Thanksgiving 2011

25 Nov 2011
A cold day today, those storms out of the Antartic really drops the temperature, at least no rain so we can dry out.  We have had 5 straight days of rain and cool temps.  Elder Blackburn picked up bicycles at the shop in Mbabane for the Ezulwini Elders, then he went to Manzini to meet the Area Office computer expert who will install new computers and train all the Branches in using the software. He got home at 7:30pm so he put in a long day.  Sister Smith picked up Sister Blackburn and they went to the Guava Gallery to view new paintings of artists in Swaziland.  Sister Smith's hand was feeling better today, the swelling is down.  So she should be in good shape when their children get here next week.  Elder Blackburn is working with 7 young men to get their mission applications completed so that President Von Stetten can come to do the interviews and get the Patriarch from Durban to come and give Patriarchal Blessings.  It has been awhile since he has been to Swaziland.

24 Nov 2011
Thanksgiving day, one of the most favorite days of the year.  Our Elders, all 16 came for dinner, some made dishes that they enjoyed in their home country, Australia, Germany, South Africa, Zimbabwe, they were interesting dishes.  The GeGe Elders got sidetracked at the mall in Manzini and Sister Blackburn had to call them and tell them they better come now.  So they were obedient and came, they were still one hour late, they had never experienced Thanksgiving so we waited for them.

Each person at the table was asked to express gratitude for one thing, everyone was grateful for family, their mission and being able to serve in Swaziland.  They are a very good bunch of young men and are doing a marvelous job in spreading the gospel in their assigned areas.  It is a blessing for us to be able to associate with them and get to know them.  It makes us mindeful of our own children-missionaries and the work they did and we appreciate their faithfulness and dedication to their Heavenly Father and to their families.

Elder Khoza comes home

22 Nov 2011

Today Musa Mbuli came and washed the car then we went shopping for the rest of Thanksgiving dinner; at 4:00pm we picked up Branch President Shongwe and his wife at the Kombi stop and then picked up Musa at the road to his home and we all went to the Matsapha Airport to pick up Elder Michael Khoza.  He has returned from his mission to Uganda.  Elder Blackburn released him from his mission and then we took everyone to the Shongwe homestead where they all live except Musa.  Musa said when he was on his mission in Uganda that Elder Khoza was his companion for a short while and they became better friends even though they were friends before their missions.
The Ezulwini Branch now has 4 returned missionaries to help run the Branch.  Elder Khoza has a twin sister, her name is Portia.   A few days after they were born, their mother died and their grandmother Shongwe raised them.  Their father died at sometime too.  It is amazing how many orphans there are in Swaziland.  AIDS has virtually destroyed the complete family.  Still over 50% are HIV positive even after 25 years of education and medications.

23 Nov  2011
Today Sister Blackburn started preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, 3 pumpkin pies, a huge pan of stuffing, 2 turkeys to bake.  Just typing about it makes us hungry.

Each missionary companionship is supposed to make a dish of something from their homeland to share with everyone else.  We will have 16 Elders plus Elder and Sister Blackburn.

19 Nov 2011

19 Nov 2011
Today there was a Primary Training Program, Elder Jackson Mkhabela and his wife came to Swaziland, he is a Seventy serving in the South East Africa Area.  The members who came were very humbled to have a General Authority.  The training was really good and on a level they could understand.  After the Training, Brother Smith interviewed him for one of his documentaries and then they followed us to our house where we hosted them for dinner.  Elder and Sister Mkhavela were so kind and easy to visit with.  Sister Mkhabela asked if I had a dishwasher and I said yes and pointed to Elder Blackburn, Sister Mkhabela just started laughing, she so enjoyed the fact that Elder Blackburn washed dishes.  She said that most African men do not work in the house.  I think her husband is an exception, you could tell that he supported her in all she did, even at home.  They offered to help wash the dishes, we of course, said we would do them. They were a delightful couple and we feel blessed to have the opportunity to know them. We feel very disappointed that we did not get a chance to get a picture with them.

20 Nov 2011
We went to church in Manzini today, Elder and Sister Mkhabela were the speakers, Elder Mkhabela related that they got to the Church very early and he went outside to enjoy the balmy breeze and while pondering the beautiful landscape the spirit whispered to him what message he would deliver in Sacrament.  He gave a powerful message on working hard, having goals and letting the Lord bless your efforts.  Don't be afraid to strive for excellence, you are a child of God and have that excellence within you.  You just need to put your fear away.  We had to leave after Sacrament meeting and on the way out Sister Matsabula, came to greet me and I mentioned that I had been thinking of the money her Relief Society had collected and that there were two young men in her Branch applying to serve and mission and they would need socks, ties, shirts, etc.and she should give her Sisters the option of using the money that way with the approval of her Branch President.  She really caught the vision of outfitting the prospective missionaries from her Branch.  I really hope that Branch President Mahalele supports her in this.

Nov 7th. through Nov 17th.

17 Nov 2011

Elders with health problems today - Elder Shannon, ZL broke a front tooth so we found a dentist in Mbabane, who was recommended by Branch President Seiko.  He got his tooth fixed, then a call from Elder Taemilau his ear had  a tick bite in it and he was not feeling good.  He went to the doctor and had an inner ear infection, no tick bite.  He had suffered with a tick bite before and it "felt just like before".  So he is on antibiotics for a while.  We went to immigration and got the new Elder's passports stamped with their visa.  Then to the silversmith to pick up Rebekah's ring, it was beautiful.  Then we went to Manzini to check on Elder Von Stechelma, he had broken his foot while tracting.  He is so tall and big and such a sweet natured young man.

Elder Blackburn had a Mission Presidency meeting with President Von Stetten on the telephone, our electricity was out so he could not use skype.  It is definitely the rainy season with awesome thunder and lightening and buckets of rain coming down.

We picked up Ayanda Mabuza's certified police clearance for his mission application and the police officer said to Elder Blackburn, "I want a white Pastor, so I can get help; not money just good help".  We never know when what we do will affect the lives of other people or where, we are so grateful to wear the black badges identifying us as representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ.

16 Nov 2011
Elder Blackburn got bicycles repaired and then met Brother Holder at the Ezulwini Chapel on the current projects not finished.  President Von Stetten wants a list of what should be done next.
Sister Ntshalintshali came to our house to see the sewing machines and supplies so that she could understand what needs to be done in dividing them in to 75 sewing kits.  Sister Blackburn then showed her how to access the new family search website and we found her family.  She set up her own account and will have her daughter help her in bringing it up to date.  She would like all the sisters in the District to be able to get their birth certificates and family death certificates up to date.  It was a really good day for both.

15 Nov 2011
Elder and Sister Berry left for Johannesburg today, on their way back to Bloomfontein where they are assigned as Seminary and Institute Missionaries.  They spent Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday nights with us.  We really got to know each other and become good friends.  That is the most special part of serving a mission as a couple, the friends you make.  The Zone Leaders left for New Castle early, via Manzini where they changed vehicles and tires.  They took the Manzini truck to New Castle to trade for one that is not so back a condition.  They took the new tires and put on their truck.  Elder Shannon was determined not to let those new tires go with a vehicle that is going to be sold.

14 Nov 2011
The sewing supplies were delivered today, now everything has been delivered and we will need people to help divide them into 75 sewing kits.  We have 2000 meters of material, 75 scissors, 75 tape measures, needles, thread, etc.  We spent the day with Elder and Sister Berry, they are doing their Christmas shopping and needed to pick up items at the Silversmith and Drums from Manzini.  Then we went to Summerfield for dinner, they treated us.  We had a really good time and were very tired.

13 Nov 2011
Today we got up early and went to Church in GeGe, we picked up President Balunga at the Nhlangano Building and took him with us.  Delivered mail to the Elders in both areas, needless to say they were really happy with this.  While we were waiting for President Balunga his children were jumping rope African style, they girls were very good, the boy was not so good, but he held the rope for the girls.

When we got to GeGe, Elder Blackburn, Sister Blackburn and President Balunga were asked to speak in Church, President Balunga passed out Seminary and Institute certificates and the whole Branch were thrilled with this progress of their people.  President Balunga interview 7 boys for advancement in the Aaronic Priesthood.  When we got back to Nhlangano, someone on the road noticed that we had a flat tire, so the Elders came and changed it for us.  We got back home at 5:00pm, we drove in the same time the Berrys and Zawakys did, they had been at the Seminary and Institute graduation in Mbabane where about 150 had been attendance.  We had hot fudge sundaes and had a good end to our Sunday.

12 Nov 2011
Elder and Sister Zawaky came over at 9:00am and did their computer work, then we all Blackburns, Berrys and Zawakys went Christmas shopping all over this part of Swaziland.  We really enjoyed our day together and the Berrys were able to buy what they had come for.  We were all so tired that we just went to bed at 8:00pm.

11 Nov 2011
We went to Mbabane to talk with Customs and the Swaziland Revenue Authority about redoing the Customs letter to include every item, the Lavumisa customs agent will not release the shipment and it has been about 5 weeks since the delivery came to Swaziland.  Mrs Mabuza at the SRA was very upset with Lavumisa and called them.  If the Minister of Finance signs and stamps the tax exemption that is all that is needed, she called Lavumisa and told them to release the shipment immediately.  Finally, someone who recognized good works.  She made the statement, "you Church is doing something good and we will not stop it".  70 sewing machines were delivered when we got back to our home.  What a relief to finally have this resolved.  Elder and Sister Berry and Elder and Sister Zawacky arrive this evening for shopping and Seminary and Institute graduation on Sunday, we will have a busy good weekend with them.

10 Nov 2011
Elder Blackburn went to Matsapha to talk with the shipping company and find out what is holding up our shipment, it has been well over a month they have been held up by Customs, he talked with a Mrs. Simelane at Lavumisa and she said we needed a new letter including all items from the Ministry of Finance, so tomorrow we will go there.  Then we took the Manzini truck to the border to get a 30 day permit to be in the Country, we will have to take all the trucks to South Africa every 30 days for these permits.  Johannesburg does not want to license them in Swaziland because vehicles from Swaziland are very difficult to sell in South Africa because of Swazi roads and Swazi maintenance.  The Church vehicles are sold in South Africa when they get 120,000. miles on them.  That is when maintenance becomes too expensive.

06 Nov 2011
Today is Sunday and we went to Church in Manzini, decided to attend all three meetings.  We had a report that the Relief Society was asking for donations to do the activities that they wanted to do, or use the money to buy food, shoes for members who needed them.  Sister Blackburn had to tell the RS President that she could not ask for donations and her money box must go.  There was a good discussion on how the budget is for all auxilliaries.  Sister Peterson was there also and backed up everything Sister Blackburn taught them.  Good Relief Society Sisters who have hearts full of goodness.  Elder Blackburn had his District Meetings in the afternoon and suggested that a Sunday School be started in Siteki.  The Branch President Mahalele was excited about that since it would be in his Branch and he has members who are not active who live there.  Elder Blackburn also suggested that the Mbabane Branch be divided.  The District President felt this would be a good move but did not know how to do it, so Elder Blackburn will put it on the agenda for the next Mission Presidency Meeting.  The Fast and Testimony meeting was very spiritual, the members were asked to keep their testimonies to 2 to 3 minutes and they really complied.  We enjoy good days like today and feel that we do have influence here.

5 Nov 2011
We waited most of the day for someone to come repair our cable, yesterday they repaired the telephone.  They finally got here about 3:30pm.  Elder Blackburn had Priesthood Leadership Training for the District, Elder and Sister Peterson were here from Durban to conduct welfare and employment training for the District, after the meetings we all had dinner at Woodlands.  Sister Blackburn cleaned Elder Daniel's teeth this morning.  These African missionaries come on their missions with no dental work done at all and then they get teeth that hurt and need to be fixed, his teeth had never been cleaned.  He was so grateful after the procedure was  finished.  He learned how to brush and floss and he will probably never miss a day.  When these young men learn something good they don't let go of it.

04 Nov 2011
Elder Blackburn has a flare up of gout in his foot so he stayed close to home all day, we were waiting to get our telephone fixed.  He took the computer to the shop and the motherboard is fried and the technition said the other machines were also worthless

02 Nov 2011 
Elder Blackburn got up early and took Musi Vilakati to the airport for his flight to Johannesburg.  Elder Blackburn said he never thought he would shed a tear for a young man leaving on a mission, except for his
own sons.  Musi is a sweet natured young man and will be an excellent missionary in Nairobi, Kenya Mission.  After Elder Blackburn go back from the airport we took Elder Dutson, USA and Elder Tameilau, Australia to Mbabane, immigration papers needed to be submitted.  We already had Elder Daniel's papers

Family of Elder Vilakati and us;  Elder Vilakati at Matsapha airport on his way to the MTC in Johannesburg.
01 Nov 2011
Today was transfers, the Mission Office sent us another computer.  One they were not using and we are so grateful for it.  Telephone does not work, internet does not work and no fax machine.  The electric storm caused our computer, telephone and fax machine to be burned internally.  We met Elder Zweifel at the Petroport for transfers.  Elder Katiza and Elder Jonga left, we received Elder Dutson and Elder Tameilau.Then we took Elder Dutson and Elder Kubheka to Nhlangano so they could get settled and Elder Dutson could start his training as a "greenie".

31 Oct 2011
We had a barbeque (braai) for all the Elders, Jon, Anne and Zack Smith also came.  Anne helped fix the meal for all of us. 21 adults for dinner.  When we were cleaning up there was a hugh flash of lightening and thunder right over our neighborhood, it knocked out the computer, telephone and fax machine.  We all enjoy these braais so much.  A chance to say goodby to Elders we have worked with for 6 months, to get emails and sign journals.

30 Oct 2011
We went to Church in Mbabane today, Elder Blackburn spoke in Church about choices we make and how they can affect our whole lives, one of the best talks he has ever given, he really had the congregation's attention.  We then went to Manzini for Relief Society and Priesthood, we had forgotten it was combined meeting, but it was a really good lesson by Branch President Mahlele on Self Reliance.  Three white couples there.  The Smith family, us and Brother and Sister Hall, a young couple who are here with the peace corips.  They are living over toward Siteki.

29 Oct 2011
Today was the funeral for Sister Wilhemina Regina Craig, Elder Blackburn had baptised her about 8 months ago.  He sister, Jill is very active member of the Church in the Ezulwini Branch and had asked Sister Blackburn to talk at the funeral.  The funeral started 1 hour late (talk about being late for your own funeral). It was the first funeral held in one of the Branches and conducted by one of the Branch Presidents.  President Shongwe did an excellent job.  They had to cut the funeral short because the grave diggers would not wait and would leave the cemetary and not bury Sister Craig so Elder Blackburn did not get to give the "Word of God".

26 Oct 2011

We got up early and drove to Richards Bay to meet Elder and Sister Nuzman at the mall, we had lunch with them gave them their Elder's mail. We had a really good visit with them.  We returned a can opener and another electrical gadget that just did not work and got a credit on the JPMorgan card.  Then we went to the Zulu gift shop to pick up the Nativity dolls that we had ordered then on to Swaziland.  We got back home late.

25 Oct 2011

In Durban for Presidency Meeting, spent the last two nights at Little Haven B&B, not as nice as Crystal Springs was but no choice this time.  We had dinner with all the couples at an Italian Restaurant and President von Stetten had said this would be the last time all couples would meet for dinner after his meeting; he wanted to have dinner with just his Counselors so he could get feed back from them.  We went with the Wards to Gateway mall and found a Subway Sandwich shop and had lunch, then left for the Presidency Meeting.

24 Oct 2011

We left Pietermaritzburg this morning and drove to Durban, we went to Bake A Ton for sugar and baking supplies for Sister Blackburn and Sister Smith.  We checked into the B&B Little Haven for 2 nights.  It is run by an older woman who is a member of the Church and we think it is getting too much for her, she was showing the property when we got there. We stopped at a Lion Preserve and got some great pictures of the Lions.

23 Oct 2011

We went to Church in Pietermaritzburg this morning and Brother and Sister Caine was there, Elder Blackburn and his companion had baptized them and the Orth family 51 years ago.  Brother and Sister Orth came in and talked with us and said that she had gotten up and felt that she shrould be in church in Pietermaritzburg this morning so they drove from Durban and were so happy we were there.  Elder Blackburn has a sweet reunion with both families.  The Caines then invited us to Sunday Dinner and we had a marvelous visit with the.  Both families have stayed active and raised good active children who were local leaders in their Wards.  It was really satisfying to Elder Blackburn.

22 Oct 2011

We got up early and left for Pietermaritzburg, it was a long drive;  we had made reservations at a B&B called Africa's Eden and it was so clean and comfortable, we loved staying there.  Probably because we were so tired, we drove about 9 hours.  But we look forward to meeting up with Brother and Sister Caine tomorrow at Church.