Our 19th Group of Missionaries are headed to Cape Town, Kenya, and Uganda.

As with all of the groups that come to the MTC, we fall in love with them very quickly and then they turn around and leave us! :) The good news is that we will soon get a bunch more so the circle of love just expands.

One of the African Elders in this group was able to do the work for his paternal grandparents and have them sealed. He was so happy. He left the work for us to do for his maternal grandparents.

Four of the missionaries were the only ones in their families who were members.

One Elder said while he was investigating the Church his father was very upset and told him that if he went to that Church or read that Book of Mormon, he would not pay for him go to the University. So he had to stop going to Church, but did try to read the BofM when he could. After a period of time his father could see that he was changing. He was getting along with his brothers so much better and he seemed like a different person to his father. The father finally said he could go to Church and he could read the book and he would go ahead and pay for him to go to the University. "By their fruits ye shall know them. . . . "

Another Elder talked about how he was working two jobs a day to get money to get his visa, etc. for his mission. He worked from 6:00 a.m. til 10:00 p.m. and was not finding time to read the Book of Mormon. So he got up everyday at 4:00 a.m. and read the BofM. Diligence, dedication, committment???? Wow! The wonderful thing about that is he did it because he wanted to!

These African missionaries are always so anxious to bless the lives of others because of the profound way the gospel has blessed their lives.

The emphasis on their MTC experience is changing a little from what it used to be. They used to come here to master the principles of the gospel, but now they are expected to enter the MTC knowing the doctrine and the main thrust here is to help them know how to teach that doctrine. They will spend 40% of their time "practicing" their teaching skills. Their teachers, us, and local members will take the role of "progressing investigators."

For the first 12 weeks in the field, the new missionaries will be allowed an extra hour of study every day.

Elder Holland said at a recent MTC Devotional, "We first need to convert you and then figure out a way to convert others. The gospel needs to be in your heart." He said, "You can't be everything you need to be unless you love God and the Savior. When you do, then your call is to feed his sheep forever! You cannot go back. Don't ever turn your back on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that it's never ever over for you and that it's never over for me. You've left your nets and you can't go back. Feed his sheep and do it forever!"