Our week has been, for the most part, gray and rainy, although the rain is so appreciated. Most of our days were spent on the computer with either PEF or transcribing patriarchal blessings and phone calls. Thursday morning, we found that we couldn't connect to the Internet and have spent a frustrating time trying to work with various VODACOM technicians, who were trying to diagnose the problem. You don't realize how much you depend on something, until you don't have it and we know this to be so with our Internet service. So much of our work is dependent on the PEF Website, but you just push forward and hope that the technology is fixed soon! Two Career Workshops were held this week in Umlazi and KwaMashu Wards, giving us the opportunity to meet with six prospective PEF students. Friday morning, since we needed several things for the office and were still not up on the net, we went out to Makro (a Costco wanna be). As we walked in the door, we could see down the main aisle, artificial Christmas trees, decorations and wrapping paper. We are sure that Wal-Mart has had these things for quite some time already, but this is the first we have noticed. Shortly after returning back to our boarding, we received a call from Elder and Sister Harms telling us of their arrival in Durban. They are Public Affairs missionaries covering half of South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia. The Markum's were able to help them with Internet access as ours was down and then we all met in Pinetown at the Blockman's for dinner. As we made our way home, it was a little tricky in spots on the road due to the pea-soup fog, something we have not encountered to this degree since coming to Durban.
Saturday dawned with beautiful sunny, inviting skies. The Harms wanted to go to Essenwood Park as they had seen some things from there at the Mann's home. So, we met at the Berea church building and drove over to Essenwood, which is close by, together. Sister Harms found several things she had been wanting and we shared some lunch from the local vendors. General Conference began today for us, watching the Saturday morning session at 6 pm in the Berea Chapel. The exciting news was to hear announcement of five new temples, Chile; Brigham City, Utah; Brasil; Mexico; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. How exciting to be told that 83% of all church members are now living within two hundred miles of a temple. We wondered to ourselves if, just maybe, upon hearing President Monson's words that he was to announce new temples, the people in Durban might have been holding their breath with hopes of hearing Durban, South Africa. It would be a tremendous blessing to have a temple closer than 6-8 hours (Johannesburg), but everyone feels that they are tremendously blessed to not have to travel to London or America to receive their endowments and be sealed as families. As we make visits to the different church units, usually we hear of a couple who have just returned from being married in the temple. A missionary couple just told us how one of our PEF students and his fiancee just eloped to the temple. Lobola was being a blockade and he didn't have the money, so they just decided to go ahead, no matter the consequences. The young woman said that she probably would be cut off from her family members, but she would accept this sadness for now and hope in time hearts would soften. Such faith is an inspiration to each of us!
Sunday was spent at the Berea Chapel watching General Conference and meeting with Xolisa, our inspiring deaf young man, between sessions. Elder O'Brien was able to sign for us again, which is always such a tremendous help. The Priesthood session was re-broadcast at 11 am and was watched in the chapel by the priesthood holders. In the High Council room, a TV monitor also showed the Priesthood session to the women. Due to transport costs, many sisters come with their husbands and/or sons at the same time. During the day, we were able to hear Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning sessions, and shared some cheese/crackers, fruit and veggies for lunch with the Harms. The brother in charge of locking up the building wasn't going to stay until midnight to hear the final session and so we will have to wait for the chance to read that session and all the others again on the Internet (whenever we get it back)!
Our missionaries giving a presentation on For the Strength of Youth to several hundred students at a local high school (Nilgiri Secondary School). Each student is given a wallet size copy of For the Strength of Youth pamphlet at the end. These presentations have been given at a number of schools in the mission and thousands of these pamphlets have been handed out. School administrators and teachers are anxious for any help in strengthening personal and family values of their students. Many of the schools do not have facilities for inside general assemblies, so they must be held outside. (photo courtesy of Sister Mann)
Yesterday, today and tomorrow bush which grow abundantly everywhere in Durban, and we wondered how one bush could have three different colors of the most fragrant flowers. A home we were visiting had this bush. We asked about the coloration and then were given the explanation of the name - yesterday (white flower), today (purple flower) and tomorrow (pale lavender flower) or in other words with time the flowers change their colors. 
2 comments:
We are glad to read that some of the young women feel being married in the temple is more important than family and labola.
Elder Sitai commented in his talk that three of his sons had been married in the temple without paying the traditional labola. He called it dowry but anyone in Africa would know what he meant.
It is good to see you back on line.
I hadn't heard the term Labola, but after hearing Elder Sitai's talk, I guessed that's what you were talking about. What an inspiration these pioneer saints are to the rest of us!
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