Pumbaa is in Africa . . . I've seen him!

This week was nice, different though. We received word from President today that the Area Presidency has thus far rejected opening the mission here and has asked us to gather more information. Our direction is to spread the gospel and obtain facts such as: is it a growing community, jobs, population, religious preferences, a lot of different things. So we need to obtain that information and spread the Gospel to EVERYONE so we can establish that Ulundi can grow and be self reliant in the Gospel. Too many branches in South Africa are not growing well for many different reasons. We DON'T want that to happen here.....We want this area to have a clear understanding of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and have strong testimonies to help it continue to grow.

Sooooooo last night there was a fire on the neighboring farm so we went with Brother D. and helped him put out the part that was threatening his land. People come to the farms to steal and then light fires to cause problems....it's annoying. Oh well.

The farm we live on is in the mountains of Zululand and it's AFRICA :) We saw a warthog on the side of the road today! First time I’ve seen Pumbaa here in Africa :) Not much more to report this week, except that I'm still a Zulu, I still love my brother Elder Mathebula, and the work is still tough but OK. We're trying; if the work fails.....it's not ready. It won’t be because we didn’t try! I really would like to get the chance to see it open though. It has taught me that the work is about helping people receive the Gospel, or better yet, helping them to receive the CHANCE to receive it. We have met people, (NOT BY ACCIDENT), that have been prepared by the Lord to receive His gospel! I KNOW that.

Well, I love you all very much! Stay well!!!!
Love,
Elder Petrie

uLundi Pioneer

Sorry I’m writing so late! It's hard to email here because we drive to town from the farm.

So the Afrikaans family we live with is the Branch President at another branch. We attended that branch for the past two weeks which is about 2 hours away one way. We are working on having a meeting in uLundi this Sunday. Maybe 1-2 hours.  We do have a place to meet. We have also found a place to live,  (by divine intervention), and we will move there soon from the farm so we can live IN our area. It's a township but around it is very rural so you have to stay in the township cause there is nothing else around you haha

It's nice here....similar to Lesotho but hot and Zulus and clean water. It's tough though! Think of being the only members and having no church and just talking to people and trying to get something started.....this is the reason it's the LORDS work.....not ours. I would not be very good at stuff like this without the Lord helping. haha

My companion, Elder Mathebula is a great guy. I really love him. He's my brother! HEY! I got my package and I'm playing all sorts of songs with my penny whistle and eating a ton of sweets haha THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! Haha

So while we live on the farm, we help out with some things like  herding cattle into a corral to dip em for fleas. I told the Dad that I was a cowboy for a reason and could handle it haha...So I proved my point when I jumped in and herded them. haha. 

We also wash our bakkie in the river. We live in Zulu land for a reason. These lands were once walked by the mighty chief Shaka Zulu himself.....look him up. ha

Love you all! Sorry I couldn't email all of you right away. I'll work on it if I can! LOVE YOU ALL and a shout out to my bro who just graduated from BYU! Shoots bro!!! That's SWEET!!!!!!!

Ok ok ok BYE!!!!

Love you,

Elder Petrie 

P.S. Wish Brandt a Happy Birthday for me and tell him I'm glad his family got back from Israel ok hahaha CRAZY STORY!

 

First week in uLundi!

To answer your questions, yes, here we have a bakki (truck). My companion was the last ap so he is about to go home. He is from South Africa and is a Zulu. We live with the Branch President of a Branch in Dundee that consists of himself and his wife. They are Afrikaans. We live on their farm in the middle of nowhere bordering Zulu land. It's rural. It's  hot here and no church at all. We are starting from the beginning. I have already seen the Lord working through us though. We helped wire the house yesterday that's why I didn't email. It's pretty nice out here. Quiet and not too much noise. We are working in a township. Not much to tell. I think this week we might have a small meeting for church but only few will probably show up. Still waiting on whether we'll get a boarding this week. Found one the first day due to divine intervention. As you can tell the time is short. We have a lot of work to do but have a little time to email. I love you all and sent a package from Lesotho via snail mail. Hope you have a good week. The place is called uLundi and when you see it you just think Hurrah for Israel!!!!! ;) Love you Mom!!!!

Sala Kahle. I'm learning a lot more Zulu :) haha Ngiyakuthanda mama wakho! Alright, not much this week but I think more time next week! Love you all!!!!!

Opening a New Area in Ulundi!

This is a picture of the Zone in Lesotho with Elder Kevin S. Hamilton and his wife. Elder Hamilton is the Second Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency.

Soooo I'm getting transferred! I'm leaving my home in Lesotho!!!!! My companion Elder Bonner and I sang Rock of Ages in English and Sesotho, and then transitioned to God Be with you till we Meet Again......in English, Zulu, and Sesotho....Some were tearing up and I was almost as well.....I looked at the faces of the people from the stand as I bore witness of my Savior and I knew them ALL. It was soooo hard to say goodbye and my heart is still there with those that I love. That day I witnessed many miracles with those I love.

I'm about to leave now actually so I don't have much time. I am going to a place called Ulundi. It is in between New Castle and Richards Bay in Kwa- Zulu Natal but don't ask me about it....I have no idea. That area of our mission has never heard the gospel. The former assistant and I have been assigned to open it and start a group.....When asking if there was a branch there....I was told...no, there is nothing. When I asked if a group had been started....I was answered....no, there is nothing.... There are no missionaries within a couple hours I hear so it's just us against the world....Wooohooo. (I got my covered wagon and rations of flour and I'm packing to be a pioneer) haha. It is ZULUS! YAY! :) I will really miss Lesotho.

Well.....that's really it for today I have to go!

I love you all soooooo much. Pray really hard cause I think it's going to be tough........BUT FUN! :) hahaha

Love you!

Ngiyanithanda kakulu umndeni wami!!!!

Thando,

Elder Petrie