New Area--Wanaheda

May 1 & 8, 2017

Walking to our area

We chose the right

Bored bull just chillin'

Bird in flight at sunset

Me with Rocky Crest in the background

Windhoek baptisms

Dear Mom & Dad,

My new area is great.   I am in Khomasdal and Rocky Crest. They are pretty suburb-like. The finding and work is great here, I love it already. I am with a new companion.  His name is Elder Bagoole and he is from Kampala, Uganda.  Anyway, I am doing great. I am a little under pressure as district leader but it will make me do better I know. We have just been walking, walking and walking some more. I now know the area well.  We have three new investigators already and are working with some people who are on date. To answer your question, no white person will listen to us really, but people generally treat us well.    Windhoek (my old area)  had two baptisms on Saturday and it was way sweet to see old investigators get baptized.  

Love,

Your Son

"Sometimes the spikes hurt when you chew."

 

Mopani worms

Throwing the "punga" (machete)

April 10, 2017

Dear Family

So, I just began the Book of Mormon for the third time on mission and will share some things I have learned. 1 Nephi 1:20, Nephi is writing this at a later date. He is reflecting at the fulfillment of the Lord's promises to his "chosen" people(D&C 138:55-56). Fast forward(or rewind?) to 1 Nephi 2:21. The Lord chose Nephi because of his faith and diligence in seeking the Lord with lowliness of heart(1 Nephi 2:19). A partnership was then made, "And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord."  The power of the Lord was with him and Nephi knew it(1 Nephi 3:7&15).  I am trying to rely on the Spirit and the Lord and I will focus on the basics so I can do the Lord's wonderful work His way. 

I LOVE you guys, 

Elder Voyles

Dear Family

I am happy you all had fun. I really love D.C. and hope I can go with the fam when I get back. The bikes looked fun, I am happy to be able to see you having fun like that together. AND THE FOOOD. Man I miss the food! Me and my comp are pooooor this week. We spent all our money on taxis because we're busy. I will be okay though, don't feel bad.  My favorite part about mission is the single responsibility of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You don't have to worry about life or anything, just mission work. Its nice. The most challenging, that's hard. Probably being a little bored sometimes. That sounds bad and it's even hard to explain but you can't be doing something super exciting 24/7.  However......today we cleaned up the other Elder's back yard and I was throwing a punga (machete) into a piece of wood like it was my job! It was SWEET! Also,  I am trying to learn Afrikaans but it is hard. I will speak it by the time I go home though!  I am healthy and am enjoying my time serving the Lord. I am trying my best!  I hope you have a wonderful week. You are the best!

Love,

Your Son

April 24, 2017

Dear Mom, Dad and Cooper, 

So, about the culture here. It is considered impolite to not ask how people are doing before you talk. But it doesn't really need to be at length. There isn't really no-no's,  just don't be rude, really. Church is a little different, it is a branch. It is still pretty normal though. When speakers say good morning everyone says it back.  This week has been good, it flew by. We have 3 people on date for baptism.  Two for May 6th  and one for the 13th. Pray for them to have courage because that is what they need.  I am doing really good, I am very happy too. I just want to do and be what the Lord wants. I also look forward to speaking to you guys next month. I love you so much, have a wonderful week!

Love,

Your Son and Brother

Quick Update

April 3, 2017

Me and my comp emailing

At the top with our rocks

 

Golden Orb Spider

Facts that Jackson's mom looked up about this spider:

It's venom is potent but not lethal...much like the bite of a Black Widow

The golden orb spider is named for the golden web that the female builds.

Females can be up to 1.5" with a leg span of 4".

  

Dear Family,

I have had a good week, the work is going good.  I am glad to hear your week went smooth.  We went hiking this week, we hiked the same mountain as last week. I carried a rock up the steep part. We then took an alternate route back and could hear baboons barking at us! We also saw a golden orb spider. (IT WAS BIG)!   I am loving my mission, it is the time of my life. 

Love,

Your Son

A Busy Few Weeks

Some members who had us for dinner outside the city. 

Where they live

The drive to their house

Pride Rock kind of mountain

The best kind of  day

An apple cobbler that I made up the recipe for

Smoked oysters

 

Baboon on a bridge

March 13, 2017

Dear Family,

The rain here has been great! Some members picked us up at took us to there house on the way to Reaboth. They stay at this country club but the drive was amazing. It looked like it was from a movie! The same member wants to take us to go see AFRICAN ANIMALS!! I am so excited. I love Namibia, I totally want to come back some day. Also, getting those packages was a testament of how much my family actually knows me! I you love you guys. Something I am realizing is how REAL the Gospel is. We just went over temples this week with Tapiwa,  an investigator that is preparing for baptism. It confirms to me how much Heavenly Father loves his children, we are his greatest creation. He has a plan for each and every one of us! He can't wait to welcome us back! (Luke 15:7) To participate in finding the lost sheep is SUCH a privilege. Truthfully, we are all lost sheep. We all need repentance. So, how great will it be to return to him having learned to properly rely on the Savior. Any way, I love you.  Mom. You are great! I hope you have a great week!!!!

Love,

Your Son

March 20, 2017

Dear Family,

There are 5 areas in Windhoek. They could move us around but I am staying. My companion got moved to South Africa. I am gonna stay until my visa is up. Probably 6 months. And I'll get all the stuff I left behind in SA when I go back. 

I am short on time....love you!

Your Son 

March 27, 2017

Dear Family,

My new comp is Elder Molemo. He is from Bloemfontein, Free State SA. He is cool.   I have only been with him for 3.5 days but they have been good. We drove to the airport this week. Other missionaries have seen giraffes, kudu, oryx, etc. I did see baboons, which is cool but super common. Still cool though. And about the missionary work.  There is no  greater cause in the world than missionary work. And most anything in life worth doing is not going to be easy.  Just try it, use the pamphlets! People like those.  So for a Branch activity they were going to hike a mountain and invited the Elders along. We all went and it was cool! Only a few people got to the top and me and the Afrikaans missionary/friend from SA were the first ones up! It was such a view. I will get the pics next week maybe.  I love the pics you sent they are sweet! 

Packages Have Arrived!!!

February 27, 2017

Pizza before Zone Meeting

I McGyvered the vacuum

I planted some succulents

Zone Conference

 District Conference

Stir Fry

Dear Family, 

Glad you had a good week.   Now we have three people ready for baptism. One on date for March 18th, another one just needs water, and the other we have a few lessons to finish up and then he's good. We also went to an old people home.  We are going to go back when we get cars. Not much has happened this week though.  Zone Conference is on Friday and the Hawkins (office couple) come up tomorrow. (They will bring up the package!) At the beginning of the transfer my best friend that's still in South Africa got called as the Assistant to the President. I will get to see him this week and look forward to it. 

Love, 

Your Son/Brother

  

March 6, 2017

Dear Family, 

I have had a good week.  We teach the restoration a lot, probably everyday. Something we explain is there were three things used when Christ organized the church:

-Christ himself(as the prophet)

-The Priesthood

-The Apostles

We teach how they were lost then restored. Of course we have the Prophet, the Priesthood, and Apostles. But we also know Christ will come again to lead the church on the Earth. Now, we don't necessarily teach all we know but we teach for understanding. But I have learned a lot about the Gospel. Right now the investigators are progressing well.  It is week 5 in the transfer and it feels like week 1.  We had Zone Conference and District Conference this week. We had Elder Van Reenan and Elder Palmer visit. I learned a whole lot from them. I love Namibia. I got my packages--yes both. I LOVE THEM! They gave me such a boost.  It's like I had my B-day and Christmas in one week. I loved the pictures. I am so excited for the baby girl! (Editor's note:  Emily is expecting a baby girl on July 21st).   Can't wait to be an uncle!  It has rained SOOOOO much here recently. It has been awesome!  I am doing good. I LOVE this Gospel. 

Love, 

Your Son

"Come Unto Me'

February 20, 2017

  Beef brisket that I made

A local soccer match

Biltong

  (Editor's Note:  I looked it up...it is a form of dried, cured meat that originated in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Various types of meat are used to produce it, ranging from beef and game meats to fillets of ostrich from commercial farms.)

Dear Family, 

I had a great week.  I am learning a lot! The mission is pushing my boundaries but I love that it is. Sometimes, the hardest thing for me is accepting that sometimes other people aren't always as vigorous or excited about the work as you. That too is teaching me an invaluable lesson about future careers, etc.  To answer your question, there are 14 missionaries in Namibia right now.  Ten here in Windhoek and the other 4 are in Swakopmond.  Also, I haven't seen a single African animal but I will let you know as soon as I do. Dinner on Sunday was very nice.  They found out it was my birthday....they are a great family. They have a wonderful house and the food was delicious! I shared a spiritual thought with the family out of 3 Nephi 9:22 a scripture that I love. ( " Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God.  Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.")  These people are truly pioneers in the gospel. At one point the chapel here where I am emailing from right now was burned down by persecutors.  They had to meet in members homes for a while.  

Anyway, I hope you have a good week!

Love,

Your Son

Happy 20th Birthday!

Editor's Note:  Jackson's 20th Birthday is February 19th.  If you would like to send him an email, it is jackson.voyles@myldsmail.net  

 

Black lab puppy!

Two babies playing

My sturdy shoes that I bought.  When I left Mamelodi, my walking shoes were at the repair shop so I had to buy some new ones.  I got these on sale for 609 rand ($45).  

New haircut

I made fried chicken!

(Not sure what this is....Jackson did not say)

February 6, 2016

Dear Family,

This week was good. The new schedule is that we wake up at 6:00  a.m. and get back home by 8:30 p.m. I am happy with it. We get fed by members about three times a week. Truthfully we could have a meal every night if we wanted but we don't want to take advantage of their hospitality. We only go when we are invited. We have a new family that seems promising. We had a powerful lesson with them and they asked for a Book of Mormon and understood the whole concept of the restoration.  It is pretty quiet out here...the 10 missionaries here in Windhoek are like a separate mission. It is teaching me a lot though.  I have had some neat impressions of what type of member I want to be the rest of my life. It makes me so grateful to be serving a mission. The Lord is so merciful, he truly has our best interests in mind. He LOVES us.

Love,

Your Son

February 13, 2017

Dear Family,

Just yesterday we taught a lesson to some members and they had a crazy boy and I bet I was something like that to you guys, haha. As for me I am learning some good lessons while I am here. I know now what is is like to be left to your own devices and push hard. It will be something that will last me my whole life. I will have a great birthday, a member is having all 10 missionaries over in Windhoek Sunday night which is always fun. I love you a ton and hope you have a good week! 

Love,

Your Crazy Boy