What a piece of trivia Tom remembered; today would be Marvin Herbert's 71st birthday, a childhood church friend of his. We set out to do errands and post office said, "new equipment coming and I cannot mail your letter or your box, go to Ezulwini PO", we went to Matsapha PO and the clerk said, "not today, I am only one." So Monday we do mailings. Brother Machawe Shongwe came by to deliver an apron his mother had made for Sister Allred and to pick up the money for it. She dyes and hand sews these aprons to sell for her children's school fees and uniforms. He always has such a happy smile on his face, he draws people to him because of his happiness. Otherwise a quiet day at home after buying meat at the butcher shop and odds and ends at Pick N Pay. Watched Finding Nemo, then the blog update.
8 Apr 2011
Elder Blackburn went to Nhlangano and GeGe today, he traded vehicles with the Elders in Manzini, they have a 4 wheel drive truck for dirt roads. Met the Nhl Elders and treated them to lunch. Then to GeGe, Sister Blackburn had cut a warm King size blanket in half to give them for extra warmth; we are starting the fall months, then winter. Sister Blackburn made pillow cases all day for grandchildren at home; she was happy not to travel all day in the vehicle.
7 Apr 2011
We got up early to drive to Tembe Elephant Big Animal Reserve, they had sandy roads so we could not do a self drive, we met Elder and Sister Nuzman along the way and enjoyed a short reunion with them. They went on to Kosi Bay to see how work is progressing on the Chapel that is being built there so they could make a report to President Von Stetten. Before we even left Swaziland we had been stopped by traffic police 4 times at the last one the officer asked, "how many road stops have you passed, we told him his was the fourth and he just waved us through without any checks. There are going to be protests on the 12,13,14 of April and the government is concerned about weapons and violence. It was a long, enjoyable day. Sister Blackburn got a chance to Chat on Face Book with Robbie in Germany, she loved that. He is doing well.
6 Apr 2011
Zone Meeting at our house for new transfer cycle. Elder Blackburn had to meet brother Holder at the Ezulwini Chapel to discuss new contracts and bids to finish the building. We have a new Zone Leader, Elder Reeder, he was Assistant to the President before this assignment; We were looking at the new Zone Leaders and District Leaders in the Mission and almost all of them served in Swaziland in the last 6 months; they really did learn a lot in this small Country.
5 Apr 2011
Transfer Day!! We drove to the border post and met the Nuzman Couple, they delivered Elder Reeder the new Zone Leader and we delivered to them Elder Mead. We had to make a stop at Manzini Clinic for Elder Mead, he was very sick and running a temperature; he has a Sinus infection and bronchitis, so with the Prescriptions he should be up and about in about 3 days, when we got back to our home, we called Sister Von Stetten and gave her the diagnosis and that he should be allowed time to sleep for the meds to take effect. An all day affair.
4 Apr 2011
Heninger were supposed to leave today; we were exhaused, rained all day so we went to Manzini and bought new furniture and had it delivered and then the rest of the day we just stayed at home and rested. It was a drizzly, chilly autumn day.
3 Apr 2011
Picked up the Heningers and drove to Manzini where we left one car and we all traveled to Nhlangano in Elder Heninger's car . We had over 100 Saints for Fast and Testimony meeting in Nhlangano, then a fast trip back to Manzini for District Presidency Meeting and District Council Meeting. Elder and Sister Heninger gave their presentation and then they took Sister Blackburn and drove to Ezulwini; Sister Blackburn prepared dinner and when Elder Blackburn got back at 6:30 we all had a nice dinner together. The Heningers leave tomorrow for Durban.
2 Apr 2011
This morning we went to Mbabane to meet with Wendy about electricity; we had to stand in line about 2 hours to pay the final bill. She wanted us to buy her some electricity, but we had to tell her no. After that we met up with the Heningers at their hotel and went to the Silversmith so they could get a ring showing the world they were married. Someone in South Africa had questioned their marital status, it is really expected married people to wear rings here on this Continent, probably because so many are not married. After they were finished with their meetings for the day, we took them to Mlilwane to see Zebras and other African animals and that really thrilled them, they had not seen any of the African wildlife yet. He was out of the car taking pictures, following the animals any way he could. Then dinner at Summerfield, the electricity went off and service was not very good, just another African "experience". Needless to say a very successful day. A lot of Church work accomplished today along with good relaxation.
1 Apr 2011
Met up with the Heningers and took them to the Manzini Market, we are having dinner at Mountain Inn with George Dlamini and his wife to discuss Public Affair problems in Swaziland and how to solve them. George has been well trained by the Harms and knows his job. Dinner was very successful and a lot of plans made for George to have more success with the District Council.
31 March 2011
Mbabane Elders moved to a different house, they took all our furniture so Monday we will go buy furniture for the house. Elder Blackburn is still trying to get the estate Agent to fix a couple of things in the house, that is going to be a challenge; nothing is ever fixed in this country.
29 March 2011
Went to Ermelo to pay a Dr. Bill; all the bills have to be deposited to a bank account and Standard Bank in Swaziland does not accept deposits for South Africa. Got back in time for the Mission Presidency Meeting on SKYPE and it failed; president finally placed a phone call to discuss items with Elder Blackburn. Next time he is going to try a Conference call on the land line and it does not work half the time, live a learn.
27 March 2011
Mbabane Branch Conference, there were 8 baptisms for the Ezulwini Branch. Missionary work is really moving along.
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