Happenings of the Week - 9-15 February

Hard to realize another week has come and gone!! In trying to fill our missionary calling, we do a lot of crisscrossing on Durban highways, trying to meet up with students at other events, so that they don't have to add extra costs of transport to sign papers or pick up materials. What looks impossible at times for us, always seems to work out, plus usually get a bonus of a new student or finding one that we have been searching for. We had several meetings with students to go over their applications. One young lady, is realizing from taking the career workshop that psychology isn't probably the best first step, so she will go into nursing and then later study for the psychology degree. She does have high aspirations, one question on the application is what will be your work title after you finish your schooling. The usual answer is I will have a degree in this or that, but Fisani filled in the space with Dr. Fisani Maphumulo! These young people are amazing and we love being a part of their lives even though it is for a short time. The Career Workshop from what we have seen is a remarkable program. It is a requirement for the PEF loan, but people of all ages take the 16-hour class to help them in their employment searches, looking into a change in careers and working on their self-esteem. This week, we have signed loan documents with Samantha and Claire, plus picked up Priesthood signed loan applications from several other students, so they can be sent to Salt Lake for loan approval. The computers have stayed busy and probably look forward to our bedtime, when we turn them off! Arlo looked at the odometer the other day and made the comment, this looks and feels like the mileage we were doing in Florida!

Early Saturday (14th) morning, we packed our things into the car and headed in a new direction for a District Conference in Newcastle, some 4 hours north from Durban. This city is inland and we found new scenery with mountains covered either with grass for the 100's of head of cattle to graze on or miles and miles of corn (maize) fields. We even passed numerous big poultry sheds for raising and processing chickens for Rainbow Chickens. These reminded us of the many times we drove past similar sheds in Florida. Walking into the chapel, we discovered the weekly institute class was just finishing. Asked if any were interested in finding out more about PEF loans and 4 stayed behind-later 1 other talked to us before the afternoon session. Arlo was able to give a PEF orientation to the five branch presidents in the district, which was an accomplishment, since last week, only 2 presidents had been able to attend the Swazi orientation due to work conflicts. Sandy attended the Auxiliary Training for Primary, Young Women and Relief Society, which were materials for all rolled into one meeting. The opening hymn was announced and the leader stood with her hymnbook. She sang the bracketed introduction for the hymn and then the group of sisters began singing. There is one keyboard in the building and that is in the chapel, so the singing intro is a normal way of life and it was beautiful!

Valentine's Day is celebrated in South Africa, which we weren't sure of as no merchandise appeared right after Christmas like it does in the states. The stores have to get out the Back to School things out first. It was very strange to see the usual bins of pencils, notebooks, etc. in the stores during January, just have to keep telling ourselves it is summer here. Stayed the night with Elder and Sister Uffens, one of two senior couples serving in the Newcastle area. We felt rather like an imposition, but were assured how much they appreciate company and being able to find out what is going on in other parts of the mission. Four couples and President Mann had a Valentine's Day dinner at Ed's Pizza and Pasta. Arlo ordered a Tropicana pizza, which was chicken, pineapple and monkey gland sauce (no one can tell us what this is, but it tastes great and we were assured it has nothing to do with a monkey or its glands!) and was large enough to share around the table along with the other food ordered.

Sunday morning, Arlo and Elder Uffens, along with other missionaries went to the college and cleaned up from a Valentine's Day dance held by the school in a large hall, the night before and then set up 450 chairs for the District Conference. Didn't see the final headcount, but the chairs were pretty much filled. There are three beautiful chapels in the district, but none would hold the entire membership. A tour bus was hired to transport the members from Ladysmith and Ezakheni Branches since so very few members have cars. The meeting was scheduled from 11 am -1 pm because the bus has to come from 1 ½ hours away and sometimes has problems. Today the bus wasn't late, but the improvised sound system had many bugs and was the cause of the late start. District President Pillay (the only Indian family in the area) said the Newcastle District had come together as one heart, one mind and one voice and that we are not a church of saints, but one where we can grow spiritually. His closing was a reminder for us all to “be true to your faith.” Most of his remarks were not able to be heard because the sound system was so bad, so President Mann went out of turn and gave his talk, speaking as loudly as possible, trying to bring the spirit back into the conference, which indeed happened. A young sister, Thandeka, who along with her husband had just been married in the temple, was to speak and she gave it her best, but to no avail. Not one of these people speak any way but softly and no one could hear her. President Mann stood up and talked about King Benjamin, when he tried to speak to his people and couldn't reach everyone, so he built a tower. Well, said the President, we have raised the podium (it was up on the stage of the hall) and that hasn't worked, so now we will translate “into louder”. Elder Uffens (6'5” and a booming voice)stood next to Thandeka, listened and then said exactly what she said, only in a booming voice. This effort was effective. The Newcastle Branch choir provided the music for the session and like the choir from Swaziland last week was an inspiring experience for us all. The choir was dressed in black, white and red -women in white tops with a red flower and black skirts, men in black suits, white shirts and red ties- against the beautiful black skins, it was impressive. The weekend was a productive one for us, finding new students and meeting to review an application with a student, who so far we had only spoken on the phone with. The return trip to Durban was rainy and foggy, but uneventful!

Wanted to share the theme of the Newcastle District Conference-it was based on a quote from President Brigham Young: “The doctrine that we have embraced is perfect.... We are not perfect, but the gospel that we preach is calculated to perfect the people so that they can obtain a glorious resurrection and enter into the presence of the Father and the Son.” We feel it a great privilege to serve among the saints here in South Africa, and see the gospel being accepted on such a large scale. Always remember how much we love and care for you all.

Love,

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