Happenings of the week 15 - 21 December

(Monday, Dec 15) At 9 this morning, we met with Charles Magaqa, first counselor in the Durban Stake and the Seminaries and Institute director for the Durban area. After talking with us during the Sunday School block yesterday, he asked us to come into his office for further discussion, Arlo is getting good on the roads, but wants all the practice he can get. We were to meet the Session's after 11 am and go look at “lounge” furniture. Our lounge set was paid for and might be delivered today. Also, we were able to find two desks to use in our “office”. Constantly, we are being reminded in different ways, that our ways are not always South Africa ways. One way is that appointment times and commitments don't mean the same to others as they do to us. For a week now, we have had the promise of our own car and all the PEF materials being shipped down to Durban from Johannesburg. After going the entire day, back and forth again with Johannesburg, the word is that the car will come a week from today and the materials will be shipped by a carrier company. Tomorrow nothing will happen because it is a national holiday.

(Tuesday, Dec.16) – Reconciliation Day (National Holiday)
All of our new furniture was delivered today, much to our surprise. Things just haven't been happening that quickly around here! Arlo wanted more driving practice and some more necessities for the boarding were needed. There is only one electrical outlet in each room and none in the bathrooms, so lots of extension chords are being called for. With the warm weather and no real public Christmas decorations, it is easy to forget that Christmas is just around the corner. But somebody must celebrate the 25th because it was a real mistake it was to try shopping, wall to wall people, literally. While trying to decide between a couple of choices to make for dinner, one of the Johnson's (a missionary couple) called to tell us of a couples dinner in about 90 minutes, hoping we could make it. All missionaries are in town for a all zone conference for Christmas. With the address for the Butcher Block entered into our GPS, we set off and then found ourselves in a questionable area of town. The restaurant turned out to be upscale, in spite of the surroundings, and it was fun to get acquainted with most of the other couples in the mission. Returning to our house after dark, still brings concerns for us.

(Wednesday, Dec.17) The All Mission Conference held at the Pinetown Chapel, brought together 108 young elders, 11 senior couples, plus 3 senior couples from the Johannesburg Area Office. The morning was spent rotating through security/safety, health and mental health (helping companionships support each other) sessions. The afternoon was “How Great Shall Be Young Joy” training, which will help members become better member missionaries. The mission has produced a great dvd for this program, which they feel will be of great worth because of the African people used in it, instead of white American's. Sister Mann gave each couple a small painted nativity that she found in Cape Town. Christmas dinner was served by all of the seniors to lots of very hungry young missionaries. It was surprising to see how many of the elders asked for large portions of peas and carrots, along with the mashed or baked potatoes, gravy and turkey. Afterwards, each zone presented a skit or musical number for a talent show. One amazing So. African elder performed a portion of an Italian opera and we were told that he has been trained in this. A slide show (DVD) of goings on in the mission, closed the evening and everyone was supposed to go quickly to their boardings, but not too quickly so as to avoid any accidents. The mission has had a rash of them lately, totaling out 2 cars, but with little injury. It is amazing that there aren't more when you think about 19 year old American boys driving on the wrong side of the car and road!!

(Thursday, Dec 18)
Our second day of Christmas Conference focused on Christ-like attribute training from Preach My Gospel. Closed out the conference with the young missionaries having sports for two hours, while the couples had their own trainings and then a hot dog lunch. The cultural hall was not a pleasant place to eat because very few elders changed out of the sports clothes before eating! Decided to check at the mission office to see if by any chance our supplies had come from Johannesburg and found that we had Christmas presents in the form of a copier/fax/printer and instructional materials! Yahoo!!!!

(Friday Dec. 19)
Stayed at the flat and worked on getting the office put together and the equipment up and running. Arlo washed lots of windows Mixed up the permethrin (a contact insecticide and repellent) and sprayed the bed, bedding, floor around the bed. Just like we did when we served in Florida. Sandy has been eaten alive (probably at least 50 bites by some kind of invisible bug and we hope that by spraying, we might stop the nightly feast by the bugs. Elder Sessions, from the office, called to say Bishop Van der Leek, an air-conditioning contractor, was coming to see if it was possible to install a room air-conditioner in the bedroom. As the temperatures were nearing the 85+ mark, thus needing a mop cloth for our faces, we easily agreed. These are units similar to those found in the bishop/stake presidents office in our church buildings.

(Saturday Dec 20) Decided to get out early (9 am) and try to beat the crowds at the stores, as we needed to get a few more groceries. Entering the mall, things were fairly quiet, but only 45 minutes later the walkways were covered with people. We have noticed that much of the crowds are tourists here in beautiful Durban for the holidays. Found a store called Game that is much like a Wal-Mart and nicely met our needs as we were looking for a telephone, extension chords, electrical adapters to accommodate all the things in our home PEF office! Phoenix Branch invited us to their Christmas party at lunchtime and it was at the same school where the Sunday meetings are held. This was our third holiday party and the first to have a program, which was impressive because this unit is the smallest we have been to. There were probably about 50 people, more than attend on Sunday. One of the members commented that it would be nice to have this many come Sunday. We agreed, but indicated probably the food had been the drawing card. The Primary children sang, “Christmas Bells”. The two Young Women and their leader recited a poem about Santa Claus with the moral being, better to give than receive. Another member of the branch read from the scriptures some of the Christmas story. The men sang “Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains” followed by all the women coming forward and singing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”. Each hymn was done without any accompaniment and we started by hearing the leader say, “1,2,3 go.” Sandy had put two forks in her purse, just in case there was a lack of eating utensils again, but they weren't needed. A bucket with plastic spoons was on the table and we used those, but later discovered that the spoons were quickly taken from us if it looked like our plates were empty, and were wiped off with the closest piece of cloth, then dropped back into the bucket to be used again! Yesterday, Bishop Van der Leek had invited us to attend a two ward Christmas party in Berea. We decided that even though we didn't need another meal, it might be good to get our faces known in the wards, so we went. It was a braai (bar-b-que), serving some kind of beef, accompanied by roasted potatoes and salads. Roasted or boiled small potatoes seem to always go with the meal if beef or chicken or part of it. By the time we arrived, there was still some meat, which was very good, but little else and that was fine. The cultural hall walls were decorated with sheets of butcher paper, on which had been drawn pictures of the Simpson's, snowmen, the words Merry Christmas and other miscellaneous drawings, along with some red and green balloons. The tables had white tablecloths with candy scattered down the center, Cadbury caramel and chocolate pieces and some lolli's. One major difference between here and the US was that all the chairs had white slipcovers, which tied in the back. Arlo was glad that Sandy hadn't taken the forks out of her purse, because they were needed. As we came through the serving line, we found no forks, only knives! A sister sitting next to us, seemed very taken back as Sandy took the forks from the bag. She wondered why there wasn't sufficient cutlery for everyone to use. The punch was a very good fruit tasting something, and was being cooled by dry ice. Ice cubes are not well known here. The few places that we have “eaten out” at, you have had to ask for ice and tap water, or you will be served bottle water. It was a great experience to have an enlightening conversation with a young black sister sitting next to us. Young adults always attract our attention because of our PEF calling. Janet and her parents fled Zimbabwe, 9 months ago, due to the turmoil in the country. Her father is trying to find work, but somehow they are making a living now and Janet has enrolled at one of the universities here in Durban, studying pharmacy, which is a 4 year course. She was very concerned for the people in her country and we wished that we could have helped her get involved with PEF. A student has to have lived in So .Africa for two years before they can apply for the loans and Janet had not. This day has brought us in contact with two students wanting to begin the process of applying for a loan and so now we have some business!!

Sunday, Dec 21)
Started our PEF duties today-meeting with one student in the Phoenix Branch and then six in the Pinetown Ward. It was a little overwhelming because most of these young people are wanting loans, “now now” (a phrase which means right now, as opposed to “now” which is whenever). With the holidays, people are not around on either end-Africa or Salt Lake to get necessary signatures and approvals before the new school year begins the middle of January. The five couples locally in Durban, shared dinner together before Elder and Sister Barnes leave tomorrow for Salt Lake after serving here for 22 months as Employment Resource Service missionaries. One couple even brought Christmas goodies for everyone to take home. Since President and Sister Mann are gone for a few days we took over the mission home for our get together and the air conditioning felt good. There will be no cinnamon rolls this year, but maybe next if we can figure out all the ins and outs of baking here in South Africa.

As we listened to a well planned Christmas talk this morning in the Phoenix Banch by the 2nd Counselor in the Branch Presidency (a member for only two years) and sang the Christmas hymns, it finally felt like Christmas is near. Remember our Savior, Jesus Christ and His great gift to each of us. We love each of you.

Elder (Dad,Arlo,Papa) and Sister (Mom,Sandy,Grandma)Mickelsen