We weren't able to talk to Caleb last week on the phone,
although we were able to text through our fb chat.
I was grateful to talk to him last night. My mama heart has been a bit
worried about him the last couple of weeks as he was heading
into "shelter in place" mode before some scheduled political protests.
I have watched several video clips and news reports out of Durban
and was grateful that the protests weren't as violent as expected.
Missionaries don't need to shelter in place anymore, although I'm
sure they will still be extra cautious as they are out and about!
He got to meet with a family and have dinner with them,
after which they sang and taught them a Zulu dance. I'll post a video clip of that.
He also has a friend who is hoping to get baptized soon. I hope Caleb is able to
witness that, but transfers will probably happen beforehand. We'll see.
This has been a hard area. No baptisms so far, but he's met some great people.
Here are his email from the last two weeks:
From June 29th: Quarantine?
Hello Everyone! I hope you are doing well! As for me, I'm well but bored 
Highlight this week
️
One
of our investigators reached out and said he missed us at church and
asked if we were okay. And that he'll be at church next week
Lowlight this week
The
political tension across south africa is bad enough that all the
missionaries have been told to just stay inside our apartments, hence we
weren't at church
its not very fun
Other than that not much else
Spiritual Thought
In
one of the most prolific sermons given by Christ, He discusses how God
feeds the birds of the Sky and and covers the grass of the fields so
obviously God will take care of YOU because you are His child, more than
a bird or the grass. And this rings true today and forever. God knows
your circumstances and will provide for your needs, if you rely on Him
and put your hand to the plow
Love,
Elder Roskelley
From July 5th: I Made It Through!!
Hello Everyone! I hope you are doing well. As for me I'm doing just splendid
Our
lock down of sorts ended this week on Thursday, so we were shut ins for
about a week. Me and Elder Kate had the opportunity to pass the
sacrament to each other. And clean the boarding until it was shining
Although
we haven't returned completely back to normal, the protests and riots
were not as bad as originally conceived which is a miracle I think.
Unfortunately, there are still many missionaries who are unable to
return to their areas right now
but this gave us a unique opportunity here in Bluff! For Thursday-
Saturday, we got to have 2 elders join us, Elder Randrianomenjanahary (i
served with him in steadville) and Elder Nomenjanahary (nomen for
short). Both from Madagascar
Elder
Kate had the pleasure of walking around the chapel with elder Nomen
while me and Randri got to drive around to different places in the area.
It was a bunch of fun and certainly saw miracles!
One or the families we visited was an absolute blast! They taught us how to dance like a Zulu
and then they sang for us before we left
(videos on my album
) and then they gave us food as well
it was certainly an interesting and unexpected experience
One
of the powerful things that has happened over the course of the past
few weeks is to see how the Spirit continues to work on those we teach.
We have a friend named Danny, when we first met him, he said he would
attend our church for 2 weeks and then a different church for 2 weeks in
the month, and said hes been baptized before so he doesn't really need
it again. Then the next time we saw him, he said he wants to start just
coming to our church cause he doesn't like the other one that much. Then
a little bit later we talked about the temple with him and he said,
maybe next year I'll get baptized. And then just the other day he said
he would like to get baptized next month at the end of August. All of
these conclusions have occurred to him not while we are there, but as
the Spirit of the Lord has worked on him between visits, its truly
wonderful.
I think thats all I have to report on, lemme know if you have any questions!
Love,
Elder Roskelley
A meal from this week. Doesn't look too bad. Looks pretty good, actually.
A bright spot while shopping before he had to shelter in place. He loves chocolate oranges!
Maybe not the most limber dancer, but looks like he's having fun!
