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.