We continue to have lots of office work getting ready for our transition and a visitor this week from Johannesburg. Monday, after working at home, we went up to the Pinetown Chapel to meet Patriarch Courtney and download two blessings, then we headed towards our FHE group for learning, visiting and a good dinner together.
Tuesday morning, Sandy made banana bread muffins with our own bananas and took some in to share with the office elders as we picked up the Davis' (office couple). We are still trying to find a more convenient and security conscious boarding for the Allen's and had an appointment to see a flat (on the 6th floor in a 23 floor complex), but wanted the opinion of those in charge of the boarding decisions. It seemed to fit all the requirements, but in emailing with the Allen's found out that they are not comfortable in a high-rise situation. So it has been decided to let them see our boarding and then make a decision.
Wednesday morning, it was drive into the Durban International Airport to pick up our PEF boss, Thabo Lebethoa, coming from the Area Office in J'burg. We visited the Umlazi buildings, had a little lunch then met with President Mann. He wanted to share with Thabo some ideas he had for maybe better utilizing couples doing PEF and S&I in the Durban Mission. Then we met with Jabulani at the Pinetown Chapel to let him enter his application on our laptop. He is such a great young man and with this visit, seems to feel confident in his career and school decision. This also gave Thabo a chance to see another building here in Durban, one which we use so much with our work. We killed "two birds with one stone", as we made our way up the hill to see the Hillcrest Chapel and then cross the street for dinner at Butcher Boys. In the three visits to this restaurant, we have been been disappointed in our steaks, plus Thabo seemed to really enjoy his meal. We keep wishing we could take the prices for our fantastic meals home with us!
Thursday morning, we picked Thabo up from his Bed and Breakfast and came out to our boarding to accomplish two purposes. One, we wanted to just sit and share our thoughts and receive instruction from him and two, he needed to see our boarding as he would be discussing it with the Allen's when they arrive. Thabo thought our boarding was great - very impressed with our fruit trees and vegetation. When he came to the room we use for our office, his comment was, "Wow this is bigger than my office!" Before dropped him at the airport for his return trip, we stopped at the Berea Chapel so he could visit a moment with President Magaqa (CES), who he knew from his service with CES a couple of years ago.
In between everything that has been going on this week, Sandy has been able to transcribe the two blessings for Patriarch Courtney and we delivered another blessing to Brother Rawlings so that he could pass it to his grandson. Saturday afternoon, we felt like a break so went to see Blind Side at the Pavilion Theatre and then met the Coxes for dinner, as they had already seem the movie before coming to Durban. Just remember that it takes a little longer to get the new movies here than in the United States.
Sunday we attended the Umlazi W Ward and helped Zanele put her PEF application on-line. It is really a tremendous blessing for us to be able to attend so many different wards and branches and feel of the great spirits and strong testimonies of the people here.
Posing with Thabo Lebethoa, Africa Southeast Area PEF Coordinator. We work under his direction along with several other senior missionary couples in nine African countries - South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, DRC, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, Zimbabwe. Thabo is a remarkable individual who was recently called as President of the Johannesburg Soweto Stake at the age of 34.
This "economy" hearse caught our attention. Most of the hearses we see are similar
to what we have in the States.
One of the reasons the funeral business is good in South Africa. This bakkie (pick-up) was loaded with men traveling down the highway at 100 km/hr (about 60 mph).
The trees here just keep blooming and blooming.
2 comments:
Great pictures - especially the tree and the bakkie full of people.
What kind of tree is that? Besides simply being FANTASTIC! I am so impressed with the people you get to serve with. The Spirit must be so strong in Africa!
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