Happenings of the week 7-13 September

Monday, in a phone conversation with the Johannesburg Area Office, we were told that again the changes in the PEF program will probably not roll out here in South Africa until at least March, 2010. These changes are being implemented at different times in different parts of the world, so there won't be mass chaos in the system. It looks more and more like we will not be a part of the new program, so will just carry on as we are doing now. Schools are going to close for a month during the 2010 World Cup in June, making it necessary to begin classes early in January, instead of February. This will cause major stress in trying to get loans processed in time, so we have to begin our renewal loan work earlier. So many hoops to go through, but what a tremendous program . Patriarch Courtney had new blessings that needed to be downloaded so that Sandy can transcribe them, so met him at the Pinetown Chapel. We spent some time together, talking about a few points from the four blessings that the Patriarch particularly noted-one being the very dangerous world we live in and that we need to be ever watchful for the tricks and workings of Satan, especially where our children are concerned. A second thread, was the importance of being educated and reading from the best books, namely the scriptures. Patriarch Courtney is such a kind, thoughtful man and has been very concerned for Arlo's health with the tick bite fever. Two missionary sisters have now come down with tick bite fever, so more Tembe Elephant Park souvenirs! The four couples met for our usual Family Home Afternoon and found out the Johnson's have been asked to come into the Mission Office to replace Elder and Sister Sessions, who will be leaving the 7th of October. It is hoped that there will be another couple assigned to the Durban Mission, since Johnson's leave in January, thus making this change in their assignment only a band-aid for the office.
Tuesday, we prepared the renewal paperwork for the four girls in the Pinetown Ward, since we see them at Institute each Tuesday evening as we are teaching Khona. He was to have met us at Pinetown Chapel at half past 4 (this is how the half hour mark is referred as here in South Africa) and usually he beats us there, but we didn't see him as we drove up, so just went in. About 20 minutes later, Khona comes to the door looking a little groggy. Come to find out that he had been napping on the grass under a tree, hidden from our view by the church. He is at work by 6 am each day and then walks from work to catch a ride to a small shopping center, and then walks the rest of the way up to the church, which is not a short distance. It is exciting to see his progress with the computer, plus watching him put aside some of his shy ways and talk with us.
Thursday, was a gray day, but only a few showers here and there. Invited the Phoenix and KwaMashu elders to have a spaghetti lunch with us. Elder Rothenberger has a new companion since we last shared lunch together, Elder Sithole. Elders Hansen and Meistre rounded out the group and after eating, shared some scripture nuggets together.
Friday afternoon, as we were reading, Arlo looked out the window by the kitchen table and there was a monkey peeking in. Seemed to be challenging Arlo, by not moving or shying away as Arlo went over to the window and looked out. It has been a week or so since we have been visited by our local monkey troop and wondered why, since there is so much ripe fruit around. The birds seem to be beating the monkeys out through. Again, our office window gives us fun daily sightings of many birds - gray longtails, woodpeckers, yellow weaver, doves, parrots and hadedas. Sandy thinks the hadedas would make good missionaries because they always are in pairs. One of our bunches of bananas is getting close to cutting, but we have been trying to keep it on the bush for additional growth. As we watched our monkeys, it looked like some were in the vicinity of the bananas. After they finished wandering through the yard, we thought we had better check on the bananas and sure enough there were little monkey nibblings on a few of the bananas. It was decided that the knife had better come out and cut the bunch. Amazing how easy it was to cut through the stock. A few tidbits about bananas: They grow in clusters with up to 20 fruit (called banana or “finger”) to a tier (which is called a “hand”). There are 3-20 tiers to a cluster. Our cluster has about 10 tiers and we are excited to eat (lots of banana bread coming up) and share our harvest with others!
Saturday morning dawned beautiful and sunny and we enjoyed our ride up the highway to make our first stop in Ladysmith. The plan had been to help the Wilson's with the Young Men activity, but upon our arrival there was only one YM and 4 missionaries who were invited to help with in the sports portion, so wasn't much for us to do except visit about current PEF students and the potential ones. Within an hour, though, there were about 12 young men enjoying basketball and dodge ball, then coming in out of the warm temperatures to have a hot dog, chips, apple and brownie lunch. The Young Men had planned the agenda, which also included learning a hymn, which they want to present in Sacrament Meeting after a few more practices. At 2 pm,we held a PEF Orientation for the members interested and by 4 we were back on the road to Newcastle to see Elder and Sister Knudsen. Again we enjoyed the kindness of one of our missionary couples and spent the night with them, enjoying a fantastic dinner at the Gooseberries Restaurant, connected to the Gray Goose Bed and Breakfast. In our conversations, we have found that our oldest son, Andrew and his family used to live in the same ward as their son, Spencer Knudsen and his family in Rancho Santa Margarita, California - another reminder that the world is very small, especially when it comes to the church!
Sunday, we attended the Newcastle Branch, presented our PEF orientation, signed up some prospective students and then traveled over to the Madadeni 1 & 2 Branches where we had a combined orientation. As we were about 30 minutes from being home, we came upon an accident involving two semi-trucks, both were still burning, with one on its side and only a burned out shell remaining. The trucks were basically blocking all of the lanes. Lucky for us this had happened on the road going in the opposite direction. There are few exits, so the traffic was backed up for miles and miles. It was a good day and we felt like we had accomplished much in 24 hours, but it is always nice to be back in your boarding and off the road.


Banana harvest time at our place. Don't know how the pros do it, but we used a bread knife. This bunch had gotten too heavy and pulled the tree over. We left it for a couple of weeks to let them ripen , but then the monkeys starting to help themselves so we decided it was time to harvest.


The fruits of our labors.

Our Thursday lunch guests. The Elders from left to right - Elder Sithole (Durban), Elder Rothenburger (Minersville), Elder Hansen (Bluffdale), Elder Meistre (Johannesburg). Elder Sithole is a local young man serving a six week mission. When the mission looses more elders than it gains, they will sometimes use local young men until more full time missionaries arrive so they do not have to close an area temporarily.

Sign going into the condo complex where Elder and Sister Markum and Elder and Sister Griesemer live. Animals don't hoot (honk) and they can't read anyway!