Church and Visiting Bishop and Sister Mamba

Bishop and Sister Mamba, Sister Blackburn, Ayanda and President Balunga, the other picture is of the Mamba Grandchildren  Elder Shelton and how happy he is to get his mail from home.  The Elders love getting letters and packages, something to open and hold, just like Christmas.

This week we have had Elder and Sister Gunderson, Elder and Sister Petersen here training the members in PEF (Perpetual Education Fund) and and work shop to help apply for and find work.  We were not very involved this time.  It was great for the members to really get to know these specialty missionaries.  Today we went to Nhlangano for church, Sister Blackburn gave the Relief Society lesson and there was much discussion on how to deal with husbands who hit their wives, a common occurance here in Swaziland and Africa.  Elder Blackburn was interviewing a couple who were ready to divorce, and they are trying to take steps to save their marriage.  She is going to the Temple in September and he has now made a commitment to change his life and be a better husband.  After Church we took Branch President Balunga and a young Elder, Ayanda with us to visit Bishop Mamba and his wife.  I believe we have finally driven to THE ENDS OF THE EARTH ON DIRT ROADS.  3 plus hours on dirt roads.  Their car has broken down and they have not had the funds to fix it.  They had not been to church in over 6 months.  They are an elderly couple, she can hardly walk, arthritis is so bad.  When we arrived he brought out 2 hymn books and asked us to pray with them.  So Elder Blackburn made it a very special meeting and offered them the Sacrament.  There was no bread, so he used biscuits (a package of cookies).  President Balunga was not so sure of doing this, so Elder Blackburn explained to him that this was not an uncommon thing to do.  When elderly people cannot get to Church, the Bishop will often send the Priests to their homes to give them the Sacrament. President Balunga offered the Sacrament prayers and Elder Blackburn passed the Sacrament to us all.   A few tears were wiped away by everyone there.  The Spirit of the Lord was so strong, Bishop Mamba shared his favorite scripture with us.  This experience is one of the reasons we love our mission, the Branch President was able to learn a new function of the Priesthood.  Elder Ayanda, as he prepares for his mission will take more knowledge with him on what the Priesthood can do for a family.