20 February 2012 - George, Thembalethu, Rosemore, Lawaaikamp

Dear family and freinds,

Everyone in the George district is staying the same this transfer! This is Elder Larrabee's last transfer on mission as well. He is from Utah. In fact, everyone in this district, including the senior couple the Smiths, is from Utah. Imagine that.

Unfortunately this was another slow week. Or maybe I just don't have enough time to commit the week to memory. Anyway, nothing much to say.

I'm thrilled to hear about John's baptism. It seems like there are many many people who really care about him. It seems like he is excited to start his new life.

It's just missionary work all day here in George. Mostly we work in the township Thembalethu. When it's not there it's in the areas near Thembalethu such as Rosemore or Lawaaikamp. We have set goals that will bring us closer to real growth in the George Branch and are already starting to achieve them. This Saturday there will be another baptism, and we're otherwise doing very well.

I love hearing from each and every one of you, so if you're considering sending me an e-mail, don't wait!

Talk to you soon,

-Elder Tekulve

3 Nephi 5:13

 13) Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

13 February 2012 - A Testimony

Hello again family.

This is actually the first Monday of a new transfer, but I haven't got transfer news yet, that's tomorrow.

Umm, this week nothing much happened. Just before I know it, it's Monday again. I took a rare picture of the township, so you can see where I'm working most of the time.

Thembalethu Township

But know that I'm working hard and teaching many people. I know that my efforts are changing lives for the better. Brother Hogman taught the priesthood lesson about a testimony of Jesus Christ. He said something that sounds dumb and obvious when I write it down but helped me get a refreshed view about testimonies. He said "A testimony is not something someone else has taught you, it's something you know."

I know for myself, firstly, that Jesus Christ lives. That He was resurrected and that He leads his Church today through revelation and divine authority. I know that through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, we can be forgiven of all our sins. If we endure to the end. If we become and remain willing to give our will to Him. It took me a while to really understand that following Jesus Christ is not something you do, it's something you are.

Love,

-Elder Tekulve

 

Job 38:3

Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

06 February 2012 - Baptisms of Sr's Nomfusi and Cynthia

Another week. Is it February already? When it's June I'm going to panic. That would mean I'm almost a year old on mission! 

Last week I promised I would tell you about the park we went to. It wasn't huge but there were lots of different big cats there. In addition to everything I sent a picture of there were leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, Siberian and Bengal tigers, lions, and a badger. The place is for cats that used to be kept as pets when they were young but (inevitably) grew too big and too wild to be kept in a home. Many of the lions there are used to interaction with humans and in the morning sit on the owners lap and drink a bottle milk. Now, I don't know if you realize or have ever seen a lion or tiger up close but they are very large. Very large. I also got a very cool movie that unfortunately is too big to e-mail, so you'll have to see it when I send the memory card home.

Just last Saturday was another two baptisms here in George Branch. Sisters Nomfusi and Cynthia were baptized and confirmed. Nomfusi is a 10 year old daugher of a family that is mostly members, and Cynthia is the first convert in her family. The area is really exploding this past transfer. President Wood says often how much he wants to split the branch into two branches. I love how much good we can do in people's lives. To truly help them to change, to follow Christ and find the happiness that comes from that is it's own reward.

But that's pretty much it for this week. Talk to you later!

Love,
-Elder Tekulve



Tiger

Black Leopard







 





White Tiger

Lynx Caracal





White Lion

Revelation 3:21

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.