Week of 23 Jan 2011

1 Feb 2011
Elder Samai and Elder Cooley came by this morning to discuss a meeting the neighborhood had concerning security, some of the houses have been forcefully broken into and families assaulted.  Elder Blackburn and I decided the Ezulwini missionaries and us had better stay put since our security is really good.  Then we went to Ge Ge to meet with the Eric Rosenberg High School committee to determine if they will let us rent the school to hold Sunday Services, they were hesitant at first, Brother Malinga gave what appeared an eloquent sermon in SiSwati then Elder Blackburn and I answered questions and told them a little about the Church, we could see a softening in their attitude and at the end of the meeting they accepted the amount of rent we offered and gave Elder Blackburn and I a hug and one woman gave me a kiss on the cheek, even the men were giving hugs to Elder Blackburn.  We saw the Spirit actively soften their hearts toward the hurch.  A very profound meeting.  We saw the students carrying dishes and washing them at an outside faucet, they bring their own lunch dishes and then wash them.  I think the World Food Program probably provides the lunches for the students, for some it will be their only food for the day.

31 Jan 2011
Received email from Elder and Sister Neilson from Johannesburg, Humanitarian missionaries, they will be in Swaziland from the 2nd to 4th of Feb.  We were in the Ezulwini Town Board and saw they would like a wheelchair project so we made an appointment for the Neilsons with them.  We were looking for houses to rent for us and the missionaries, could not find anything.

30 Jan 2011
Went to Nhlangano for Church, Elder Blackburn needed to present Brother Malinga's name to be sustained as Group Leader for Ge Ge.  He also interviewed prospective Elder and Set apart the new Branch Clerk, Brother Motsa.  Brother Motsa is 26 years old and was so subdued because of his call, he will do a good job.  He has taken this call so seriously.  Very productive day for Branch President Bulunga, many calls extended for the Ge Ge Group and accepted.

29 Jan 2011
Went visiting members today, the worst dirt road ever, tall weeds and ruts.  Saw brother Malaza a member of the Ezulwini Branch Presidency.  We explained that we want to visit inactive and less active Priesthood holders and try to get them to come out again to strengthen the Branch.  Then we went to visit Sister Jill, several of the handbags she makes have been ordered by Sister Nuzman and Sister Hudson, she will get those made for when we go to Durban.

26 Jan 2011
Had pictures of GeGe wedding developed and will take to Brother and Sister Malinga to give to the bride and groom, we hope this will be a good PR effort.  Received a call from the Swaziland Internal Revenue Service, they have a check from the Church and the clerk, Nomsa does not know what to do with it.  So we went to the IRS and explained the check was to be broken down and the amounts are to be posted by the month for the last 4 months.  She really did not understand but was willing to do it the way we told her.

25 January 2011
In the car again today, had to go to Mbabane for small errands, picked up sweater at cleaners, had prints done of pictures taken at the wedding, will give them to the Sister Malinga on Sunday, we have to go back to Nhlangano to set apart the Group Leader for GeGe, Brother Malinga and get Aaronic Priesthood ordained. Had to buy a new mixer, the one Sister Blackburn had fell off the counter onto the cement floor and broke. Then we had to go to Manzini to see Elder Samai about a traffic accident he had, there were forms that did not get filled out and sent to the Mission Home.  Elder Samai was on exchanges with the Elders in Manzini, we went to the Manzini Market again and picked up a Nativity Set. Had to stop in Matsapha to give copies of the wire receipts showing all the apartment rents for the Elders had been paid.  Checked on the cost of two bicycles for GeGe; will get the answer on the cost tomorrow.   The new Noah's Ark is not finished yet, when we get it, we will send a box home.  All this running around will really cost us this month in gasoline.

24 January 2011
First thing a call from Elder and Sister Allen, they sent us the confirmation of funds for Sipiwe Songwe's school tuition; Sister Blackburn had told her mother to have Sipiwe at the school very early on Monday morning so we could convince them to allow her to start without money in hand.  Sister Blackburn telephoned Sister Shongwe and asked if Sipiwe was on her way and was informed that she would call Sipiwe and tell her to hurry;  Elder and Sister Blackburn went on to the school and met with the Head Teacher who agreed to let her start, we gave him the confirmation of money letters;  2.5 hours later Sipiwe telephoned us and said they would not let her into school, she was told to go to the Commercial Department and see the Head Teacher, he did let her start school, we hope she can get out of bed and get to school for the next 18 months.  Her mother called later and Asked for the money for Sipiwe to board at the school, Sister Blackburn informed her that PEF did not pay for room and board and that Sipiwe knew this, it had been discussed, if Sipiwe wanted to stay at school she would have to pay for it herself.  We went to the Manzini Market and picked up the drum for President and Sister Von Stetten, it was very well done.  All names carved and spelled correctly.  Long day, glad it ended.

23 Jan 2011
We got up early and started for Nhlangano, we picked up President Simelane and his Executive Secretary, brother Jabulani Motsa so by 7:30a.m. we were on the way from Manzini to Nhlangano, we arrived in time for Elder Blackburn, President and Brother Motsa to attend PEC meeting with President Balunga.  Had good meetings, everything in English and organized they way it was supposed to be except R.S., got to work on that.  After meetings, Sister Blackburn had packed a lunch, so we ate lunch on the way back to Manzini and Ezulwini.  It was President Simelane's birthday and he wondered if his wife would remember.  He and Brother Motsa ate all the brownies Sister Blakburn had made.  After meetings in Manzini, it was mentioned that Sister Simelane did not remember her husband's birthday.  We think he was probably really disappointed.  Long day!!!