A Brief Look at the Past Week - Jan 26 - Feb 1

Frustrations are high right now because the Church computer system for the PEF is being plagued with problems, thus making it difficult to print out applications and loan documents. School begins shortly and the worry of not meeting the financial obligation to the school is evident in our conversations with these kids. Students keep coming out of the woodwork wanting to apply for PEF, so we are not short on business! We wake up many times in the night worrying about this and that in the loan process, and realize that we just can't be everywhere and do it all now now. One day began at 6:30 am with a phone call from a panicked student and the day ended about 9:30 pm as we answered the phone for the last time that day, never leaving our office. This is another reason for the students to start the loan earlier and not wait until last minute. Partly it is not their fault because no one has been here in Durban to help them. We are realizing more each day the need to get this process more into local hands because of the lack of couple missionaries. Another plug to get some of you out on a mission! Our weather has been one of extremes this week. Hot, hot, hot, and then two days it rained steadily throughout the day, but no thunder and lightning as usually accompanies our rain, took the temperatures down 10 degrees. Almost thought we were going to have to put a sweater on! The rain makes traveling a little treacherous out on the roads, because many drivers don't care that the roads are slick, they just keep up their regular fast pace, causing several accidents as we were out. In our travels on the roads, we have noticed and wondered about a large red L placed on the rear window of cars. Finally asked one of the “been in Durban longer” couples what does this mean. Well, we found out that the car has a “L”earner driver at the wheel. Sometimes Arlo thinks our car should have one also! Friday was a beautiful, sunny breezy day and so became nominated as laundry day and the clothesline was constantly in use. Finished our week by visiting two different wards and came away feeling so buoyed up by the strength of the testimonies given.

These warm, caring African women love to give big hugs and so we send some of them your way ----
Love,Elder (Arlo, Dad, Papa) and Sister (Sandy, Mom, Grandma) Mickelsen