sending a pouch letter

Send a letter to Elder Smith in Johannesburg by Pouch using the USPS & a regular first class stamp!

Elder David Spencer Smith

South Africa Johannesburg Mission

POB 30150

Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150

Please follow the instructions carefully. One-page letters, (no envelopes or photos) written on one side of the page may be sent by Pouch. Fold the letter in thirds, blank side out. Place 2 pieces of tape on the long side about one inch in from each end but do not seal the ends. Return address in the top left corner, first class US stamp in the top right corner & Elder Smith's Pouch address (above) in the middle. Notebook & lightweight paper will not make it through the high-speed sorting system so please use something more heavy-weight.

Please note that Pouch letters can be sent for FREE by signing up to DearElder.com. 


SAJMmom

a letter from the mtc president's wife, sister reber 11/29/13

The missionaries have all arrived at the MTC. Their luggage all arrived too...which is rare.
They have companions now and have started the intense training. There are 4 Sisters and 27 Elders from
8 different countries comprising this group of missionaries.
Best wishes,
Sister Janet Reber...wife of the MTC President
South Africa MTC

Elder Smith gets his name tag! 

Spencer's companion Elder Moloki is 2nd from the left.  President & Sis. Reber on the right.

Elder Robbins gets his shots!  Elder Robbins and Spencer hung out together from SLC to Joburg.

Elder Smith's SAMTC group.

Passports from the missionaries originating from 8 different countries!

elder smith's first e-mail! 11/28/13

I'm here!!!! And good news I got all my luggage no problems :)  [*editor’s note: Spencer’s luggage was not checked through to Johannesburg and there was some concern when he was in London about whether his bags would arrive with him.*]  About 2 hours after I called mom, Elder Robbins [*editor's note: We met Elder Robbins and his family at the airport in Salt Lake City.  He and Spencer were "companions" on their journey to South Africa.*] and I found about 7 other elders headed to Joburg and over time about 8 more trickled in! The kicker is they were all there for the same amount of time but we only found each other an hour before our flight left haha. The flight to Joburg was longer than to Heathrow [London] but I got to sit next to an Elder Henderson from England and we hit it off well which made the flight more enjoyable! When we got to SA (South Africa), my luggage was there :) I said like 50 prayers of thanks and we headed out to find our MTC guy. He was there with 8 missionaries (6 elders and 2 sisters) from Zimbabwe (they just call it Zim), Swaziland, and South Africa all going to places here in Africa. If you’re all wondering like I was when I first heard it, only native Zimbabweans can serve there which is why Jayson and Bryant [*fellow missionaries originally called to Zimbabwe but transferred to other missions. *] couldn’t continue there. They all have the coolest accents and even cooler personalities and outlooks on life. Elder Denehere from Zim is the one I talked to most. He is 20 and a convert to the church. He said something that I really liked: "Whatever I do in life, I try to learn something. Like our conversation now, I’ve learned about America and you guys". I thought it was really inspiring and I think I’m going to try to let that motivate me throughout my mission and hopefully in life.
So how is it here in Joburg?? It is BEAUTIFUL!! I was trying to compare it to something so you guys would have an idea but it’s nothing like I’ve ever seen. It’s green everywhere and there is a fresh breeze that blows through the air. The breeze reminds me of Hebgen where you can walk outside and sniff the air and it’s like nothing else. They drive on the opposite side of the road which is something I think I’ll have to get used to if I can drive because it looked really sketchy! We got to the MTC about noon and they tossed us right into lunch and all the necessary paperwork and interviews. Before I got my email time, I had my interview with the MTC president, Pres. Reber (he knows Pres. Bohne! [*Spencer’s stake president.*]), and he told me my companion is Elder Moloki from South Africa. I haven’t met him to this moment but he says he is a cool kid and, judging by all the African missionaries I’ve met so far, I am tooooo excited to meet and learn from him.
Much love, Elder Smith
p.s. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

elder smith leaves for the south africa mission training center (SAMTC)

early (5 AM!) morning scriptures together for the last time for two years

finally packed and ready to go

the (in)famous front door picture

waiting.... and waiting... at the airport

looking like a real missionary!

going, going, gone.  see you in two years!

SAJMmom