Happenings and Photos of 30 March-5 April 2009

It has been a lovely week with weather being a little warmer than usual for this time of year, but still very comfortable. The skies were blue with fluffy white clouds and breezy at some moments, allowing the sheets to dry quickly on the line. Five Perpetual Education Fund loans were approved in Salt Lake and knowing that five more kids can go to school is another addition to a lovely week. The week has included PEF Orientations, going over loan worksheets with students, talking with priesthood leaders and making a trip to Stanger and Richard's Bay-about 2 hours from Durban. These are communities very near the coastline, giving us periodic peaks at the Indian Ocean. We so looked forward to hearing General Conference this past weekend, even if it was going to be in a different order than we were accustomed to. With no dilly-dallying around after our meetings, we made it back from Richard's Bay, in time (6:00 pm) to try to listen to the opening session (Saturday morning) of General Conference on the internet, only to find our connection wasn't fast enough. So, we only heard about 15 minutes total of the meeting because of the cutting in and out, plus just totally stopping at times. Sunday morning, we drove up to the Hillcrest Stake Center to view the Priesthood (11am) and Saturday afternoon sessions of Conference via the sattelite. Instead of remaining at the building into the evening, we returned home and tried again to use the internet, had a little better luck, but still not completely successful. The young elders were trying to find a couple who would stay with them at the chapel to hear through the last session on Sunday, which would have concluded at midnight-President Mann had given his permission, if they were successful in their hunt! Much to their unhappiness, they couldn't find any of the three couples here in Durban, willing to drive around the streets at that time of night! What we were able to hear, makes us so appreciative of the positive guidance and hope given to us by our leaders in these seriously, troubled times, and we will just wait until we can read the talks on-line. Another part of our lovely week included the return of the monkeys, our yard must be on their circuit, and they have become very bold. As we sit working on the computer or phone, we can see the troops dropping out of trees or swarming across the grass in the back of the house. From the windows, we love to watch the monkeys interact with each other in many ways-playing, eating, being carried about their mothers, but our nerves were a little on edge as they started coming to the sliding glass door and windows off the veranda. Never before have they come so close, and it is a different feeling seeing monkeys in the zoo behind fences and having them trying to get into our house! We are experiencing another period of holiday here, with the entire educational system shut down for Easter. The only down part of the week was Saturday morning when our son Jonathan called to say their little daughter Alyssa (almost 2) was in the hospital with serious breathing problems, probably as a result of a virus. As of today, she is making progress, but still in the hospital.

So to all of you we say, stay well and know how much we love and appreciate your support!

Picture of the countryside traveling on the N2 freeway north of Durban. The solid green areas are sugarcane fields and they are on each side of the freeway on rolling hills as far as you can see.

From the N2 freeway you get periodic glimpses of the Indian Ocean through breaks in the hills. Note the appearance of fall as the taller grasses are turning a little brown. We are told the Durban area stays pretty much green throughout the year with its subtropical climate.

The newer freeways are toll roads. This toll plaza shot taken through our windscreen - should look familiar to you east coast fans.

This is a typical security gate going into any of our chapels. We are waiting for Elder and Sister Bartholomew, who serve in Richard's Bay, to come and let us in. The gates open in one of several ways - punch a code into a key pad, remote control, wave a special button past a sensor, or the old fashion way of padlock and key.

Almost all of the buildings have the library in a strong room with a vault door. All audio visual and computer equipment are kept in the library. This illustrates one of the third world problems that also plagues South Africa - theft.

The people have been blessed with very nice chapels. The Richard's Bay District has five branches. This is the Richard's Bay Branch building. You see the class room wing with the chapel and cultural hall in the wing behind. The other four branches meet in modular buildings or rented space. Richard's Bay is 100 to 120 miles North of Durban.