More Tips For New Missionaries

We compiled this list of tips for new missionaries, called to the Cape Town Mission. We hope you'll find them helpful as you prepare for a great experience.

You returned missionaries, send us your contributions to this list, and we'll post them here.

Bugs | Companions | Food | Memories | People | Study

BUGS

  • Get ready for cockroaches the size of a cassette tape. Don't think that storing your toothbrush upside down in a glass will keep it roach free. Roaches can climb! Expect to find roaches in your cereal box. Memorize the word DOOM (roach killer that will become your friend.)
  • If someone tells you to try eating a flying ant because they taste like peanut butter, well, your call.

COMPANIONS

  • Remember that it is the Spirit, not you that converts. Learn to say "We" instead of "I" when talking about successful moments. Even if you had the brilliant thought or answer, just learn to humbly include your companion in it. Because every brilliant idea really comes from the Spirit's whisperings and if you are unified, you will be more worthy of getting more whisperings.
  • Love EVERY companion. No matter how they could bug you, LOVE their quirks as the Savior would. Some people just don't seem to want to be loved but Christ loves them anyway, 1 John 4:19.

FOOD

  • I was just informed that since U.S. sanctions were lifted, McDonald's is now a part of this great country. There is a Pizza Hut on the Durban beach front.
  • Do try Ostrich Steak! And Impala!
  • If someone tells you to try a flying ant because they taste like peanut butter, well, your call.
  • Don't eat a lunchmeat called Braun if you can help it.
  • There is a pizza place in Cape Town that oven bakes their pizza and the Lasagne is to die for. Anyone remember the name?
  • Cape Town also has an Aris Souvlaki on the beach front just about under Lion's Head at Sea Point. They serve gyros. If it is still there, you can bet the missionaries still go there on P-day.
  • Another food favorite is a Mexican restaurant that actually serves real tortilla chips and salsa. Name? Location? (in Cape Town)
  • Pizza inn. in Port Elizabeth was a missionary favorite for the lunch buffet and of course the little after dinner white mints.

MEMORIES

  • Don't ever count away the days of your mission. It is all over too quick. You have to enjoy every hard no teaching, contacting day. Love the hardest moments and you will thrive. It is hard to love the Gospel so much and feel like no one will listen. But just when you think no one will listen you'll be blessed with a golden listener. Think about the moments when you are planting seeds for future generations, I planted some for you and I harvested those that others before me had planted.
  • Take lots of pictures.
  • Do visit the top of Table Mountain, and Muizenburg beach looking at Table Mountain.
  • Take pictures of homes and boardings.
  • Take pictures of your favorite people, write down their names and addresses.
  • Keep the names of some contacts who were not quite ready and send referrals to your mission in a few years.

LOVE THE PEOPLE

  • Learn to love people and "the people." These people are very easy to love. Let yourself enjoy the rich culture.
  • Don't ever fight, debate, slam, bash with anyone! You loose the spirit and have to fight alone. It is not worth it. President Hinkley basically issued the command for us not to at Conference, end of story.

STUDY

  • Study the Book of Mormon NOW! They encourage reading it in the MTC, you may not have time to read all of it there!
  • Study the discussions NOW! Just get familiar with them they will instruct you when you get to the MTC, etc.
  • No matter what, do not get discouraged in the MTC. The schedule is rigorous but so neat. There is no way you can be prepared enough. Remember, it is the Lord's work and He makes up the difference. Just have patience with yourself and learn to totally trust the Lord.
  • Thrive on Comp. (companion) Study. Try to learn something from each companion, be an equal partner in this companionship. Take note of how many times your morning study topic applies to a specific person that you meet.

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