The Past Two Weeks from The Bluff

 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!