Man, what a week.  So, in the last email I was at the MTC and I was able to do the endowment for the name I was taking through the temple.  It is always so amazing to be in the temple, I miss it already. There is so much peace and comfort there.

But last week I received an email from the church with my travel itinerary and it had me flying out on Thursday! So insane! I was 2 weeks into the MTC and I was flying out Thursday! After a 4 hour flight to Atlanta and then another 14 hour flight to Cape Town, I made it. I slept most of both flights😅 The guy sitting next to me said I only woke up for the food.

Finally in Cape Town, Mission President met me and the 5 other missionaries. He is pretty amazing and super kind. The AP's took me back to their place for sleep. When we woke up, the power was out. The government was load shedding. So, I took a shower by lantern. 🤣 We took all of the new missionaries back to the mission home and went through greenie training. After that we went to Signal Mountain and sadly since it was cloudy it was hard to see but it did clear up for a little bit. After that we went to the airport and got some KFC which was so good. (McDonald's is better here than the US, too). I flew/slept for another hour, then finally made it to my first area, Port Elizabeth. My comp Elder Cluff is a beast and I am excited to be trained by him.

Sunday, we had church and four dinner appointments, which was crazy. We are one of the only areas of the mission that doesn’t have a church building. So, we meet in a brick school house. Church was so amazing and they have so much faith that this is the true work. They teach from the heart and sacrifice so much. I love how the church is the same wherever you are.

The dinner appointments:

After the first one I was full, and you are supposed to finish everything that they give you to be respectful, but I was getting full, so I said a prayer to Heavenly Father asking him for strength that I might be able to finish the next appointment. The next appointment was Mama. Which all of the elders told me she feeds you large portions and I was worried. But I know that our Heavenly Father heard and answered my prayer as she only fed us dessert, a custard type pie with a liter drink of pine nut, not my fav but it's not bad. After that we were fed once more, beef, rice, and what I think was pumpkin like mashed potatoes thing. And the next one was a take away. So, I definitely know that he had my back for that one. We were able to meet so many members and they are so loving! I LOVE the people of South Africa so much already!

I am excited to learn and teach this gospel. I have felt how much joy it has brought in my life, and have seen how much joy it is bringing to others people’s lives. I know that this is the true church and that his work will continue. I have faith that our Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us. He cares for each of us and does everything for a reason. Everything happens for a reason. I know all of this to be so true.

I plead with all worthy members to enter into the temple and do temple work. There is so much work that needs to be done. It is such a blessing not only to you, but those who you are doing work for. I have felt so much peace in my life as I have been able to enter into the temple the last few weeks. It is an amazing gift from God that not all of us have at the moment. And if you're not able to enter into the temple, visit the holy temple grounds often. Use it as a place to connect with your Heavenly Father and feel his peace. Yes, it's still there even if you’re not in the temple.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love you all!

Elder Lawrence

Attached are pictures of all the amazing families I met Sunday.

There are also pictures on top of the mountain of Cape Town. That was the hike that President took us on.  In all of Cape Town there are only two stakes. There is so much work to be done and I am grateful to be a part of it.