Our Family Home Afternoons are so enjoyable as we get together with some of the couples and take advantage of their BYU satellite channel. The past two weeks, we have been learning from the Pearl of Great Price. Our lemon trees are starting to ripen and we have lots of fruit on them, so Sandy made lemon bars to take and share for refreshments. Even senior missionaries like refreshments!
This week, we have met three different times to help Xolisa (deaf) work on his PEF loan application. At times, it was frustrating for all of us because of our communication problems. Even with the computer being used for writing, many things still were not clear. Xolisa offered a opening prayer today and we only wish we could have known the words he was using. But as we watched we could tell how humble and sincere he was and know that he was trying to help with the frustration from the day before. Then, the internet wouldn't work, preventing us from going over the application on line. Made an appointment to meet with him the next day and go over the application after Sandy entered it into the computer at home. We want so much for him to succeed and he has the drive to do it, but in this rough world we hope he is not biting off more than he can handle. Friday, he was at the Berea chapel promptly and thoroughly went over his loan application with us. Then we had him click the submit square on the computer and told him it was now in Johannesburg for employment approval. He gave us one of his famous huge smiles and we all did the thumbs up sign.
Saturday, since there was no pressing PEF work, we drove along the coast north from Durban to celebrate Sandy's birthday. It was a beautiful day, breezy and pleasant temperatures. Stopped along the way back trying to find a restaurant to have an early dinner but with no luck. Ended up back at our Gateway Mall where we have a choice of 60 fast food/sitdown restaurants. Sandy wanted fish, particularly shrimp, but there are no shrimp to be had in Durban-only prawns. She had tried them once before when we first arrived and they came on a plate, still in the shells complete with eyes and she vowed not to deal with that again! We settled on John Dory's Fish and Grill and enjoyed some sole and hake. Sunday church meetings are the best time for us to meet with many of our PEF kids, and we had decided to travel to Pietermaritzburg for church to see the students needing help there. But on the advice of President Wilford (Hillcrest Stake), we changed our plans. The Comrades Marathon, which is run every year from Pietermaritzburg and Durban, covers the same route we would be on, and would be a mass confusion of people. It came about because a soldier fought and marched 1,700 miles in the Great War of 1914-1918, and he wanted to organize this to honor the memory of his comrades who suffered untold hardships during the epic march. Started first on 24 May 1921, it has continued every year since then with the exception of the war years 1941-1945, with the direction alternating each year between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. So enough of history! Our direction sent us to KwaMashu Branch for church and what an amazing experience! We witnessed eight confirmations and there was to have been nine, but one couldn't make it. Only needed one speaker! Then when Arlo attended Priesthood meeting, four men stood to be introduced and indicated they were ready for baptism. The church in this country is growing by leaps and bounds, the people have tremendous testimonies and are not afraid to share them!
Sandy working with Xolisa Mbazwana, who is deaf, on his PEF loan application. We found the most efficient way to communicate was to use the computer and a note pad. Xolisa lives alone and receives a small government stipend to cover basic expenses. He had a job installing windows for R45 (~$5) a day that ended two weeks ago. Xolisa plans to study public management leading to a job with the government working with the handicapped. He is a courageous and spiritual young man. If we forget to start our meeting with prayer, he will remind us. A truly humbling experience to have prayer with someone who is deaf.
On Sandy's birthday, we drove along the coast going north for a few kilometers and stopped at this beach, one of many. It reminded us of the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California, but not nearly as congested! There are a number of nice homes and condos which get a lot of use during December and January when the tourists arrive.
Our next birthday stop was the Gateway Mall to have a late lunch at John Dory's Fish & Grill. This photo was taken a few weeks ago early on a Tuesday morning when the mall was near empty - not the case on any afternoon, especially on Saturday, and especially during the summer tourist season. The basement level has two supermarkets where we do most of our grocery shopping since this is the closest shopping from where we live - less than five miles. This mall complex is one of the largest shopping and entertainment centers in the southern hemisphere. It is patterned after the Mall of America in Minnesota and is as modern as any mall we have seen in the U.S. 
This produce market has become a regular stop for us on our way to family home afternoon on Mondays with two other couples in our mission. We have found a better variety and fresher produce than the supermarkets where we shop. We took the picture because of the name of the little shopping "centre".
1 comment:
So inspirational to hear how the Gospel is spreading there. And Happy Birthday, Sandy! Sounds like a wonderful day! - Julie
Post a Comment