Monday morning, we hung our heads and brought our bruised and broken car to the mission to be picked up later in the day by the panel beaters for major repairs. President Mann had called earlier in the day to ask if Sandy would attempt to transcribe the video that had been made at the Couple's Conference at Pumula Beach, and we agreed to give it a try. Using the Mann's dining room as an office, we started to work - Sandy was the typist and Arlo ran the camcorder forward and backward, trying to catch every word. Spent nearly three hours working on it before leaving to go over to Griesemer's for FHE. The Piers were able to join us as they came down a little early for the mission presidency meeting on Tuesday.
Tuesday, Sandy finished up Patriarch Courtney's patriarchal blessings before we went back over to the Mann's in the afternoon, to do more transcribing from the videotape. Our plan for the evening had been to do a PEF orientation at the Hillcrest Chapel, but there were no takers, so we joined the mission presidency couples dinner at RJ's, just across the street from the chapel. Nobody knew, but we were celebrating Arlo's birthday! The Harm's, the Public Affairs couple from Cape Town were in Durban for some meetings and came to dinner. It was a delightful time, but all of us were remembering that our time together is getting very short. Just have to remind ourselves that there will be get-togethers back in the States in a few months time!
Wednesday morning, we were able to finish up the transcript, much to Sister Mann's delight. They want to get this production all put together in time for the Mission President's Seminar sometime around the middle of May. Plus, President Mann wants each couple to be able to take the DVD home with them to show around the wards and stakes, trying to generate enthusiasm for couples to leave their comfort zone and come out and serve where they are needed so badly.
Sandy transcribed another patriarchal blessing on Thursday morning, this time for another patriarch in this area, who gave the blessing to his grandson from Pietermaritzburg. Early in the afternoon, Arlo got his belated birthday president - two beautiful front teeth to replace the worn ones from many, many years ago. Pinetown Chapel was our stop of the evening - first to sign loan documents with Fisani and secondly, to hopefully have some new PEF applicants. When the night was finished, we had only signed the paperwork. We are just trying to cover all the bases before we leave, but for now most everyone is already in school and their needs are met. A happy call for us came from our PEF coordinator, Thabo in Johannesburg. A new couple has been called and will be coming to replace us in May if all goes well with their visas, but it looks like our paths will cross in the skies. We leave Durban on May 17th and they leave Salt Lake City on May 17th.
Friday, we spent most of the morning working at our desks, before going over to the Berea Chapel to Meet Elder and Sister Cox. They had asked if we could show them Victoria Street Market and that we did. The four of us made a hectic visit through the various shops, school is on Easter holiday for two weeks, and it seemed as if everyone in Durban was shopping there. After making some small purchases, we headed up the coast to Ballito for lunch and a stop at the beach to enjoy the gorgeous waves, where there were several surfers giving some great performances.
Saturday was left to take care of some errands that we had been putting off and going through our files to make sure we haven't left a student stranded in the process somewhere. Our church destination each Sunday is usually determined by the needs of our students in a particular area. But since there wasn't an urgent need anywhere, we visited the Chatsworth Ward, a predominantly Indian ward in the Hillcrest Stake and one that we hadn't been to for Sunday meetings. Until the realigning of mission boundaries, we had visited 32 out of 34 wards and branches in the Durban Mission, but in our time remaining, we won't be able to include the new branches. The Hillcrest Stake presented an Easter Cantata in the evening that was truly
amazing and included several people that we have come to know through our service here. It was thrilling to listen to the beautiful musical production and ponder in our hearts the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ and the love He has for each of us.
Our featured photos this week are from our trip through the country (Kingdom) of Lesotho last week. Lesotho is unique in that it is an island country within South Africa. It is very mountainous with the lowland areas above 3000 feet and mountains over 10,000 feet. We traveled one of the few paved roads, most of the interior roads are dirt. Our missionaries here are issued bakkies (pickups), cars would get beat up very quickly. Lesotho was recently added to the South Africa Durban Mission - previously it was part of the Johannesburg Mission.
Business district of the capital city of Maseru. Just a couple of blocks from this area, the scene changes dramatically and you are reminded that Lesotho does not enjoy the economic prosperity of South Africa.
A typical business district scene in the small villages you drive though as you travel though the country. The street is lined with vendors in make shift shelters.
A new sign to add to our collection - warning of a combination speed bump and pedestrian crossing.
A typical tuck shop (African version of a mini mart) found everywhere along the roadsides.
Ox carts are not uncommon. Note the modern version has rubber tires.
Firewood for the day.
Looks a lot like our inter mountain area except a little greener and the simple dwellings that dot the hillsides.
Typical rural housing.
Our chapel in Maseru which serves two branches.
Signage on the wall around the church in the two official languages - Sesotho and English.
It is a beautiful country with beautiful lovely people.
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