Happenings of the week 8-14 March

This week has been one of tons of office work and putting out fires, not literally, so not too exciting, but still so rewarding! The temperatures are staying in the mid-70's to mid 80's, but there are signs that summer is preparing to leave. Monday was our turn to bring dinner for FHE, and we did it up pretty simple. Sandy made macaroni salad which she had been craving (plus we were able to locate celery, not an easy find here), bought a bucket of chicken from KFC and the fixings for banana splits. The Johnson's were able to join us and brought with them the new office couple, Wally and Vicki Davis from Pleasant Grove, Utah,. It was great to meet and get to know them. Both are converts to the church in their early twenties and have been blessed with 8 children and 17 or so grandchildren. Tuesday morning, Xolisa (our deaf student) had asked us to meet with him at the Berea Chapel. Arlo has been trying to help him, by talking with the school about changes they want to make with his schooling and career choice. As frustrating as it is for us to try to work with the schools here, we can only imagine the level of frustration that Xolisa is feeling with not being able to fully communicate with the school administration people. We are checking into a couple of deaf schools, with the hopes that Xolisa could have better success in one of these, since things haven't worked out as well as we and he had hoped. But we do feel like he is many steps ahead in life than he was a year ago and that is a plus!
During the month of March, we are giving PEF orientations, for students wanting to begin school in June, throughout the mission and on Saturday, visited at Kwa Mashu Branch. Only one young lady showed up and she was there for her sister who was interested in PEF but unable to attend due to the necessity of writing an exam. Also, we were able to talk with a young man that the Session's were concerned about. Earlier in the week, we received their SKYPE call from Rexburg, Idaho, asking for some help in contacting him. There was a Durban Stake Relief Society activity at the Berea Chapel, so we stopped in there, while waiting for the Coxes. All of the sisters were in the Cultural Hall having lunch and as we stood in the doorway and looked around the room, many of them started to come to us with hugs and greetings. Many were PEF students and others were sisters that we have come to know through our visits to the different units. It was gratifying to realize that we have become acquainted with so many people and to feel of their love of the gospel and their fellow man. The Coxes joined us for a trip to the Essenwood Outdoor Market, where we introduced them to Rob and Julie, our favorite producers of table linens and kitchen accessories. After a quick run through of the various stalls, we shared a mid-afternoon lunch at Spur. Elder and Sister Cox have been in So. Africa for a month now and seem to be fitting in quite nicely.
Sunday was one of our duel visit days as we first traveled down to Umlazi W Ward and then over to Umlazi BB Ward. At the BB chapel, we gave an orientation to a young man wanting to start making some serious headway in his life. He has served a mission in Zimbabwe and was familiar with the name of Elder and Sister Muhn, our friends that served a mission there. As we finished the orientation and just speaking together, he bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and thanked us for giving our time to help. Another young man, the YM President in the ward, came in to talk about the possibility of a renewal PEF loan, and shared his hopes and dreams for the future as he is approaching 25 years of age. After talking for a long while, he asked Arlo to give him a priesthood blessing, which Arlo was happy to do. As we have said before, many of these young people that we care about so much, have no parents to help and guide them. Xolani made the comment that many times couple missionaries are like parents and are needed so much. Another plug for couple missionaries!! The morning began with no confirmed orientations, but ended with our hearts being full of gratitude for being able to serve in this great PEF program. Late afternoon, we attended the CES satellite fireside (re-broadcast from March 7) at Pinetown Chapel and were able to visit with many of our PEF students afterwards. Elder Ronald Rasband, of the Presidency of the Seventy, was the invited speaker. His major focus was the value of good friends and mentors in our lives, and we might add they are important no matter what point in life you might be at. As we close for the week, we express our thanks for our family and friends who support us in our missionary labors -- we couldn't do it without your love and prayers.

So. Africa Durban Mission Couples Conference - Pumula Beach Hotel, March 2-4, 2010
Left to right: President and Sister Mann, Elder and Sister Griesemer, Cox, Ladysmith Wilson, Pier, Johnson, SwaziWilson, Knudsen, Van Blankenstein and Mickelsen.