22-23 March 2018 ZC and Interviews Swaziland Zone
President Leavitt in a previous weekly letter to the missionaries, asked that they set at least three personal goals to accomplish in the next six weeks. They were to have them ready to discuss at their interview. Last year we had a 90-day Challenge to read all the scriptures under Jesus Christ in the Bible Topical Guide. Instead of having another mission-wide goal to read and study together, we felt it more important to help the missionaries learn how to set realistic goals and work to achieve them. This is a helpful life-time skill. President Leavitt took time to teach and help each missionary set realistic, personal goals. The interviews were longer than usual.
Sister Leavitt trained on the LDS Tools App referral system (on her phone), so that our missionaries can show members how easy it is to submit a potential investigator's name and information straight to missionaries serving where they live. She also trained the missionaries on the Referral Manager on their Missionary Portal. She had the newest member of each companionship sign into their account and check referrals from the last three years. She printed this list. The missionaries' goal is to check on each name before the end of the transfer. She also showed them different aspects of recording their contact and teaching progress on Referral Manager. They are to update weekly.
Sister Leavitt also introduced the Elders to many useful Liahona articles that can help them in their missionary work from the last few issues. She gave each companionship the April Liahona.
Sister Leavitt then educated the Elders on preventing ingrown toenails, how to take care of feet to avoid or eliminate the different types of fungal infections, and steps to take to avoid food poisoning.
In a role-play scenario, each companionship taught an "investigator" along with a "teaching coach" present. Sister Foxx and Sister Willis, both adult converts, have studied Preach My Gospel thoroughly. They took turns being the investigator. The missionaries knew they would be teaching the Restoration Lesson. After, and sometimes during, they counsel together about the teaching experience. This is a great learning opportunity.
Mbabane Chapel, Thursday, Zone Conference. Elder and Sister Foote gave a presentation on dealing with companionship contention and anger management. President and Sister Leavitt and the assistants, Elder Powell and Elder Curriden all gave presentations and instruction.
Swaziland Zone
Front row: Elder Nogueira, Elder Bowen, Elder & Sister Foote, Sister and Elder Wold, Elder Pace, Elder Sinclair
Back row: Elder Curriden (AP), Elder Powell (AP), Elder Francis, Elder Willey, Elder Brown, Elder Schwalger, Elder Feliciana, Elder Myeni (Swazi, attended Joburg MTC and is serving as our missionary until he leaves for Sierra Leon), Elder Cox (ZL), Elder Smith (ZL), Brother Mayisela Bonginkosi Nkosinathi (Nathi) submitting mission papers and joined us for zone conference, and President Sithole (Ngwane Park branch president and 2nd Counselor of the Mbabane Swaziland District)
Training with Sister Leavitt:
Role-play teaching with Sister Willis and Sister Foxx
24 March 2018, Saturday 11 am, Youth Fireside with Elder and Sister Foote (Africa Southeast Area Mental Health Specialist and Companion) on 'Clean Hands and a Pure Heart' with the Mbabane Swaziland District Youth at the Manzini Chapel in Swaziland. Sister Wold made cookies and Sister Leavitt provided Oroes Drink.
President and Sister Leavitt traveled to Nelspruit Saturday and had dinner and visited with Elder and Sister Jensen. President Leavitt interviewed and Sister Leavitt trained Elder Butler and Elder Williams until 9:45 pm.
25 March, Sunday: We attended the Nelspruit Branch. President Leavitt met with President Maleka (Mbombela District President) and did four temple recommend interviews after. We drove home, arriving at 5:30 pm. We met with the assistants at 8-10 pm.
