December 8, 2008

Hi Family:
Last p-day was very good. We went to Boulders Beach and played with some penguins. It was tons of fun. This week we are going to ride the train from Muizemberg (Meadowridge) to Simons Town (Fish Hoek). Their was the present for Elder Dinkle in the package and he is very greatful for it. I will leave all the other gifts unopened until Christmas. Thank you for letting me open the CD Player. I have not gotten the big envelope yet or anything else really. I have not yet mailed out any of the Christmas cards I need to and will try to do so in our free time. Money is doing well. The next Zone Confrence is this wensday. Along with the workshops and interviews and the Zone Christmas party. We just need to talk to our bishop about when we can us the phones at the chapel and we will let you know. Ok thatʼs good that Bryce didnʼt come home early for a bad reason then. Layla and Kelsi got married?!? We have a washing machine but I donʼt think any of the missionaries have dryers. We have to wash the Dishes by hand, I only know of 2 boardings that have dishwashers. If I think of anything for my birthday I will let you know. The Zone Leaders got white washed so they are really busy getting to know the area, so I have yet to get driving privileges. We are getting feed a lot more now that it is Dec. the chrismas month. I think my weight is staying the same and my ancle is fine. I havenʼt sent home any of the trinkets I have a box for them I just need to get some more to fill the box.



We had a really good Sunday this week. A family that we tracked into came to church and really enjoyed it. They even know the second council in the Bishopric very well. Whats the odds of that happening. We also had a family that has been taught for along time before I came come to church for the first time since I have been hear. It was very cool.



Love you all lots miss you as well

Braden

Braden's Companion Letter to Family

Hello Giles family. Im Elder Dinkle, aka Dinkleman. Yes, i am a little strange as your son has propably told you But thats ok. Your son is an awesome missionary, and a really good friend, my best buddy. Please feel free to attempt to make me homesick. I am the most diligent missionary that ever lived so that will be impossible, but go ahead. Naw, just kidding, i like to make a good first impression lol. I also like playin with people's minds lol Anyway, its been a privilige to serve with him, and to be, as they say "killed" by him. Please keep in contact, cause i wish to visit Braden and you guys in the great(but not as great as Alabama) state of Arizona when he gets home.

Yours Truely, Preston Dinkle

AuGuSt 18tH

It is ok. The only reason it bugged me is because I wasn't told any thing about it, so it was a suprise to me as well. (Note: Braden is taking about the reason why they were taking money from his MSF to pay for the suit case) It would be alot of fun for you to come down and pick me up from my mission. Chris Stephenson got his Eagle? Last I spoke to him he wasn't even trying for it. There wasn't much in Natalies letters but I had plenty of time to write so I sent a letter off the Monday after I got hers so it should be coming in a week or two. I will most likely get transfered at the end of this cycle because they normally don't keep younger missionaries in an area for longer than 4.5 months. But you never know. I didn't get any mail this week. I still haven't received the books either, are they the 2 that I asked for? Almost every one speaks enough English to communicate, but most people know quite a bit. (Note: We asked him if they speak English at the fast food places he eats at) We get the New Era, Ensign, and Church News. (Note: We asked him what resources does he use to prepare his talks and if we should send him the magazines?)

The investigators are doing ok. It is so hard to see anyone now that their school has started and everyone is back to work. They just got off of their winter break. Elder Vernon and I found a potential family named the Zianucha's. They are originally from Zambia, and seem to be pretty interested. I am still enjoying my mission alot. I taught the lesson this Sunday in Gospel Principles and next week have to give a talk in Sacrament meeting. (Wow, this is the kid that would get nervous saying a prayer or even blessing the sacrament) We had Zone Conference this Saturday. It was really good, President Probst asked me about the suitcase thing as well. But now our mission is supposed to focus on keeping people active and not just baptising. So not to much has changed in our area, we only have 3 less active people so not to hard to get that done.

Love you all lots
Braden

august 11th

Mom, what ever happened with JC Penny's and my Suitcase charge? Because they are taking out 200 rand from my MSF a pay period to pay for it.
For
two weeks we only get 550 Rand which is about $80 so with the 200 rand being taken out it is about $45 for two weeks of food and supplies. So this week I only had about $15 so I had to charge some things on my account.
(Sues
note: Braden's suitcase broke the first time he used it so JC Penny's was replacing it and they were suppose to pick up all the charges, not
Braden)

The last few P-days we kind of just rested nothing to exciting. We do watch DVD's with investigators but we can order anything that we would ever use.
We haven't seen Sydney this week, Sheena was sick when we went to go teach her and she didn't come to church, Elder Vernon saw Bongewa when we were on exchanges with the Zone Leaders, so I haven't got a clue how anyone is doing. We don't pass or bless the sacrament, but we get to give a talk in sacrament meeting again, for the 3rd time since I've been here. We teach and give talks so often at church. The foods that I normally cook are hamburgers, grilled garlic/sweet basil chicken, homemade pizza, chicken soup(noodles & chicken made separately), eggs, egg sandwiches, grilled bacon, mashed potatos and beef strips, and what ever else I can combine to get something good. (Sues note: We asked what kind of food has he been
cooking)

The fast food places down here are KFC, McDonalds, Steers (a more expensive McDonalds), King Pies, and Romans(pizza). We have a Dinner Appointment every Sunday, this week with the whole Flowerday/Dixon family, about 25 people. (Sue's note: We asked what kind of Fast Food places are in Beacon
Beach)

We haven't done anything too fun or seen anything that fun lately. My shoe soles are fine. I got 3 letters from Natalie on friday. I sent you my Memory Card, I also sent Natalie a letter. It takes a long time to get anything when we order it and it is extremely expensive to mail so I will mail alot of things all at once. There is a new rule in our mission that anything that cost more than $25 needs to be approved by the President, even scriptures... Really Dumb I think. You don't need to mail me any money, if you want to just put it in my account and I can get it out if I need it.
I
do remember Justin Wisnewski. (Note: Kiersten was over at his girlfriends
house) The reason so many missionaries are getting called in is because we are loosing alot of missionaries. (Note: On the Missionary Mom web-site more missionaries are being called to Cape Town than I have noticed in the
past) We have our Zone Conference this week so that will be the next time we talk to him. (Note: I asked him if he has talked to his Mission President
lately) Transferees don't come for another three weeks. We will get
the
news then. (Note: The news if he will be transferred or not)

Any ways love you lots
Braden

Its the 1st of August already!

Elder Vernon is very cool, he is as nerdy as I am. I am sending my memory card home today. It is going very well transitioning over to Elder Vernon.
We like alot of the same things and we talk about anything that comes to our mind, mainly music. Elder Vernon has been out for a year. Its not to much different from not being with the District Leader, and I have only had to go to two meetings with him. Elder Vernons parents moved to England because
his dad is a CEO and its based in England. Elder Barton's E-mail
addressis- natethequad@yahoo.com You can send Elder Barton the weekly
E-mail. I am doing very good with out Elder Barton but it's very weird not seeing
him anymore. He is going to BYU when school starts back up. With
Elder Barton we used to make homemade pizza, but I have had South African pizza and I personally like it alot better than American pizza. (We asked him
about the pizza down in South Africa) There is a very large variety of
different pizzas here. Two weeks ago we used all of our MFS on eating out because Elder Vernon doesn't know how to cook. So I had to use my home account on drinks and stuff. (He has only used $2.84 this last month total, drinks must be pretty cheap down there) But I am starting to cook for him and am teaching him how to cook. Have you looked at Google Earth for Beacon Bay? You can see the ocean and it is so incredibly beautiful. (We had asked him if he was very close to the ocean) I don't really remember Cape Town to much I was ony there for one day, but what I saw was pretty nice. I don't know if I will get transferred on next transfer but this next group coming in is going to be very large, because the leaving group is very big. So there is a good possibility. At night I am out like a light nothing can wake me up, of course we walk all day so you use all your energy up. Also I have lost at least 15 lbs. We have church at 1:00. It takes about 20 minutes to drive to church. Our ward is very tiny their is about 80 members in our ward total. I have not gotten any mail for at least 3 weeks. We get 2 hours to study in the morning and I usually study for at least 30 minutes at lunch. I don't exercise any more than the walking and biking. My pants still fit, they are a little loose but thats what a belt is for. I got my hair cut at a hair salon.

Its really cool I am kind of like a senior companion because Elder Vernon has no clue about the area so I make most of the decisions. Also I am supposed to help Elder Vernon with all the District Leader Stuff. We are teaching a colour man named Sydney. He is a very interesting man. His mother is Xhosa and Zulu mix, and his father is white. He clams to be Christian but believes in Reincarnation. But we taught him the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation. Also last week we found a lady named Bongewa Vena. We taught her the Restoration, & watched the Restoration DVD with her. She then called us and asked us to come back last Saturday and she really wanted a Book Of Mormon. Also this week we had an investigator at church for the first time in 4-5 weeks. Sheena Els, Sister Hetties daughter that we are teaching came to church for the frist time in almost 3 years of investigating the church. So I am really enjoying this week. Elder Vernon is still trying to get used to a White Area and he still thinks that missionaries shouldn't even be in Beacon Bay. (When Braden refers to White area he doesn't mean White People, I think it is a term that there hasn't been a lot of missionaries in the area) But I am trying to knock that out of him. It's really cool I know all the members but no one else in our District does.

Love you all Lots
Braden

New Companion Week

My new companion is named Elder Vernon, he is from South Carolina, but his parents moved to England while he has been in the field. He is alot of fun and he is also the new District Leader. But he has never been in a walking, white area, so it is very boring for him to be walking everywhere and not having tons of members or investigators. It is really weird without Elder Barton, Elder Vernon has a completely diffrent approach to missionary work. Also Elder Barton is a legand in the mission, so some people are intimidated by me because he trained me so I have alot of his tendancys. I really miss Elder Barton though we became best friends. The week was alot of fun tons of finding time. Miss Cole is crazy, she is alot of fun but she isn't all there. I do not know anything about your other teachers, Austin. We have to be in at 9:00 so Elder Barton would have appointment or go tracking until then. But Elder Vernon is used to being in when it gets dark because he has only served in townships, so we are normal in by 8:00. Its a really different transition of companions. Its a pretty nice sized area, not that big though. It is more of a residental town, there are almost no stores or any thing. There is a placed call Retail Park, and it is a shopping center, kind of like the Walmart area on Greenfield and Mckellips. We get fast food every so often. Elder Barton and I never went out to eat except maybe on Monday. I have used all the Rand that you sent me but I don't need any more. We can drink soda if we want but some missionaries choose not to. They don't have diet Coke but they have regular Coke. I have not sent the card yet I am tring to find some time to do so. I don't need any goodies now, if I get transfered next transfer I would not be able to bring it with me because of weight. My ankle is doing fine, I do not really wear the brace to often only if it gets sore. I am still wearing my retainers somewhat often. I took my black suit to the Dry Cleaners, but I have not done the Blue suit because I only wear it at Zone Conferences. I iron every day. Two of my socks are getting holes in them, and one of my pants the metal clasp broke. I don't need any gravy or taco mixes. I did get the recipes that you sent and thank you very much for them, I can't make the Sweet Pork because we don't have any type of Mexican chillies. But we still can make salsa. Some books that you could send me are: The Great Apostacy by James E Talmage and also The Articles of Faith by James E Talmage. Both of those book use to be in the mission libary but got taken out. I know Elder Pauna, Elder Burridge,and Elder Cobia. I know about Elder Bond, Elder Hogg,and Elder Wild. I have lost at least twenty pounds. I need to remember to get you Elder Bartons Email address, when I do can you send him what you send to everyone else?

Love
Braden

What an amazing week!

Elder Barton went home today. He left for Cape Town this morning at 11:00. Today for p-day we are just going to hang out at the flat and play some games. I am feeling fine, I had the bug for about a week and a few days. Not bad at all. I did buy some pictures. Elder Pauna was in my MTC group, he served in mdanstane. I see him every once in a while. I am in the East London Zone. I get my new companion on Tuesday, his name is Elder Vernon. Elder Vernon trained my MTC companion. But I am still in Beacon Bay! We e-mail at an Internet cafe called Virtual Spot. We get one hour to e-mail. We are not supposed to have a video camera, but sometimes we can do it with our picture cameras. This week I got a letter from the family, and from Aunt Teddy. I don't need anything right now, and I still have some snacks left. The suit case is in the mission home. I only get a letter from them every other week. I met the new Mission President about 3 weeks ago. The weather down here is really humid and is pretty hot as well, but nothing is for sure the weather changes so fast that in three minutes it could be pouring rain.

This week was amazing. We had one investigator sms(text) us and say that she wants to repent and be baptised. We found another man who committed to live the word of wisdom in our first visit. Another guy found out that the Book of Mormon is true in one day. The down side to last week was we had to drop Papama Namba. Our star investigator, his girlfriend doesn't like us because one of the members offended her. I am really going to miss Elder Barton, we became best friends.
Love you all,
Braden

A New Week (aka July 14th)

This P-day we are just going sight seeing because it is Elder Bartons las p-day. Most of our appointments last week canceled on us, but it was still a good week. In our workshops we talk about how we can better the missionary work, and the interview is just to see how we are doing. Elder Barton and I get along very well, we are like best friends and its going to be sad to see him go. I am kind of nervous for transfers because I really want to stay in Beacon Bay but there is always the chance I can leave. I still get a little nervous when I teach but not to much, I enjoy it(a bit). Last p-day we played a dice game that Elder Dinkel and Elder Smith made up. It is alot of fun. We get 500 Rand for 2 weeks, it is about 80 usd. We get plenty of money to buy food, we spend about 150 Rand per person a week and it last the week with plenty of food. (Note: We ask Braden how much he receives because Elder Preston Smith is in South Africa, Johannesburg and they don't seem to be getting enough to pay for their food). We do have bikes, we don't use them every day because they make you really sore. Whats going on with Cory? Petrol is some where around 15 Rand per Liter. We have about 15 people that we teach constantly, but none of them are really progressing or coming to church.

Any way here are some questions for you. What bank just went out of business? How are my stocks doing? I know that everything has been going down lately. Did you keep my Daily Planner that I sent with the memory card? I will be sending home this memory card very soon. Also there is a charge that will be coming through on my card for about $11. I'm not positive the price but it will be from some pharmacy, I had a slight stomach bug but I am better now.
Love you all tons,
Braden

The New's on Braden for June 30th

Nondumiso and Moses wedding was on 18 June. We met President & Sister Probst on Friday, we had our missionary workshops and interviews. We only get new transferes every six weeks and I only met the few that serve in East London. Stanton was sent to Mdanstane, since it is a township and is very dangerous to live in he stays in East London still, but travels there every day. It is about a 30 minute drive. (Note: Stanton played soccer with Braden and lives on the other side of Lindsay in our Stake.) Last P-day we played RISK again, we didn't finsh so no one won. We are not sure what we are doing today. I did get my card, thank you so much for sending it. We had a Dinner Appoinment with Brother Timothy and Sister Nonie Canham last night. Brother Canham served in Jo-burg in 01. He is a very funny and quick witted guy. We had noddles, with white sause, mince(hamburger), Boerwours(sausage), and graded cheese.

One of our investigators that had a baptismal date, Papama Namba, is not doing very well. We took Brother Billy, our Ward Mission Leader, with us to teach him and we think that Brother Billy scared or affended Papame. Brother Billy is very straight forward and very bold. He affends alot of people. Other than that we are still just trying to find people to teach. We have alot of appointments this week, so hopefully something comes out of them.

The weather is very nice now. It hasn't rained for a while, and its been getting dark more towards 6:00 instead of at 4:30. Its has been very windy though. How bad are the gas prices now? Thats really fun about the TV. (Note: TV at home went dead with no warning, so of course Dennis had to go right out and get a new 32' TV) Is it bigger than the old one? Thats a good one about the Credit Card...You can trash it please ; ). Nope I am pretty sure I am not buying any property or looking for a job in Utah let alone anywhere else. (Note: Braden keeps getting phone calls about property in Utah and if he wants to become a realtor.)

Anything else that is new back there?

Love you lots,
Braden

June 29th

The e-mail I sent did end but my e-mail will not let me go back into them. It was one layer but then I put some small cupcake's on top of it. I put the same kind of frosting you make for cinnamine rolls on it, because that is the only kind I had a recipe for. Then I put crushed chocolate on the top. It was a chocolate cake, thats what she requested. I was really stressed about the baptism because I had to teach the Gospel Pricniples class and it was really last minute that we found out that we would be doing the baptisms. The other Elders in the picture are: Elder Barton, Elder Smith, and Elder Dinkel. The cubs were to big to hold but we got to play with them. We got to see big lions as well. I made the charge at Exclusive Books, it was for a book to learn how to speak Xhosa. The only time I got with President Egan was at Zone Confrences and the overnight stay we got we we first came out. We only see the President at Zone Confrences. There are a lot of new missionaries that just came in, most from the states. We don't hear anything about transferes until the last Saturday of the Transfer. Stanton is now in Mdanstane, and Elder Alestrom got transfered out of East London. When Elder Barton was sick I just stayed inside and studied and slept. I am still tring to find time to write a letter to the primary but I send out quite a few letters last week. We didn't get any post this last Friday, our Zone Leaders were in Grams town so no one picked up the mail... I think. We have two hours every morning to study, one our personal study and one hour companion study, then we prepare for the day.

This Sunday we (Elder Barton, Elder Dinkel, Elder Smith, and I) had all church to ourselves. Elder Dinkel and Elder Smith talked in sacrament, all of us did a puppet show in primary, and Elder Barton and I taught combined preisthood. We also had Nondumiso, and Asadumas confirmation.

Love Braden

Hottest Week So Far!

We ended up going to the Lion Park, but only for an hour. We got to play with the lion cubs and I got a nice claw mark on my calf now. hahaha. My week was great we had a very nice wedding and then two Baptisms on Sunday. I got to baptize Asaduma Kiti, the son of one of our investigators. I still have not driven yet. In order to drive we have to take some kind of test and then have driving practice. Considering I am in a walking area I am not in to big of a hurry to do all that. The wedding went really well. It was perfect even though the Kiti's and Elder Barton and myself only spent a total of 3 hours planning it and getting all the assignments made. I made the wedding cake, because Elder Barton volunteered me to. We also had some more finger foods, they didn't want anything big, so they were really happy with what was there. The cake I made was gone in about 8 minutes, the first thing to go. The snacks are great, you sent soo much, we have been picking away at it slowly but still have tons left. The baptism program was very short, Elder Barton and I both said a short 3-4 minute talk and then we did the baptism, while we were changing they watched a short video clip. In church I teach every 5 weeks in the investigators/recent converts class called Gospel Principles. People can E-mail me, but most of the time I will send you the E-mail to mail out to them. But I can try to E-mail them, they are not to strick on that any more. I love getting mail and it does only come on Friday. I have been trying to write everyone back but it is really hard to find free time. Thank you for sending me the card back, I will let you know when I get it. Austin why don't you just get a I-Phone? Today we are going to play RISK the board game. Last week Elder Barton was pretty sick, so on Thursday we stayed inside all day long so he could rest and get better. It was also very rainy all week; we had four days of straight rain. But its alot sunnier now. This week we really didn't do to much because like I mentioned above Elder Barton was sick, but it was still a very good week. And I love it when you ask me questions because I don't really have all to much to write about any way.

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