So thank you...

Dear family!

Nice email again. I am so lucky to have such wonderful parents and a sister, and also friends that email me, without fail, every single week. Most African elders never get emails. So thank you.

Thanks for all of the updates. Happy to hear Diane Fice came to church! That’s awesome. And the thing that happened during the sacrament honestly sounds like something that would happen here in Africa! Haha

As for the mission extension, it was more of a thought than something that might actually happen. I chatted with president wood and he said we'll hope and pray that the visas go through, and if not, the second option would be having a branch missionary be Elder Farley’s companion. They did that earlier this year when a missionary needed a companion. There are like 2 candidates that would most likely be able to do it and take over for me when the time comes. Don’t worry, it probably not gonna happen. Plus, I just miss you guy’s wayyyyyy toooooo muchhhh!!

The Khomasdal chapel!!

Anyway, this week was sweet as usual. I forgot to tell you about the plane ride last Sunday to Cape Town. We just happened to be on the plane with DRUNK PEOPLE!! Oh my goodness, it was bad. And what made it worse; we were smack dab in the middle of where they were sitting. They all were drinking in the airport before the flight. And then on the plane they give out free wine. Bad combination. They were really funny, but not haha. They like were planning to all go to a club when they landed in Cape Town. They made like a video on the phone. Singing welcome to Cape Town when we landed, etc. and there’s little elder Farley and I. innocent missionaries. Afterward they apologized for their behavior and felt bad. Oh well. I think one of them was filming something in Namibia for the food network or something.

One thing that president focused on was the driving in the mission. We all got a standard missionary DVD that is the same throughout the church that we watched. It got me thinking about how I drive. I’ve repented of my wicked ways. We drive better now, which is good. Not saying we drove crazy before though!


The former NAM CLAN

We had a busy past few days. The focus in the church is real growth, and that’s something president wood wants up here in Namibia. There’s a saying in PMG that you should leave the area better than when you got there, and the way you can tell is by the sacrament meeting attendance. So through baptisms and less actives returning. Going through the branch list and visiting those on the list that haven’t seen elders or anyone from the church in years. Lots of them have moved. I sat down with the branch president’s wife who had been going through the list of members getting their details and I typed it into the church system. It took like over 2 hours! But it was so worth it. Actually it was kinda fun, but also very beneficial to the branch!

Oh it was funny, in gospel principles class we were talking about talents and we were supposed to share the person's next to us's talent...and I told the oak mine, like sports or whatever, but then when he told the rest of the class, he said mine was dancing!! What the?! Everyone laughed.

We were driving one of our fellow shippers around and she said she loved country music! i was like whatttt. So we chatted about our favorite songs haha.

Elder Farley is still doing sweet being my companion! So humble and loving and kind. I love that man! We had a few extra minutes last night and decided to drive out like 5 minutes where there’s no light and look up at the stars! Stargazing in the Namibian sky!!! ahhhh. Powerful. I really wish you coulda seen what I saw. No joke. It was stunning. I’m pretty sure that was the Milky Way I was looking at. Gorgeous!

Man, I love this country and love the work. Lots of things on the to-do list this week. Bring it on!

I’ve noticed my wonderful former companions seem to bring up/talk about home more than i do! I did click 23 months though. I’m getting old on mission. Don’t worry; my mind is still centered on why I’m here. I signed up for 24 months, and that’s what I intend to and accomplish!

Miss you all very very much!

LOVE,

Elder Dusty Haws

PS new Herrero culture/traditions I learned...don’t sweep out your house at night...because you are sweeping out all the good luck. And, don’t wear red when it rains...it attracts the lighting! Haha

the blazing Namibian sun setting over Windhoek

view of Cape Town from above



elder Smith..the king of juice!

zone leader council