As thanks for taking time from their busy schedule to help us pick up our car after being serviced last week, we asked Elders Brusch and Basooma to come for lunch on Thursday. Trying to find something interesting for them to eat, we ended up choosing taco salad, since tomatoes and avocados are plentiful right now. There are no plain tortilla chips or corn tortillas, to be found, so we improvise with a version of cheese flavored chips. Elder Basooma was a little skeptical about trying this plate of stuff, saying he had never had anything like this before, usually just chicken and rice. He had a big smile as he was eating, and seemed to really like it, making two large platefuls.
Richard's Bay was our Saturday location, to sign loan documents with Senzi Malinga, daughter of the Branch President. The marriage of a couple who wanted to be baptized, had just happened as we arrived. The husband-to-be couldn't afford the labola which is required by his girlfriend's family, so they were just living together, something not uncommon here in Africa. Elder and Sister Bartholomew had lunch with us at Mugg & Bean before we drove over to the Ngwelezana Library, where the church branch of the same name meets, to do a PEF Orientation for another young lady. She had thought there was to be family help with her schooling during the present semester, but her Gogo (grandmother) now is unable, and is now looking to PEF for a loan. Our mission president is so excited to have us here, as PEF missionaries, so that the Perpetual Education Fund can move forward with more speed than before to help the young people struggling to gain an education and make something more of themselves.
Sunday, we attended the Bluff Ward so that we could meet with Jenna Allen and go over the loan documents with her. What started out as a beautiful sunny day, turned ugly while we were in church and we came out to blustery weather reminding us that it is truly winter here. The weather this past week has brought temperatures below freezing to many places in South Africa, horrendous winds, plus snow in the higher elevations. President Mann called us one day this week with an assignment and started his conversation by reminding us that we were spending another day in paradise! Durban seems to be the most pleasant spot on the South African map most days!
Squatter camps or informal settlements are found scattered throughout the metropolitan areas of South Africa. They are populated by people moving from rural areas in hopes of finding employment and a better life and by refugees escaping political unrest in neighboring African countries. They are built from whatever discarded materials they can get their hands on and fire, disease and crime are common problems. Note the nicer homes on the hill top. This housing contrast is a common scene.
This home is located next to the Durban Mission home and office. There are many areas with very nice upscale homes scattered throughout Durban, a reminder of the economic contrast of South Africa.
Another example of different terminology in this part of the world.
From a distance, we have noticed some trees with new, beautiful large red flowers. After a closer look, we found them to be poinsettias. Just another reminder to us that we are living in the southern hemisphere and so familiar November/December items to us, are now coming into season here.
2 comments:
Somehow it's hard to believe that anyplace in Africa has snow. Which is a foolish, self-absorbed reaction, I realize. We're finally getting summer weather, but last week snow wouldn't have surprised me here, either. Your work is inspiring.
I so enjoyed this particular entry (I read it twice, and it has caused me to go back and look at old posts. I'm so glad you are putting the effort into this.
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