Happenings of the week 11-17 January

After a busy Monday morning in the office, Sandy made our favorite dessert, pecan fingers, to take over to Griesemer's for FHE. The BYU discussions are in the Old Testament right now, which goes along well with the Sunday School lessons for 2010.
Tuesday, we worked with Nokukhanya at Berea Chapel, answering questions about her worksheet in the morning and Bona in the afternoon at Pinetown Chapel. Bona was able to finish entering her worksheet into the computer and have it submitted for approval. Went into the Westwood Mall to withdraw money so that we could pay our monthly boarding bill and then enjoyed lunch at Ocean Basket. The fish here in South Africa are varieties unknown to us, but nothing that we have eaten has been a disappointment. The new school year began today, about a month earlier than usual. The 2010 World Cup will close down schools for a month so they are trying to recoup some of the lost time by the early start.
Wednesday evening we drove up to the Hillcrest Stake Center where we picked up loan documents from Bishop Mthembu (Kwadabeka Ward) and received a bonus. One of our students, Sifiso, showed up to get his Stake President's signature on the loan application. Distances what they are around here, make gathering paperwork a daunting task and this young man lives out in a remote township so we were excited to see him there and not have to drive out.
Thursday was another busy day where we met with Samukelisiwe at Berea to finish up her application and then it was over to Pinetown to sign loan papers with Sithembile, a great young lady in her third year of legal education. Just to show how important these loans are to the kids – Sithembile has one day off during the week and needed to get her hair re-braided, but postponed her braiding session to come sign her loan documents. As we were driving to drop her off at the taxi rank so she could catch her taxi, Sandy asked how long it would take to get her very short hair braided and she said, all day if someone comes to your home. The cost was roughly about 20 rand or $3.50 American dollars, but if you went to a salon it would be much more. Salons here are cargo containers that have a window or two cut out! We had been told before that braiding wasn't a pleasant experience and so asked if it hurt while they were braiding and she made a face and said it really did! She stretched out one single strand to show that it was about 2-3 inches in length and they braid three single strands at a time making some elaborate designs on the head.
Friday morning, two young men showed up on the property and begin to whack away at our jungle at the rear of the house. It was sad to see it go, but within a month or so the greenery will start to reappear.
Saturday we decided that since we didn't have any appointments we would meet the Griesemer's at the Berea Chapel,and drive down to Essenwood Market so they could pick up some table linens which had been ordered. The skies were a little weepy, but we still enjoyed looking at all the wares, in addition to being able to visit with one of our PEF students who has a stall there. Lazily we drove up the coast to Ballito, stopping at the Lifestyle Mall in Ballito for a little window shopping and then enjoyed lunch. The skies were gray but the ocean was still beautiful turquoise blue as the waves crashed into the rocks and sand and we enjoyed watching for a while. Over lunch, the Griesemer's shared many of their experiences when it comes to owning your own business. For 30+ years he had a Heating and Air Conditioning business.
Sunday, what a great day for us and our students in the Umlazi BB Ward. The last two hours of the meetingblock netted us four loans signed, one loan application entered into the computer, one PEF orientation and two with a few clarifying questions answered about where they are in the PEF process. Another gray breezy day, but we don't really care because it keeps the hot sun away! The palms and sugar cane sway in the breezes making a very pleasing picture as we look out our office window.
You can see from the blog this week some of the names we work hard to pronounce and finally we are feeling fairly confident and the kids don't laugh at us, too much, anymore!


Essenwood Market in Berea, which is near downtown Durban. This craft market is setup every Saturday in a very nice park in an upscale neighborhood. We have purchased several souvenirs here which has become a popular stop for missionary couples.

Tulip tree - a closeup of the blossoms indeed look like tulips.

Found this guy on the brickwork outside our front door. Need some help from you entomologists out there to help identify what it is.

Once a year, our landlord hires some workers using machetes to hack down the undergrowth in the large area of jungle behind our boarding. The workers put on "gum boots" (look like irrigation boots to us) we assume to protect from snakes and other critters.