Dinner with Elder and Sister Ward

25 Sept 2011
Last night we fixed dinner for Elder and Sister Ward, we had bought a large container of tomatoes and they were very good, Elder Ward was wondering where he could get such good tomatoes and Sister Blackburn told him, "you will have to go to the black market".  That will now and forever be a joke between us all.  We did have a great good time with them.  They did not go to Nhlangano with us today, they decided to go to the Ezulwini Branch instead.  We went to Nhlangano and the Temple Recommend interviews did not show up.  We also delivered 3 wheelchairs for the Branch President to give to people in his branch who really need them.  We also went to GeGe to see the Elders and take a DVD to Sister Malinga of the Lobola proceedings for her son's wedding. While there, she told us that they had slaughtered her cow yesterday and were having their celebration and would we like some of the meat.  Of course, we said yes and she sent a bag of beef home with us.  We love these times of interacting with the Saints here.  They are so humble and give their love so freely, we feel so blessed to know them.  Below is a picture of how we brought the meat home, black bag and all.  It was really some good home cutting. Even a couple of steaks, a roast and stew meat.

We received such a sweet note from Mary about what happened with her son Christopher.  We feel so blessed to have her as part of our family relationships.  Elder Blackburn has been a little frustrated with the District President, he won't hold his meetings and is hesitant to meet with Elder Blackburn.  We really hope there will be a breakthrough with him this week.  We met with Sister Ntshalintshali and Sister Mabusa in GeGe today.  Sister Mabusa will be attending the Temple on Saturday the 1st and is apprehensive and is looking forward to Sister Blackburn being there. (If President Von Stetten approves).  All in all a very satisfying Sunday.

End of September

For anyone interested in how Couples live while serving, we have posted these pictures.  The Church has a perpetual fund to furnish and supply the apartments and houses we live in.  We pay a rental fee for the furniture and when something wears out or breaks we get to go replace it.  This year Elder Blackburn and I replaced all the furniture in our home here.   We have a two bedroom, two bathroom (ensuite). Office and another room, plus a laundry room attached to the garage with a bathroom and a storage room.  Lots of closet space and cupboards.

24 Sept 2011

Today is Saturday and Elder and Sister Ward are visiting.  Their son and his wife are visiting them and they brought them to Swaziland for the Malalotja Zip Line Canopy Tour.  Swaziland is a camper and hiker paradise.  Many wate falls, trails and scenic spots.  They will spend the night and go to Church with us in Nhlangano tomorrow.  Elder Blackburn has a couple of Temple Recommend interviews to conduct.  That Branch is going to the Temple on Friday the 30th and we hope to be able to attend with them.

23 Sept 2011

Elder and Sister Ward with their son and wife arrrived today; we went to dinner with them at the Calabash Restaurant.  The food was really good and good visiting.  We considered this our "Pday".  We did laundry and cleaned house.

22 Sept 2011

Today we went to immigration to finish getting the Elders their visa.  We did not want to go to Manzini to get Elder Maring and Elder Van Scheltema was in training so we took Elder Shannon and Elder Thatcher and they pretended to be Maring and Van Scheltema to get the sign off on the document that states they are not,"an idiot, insane or mentally defective".  The Doctor as which one was Markus and we had assigned them the name they were before hand so Elder Shannon spoke up that he was Markus Maring, the doctor then signed both documents and sent them on their way.  This doctor is nice enough to do this at no charge to the Church.  Our Elders thought that was one of the best and funniest experiences of their Mission.  We were able to get 5 passports stamped with two to be done next week.  We feel that we are almost an expert at this job.

21 Sept 2011

We had to drive to Piet Retief to pick up Elder Muliaga who had forgotten his passport yesterday.  The Elders in Puntadajaba brought the passport to Harrismith, the Hudsons drove from Ladysmith to get it and then drove to New Castle to give it to Elder Ward.  What 2 days on the road we have had.  We got Elder Muliaga delivered to Manzini, all the training materials delivered to Mbabane and then thankfully home.  Elder Blackburn said, "when I get home I am going to destroy my drivers license and you can drive me around from now on".

20 Sept 2011

Transfer day!! We were assigned to deliver 6 Elders to the Petro Port in South Africa - 4.5 hours away.  Lots of luggage and young men.  It took 2 bakkies to get everyone delivered.  This time it felt like we were losing a part of our family they had been in Swaziland so long.  Elder Peirce, Elder Cooley, Elder Tklotsi, Elder Shelton and Elder Lyon, Elder Sakapaku

18 Sept 2011

Today we went to Church in the Ezulwini Branch, the Smiths attended there also and brough a friend from the University and Scholarship program.  Elder Blackburn then had meetings in Manzini with the District Presidency and these last the rest of the day.  He was really tired when he got home.

17 Sept 2011

Today we had a barbeque for the Swaziland District, all the Elders and the Smith Family came, Sister Smith brought a large bowl of potatoe salad. She was very surprised when everything, even all her potatoe salad was completely eaten.  Most of the Elders either ride bicycles or walk in their areas so they are always hungry.  The Manzini Elders informed Elder Blackburn that their 3 bicycles wer stolen, they were locked with cable locks and somehow they were all 3 taken.  The night watchman did not hear anything, he was probably asleep at his job or was in on the theft.

15 Sept 2011

We had breakfast with the Elders in Richards Bay who had served in Swaziland, Elder Martin, Elder Mead and Elder Mbongwe.  Elder Martin and Elder

Mbongwe are going home this transfer, we then headed home and stopped at St. Joseph's school and about 3/4 of the wheel chairs were delivered to the recipients yesterday and today.

15 Sept 2011

Drove to Richards Bay so Elder Blackburn could go to the dermatologist about a mole on his face.  It was a benign cyst and the doctor froze it and said it would fall off in about 10 days;  We met the Nuzmans for dinner and had a really nice visit with them, we were able to spend the night with them.  We are so grateful to have made such good friends with them and hope we can continue our friendship when we all get home.

Use of sewing machines

13 Sept 2011
This evening we took an Eternal Marriage lesson book to President Shongwe, a counselor in the District Presidency so he could use it for counseling sessions.  Sister Blackburn had loaned a sewing machine to Sister Shongwe and taught her how to make pillow cases and a differen apron pattern and she said she has been selling them in Mbabane and that is how they are feeding their family right now, if it were not for the sewing machine and the items she learned how to make they would not have food in their house.  Another Tender Mercy from our Heavenly Father to take care of his righteous children.  Explained to the family that they should never carry heavy burdens on their heads because of the wear on the discs of the spine.  They did not know this and were very impressed; Branch President Shongwe said he would not have his new wife carry such burdens.  This is such a righteous family and we truly love them.

12 Sept 2011

13 Sept 2011
Today Sister Smith wanted me to take her to some of the shops so she could get her Christmas presents bought and mailed home in time for Christmas.  We had a great girls day out!!! While in one of the shops for a carved nativity, one of the sales people asked me if we had ordered one figure for a nativitry we had sent to Lesotho to Elder and Sister Dahle I said yes and she took the figure out of another set and gave it to me to send to them.  Their set was missing the baby Jesus when they received it.  We continued with our day and had lunch and then time to come home.  I then called Sister Dahle to tell her we had gotten the figure with no additional charge to her, Elder Dahle answered the telephone and informed us that they were at the hospital, Sister Dahle was having some problems from riding in the truck too much and was in great pain and they did not know what the doctor was going to recommend. He sounded anxious and so alone.  I could not help but think of the small blessings we receive each day, one of our sisters describes it as Tender Mercies from the Lord.  The sales clerk was prompted to give me the figure even though she knew one was ordered.  Without it, we would not have called the Dahles, the telephone call gave him comfort just to have someone to talk with, he had not called President Von Stetten so he was virtually alone so we called Sister Von Stetten to let the Mission Home know they were dealing with some problems. Two times in two days we have been reminded that the Lord is with us even in small things.  It reminded us again of the wonderful people we serve with, we look after each other when needed,

12 Sept 2011
Today has been pday for us, slow and quiet.  We remembered that we did not have our Garmin for the Temple trip to Johannesburg and Sister Blackburn wailed about it on Face Book and then Elder and Sister Nuzman contacted us and told us they had just picked it up from the store, what a blessing (tender mercy from our Heavenly Father).  We made arrangements with the Nuzmans to come to Richards Bay on Wednesday, Elder Blackburn needs to see a dermatologist to have a mole taken off his face so we can get that done too.

The pictures of the flowers were taken today, it is a very warm springtime this year and the flowers are very beautiful.  These are 3 of the recipients of the wheel chairs and were so happy to get them, they could not stop smiling, the one on the left really was happy, she just did not want to smile for the camers.

12 Sept 2011
Today we met the Zawackys and Gundersons at Ezulwini Market they wanted to purchase some carved Noah;s Arks to send home and one for Sister Zwiefel.  Then Elder and Sister Blackburn picked up George Lukhele and went to St. Joseph to check on the wheel chairs that have not been delivered.  We were able to deliver 4 and select out the ones that go to the students at the school.  St. Joseph school is a school for the handicapped.  George was given the challenge to get all the chairs delivered on Thursday and Friday, we left him at home in Matsapha, Then we came home and rested.

11 Sept 2011
We went to Church in Nhlangano and took Elder and Sister Zawaky with us to meet the Branch President and their new Institute and Seminary teachers.  Sister Blackburn gave the Temple Preparation class since they are planning a trip to the Johannesburg Temple the 30th of September.  Several questions were answered and there was tremendous interest in the information offered.  Elder Blackburn released the 1st Counselor Bishop Mamba, since he is having great difficulty getting to Church, his age and the condition of his car is the problem.  Also released was the Elder's Quorum President, Eliott Shongwe.  This move was designed to give President Balunga more help in running the Branch.  After Relief Society and Priesthood we headed to GeGe to pick up a bicycle to get it repaired, The Zawacky's were able to meet Brother and Sister Malinga and get a list of the S&I students from Sister Malinga.  It was a long hard day and we were glad to get back to Ezulwini to dinner and a rest.

29 Aug 2011
Elder and Sister Ward and us went to the national Reed Dance that is put on each year in Swaziland by the Queen Mother.

The girl with the red feathers is a Swazi Princess, royalty wear the red feathers in their hair, both men and women and girls.  Sister Blackburn asked the girl with the brown feathers if they were symbolic or if they were for beauty, She replied, "they are for beauty".  Approximately 80,000 girls participated.

The youngest was about 6 months old.

And, of course, the King was there!!.

27 August 2011
Helping Hands day in Swaziland.  We visited Ezulwini and took pictures then went to GeGe to give them support and to visit the Malinga family, we were invited to see the practice dancing for their son's traditional Swazi wedding.  The day got so late, that we did not get to see the dancing, we had to get home before dark and we did not make it, however we were in and safe before 9:00pm.

These last two pictures are the finished project. A morning to put up a fence and pull weeds and till the ground and plant a garden.  A lot of work finished.  And, young people who feel very good about what they did and how they spent their day.  President Shongwe's new wife was working right along side everyone.
26 Aug 2011
Today is Sister Blackburn's birthday, Elder Blackburn bought her a new ring from Swaziland, silver with designs of giraffe hair and a lion on it.  The Manzini Elders, Elder Peirce, Jonga, Sakpaku, Signorelli brough her a special gift, a swazi drum carved with their names.  It was truly a special gift and touched our hearts.  We love these young men we serve with.

Aug 20 to 10 sept 2011

Brother and Sister Malinga from GeGe invited us and Brother and Sister Smith to the Lobolo ceremony where their son negotiated the number of cows he must pay for his bride.  A tent was being set up so visitors could stay out of the sun while the negotiations were going on, namely the father of the groom, Brother Malinga.  It has been a very warm day.  The marriage manager for the Malinga family did the negotiations on behalf of the Malingas, they were held in a round hut;  blankets were presented to different members of the bride's family and the negotiations started with the bride's family demanding 17 cows.  The groom had brought 10 cows and that is the number that was eventually decided upon (probably decided before the negotiations, this is just a formality now days).

The cows arriving, Brother Malinga drove them to Luve from GeGe, about 3 hours drive.  Brother Smith filmed everything for a documentary he is producing in conjunction with his Fulbright Scholarship with the University of Swaziland.  Below the cows are being driven into the Kraal for safe keeping.  Lots of young men around to help.  This is a ceremony that women of the grooms family are not invited to.

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The toilet is fancy for a pit in Swaziland; just had to take a picture of such wealth.  The women are frying chicken to feed those taking part in the negotiations.  Young men (warriors) thoroughly enjoying the ceremonies.  Elder Blackburn enjoying luch of goat meat and beans.  Sister Blackburn being entertained by a young guest who spoke such good english and entertained everyone she was so delighted to have peopel to talk to, the river which runs in the community.  A truly beautiful land.

09 Sept 2011

Elder and Sister Zowacky and Elder and Sister Gunderson came to Swaziland for PEF and Seminaries and Institutes meetings for the weekend.  Elder and Sister Blackburn spent the day working on Immigration visas for the Elders who will be transferred to Swaziland in a couple of weeks, they will come in completely legal and start work.

07 Sept 2011

Zone Conference in New Castle from 8:00 til 2:00.   The theme of the Conference was "There are some guidelines and rules necessary for one to be the recipient of revelation and inspiration, they include

 1) to try honestly and sincerely to keep Gods Commandments

 2) to be spiritually attuned as a reciever of a divine message

 3) to ask in humble fervent prayer, and

 4) to seek with unwavering faith"

Hard work, obedience with exactness will yield miracles.

Elder and Sister Hudson fixed a lunch of pulled pork, apple sauce, chips and juice.  It was really delicious.  Elders were issued a small DVD Player to help in training new missionaries so there were a lot of questions on what they can view on them.  Some disappointment since they cannot watch movies on pday.  We left New Castle and arrived home at 10:00 pm.  We were really tired.

06 Sept 2011

Hudsons took us on a tour again today of their area and showed us some of the handcraft items that are made there.  We purchased a wool rug and 4 tiles for our entryway.  After lunch we drove to New Castle and spent the night with Elder and Sister Ward; we had dinner with President Von Stetten and Sister Von Stetten, the Wards.  We had Chinese food.

Spinning the wool and weaving the rugs.

05 Sept 2011

We woke up early and drove to the Midlands Meander which is an area where there are lots of home made items.  We stopped at a goat farm and bought cheese and had a picnic in their yard.

Of course, we also brought some home and a jar of chili and olive jam which was surprisingly good. Then we stopped at a quilt shop, where the Rotary Club International has supported a local woman in teaching the natives how to quilt.  They sell their quilts to the tourists and have been able to improve their living standards.  The work is really beautiful and we purchased a quilt for our bed at home and two throw quilts for the family room.  They will be shipped by the owner of the shop.  We visited shoe shops, Elder Blackburn actually bought a pair of sandals which he really likes.  Everything was handmade and we had a really fun time with Elder and Sister Hudson.  These breaks we get truly cements eternal friendships and we are grateful for them.

At a beautiful falls in Howick.  It was once a very beautiful place, now is old and dirty area, which we find in all the former Africaanse towns.

04 Sept 2011

We went to Church in Mbabane and thought we could leave right after Sacrament, but Elder Blackburn had to do 5 Temple Recommend interviews, he really enjoys taking care of these spiritual duties, it gives him a chance to really get to know the people of the Church on a personal level.  So we left at 1:00 pm for LadySmith with a stopover planned in New Castle to leave a wheel chair with Elder and Sister Ward for one of their contacts who had a leg amputated.  We got to LadySmith at 7:00pm and the Hudsons had waited dinner to eat with us.  They had cooked a delicious dinner and we were really hungry.  We had a nice visit then bed.  Tomorrow is a day for discovery of the area.

03 Sept 2011

Wheel Chair handover ceremony today, it started at 10:00 and the Prince showed up 2 hours late.  Our recipients were there at 9:00am so everyone had to wait for the Prince to show up.  After the ceremony we served refreshments and the Prince actually asked for 2 plates covered in foil to take away.

Sister Simelane