October 30, 2009 - Letter from SA

Gerard, Desiree and daughter, Elizabeth


Gary, John O'lene and twin sisters





October 30, 2009


Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones,

Well last P-Day (Oct) 19th the elders wanted to hit some golf balls as they had never played any golf and wanted to try it. it was really windy but they did quite well. There was a short golf course next door (6 par 3's & 3 par 4's) and they wanted to play it so we did. It was only R35 for 9 holes and R45 for 18 holes. We only had time to play 9 holes. I think they are already golf addicts. They said that it was the most fun they have ever had and they talked about it all week.

Tuesday night we had a great lesson with Gerard & Desiree (the couple with the farm.) Gerard showed us some plans that he had for a vacation next year to America for 3 weeks, mostly in the Northwest. They had Utah (SLC) on their plans and we talked to them about going to Temple Square. Then Desiree stated that it would be nice and that they might be members by then and it would mean more if they were. That made us feel great. They are such wonderful people.

We also had a strong lesson at Gary & John O' lene's (a girl) They want to be baptized but they would have to get married first as they are living together. The problem is he is 50 and she is 22. We are not sure if this would work out. Another problem is that Gary's family doesn't like her and Her family doesn't like Gary, so there are some major obstacles to over come.

Sister O and I spent a lot of time with John O' lene on Wednesday, taking her around and putting in applications for a job. Then Sister O and John O' lene had lunch together so they could just talk. Sister O is so good at that, ha! Then Sister O had to go to RS meeting and I came home and started preparing two talks for church. I'm not assigned yet but they want me to be prepared in case someone doesn't show up or if the have time left over. It took me most of the rest of the week in my free time to do this.

One talk is on commandments and keeping them and the second talk is on “Temples: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need.” I'm pleased with them.

On Thursday we went to Tsitsikamma to meet with our Africa son George. We picked up the Knysna elders to go also. The lesson was on the “Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Sister O and I gave most of the lesson and it is such a joy to do this. We also met George's Aunt from the country of Malawi. That is where George is from. The lesson next week will be on the priesthood as George will soon be receiving the priesthood. When we got home we had a FHE on Thursday at Sonja Classens home. It was her sons' 13th birthday. We took him a chocolate cake. Sister O got some candles and after we sang happy birthday, he tried to blow them out. They were trick candles that wouldn't blow out. We had a lot of fun with this. We were going to watch the movie “Facing the Giants” but it wouldn't work. So we watched "Flywheel" instead. It is not nearly as good. Her son's name is Urich, he would really like to be baptized but his father won't let him. He and Sonja are divorced.

Friday was district meeting and it was an hour late getting started as all the elders had to complete a questionare for Elder Hinckley of the 70's. He will be here and speak to us at zone conference in a few weeks. We are really looking forward to this. It should be a special treat for all. We had several visits to make on Friday night.

On Saturday we had 3 baptisms. We had them at the river. I love having them there. It is such a lovely setting and it seems to add so much to the spirit of everything. Sister O made over 100 cookies and of course there were none left over. She could have made 500 cookies and they would have been all gone. They can't seem to get enough of sweets and cookies or any food that is give to them.

Friday PM we had a going home braai at Pres Goodger's Lodge for Elder Nyoka. It was great and we all had a good time. For meat we had steak, pork chops & chicken plus all the trimmings. His lodge is in Great Braake River which is about 25 to 30 min drive.

Sunday we went to Knysna so that I could confirm George and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was raining off and on so we were worried about him getting a ride to church but he made it and was even a little early. We had to leave early before the last speaker at church to get back to George and we wanted to be back for the last hour as the senior couple (Millers) were presenting their PEF program which is “Perpetual Education Fund.” There are so many people that need some education and jobs and this helps them a lot and it is a wonderful opportunity for many of the people. Pres. Hinckley started the program several years back under the inspiration of our Heavenly Father.

Sunday evening Sister O and I had a farewell braai for Elder Nyoka who is going home. We were hoping that Elder Lusk could make it also, but was unable to. Elder Nyoka said he wanted try Ostrich meat and not many of the 8 of us had had Ostrich meat. I believe I was the only one who had. We had Ostrich, Lamb chops, Pork ribs & Wors. It was great and the Ostrich was really good. We also had baked potatoes, vegies, salad, rolls, and carmelized chocolate cupcakes and ice cream for dessert. I'm sure I'm not losing any weight. It rained most of Sunday and Sunday night and sometimes quite hard.

Well it's time to close again. In closing I thought I would mention D&C 131: 1-4 especially the youth
of our families. It tells us about the new and everlasting covenant of marriage and the importance of a temple marriage. We want all of you, Sister O's family and mine to know that we both LOVE you with all our hearts and the love and joy you bring into our lives. We are so happy that almost all of you have entered into this covenant of marriage. We hope the rest of you will bless not only your lives but ours as well and that as we enter into this holy covenant that we will honor this great blessing that is ours and that we can be an eternal family. We would ask and pray that this will be an eternal goal for all of us. We love you all so much.


Love to all

Elder & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Grandpa & Grandma)

George's Baptism

A couple of pictures and weekly letter:

Elder & Sister O'Dell with George Chance at his Baptism

Sister O'Dell in the sack race at the ward picnic.

October 20, 2009



Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones,

Well last Monday P-Day on Oct. 12 it rained most of the day and the Elders were downhearted as they wanted to do something fun. They wanted to go to the driving range and hit some golf balls, but couldn't because of the rain. And it was really windy. At about 5:30 they all came over and of course they were hungry and they like to “hang out” at our house with Sister O & me. Our house is always open and we enjoy having them as much! :) Then we all went to Sister Sonjo Classen home for FHE and she shared a movie with us called “Faith Like Potatoes” It was good but not like “Fireproof “ and “Facing the Giants” We all had a very enjoyable evening with them.

The man who made the movie “Faith like Potatoes” came to George about a week & half ago and had a prayer meeting or day at a big stadium here in George. They had a Prayer Day for Rain. We are in such a drought and the water, lakes are at an all time low.

On Tuesday we had a great lesson with Gerard & Desiree. I know that she knows the Gospel is true but is having a hard time making a commitment as she seems to feel so much worldly pressures and commitments that she is struggling to give up. I hope she can continue on the straight and narrow path forward. We also visited Gary & John O lene after that. They are close to setting a Baptismal date but still have a beak down with a word of wisdom problem now and then.

On Thursday we had a workshop with Pres Probst and his assistants (AP's) For lunch before the meeting we had a Braai (Bar B/Q) of hot dogs and wors and some chicken salad sandwiches. Then we took lunch to the meeting for them to eat on the way home to Cape Town (5 hours away) as they didn't have time to stay and eat. On Friday we had district meeting and correlation meeting for 2 hours plus meeting.

Saturday we had a Branch Picnic at the Botanical Gardens. We had a great turn out and everybody had a really great time. We had a lot of fun games that everyone participated in. Sister O had somebody come by and wanted to know what the name of the church was, so she told them. The lady told Sister O how great it was that we could do this and that everybody participated and was having such a wonderful time together. She said she was really impressed. I guess that is the way the gospel works.

On Sunday we went to church in Knysna. We enjoyed it so much, but especially because Elder O had the opportunity to baptize our African son George. He has come so far and is such a good young man. He will be confirmed next Sunday, so we will be going back to knysna. After the baptism they had George bear his testimony. It was unbelievable how good it was. It was so touching and he gave it so forceful and with no hesitation. We are really proud of him. It was at least 15 minutes. He still calls us Mom & Dad and we still call him our African Son.

Well I guess we have written enough except this important thing and that is to tell you how much we love all of you family and friends and also how we love the gospel and its teachings. It is so important in our lives.

We Love you so much and realize that we can be together as an eternal family if we do what we know to be right. When we look back on our lives, we realize that we all have made many mistakes. I know that I have made my share of them. Isn't it wonderful that because of the gift of the atonement that we can be forgiven if we are willing to repent. I am asking each of you my children and grandchildren to forgive me of my weaknesses I have and of my wrong doings. As you get older you really learn to have love and charity in your heart and in your life. I love each of you so much and if I have hurt or offended any of you, that you will forgive me. I hope all of you will read D& C 64.
Especially verses 9&10 where it says “ Wherefore, I say unto you that you ought to forgive one another: for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord: for he remaineth in him the greater sin. I the Lord well forgive whom I will for forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”

Sister O and I love you all so much and miss you more then you will ever know. Our Prayers are with you always.



Love to All

Elder & Sister O'Dell
Mom & Dad (Grandpa & Grandma)

Oct. 13, 2009 - O'Dell's Weekly Letter

October 13, 2009


Dear Family, Friends & Loved Ones.

Greetings again from South Africa. Time seems to fly by so fast as it is time to write again. We love telling you about our weeks and adventures and hope you enjoy reading about them! Ha!!

We hope you all enjoyed conference as much as we did. It is always so spiritually uplifting to hear the Prophet and all the General Authorities. It strengthens one's testimony so.

We didn't have anything planned for P-Day so we went to the church in the afternoon and watched the movies we told you about last week with the elders. They really enjoyed them.

We had a family home evening with Gary & John O lene and we watched one of these movies. They really enjoyed it. They are anxious to be baptized but we have to get them married first as they are living together. I think this will happen before long. The smoking problem, I believe is pretty much over. They seem like such such good people and they want us there everyday but we can't be there all the time.

We have been very busy this week on teaching lesson appointments. So many of the people we visit want us older missionaries there and we enjoy this. I think they have a respect for the older people. People over here don't live very long; they die at young ages for the most part.

On Tuesday we showed Desiree an old conference talk by Pres Eyring. She was not able to attend Conference. She had tears in her eyes during the whole talk as she was so touched. She always tells us how grateful she is for us. She says her life is happier now than it has ever been. She is worried about her husband as he seems so unhappy. He always seems to be gone a lot. He has been there a few times and seems like such a good man. We know that the gospel could bring much happiness and fulfillment to his life, like it has to his wife Desiree. Desiree just got a new car, it is BMW convertible sports car. It is white. It is so nice, she wants to take us for a ride some time. We are so glad for her as she is such a GREAT person.

We pray continually that the church will grow here and that the people will open their hearts to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ into there lives. Especially when you know the joy and happiness that it brings into their lives when they embrace the gospel.

We have been working a lot with Clifton and Elizabeth. They want to be baptized so bad, but again we have to get them married first. BUT, first Clifton has to get a divorce from his first wife. He has put in for it and hopefully this will be complete shortly.

Well I had another birthday last Friday. They keep coming and making me older even though I don't feel older. I guess the gray hair (what hair there is) and being hard of hearing is a definite sign. I guess things could always be worse. For my birthday we had a 2 hour district meeting as we do every Friday and sometimes for 3 hours. Them we came to our flat and Sister. O fixed cheese crisps, ham sandwiches, cookies, ice cream, fresh chocolate covered strawberries and some cup cakes filled with strawberries. It was all very good!! They had me blow out candles several times, but we couldn't get them up to my age before they were burning up. The elders gave me a nice card they all wrote on.

Sister O made my birthday really nice. She is such a wonderful person and everyone loves her so much. She is such a great wife and I love her so much. She gave me a beautiful card, a really nice golf shirt and a used driver, like new. It is like I have at home so that I can go to the driving range and hit some golf balls once in a while.

Then we went to Plettenberg Baai for a baptismal interview for our African son George. I am going to baptize him next Sunday Oct. 18. This is really exciting for us, our first one. We got home after 6pm. We had some more strawberries, cupcakes and Sister O fixed some nachos with jalapeno. We were tired and ready for bed by this time. ( old remember) Ha!!

On Sunday we had a young man about 20 double over in pain during sacrament meeting. Pres. Matsaluka went to check on him and I went with him. Pres. Matsaluka asked me if I would take care of this and I said I would be happy to do so. I got Elder Botes and Nyoka to help walk him to the car as he couldn't walk. We then took him and his mother to their home in Thembalethu to get his medical card so that we could take him to the emergency room at the hospital. On the way I stopped and got my anointed oil to anoint him and to give him a blessing. After this we took him to the hospital. I got them checked in and I needed to get back to teach my Priesthood lesson. After church Sister O and I went back to the hospital to check on him and his mother. When we got there the young man seemed fine and was walking around. Sometimes it is so amazing the strength that a priesthood blessing has. I have had a number of opportunities to give priesthood blessings. What a privilege it is to have the blessings of the priesthood in one's life. It can enrich our lives more than we can realize and in so many ways. The young man had taken a few of the missionary lessons, and when we took him home he and his mother stated that they wanted the missionaries to keep coming and teaching them so they could be baptized. They need to have all the lessons and be qualified in order to do so.

Sunday we had rain off and on all day. We had the elders for dinner as always, and we all enjoyed spending time together and sharing some spiritual thoughts etc.

Well it is about time to close. We want you to know how blessed Sister O and I are for serving here in South Africa. We love all of you so much and miss you more than you know. I want to thank all my children for the calls wishing me a Happy Birthday. You are a joy to me always.

We are so grateful for your love, prayers an support. Stay close and live the gospel principles and we promise that your lives will be blessed, as ours have.

Love Always
Elder & Sister O'Dell
Dad & Mom (Grandpa Woody & Grandma)

Oct. 2, 2009 - Hello From South Africa

Dear Family Friends & Loved ones,

Hello again from South Africa. We are coming to the end of September and we have more to share since our last letter. On Sunday the 20th Pres. Goodger had us and the elders to one of his lodges (in Great Braak River) for lunch. It was a lot of fun and Sister O didn't have to fix a BIG Sunday dinner. Pres Goodger lives on a beautiful golf course in Mossel Baai and he invited Elder O to play a round of golf with him on Monday, which is our P-Day. You could see the ocean from every hole. It was really a beautiful setting and sure was a LOT of fun. It was only Brother O's second round in about 5 months. There are so many beautiful courses here and he wished he could play more.

When he got home from playing golf we had another senior couple at our flat by the name of Elder and Sister Harms. They are from AZ. He is from Safford, Thatcher area and she was from Elder O's little town of Franklin where he was raised. Her dad was Elder O's bishop at one time. They really didn't know each other, as he is about 11 years older. It is a small world. Sister O fixed a nice roast beef dinner.

On Tuesday we meet with Pres. Matsaluka and one of his counselors, Pres. Mtyobile. Sister O made a nice lunch with her left over roast beef. The Harms are a new senior couple here dealing with public relations. There are only 30 public relations couples worldwide and we have 3 in Africa. After about a 2 hour meeting with them about public relations, we took the Harms on a mini tour of George. We went to see Victoria Baii, Herolds Baii and a beautiful overlook of the beachfront of Wilderness. Then we showed them the river place where we have had the last few baptisms. Then we drove up on the mountain above Wilderness and showed them the Map of Africa. That is a large area that looks like the African continent, created by a river and some large canyons.

We then needed to get home as we had a teaching appointment with the wonderful family of Gerard, Desiree and daughter Elizabeth. The Harms went with us as they don't have the opportunity to teach in their calling. They really enjoyed the opportunity. They left Wed. AM and will be gone for about a month. They will be going way up to Durban with there call on public relations.

We left about 7 am Thursday to go to Port Elizabeth (4 hours away) for Zone Conference. All the senior couples were meeting for lunch together. Then in the afternoon we toured a game farm called “Kappa Gramma” We saw Warthogs, Bontebok, Giraffe, Impala, Duiker, Cheetah, Bush Buck, Water Buck, Ostrich & 3 Rhino's. On this game farm we drove our own cars around. On Friday all the missionaries met at a VW plant about 1 hour out of PE. We had a mini tour there and it was enjoyable but we didn't get to see the assembly line because of the number of us. There were about 50 of us. That evening we had dinner with Pres. & Sister Probst and that is always enjoyable.

On Saturday we had Zone Conference and we really enjoyed it. We started a 8 AM and left to come home about 3PM. Our next Zone Conference we will have Elder Hinckley of the 70's. That will really be a treat for all of us and everyone is excited about this.

We stopped at Tsitsikamma on the way home and visited with our Africa son, George, for a bit. His baptism is set for Oct. 18. We are really excited about this and he is really excited and can hardly wait.
He is such a great man and wants so much to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in his life. His life seems to already be blessed and he is so happy and has such a joy in his heart. That is so great to see and to see the changes in someones life.


It rained Saturday evening & Sunday. Being gone to Zone Conference, Sister O never really had time to prepare for her big Sunday dinner. So I suggested we have a Braai (Bar B/Q) hamburger, Vors, and hot dogs and she was all for that. The problem was it was raining, so we did it in the garage with open doors and windows. It was really good and the elders enjoyed it. Gary and John O Leen also came for dinner. We went to get them and bring them to the house. We had heard earlier that they had no food in their home, so we talked to Pres. Matsaluka about this. They are not members yet but we didn't want them to go without. Sister O and I went and got them some groceries and took it to them. They had nothing to eat. They really appreciated this so much and it is such a blessing to help people such as this.

Well one always hates to admit that they are getting older but I guess that I'm getting to that point. My hearing is getting very bad. I had it checked earlier and I have about 60% hearing loss but it is too expensive to get hearing aids over here. They run between 2 to 3 thousand dollors. Maybe later. I know it would be a big help in our missionaries efforts to hear better and to understand what people are saying. It is English, but it is still hard to understand.

Well it is time to close, I can't hear but I can see that this letter is getting long enough. We love all of you and miss everyone so much. We are so proud of our families and are so thankful for the great friends we have. We really enjoy hearing from everyone. You could all do do better (Please).
Those who haven't kept in contact – it is time to!


Love to Everyone

Elder & Sister O'Dell

Here are some new pictures: