General Conference April 2009

Yes, I shaved my head. I didn't want too...it is mission rules. Well of my options in mission rules you could say I wanted to. plus its the easiest. Elder Lind just pulls out the shaver and in 5 minutes my hair is short. Also before I forget,thanks for the family history. I was thinking though if it were possible that you could somehow copy a family tree or something that I could print out. Something that I could show people that I know my ancestors. If it is not possible I can always just copy the names you gave me. But I know you have family trees that go way back. I think that would be cool to show people. You don't understand how obsessed they are here with ancestors...except they don't actually know them. So they think we don't care about our ancestors because we don't worship them when in reality we care much more than they could understand.

Yes, we do get lightening storms a lot around here. If you want to know what they're like put a fork in the microwave and set it to 10 minutes. Stand back.

So anyways, this week went pretty well. It was just all in anticipation of General Conference! WHOO HOO! Man, General Conference is better than Chrsitmas for missionaries (only if we got to call home). I mean we spend our days teaching and testifying so it's nice to be taught and testified too by men so much more progressed in the gospel than you...so much more. Not to mention their apostolic authority and prophetic wisdom. I could go on and on about the best talks. I will mention though that Elder Holland's talk on the atonement was amazing. But besides the spiritual food and uplifting talks, the best part of the weekend was Prince!

First off we interviewed him on Saturday and he passed with flying colors for his baptism this week. Then he came to General Conference! We had to travel to Sebokeng to watch the sessions (it's about 20 minutes away). Our branch provided some transport. But the fact that he made it. I heard that he had even come to the school to be picked up too early and someone told him that noone was coming so he walked back home! Luckily we told them to make sure he made it on the transport and they went to his house and picked him up! On top of that he stayed for all three sessions on Sunday! (We watched priesthood delayed Sunday morning, then Saturday afternoon delayed to Sunday afternoon, then Sunday morning live that night). We weren't done there till 8pm! I asked him how it was and with a smile he told me he had really enjoyed himself. He said he'd go straight home and hop in bed and fall asleep with a smile on his face. Oh man, that was sweet.

To say the least it was a great week. Walking is tiring but it also makes the days go faster. I'm still healthy and safe. Nothing too crazy has been happening. I guess that's good. Right mom? I may be leaving here in a few weeks. Not sure. Maybe my companion. We'll find out in a few weeks. Love you lots. Thanks for all the support and love!

Love, elder robinson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Elder Robinson

We LOVE you!


Untitled from amber on Vimeo.

The Work Goes Forward Boldly

Yep, I'm walking all over now. It's not too bad. We are getting used to it. I do like
cooking...but only for the results, haha. I don't really enjoy the whole preparing and cooking and stuff. I'm always afraid I'm gonna mess it up and all the food will go to waste. I have become pretty creative with the limited things I buy. It's nice to eat a good meal. Oh and guess what? I found refried beans!!! I was so excited. So excited that I didn't care that they were 6 months expired! haha. I think it should be fine. Also last week I cooked navajos again, this time for our branch president. That was cool. They loved them.

Yeah, I don't think that anyone knows who DF Malan is unless they really know history. But for the majority of people in township there wouldn't be too big of a deal walking around with a Malan tag. I've asked people before and they don't know who he is. It's like the only history they know is post-aparteid. It makes sense.

Baipidi is 23. She really is a great lady.

It's people like her that I can't wait to see in 10 years how much they've progressed in the gospel. Relief Society president? haha. They have all the same programs here, they just aren't always up to speed because of the lack of leaders. It's tough for a branch president to get a branch into a ward and get all the auxiliaries going when you don't have leaders to fill callings. Most people in the branch have callings but most of the people that come to church on Sunday have been in the church less than a year or two. So everyone is just new.

Thanks for telling me when Easter is. I never know but now it will be easy to remember since this year its on my birthday. It's always like the second Sunday or something? I did get my birthday package and I thank you very very much. I was too anxious to wait to open it. At first I was going to wait but then I realized that my book may be in there...and now I'm devouring The Great Apostasy! It's amazing. It makes everything so much more clear about the apostasy that occurred for close to 1700 years. It is crazy how clear the scriptures and history bear record of this. I love how in a "Marvelous Work and a Wonder" where he quotes some guy who says that it's between the Catholics and the Mormons. And that debate comes down to the great apostasy. Anyways, so that's pretty sweet.

This week was pretty normal. We've been walking all week which I said was not too bad. Tiring for sure...hot for sure. But we've at least been lucky to not get any rain. We had Zone Conference on Tuesday and I talked to president about the car situation and he said that there are a lot of areas that really need a car and our Zone Leaders basically decided we didn't need one in Sharpeville. I also learned that somebody was lying when they told me that it was going to Tsakane (my last area), it went to some elders who had been walking for 2 weeks already because their car got flooded. These guys are covering two areas! No, we really have no room to complain. It's still pretty safe and things are working out. The other missionaries that live in our flat complex just take us and pick us up every day. It's pretty simple.

We got to go to the temple again this week. That was sweet. I hadn't been since I was back in Tsakane and I was missing it! The one of the city is Jo-berg. You can see its pretty big and that is just one part.

My companion and I

Our group

That was probably the highlight of my week even though that day was extremely long. Waking up at 4am to make the 7am session and also going back to our area by 2pm to go to work! Long day.

The best part of the week was probably Sunday. Baipidi was confirmed...but Prince and his friend he said he was bringing didn't show. I was pretty bummed about that until at 9:45am I looked out the door and saw him coming around the corner ever so slowly. You see we offered to have someone pick him up again but he said he needed to get used to walking since there won't always be someone there to help him. He is a very independent man. So it was so funny to see these two old guys walking up to church. Right in the middle of the testimony meeting he comes up to us and says "I made it!". Man, it was great. Then after church he walked back home. Pretty soon you'll see a picture of this prince guy. He's getting baptized on April 11th.

Anyway, Sunday went on and we ended up putting 6 people on baptismal date! It was sweet! So now we're up to 9! The hardest part is getting them from saying yes to baptism to having them confirmed...especially making sure they get to church! But the work goes forward boldly, nobly, and independent until the great purposes of God are accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done....Sorry I've been working on my mission quotes...got that one stuck in my head.

I love you all and miss you but one day I'll be there sharing my mission with you in person. Until then there are souls I need to save in South Africa!

love, elder robinson

Walked and Walked and Walked and Walked...

I'm glad to hear the family is doing great. You know being away from family and seeing how broken the majority of families are makes me miss our family reunions and just being together with them. It really makes me feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of the family I am.

So this week was pretty eventful. First of all we had heard last week that Saturday March 21st was Human Rights Day or Commemoration day.. commemorating the Sharpeville massacre! Back during aparteid the Blacks had to have this ID book that they called some name that basically meant stupid person or something like that. So Sharpeville residents started to protest so much that they sent an army in.. with a helicopter.. dropped down and just mowed down the crowd. Supposedly 69 people died in the first incident and many others shortly after. So our branch mission leader told us it would not be safe on that day especially with the elections coming up. At first we thought we would be home all day. Then President Poulsen so no, we needed to work...So we did. We came into Sharpeville a little on edge not sure what to expect. Down by the soccer stadium there were huge tents that we saw set up and a huge stage and things like that. On Saturday there were huge buses everywhere bringing people in from everywhere. Anyways first appointment...we were sitting outside and a little boy walked by and stopped, looked at me then came to the gate and tried to get in.
He couldn't and instead just yelled.. makua watsamaiya... meaning "white man get out of here". Not a good start. Luckily we were safe the rest of the day and nothing crazy happened... just tons of people all over Sharpeville.

Another highlight of this week was that Prince made it to church! We had our branch president's wife follow us and she gave him a ride. Man, he was so excited to be there. He even participated in the discussion in combined Relief Society/Priesthood. We were talking about Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching (which he doesnt even know about). It was awesome. I almost shed a tear haha. Then after church we had the baptism of Baipidi. That was awesome. This girl has been ready since we got here.

We are losing our car here in Sharpeville. It's an interesting story...remember when our car was wrecked back in Tsakane and we had to walk for about 3 weeks until there could be a replacement car or ours was fixed? Well the same car has been smashed again. But this time they are taking my car here in Sharpeville and giving it to them. So to clarify- both times that this same car in the Tsakane/ Kwa Thema area has been crashed- I'm the one who ends up without a car. Even when I'm serving in an area at least 2 hours away! Strange coincidence, nay? So now we'll have to get around Sharpeville walking...pray for us. It's going to be a hard transition. We've had days this week with an appointment every half hour. Plus our investigators are spread all over Sharpeville!! But I guess the Lord will provide a way.

Just know that I am healthy and still loving the mission. Love you lots and I always
appreciate the support!

Love, elder robinson

P.S. Do you think you could send me a condensed version of my family history? The people here love their ancestors. So much that they pray to them. When we say that they shouldn't pray to them their response is "you mean to tell me you don't have any ancestors?" So I want to whip out my family history on them!

Hiking and Epiphanies

Preparation day hiking...

Chillin' South Africa Style

First off, Prince is getting baptized. We came to see him this week. Remember his eyes don't even allow him to read the Book of Mormon. So, all he's had is our word and prayer. I asked him flat out how he feels about all this or if he'd received an answer yet.. he said "all I have to say is, it's true". Man, that felt so good. Then when we were teaching him he had one of his epiphanies. Elder Jasi taught him about faith and then he said "so its not faith unless I DO something about it". Man, this guy is amazing...Especially for an old guy! We put him on date for March 27th. It will be a challenge though to get him under the water. I hope I don't have to baptize him...I'm afraid I might break him. I'll send you pictures when he gets baptized. Also this week we had the baptism of 4 sisters!! (not blood sisters). Two young women age and two young adults all from different families. I'll get the pictures to you next week. But the service went great. We had it on Saturday and I was asked to baptize one of them. Then the next day on Sunday I was asked to confirm 2 of them. It was a great weekend for Sharpeville.

I'm not sure we taught any super special lessons this week. It's kind of hard to
remember. We are always super busy. Which is the best way to be on a mission. It makes time go much faster. So now we have 4 people on baptismal date spread out from March to April.

We have transfers this week. Everything is the same with my companion and I. But two guys are leaving my district. Including the district leader. His name is Elder Cunico. He's only a few months older than I on the mission but he's a great leader. I hope our next DL is the same.

So today we went to a Nature Reserve called "suikerbos"... supposedly there are baboons and things there. But all we saw were some spring bok (almost like deer) far in the distance. Plus there was suppose to be this 10k hike but the trail disappeared after about 1k. So we ended up just exploring around going through the bush. It was pretty cool to be out hiking again. I miss the outdoors so much. I miss hiking. I keep telling people that as soon as I get home I'm getting off the plane and walking into the bush to go backpacking for a month. Then I'll be able to go home. haha. That's why I really want to get out of Gauteng. I want to go up to Botswana or the north east province or even down to Lesotho.

Right now it's raining harder outside than I've ever seen it rain. It's ridiculous.
Well thanks again for all the support and prayers. Know that I'm staying safe and healthy and working hard!!

Love, your son elder robinson

Remarkable

I got a letter from on of my recent converts who ended up becoming our branch missionary in Tsakane and coming to teach with us a lot. I told you about him. His name is Wandile. We spent Christmas at his house. Anyways that was a nice surprise. It's amazing to see the change happen in a person's life when the gospel takes affect.

So for this week I think the most interesting experience was a guy named Prince. We tracted into this guy maybe two weeks ago. When we taught him and his wife at first we weren't even sure if he spoke English. But after a short time we realized not only did this old man speak English very well but he also understood all of the concepts very well. So at our first lesson he told us he and his wife we alcoholics. We tried to give him some words of advice to quit and he hasn't touched alcohol since. The bad part is that soon after our first lesson we came back and asked him how he was. He said not good. His wife had left him. To this day she still hasn't come back but that hasn't stopped him from gaining a testimony. I can already see this seed growing inside him. It's amazing. This old man who can barely walk has been on alcohol his entire life. Then here come the missionaries and teach him truth. what do you know, he changes his life around and is coming to know what is really important in life. The level of understanding at his age is remarkable. I mean go read Alma chapter 12 and you'll find some pretty interesting concepts in there that may even be hard for someone well-learned to understand at first. We would teach these things to Prince and he would look at us like every other person(blank stare) but he would then ask very thoughtful questions. Like he will ask "so your saying we can't be free of sins without following the gospel of Jesus Christ?" or "Well then what happens to those who don't free themselves of their sins?". It's great to meet someone who is not just interested in your message because its from God but because he actually wants to know truth from God! Then to have that person be over 70 years old is remarkable.

Anyway so that was my awesome experience this week. We're going to try and put Prince on baptismal date tonight actually. Yesterday we had baptismal interviews. We have 4 people getting baptized on Saturday. That will be awesome! Last night I cooked those cookies you sent me at Christmas. Let me say thank you mom and thanks from all the missionaries in my district. They were a hit. Now I'll have to try and make some from scratch.

Thanks for all the love and support! I know that I am truly blessed to have such loving friends and family. Know that I am safe and healthy and still loving the mission. I love you all!

Love, elder robinson

Intrigued

Last Sunday we were surprised in the middle of the meeting to sing a song that we hadn't even practiced and the piano wasn't even set up! No one was on key until the last verse! It was embarrassing. Then this Sunday we practiced since they will join the stake choir next week for stake conference. With my limited knowledge of the piano and their limited knowledge of singing it was painful.

Well the work continues on. This past week we've had a lot of success in both teaching and finding. The people here are just ready for the gospel, it's only a matter of finding them. Some don't care but some are really interested. I love it when you teach a lesson and by the end they are just amazed. That happened this week with a guy named Alfred. By the end he was just so intrigued at the thought that this could be the gospel of the restored church on the earth! But even the best investigators won't go anywhere if they dont keep commitments. So we'll see, we can only hope and pray.

We also came across a lady tracting yesterday who didn't want to dissappoint us because she had already found the way. She said it was this guy (who she's never met before) that is the next Pastor Chris. Pastor Chris is basically pretty close to every false prophet that the New Testament talks about. He goes around doing huge concerts where he heals people and stuff. Anyway this other guy, named MR Mokoena, supposedly heals all kinds of people. This lady was so into it...I was seriously afraid she was going to jump on us- that's how ecstatic she was! Then she goes on to tell us that she has been bewitched by her husband and basically her whole life story (keep in mind she never wanted to talk to us in the first place) and that she has what doctors tell her is arthritis but since she cant "see" it only feels it she knows she is bewitched. So we told her she should have Mr. Mokoena heal her (she wasnt listening to a word we were saying) and then she said that that is why she's following his church... which is called Durane, by the way. Well that was an experience. We had our ear talked off for half an hour (nothing new) by a lady who was following a clearly false prophet. If some of these people would just read the bible that they hold so close to their hearts but never open... they would not be so easily deceived. It's sad but one day I think they'll have their chance.

Well that's about all that's new here. We're still working hard. This Saturday we have 4 baptismal interviews for the following week. Wweet! Thanks for all the love and support! Tell Camilla I said hi!


Love, your son