my time seems to be speeding up! It's wild hearing that all the boys are getting home this summer! And then next one it will be me. 

Anyways this week didn't have anything amazing happen. No stories. Sorry. But it is week 6 now and I think elder Roman all be leaving. I'm bummed about it because I loved this kid! But on to the next one. 

It is starting to get very cold! Which is super nice and I've been waiting to feel cold wind forever! I hope it snows. 

One thing I've noticed since I got to africa is when you are walking around town or anywhere EVERYONE is looking at you. Who knows what they are thinking but they are thinking. Haha so whenever I'm in town or buying food I try to talk to someone. You can always tell if they wanna continue talking as well and they tend to ask about the nametag or the accent. But I've really grown to love hearing people's stories out here and just talking to strangers. Some people are nice and some are total jerks. But that's life. 

Anyways I guess that's what I have to say this week. Never be scared to talk to someone. Who knows they could be a nice fella. 

Peace and blessings 

PICS 

April 30, 2018

Hello everyone! 

Sawubona abamuntu!

This week was nice we were pretty busy preparing our investigator for baptism! Everything went perfectly!! And thanks to my childhood we were able to get the baptism tub warm! Once upon a time the old crew aka Aren manu,  Kenny Zamberlin,and  rj Palmer had a broken hot tub so we filled it with hose water and then put boiling water into it. It worked perfectly. So yesterday it was freezing cold outside and also the water was freezing so I boiled a ton of water and made it super nice.  

Anyways it's already week 5 of the transfer and I'm 10 months!! Double digit guy. So ywah I'm getting kinda old on mission. I'm super stoked to see everyone and can't wait for the WHYNOTCREW to be back In action! 

Everyone go to prom and enjoy the last month of school! I graduated a year ago? And go see infinity war and tell me about it. I need to know how my heros are doing. I have a feeling that the good guys might lose cuz who can go against 5 infinity stones?  

It's mountain biking season! Everyone go shred and also I love seeing pics of you people so send away if you have time! 

Peace and blessings 

Hey everyone so this week was super boring... we had to take the car in to get serviced and it was suppose to be a 1 day  kinda thing but ended up being a week. That's south Africa. Oh and it's not even done. Haha we Have to take it in again here soon. We take I in looking a little banged up and we get it back looking like we got hijacked and someone threw a rave inside. But what can ya do. So because of this whole ordealio and having our area be 2 hour walk from where we stay because it's straight Bush, we had to catch a taxi but since we don't get paid anything at all we ended up stuck in town for a few days. And then I get sick so I guess it worked out so I could get some rest.

Anyways we will be getting the area going again this week and we're having a baptism! And I'm gonna be here!!! Finally.

 We just had some conference. It was a good time. I didn't know many missionaries though.. they are all new.. I getting old on mission wow. 

Also hope you fellers are gonna enjoy summer and graduation! Yo it's almost been a year. How time flies. Down under I'm going into winter and I'm so stoked. It's already getting cold. 

Sorry for the short and choppy email. But there wasn't much going on this week. But today we went to the gym! Oh how I missed the gym! We're gonna start going on Mondays just for chest shoulder and tri day. Most the other stuff i can do at home. All you just wait I'll be coming home looking like Arnold.

For baptisms we will also be having 3 on may 6th hopefully! My companion and I are being referred to the splash brothers. 

Everyone go skate, golf, frisbee, cricket. Go soak up the sun! 

Peace and blessings. 

PICTURES 

Here's what houses look like. 

Views of africa.

We bought a live chicken. 50 rand so 3.50$

And me walking with the nice Dundee smile In the mountain. 

April 16, 2018

 I think this was a rough week all around! Everyone make sure you are praying for Christi! She's a true homie and one of the most kind hearted people I know! 

For my side we were sitting down with our huge family that we teach and the dad came home and I've never seen kids on there feet and scatter so fast. And the spirit was right behind them. He sat down and said he doesn't want us to teach his kids. And he wasn't willing to talk or discuss anything. We even asked to to share his beliefs and he wouldn't. He was so rude and we never saw the kids since. But the saddest part for me was when we were leaving dragging out hearts behind us wrapped in barbwire we saw the 12 year old boy with a big frown waving goodbye. Ish tore me in half. They were all progressing so well. But the bright side of things is there are a few kids that are 23 to 25 that the father is going to let us teach.  

Other than that i also got sick this weekend. I hope it's not Listeria. I've got fever and sore throat and we took the car in for service so we haven't had the car in two days and my area is an hour walk. So we're at a standstill right now. 

Anyways hopefully things get better. Peace and much love! 

There is a member with a homemade bench press so sometimes we shred. 

April 9th 2018 - Pure Love

hello hello hello.

Okay so this week was a little kenge. (crazy) Everyone in the branch was going through some sort of trail.  So I ended up giving 5 blessings this week.  One of the Ma's in the branch just had her husband leave her for the second time.  She had a dream where she didn't want her husband to take this job he was about to get but he didn't listen to her and he got the job and got into stealing diesel.  And then she had a dream of his garments being torn.  (they were married in the temple) and then she found out he was having an affair and drinking and smoking. And then her son got hijacked and the men almost killed him but the cops came.  Then two nights ago she had her car broken into. So you can say shes having some trails.

Were working hard on this Swahili family and they are doing super well.  One of the boys had a good question.  "If  the priesthood was lost when Jesus died then how did Joseph Smith get it?" Here in South Africa you don't hear  questions like that.

Okay so General Conf was insane!!!  So many changes and what what.  Hope everyone adjusts well to that. But my fav talk was by some dude talking about pure love.  He was talking about sitting by his mom who was sick or something and she wanted him to teach her to pray so she could pray for him.  I know that pure love is when we forget about ourselves and just show compassion to someone else.  So everyone needs to love Christ.  Sometimes we just want ourselves to be happy when really if we serve Christ and forget ourselves we can feel happy. 

okay so hopefully these pics send!!!

love yall

April 3, 2018

Mambo Vipi! 

So I guess there was a big celebration they do here in Dundee with the Muslims and so since they own every store here, everything was closed.  So we got permission to email today.  

Everything is splendid as always.  I'm staying in my area and I was suppose to get my 9th companion but I called president and told him I need my companion because we are teaching this massive Congo refugee family and they only speak Swahili! So he changed things up and I get to stay with Roman for another and baptize a community! Its going to be so choice. I'm hoping for at least 7 baptisms this transfer! Well its the fall of Africa and its going to start getting super cold and I couldn't be more happy!  I guess it snows in the mountains here so hopefully I can put some 2 by 4s on my feet, strap up and shred;) 

Well since I'm on the other side of the world it takes a sec for the conference to get here so we will be watching this Sunday! I've heard good things so Im pretty stoked! I heard Prophet Nelson is still throwing backies on the skis. What a guy.

  I took a ton this week so enjoy!  To bad this computer is not the best so I can actually only send 3

The young adults in the branch

Elder Roman, Sannieh(coolest member in the world) and I

The legendary Gogo Mkati
 

aight jk only 1 pic. sorry ill try and i find a better way

Elder Roman on the R - Sannieh a member

March 26th 2018

Mom has been a little busy and updating this blog has gotten way behind.  I am using the date of the email as a title.  

________________________________________________________________________________________

hamba kunjani peeps.

exay feda huuzit.

This week was very nice. Had a few really powerful lessons with a member present. I'm trying to learn enough Zulu to be able to teach in Zulu because in the Zulu language its very straight forward and also people tend to listen more. But i've been reading the book of Mormon in Zulu and its helping a lot.

This is the last week of the transfer so I'm hoping I stay with my companion! Hes been in the area for 6 months and that's unheard of in this mission.  That would be funny to have 9 companions in 10 months of mission! But I have a good feeling I will be staying in Dundee for awhile.

This week for some reason we got caught up with talking to a lot of drunk men.  They just talk your head off. And this one man was just singing in Zulu down the street and saw us and yells abafundisa which is pastor. And then kept saying you know spar? Which is a grocery store. and wanted us to take him there for some special they are having. But aish he held us up for about 40 min and I just sat down and had a cat come to me so I just was playing with this cat while my comp was trying to explain to the man that we cant give rides.

Other than that we are just keepin the spirit alive down here in Africa.  We got in a huge discussion in Elders quorum the other day about if murder for protection is still a sin.  Like self defense.  Im not really sure if you have to repent for that but if anyone knows let me know! haha

okay well hamba kahle (goodbye, farewell, go well - Xhosa)

Elder Huff

Feeling happy and blessed

hey Donald Trump. 

If you are American here they just call you Trump. 

Okay so my back has been feeling better! thanks for all the prayers! so last week Wednesday i got a call from President and he sent me to a place called Dundee! Its basically old town poky but full of Indians, zulu, and Afrikaans. The branch is pretty small. about 60 people come to church.  We meet in this super old but really cool school house.  The members here are amazing.  On Sunday i was being literally dragged around by people wanting me to teach there class for them.  Typical. But im very excited to be here for many reasons.  Its cold which is a blessing beyond my comprehension. Its a quiet little town. you hear the Islam prayer echoing through the mountains every week.  And my companion is like the happiest kid ive ever met.  Hes 24 from Tanzania Kenya. He has the coolest Jamaican accent. But hes deaf in one ear and hes struggling with english so our lessons are a bit of me talking alot. But hes learning.  K but the coolest thing about this kid is he is an amazing artist. Its actually how he got on mission.  He sold some of his paintings and that is how he was able to come on mission.  He is one of 3 members in his whole family and for him he hasnt talked to his mom in 8 months because she doesnt have email. But President is such a choice guy he lets him call her for like 10 min every few months.  

Anyways we are teaching alot of people and we actually had a guy receive his answer about this church.  He had a dream about a big church and everyone was dressed in white shirts and ties. And then he heard a voice say "go to church my son."  So yah the spirit just slapped me across the face. He also has a fiance and is wanted to get married in our church.  So hopefully i will be here around that time!

Other than that ive only been settling in and getting comfy! oh btw ive finally got air conditioning!!  oh my days im so happy. But i hope you all enjoy up that side and i will also be enjoying the cold with you. 

HAPPY SPRANG BREAK!!!

go shred the slush at pebs! 

Update!

Okay hello hello!  So an update on me. my back is feeling a little bit better but ive still been having some issues.  They moved Elder Abel and I  to Durban so i can see some good doctors and everything has been working out.  Im living with the APs and two other Elders.  So we have 6 peeps living in a very tight space.  One bathroom, one mini fridge, and one bedroom.  So i guess thats what you can imagine it being.  Just the past week the Elders have been trading off taking care of me. Basically all ive been doing is reading alot of talks/scriptures and playing alot of chess.  It really is the more the merrier though with everyone.  Especially the other two elders staying there as well.  One of them is from my group as well, Elder Pentz, the number 1 in the nation for wrestling with a full ride to Fresno. So thats cool and also his companion from Provo, Elder Flake who is a hoot and half. The kid is hilarious. 

Anyways im thinking this upcoming week they will be able to move me somewhere and ill be able to get back to work.  Im not sure if ill be staying with Abel or not.  Also im pretty sure President is closing the area im coming from so ill be going somewhere different for sure.  

Enjoy the life on the up-side and ill be keepin it safe down under!

P90x fail

okay well this week was interesting to say the least.  So on Tuesday morning i was doing some Kenpo X and hurt my back super bad.  It was bad enough where i couldnt move for awhile and then my comp took me to the hospital.  They tortured me on an alter and then poked me with a ton of needles.  I left super loopy.  I came in the day after and i guess i have a kidney infection.  So its been a pretty tough week for me.  Ive been in bed since Tuesday.  Throwing up all night.  Haven't slept much.  So im going to see a doctor in Durban tomorrow and we will see from there! But happy days to you all and enjoy that snow. 

Transfers - I headed to Mpongani

Well well well my fellow Americans injani!  So something not surprising at all happened this week.  So its transfer week and I'm getting transferred again.  haha I guess I'm a troubled child of the mission.  jk I don't know whats up but its making me tired moving around so much.  At this point though I'm just gonna try and shoot the moon and go to every zone in the mission.  Only 4 more left. 

So I'm going back to Zulu land which I'm very excited to speak again.  Its a place called Mpongani Ngwelazane. Its near the ocean again so back to the humid sticky life. Ive heard its the nicest missionary flat in the mission though so I'm looking forward to that.  But it is another township and its another very small branch. I think it will be a hotter version of my first area. 

So my new companion will be Elder Abel from Rexburg.  He is also in the same group as me so I already know who he is. I also already know every missionary in my new zone so that will be nice.  

Frustrated once again because I was suppose to baptize another girl this upcoming Sunday but I'm being swiped away once again.  Mixed feelings about that because its happened to me before!  haha I just wanna get my toes wet! cmon president!  haha but I will miss my companion a lot!  `it was to much fun with him and also with all the members I have to say bye to.  I guess they are throwing a huge breakfast party for me on Tuesday though.  

So happy Valentines day everyone I hope you enjoyed life with your lovers!  For me I had to spend my day of love with a boy named Elder Allen so that was interesting.  haha oh mission.  We did have a big pizza party though which was fun for everyone.  

Well I will be clear across the mission once again when I email you next week so should be a good email I hope!  peace and love!

sorry no pics this week I don't have a lot of time

Cool experience with lions

Okay so this week was without a doubt the coolest week on mission ive ever had.  We got to teach a ton which was not normal but then on Wednesday we went to one of the biggest lion parks in South Africa.  They had maybe 50 lions just roaming around. and then a bunch of tigers and all kinds of things.  

So we got to play with all the cubs which was so choice!  The guy was just like " okay just sit down and they will come"  and we sat down and all these lions came barreling out of the house and just tackled us.  So we wrestled around with them for a long time and yo!  they are so strong!  My arms look like I just listened to a Linkin Park CD.  They were scratched up super bad.  They also chewed up my shoes and destroyed my thrasher t-shirt.  So I guess these baby lions just stay with the guy in the house.  They had 7 of them.  And then low and behold a leopard was chilling in this guys bathroom window.  I guess it sleeps with him every night.  

So Allen and I really wanted to wrestle with the big lions so the guy took us into the cage with 2 one year old lions and a one year old tiger.  They were huge and super powerful.  It was actually pretty scary being in the cage with these things.  The guy told us to never turn our back on the tiger because it would hurt us.  So i finally understand that you really cant tame these animals because even though we were just playing with them they would swat at us and the one lion bit me pretty good on the side.   But it was a once in a lifetime experience.  

Okay so I will try and send as many pics as possible.

Also we had a huge rain storm the other day and we were riding our bikes through rivers in the street mixed with a little bit of sewage... So it was a day to remember for sure and I wish I could of caught it on camera.

Well have fun that side and ill be trying to stay alive down here.

Peace and Blessings. 

Teaching a Cricket team

hola hola. 

This week for some reason we found ourselves getting caught up in alot of dancing!  Just people on the streets always have music and also there was another soccer game.  

This week was super fun!  We have focused all of our teaching right where we live so we dont have to go far.  And also we ran into this guy coming out of a bar and he stopped us and yeah he was a little drunk but not bad so we decided to listen to him.   Anyways turns out he is a coach for the local cricket team and wanted us to go to the field and teach his men because they "need Jesus"  So we went to check it out and turns out he was telling the truth. And some of the guys are super good and they want to hear about what we have.  So we might be baptizing a cricket team soon.  Also these Red Bull girls showed up and thought we were on the team so we got free Red Bull. 

Everyone else that we are teaching are slowly progressing. Its kind of died down because school just started again so thats rough.  But the little things make the days better.  We do have 3 baptisms scheduled for the 25th of Feb. so hopefully that will go well.  

Something kind of scary.  The Elders that live up the road from us were walking home at night which is not a good idea here and they really need to reconsider that but these two guys robbed them and took everything they had and the one elder got hit in the face with a machete.  So President is thinking of giving the cars back.  

Oh yeah also there is an Elder here who is Elder Legas.  He is suppose to be the next big time QB for BYU but he just found out he had a tumor in his neck that is cancer.  So he has to go home. Sad stuff. 

here is a pic of a huge sandstorm that hit us. and a ostrich on the side of the road.

Bikes

unjani!!!!

So this week was so much fun and the reason is because we got bikes!!!  I was so stoked I was able to convince President to get us bikes!  But now were flying through the township!  Its been alot of fun and we have been able to find 25 new investigators!! so the work is progressing.  

Also this week I think it rained every single night.  So thats super nice because the mornings have been cool.  But weve come home soaking wet like 3 times because we couldnt find cover.  So yeah theres actually nothing fun about that. 

This Saturday though it was one of our recent converts birthday so we had a braii and cake. The meat that people cook here is to die for.  

Oh yeah so Listeria just broke out here.  It came down from Joburg but hopefully I dont get that.  I guess its already taken 19 lives in a week.  I really hope they dont pull us out of the area.  

I guess alot has happened back home! alot of sad stuff.  Im keeping Karson in my prayers for sure.  Thats not fun and im sure he is in a tough spot right now.  So everyone pray for him and his family.  The plan of salvation is real!  I know he knows that too.  

Love you guys and here are some pics.

going to have some super good pics next monday because im going to be wrestle a lion. 

Hello peeps of the north. Welcome to another episode of Ridiculousness! I am Elder Huff and with me always we have Elder Allen and thats it. So this week I guess the area 70 has decided to take the cars away slowly and we were one of the first ones.  So yeah we are walking now but going to try and get bikes so we can get around easier because our area is HUGE as trump would say!  how is that guy btw?  Anyways I have lost like 5 pounds though in like 5 days of walking so thats not good. Also it has rained every evening for the past 4 nights.  And when it rains here it rains.  So weve had to run to members houses to keep cover even though your soaking within 10 seconds of the rain.  And it hurts. But this week was super successful.  We have found 5 new potential priesthood holders which is great becuase that has been our focus!  Goal making is huge in life!  Mission has made me understand that.  So everyone should have a goal in mind every day whether it be long term or daily.  

Ive  been loving mission guys and I will never stop loving this place.  Another reason why I love this place is every one asks the most innocent questions and are not afraid of peeps judging them.  Like in church we were teaching the gospel principles class and we were talking about how praying out loud is a good thing and then this old lady asked what our voice should sound like when we pray outloud. Also one of the Elders quoted one of the apostles and how he shared a joke with God one time and then this guy in the class said i dont think me and god have the same sense of humor.  Everyone died.  But yeah mission is great.  Everyone having fun in the 4 inches of snow?  haha I guess I chose a good year to miss! 

Love you guys. 

here is some pics.  An investigator gave us matching bowties so we slayed one night.  Oh yeah and this is a toilet in a members backyard.

Transfers.

hello my fellow Americans.  

So this week was pretty hectic because of transfers.  My comp left monday night and so my new comp didnt get here until wednesday morning so all day tuesday I was with my mtc groupy elder Lopez so that was way fun and we then picked up his companion that night and grabbed some pizza for the night and met some really crazy drunk guys.  One of them was like the biggest drug dealer in Bloemfontein and we became friends and he said if anything happens to call him and him and "the boys"will protect us so I can say we had some success this week.  

We found some really cool families we are teaching  so we have big plans for alot of baptisms this transfer.  Elder Allen and I are super good friends already and so this transfer will be greatness.  

Found these pictures on Elder Lahue blog. Hope it’s ok that I used them.  

Nothing else really happened this week other than finding the biggest fabric store ever.  This place is like grandma heaven.  But they do have some really cool stuff and I bought some patches and also I want to make some cool ties.  Thanks to my baba Thorsen for teaching me how to make ties.  

Anyways here are some pics for the week and hope you all enjoy the snow.

by the way everyone grows grapes here so we get to chow grapes all day.

Elder Huff