Happenings of the week 24-30 August

Started out the week with a visit to the local doctor recommended by Sister Mann, John Blankenberg, because we found a tick having lunch on Sandy's shoulder. Very nice man, a little more informal than some of our doctors in the United States, calling for each individual patient instead of a nurse doing it. He talked with Sandy for a while, then into the examining room adjacent to his office. All is well, the bite was mending, so no medication required. Spent our usual Family Home Afternoon and dinner together, something we all look forward to.
Tuesday afternoon and evening were spent at Pinetown Chapel, first giving more computer and typing lessons to Khona and second, doing a PEF orientation. Khona is only one of the very few of our kids that have a computer and keyboard at home, and so is making great progress because he can practice more and really wants to excel. Such a joy to watch him work and then when we ask if he is ready to call it quits before Institute class starts, he says, “No, I need to do it one more time.”
Thursday through Sunday, we had a planned trip up the coast to Richard's Bay for a Priesthood Leader PEF Orientation Meeting and then over to Swaziland. Wednesday evening, Arlo was not feeling well-aches and low grade fever, so we weren't sure what was going on and did we want to chance getting others sick on our trip. Thursday morning, Arlo found two bites on his leg and came to the conclusion this must be what was causing the problems. Decided that we just couldn't let the training opportunity go by, so it was decided that we would pack as if we were going to go on to Swaziland after Richard's Bay, but if Arlo felt worse we would just turn around and come back to Durban. Our trip up was rainy, but no downpours and cloudy so the ocean wasn't visible. It is always wonderful to see the water and watch the waves come rolling in. Often, there are many ships in the water since Durban is a major port. Stopped at McDonald's to get a quarter pounder for dinner to kill some time until the meeting, since there wasn't enough time to go to a sit-down restaurant because they are usually on the slow side. Came away from the meeting, feeling as if we had made a little headway in helping the leaders better understand the PEF program. Most of these men are not only young in the church, but also young in age. The missionary couples are doing a tremendous job of gently guiding and instructing these branch presidents, so that one day soon they will be able to stand on their own. Elder and Sister Pier had invited us earlier to stay with them if we ever needed to remain overnight, and so we took them up on the offer. They found a lovely home to rent, and have worked hard to make it feel like a home. Sister Pier had hot chocolate and two flavors of rusks waiting when we returned from the meeting-making us feel even more at home! Since we had not a clue how to find the Pier's home, we waited after our presentation until the regular District Training Meeting was finished. A recently returned missionary, Sinethemba Mthalane, reported his mission to the District Council, and we wished that we could have heard it, but in a way we did. He needed transport back to his lodging and was going to get it from the District President, and so visited with us while we each waited. As we talked, we found that he had served in Uganda with one of our PEF students from KwaMashu, who is studying to become a doctor. He was so animated as he described how thankful he was for his missionary experiences and bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. There may come more welcome opportunities to interact with Sinethemba again if he decides to pursue a PEF loan in maritime law.
Friday morning, after a debate concerning Arlo's health, we decided to head on out to Swazi and had an uneventful trip up. Since the Wilson's weren't back from giving piano lessons when we arrived in Ezulwini, we went on to the Ngenwa Glass Factory outside of Mbabane, where we were able to watch the glass blowing. Since this only occurs Monday-Friday, and our visits usually are Saturday/Sunday, we had not seen it done. The day was cool and rainy, so the extreme temperatures needed to blow and shape the glass actually felt rather nice. Our comment was how did they function in the summer! Arriving at the Wilson, we were introduced to two couples from Johannesburg, serving as Humanitarian Directors and soon were sharing dinner at The Great Taipei (Chinese restaurant). It was a enlightening time at dinner finding about all they are trying to do throughout different areas of Africa. Right at the moment they were in Swaziland to coordinate new wheelchair deliveries and looking at borehole projects. Returning to the Wilson's boarding, discovered that Elder Wilson had similar bites on his leg and quickly came to the conclusion that these were very special Tembe Elephant Park souveniers!
After a terrible night with fever and chills, Arlo and Elder Wilson decided something had to be done. There is a small clinic (which has three Ethiopian doctors) open 24/7 in Ezulwini, and the two elders made their way over to see if the doctor would confirm what they found on the internet earlier about African tick bite fever. An hour later they returned, diagnosis confirmed and armed with antibiotics plus instructions to use Tylenol (Panado-So. African form) to combat the fever and get plenty of rest. Yeah right, what missionary has time to be sick! So just tried to rest whenever possible and it was early to bed, but not the best nights rest. Sunday, we visited both in the Mbabane and Manzini Branches, before returning home. We had come to give orientations to any new interested people in PEF and felt that we should go ahead and give it our best shot. Only three came in, but that is OK-now they are better armed to make plans for their future. These guys are 29 years old and barely making a living for themselves. As we cross the border between Swaziland and South Africa there is always concern that it will happen without problem. Returning this time, the South African guards gave us some grief concerning Arlo's drivers license. We only carry a fantastic color laminated copy of the original, since we don't want to risk losing it if the wallets are stolen. Through several roadblocks and many passes through the border, there has never have been a moment of hesitation in accepting the copy license. Sunday, the two guards with their stern faces said that we were illegal because of the photocopy. Trying to remain composed we thought, OK what now. One guard who had been concentrating on us, suddenly said, “Are you missionaries?” Answering yes, they waved us through-another testimony to us of always being in proselyting clothes, with badges on as we travel. When we turned into our driveway we felt relief to finally be back after seven long hours of driving with Arlo feeling so bad, but you do what you have to do.
It is wonderful to have the couples in the different areas of our mission be so kind and gracious to provide us with a bed, some breakfast and good company as we travel to their areas. PEF has a very limited budget, so this is much appreciated and allows us to reach the young adults in the outlying areas of the mission. As always, we know we are truly blessed to be serving in the Durban Mission among so many strong missionaries and inspiring local members.


Every Tuesday afternoon we work with Khona Myeza on basic computer skills and touch typing. PEF loans have not been found to be the best investment for computer literacy training so we have deciding to provide this training ourselves when we can.



On our visit to Swaziland this week we decided to take the time to visit Ngwenya Glass, a popular tourist stop. This is one of the workers on the shop floor taken from an observation balcony. There were probably 50 workers/glassblowers and each seemed to be making a different item. Each item is handmade from 100% recycled glass. Many of the locals sustain themselves by selling Ngwenya discarded glass.



This is one of the several showrooms at Ngwenya Glass. Besides the expected variety of glassware, you would find African animals like these on the table. Each one unique with an artistic touch.


Elders Wilson and Mickelsen displaying souvenirs from Tembe Elephant park - tick bites. Also shown are the packets of antibiotics prescribed by a Swaziland doctor to treat the resulting African tick bite fever.

As we were leaving the Manzini Swaziland chapel on Sunday one of our students asked if we would have our picture taken with her family. Cebile Mthethwa and her husband Samkelo with their adorable young son exemplify the future of the church in Africa.