Happenings of week 21-27 September

All week the weather has played games with us as far as, is it going to rain or isn't going to rain. It is amazing to watch as the gray clouds literally roll in, and fill the beautiful blue skies with gray and then just a short while later the skies are clear again. Funny the little things that attract attention! Time this week has been spent at the computers, transcribing blessings and working with past and present PEF loans.
Tuesday evening, we came into Pinetown to meet with Fisani before Institute, to go over her worksheet application. Our computer learner, Khona had to work late again so we didn't have him to class. As we were waiting for Fisani to come, we were able to talk with one of our students about his renewal loan. The afternoon and early evening had been very rainy and this couple had come in for class soaking wet and cold. Found out that they walk 4 k from where their bus drops them off, up to the church. This is not uncommon, for the members to walk far distances, transport doesn't usually take you right to your ultimate destination. Makes us appreciate the blessing of having a car at our disposal. Usually the parking lots of the chapels in the townships have only two or three cars, which usually belong to the missionaries.
Wednesday at half past twelve was our monthly PEF/Employment Meeting at the Berea building. With the Griesemer's (employment couple), we went over to the neighboring Musgrave Center and had lunch. Then it was over to the office to pick up mail and give them a bag of bananas. Our bunch in the garage just seems to keep giving and giving! Later on, we harvested the last of the bananas that were of any size from our bunch, bringing to about 7+ dozen which have come off. A thought came to Sandy that maybe when we are seen coming with a plastic grocery sack on our arm that the comment will be, “oh no, here come the Mickelsen's with more bananas!” maybe, much like the abundant zucchini harvests in gardens back home.
Thursday, we had been anxiously awaiting the carpet cleaners to come-the weather was warm and breezy, so the carpet could dry, but it wasn't to be. The man who was to come and clean but had a conflict. Later on, we spent most of the afternoon with a member in the Pinetown Ward, trying to help us understand the complex education system in this country, also sharing what insight he had about the schools that many of our kids are going to. Our hope is to become more of a guiding influence as well as a financing influence. Going through older PEF loans that are being negligent in repaying, we are finding that many of these people didn't make wise career choices, then were unable to find jobs and now are in the same spot they were before the loan, except they have incurred a debt.
Saturday morning dawned bright and shiny, and we decided that we needed a break, so drove over to the Queensburgh High School football (soccer) fields and watched the missionaries play against a local team. Even though our elders and a few members from Kloof Ward lost 6-8 it was a fun game to watch. The missionaries had a braai (bar-b-que) afterwards for all the players and those watching. It has been quite a few years since we have been to a game. Sister Mann videotaped it so the missionaries could watch it for a P-day at some point. Arlo was the other photographer, taking single shots for Sister Mann on her camera. Our next stop was a visit to the Durban Botanic Gardens near downtown - a lovely place for families to enjoy an afternoon out and several wedding parties were taking photos against different beautiful backdrops. There are specialized areas featuring beautiful orchids, ferns and one which was designed with herbs, parsley, onions and other edible plants. Quite the place and it was free!
Sunday morning as we were getting ready for the day, we could hear our monkeys racing on the roof and in the trees. Seems that they had found the leftover banana cluster that we threw out into our jungle behind the house, plus there is so much papaya ripening. About 8, as we began our 2 hour drive to Richard's Bay the skies continued to tease us, whether to rain or not. There are several young women up in that area who are wanting to be a part of the PEF program and one of those needed to have her loan papers signed with us, so this was a good time to go. Attended both Nseleni and Ngwelezane branches, in order to meet with these young women. The Primary program was presented in Ngwelezane and a partial repeat of the Nseleni Primary program from last week was done. Such a joy to watch and listen to the small number of children in each unit, sing their hearts out and they know all the words to all the verses. Nseleni has only 5 children on their Primary rolls, but there were about 15 singing, the rest just come in from the streets regularly each week. The Bartholomew's (senior couple who have served for almost 23 months) son and daughter-in-law just arrived from Utah to visit and along with the Mickelsens were asked to share our testimonies. These branches, are small in numbers, but not in spirit. So welcoming, they come to you and take your hand or give a hug and very happy to be with fellow members. We only wish that each of you could share in this humbling experience of watching the church grow.

Our newest grandchild - Karsyn Jane Loveridge - born 18 September (photo courtesy of Grandma Loveridge)



Missionary football (soccer) team from the Hillcrest Zone, plus a couple of local young men (man in yellow shirt was the referee). We watched the last half of their game on Saturday with a team put together from a local high school.


Both teams joining in prayer at the end of the game.

Entrance to the Durban Botanic Gardens located near downtown Durban. We spent a couple of hours there on Saturday. The grounds were expansive with many locals enjoying the sunny day - some having a picnic lunch.

One of the flower displays at the botanical gardens.

A photo from inside the orchid house.