Stories: Tales From Umtata: OYM
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| It was one of the hottest days that I could remember. Elders Thompson, Streadbeck, Danisa and I had left service for the field around noon. We were on our way to down town Umtata to do some street contacting. Right in the center of town is a courthouse. Any and every body that is anybody passes through that courtyard on business—at least once a week. So of course this is the best place to open our mouths to the public. As usual, we four prayed and separated to do our work. We always made sure we remained in earshot of each other, but this particular day it was difficult. I really did not want to be out there... "Excuse me sir, I am a missionary from the Church of...." "I no English..." "Excuse me Sir; I have a message from the lord..." "You are so young to teach me emfana." Those who did listen were not exactly ones I targeted. I recorded their names and weeded by inviting them to church. If they pitched up we would teach. The ones that I would actually target and get, I hesitated never to make an appointment to teach. In this mode of discrimination I found myself when I jolted at a sight. Here I was in a suit in the sweltering hot sun and my ex-girlfriend walks up. At least that is who she reminded me off the moment I saw her. I spoke to her. "Hello," She says” what are you doing out here?" "I'm sharing a message about Jesus Christ,” I returned overcoming my amazement. I saw two gentlemen pass by who looked as if they would speak, but saw me occupied with this young woman of marital age. Frustration began. "That is good,' she continues.”I too and going about speaking of God and his word." Deciding to make the best of this I say, "So what church do you belong to?" "Jehovah’s Witness, I go to the Kingdom Hall" Yes! I shouted within my self. If I tell her I'm a Mormon she will run away in fear. "Really, I have an older brother in that church? I am a Mormon." She did not move. “I attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons.” Still she did not move. “What church is that?” she returned interrogatively. She had a smile on her face and she keeps the sweat from her eyes with a white kerchief. I thought heavily of my ex-girlfriend and how much I missed her, but also on my mined were the dozens of potential priesthood holders passing me by as I explained things to this woman who looked like my ex-girlfriend. For some reason my companion had not rescued me. The rule is if the conversation went to long, that the other would come and join the conversation or save the other from mobs which Elder Thompson had to do several times for me. But He was engaged with some one also. The purpose of this young woman was to convert me to her beliefs. I could tell after a few minutes. She and others of her faith were in the square competing for proselytes, and I was the enemy. Her whole purpose was to keep me occupied as the others sought out candidates when she found I rejected her beliefs. Eventually my companion rescued me. “Elder Johnson, How come you did not end the conversation and move on,” asked the frustrated Elder Thompson. I have moved out of his eyesight during my interview with the Sister JW. I shrugged it off and he never let me too far from his sight again. I learned that day that polite conversation is good, unless you are a missionary, and the person you speak to is a replica of you ex-girlfriend who you are still madly infatuated with. |
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