Happenings of the week 14-20 December

Each day this week has brought a variety in weather, ranging from bright blue skies and breezes, with pleasant temperatures to rainy and rainy and more rainy.
Monday morning, we made a trip into Westville, to see Dr. John, to have some routine lab work done and get new prescriptions for our meds that will now see us through to the finish of our service here. It was a different experience as far as doctor visits go, since he was a one-stop service – took all the vitals, made notes and did the blood draw himself! It was our turn to bring dinner to the Griesemer's for Family Home Evening, so made our favorite Cafe Rio wannabes. Our lesson from BYU-TV was an introduction to the Pearl of Great Price facsimiles. Tuesday became an office day, since our major rush for December loan approvals had slowed down and we needed to have the car serviced (a full day event). Sandy was able to finish the eight remaining Patriarchal blessings that had been sitting on the computer since Nathan came. She knows there was major help from above in order to transcribe that many in two days and without it being an exhausting time. Thursday morning, as we went to check the PEF website for the list of loan approvals, what did we find – the Church website was down for maintenance! We know that this has to happen on a regular basis, but why on our important day!! By mid afternoon, we were able to see that all of our loans were approved and which made us and 22 students happy. It is so gratifying to hear the joy in their voices as we call and tell them of their loan approval. Now comes the documenting paperwork gathering time, which is no small process, especially since the schools have now closed for summer holiday until January.
Friday morning, we finished up the boarding check assignment, by doing two boardings. They were both very nice accommodations, just had the same problem of mold on surfaces. Elder Dimene after hearing us say, there is mold here and mold there, picked up a pair of shoes and asked why they were white. Guess what, they were covered with mold! Again, we tried to make them feel better by telling them that we are plagued with the same stuff. Sandy found mold on the wooden drier rack we use as a substitute towel rack. Every wood surface has a fine mold film on it and even our Swaziland Nativity set has to be wiped down periodically to remove the film.
Friday evening, the four local senior couples were invited to the home of a member from Berea Ward and her Jewish husband, Melvin and Diana Geshaun, for the welcoming of the Shabbat dinner. This was a totally lovely experience that none of us will forget and brought back memories for Sandy of her growing up years in a predominantly Jewish community in Los Angeles. Our only regret was the lack of a camera, because a picture would have been worth a thousand words. After some time of general visiting, we were invited to come up to the beautifully set table and the men were asked if they would like to wear the traditional yarmulkes (a Yiddish word for head covering). Melvin began by pouring wine into a silver cup, which would have been offered to us also, if we drank wine. *The kiddish cup is filled to the rim (our joy should be "full") with kosher wine or grape juice, and the blessing over the wine is recited. This blessing is called kiddush which means sanctification.* He read the blessing in Hebrew and gave us copies of the words in English to follow with. *There is no speaking between blessing the wine and drinking it. The Shabbat table should be set with at least two candles (representing the dual commandments to remember and observe the sabbath), a glass of wine, and at least two loaves of challah. The challah loaves should be whole, and should be covered with a bread cover, towel or napkin. These loaves represent the double portion of manna that the children of Israel gathered on Fridays when they were in the desert. Traditionally the challah stays covered until it is time to recite the blessing.* These were beautiful loaves of twisted and woven bread made by their househelp who has been with them for 40 years. The Geshaun's keep a kosher household, which in part means that no milk is served with any meat product. The entire meal took nearly three hours, with each of us being served individually by Diana. As we rose from the table, Diana asked if one of us would offer a prayer and Arlo was asked to do that. No one was noticing the time slipping away in conversation and eating, and it was nearly 12:30 am before we returned to our boarding-a new mission experience! (*These are explanations we found in doing some research on the Jewish Shabbat.)
Sunday morning, we spoke at the Pinetown Ward Sacrament Meeting as part of a Christmas program. Afterwards, we signed loan papers with three students, plus met with two others interested in a PEF loan. Our comment as we were driving away was, no matter where we are visiting, usually someone new approaches us about a loan. Our paths are constantly being directed and we are most grateful for this blessing.

Young Women of the Kwadabeka Ward singing at their ward Christmas party.

Our Christmas tree setting on the end of our kitchen table with two nativity sets on the bar, one from Swaziland and one from Cape Town.

Lesser striped swallow perched on the railing of our veranda and the nest it built, one small glob of mud at a time, on the veranda ceiling.