We bought 2 beds for the Nhlangano Elders, they said, "we are sleeping on springs", We can't have that, they deserve a good night's sleep. Elder and Sister Zawacky came today to spend 3 days with us, so we will just have fun for the next few days, after Zone Meeting and going to visit Bishop Mamba and his wife. They live at the end of the earth on a dirt road. We do have some fun things planned though. Elder Zweifel called and the bandit on one of the trucks showed that it had gone through the border into South Africa and we had to remind him that we have to do that every 30 days.
05 Feb 2012
We went to Church in Nhlangano, the Branch President was not there and neither were his counselors, so the 19 year old Elder's Quorum President took over and conducted. The BP came just as Sacrament was getting over. After Sacrament we went to GeGe and there again the leadership was not there, just the Elders and youth. It was amazing how the youth of the Church have the ability to step in and do the work when they are needed. The RS Leader and other women and Brother Malinga were giving comfort to the family where the mother had died. We got back to Manzini in time for Elder Blackburn to attend to his District meetings. We got back to our house at about 6:00pm. The Primary Leader is now 16 years old, she has been leader of the Primary for 2 years. The Young Women Leader is 23 years old and been a member about 6 months.
Our 16 year old Primary Leader
We went looking for 11 X 14 inch document frames for our pictures and there was not even one to be found in this country. We will check next week at a special frame shop and see if we can have some made; if not, we will have to have the daughters mail us some for our pictures to give as gifts. We did not see the Peterson's, they were in Nhl today. We had the Elders take their trucks through the border today. They took Elder Stark's passport because he just had to say the wrong thing to them. They called us, then we called Nathi Dlamini to get their work permit number, when they gave the work permit number all was well and they did what they were supposed to do and got back to their areas for their appointments.
03 Feb 2012
We received a call this morning from Branch President Bulunga, a recent convert in the GeGe group died at home. She had 7 children and all the adult family members have died. All her brothers and sisters, her husband, his brothers and sisters and the parents. President Bulunga wanted to know if the Church could pay a Kombi (van that is a taxi) to come to the house and get the body and take it to the mortuary. Elder Blackburn told him that he should do what needed to be done but to call his District President to find out what he recommended. District President told him the same thing, "do what needs to be done". They will see what can be done with the children, the oldest is 18 years old. There are so many, many orphans in this country and children trying to raise children, (death from a disease that is 100% preventable).
02 Feb 2012
Elder Blackburn went to get a haircut today; he told the girl to take what he called a (1) a go up the side, well she went up the side all the way to the top on both sides; so then he told her, "better just finish the whole head this length." Now he has an African haircut.
The hair has not been this short since his Army days.
28 Jan 2012
We drove home from Richards Bay after going to the Mall and buying 7 sets of plastic african animals to take home for 5 of the great grand sons and Boston and Evie. It was fun finding and buying them. Sister Nuzman also bought a couple of sets. Uneventful drive home, just long.
27 Jan 2012
Today we went to get a fitting on the new suit Elder Blackburn is having made; we will pick it up in about 3 weeks. We also went to the African Market and bought special indian spices we wanted to take home; just hope they let us through customs with it. When we were going down the steps at the African Craft Market there was a young man eating his lunch. He was sitting on a crocodile skin and had a head on the steps beside him. He had brought them to sell.
26 Jan 2012
This morning we went to the tailor in Durban, Elder Ward wanted to go with us so he and Elder Blackburn ordered a new suit; the tailor is supposed to put a special lining in them representing Africa. It will be fun to see what he does. The tailor is from the Indian community and very easy to communicate with. The men then went to their Presidency Meeting, we met Sister Von Stetten at the uShaka center, which is on the beach. We also went to the new Soccer Stadium which was an awesome tour. We went up the side to the top where there is a platform for the view of a lifetime.
We had dinner at the only revolving restaurant south of the equator, the served quite a few exoctic dishes; we were not so adventuresome as to try them. Lots of visiting and laughter.
We left early to travel to Durban, Brother and Sister Smith followed us down, we needed to make a few stops on they way. We stopped at Ilala Weavers to get the nativity dolls for Sister Hudson, we spent about an hour there with everyone looking around. Next stop was Richards Bay and lunch with Elder and Sister Nuzman, we always enjoy that. Then Ballito to get Dr Pepper for Elder Ward, we got to Durban at 6:00pm. The mission office had made reservations for us at Little Haven Bed and Breakfast; the Smiths were staying in a backpackers lodge somewhere on the beach. All the couples who were invited to Durban stayed at Little Haven.
Love the haircut Elder B. At least you will not need another one until you get home!
ReplyDeleteWe were touched by the story about the family with all the adults dying. It is such a common story in Swaziland and other African countries that it almost normal. To find a family where two or three generations are all still alive is almost impossible to find. Hopefully those who are faithful to the Gospel will be spared this tragedy.