I think I will always remember that example of love.

FAMILY!

First off, I need to apologize to my daddy! Daddy, last week I was soo rushed I totally forgot to wish you a happy father’s day last week! I realized it like 10 minutes after I finished emailing. you know I was thinking about you all that day and how many thousands of sacrificed, seen and unseen that you've done for me, and will continue to do for me, throughout my 21 years on this earth. You better have kept that list of fun things we're going to do! Plan it out for when I get home. If you fail to plan, plan to fail hahah. Sorry about not wishing you a happy father’s day last week. You’re still the world’s greatest daddy!!!!

By the way, if my memory serves me right, that scripture is Mosiah 28:3. Am I right?! I love that scripture, that’s why. Yeah I wanna do some yoga when I go home. Yoga and lots of other things! And I’m not too sure about thanksgiving quite yet, but you know me, I’m not fussy.  That’s funny you saw a drunk guy passed out on the street...sadly I see that quite often. Either passed out or wandering/staggering in and out of the street. sooo dangerous.

Lots of things to report on this week! We played basketball at the Windhoek chapel last week, which was fun. We did service again at the library, but this time the librarian had us sort through German newspaper. I guess the Germans first settled this area back in the day. One of our investigators who is famous got married. He’s like a singer and a performer. I love that guy. We were too busy so we didn’t get a chance to attend.

Sister Smith made a wonderful lunch of meatloaf! It was good. The Smiths are the best. My old bishop from Mowbray came up. He works for the church as the seminary and institute coordinator, so it was good to see him.

Driving our fellowshippers around

I interviewed a nice somewhat quite girl for baptism, and she passed with flying colors, but then it was funny, later that night I saw her at her branch talent show and she was up there singing her heart out and dancing like Beyoncé and the small audience went wild ha-ha it was funny.  We’re working a lot with this family that is preparing to go to the temple! It’s been sweet to see their progress and growth!

The branch watched the movie Saints and Soldiers, nice movie! I think I’ve seen it before. We finished going through the branch list, and it's finally complete. We went through each person and now it’s more accurate and up to date.

Guess what, I finished reading Jesus the Christ, yeah all 800 pages! I knew, but now I really know, that Jesus is the Christ, the immortal son of God that reins from all eternity to all eternity.

I saw a great example of true love this week. A mother was baptized in February and her year old daughter went into the hospital all last week because she was sick. And this dear mother stayed with her the entire week in that small room, in an unreal African hospital without a bed for the first few days and chose to sleep in the tiny crib with her child. Eventually she got a small blanket to "sleep" on but she said she didn't sleep much because she was too busy just staring at her baby and making sure she was okay. It was nice to see her Book of Mormon there as well. When we visited her, she looked exhausted, but still was so caring for her baby. I think I will always remember that example of love. And plus, her baby is the cutest little thing on the planet! I’m taking her back with me on the plane. I’ll send a picture home of her soon.

This upcoming week is going to be epic! The assistants are coming up tomorrow to go on exchanges, then later in the week President and Sister Wood are coming up for zone conference and interviews! It’s going to be great. Round 2 of sock wrestling! Ha-ha we'll even invite President ha-ha. I told President I need to renew my temple recommend. Nice!

Alma 13:24, 27-29

That’s all for today! Lots of love from here in Namibia!
Love,
Elder Haws

yeah we had some extra matresses....

Old picture, but we were bored on the plane

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven

YO family!

Normally we email from the smiths home, for free, but yesterday they drove out to Swokomound and now they're somewhere in the north, so we're at an email shop. I have like 20 minutes left, so let’s see what i can pound out in that time. That sand dune is too far for us to go, but not super far from here in Windhoek. and so far on mission I’ve only gotten food stuck like 2 or 3 times, and I deserved it cuz I was super-duper hungry, and didn’t chew enough, So no problems there. And those darn people in Texas, they just wish they had as many animals as here in Africa. Or maybe sweet 'ole grandpa heard wrong ha-ha. A famous Namibian is Sam Nojouma or something like that. And no this place was too fancy for rice and black beans ha-ha nahh I’m sure they had it there, but I didn’t order that.   Gosh dang it Padres! Come on!!! And I’ll send like a postcard home when I get around to it. And since when do you have a stamp collection?! ha-ha and yeah not in cape town so much, but in Durban there are lots of people from India and yeah I did hear that they did have slave colonies there back in the day. And I guess that's why Durban is known for its good curries!!!

Guess what, my week was awesome as usual! Any surprise there?! Ha-ha brother Shegena, the same guy who took us to that Portuguese restaurant, took us to Joe's beer house and he got the kabob with all the cool meats on it, but Elder Morris and I got the zebra stake!! ahhhh soooo gooood!! yummmm. It was so nice of him to do that. He’s going to the celestial kingdom!

A family in Windhoek from Angola

We also did some sweet service/volunteer work at the National Library of Namibia!! Basically we just sorted newspaper for 2 1/2 hours! Man, it was hard work and labor. And I pretty much know all the top headlines of Namibia and the world since January. I think we were inspired to go there cuz they desperately needed someone to do what we did. Their poor cabinets were overflowing! They were soo appreciative for what we did. We plan to go back sometime. I love to serve!

The baptism of Monika

We taught lots of people this week. Had some powerful lessons. We also have 2 more baptisms coming up. President Wood will be here to witness them, so that will be sweet. Each companionship will have some; it’s going to be a nice day.

Tell Alex I say hi when you see him. Most weeks we email back and forth. Sometimes I’ve been slow though. I love that guy!  I guess I’ll be home for conference in October. How about you score some tickets?!  That would be sweet.

Look up Mosiah 23:21 and D&C 76: 22-24 there was a lesson on sacrifice in church yesterday. They pointed out how big a sacrifice it is to go on a mission for 2 years. I’ve never really thought about it like that before. I’m just having the time of my life over here; I don’t see it as much of a sacrifice! I’ve learned more this side of the world that I ever could have in the USA! I guess it's true though, sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. The more we sacrifice, the more He'll bless us! Nice!

Days are just flying by over here! Loving it!! Miss you all very much.
LOVE,
Elder Dusty Haws

Windhoek area.

Missionary Plaque

Yeah, I ate many of them worms!

Family -

Yeah, I ate many of them worms!  Mommy, we need your famous chicken enchilada recipe!!! Sister Smith is gonna make it for us! Send it please.  Daddy, I was thinking about Brother Platte this morning. Tell him I say hi, and I love him and loved seminary sophomore year.  Thanks for the email. I’m glad Elder Smith sent those pictures to you guys! Aren’t the Smiths great! I love them, they feed us lots.

We didn’t drive around in a truck on the safari. Maybe the other game park will be like that.   Hero's Acre is just where they bury famous people I guess haha.

So things here are great! A sweet member who served in this mission 2 years ago took us out to a nice lunch!! We ate at this fancy Portuguese restaurant! It was delicious.

The orphanage we went to.

We kept ourselves pretty busy this week, teaching lots and lots. We went fellowshipping with the branch missionaries. It was relaxing, and I guess a preview for when I go home and go out with the elders. Sure I’ll read a scripture or pray or share my testimony! ha-ha It'll be fun to do missionary work back in San Diego.

It’s getting a little bit chilly here...just in the morning and in the night. Maybe its cuz our boarding is all tile, and shaded by a tree. It is still amazing that there are never any clouds here. haha.

Yesterday at church they had to go and get more chairs cuz there were too many people there! In total, both of the branches combined had 23 investigators at sacrament meeting! That’s unheard of!

A  highlight was the baptism of Monika!! It was sweet!! She chose me to baptize her, and I was soo honored to be able to do so. Everything went just dandy! It was perfect. She was, and is soo happy! She even fasted and paid her tithing before she was a member, and then the Lord blessed her with a job here in Windhoek that she was hoping to get. Nice!

In my Book of Mormon study, I’m in Mosiah! It just keeps getting better and better!

Big Daddy sand dune

Another sweet thing that happened this week was when I clicked 21 months as a missionary!! There’s no way that I only have 3 months left. Ahhhhh.   FYI Namibia has the world's biggest sand dune, called Big Daddy or Dune 7!

2 scruptures = 2 Nephi 25:23,26 and 1 Cor 9:10

That’s all for this week! Things are just fun fun fun here! The work is rolling along!

LOVE,

Elder Haws

Running again in Namibia...

Another beautiful Namibian sunset

I feel so blessed to have been able to serve in such cool of places

Heyyy family!

Sorry, this letter is going to be super short. We've been too busy today taking pictures of giraffes and wildebeest and springbok and baboons, etc. We went to a mini game park...it was just a warm up though. We've got plans to hit up a sweet one up north. Sorry I can’t send any pictures at the moment. FHE starts really soon. Basically, today was sweet!

Mapani worms

The week was also a very busy one. Lots of teaching and testifying. We've got a baptism coming up this Saturday. Some people called us false prophets in the prayer at the end of the lesson. I ate these things called mapani worms. They’re like caterpillars. Yum.  One of the coolest things that happened this past week was when we got to go to an orphanage and teach some of the kids there about Jesus Christ. It was an incredible experience. I'll send a sweet picture home next week.

Namibia Hero's Acre

At sacrament meeting, we had 2 of our investigators bear their testimony. It was powerful!  One weird thing I've realized recently is that Namibia never has any clouds, especially at night. It’s not super-hot though. perfect weather.

I normally write down all the things I wanna say to you guys, but I don't have that paper. I'm trying to remember what I wrote, but I'm failing.

I feel so blessed to have been able to serve in such cool of places, and experience the things that I have. Namibia is the promised land.

Just know that I'm having a blast as a missionary, especially here in Nam.
ALL IS WELL!
Love,
Elder Haws

PaVILLion

Safari Lunch, with the Smith's

See ya

The best was zebra!

Dear family,

Cool! Yeah I checked my blog up here. Thanks for doing that daddy. It is pretty sweet. I didn't go on a safari quite yet. We for sure will though. Maybe even go on 2 up here. Yes, I get grandmas letters, and you better believe I would be keen to go on a cruise!! Sign me up!

And yeah mommy last email I did send it at night cuz we had just flown up from Cape Town, but normally, like today, we email in the morning after we 're done studying. Ohhh yeah, big Derek is embarking on the greatest adventure of his lifetime. Tell him I say what's up and good luck. I know he's gonna be one heck of a missionary.

So as for the week, it was amazingly fast and fun! I cant believe that last week at this time I was in Cape Town. Its good to be back in Namibia. That made the week go by very fast. The AP’s were here all week and just left yesterday. They just stayed at our boarding cuz it is soo massive and we have tons of matresses for them to sleep on..but bad news cuz we would just stay up late every night talking…and one night wrestling! Man, that was fun. It was nice to have Elder McDonald up here cuz he knows where all the cool places are and showed us around. That guy is soo funny and fun to be around. I love that guy. And Elder Doxy is super sweet as well. Both powerful elders.

JOES BEER HOUSE!!

So we went to the legendary Joe’s Beer House. That place is awesome! Don’t be deceived by the name. the place is legendary. Its like on the top 20 things to do/visit in the country of nam. There was only one thing we got on the menu. Meat!! I ate chicken, kudu, zebra, crocodile, ostrich! Serious! Crocodile tastes like fishy chicken (nice) but the best was zebra!!! Soo delicious. But it did cost N140…so im gonna be eating like bread an peanut butter all week haha. But it was totally worth it. Then , we sock wrestled. It was epic! All you do is try and take off the other persons sock. Simple enough. I wasn’t very good, but I did beat Elder Giles. Haha I was sore and tired the next day. The other guys were too tired to go home, so they just slept over! Haha.

Then, the next day, a member invited us to this place called Capanas. Its like a big braai place! I ate soo much meat. It was delicious. And free for us. Haha.

On the spiritual/missionary side, the real reason I'm here, the work is just rollin’ along. Busy busy days. We have 2 solid people prepared for baptism and will have their interviews this Saturday. They both come to all the activities and institute, read the Book of Mormon, and just know its true and desire to be baptized. So we are excited for them.

Our next 2 days are booked with people to see. I love when missionary work goes like this. I just feel a lot more effective and its just more fun that way! The spirit is pumping in your veins, people are learning and accepting the gospel, and you know the Lord is pleased with your service.

I feel like sometimes don’t include all of my spiritual experiences that I have. If I did, I’d have to be here typing for like 5 hours. We teach so much. We visit so many people. Each day, Elder Morris and I record the various maricles we’ve witnessed and been a part of. And trust me, there are many! Mission is the best. Straight up!

Sorry for no scriptures to feast on last week. Heres some from this week…1 Timothy 4:16 and D&C 123:17

I got a “special” email today. The sisters in the office needed to know my information for my departure..ahhhh!! not good. Haha. That means that soon enough I’ll get what we call our “trunky papers” basically, its our flight plans for when we go home. Nooooo!!  I’ll be home soon enough. Until then, I will labor and work! And just enjoy every second of every day!

Miss you lots! Think of you often!

All the best!  LOVE,

Your missionary son,

ELDER HAWS

Jet ‘aime!! (I love you in French)

Sock Wrestling!!!

Now it’s back to work!

Dear family!!

View from above of Namibia

Thanks for all your help daddy getting my visa so I could experience Nam! I guess you never complained or told me about all that stuff you did..only my mommy! Haha. The chapel is near the map you sent, we work mostly in Khomasdal, look up that haha.  No safari yet mommy. But you better believe we’re going to go on one, or two, or three! Haha I’ll keep grandpa in my prayers, he’s tough as nails!

Cool picture…made me so homesick!! Haha and tell sister Sexton thank you for such a lovely note she wrote to me. Loved it!

Sorry I couldn’t email you on Monday. We were at zone leader council! We flew down Sunday night, and just got back tonight. All the zone leaders from the entire mission came, so there were 18 in total, along with president wood and the assistants. We stayed at the mission home. I love that place. But basically, to be short in writing, we had an epic p-day together, and went on a hike with president, then came back, ate lunch and played sport, ate again, then that night watched some church clips together, and oh yeah ate lots of dessert. The next day, we had an amazing breakfast, and then mainly talked the whole day about cool stuff. President did some training and taught us cool things. The assistants did some training as well. But we also had time to talk like about mission policies and problems and lots of things. I took tons of notes, and now we have to report back to our zones about the things that were spoken about, so that will be fun. Then, last night, we all stayed up late and wrestled! We did it in a room furthest away from president’s room in the mission home so that he wouldn’t hear, but he so did! Haha we put mattresses down and tried to take off the other person’s socks. It was very entertaining! And of course, got fed out of our minds! An amazing lunch, but dinner was the best…stakes!!! Ohhh yeahhh. And dessert was out of this world.  Breakfast this morning was good, and so was lunch before we left. President had some funnyyy moments. I love that man. Basically, as you can tell, zone leader council is pretty much a time to relax a little bit, and is a reward to us for all of the hard work that we’ve done in our mission. Hard work does indeed pay off. I had soooo much fun! Just flying to and from Cape Town was sweet. But now it’s back to work in Zion! 

Our FHE we had

Things here are still powerful! The week was just a blur. I can’t even remember what occurred.  We taught and taught and taught! Days go super fast when you teach and testify the entire time. We had an awesome fellowshipper to help us.

We did some training for the branch missionaries to help them understand their role in the work and how we can help them improve their skills. That was fun. Have I told you that elder Morris is freakin' powerful. Such a master teacher. I've learned a lot from him. He’s good at what he does. Our companionship studies have been amazing sharing insights with one another and learning together and planning how to take this area to new heights.  This Sunday was a good day at church. It was packed! they had to go to other rooms and get more chairs for the chapel cuz it was too full!! you don’t see that every day. Then I had to teach gospel principles class on the gifts of the spirit. It went very well I thought.

Well, I could just go on and on and on about how much I love this, my last area...or how much I freakin' loved zone leader council! I think I might get to go to another one before I leave. That would be sweet. The assistants are up here for a few days, that’s going to be fun. I love those guys.

Man, I am still soo full. I ate a lot of food the past 3 days. I still am at the same weight though..90 Kg's..like 200lbs. I really cannot wait to go home and gym! Really looking forward to that...and going to the temple, but most of all, seeing my mommy and daddy and sister and the rest of my family!!! but until then, gotta work!  Talk to you next week!

LOVE always,

Elder Haws

"You're not much to look at, but you're all the Lord has"  -President Wood

I was cleaning the dishes at the mission home, and president came up and said "If I’m ever poor, I’m going to take you out with me to dinner so you can do the dishes for our meal" haha

'Mormons are full of rumors'

Hike at zone leader council