22 Aug 2010
Went to Church in Nhlangano, we were on our way to St. Lucia to meet some of the other Couple Missionaries from South Africa for a couple of days of R&R. Our plans were to have dinner Sunday night, then at 5:00 a.m. meet our guide for our mini safari, spend the day in Hulhulwe seeing the big animals, have dinner at the B&B then go for a water cruise in the Wetlands part of the Reserve to see Crocodiles and Hippos.
The Couples who came were Elder and Sister Peterson, Elder and Sister Cox, Elder and Sister Ward, Elder and Sister Davis and Elder and Sister Blackburn. The B&B had the most beautiful veranda we have ever seen. The 2 days went far too fast. It was a good birthday celebration for Sister Blackburn.
25 Aug 2010
Elder Blackburn had to be back in Ezulwini for a telephone conference on skype for his Mission Presidency Meeting; it was kind of successful although there was no video, not as nice as taking Sister Blackburn to Durban every six weeks.
26 Aug 2010
Met with Church engineer again, this time in regards to the Mbabane Chapel roof; the engineer condemned the use of the Chapel - the roof could fall in at anytime, even a loud noise could bring it down. Now Elder Blackburn has to find other arrangements for District Conference on Sept 18, 19.
27 Aug 2010
Elder and Sister Cox and Elder and Sister Allen came to Swaziland in regards to PEF and CES; they stayed at Reillys Hilltop Lodge so we could not have dinner with them; their dinner was included in their boarding and outsiders could not come.
28 Aug 2010
Met the Allen's and Cox's at Mbabane Building then followed them to Manzini and after their meetings we took them to the Manzini market for some tourist shopping. Our appointment with Elder Hansen fell through so we had all day free. The Cox's bought a drum and key rings and had them carved with their family names.
4 Sept 2010
Went to Nhlangano and met with the Elder's landlord. We signed their new lease and included the water costs so the Missionaries will not have to worry about that; their electricity is prepaid, there is a gadget in the flat for that purpose. Then we drove 30K to GeGe to meet with Brother and Sister Malinga (she is going to SLC for Oct Conference and wanted to talk to us about that and about getting a branch and building for GeGe; the problems were that there is only 1 Elder in GeGe, and that is Elder Malinga; we explained to Sister Malinga (Elder Malinga was at a Chief's meeting - he is headman or assistant chief) that they need 9 Elders to start a Branch. We hope this made it clear that they need to bring their 13 members into Nhlangano so the Aronic Priesthood and primary children can be trained. Sister Malinga has set aside some of her own property for the building of the Church; she is prepared to donate the land.
6 Sept 2010
Took Elder Mwite to the Doctor and learned that he was having asthma problems; he got a couple of prescriptions that should make him better; informed the Mission Home that the doctor said "the asthma was being caused by either the flue or extreme excercise and since he has not had the flue it must be the mountain trails he walks in his missionary work.
8 Sept 2010
Missionary transfer today and tomorrow; Elder Mwite was transfered to South Africa where he can be better monitered and his area will be a driving area. We went to our butchery shop and ordered a gammon(ham) to make sandwiches for lunch on the Sunday of District Conference. The Area Authority, Elder Renlund and wife; President Von Stetten and Wife; Elder Blackburn and Wife; President Simelane; Brother Shongwe and Brother Maseko will be there for lunch. Then we all will go visit some inactives and good investigators who will keep an appointment.
MIDDLE OF AUGUST
Elder Nathi called us and wanted a meeting and the following is a narrative:
Elder Nathi has been pestering us to buy him luggage, suits, shirts, scriptures, etc., we have kept telling him no, no, and no. Still he comes back for another request, Sister Blackburn finally lost her patience with him and said "we will not buy you anything and DO NOT ASK US AGAIN, then walked away from him.
He went to Sister Shongwe and complained that we would not buy his missionary stuff for him and he said "she sat me down and explained that I should be working and I should not expect people to provide everything I need or want, I should find something to sell and save for what I will need in the MTC." (finally a breakthrough), so he brought out some porcelain dishes sold in the tourist areas and asked if there was anything we would like to have - we picked out a couple of things, even tho we did not want them, but he needed the reinforcement. He has been very quiet ever since. He goes into the MTC in Johannesburg on September 30th 2010. Elder Nathi confirmed to us that Heavenly Father led him to the products he could sell and was blessing him in his effort. (what a breakthrough, Sister Blackburn has felt that the Swazi Saints need these kinds of experiences instead of an American Missionary Handout.)
Elder Blackburn received a call from Brother Holder, he has gotten permission from the Church to remodel the Ezulwini Building - he met with the engineer and contractor to inspect the building and found only a few of the interior walls will have to be removed. The outside structure will not be touched. (and Sister Jill really wanted just a small amount of the tin roof, since her home leaks.) She will have to go to plan B.
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