22 Jan 2011

We got up very early and started for Nhlangano and GeGe, made a stop in Manzini at the Elders apartment to pick up vacumn and iron, they had borrowed them from us.  We got to GeGe at 12:00 noon at Brother and Sister Malinga's house.  Elder Blackburn needed to call Brother Malinga as the new Group Leader for the GeGe Group and check the house the new Elders will stay in if President Von Stetten sends them to us at the next transfer.  What a rough road to travel to and from, however we did get to attend a wedding as we had to go find Brother Malinga to extend the call.  Brother Malinga is the assistant Chief or "Headman" of the area.  The little house was adequate, we took pictures to send to Pres. and took pictures of the school the saints will probably be meeting in.  Then we went to Nhlangano and met with Pres. Bulunga to inform of the changes that will be made tomorrow and to inform him that District President Simelane will be there tomorrow to make changes in his Branch and to be prepared for them.  Then to the Elder's apartment for their periodic inspection.  Everything looked good there.  Then home and dinner in the crockpot.

21 Jan 2011
Brother Mbuli came early to wash and clean our car, then the Allens came to do PEF papers; Portia was here too so I could type her an application cover letter to apply for a job.  Lots happening.  Mbuli finished the car, Elder Blackburn took him as a compantion to deliver Portia to her job interview, sure hope she gets it.  While they were gone Allens came, when Elder Blackburn and Mbuli came back, the Allens took him with them to Mbabane to find the Standard Bank and the Shongwe family so they could sign their PEF loan documents and get everything set up for them.  We then went to Mbabane to check the price of duvet covers and to get Sister Blackburn's passport stamped with her work permit (visa).  We got back home and rested for about an hour and then met Elder and Sister Allen at the Chinese Restaurant for dinner.  We were glad to find our bed tonight.

20 Jan 2011
We were home most of the day; Elder Blackburn had a Presidency Meeting on SKYPE and they had difficulty with reception because of the weather.  President Von Stetten suggested that the Sisters make duvet covers for the Elder's blankets so they will not have to carry them on transfers.  President approved calling a Group Leader in GeGe and will seriously consider sending missionaries to the area.  Elder Blackburn is to check out the school that has been recommended for them to meet in and check out the little house for the Elders to live in.

11 Jan 2011
Transfer Day!!!! We had to get up early and drive to the PetroPort in South Africa to pick up 2 Elders from Durban, Elder Munger and Elder Shelton. It has been a rainy day.  Made it to the PetroPort on time picked up our Elders and came back to Swaziland.  We took pictures, the Elder's cameras did not work.  We stopped at the Nisela Game Reserve for lunch.  They were really pleased to be out of the City and in the country.  We feel they will be good Elders here.  The Swaziland Elders got back from New Castle safe and sound and when we got to Mbabane everyone was out on investigator lessons; we were very pleased and reported good results to President Von Stetten.

10 Jan 2011
We had Zone Development Meeting at our house and everyone shared their testimony; there were many tears shed.  These Elders have been together from 4 to 6 plus months and have built a wonderful brotherhood with each other and with us.

04 Jan 2011
Elder and Sister Robinson (from St. George - our Ward) Public Relations met us at their boarding and followed us to Manzini and we picked up Brother Martin Mayabe on the road, he directed us to where his wife works, he did not want to do the film without her "she is my eternal companion and I don't want to leave her out of this opportunity", so we picked her up then proceeded to Brother Mayabe's home, 3 vehicles, the Cinematographer, Robinson's car and ours.  That was an experience the picture tells the story.  they filmed family home evening and Brother Mayabe playing with his young daughter.  Then we went to Mbabane to Brother George Dlamini's home for another Family Home Evening, he was so great, he said "I never thought when I joined the Church that I would have this many White Faces in my home at once".  The we went to Vusi Malinga family where they entertained the Lucky Maseko family.  It was a fun day.  We took the Robinsons to Summerfield for dinner and were they impressed.  Very fruitful day, good films.etc.

03 Jan 2011
Elder and Sister Robinson came to Swaziland, we met them at the Mbabane Boarder Post and escorted them to their Bed and Breakfast boarding; they got checked in and then we all went to the Chinese Restaurant for dinner, which was enjoyed by all.  They brought a cinematographer and his crew with them for the filming.  They are filming Family Home Evening segments in Black African Homes to be approved by the First Presidency for distribution in Africa, starting with Angola.  Exciting to be part of this.  Enjoyed reunion with the Robinsons.