Elder Hennessey: 2/24/25

 

Dumelang u phela joang? 

Howzit everyone! Im back for the semi annual Elder Hennessey Email from the one and only Jozi South Africa. 

Its been a crazy few months but I will just go into some of the intresting things as well as the miracles of Course.

Recently we have seen many great miracles in my current area (Katlehong). One of such came this past week and a half. Last week we were biking back to the chapel when we saw a man waving us down signing that he wanted to talk to us. Now usually we ignore such people.. not to be rude.. but because usually people out in the Kasi are Drunker than drunk and they love talking to white people. But this time as we were passing him We had the impression to turn back and talk to him. So we did. We began talking to him and he was asking what we were doing, guessing we were students or tourists. We explained who we were and he seemed interested so we got his phone number and then left. Monday night we got a text from him saying he was available everyday of the week.. we hadnt even texted him yet so that was a green flag.  We met with him Tuesday. We couldnt help but notice that this man had a prostetic leg. We then discovered he is a military vet and boy has he seen some stuff. (I mean he did lose his leg after all). But as he was telling us about his trauma we had the impression to teach him the basic gospel of Jesus Christ. As we did we felt inspired to really teach baptism and how from baptism we can find a restart from our old lives... being freed from our regrets and pains from our past life. He lightened up... We then asked him what he understood about Baptism.. he gave a brief explanation and then said "But Ive never been baptized". Boy aint that the words you wanna hear as a missionary. So we put him on date for baptism... as we testified to him about the change it would bring... he began to tear up, "I would really love that". Then... He came to church this sunday! and he loved it!  Im excited for the future of our friend Thabo (which is his name) and hope everything goes smoothly.

The Next story comes from this weekend. We had a very busy weekend as prepared for The baptism of our friend Zama this week. On Saturday though a tide turned in the wrong direction. By mission rule due to high rates of robberies in this country we can only have 1 phone in the area... and it must not leave the chapel or car if you are in a township (which I am). I left my phone in the chapel and we went out to continue our day... as we were gone members went in to clean the chapel. We came back around 7 pm.. right at sunset. Rule is.. in townships.. especially on bikes... you MUST BE IN THE FLAT by Nightfall. Townships (The Kasi) are quite dangerous at night.. especially on weekends. But heres the fun part... we got to the chapel to find out my phone was stolen... We checked every single room in the church.. it was nowhere. Now this  wouldnt be as big of a deal in some circumstances but... we Uber home... and now we didnt have a phone... nobody to call... nothing.. and the members near the chapel dont own cars or cant afford Petrol. It was pitch dark out... pouring rain... and we were in the Kasi on a months end weekend. We only had one option... bike home to Alberton (About 30 minutes away). So we said a prayer... in that prayer we asked the Lord to protect us so we could get home safe... we asked that the crazy storm would cease.. and that we would find my phone. Right as we began to leave the chapel the storm came to a complete stop. We got back to the flat safely... and the next day at church a member came to us and handed me my phone... he thought someone had lost it then he realized it was ours. PRAYERS ARE HEARD AND ANSWERED PEOPLE!

You thought our weekend was concluded? You were mistaken. Sunday comes by and we had everything prepared for our friend Zama's Baptism. But due to a lack of Coorelaion and Ward Council.. the Bishop didnt know it was this week. He pulled us into his office after sacrament and told us we should probably postpone the baptism another 2 weeks. (Long story short he just didnt wanna be at church lol) So we did what any hard working missionaries would do... we hurried and got Zama dressed and got everyone into the chapel after church for the service. The Ward qite literally protested which was crazy hoenstly. It was a powerful baptism though. So now we have had 5 baptisms so far in Katlehong. Surpassing Tsakane (4) in 5 less months!

I have much I could share but I guess I will keep some of it in my arsenal to keep you guessing ;)

So I guess the lesson from this email is.... Pray Always! God is listening just speak! He will answer your prayers exactly in the time and way he sees fit.

Love you all!

Till the next Email (Which might come out at my homecoming 😅😂) JK.

- Elder VSOP