Happening's of 16 – 22 February 2009

This week has been one of ups and downs in temperatures. Monday we felt like autumn must be on its way because there was a crispness in the air and very little humidity, but our dream was shattered as the the next five days required running our bedroom air con continously when we were home! This house we are renting sits on what we call our “jungle” and there are many fruit trees included in the jungle, which is also home to many varieties of birds. From our office window or the dining area window as we eat, it has been great fun to watch the different birds eating the flesh of the ripe papayas, either hanging from a tree or some that have fallen on the ground. Sandy picked a very ripe papaya from the tree and cut it open, but it was too ripe and not great tasting. So, not wanting to waste the fruit, we placed it on a brick wall near the veranda and soon a few of our fine feathered friends made their appearance. Two at a time could share in the bounty, but became noisily perturbed at the appearance of a new bird wanting to get a peak at the treasure. Red headed woodpeckers joined in the feast, but we had already been watching them “peck” a hole in the tree, and we are guessing make a nest.

Tuesday, our Nathan's birthday brought us a special experience. When a student indicates an interest in the PEF program, we give them an orientation about all the ins and outs of the program. Two missionaries told us about a young man who wanted to check into PEF. What made the request unusual was the fact that he is deaf. One of our elders serving in the student's ward, has the ability to sign and helps this young man during the meeting block and is being so kind to help him through the process of obtaining a PEF loan. It was an experience in three way communication and to learn of the confidence he has in himself to be able to attend school, without the help of an interpretor. In talking, we learned how much he wants to better himself and leave the employment that earns him only the equivalent of $4.50 per day installing windows. His goal is to obtain a degree in Public Management and then work in the government offices serving handicapped citizens. The next hurdle will be the Career Workshop- Wednesday morning Sandy called to talk with the Stake Employment Specialist about the hurdle that was going to be faced in presenting a career workshop and found the call was not needed. Our deaf friend must be a very special spirit to have things fall into place so quickly, and all the details for him to attend his own personal workshop had already been worked out, or in SA terms, they had “made a plan”! The couple who manage one of the Employment Resource Centers , will give the workshop during the time they are in the ERC and the sister knows something of signing. This is a special program and the Lord will help move it forward through people with time and skills that we didn't even know about.

One of the best ways, here on our mission, to greet a new day is checking the computer Thursday morning after the Loan Committee in Salt Lake has gone over the submitted PEF loan applications and finding all six of our loans had been approved.. Tears come as we place a call to each individual and hear the excitement and sheer joy in their voices and then for us to be told over and over thank you for what you do for me. We always remind them that we are just the facilitators, they do all the work. One student told Sandy, “you're a star” when she heard her loan had been approved-just love the wonderful phrases we hear. One special young women who came from the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), signed her papers and said she was going to try to pay back the money within a year-didn't like the thought of debt. For many of our students it is impossible to come up with the large amount of money for registration, tuition and books at one time, so the loan helps them this way and then they are able to pay back more each month than is required. This same young woman said she was “twice happy” as she talked about the upcoming temple excursion in her ward. She and her husband will be sealed in the Johannesburg Temple on February 28th. She told us that she had been before, so we assumed she was already endowed, but no, she had been able to do baptisms at the temple and then said she just didn't want to leave. Her comments brought to mind a similar experience in Florida as we were in the Orlando Temple with special friends to baptize family members and none of us wanted to leave!

Saturday, took us to the third District in the Durban Mission, Richard's Bay. The district YSA representative, a recently returned missionary, had called several weeks ago to set up a fireside about PEF, indicating that there were many young people interested in hearing about the program. It was a two hour trip along the same road we take to Swaziland, only turning off and heading towards the Indian Ocean. Had thought maybe we would see the water up close, but it didn't happen. There are five branches of the church in the area and one church built building and the others in temporary quarters for the time being. As we were traveling into the town from the freeway, we saw huge power lines and wondered if there was a power plant. Later we learned that the area has large aluminum plants requireing lots of power. Also, all the rows of planted trees which we passed along the roads, were brought here and made into wood chips. From South Africa, these chips are sent to Japan to be processed into paper products. There were about 20 kids who came to the activity, PEF being only a small part--games, lunch and socializing being the most important! Eight expressed interest in proceding forward with the loan process, so we will begin working in Richard's Bay. There have been no loans made there, and many are so needed. One girl talked of her desire to attend school and not be one of “those” who sit around in the township and do nothing.
Sunday (22nd), we were so happy to return to Phoenix Branch for two reasons, one to sign PEF loan papers with a student and two to attend their Branch Conference and see people who we have already come to love and have missed. Phoenix is the unit we have been asked to support, but due to all of our traveling with PEF on the weekends, have been able to attend only three times. The Branch Conference theme was “Go the Extra Mile taken from 3 Nephi 12:41 “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” As Pres. Natashan (Branch President) talked about serving when we are asked, he thinks some are only putting their “toes on the line”, when we need to put our “whole feet” across the line (go the second mile) as we serve in our homes, work, employment.
In our prayers each day, we always express appreciation for this assignment we have, and for the joy and satisfaction that come our way. Remember our love for you and hope all is going well.Elder (Dad, Papa, Arlo) and Sister (Mom, Grandma, Sandy) Mickelsen

When we first arrived in South Africa, people kept talking about having problems with their "geezer". Later found out they were talking about their geyser which is an electric water heater. This is our geyser mounted in the back of the garage.

The birds in our yard love the feast when we cut a papaya and leave it out for them. This is not one of the prettiest birds in our yard, but one of the meanest who is able to dominate lunch.

This painting has special meaning to those serving in Africa.