The close of another week in tropical paradise - palm trees swaying in the breezes, flowering trees and plants continuing to produce a beautiful, colorful show and warm temperatures, mixed with some humidity.
The 2010 school year is fast approaching and as of Sunday morning, we have 68 names of young people interested in a PEF loan. This doesn't include the renewal loans for students continuing on in their studies. This week, we really had the computers going, sending loans through the first few stages of review, texting all of these kids with "gentle" reminders to move a little (or should we say a lot) faster! November is bad for getting loans approved in Salt Lake due to the Thanksgiving holiday falling on one of two approval dates in the month, so we have tried to push, but can only do so much. As of Sunday evening, we will send five loans on for final approval this week - a drop in the bucket for what needs to be done, but we are thankful for the fantastic efforts these young adults have made to work quickly and hard. For most of the loan applicants, November is the exam month and many seem to have difficulties multi-tasking between school and loan applications, so the loan gets put on back burner.
Patriarch Courtney and his wife Margaret, invited us to attend with them the 18th Annual "Shall We Dance," a production at the Playhouse Theatre in downtown Durban. Tuesday evening, we gathered our courage, since to be downtown after dark is not recommended, and made our way to the theatre (not a typo - So. African spelling). There is a parking garage at the rear of the theatre, so we just joined the crowd walking from the garage to the theatre and all was well for us! The program was two hours of fast paced dance taken from ballet, jazz, ballroom, Latin, Indian and even a tribute to Michael Jackson, with some demonstrations from an illusionist mixed throughout. The program runs for 9 days and is totally sold-out. The historic Playhouse Opera Theatre with its ornate Elizabethan decor and atmospheric starry sky, is one of South Africa's most famous performance venues. They call this KZN's (KwaZulu Natal Province) 'grand old lady' of showbiz. Another piece of diversion that we treated ourselves to on Saturday, was being at the IMAX theatre and watching "Journey to Mecca," a spectacular 45 minutes re-enacting the famous journey of one young man made in the 1300's. The Johnson's and Markum's joined us and then we all shared dinner together afterwards.
As we were out and about this past week, the stores are telling us that the "festive season" is upon us. A little strange to see Christmas trees, garlands and many other gorgeous decorations in the windows, mixed among bikinis, swimsuits, tanktops and shorts! Sunday morning, we visited Umlazi BB for their church meetings and to see our PEF renewals and hopefuls. Sitting quietly on the bench and pondering some, the prelude music suddenly registered in Sandy's mind - it was Silent Night and then we sang Christmas hymns during Sacrament Meeting. We will ask around to find out if other wards/branches started out this early, but we don't mind because you can never get enough of Christmas music! Several times Sandy stopped singing and just listened to the congregation - the deep voices blending so beautifully with our opera singing Elder Nare, who is serving in the BB Ward. It is the hope of everyone to hear him sing at our Christmas All-Zone Conference in December.
Durban Opera Theatre where we saw the production "Shall We Dance." Durban has several very nice theaters. This theater has seating for 1224.
Flowering bush along the walkway going into the Chatsworth chapel in Durban. We are continually awed by the flowering trees and bushes of South Africa.
Bougainvillea across from the entrance to the Pinetown chapel in Durban.
Sign found near Richard's Bay. Monkeys visit our boarding several times a week and are a common sight as we drive around the Durban Mission.
This graphic provides perspective on the size of Africa - a little geography lesson for the day.
2 comments:
What an interesting week! I love that springtime introduces the holidays in the southern hemisphere. That seems more appropriate than winter, actually, when one thinks about it. The opera house is beautiful, and I think we all should sing more of the Christmas songs than just between Thanksgiving and Christmas - that's just too short. More songs - less commercial, I'd say! And I confess I didn't realize Africa is that big - are we sure they didn't just shrink all the other countries? (LOL)
Loved the Durban theater and that perspective map of Africa. Had NO IDEA it was that big! :)
Post a Comment