Happenings of the week 29 December - 4 January

(29 Dec 08) We think we are on a roll with nice outdoor temperatures. The windows are open and breezes are blowing through. Received phone calls from students worried about getting a PEF loan in time to meet their school commitments and we can only do so much. The missionaries are only a part of the process.

(30 Dec 08) After our studies, we headed out in a different direction than we have before in search of a post office to mail some PEF materials up to Newcastle (4-5 hour drive north from Durban). Soon we will need to make the trip up there to meet with some students, but for now the preliminary work can be done on their own. Sandy was trying hard to get in the front door, without success, when Arlo pointed out that the postal worker had to press a button to let you enter. The employees were sitting behind a glass partition, with a small opening to pass your letters and payment money through. As we left, you go out one door, wait until it closes and then the next door or outer door will be enabled and can be opened. Another reminder of the safety and security issues that need to be dealt with each day. Feeling pretty good that we found the post office, we went in search of Makro (similar in merchandise and layout as Costco or Sam's Club. Our objective was to purchase two office chairs so that our kitchen chairs can go back to the table where they belong. After spending hours sitting on these “hard” chairs to do our office work, our “backsides” are totally numb, so new chairs were fast becoming imperative! Mission was accomplished and along with smaller purchases, we headed back to our boarding. Stopped along the way to try a Steers fast food place-kind of a cross between Carl's Junior and McDonald's. Sandy noticed that if you wanted your hamburger flame broiled, there was an extra charge. The worker asked if we were eating in or take away, we wondered how they packaged take-away, because eating in brought us our meal on glass plates with metal forks and knives. Our chips (fries) were served with several choices of bottled dipping sauces, ketchup not being one of them. We tried the 1000 Island dressing bottle and found South Africa's version of fry sauce, not the salad dressing we were expecting. We positioned ourselves in the eating area, so as to be able to keep an eye on our car, which had both chair boxes in the boot, forcing us to fill the back seat with our other items. There should never be anything on the back seat, except another missionary, but we bent the rule in order to accommodate the big boxes. This rule is because of another safety issue. Robbers run along side cars stopped at robots (signal lights) and looking in the windows to see if there is anything they want. If something catches their eye, a sparkplug is used to break the side door window, allowing the person to reach in and take whatever they want. These unfortunate activities are called “smash and grabs”. So never can anything be in view inside the car, must always be in the boot. Since we had our lunch already, we built the chairs and a table, which will hold our copy/printer/fax machine, and now we feel quite uptown and know that our .

(31 Dec 08) Many of the people in South Africa are very concerned about making wise decisions and thinking about 2009. One of the three tv channels we can receive, has had many ads telling the people to plan, make resolutions, worry about 2009. The question heard several times in meetings on Sunday was, “What are our plans for 2009?” They know the value of obtaining an education and what it means for bettering life. Debt reduction and food storage are being stressed heavily in the stake, with a section taken from the Provident Living website, included in their Stake Directory. The sister leading the discussion in Relief Society asked if anyone had some food storage and one hand went up. Then she asked what they would do if the shops were closed for five days-where would they get rice or other foods-how would we survive and how would we feel since we had not followed the directions of our leaders. One older sister said, “Alot of woes would be taking place in my heart.” Couldn't get more descriptive than that and the words really touched Sandy's heart! This particular group of women (Zulu) probably work on getting enough food for day by day and couldn't even imagine having the means to buy an extra can of something.

Outside tonight, as we have heard the last two nights, firecrackers are being set off. The first night we sat in terror in the dark, thinking someone was going crazy outside with a shotgun. Today we were told that it was just firecrackers. Several sounded like cannons going off and this cement house shakes a little! Our New Year's Eve dinner was taco salad, Sandy had brought some taco seasoning in her suitacase from the U.S., for the mince (hamburger) and a store had one (and we mean one!) bottle of El Paso salsa on the shelf with the sauces. Avocados are very plentiful here, along with tomatoes, so with a small bag of wanna-be Taco flavored Doritos we had a great dinner.

(1 Jan 09) Celebrated vicariously with our neighbors throughout the entire night with firecrackers and loud music, but no Rose Parade or football games! Took a drive with the Markhams trying to find one of the branch buildings (a school) out in a township, a little scary area. On the way, we stopped at the Mariannhill Monastery (founded in 1892 by Father Francis Abbott), which is usually open for tours, but we found it was closed for the holidays. A caretaker just leaving in his car noticed us, stopped and asked if he could be of help. As we explained that we were hoping to take a tour, a young man came out from a doorway. He volunteered to take us around the Monastery, so we had our own personal tour. A delightful tour guide, who had been there for 2 years and was ready to leave for further preparation at Pietermaritzburg in February. He was very kind and seemed to sense there was something different about us, especially as we talked with him about prayer and the importance of faith alongside prayer. He is from Mozambique, still has family there and was very worried conditions in the country and even more about a younger sister. Using his words, he feared that she would just wander around if no direction was given to her. Today 17 monks are living at the monastery, but there have been up to 200. We were taken into the chapel which was added to the original building during WW1. German monks used their wood carving skills and built 3 altars, 1 very large with movable scenes depicting Christ's life and 2 smaller ones. Only wish that we could have captured these altars with the camera, because words can't adequately describe the beauty and intricateness of them. Our gracious guide, lead us through a small museum and then to a room where Father Abbott had lived. The room was sparsely furnished and there was a habit hanging from a wooden peg, It was very heavy cloth and as he showed it to us,he made the comment that usually there were no showers, and the habit was worn night and day. Years before, Africa had been given permission to shower once a month though, because of the heat! Who are we to complain about the heat!!

(2 Jan 09) Trying to get out early and avoid too many shoppers, we headed to Gateway Mall, and were able to find Arlo some walking clothes and a comforter with an African pattern for our bed. Until today, we have just used the top sheet as a bedspread. Returning home, we were slowed down because of an apparent accident and passed by a group of men talking over a stretched out sheet-decided it must be a body because a hand was uncovered. Durban leads the country in traffic fatalities. Had an early dinner with the other local couples and President and Sister Mann at Chez Nous, a wonderful French restaurant. The food was plated up as well or better than any restaurant in the U.S. For the ten of us to eat, it was R720.00 or about $72.00. The few times we have eaten out, we have been surprised at how reasonable the meal prices are.

(4 Jan 09) As we prepared to drive up the driveway and head for church, an obstacle was in our path. During the heavy rain and wind last night, a papaya tree had fallen and was blocking the way. Arlo was able to lift it and pull out the remaining roots and drag it back down the drive. Attended Fast and Testimony Meeting in the Kwa Mashu Branch and again felt very humbled by their strong, well-spoken, sincere testimonies. Never was there any lag time between testimonies and many were from teenagers. Today was our first official PEF Orientation to 8 branch members. Amanda was going to the Hillcrest Stake Center to get the last signature for her loan application and on the spur of the moment (really it was inspiration), we decided to meet her and pick up the paperwork instead of waiting until next Sunday. As we were walking around the building, one that we haven't been in, we ran into Sister Markham (CES missionary) and she introduced us to a potential PEF student. Spent time talking with her and gave her Planning for Success and an application worksheet so she could get busy.

We love you all and along with our African brothers and sisters wish you each a prosperous and healthy New Year!

Love,

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

A Tidbit of Info:
We usually watch the 7 o'clock news from Johannesburg and have been intrigued with the word signs that appear on the screen as the news breaks away for a commercial. Here are only a few:
Stay enthused Get cosy Back in a flash Back now now
Also, really enjoyed this comment by the weather forecaster as he described the weather in Cape Town one evening, “The rain this afternoon didn't let the swimming costumes out of the closet!” Well, with most of the days this past week, no swimming costumes were out here!