Last Post of 2014

Wow, my last Christmas week away from home.  I look forward to the next one when I am back in America.  This week was so much fun and I can't even believe how fast it went.  On Monday, we went to a members home and they fed us a nice Mexican dinner.  We had enchiladas with some nice bread.  From there we had an unlimited amount of dessert.  When I was done, I didn't dare eat more for fear of seriouly hurting myself.  It was with the Smith family from the Rustenburg Ward.  The Phokeng Elders joined us and it was lots of fun.

Tuesday we had a solid day in the area and then headed to Joburg later on.  We stayed at my old flat in Protea Glen with the Elders.  We stopped by Dominos along the way, which is always nice.  On Christmas day, we had a huge gathering of Missionaries at the mission home and celebrated Christmas as a mission.  We had a sweet breakfast prepared by the senior couples and then received a present from the members in our mission area.  They all joined together with mission and family members of missionaries to allow each missionary to have a present.  It was so nice and I am grateful to all those who helped,  Thank you!  Later on we gathered in the chapel to have a special surprise.  We got to watch the new movie, "Meet the Mormons".  It was so good and hope you will all get a chance to see it.  From there we played sports with the whole mission.  We had dodgeball, soccer, rugby, basketball and volleyball.  It was a lot of fun and unfortunately I got a little sunburned.  Happens eh?

Well the best part of the day was being able to skype home to the family.  I had a great chat with them and can't believe it had been almost eight months since the last skype.  Only eight months to go!  Time is flying!!

The rest of the week went super well.  On Saturday, we went to a member's house and made some American food for them.  I made stuffed burgers and Elder Mead made his own pancakes.  The Ntiso family made us Chicken hearts with some pap and achar.  The chicken hearts were surprisingly really good and I might buy some myself for this week. You don't know how good it is until you try it.  It has an interesting texture that when you bite into it, it feels tough, but becomes soft.  I guess you guys will have to try it for yourselves.  I would post a picture, but my camera is acting weird.

Ok last, but not least we went to Sun City today up in northern Northwest.  It was so beautiful and a lot of fun.  I will try and post some pictures next week.  I love you all and hope you have a Happy New Year.

Cheers, Elder Segil

Christmas Time!

Well it has been another awesome week in South Africa.  A lot of work is getting done, but it has been slow since people are getting ready for the holidays.  They are all doing their last minute shopping and preparing for the big day.  As soon as next year comes, the work will be back in full force.  

We went down to Joburg on Thursday for interviews with President Dunn.  The drive is so pretty and green.  Interviews went super well!  Ha we also headed down to Joburg on Friday for Zone meetings with the whole Zone.  It was a lot of fun and a great learning experince.  Everything is going great and I can't wait to skype the family on Christmas day.

Northwest Zone with Elder and Sister Cook and President and Sister Dunn!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all and I hope you have a great, spectacular week.  May the Spirit of Christmas be with you all, and may we all remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

Love you all. 

Cheers, Elder Segil

So much to do So little time!

I have made so many new friends while e-mailing they're called cockroaches and they keep coming up to me and stare at me like I'm this crazy human being that might kill them. Luckily for them, they are impossible to kill, so I don't even try. If you can't beat em, join em. On the downside, it gets really hot in these e-mail shops down here in Africa and sweat runs down my face as I type and sometimes it feels like one of my new friends is trying to get a closer look. Most of the time it isn't. Thank goodness.

This past week was just so awesome and this week is starting off equally great. Yesterday after lunch and seeing a few investigators, we were not sure what to do, so we pondered on it and decided to go visit a Family we haven't seen for a while. We saw them and had a very powerful lesson. As we were leaving, a little girl knocked on the door of our car and says, "My Mom wants you to come and pray with her." We of course said yes and followed her to the house. Her mother and father greeted us and we sat down at their table. They gave us cold drink and we began to tell them about who we were. The mother said she had seen us a few times and always wanted us to come. She was just going to give us cold drink to take if we were to busy to stay. We opened with a prayer and shared the whole Restoration with them. We asked them half way through if they would like us to stop, but they insisted we keep going. The Spirit was so strong, I know our Father in Heaven has been preparing this family. The father and the mother loved everything and can't wait for us to come back. All I can say is I LOVE MY JOB! 

Last Tuesday we went down to Joburg for something called the mission tour. It was Presided over by Elder Carl B. Cook of the Seventy. It was a great learning experience and was so cool to learn from Elder Cook. Since it is such a long drive, we stayed at my last flat with my last companion. It was a lot of fun and the best part was getting Domino's Pizza. You guys don't know how good you have it. I haven't had real pizza in so long and it was simply amazing. 

We are teaching lots of great people and life is going so well. It's scary to me to think how long I have left on my mission, it is going by so fast and I am running out of time. Elder Mead and I are working hard and making sure to finish strong. I love this work and will forever. How can you not love bring joy and peace to people that have never felt it. This message gives them hope and strength to keep going and not to give up. There is life beyond this one, I know it. Let me leave you with some food for thought. If there is no life after death, then we die and never know. If there is life, then that means the scriptures were telling the truth. If they were telling the truth about life after death, then you can be sure they were telling the truth about everything else. President Hinckley once said, “You have not failed until you quit trying.”

Love you all and have a great week.

Elder Segil

Fruits of Our Labors

Well it has been another great week here in Rustenburg.  It is so

beautiful and green.  The people are so nice and I am really enjoying
my misson.  The only downside is the heat.  It seems to be 80 degrees no
matter what time of day it is.  My blood is turning cold again and
when the time comes to return home, I will have to fill my closet with
winter clothing!

So last week I wanted to post this picture, but the current computers
we are using are so bad that it takes an hour to write one e-mail and
I only get 90 minutes a week.  

This was on Thankgiving night.  We went
to Burger King and to the store to get as much American food as we
could find.  All four of us together spent a total of sixty dollars.
Not bad considering all the food you see before you, not to mention it
is from America.  I look forward to being back home next year and
having a turkey for Thanksgiving!

Elders Mead, Rizk, Segil and Kafusi on top!

The story I wanted to tell last week was something that has happened
to me before, but this time definitely tops them all.  The day before
we went tracting and met these five women that were preparing for a party the
next day.  One of their children was being confirmed into their church
and they were having a huge celebration.  They invited us back the
next day for food.  We came back the next day and they treated us like
kings.  We sat at a table and they dished up a lot of food for us.
While eating they would check up on us and bring us more cold drinks.  During this time there is a huge party going on all around us.  The music is
blaring and people are everywhere and somehow they manage to focus on
us.  The host introduced us to all her friends and said great things
about us after we had just met her.  She then told us that she will
soon turn off the music and she wants us to share our message to
everyone.  Talk about a short notice.  This reminds me of the story of
Alma and Amulek in the Book of Mormon when preaching to the Zoramites.
First I got up to preach about our message and then I sat down and
Elder Mead got up to testify of our message.  It was a sweet
experience and I know the Lord prepared a way for us to share His
message with those hundred or so people.  Good things will come of it.

More Baptisms, the fruits of our labors!

In other news we had some Baptisms this week as you can see. They went
really well and it is always a very spiritual experience helping
people take that first step to follow our Lord and Savoir Jesus
Christ.  This Church of Jesus Christ is true and I know this without a
single doubt in my heart.  I love the work I am doing and know it is
the greatest work on this earth.  I love you all and may you have a
wonderful week and month this holiday season.  May the spirit of our
God be with you in abundance.

Elder Segil

Rustenburg, Northwest!

Hey hey hey everybody! I only have ten minutes this week, so I have to make this quick.  My new area of Rustenburg is really nice and so green.  I love being here, but sure do miss Protea Glen.  We have lots of good things happening and I look forward to the future.  I have pictures that I will post next week and a great story to tell, so look for that.  I love you all and thank you so much for the Birthday wishes last week!  And last of all Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Have a great week, Elder Segil

November, The Month of Surprises!

 Well it has been a crazy week this week between having a Birthday and finding out that I will be transferred to another area.  I was sad at first because I really love Protea Glen and the people here, but I know I am needed somewhere else.  I have an idea of where I will be going, but I am not sure, so I will let you know next week.  I am getting good at saying goodbyes, but it always seems to get harder as time goes on!

These are a few pictures of the people I have come to love and know in Protea Glen!

The best and most loving family!

 Schubert, Donna, me and Sister V

Zikalala Family

 Me, Monica, Evidence, Malabo and the Twins!  

Soon to be baptized!

Malahane family with Tumi!

Pretorious Family!

Have a fantastic week!

Elder Segil

14 Months Down!

Well 14 months down and 10 to go.  Time is going by so fast and before we all know it I will be back home!  It has been another great week here in Protea Glen and we are preparing 15 people for baptism

these next three to four months.  I am excited for the future.  Elder Carpenter and I get along great and have a lot of fun. 

Elder Carpenter and I

Earlier this week I came across a book called "Great Religions of the World".  I enjoyed looking at it and reading the history of all the religions from the time the world began.  The best part was when I opened the book to the first page and read the opening quote.  Once I had read it, I thought oh that's a nice quote, I wonder who wrote it.  I looked at the name and to my amazement, it was written by my great uncle Archibald MacLeish.  Awesome stuff!

Great Religions of the World!

My great Uncle!

 Well I hope you all have a great week!

Cheers, Elder Segil

Protea Glen, Soweto!

Well It has been another great week with lots of changes.  My new area of Protea Glen is really nice, but super big.  My new companion is Elder Carpenter.  We have known each other for most of our mission by serving close to each other.  He is from America and we get along great. We drive about 30 minutes everyday from our flat just to get to our area.  It's a nice drive, but gets tiring after a while.  The population of Protea Glen is about 75,000 and the houses/shacks flood the land.  Soweto stands for Southwest Township and happens to be the biggest township in the world.  We have a stake just on it's own in Soweto.  It's a nice place and I like it a lot.

We took a nice hike, by our flat while we were waiting for some of the other Elder's car to be repaired.  Our flat used to be a four man flat but is now just two, so it is huge.  Other Elders will probably move is soon, but for the time being, I will enjoy it while I can.

The Start!

Waterfall on the hike!

 The view from the balcony!

In Soweto there are these two towers, which stand side by side with artistic paintings on them  We went and checked them out

 Soweto Towers!

 Getting Closer

Bungee Jump anyone? 

That will be me soon!

Well Protea Glen and Soweto are awesome!  I am excited to do some work here and will have lots of fun while I'm at it.  Have a great week everyone and talk to you soon!

Elder Segil

An Unexpected Surprise!

Hey everybody, it has been another great week here in Sebokeng and sadly it will be my last.  I received a call Saturday night from the assistants to the President and was informed that I am needed in a different part of the mission. I will be transferred to my new area this Thursday!  My new area will be Protea Glen, Soweto.  I am really excited to go to Soweto because it is the largest township in the world and the people there are really great!  I will really miss Sebokeng and the people I have met over these past five months.  They will be in my heart forever.

 

 

Mphanya Family

Mxasa Family

Lesedi, Tumi and Momma

Ntema Family

 

Khunyel Family 

 

We had the baptism of Fezile Hope Tunzi yesterday, which went very well.  It's always nice to leave the area with a baptism.  He is such a good and smart kid.  He was baptized by our Branch president, President Makhaya. 

 



 

 

Well hope you all have a great week and I will let you know how Soweto is next week!

 

Cheers, Elder Segil

Short Update!

Howzit everybody, it has been another quick week here in South Africa.  The highlight of my week was watching General Conference on Saturday and Sunday.  Some of you might be asking, but that was over three weeks ago.  It takes time for us here in South Africa to be able to watch it.  My favorite talks, besides all of them, were Elder Bednar's and Elder Holland's along with president Monson's, of course.  What a great world we live in where we get to listen to a Prophet of God, who leads and guides The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I hope you will all take the time and great opportunity to listen to what God has to say through His Prophets and Apostles.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Segil

So many Puppies!

Awe yes, another great week in Sebokeng.  As you can see, two of the families here had puppies this week and I got to play with all of them.  These small things bring me such great joy!





I wish I could take him home!

 Puppies for everyone!

Love this kid!

I love puppies!

10 kgs of Pap for $6 that will last months!

Ebraham and I in his shop

We did some yard work for Tumi and her mom.  I always enjoy doing service in the blazing hot sun of Africa.  What?  I do!  I don't think there is anything better then cleaning up a yard with weeds and trash and looking at it when you are all done.  You can imagine some people who have lots of trash and weeds in their life that need to be cleaned up.  Imagine how great they feel when they are clean and free from all that rubbish.  I can easily say, I have the greatest job in the world,  I can help people get back on track.  No matter how many weeds are in their lives, they can always be pulled out and done away with.  You can only pull out one at a time.  Some are deep and take a little more digging, but they will come out as we do what is right.  Some weeds break and come back.  We just have to try a little harder and make sure we get the whole weed root and all.  It is possible, I know you can do it.  But hey why do it alone, why not ask someone for help.  We had four people working on this yard and it got done in about an hour.  Imagine if it was just me pulling all the weeds.  Even with the four of us, some weeds will grow back.  This is why we need to ask our Father in Heaven for help.  He is the only one who can help us destroy these weeds forever. 

Got some work to do!

It was hot, I had to take off the tie!

Look at that!

More Puppies!

 LOVE IT!

Saturdays in Sebokeng!

Cheers, everyone!  Have a great week!

Elder Segil

Another Transfer in Sebokeng!

Well just a short post for today.  I will be staying in Sebokeng another transfer with Elder Kalani.  I am super happy because I get to continue the work that I started and stay with the people I have come to know and love.  Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Last district meeting of the Transfer!

The Chapel!

 No matter where you are, you can always find your way back!

Have a great week everybody!

Elder Segil

Life is Good!

It has been another great week here in Sebokeng.  It might be one of my last weeks here, so I am pretty sad about that.  Whatever happens, I know it will be for the best.  Transfers are on the 14th and I will find out on the night of the 11th whether I will stay or leave.  A lot of work got done in Sebokeng this week and I am happy with the results.  We did a fair amount of tracting and contacting and found this great family who let us into their home.  We had a great lesson with them and saw them again later on in the week.  I see good things to come for them.  We do a lot of walking and see lots of great sights.  Enjoy the pictures!

Walking in Sebokeng

 Rastafari!  KB, Elder Segil and Seun.  Don't you just love those dreads!

Karobo's Birthday cake!

We went to the Temple this past week, which is always a blessing.  We get to go every three to four months, so it's always nice when we have a Temple Trip.

Look at that!

The Temple.

He didn't know I was behind him!

The view!

There is a really nice lady that lives in Joburg that makes ties for the missionaries.  They each cost 100 Rand and are made out of tiny beads.  It is a great deal and I was so happy to get them when I went to the Temple.

Oh yeah, look at that tie!  BEAUTIFUL!

Home country-Mission country!

Another great and quick week.  Hope you all have a good one!

Cheers, Elder Segil