We were finally able to attend baptisms the Elders were working on. Good people ready to make changes in their lives.Elder Black and Brother Michael
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Two fun experiences today, we gave Elder Mbongwe and Elder Quendo a ride to Zone Meeting, their bakki is in the shop. I took a picture of a sign that said 6 heifers to be given away in a drawing, and they started laughing. I asked them if they had seen the movie Johnnie Lingo, they both had, I then asked if they paid lobolo (bride price) in their countries. Elder Quendo said no; Elder Mbongwe said yes, In Botswana lobolo is still paid. I asked him if he was going to pay when he got married, he said his parents would not care but the uncles would complain loudly. I told him he and his fiance would need to be the first to fight the custom, he did not know about that, he did not want to make the uncles mad at him. I told him someone had to be first and his generation had that opportunity. After all, someone had to be the one willing to fight for freedom. We'll just let him think on that one.
Elder Quendo was telling us about he and Elder Ellis being stopped by a police man when they were walking. The police man wanted to charge them a fine for walking on the "wrong side of the road", they were not facing traffic. Now Swaziland has a lot of freedoms and walking on either side of the road is one of them. Anyway, the officer wanted $50. Rand find. Elder Quendo asked him how much was for himself, and started laughing the officer continued to insist on the fine. Finally Elder Quendo started writing down the officers name and badge number. Elder Quendo said to him I will give you a gift even though you want money for yourself. He gave the officer the Book of Mormon and a phamplet. The officer told him to meet at the police station at 4:00 pm to pay the fine. Elder Quendo and Elder Ellis went to the station and the officer did not show up. They loved the experience and loved sharing it with us even more.
Elder Quendo was telling us about he and Elder Ellis being stopped by a police man when they were walking. The police man wanted to charge them a fine for walking on the "wrong side of the road", they were not facing traffic. Now Swaziland has a lot of freedoms and walking on either side of the road is one of them. Anyway, the officer wanted $50. Rand find. Elder Quendo asked him how much was for himself, and started laughing the officer continued to insist on the fine. Finally Elder Quendo started writing down the officers name and badge number. Elder Quendo said to him I will give you a gift even though you want money for yourself. He gave the officer the Book of Mormon and a phamplet. The officer told him to meet at the police station at 4:00 pm to pay the fine. Elder Quendo and Elder Ellis went to the station and the officer did not show up. They loved the experience and loved sharing it with us even more.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
20 July 2010
Elder Nathi called Elder Blackburn to help him get his South African Visa; so we picked him up and took him to the Police Station; the government hospital; he had not filled out any of his application papers; very frustrating dealing with him; he is 24 yrs old going on 16, I would swear. I called South African Travel Office and got the information he needed for the packet; we will meet with him next week and see if he did anything we asked him to do. We have to go to Durban on Tuesday and will be gone 2 days; then the Callisters will be coming to Ezulwini for 2 days and staying with us.
13 July 2010
We had our marrieds class and Elder Blackburn and I did a team teaching presentation, it went pretty good; first time for him to teach a class since his mission when he was 20 years old. He did pretty good. We only had 2 couples, the Branch did not announce it on Sunday; next class we will send the Branch President an email asking him to make the announcement.
14 July 2010
Elders have a broken sliding door that we need to attend to;
15 July 2010
Going to Stiki to check on the area and see if it is possible to locate members there. Then we will meet Elder and Sister Bingham at the Mozambique Border when we take the Bakki for the road tax. Stiki is a dumpy little town, no way to find anyone there. We then went to Hlane Big Game Park and spent two nights. Did a mini safari and saw a Lion, Elephant, Rhino,Hippo,Giraffe and Wart Hogs. There were also a huge herd of Antelope.
17 July 2010
Met the Binghams at the Mozambique Border, had lunch at a small local cafe, it was really good; some kind of bean stew and rice with french bread; it has been interesting to see how the world has incorporated the foods from the Americas into their culture; Swaziland uses beans and maize for their protein and starch. They eat maize porridge, bean porridge and fruit and vegetables, tomatoes, chocolate; very little meat; Mozambique uses maize and beans. And also rice. These foods were brought by the Portugese explorers to the African Continent. Italy has a maize dish callen Polenta (very similar to the Swazi Pap). We really enjoyed our day with the Binghams, their mission president gave them permission to come to Swaziland for the day, so we had our game park pass and took them on a self drive and they were able to get some great pictures of the animals.
18 July 2010
Delivered Patriarchal Blessings to Mbabane and Manzini Branches; they were happy to get them. Stayed for Sacrament in Manzini and the District Councilman spoke, he was very passionate and learned in the scriptures. He spoke on keeping the Sabbath Day holy and shared a very strong testimony with us. He reminded everyone that "today is the day of repentance"; We were impressed with that statement.
19 July 2010
Went to Manzini for District Meeting; the Elders were very late so it was a short meeting; it was Elder Ndlovu's birthday so we took them to a small hole in the wall for lunch; we all had "bunny chow". An indian dish made with curry".
Elder Nathi called Elder Blackburn to help him get his South African Visa; so we picked him up and took him to the Police Station; the government hospital; he had not filled out any of his application papers; very frustrating dealing with him; he is 24 yrs old going on 16, I would swear. I called South African Travel Office and got the information he needed for the packet; we will meet with him next week and see if he did anything we asked him to do. We have to go to Durban on Tuesday and will be gone 2 days; then the Callisters will be coming to Ezulwini for 2 days and staying with us.
13 July 2010
We had our marrieds class and Elder Blackburn and I did a team teaching presentation, it went pretty good; first time for him to teach a class since his mission when he was 20 years old. He did pretty good. We only had 2 couples, the Branch did not announce it on Sunday; next class we will send the Branch President an email asking him to make the announcement.
14 July 2010
Elders have a broken sliding door that we need to attend to;
15 July 2010
Going to Stiki to check on the area and see if it is possible to locate members there. Then we will meet Elder and Sister Bingham at the Mozambique Border when we take the Bakki for the road tax. Stiki is a dumpy little town, no way to find anyone there. We then went to Hlane Big Game Park and spent two nights. Did a mini safari and saw a Lion, Elephant, Rhino,Hippo,Giraffe and Wart Hogs. There were also a huge herd of Antelope.
17 July 2010
Met the Binghams at the Mozambique Border, had lunch at a small local cafe, it was really good; some kind of bean stew and rice with french bread; it has been interesting to see how the world has incorporated the foods from the Americas into their culture; Swaziland uses beans and maize for their protein and starch. They eat maize porridge, bean porridge and fruit and vegetables, tomatoes, chocolate; very little meat; Mozambique uses maize and beans. And also rice. These foods were brought by the Portugese explorers to the African Continent. Italy has a maize dish callen Polenta (very similar to the Swazi Pap). We really enjoyed our day with the Binghams, their mission president gave them permission to come to Swaziland for the day, so we had our game park pass and took them on a self drive and they were able to get some great pictures of the animals.
18 July 2010
Delivered Patriarchal Blessings to Mbabane and Manzini Branches; they were happy to get them. Stayed for Sacrament in Manzini and the District Councilman spoke, he was very passionate and learned in the scriptures. He spoke on keeping the Sabbath Day holy and shared a very strong testimony with us. He reminded everyone that "today is the day of repentance"; We were impressed with that statement.
19 July 2010
Went to Manzini for District Meeting; the Elders were very late so it was a short meeting; it was Elder Ndlovu's birthday so we took them to a small hole in the wall for lunch; we all had "bunny chow". An indian dish made with curry".
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Full Day in Church for Elder Blackburn
We started with 10:00am Sacrament, then Sunday School, then Priesthood and Relief Society; then Elder Blackburn went to Manzini for District Presidency Meeting and Branch Presidents Training. The leaders were informed that the Chapels will have to be cleaned by the members instead of paying a custodian. They suggested paying themselves, they were told they could not do that; then they were told there were hidden blessings for those who cleaned the chapels; they wanted to know "what kind of hidden Blessings": Elder Blackburn informed them that if he told them they would not be "hidden blessings", they must do the work to receive the blessings". There were 6 baptisms in Manzini today, held after church; they will be confirmed next Sunday. Elder Blackburn got home at about 7:00pm and was able to talk with Brian Jr and was informed that his mission call is to Puerto Rico, San Juan; he leaves the 6th of October for the MTC.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Stay at home day.
10 July 2010
Today is our stay at home day. We went for a walk this morning and saw a herd of some kind of deer and a monkey, and we forgot to take our camera; Elder Blackburn went back later and took pictures of the animals. Did the laundry and cleaned house.
Today is our stay at home day. We went for a walk this morning and saw a herd of some kind of deer and a monkey, and we forgot to take our camera; Elder Blackburn went back later and took pictures of the animals. Did the laundry and cleaned house.
President and Sister Von Stetten visit Swaziland
5 July 2010
Met the District Relief Society Presidency in Manzini Chapel; we baked cupcakes for the reception on Tuesday night; the sisters were not familiar with an oven and tried to take the cakes out of the oven with their bare hands. They had never baked cakes, much less cupcakes with frosting and sugar sprinkles. They truly enjoyed the experience and so did I.
6 July 2010
President Von Stetten and his wife arrived about 1 hour late; they had difficulty getting through the border into Swaziland and then were stopped and fined for going 2 miles over the speed limit. We are usually stopped at least once per day for something. They only fine we have had to pay was when Elder Blackburn was not wearing his seat belt, cost us $60 Emlangeni. Which is about $10.00 American. You pay right then, no ticket to go to court with.
We had a good turn out for the reception. About 30 district leaders and wives came; we served BBQ beef sandwiches, chips, cupcakes and juice, which was really enjoyed by all. A new American dish for the Africans. The District RS did cleanup and we led the President and his wife to their Bed and Breakfast for the night,
7 July 2010
We went to the B&B and led the President and his wife to Mbabane Chapel for Skills and Interviews with the Mbabane District Elders; They were cold, they did not have heat in their room at all. So we turned on the heat full blast to warm them up. We served leftovers to the Elders and President, then after the interviews Elder Ellis told the African Elders "come taste something from the land of Milk and Honey". He was so happy to get the sandwiches and cupcakes. He had not had anything like it since coming to Africa.
Sister Von Stetten was concerned about how Sister Blackburn was adjusting and related this story; She and her husband just finished a mission to South Eastern Africa in charge of the Perpetual Education Fund, and she was not used to being with him 24/7 and would get so frustrated; one day she just took a large potted plant and set it on the desk in front of him so that she could not see him. She said that prayer was the only way she could come to terms in not being able to go when she wanted and do what she wanted. Anyway she said that by the end of the day she had forgiven and moved the plant away. This is the toughest part of the mission, being with someone 24/7 when they control the telephone, car and money.
President Von Stetten set apart a missionary who had been called to the Johannesburg mission and took him with him to Durban where he will put him on an Airplane to Johannesburg Missionary Training Center.
8 July 2010
It rained most of the day today and was kind of cold; Elder Blackburn made a deal with Sister Blackburn that if it rained they would stay home all day. Elder Blackburn worked on a calendar design that President Von Stetten had asked him to do; Sister Blakburn worked on the lesson for the Marrieds class to be held on Tuesday of next week.
9 July 2010
Woke up to sunshine, got up and went for long walk; it was great being outside; Went to the border to pay road tax so Swazi government can't confiscate our vehicle. Then paid telephone bill, tried to find the Ministry of Home Affairs; it took about 1 hour driving around; everyone we asked gave us a different direction; they did not know either. We finally found it and there were so many people out and around we decided to go have lunch and come back another day; then we went to the electric company to try to strighten out our electric bill. Our bill is 19,000.00 Emlangeni which is about $2,000.00 dollars. We paid $600.00E and they were happy and said not to worry. So we won't worry. Just offer so much and let it go at that.
It was about 3:00pm when we finished so we went home and watched 2 Doris Day movies.
Met the District Relief Society Presidency in Manzini Chapel; we baked cupcakes for the reception on Tuesday night; the sisters were not familiar with an oven and tried to take the cakes out of the oven with their bare hands. They had never baked cakes, much less cupcakes with frosting and sugar sprinkles. They truly enjoyed the experience and so did I.
6 July 2010
President Von Stetten and his wife arrived about 1 hour late; they had difficulty getting through the border into Swaziland and then were stopped and fined for going 2 miles over the speed limit. We are usually stopped at least once per day for something. They only fine we have had to pay was when Elder Blackburn was not wearing his seat belt, cost us $60 Emlangeni. Which is about $10.00 American. You pay right then, no ticket to go to court with.
We had a good turn out for the reception. About 30 district leaders and wives came; we served BBQ beef sandwiches, chips, cupcakes and juice, which was really enjoyed by all. A new American dish for the Africans. The District RS did cleanup and we led the President and his wife to their Bed and Breakfast for the night,
7 July 2010
We went to the B&B and led the President and his wife to Mbabane Chapel for Skills and Interviews with the Mbabane District Elders; They were cold, they did not have heat in their room at all. So we turned on the heat full blast to warm them up. We served leftovers to the Elders and President, then after the interviews Elder Ellis told the African Elders "come taste something from the land of Milk and Honey". He was so happy to get the sandwiches and cupcakes. He had not had anything like it since coming to Africa.
Sister Von Stetten was concerned about how Sister Blackburn was adjusting and related this story; She and her husband just finished a mission to South Eastern Africa in charge of the Perpetual Education Fund, and she was not used to being with him 24/7 and would get so frustrated; one day she just took a large potted plant and set it on the desk in front of him so that she could not see him. She said that prayer was the only way she could come to terms in not being able to go when she wanted and do what she wanted. Anyway she said that by the end of the day she had forgiven and moved the plant away. This is the toughest part of the mission, being with someone 24/7 when they control the telephone, car and money.
President Von Stetten set apart a missionary who had been called to the Johannesburg mission and took him with him to Durban where he will put him on an Airplane to Johannesburg Missionary Training Center.
8 July 2010
It rained most of the day today and was kind of cold; Elder Blackburn made a deal with Sister Blackburn that if it rained they would stay home all day. Elder Blackburn worked on a calendar design that President Von Stetten had asked him to do; Sister Blakburn worked on the lesson for the Marrieds class to be held on Tuesday of next week.
9 July 2010
Woke up to sunshine, got up and went for long walk; it was great being outside; Went to the border to pay road tax so Swazi government can't confiscate our vehicle. Then paid telephone bill, tried to find the Ministry of Home Affairs; it took about 1 hour driving around; everyone we asked gave us a different direction; they did not know either. We finally found it and there were so many people out and around we decided to go have lunch and come back another day; then we went to the electric company to try to strighten out our electric bill. Our bill is 19,000.00 Emlangeni which is about $2,000.00 dollars. We paid $600.00E and they were happy and said not to worry. So we won't worry. Just offer so much and let it go at that.
It was about 3:00pm when we finished so we went home and watched 2 Doris Day movies.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Wards visit Swaziland
Elder and Sister Ward left today to return to New Castle, this morning we visited the Braai maker, Elder Ward wanted one just like Elder Blackburn's. We went to the Ezulwini Market and the Silversmiths where Sister Ward purchased a pair of earrings and an ebony nativity set. We ate leftovers from Summerfield for lunch. All in all a delightful weekend; strong friendship started. Got the Bakki washed, took at least one and a half hours; but it is really, really spotless. Just hope the weather holds so we can enjoy a clean car, not covered in red mud. It cost us $6.00 american money. Good value. Sister Ward took some of the newborn kits that we have in our garage to donate to a government clinic in New Castle; we will donate the rest here in Swaziland.
2 July 2010
Took the Wards on a shopping trip around Manzini Market and Ezulwini Candle and Ngwenya Glass Factory. We had lunch at KFC and it was really packed; Sister Ward and I got us a table and the waitress asked us if someone else could sit with us; we assured her our seats were taken and the people at the next booth squeezed the newcomers in. We had never seen KFC waitressses much less one asking us to share a booth with strangers. Went to Summerfields for dinner, we thought Elder and Sister Callister would join us, they must have been busy or left for Johannesburg earlier than planned. Have not heard from them. Wards were really impressed to find a resort of the calibur that Summerfield is here in Swaziland, just as we were.
1 July 2010
Elder and Sister Ward arrived from New Castle to spend 2.5 days with us. We showed them the Ezulwini property and Manzini Chapel, they just purchased property for a chapel in the New Castle area. It rained all day, called Elder and Sister Callister and they joined us for dinner at our house, we had a barbeque and lots of laughs and good conversation. Callisters and Wards have never met.
30 June 2010
Picked up computer from shop in Mbabane, they had to put a new Windows 7 in, it had really crashed and destroyed all desktop files. had District Meeting with the Elders, it was a very productive meeting; they want to come to our house and watch Invictus; informed them they missed the planned day for the viewing, half the Zone saw it yesterday. they can come if they want to. Elder and Sister Blackburn will be in Manzini gettting ready for the Reception with President Von Stetten. Came back and worked on the computer getting files that we could put back. Cleaned house for the weekend, since we will have company tomorrow. we will meet the Wards at the border above Mbabane.
29 June 2010
Had to take the computer to Mbabane; cannot get anything to come up. They informed us that there was a virus and had to replace windows 7 since we did not bring ours from the States.
Had to go to Nhlangano to meet with President Balunga and pay the grounds keeper and cleaning girl. We bought wood and a watermelon along the highway and was able to get some fun pictures.
28 June 2010
At the District Meeting marriage was discussed and it is important to check if investigators have had a traditional marriage or a Civil marriage. After District meeting went for our safari drive with the Manzini Elders; it was rainy and muddy so the park was closed; we got some pictures and came back to our house for movies and popcorn, barbeque, etc. Let one of the Elders use our computer and he opened all his forwarded emails and then our computer crashed.
27 June 2010
Went to Church in Ezulwini, the building was so cold; I don't know how the children go to school when their buildings have no heat. Then we went to Manzini to meet with the District Relief Society President to plan the reception for President Von Stetten. They were shy at first, then finally gave ideas for food; we will meet on Monday 5th July to prepare most of the food for the party. They asked if they could have flowers or if it was too much money. we assured her that it would be alright.
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