Trip to New Castle

27 March 2011
Branch Conference in Mbabane Branch; the theme of the Conference was self-reliance, a much needed area for the people of Swaziland.  We were impressed with their understanding and knowledge that they know how and what to store.  Concern was expressed about the possiblity of war and being prepared.  Some of the items they suggested for storage was sour porridge, maize, beans, rice and water.  President Simelane expressed the importance of storing water.  It was stated that "we are very lucky to have a Prophet and we must do as he says". They expressed the need for wood and matches and the big pots all Swazi people have, they know how to cook outside and grow and store their staples.  "Are there any hands up?" (are there any questions)  Also, they expressed their testimony that the First Presidency has been chosen by God.

26 March 2011
We spent a few hours with the Petersons they were here to do an employment presentation in the different Branches; we were not involved at all.

25 March 2011
Today we stayed in all day and rested.  Enough said!!

24 March 2011
We met the Nuzman family at Timbali Lodge and spent the day with them.  They insisted on paying for our lunch and our dinner.  We took them to Manzini Market, Swazi Candle and the Ngwenya Glass Factory.  It was truly a great day with people we have learned to love very much.

23 March 2011
Got up early for Zone Conference, Sister Blackburn cleaned Elder and  Sister Ward's teeth before we left, it is something we can do for them, they are so kind to us.  The Sisters were busy with getting food for the Elders that they missed pictures and most of the conference.  We left at 3:00 p.m. so we could get to the Swazi border post before 6:00 p.m. and closing time.  We really drove hard and fast and arrived at 3 minutes to 6:00 p.m.  The guard was really nosy and had everything taken out of the bakkis and car so he could see everything we had; he was like a child and curious.  We had to even declare a pizza.  We had planned on feeding the Elders once we passed the border gate.  We learned that more people have been posted to that border post so they can get more customs tax.  Unfortunately for them, we did not have enough.  We thought they were looking for weapons because of the future unrest and protests.  We were happy to get out of the cars and settled back in.

22 march 2011
We picked up Elder Moeta and Elder Mutariswa and left for New Castle and Zone conference, the Zone Leader's bakki in the shop for repairs and won't be finished for about 2 weeks.  Sister Blackburn got a hair cut and the Wards prepared dinner for us and the Mission President and wife.  We have to leave tomorrow right after Conference to get the missionaries back to their areas.

The Rhinos that wanted to ram our car.

21 March 2011
We made two trips to Manzini today to check on things ordered by Couple Missionaries, did our laundry and got ready to leave for New Castle tomorrow.  We will have to take 2 Elders with us since their bakki is not fixed.

20 March 2011
Elder Blackburn went to Ezulwini Branch for 3 hours then to District Presidency Meeting; the Elders had his car so he was really at their mercy.  Sister Blackburn made Penne pasta casserole for lunch, 4 Elders were here and Elder Herrity (from England) said it was the best spaghetti he has ever eaten.  We called Susan and Paul on skype to see how he is doing, he looked pretty good, able to talk reasonably well.  Elders for lunch were Elder Herrity, Elder Henson, Elder Moeta, Elder Mutariswa.  Long day, glad to go to bed.

19 March 2011
Relief Society Birthday party in Ezulwini and all the other Branches; Sister Ntshalitnshali had asked Sister Blackburn to attend Ezulwini since the District Presidency will attent the other branches.  It was very unplanned.  The Relief Society President brough Polony, Bread, bananas, apples for lunch and gave a lesson.  Sister Blackburn thougth it would be like an English Tea so she brought cake and a book mark to give each sister with the Relief Society Code.  The Sisters liked the book mark and the Relief Society President was asked when she held her Presidency Meetings and replied that she had not; she was encouraged to hold one every two weeks and Sister Blackburn would love to attend them; and now is the time to start planning a Christmas activity.  Elders still have our car.

18 March 2011
Started to GeGe and the Elders Bakki broke, we traded for another one and left our car for the Elders to drive while the broken bakki was taken to the shop.  We then continued on our way to GeGe to meet with the Senior Princess.  We took 4 Elders and Brother Malinga with us;also the only other Melchizedek Priesthood holder went too, he is a young man named Musi and has been working with the Elders in GeGe.  We stopped at the orphanage first to assess their needs, then walked over to the Princess's house;  She is 81 years old and is a half sister to the current King; she lives in very humble circumstances; we took a pink blanket, rice, sugar and apples as gifts for her.  She was really pleased with the blanket and when Sister Blackburn curtseyed she was smiling and pleased.  Then Elder Blackburn asked if she would like a Priesthood Blessing and she nodded yes.  The young Elder Musi gave the blessing in SisWati so she could understand it.  This visit gave us the blessing of the Chief, the Princess to go anywhere in GeGe our elders want without harm or harrassment.  A morning well spent.

14 March 2011
We went to Hlane Big Game Park with the Manzini Elders, we always love to go there.  We met some big Rhinos in the road and they would not move, Elder Blackburn revved his engine and they turned to charge the car so Elder Blackburn backed up and hit a tree, broke the tail light on the car, however we did get away from the big, big Rhinos.  So Elder Blackburn ordered the tail light and will not tell Durban anything about it.

Receptionist at the Ministry of Finance - we went to find out how to get wheel chairs into Swaziland without paying customs.  She has 5 telephones and is a very laid back employee (almost laying down in her chair).

Princess Sehlephi Dlamini Hlatshwayo the Senior Princess of Swaziland; 81 years old, half sister to King Mswatti III                                                

This orphanage is a day care for the local children, orphans and children whose parents work during the day.  They are given one meal a day.

Princess Sehlephi's home in GeGe it is pretty humble for the daughter of a King.


Relief Society Birthday celebration - Polony Sandwiches;  Sister Blackburn brought CAKE

The Gables where we shop for food, pay our electricity and water bills.

Indian Ocean - not real warm and not real cold.

At the B&B in Salt Rock just south of Richards Bay, great place to stay.

Lunch on the Beach with Elder and Sister Nuzman - Fish and Chips

This is the septic tank which was dug for the Elder's home in GeGe; we found out it was dug by the local grave digger - looks like a grave doesn't it?

Catch up on what happened in Feb 2011

7 March 2011
Today was a relaxing day, got our car washed with all the monkey doo washed off.  There were about 50 of them yesterday all over the front yard and porch and car.

5 March 2011
Today Elder Blackburn went to GeGe to see how the progress is on the house the Elders will move into; still not finished, they say they are going to move in on Thursday even if it is not finished.  Elder Munger was talking with a local this week and the man asked him where he stays, he said in the house at the Malinga homestead and the man said "you have a geezer"!!! (hot water tank) the only hot water tank in the community.  No one has indoor plumbing.  Sister Blackburn called Durban and all the blood tests came back normal.  The knee has not hurt since a blessing was given.  So all is well right now.

4 Mar 2011
We found a new house for the Mbabane Elders to move into, signed the lease and they will move on the First of April.  Elder and Sister Cox came to Swaziland for CES we met them for Chinese food and invited them back for a piece of Lemon pie.  They will come back tomorrow night and watch a movie with us.  Passage to Zarahemla, they have not seen it.

27 Feb
We got up early to drive to Nhlangano for Church, the Nuzmans were in very good spirits and laughing about their trials and trying to decide if they should move.  After Nhl we went to GeGe and the house is still not ready, it will be another week.  We got home safe and sound and very tired.  The Wards arrived with their family and came by and invited us to Summerfield for dinner, we had just had fried eggs, so we went with them and Sister Blackburn had Apple crepes and Elder Blackburn had a bowl of soup, it was good to meet their family, they will go do the Zip Line tomorrow.

26 Feb 2011
Today when we got up Elder Nuzman went to the Telephone Store, his new phone was not working and later when Sister Blackburn opened the door there was a baby snake laying right against the door step, Elder Nuzman must have stepped over it and did not see it.  We took pictures and then Elder Blackburn killed it and we decided that where there is a baby snake there has to be a big snake close by so we were careful where we stepped when we were in the yard.  Richards Bay District had a career fair today and we went to that after a good lunch of fish and chips on the beach.  The water was not as warm as you would think since it is the Indian Ocean.  We got together with Elder and Sister Peterson, who gave a presentation for the career fair and then Nuzman, Blackburn and Peterson couples went to dinner at the beach again.  Lots of laughter and talking.

25 Feb 2011
Today we had to drive a car to Richards Bay for the Nuzman Couple; Elder Blackburn drove our car and Sister Blackburn drove the car for the Nuzmans; we had a good drive with no problems.  The Nuzmans were really happy to see us, they had been stuck in the house without even a telephone, we also brought them a new cell phone.  We were scheduled to stay with them for 2 nights then drive on to Swaziland.  We went to a restaurant on the Beach for dinner then back to the house and bed by 9.

24 Feb 2011
Found out today that Elder and Sister Nuzman in Richards Bay had a home invasion and their new television, 2 computers, cell phone, other odds and ends and their car was stolen;  the Public Relations couple happened to be there and had decided to stay with them instead of getting a B&B and they all (4) slept right through the robbery.  Sister Blackburn went to the Orthopedic Doctor and had xrays of her knee and was told she has osteoarthritis in the knee, he gave her pain pills and  glucosamine to take.  She will get the results of the blood tests next week.

23 Feb 2011
Elder Ward and Elder Blackburn took Sister Blackburn to her doctor's appointment, she had blood tests to check thyroid and sugar levels and anemic levels,  and was referred to orthopedie surgeon to examine her knee, she has been in a lot of pain.  Elder Blackburn, Ward, Allred all met with President Von Stetten for their Presidency meeting, Sister Blackburn took quite a few of the small bags which Sister Jill had made and the Sisters bought quite a few of them, we brought quite a sum of money back to Sister Jill and had to inform her that there would not be any more sales since all the Sisters had now bought what they wanted.  All the Couples went to dinner at a Thai Restaurant and had a lot of good fellowship that evening.

22 Feb 2011
We left for Durban early and spent the night at Salt Rock a B&B on the Beach, it was so enjoyable and the next morning we drove along the beach and then went on to Durban.  Sister Blackburn had a Doctor's appointment on the 23rd.  The Wards met us at the Mission Home, then Elder Zwiefel and Elder Davis happened to see our car and all the zip ties holding fender together, etc.  So they took the car to the body shop and we had to ride with the Wards until Friday.