Here is the lowdown for this week!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

I got the package on Friday. Thank you for all the sweets and batteries.
I'm not sure if Stanton got transfered because Mdanstane is very close to
our area, its a diffrent Zone. It is a large Township so all the
missionaries there stay in East London for safety. The Baptism is going to
be this coming Sunday right after church, one of the people getting baptized
is getting married on Wednesday. This P-day we are supposed to go to the
Lion Park but I doubt we will. The last two P-days have been completely
lame. We have not done any thing, just go grocery shopping and drive
around. The weather here is really weird its hot with no clouds one minute
and thirty minutes later it cold and rainy. I can speak alittle bit more
Xhosa. President Egan goes home in 2 weeks, Elder Barton in 5 weeks. I am
not Baptizing anyone, Brother Kiti, the Father-in-law and grandfather is
doing the babtism. We might be helping him baptize them though, because he
is kind of old and weak from diabities. We don't really have any new
investigators... at least not any that are progressing. We could not get in
the cages with the animals, Austin. Whats the red ring? Enjoy your week
talk to you next week.
Love
Braden

This Week's Input on our Missionary!!
Hi Everyone:
Elder Barton is the missionary with me in that picture at the zoo. That’s great and good luck with the job. That’s crazy. Elder Dinkel and Elder Monson do our laundry because they have a washing machine and we don't. But yes I have ironed my cloths. No I have not taken my suit to the Dry Cleaners because we only wear them once or twice a week. Elder Barton and I cook every day for lunch, most of the time. I did take the CTR ring and I wear it to church. My shoes are doing good they have some really big scuff marks though. No I have only had two small blisters on my pinkie toe. Yes I wear my retainers twice to three times a week. I have sent Nancy a Thank you card, if she hasn't gotten it I don't know why. Why does Kiersten want tile in her room? That’s really cool that you guys got to meet the Blue Man Group. There were not any rules at the zoo, so everyone did whatever they wanted to. We fed the animals nuts, and bread. The other Elders taunted the Lions and other animals of pray with mince (ground beef). Our first Baptisms will be on the 22 of June, but we have a wedding for one of them on the 18 of June. We were supposed to have three baptisms on the 22 of June but Papama didn't come to church so we had to drop his date and set a new one. We try to mix the P-days up every week. Since Elder Barton and I don't have a car, we go with Elder Dinkel, the District Leader, and Elder Monson. The Activities are normally with most of the Zone and sometimes parts of the Mdanstane Zone. Every thing we do is within our Zone, because we need President Egans approval to leave the Zone. But we leave our Area every P-day. Next week we are going to the Lion park, the place where you get to hold and play with the lion cubs. But this was the last week of the transferee. Elder Greyling, one of our Zone Leaders, went home today so Elder Barton and I are Elder Roylance, the other Zone Leader, companion until his companion comes tomorrow. All the changes happen tomorrow except for people who go home. We are loosing Elder Monson as well. I don't know the new missionaries that are coming but I have heard that they are really good missionaries. I still have not received your package, and I am still trying to find time to write letters to every one. Today for P-day we are going to play Risk or Volleyball, but I am not sure.
Love all of you,
Braden

Mon. the 2nd!
We get our mail once a week on Fridays at District Meeting. You most likely didn't get the entire e-mail, because I remember finishing it. I did get the e-mail from Salina. I have not gotten my suite case yet, I told President to keep it in Cape Town, and it is cheaper to do it that way. I also don't need it that bad. I have not gotten the package that you sent me ether. Elder Barton should be my companion until he leaves but it is not for sure. It was his B-day last Friday, 30 May. This week for P-Day we went to the East London Zoo. There are almost no rules and there is no one to enforce the ones there are. You can get right up on the cages. It was a lot of fun. I still see Elder Neilson at least two times a week. That's great that the Giles Family History is back all the way to the 1500's.

I don't remember what I wrote last week. This week we found a recently converted Hindu, to Christian. His name is A.J. He is really nice and enjoys having us over. We aren't to sure of his commitment to learning, but we are still working with him to find out. We saw Papama four times last week, one of the times Elder Barton made me teach him the Law of Chastity :(. We also met a man named Chris in Nonpumelelo. He is a pastor of a small church and was really excited about what we told him. He told us he wanted to tell his congregation. Elder Barton and I joke about skipping church to go teach his congregation. But he is a Pastor led congregation and a father led family, the best combination a missionary can get. The only down side is he and his church are rather poor. We had three Dinner Appointments last week so we were stuffed.

Here are two more pictures, just a small taste of the Zoo, and Toro Pride.

Love you all,
Elder Giles

May 26, 2008... short and and to the point....
We now have three people to be babtised on the 22 of June. We commited Papama Namba to babtism this Saturday. We don't know who is going to do the babtism but Asadumodwa asked me to babtise him since his dad most likely wont be able to. I will probly stay in East London, they don't normal move people that are being trained. We still don't have our bikes yet and we don't know when we will get them. Our toilet final flushes Brother Van Heerden and his son came over this morning and fixed it. Elder Barton doesn't leave until after training is done, 22 July. We have many new investigators so far we have found 20 new investigators but we don't know how many are serious. I just got the letter from the primary children and I really like it. The extra money that was charged came directly out of the mission fund, so they will not see it, if you have question e-mail President Egan. Elder Barton cut by hair so it was free, and it is the shortest it has ever been. We still have not found a Xhosa study book. We walk all day to and from appointments or up and down the street talking to people. I put my memory card in the box with some other stuff. No it takes a while for us to get any packages. One of the families that we found was on Sunday right after Corrolation. Its a couple that are getting married really soon, the Zuma family. The father is a marketing specialist and the mother is a advertisment specialist. We taught a twenty miunte first lesson, and they seemed really interested. The father asked tons of really good questions and also told us that they new that they needed to pray to find out if what we taught was true. We were really excited after we taught them.

May 19, 2008.... its long....
Last week I borrowed a card adapter but I had to lower the picture quality a lot, so I am just going to send home my memory card because this setup is very slow. If you still have not yet sent the cord, just keep it, but if you have its ok. Last week for P-day we went shopping and also we played soccer with the Mdonsone zone. I need AA batteries, thanks for sending me some. It is hard to get to the Post Office because there is not one in Beacon Bay, the closest Post Office is in town and we can only go there when the Elders with the car go. I still have not gotten the letter from the Primary kids but I will write them back we it gets here. Has President Egan E-mailed you about my suitcase? He says that there is a $100 charge for it and he needs to talk to JC Pennies about reimbursing that charge. We go back to our flat for lunch and normally just have ether eggs, sandwiches, or cupotes(meat, beans, corn, tomato sauce, on homemade totillias). I see Stanton at our district meetings, p-day, and sometimes at church.

I have not learned much more about the language but we are trying to buy a Xhosa study book. Last week they were out so we are going to try again this week. The toilet still doesn't work and the gap in the door doesn't bother us, and we don't normal have any time to go look at stuff like that.

We committed Nondumiso and her son Asadumodwa to babtism last week and they accepted. But we don't know what their baptism date will be. They still need a lot of help, including getting Nondumiso married to her boyfriend who is not committed to her at all. Her boyfriend is a member named Moses Kiti. We were planning on committing Elliot Ngqokoma to baptism but he has not been coming to church so we are going to wait. Yesterday Papama Nomba, an investigator that has been taught for at least 3 years, came to church for the first time in two years. He really enjoyed it and no longer has the butterflies at church. That, the butterflies in his stomach, was reason for never coming to church. We are teaching a lot more people but those are our furthest along and closest to baptism. Our Ward Mission leader, Brother Billy Van Heerdan, is working with the bishop trying to get a meeting place in Beacon Bay, so that more investigators and less actives can get to church. Right now the Chapel is in Amalinda which is about twenty minutes away from our closest member/investigator. So Elder Barton and I are excited for that, because many of our investigators live in Nonpumelelo and don't have cars, so they can’t get to church.

I know that I will be in Beacon Bay for one more transfer after this one, a transfer is 6 weeks. But I might stay after my training because I don't think they would white wash an area twice within this short of a time frame.

Last night we ate at Bishop Kasulas house. Bishop is very tall by the way. And we had curry, it wasn't bad at all. All four of us, Elder Dinkle, Monson, Barton, and I, over ate way too much. Bishop has been a member for 10 years and when he joined he actually called the missionaries to come teach him, they never found him which is realty cool.

Funny Story:
On Saturday we were working in the township. (In the Townships people drink a lot on Friday night and Saturday morning) We were on our way to meet with one of our investigators, the Skwati Family, and we saw a ton of really drunk guys. Elder Barton stopped and started talking to a Xhosa mama (Xhosa mama means a older mature female) I was standing there while he gave her a short lesson. A guy walked by and all of a sudden just face planted. He fell flat on his face, he was so drunk. Later on after our visit with the Skwati family we were on our way out and Elder Barton was surrounded by drunk guys that wanted to know how to get to church. When he was done we gave them all church invitations and one of the guys went up to him and just wrapped him up in a big hug and told him he loves Elder Barton. It was really crazy and so funny.

Love you all lots
Elder Giles

May 12, 2008
It would be a lot better to send me the camera cord. That way we do not have to worry about the memory cards being stolen. Where is dad flying home from? I am not aloud to send e-mails to anyone but family and their is no time to ever write letters. So it would be really hard to send them to people. Our dinner appointment last night was with the Human family. We had ham and chicken and it was extremely good. We hope the toilet will be fixed sometime this week but we are not sure. Today I think we are playing Volleyball or Basketball, but I do not know for sure. I am also getting a haircut. What is the Arsenal Club team? I have not gotten a letter yet from the primary kids, hope to get it soon. I don't know how long until my first baptism but we think we might commit Elliot Ngqoma to baptism this week. I have not used the video camera it turns out only picture cameras are aloud. I really wish that I could though, there some thinks here that pictures just don't do justice, for example the Townships. It was really good to hear from you all on Saturday. Love you lots.

Elder Giles

Email from misson presidents!

Cape Town, South Africa
30 April 2008
Dear Brother & Sister Giles,
Your son, Elder Braden S. Giles, has arrived safely in Cape Town! We picked him up at the airport this morning. Enclosed is a photo taken with us at the mission home as evidence. It's a warm autumn day here in the most beautiful city in the world!
We want you to know that we have felt a wonderful spirit about your son and it's obvious he is excited to meet his companion and arrive in his first area tomorrow to begin his missionary service. He expressed to us that he really enjoyed his 3 weeks at the MTC in Johannesburg. His new companion (trainer) is Elder Nathan Barton from Cedar Hills, Utah, one of our finest elders, who has been out about 21 months, and they will be serving in East London, about 650 miles east of Cape Town. The work is going great across the South Africa Cape Town Mission. Elders Barton & Giles have a lot of potential to work with in the East London 1st Ward, where wonderful spiritual experiences are happening among the missionaries, their investigators and recent converts there.
We enjoyed getting to know Elder Giles as we interviewed and visited with him today. He is ready and enthusiastic to get to work! He is scheduled to travel to East London early tomorrow (Thursday) morning. He will be able to email you each Monday.
Thank you for sharing him with us!
PLEASE NOTE AND NOTIFY FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF OUR MISSION MAILING ADDRESS. Any letters and parcels sent to your son should be sent to P.O. Box 181, Observatory 7935, Republic of South Africa and not to our former post office box in Pinelands nor the mission home address below. He will get mail much faster through the new post office box, as we have a courier service from the mission office that delivers post every week throughout the mission.
Sincerely,
President & Sister Egan

East London... Braden's first Area!!!

Hi I am in East London 1st Ward. My companion and I are white washing this area. My companions name is Elder Barton. He is from Ceder Hill Utah, and is going home in 3 months. He is really smart and is teaching me alot. We have already gotten one Confirmation and have two people that are very close to getting baptized. In my area the language is mostly Xhosa, which is one of the click languages. Luckly many people still speak English.
I cannot get an elephant or zebra skin scripture case because the only place you can get them that I know of is at the Distribution center. Hopefully I can find another place.
For mother's day I will be calling on Saturday at around 9-11 a.m. your time. I only get to talk for an hour. And also my p-days are now on Mondays.
The Flat, house, that we are staying in is 4 rooms total. one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen/living room, and a study. It is very small and has no carpet. We don't even have an oven, instead we have a toaster that has an oven top. We are trying to get bars installed on the windows but we are in a really safe area. Its really funny down here. They have a thing called lowsheding. The goverment shuts the power off in different areas for a period of time. Our power goes out three times a week and for two--four hours.
The area we are at is called Beacon Bay, and includes a township named Mnonpunlalo. The address of our Flat is 16 Elf Street. We are currently trying to get bikes, but we are walking now.
My District leaders name is Elder Dinkel. He is really funny and quite goofy. He is from Alabama. This is the first time that he has been district leader and is doing a great job. His companion's name is Elder Monson. He is really layed back and extremely intelligent. He is from South Jordon Utah. I get to see Stanton, Elder Nelson, at least once a week. I also get to see Elder Pauna, one of the Aussies from the MTC, once a week.
Since both me and my Companion are new to the area, we spend most of our time trying to find new people and working with a few of the investigators that the old Elders left. Our investigators are Papama Nomba and his sisters, Nondumiso, and Elloit Ngqoma.
Papama Nomba is Xhosa. He knows that the Book of Morman is true. And wants to be baptized along with his sisters. But he has a problem living the Word of Wisdom, and feels uncomfortable at Church. We are trying really hard to help him.
Nondumiso is also Xhosa. She really wants to be baptized but has an issue that must be resolved first. She lives with the Kitti family, who are members. The reason that she can't be baptized is because she has two children with the Kitti's less active son. Before we can baptize her, we need her to get married. But Brother Kitti is making Moses pay Labola.
Labola is part of a trible tradition in which the male must essentually buy his wife. We are working as hard as we can with them.
Elliot Ngqoma lives in Mnonpumalalo. I have not yet meet Elliot but the former missionaries are very excited about him. They seem to believe that he is going to be baptized very soon.
A few nights ago we were our tracking and we were near one of our potential investigators houses. So we decided to go see how he was doing. His wife answered the door and told us he wasn't home. We could tell that she was cooking so we let her go finish cooking. We were about half way down the street and she comes driving up in her car. She gave us some dinner and a drink. That was my first DA or Dinner Appointment according to Elder Barton.

Last night we went to one of our Potential Investigators and tried to teach him. He has tons of questions and had a problem about the Book of Morman.
We tried our hardest to answer as many questions as we could. We were able to answer many of them and he still was very stubborn. We tried to commit him to read the Book of Morman and pray but I don't think he will. Elder Barton and him started to get into a Bible bash but I stayed out because they told us in the MTC not to get involved in them.
Most of the people I have talked to say that it is safe to send stuff from here to the US, but to be carefull sending stuff here. I will try to send out my memory card soon.
Miss you all.
Love you Lots,
Braden

Fourth Email and Most Spirtual email yet!!

Today we went to the mail and we took a Book of Mormon and some pass along cards. Elder Hubbard and I went up to a guy named Shadrack. I gave him a five minute lesson and he seem really excited to hear more so we got his number and we are giving it to the Jo-burg missionaries. That is the best feeling in the world, its a better adrinaline rush than play any sport. It's ok I got my Patratical Blessing through the E-mail. I have gotten letters but I have no time to write back so I will try to get them done as soon as possible. There are 11 Elders that are going to Cape Town form the 17 in the MTC. Elder Wall is from a place called Latenbuzard, it is just north of London. I have taken tons of pictures and many of them are of the temple. The mall is exactly like the ones at home. No i don't get to print the e-mails. I have an E-mail form Matt and from Grandpa and Grandma. It sounds like Logan does really good with the coatch yelling at him. Tell him good job for me. We saw a hyina, and some really anoying birds. But we can buy Elephant and Zebra skin scripture cases. Have a good time. I leave the MTC in four days and extremely excited. Love all of and i miss you all.
Love
Braden

Third Email!!!!!!!

His third email!

CAN YOU MAIL ME MY PATRIARTICAL BLESSING OR IS IT WITH ME, IF SO WERE IS IT PACKED?
I am still enjoying being at the MTC. Yesterday we had to teach the members that are around here. Me and Elder Wall got really great feedback. We taught a guy named Luke, he served his mission to Uganda, and he said that we were the first missionaries to actually humble ourselfs and take teaching as serouisly as it should. He said he comes to do the lessons every other week. Tell Grandpa and Grandma that I Greet the Aussie's with good morning. They are really cool and I am still picking up on their acent. We get free time everyday but we only get to e-mail on Saterdays, which is also our p-day. And today for P-day we went to the mall. I bought some batteries for my mp3 player and it only cost me five dollars for eight batteries. We also tried to find some ties that we could us as our district ties. Rugbee is kinda like football but you can only pass the ball backwards then run forwards. Their were 16 people playing soccer and their are some really good players. Me and Elder Wall get along really well. Yes I can pronounce Brother Luibisi and Sister Twnahias name. The temple was ok it reminded me of a Stake Center but surrounded by and Electric Fence. Elder Barrage one of the Aussies got dared to touch the fench and he did but it was turned off. We have lots of diffrent food and they have apple juice, strawberry juice, and orange juice. I can only use this e-mail account. My Zune is in the box that is on top of the one in the corner of my room. Thats great that Colton got his call tell if you see him good luck. Sunday went great we just relaxed all day and really nice. My Companion for some reason was the guy I sat next to on the plane. I am learning tons. Sounds like it hurt pritty bad, did you ever get stitches, dad? I Have not dricen yet but we take a taxi just about every were we go which isn't to many places. Love you all tons and miss you alot.
Love,
Braden

Second Email!!!!

Braden's Second Email!

Hi. I am have a great time. Everybody down here is really nice, and we all get along as if we been friends forever. For our free time yesterday we played soccer, basketball, and rugbee. In the middle of soccer it started to rain but stopped really shortly after. Most of the Elders here are going to the Cape Town Mission, but there are two going to Uganda, and one going to Kenya. My MTC Companion is Elder Wall and he is from England. It is really cool to hang out with the Ausies and English kids and talk about all the diffrence in our language. Our class has two teachers; Brother Luibisi, who served in Cape Town, and Sister Twnahia who served in San Francisco. We get to Go the Temple every Tuesday. The MTC is gated in and is part of a Stake Center. The food they serve us is kind of like american food but it has some weird but good spices on them. And the juices down here are very concentrated and very strong tasting. We are only aloud to E-mail one person so you are going to have to forward it to anyone else that wants a copy. Tell Matt the Elder Hubbard is one of my roommates and he is really cool. Got to Go Love you all.

Braden's First Email!

Hi there are 15 missionarys at the MTC. My Suitcase handle got ripped of durning one of the flights. But I still have everything. Its alot of Fun. There are 2 missionarys from England, 6 From the US, 2 From Australia, 1 from New Zeland, 1 from Canada and 3 from Africa. All of us from Canada, the US, and England meet up and flew together down here. They all seem really cool and nice. I sat next to one of the guys from England on the Plane. The MTC President meet us at the airport and we drove for about half an hour from the East side of the city All the way to the West. We get to go to the Temple 3 times while we are here. I got to go so I Love you all very much and miss you. Bye