12 Jan 2012

12 Jan 2012
Today we had training set up for Inkhundla in Lobamba.  Brother Smith called and said he was tied up at the University of Swaziland and would be late.  Stella called and said she was stranded and needed help.  So we drove to Khulisa Umntfwana to help Stella and her truck had just arrived so 3 machines were loaded with a few sewing supplies, one of her staff rode with us and we drove to Lobamba so she could start their training, there was nothing we could do so we went to lunch at Spur, then Brother Smith called and he was at the Lobamba Post Office, we hurried and met him there and took him to the Inkhundla Center and he started filming the training; the girls were in the middle of learning to use the machines; it was great footage, perfect timing for Brother Smith.

Stella told us about a young woman she talked with yesterday who had tried to put weeds and flowers in her underwear to take care of her monthly flow.  The women at the Center were so dedicated to teaching the young girls and young adults how to sew the maturation pads.  They have taken this project to their hearts.  Some of the machines needed tightening and adjusting and Elder Blackburn took care of that.  Later in the day we took care of young Michael Khoza's PEF application so that he can start school next week.  PEF is such a blessing in the lives of these young people; it will truly lift them out of poverty.  We picked up a care package from our family and it lifted our spirits a lot, especially the M&Ms and Hickory Farms sausage.  We truly enjoyed the taste of home.  Small things always lift the spirit.

11 Jan 2012
Today Brother Smith took 4 of the Young Single Adult returned missionaries to Johannesburg to attend the Temple.  He had to bring them by our house because two of the young men had let their Temple Recommend expire; Elder Blackburn cautioned them to not do that again, "you may never know when these opportunities come, so be prepared,"  After they had gone, we received a telephone call from Sister Ntshalintshali that Stella has set up training in Lobamba for Brother Smith to film, we will have to call him tomorrow to inform him.  We took our Bakki through the border post for the 30 day stamp (so it can stay in Swaziland another 30 days).  Our passport was still good, we seem to go through a Border Post several times in a month.  We check the post office and we have a package from home, we will pick it up tomorrow;  we have had some really hot, humid days.  Not as much rain as last year.