October 29- Week 6

Well South Africa has been pretty sweet so far. It doesn't even feel like I am in Africa. I have really been enjoying my mission so far. The time is flying by, and before I know it I will be on my way home. 

The area I am serving in is named Hospital View. This is also the name of the ward I am serving in. This has been such a great area for me to start off in. The people are some of the nicest in the world. The African people are so humble and willing to listen to our message. Most of them already have a background knowledge about Christ. This makes things much easier when teaching. The only thing that makes it hard is understanding people. Mostly everyone speaks good english, but they all have heavy accents. 

The place I like in is about 20 min from my area. I like in a very nice place in Kempton Park. I feel very safe here. I live in a super nice flat(appartment). 

I have an awesome companion who I really enjoy. His name is Elder Brasher, and he is from Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is very nice to have an American Companinon to aclimate me to the culture. 

I haven't eaten anything to interesting. The only knew things here are POP and Kota. They are both pretty good, and not weird. 

I am really enjoying mission, and my testimony is growing.

Johannesburg Temple

Elder Brown

BAPTISM - OCT 19

10/26/13 Week 5

All is well here.  You asked if i could understand people -Everyone here speaks english. I have learned a few words in Spadi because that is prominent in our area. But the click language is Lossa, or something like that. I have learned a few words, but with everyone speaking english Im not picking it up too fast. The only "weird" thing i have eaten is pop, and Kota. Kota is this weird meat sandwich with slap chips(french fries). You'll have to look it up online. They are pretty good.   Elder Brasher and I have become great friends, and we take care of each other a lot. He has made me feel so welcome, and we have become brothers.I have gained a testimony that this life is not easy, and if we endure we will be greatly blessed. I am not just enduring, i am actually having a lot of fun. There are still those hard days, but I make it through. I know I am doing the right thing, and the people here really need the gospel in there lifes. 

Week 4 - October 14

Mitchell first Baptism 

All is going well here, and time is flying by. This next weekend I am babtizing one of our investigators. His name is Sindisani, and he is a great guy. He has been teaching me so much. I feel kind of bad babtizing him because Elder Brasher my companion was one of the original missionaries teaching him. Exciting Stuff.

I really miss seeing mountains let alone going up. I miss just riding up the mountain in the truck and enjoying the cool air.  I hope the deer hunt goes well. I will miss those early mornings riding up the mountain. Hunting season is one of my favorite times of the year.

Most the people speak Zulu in our area, but most do speak english. Some do not understand english very well, but for the most part they do. I have been able to understand most people very well. The one thing we have to do in our lessons is teach very simple. We must almost teach like they are children so they can understand.

I have definetly been very humbled by peoples living conditions. They do live in mostly huts, but some are more like homes. The plumping is mostly outdoor water, not in there huts. There are running toilets in most places that are shared by a few homes. There are also some very nice homes we visit, so there is a great contrast. I am very greatful for a our big home, and I know people would be amazed at the living conditions I come from. But my flat is very nice. Just like living at home. 

Everything has been going pretty well. I have realized this is very hard work. I miss you and everyone else very much. You are on my mind all the time. I think of you constantly. I have been working hard, and it is making the time pass very quickly. Thank you very much for your encouragement, and your great example all through my life. I realize now how good i had it growing up. Yesterday in church was the primary program. This reminded me of you mom a whole lot. I miss you singing primary hymns, but the little kids made me happy, and i enjoyed the program.

Mitchell Week 3 - October 7

So my area is called Hospital View, and its a part of Tembisa, which is all a part of Jo-berg. My companion is Elder Brasher from Idaho. He has been a great trainer. We have had some awesome investigators so far, and Sindisoni is on track for babtizm the end of this month. Hospital view is a township. So it is some homes, and a lot of make shift homes, but everyone has electricity. It has been very humbling to be in these areas. The people have been very awesome, and very kind. Except for the drunk people. 
My living circumstances are great. We stay in a place called Kempton Park wich is about 15 min from Hospital view. Our flat is very nice. New appliances, two bathrooms, nice living area. It is like a condo. In Hospital view there are a lot of different situations of people. Some live in shacks, but some are very nice homes. Everything has fences around it here. Even the little shacks have fences. Everyone here has a tv even if there home is small, and like a shack. Most the streets are paved, but very narrow. The driving here is crazy, and pretty mush anything is legal. The taxis are allowed to just turn on there flashers, and that means anything goes, so they could just cut our infront of you. We also have a car everyday. In our flat it is just me and elder Brasher, so just a 2 man flat. 
My health is very well. We shop at a grocery store like in the states.  The food is different brands, but mostly the same. In our place we have a stove, oven, and microwave.  My flat is very nice. I will try my best to stay healthy.    I have been blessed my whole life, and being out here I see all I  have been blessed with and I am very humbled.

Mitchell is wandering among the shacks, tin roof houses and decrepit structures of Tembisa, North of Johannesburg, South Africa

Tuesday October 1 - Mission Home and Assigned 1st Area and Companion

Mitchell Companion and Trainer 

 Elder Brasher from Idaho Falls, Idaho.  

Assigned to serve north of 

Johannesburg in the Centurion Zone. 

Mitchell arriving at the Mission Home- Happy to see he has luggage.

Mitchell and companion/trainer - Elder Jacob Brasher

Mission President - President Craig Omer and Sister Omer