South Africa Durban Mission

Monday, August 27, 2018

120-Day Book of Mormon Challenge

Please join the missionaries in the South Africa Durban Mission, beginning August 27, 2018 to read the Book of Mormon for 120 Days to finish on or before Christmas! That is approximately 5 pages a day. With every page, write in the margins, or in a notebook, something you FELT and learned on that page. We promise as you do, that you will be enlightened, uplifted, and edified.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

I can't believe how fast the time is going!

I can't believe I haven't posted on here since August 9th!

We just started our Zone Conference tour with Bloemfontein Zone first!

Our missionaries are adjusting to being without cars, and we are all trying to figure out the best logistics for everyone who is walking! Getting to Zone Conferences and missionary interviews with President Thompson is a little more complicated than we thought, but we are working out the kinks!

We are seeing so many wonderful miracles happening! For example, in Maputsoe Lesotho (the branch there was just split), the missionaries had 20 investigators at church on Sunday! That is so amazing!!! No, that is miraculous!!! We also opened up a new area recently, not far from the temple site where a cluster was formed (not quite a branch)! We are seeing people approaching missionaries and wanting to know more about the gospel. We are getting almost 20 new missionaries next transfer - it will be our biggest group to date! We have recently put missionaries on college campuses in Durban and Bloemfontein, and seeing great results. Most importantly, people's lives are changing for the better as they discover the blessings of living the gospel!

We are blessed beyond measure! I am so grateful to our fabulous missionaries! So proud of each and every one of them!

We are looking forward to our Book of Mormon 120-day Challenge! We will hold a mission fast on Sunday, August 26th. Missionaries will be fasting for whatever missionary needs they see as beneficial to progressing and spreading the gospel. On August 27th, we will start reading (or re-reading) the Book of Mormon to finish by Christmas! That is approximately 4-5 pages per day!

We invite family and friends to join us - and can promise that those who do it faithfully, will see their own miracles!

More photos coming soon!

Sister Thompson

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Three Trips to the Airport

THREE TRIPS TO THE AIRPORT TODAY

Elder Isooba had the early flight!

We are going to miss you Elder!

Elder Isooba

Elder Isooba and President Thompson

We love you Elder Isooba!

Elder Harp was the second trip!

Elder Harp

We are going to miss you Elder!

Elder Harp

Walking to the gate!

Goodbye Elder Harp! We will miss you!

Elders Merritt (AP), Homer, Harp, Sala (AP), Thompson

Elders Thompson and Homer will be our third trip to the airport (photos coming!)

We will miss all of our Elders! We have grown to love and appreciate them as our own!

We wish them all the very best and look forward to seeing them again someday!

Durban Temple Site

THE DURBAN TEMPLE SITE

Just a few of the new and departing Elders were able to visit the temple site!

Elders Homer and Thompson

Elder Swift

Elders Swift and Dikane

Elder Dikane

Elder Swift

Elders Dikane, Isooba, and Swift

Elder Isooba

Departing Elders Dinner

THE HARDEST PART ABOUT BEING A MISSIONARY MOM?

Is seeing our fine young Elders go home!

Elder Groesbeck's parents came from the United States to bring him home!

It is always a pleasure and highlight to have parents come to our farewell dinner and testimony meeting.

It's hard to imagine that it's been two years. We saw these fine Elders arrive, and now we send them home!

Elders Homer, Thompson, Isooba

Elders Groesbeck, and Sala (AP)

Elder Homer

Elder Thompson

Elder Isooba

Elder Harp

It's hard to say goodbye!

Elders Harp, and Groesbeck

Elders Homer, Thompson, and Isooba

Elders Groesbeck and Fullmer (AP)

Elder Harp

Making sure he has all that he needs to travel

Elders Merritt (AP) and Harp

New Elders

FOUR NEW ELDERS!

Yes, there are only three in this picture because this trio flew into Durban in the morning, and our fourth Elder arrived later (see his photos below)

Welcome Elders Dikane, Swift, and DeSpain

Elders Simayile (AP), Sala (AP), Dikane, Swift, and DeSpain

Elder Fullmer (AP) accompanied the trio for a song at the airport.

They sounded really good! In fact, a lady that works at the airport for public relations, took a video of them and is going to post it on the Durban Airport Facebook page!

Welcome Elder DeSpain

Welcome Elder Swift

Welcome Elder Dikane

We are so happy to have you!

Our typical blue background at the airport changed!

Leaving the airport.

After spending time at the missin office, the new Elders come to the mission home for dinner and testimony meeting. They will also get their assignments!