Tuesday morning about 7 am, a knock came at our door - we have had very few knocks and usually we know when someone is coming. Turned out to be two men delivering telephone books and Arlo had to sign for them. Just a little bit different than at home, where the books are just thrown out on the driveway! Sandy made banana bread muffins for Zone Conference, and we did some house cleaning, since this was going to be a “work at the office” day. Khona, our computer student, called saying he needed more practice driving, so he can try to take his drivers license test and wouldn't be able to meet with us this week. Khona is 30 and does not have a car, so this license might help him with employment possibilities, like delivery services. Without Khona needing to practice typing and computer training, we didn't make the trip into Institute.
Wednesday was our awesome Zone Conference at the Berea Chapel. President Mann called before the Conference to talk with us about assisting Ngwelezana Branch in Richards Bay. If the weather outside is great, he always starts the conversation with “it is another day in paradise!” The last two days have been beautiful - balmy, fluffy clouds and reduced humidity. At the previous Zone Conference, President had challenged the missionaries to live the mission equation (hard work + obedience with exactness + faith = miracles) so that miracles could happen. As part of our meeting, President Mann had the young elders take two minutes each to bear testimonies of a miracle or two that had happened in the last week in their lives. This was more than an hour of faith promoting incidents in these guys lives. One was especially touching. This elder, after saying about 4 words, became emotional and could not speak. After regaining his composure, he said that he had come out on mission for his parents, but in this last week, he had come to know that he was here for himself and all those that he is sharing the gospel with - this was his personal miracle. It truly is a blessing to be among these missionaries and we have heard that the other two Zone Conferences had equally uplifting testimonies. The meeting was closed with a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Divine Companion: Teaching by the Spirit.” This was given to the Mission Presidents and missionaries in June, 2009. The Holy Ghost must be part of your companionship was the very powerful message. Later on, Sister Mann asked Sandy, if with her experience now in transcribing the patriarchal blessings, could she try and transcribe the talk. Sister Mann really wants to share these inspiring words with all the elders in a written form. Sent out about 15 text messages to all the kids who were interested in PEF the last time we were up in the Newcastle District, hoping they can make transport arrangements to meet with us.
Started out Friday afternoon, by making the trip to Newcastle. When we arrived about 4 pm, the Knudsens were frantically trying to find western music off the internet, so that the four of us could maybe, somehow, teach line dancing to the Newcastle Branch youth later in the evening. We had a quick dinner at The Gecko and then raced over to the chapel where a few youth and their Young Men and Young Women presidents were finishing their preparations for the evening. Everything turned out great and it was the largest group of youth they had had to Youth (Mutual) so far. These presidents are a young couple, married about 10 months ago and seemed to be loved and respected by the young people in the branch. In the coming days, we will become very well acquainted with Khumbu (short for Khumbulani) as he is applying for a PEF loan.
Saturday morning was non-stop meeting with soon to be PEF students in the Newcastle Branch and District President Pillay. It just couldn't have been more perfect - all were there on time and prepared, so that we could move forward with another step in the loan process. In the afternoon, we were in the Madadeni Branch and found two out of five students. The rain was probably a big factor in the other three not showing up, although one did walk in pouring rain to meet with us. After our last student in Madadeni, we traveled to Elder and Sister Wilson's in Ladysmith, where we spent the night. After dinner, we could see fireworks throughout the sky and made our way over to the Indian neighbourhood in Laysmith. Our Durban boarding is in a predominantly Indian neighbourhood and all week there had been firecrackers and small fireworks going off around us, so we figured that there must be some holiday, unknown to us, as the reason for all this celebration. Doing a little Google research, we found that this is Diwali, one of the biggest festivals of Hindus. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, the third day is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or Festival of Lights. Homes were decorated as lavishly as many we would see at Christmas, and there were other cars making their way through the neighborhood just like in the United States. People light candles in little clay pots, placing them around their homes and in the windows. The fireworks were amazing and these were being shot off from the driveways of homes, so the skies were filled with lights and color in all directions. These could easily compete with many city displays on the 4th of July. There does not seem to be any restrictions on the size of fireworks private citizens can buy.
Sunday, our plans were to visit with prospective PEF students in the eZakheni and Ladysmith Branches, but were “bunked” in eZakheni. “Bunked” is the term used by the missionaries when they are stood up by their appointment. Our visit was not in vain, as we were asked to speak and Sandy played the keyboard for Sacrament Meeting. We were also able to talk with the branch president and his couselor about PEF. The membership is all fairly new in the church, but just like everywhere they are building strong testimonies and love sharing the gospel together. Arlo commented in his remarks that even though their chapel was a converted slaughter house, the spirit was every bit as strong as those meeting in regular chapels. After dropping President Kugara's wife and toddler at their house, we headed back into Ladysmith hoping to meet with a couple of PEF students. Neither were there, but a mother of one came to talk with us, so we were happy about that. It was a pleasant drive home, beautiful green rolling hills and fluffy white clouds in the bright blue skies, for most of the trip. There had been a lot of rain during the past two days, really helping to brighten up the scenery.
Youth activity at the Newcastle Branch. The youth had been divided in to several groups and each were asked to choreograph a dance and perform it before a panel of judges (Sister Knudsen and Sister Mickelsen).
A former slaughter house where the eZakheni Branch meets. The building had been repossessed by a bank and the branch was renting it. If the Church could buy the property they would remodel the building or possibly build a new building. The bank has been reluctant to sell as they are considering building a shopping center on the site.
The set-up for sacrament meeting. We guessed the attendance was at least 50. The Branch was split off of the Ladysmith Branch two years ago. eZahkeni is a township about a 30 minute drive from Ladysmith.
The baptismal font being filled in the back of the main room. There were three baptisms scheduled for after the Sunday meetings. Sandy is helping the son of the branch president have a look.
Primary being held on one side of the room during the second hour of a two hour meeting block.
Aurthor Kugara and his little brother Michael - sons of the branch president.
Michael had enough for one day and had been loaded up on his mother's back for the long walk home (2 or 3 kilometers). Since we were on our way back to Ladysmith, we gave them a ride home. Only one member in the branch owns a car and they live 50 kilometers away.
1 comment:
We are so pampered, I forget the challenges people are facing all over the world for their testimony. This is so inspiring. Thank you!
Post a Comment