Letters 04/23/2012

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:11:47


So my first new area is  called Daveyton, and my new companion is Elder Xaba ( the X makes a clicking noise.) Daveyton is a township of the city Benoni. Our flat is in Benoni due to the poor conditions of Daveyton. The people have beedn wonderful. They are incredibly friendly and laid back. Unfortunately this is a problem because my companion is a native to South Africa and we have been late to almost every appointment. Nana would not be pleased... On my first day I had the experience of driving right  out of the gate. My companion has no licence, so driving was a trial by fire.  It only took about 10 minutes to get accustomed to driving on the left had side of the road, but finding my way around has been quite troublesome because most street names are in a different language, not to mention the fact that they are not numbered. The food here is quite interesting, and I have had several dinner appointments already. They all eat a type of corn meal called pap, which is usually accompanied by sausage and a type of gravy. I have to go to the store and buy  some more food. I have been eating oatmeal and yogurt for breakfast and PB&J for lunch with a few apples thrown in. when I have spare change I might buy what is called a Kota. It is similar to a burger but much much better. My flat was incredibly grimey when I arrived , and I need to go through today and scour everything with disinfectant and bleach. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and everyone should know I need things clean and orderly to function properly. Luckily we live in the city, and the shopping centers have most necessities, but there are many things that they do not have, such as mexican food. No refried beans, salsa , or tortillas. Also, the food is somewhat lacking in great flavor, and the candy here has much less sugar than American candy. If anyone feels generous, I could use some good ol' American candy. 
     The people here are very generous and humble. It has been a great experience for me in humbling myself in order to teach the people on the same level. Most of them are lost, there are literally dozens  and dozens of churches in such a small area. Noone nows what to believe, and many have stopped caring. This makes committments hard because noone is willing to go to church, and the people are proned to tell you what you want to hear.  For some reason I have been told on numerous occasions that I look strikingly familiar. What makes it even funnier, is that I am literally the only white person in the entire township. The work is going good, and we have been focusing on recent converts and less actives. The people have a hard time because most people dont have cars and the church is quite a long distance from their homes. Regardless, I am determined to plant and nourish as many seeds as I can. This will be another challenge because most people don't speak english well, so I must simplify my language a great deal.
     Adjusting to my companion, the lifestyle, the language and the people will be a task, but one that can easily be overcome. I hope I am in your prayers. Everyone is in mine.

     -- Much Love, 


Elder Jared William Davidson

Letters 04/17/2012

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:40:25

Well this is my last moment in the MTC. I didn’t have the opportunity to write Saturday because the internet in the entire area has been down.  I will be receiving my first assignment in about an hour, and my new P-day will be Monday.  I can’t even begin to explain the growth and development that I have experienced here. I came in with a few naive thoughts about what I knew, but as the days progressed I became filled with a knowledge and ability that I had never previously experienced. My testimony stands as a mountain that cannot be moved, and my will and dedication in serving the lord has a direct path. I will go and do. Brother Rieder, one of our teachers here,  said that  “An inspired missionary can change the course of history.”  I know that if I put my faith wholeheartedly in the Lord, I can do all things. I hope that I can make that impact on someone’s life so that they might experience the great joy and love that I feel for this gospel and the people around me.  The hardest part of this experience will be filling out all of the forms... I very much do not like filling out the forms, but I know that they are necessary and I’m willing to do that for the appropriate reasons.

The first real miracle that occurred here at the MTC came shortly after I sent my last update. The previous week my throat prevented me from singing, and even talking was a struggle. The entire experience was a very humbling, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit discouraged. I was to sing a solo in a nearby ward Easter Sunday, but as I tried to sing Saturday, the harsh strain and coarseness of my voice made my stomach turn.  As the Sabbath approached, I prayed fervently for some relief, but none came. Sunday morning  my throat hurt, but I felt much better.  Not want to strain my voice, I refrained from practicing.  I then learned that we would be singing in all three wards that day. We began to sing, and my voice was fine. As the solo came, I sang with power and  conviction I would not have experienced had I not lost my voice, and thus experienced the great joy of  having it back. All three meetings were excellent, and my voice healed.

                I’m ready for the work and when I have more to say, I will be sure to update.

--Much Love,

Elder Jared William Davidson

Photos

Letters 04/07/2012

Sat, 7 Apr 2012 10:16:41

So far, at day 10, the MTC has been an incredible experience. I have been able to sleep soundly for a full 8 hours every day, and I can tell how much it affects me, not only in physical energy, but also clarity of thought . It feels marvellous.  I have come to love and respect each of the elders that I learn and experience everything with . For some reason, I had several of the elders pull me aside and said  they appreciated me for the strength of my testimony, how I act, and how I affect others. I don’t feel like I have done so, but I am glad I can do what I have. Some of them can be annoying and arrogant, but I have learned to look past that and try to help build them up as I do so for myself.  My companion, Elder Madise, and I have developed a good friendship based around singing. We both love to  sing, and we have been the music  to the dorms for the past week.  We have even been invited to sing solos during a musical number at church this  coming Sunday. Unfortunately for me, after receiving this opportunity, I became ill and lost my voice.  It has lasted all week, and it is improving agonizingly slow. Every missionary here has been trying to give me their own personal remedies, but nothing has worked effectively. I will let you know how it turns out on Sunday...

                We were only able to watch the morning sessions of General conference, due to the time difference, but what we were able to see brought much inspiration. I couldn’t help but imagine everyone at home sitting on their couches in pajamas watching the same message, but afterward I had to go to bed.

                We had the privilege of going to the Joberg temple this past Tuesday, and I must  say, I have never seen a more exquisite temple landscape.  I will send pictures, but even those cannot fully express the beauty and peacefulness of the place. 

                As far as currency is concerned, I am quite wealthy. One American dollar is equal to 8 Rand.

                The learning has been great , and I can feel my testimony strengthen each day as I absorb the doctrine and then proceed to teach it. The teaching experience came difficult at first, but it has become easier  and easier as I have learned to rely on the power and whisperings of  the spirit. It truly is amazing how great it is, and how it has changed my life and attitude as well as the attitudes of the other elders. I have learned to pray at all times of the day, and I now know what Nana meant by callused knees. I pray daily for the well being of everyone back home, and for the comfort and protection that our father in heaven so generously gives. I love you and I know that  all is well...

Love,

Elder J. William Davidson

At the Airport