Sad News!

April 25, 2016

Hello All,

Every mission has its ups and downs.    Most of the time, we have "rolled with the punches" and plodded ahead.   We ("old missionaries") can keep-on-truckin even when things aren't going well.

However, 2 weeks ago we received news that has really had an impact on me---and not in a good way.   We received news that Elder Samkelo Moloi was being sent home from his mission.   He is a young man that we worked with to help him prepare for his mission and complete the necessary paper work, medical and dental work.   We spent a great deal of time with him and love him.    He has been raised by his grandparents, although his father lives 2 houses away and his mother lives 2 hours away (and he rarely sees them).  

He was sent home for fornication and the girl is pregnant.   Samkelo is very sorry.  But this has impacted so many lives---Samkelo, the mother of the unborn child, the unborn child, his grandfather, the girls extended family who are not members, his companion, his branch and the girl's branch, etc...............

He had a bright future when he left.   So many people sacrificed for him to be able to serve a mission.  Since his return, he does not receive much support from the priesthood leaders here.   Larry is explaining to the district president and branch president the importance of showing great love and support for him.    This is quite a foreign concept here.   We don't know if it is the macho Zulu culture, or what.   The leaders do not "nurture" or "encourage" struggling members or active members.    We have tried to demonstrate this the past months but we do not know if we have made a difference. 

We have been visiting Samkuelo each week and will continue to do so until we leave.     We are reminding the branch president to do the same.   We are hoping and praying for the best.   

We know the gospel is true and it blesses our lives.   We are grateful for the happiness it brings to us.   We love sharing this message.    We are grateful for the principle of repentance.    We need it constantly.   I am humbled by how patient the Lord is with me when I constantly make mistakes.   We are grateful that Samkelo has taught about the Savior and he also knows about repentance.    This is another reminder to us of how easily we can be sidetracked or deceived or entrapped by Satan. 

We love each of you.    We appreciate your letters and your prayers.  

Love, 

Sandy and Larry

Mom and Dad

Grandpa and Grandma