Five Converts

Our drive to church takes us through inner city neighborhoods that are gearing up for this summer's world cup. Notice the soccer ball on the cell tower.

These young men were patiently waiting for church meetings to begin.

We have observed a subtle transition in men's attire as they progress from investigators to members. Initial tee shirts and casual shirts with pants are replaced by shirts under sweaters and sportscoats with slacks; then suits with white shirts and ties. Even with very meager means nearly all men dress sharply in suits, even on the hottest of summer days.

Today following our three hour block of Church meetings three men were baptized in a font filled with cold water. We have become acquainted with them in the Gospel Principles class. One month ago today (14 February 2010) following a Family History fireside Laurene helped present, one of these men introduced himself to us as a visitor attending for the first time with his friend and expressed his desire to join our church. We connected him with the full-time elders and he began taking gospel lessons with them.

This photo contains five converts, Elder Erickson being the youngest to join at age 20 (almost 40 years ago). In the background is a man baptized a week ago who is from Zimbabwe and met the missionaries while they were tracting in his neighborhood.

These men all came to South Africa seeking employment. They are from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe and were introduced to the Gospel of Jesus Christ by a neighbor, the missionaries tracting in his neighborhood and a friend. Following their baptisms they expressed humble testimonies of truths they have learned.