12 June 2011
A couple of incidents we forgot to include in our blog last week. On Monday the Manzini Elders, Sapaku and Jonga called us, we were in the car driving home and they had found an infant along side the trail they were walking and wanted to know what to do. The baby was in a plastic bag and was crying, we told them to call the police which they had already done and while we were talking the Police got there, the child was about 2 days old. What an experience for them. On Sunday night we got a call from the District President's wife, she was hysterical and said he is getting violent so we got into the bakki and drove to their home in Manzini and they had a terrific argument and he had pushed her away and she took this as a hit. Anyway, we talked with both of them for awhile, Sister Blackburn with Sister Simelane and Elder Blackburn with President Simelane. We calmed the situation down and it is part of the African Culture for the husband to just sit down in front of the Television Set when there is a ballgame on (sound familiar) and she had just gotten fed up. So we told him she needed his attention since his work and Church took him away from home so much of the time. Today in Nhlangano another similar experience with Sister Shongwe, she does not like her husband at all, he is gone all week working and when he comes home all he does is watch TV, all night. So Elder Blackburn talked with both of them and Brother Shongwe promised to do something for his wife each day and to get his life in order so that he can go to the Temple in 6 months. Sister Shongwe is going in September, she got tired of waiting for her husband to prepare for the Temple. It is Swazi Culture for the Husband not to tell his wife how much money he makes and likewise for the wife who works not to tell her husband how much she makes. They do not share their money. What a lot of change has to take place in Africa for families to be truly united.
Now that is something we did not have to deal with during our time in Swaziland or Richards Bay. It sounds like you handled it perfectly and hopefully the families will grow closer together.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they are having prayer and scripture study together. My guess is that they are not.
The people of Swaziland are blessed to have you serving there.
Hi Elder and Sister Blackburn! Wow, it's so great to have found this blog! I've really enjoyed reading about all our fun adventures we had back in the day and even the adventures you're having now! I especially loved seeing the pictures of Elder Dlamini and Elder Mamba. I remember interviewing Elder Mamba's family for baptism. Although the English was difficult to understand, the influence of the Spirit was so tangible, you could have cut it with a knife. It was obvious they had a testimony of the restored gospel. I actually just barely met a cute little blonde girl from Las Vegas who was a convert and her testimony was just like those of these members. It just strengthens my own testimony. Well, I know you know I love you so much but I just wanted to tell you again. Thanks for everything you've been doing in the wonderful country of Swaziland. If the missionaries have stopped visiting the mayor and his family after Elder Samai and I left you should definitely go pay them a visit again and see how they're doing. And if you do, remember to give them my love - and a baptismal challenge. :)
ReplyDeleteI love and miss you tons!
Devon Ellis