Today is Sunday and we went to Church in Manzini, decided to attend all three meetings. We had a report that the Relief Society was asking for donations to do the activities that they wanted to do, or use the money to buy food, shoes for members who needed them. Sister Blackburn had to tell the RS President that she could not ask for donations and her money box must go. There was a good discussion on how the budget is for all auxilliaries. Sister Peterson was there also and backed up everything Sister Blackburn taught them. Good Relief Society Sisters who have hearts full of goodness. Elder Blackburn had his District Meetings in the afternoon and suggested that a Sunday School be started in Siteki. The Branch President Mahalele was excited about that since it would be in his Branch and he has members who are not active who live there. Elder Blackburn also suggested that the Mbabane Branch be divided. The District President felt this would be a good move but did not know how to do it, so Elder Blackburn will put it on the agenda for the next Mission Presidency Meeting. The Fast and Testimony meeting was very spiritual, the members were asked to keep their testimonies to 2 to 3 minutes and they really complied. We enjoy good days like today and feel that we do have influence here.
5 Nov 2011
We waited most of the day for someone to come repair our cable, yesterday they repaired the telephone. They finally got here about 3:30pm. Elder Blackburn had Priesthood Leadership Training for the District, Elder and Sister Peterson were here from Durban to conduct welfare and employment training for the District, after the meetings we all had dinner at Woodlands. Sister Blackburn cleaned Elder Daniel's teeth this morning. These African missionaries come on their missions with no dental work done at all and then they get teeth that hurt and need to be fixed, his teeth had never been cleaned. He was so grateful after the procedure was finished. He learned how to brush and floss and he will probably never miss a day. When these young men learn something good they don't let go of it.
04 Nov 2011
Elder Blackburn has a flare up of gout in his foot so he stayed close to home all day, we were waiting to get our telephone fixed. He took the computer to the shop and the motherboard is fried and the technition said the other machines were also worthless
02 Nov 2011
Elder Blackburn got up early and took Musi Vilakati to the airport for his flight to Johannesburg. Elder Blackburn said he never thought he would shed a tear for a young man leaving on a mission, except for his
own sons. Musi is a sweet natured young man and will be an excellent missionary in Nairobi, Kenya Mission. After Elder Blackburn go back from the airport we took Elder Dutson, USA and Elder Tameilau, Australia to Mbabane, immigration papers needed to be submitted. We already had Elder Daniel's papers
01 Nov 2011
Today was transfers, the Mission Office sent us another computer. One they were not using and we are so grateful for it. Telephone does not work, internet does not work and no fax machine. The electric storm caused our computer, telephone and fax machine to be burned internally. We met Elder Zweifel at the Petroport for transfers. Elder Katiza and Elder Jonga left, we received Elder Dutson and Elder Tameilau.Then we took Elder Dutson and Elder Kubheka to Nhlangano so they could get settled and Elder Dutson could start his training as a "greenie".
31 Oct 2011
We had a barbeque (braai) for all the Elders, Jon, Anne and Zack Smith also came. Anne helped fix the meal for all of us. 21 adults for dinner. When we were cleaning up there was a hugh flash of lightening and thunder right over our neighborhood, it knocked out the computer, telephone and fax machine. We all enjoy these braais so much. A chance to say goodby to Elders we have worked with for 6 months, to get emails and sign journals.
30 Oct 2011
We went to Church in Mbabane today, Elder Blackburn spoke in Church about choices we make and how they can affect our whole lives, one of the best talks he has ever given, he really had the congregation's attention. We then went to Manzini for Relief Society and Priesthood, we had forgotten it was combined meeting, but it was a really good lesson by Branch President Mahlele on Self Reliance. Three white couples there. The Smith family, us and Brother and Sister Hall, a young couple who are here with the peace corips. They are living over toward Siteki.
29 Oct 2011
Today was the funeral for Sister Wilhemina Regina Craig, Elder Blackburn had baptised her about 8 months ago. He sister, Jill is very active member of the Church in the Ezulwini Branch and had asked Sister Blackburn to talk at the funeral. The funeral started 1 hour late (talk about being late for your own funeral). It was the first funeral held in one of the Branches and conducted by one of the Branch Presidents. President Shongwe did an excellent job. They had to cut the funeral short because the grave diggers would not wait and would leave the cemetary and not bury Sister Craig so Elder Blackburn did not get to give the "Word of God".
26 Oct 2011
We got up early and drove to Richards Bay to meet Elder and Sister Nuzman at the mall, we had lunch with them gave them their Elder's mail. We had a really good visit with them. We returned a can opener and another electrical gadget that just did not work and got a credit on the JPMorgan card. Then we went to the Zulu gift shop to pick up the Nativity dolls that we had ordered then on to Swaziland. We got back home late.
25 Oct 2011
In Durban for Presidency Meeting, spent the last two nights at Little Haven B&B, not as nice as Crystal Springs was but no choice this time. We had dinner with all the couples at an Italian Restaurant and President von Stetten had said this would be the last time all couples would meet for dinner after his meeting; he wanted to have dinner with just his Counselors so he could get feed back from them. We went with the Wards to Gateway mall and found a Subway Sandwich shop and had lunch, then left for the Presidency Meeting.
24 Oct 2011
We left Pietermaritzburg this morning and drove to Durban, we went to Bake A Ton for sugar and baking supplies for Sister Blackburn and Sister Smith. We checked into the B&B Little Haven for 2 nights. It is run by an older woman who is a member of the Church and we think it is getting too much for her, she was showing the property when we got there. We stopped at a Lion Preserve and got some great pictures of the Lions.
23 Oct 2011
We went to Church in Pietermaritzburg this morning and Brother and Sister Caine was there, Elder Blackburn and his companion had baptized them and the Orth family 51 years ago. Brother and Sister Orth came in and talked with us and said that she had gotten up and felt that she shrould be in church in Pietermaritzburg this morning so they drove from Durban and were so happy we were there. Elder Blackburn has a sweet reunion with both families. The Caines then invited us to Sunday Dinner and we had a marvelous visit with the. Both families have stayed active and raised good active children who were local leaders in their Wards. It was really satisfying to Elder Blackburn.
22 Oct 2011
We got up early and left for Pietermaritzburg, it was a long drive; we had made reservations at a B&B called Africa's Eden and it was so clean and comfortable, we loved staying there. Probably because we were so tired, we drove about 9 hours. But we look forward to meeting up with Brother and Sister Caine tomorrow at Church.
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