Elders with health problems today - Elder Shannon, ZL broke a front tooth so we found a dentist in Mbabane, who was recommended by Branch President Seiko. He got his tooth fixed, then a call from Elder Taemilau his ear had a tick bite in it and he was not feeling good. He went to the doctor and had an inner ear infection, no tick bite. He had suffered with a tick bite before and it "felt just like before". So he is on antibiotics for a while. We went to immigration and got the new Elder's passports stamped with their visa. Then to the silversmith to pick up Rebekah's ring, it was beautiful. Then we went to Manzini to check on Elder Von Stechelma, he had broken his foot while tracting. He is so tall and big and such a sweet natured young man.
Elder Blackburn had a Mission Presidency meeting with President Von Stetten on the telephone, our electricity was out so he could not use skype. It is definitely the rainy season with awesome thunder and lightening and buckets of rain coming down.
We picked up Ayanda Mabuza's certified police clearance for his mission application and the police officer said to Elder Blackburn, "I want a white Pastor, so I can get help; not money just good help". We never know when what we do will affect the lives of other people or where, we are so grateful to wear the black badges identifying us as representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ.
16 Nov 2011
Elder Blackburn got bicycles repaired and then met Brother Holder at the Ezulwini Chapel on the current projects not finished. President Von Stetten wants a list of what should be done next.
Sister Ntshalintshali came to our house to see the sewing machines and supplies so that she could understand what needs to be done in dividing them in to 75 sewing kits. Sister Blackburn then showed her how to access the new family search website and we found her family. She set up her own account and will have her daughter help her in bringing it up to date. She would like all the sisters in the District to be able to get their birth certificates and family death certificates up to date. It was a really good day for both.
15 Nov 2011
Elder and Sister Berry left for Johannesburg today, on their way back to Bloomfontein where they are assigned as Seminary and Institute Missionaries. They spent Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday nights with us. We really got to know each other and become good friends. That is the most special part of serving a mission as a couple, the friends you make. The Zone Leaders left for New Castle early, via Manzini where they changed vehicles and tires. They took the Manzini truck to New Castle to trade for one that is not so back a condition. They took the new tires and put on their truck. Elder Shannon was determined not to let those new tires go with a vehicle that is going to be sold.
14 Nov 2011
The sewing supplies were delivered today, now everything has been delivered and we will need people to help divide them into 75 sewing kits. We have 2000 meters of material, 75 scissors, 75 tape measures, needles, thread, etc. We spent the day with Elder and Sister Berry, they are doing their Christmas shopping and needed to pick up items at the Silversmith and Drums from Manzini. Then we went to Summerfield for dinner, they treated us. We had a really good time and were very tired.
13 Nov 2011
Today we got up early and went to Church in GeGe, we picked up President Balunga at the Nhlangano Building and took him with us. Delivered mail to the Elders in both areas, needless to say they were really happy with this. While we were waiting for President Balunga his children were jumping rope African style, they girls were very good, the boy was not so good, but he held the rope for the girls.
When we got to GeGe, Elder Blackburn, Sister Blackburn and President Balunga were asked to speak in Church, President Balunga passed out Seminary and Institute certificates and the whole Branch were thrilled with this progress of their people. President Balunga interview 7 boys for advancement in the Aaronic Priesthood. When we got back to Nhlangano, someone on the road noticed that we had a flat tire, so the Elders came and changed it for us. We got back home at 5:00pm, we drove in the same time the Berrys and Zawakys did, they had been at the Seminary and Institute graduation in Mbabane where about 150 had been attendance. We had hot fudge sundaes and had a good end to our Sunday.
12 Nov 2011
Elder and Sister Zawaky came over at 9:00am and did their computer work, then we all Blackburns, Berrys and Zawakys went Christmas shopping all over this part of Swaziland. We really enjoyed our day together and the Berrys were able to buy what they had come for. We were all so tired that we just went to bed at 8:00pm.
11 Nov 2011
We went to Mbabane to talk with Customs and the Swaziland Revenue Authority about redoing the Customs letter to include every item, the Lavumisa customs agent will not release the shipment and it has been about 5 weeks since the delivery came to Swaziland. Mrs Mabuza at the SRA was very upset with Lavumisa and called them. If the Minister of Finance signs and stamps the tax exemption that is all that is needed, she called Lavumisa and told them to release the shipment immediately. Finally, someone who recognized good works. She made the statement, "you Church is doing something good and we will not stop it". 70 sewing machines were delivered when we got back to our home. What a relief to finally have this resolved. Elder and Sister Berry and Elder and Sister Zawacky arrive this evening for shopping and Seminary and Institute graduation on Sunday, we will have a busy good weekend with them.
10 Nov 2011
Elder Blackburn went to Matsapha to talk with the shipping company and find out what is holding up our shipment, it has been well over a month they have been held up by Customs, he talked with a Mrs. Simelane at Lavumisa and she said we needed a new letter including all items from the Ministry of Finance, so tomorrow we will go there. Then we took the Manzini truck to the border to get a 30 day permit to be in the Country, we will have to take all the trucks to South Africa every 30 days for these permits. Johannesburg does not want to license them in Swaziland because vehicles from Swaziland are very difficult to sell in South Africa because of Swazi roads and Swazi maintenance. The Church vehicles are sold in South Africa when they get 120,000. miles on them. That is when maintenance becomes too expensive.
Elder Blackburn got bicycles repaired and then met Brother Holder at the Ezulwini Chapel on the current projects not finished. President Von Stetten wants a list of what should be done next.
Sister Ntshalintshali came to our house to see the sewing machines and supplies so that she could understand what needs to be done in dividing them in to 75 sewing kits. Sister Blackburn then showed her how to access the new family search website and we found her family. She set up her own account and will have her daughter help her in bringing it up to date. She would like all the sisters in the District to be able to get their birth certificates and family death certificates up to date. It was a really good day for both.
15 Nov 2011
Elder and Sister Berry left for Johannesburg today, on their way back to Bloomfontein where they are assigned as Seminary and Institute Missionaries. They spent Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday nights with us. We really got to know each other and become good friends. That is the most special part of serving a mission as a couple, the friends you make. The Zone Leaders left for New Castle early, via Manzini where they changed vehicles and tires. They took the Manzini truck to New Castle to trade for one that is not so back a condition. They took the new tires and put on their truck. Elder Shannon was determined not to let those new tires go with a vehicle that is going to be sold.
14 Nov 2011
The sewing supplies were delivered today, now everything has been delivered and we will need people to help divide them into 75 sewing kits. We have 2000 meters of material, 75 scissors, 75 tape measures, needles, thread, etc. We spent the day with Elder and Sister Berry, they are doing their Christmas shopping and needed to pick up items at the Silversmith and Drums from Manzini. Then we went to Summerfield for dinner, they treated us. We had a really good time and were very tired.
Today we got up early and went to Church in GeGe, we picked up President Balunga at the Nhlangano Building and took him with us. Delivered mail to the Elders in both areas, needless to say they were really happy with this. While we were waiting for President Balunga his children were jumping rope African style, they girls were very good, the boy was not so good, but he held the rope for the girls.
12 Nov 2011
Elder and Sister Zawaky came over at 9:00am and did their computer work, then we all Blackburns, Berrys and Zawakys went Christmas shopping all over this part of Swaziland. We really enjoyed our day together and the Berrys were able to buy what they had come for. We were all so tired that we just went to bed at 8:00pm.
11 Nov 2011
We went to Mbabane to talk with Customs and the Swaziland Revenue Authority about redoing the Customs letter to include every item, the Lavumisa customs agent will not release the shipment and it has been about 5 weeks since the delivery came to Swaziland. Mrs Mabuza at the SRA was very upset with Lavumisa and called them. If the Minister of Finance signs and stamps the tax exemption that is all that is needed, she called Lavumisa and told them to release the shipment immediately. Finally, someone who recognized good works. She made the statement, "you Church is doing something good and we will not stop it". 70 sewing machines were delivered when we got back to our home. What a relief to finally have this resolved. Elder and Sister Berry and Elder and Sister Zawacky arrive this evening for shopping and Seminary and Institute graduation on Sunday, we will have a busy good weekend with them.
10 Nov 2011
Elder Blackburn went to Matsapha to talk with the shipping company and find out what is holding up our shipment, it has been well over a month they have been held up by Customs, he talked with a Mrs. Simelane at Lavumisa and she said we needed a new letter including all items from the Ministry of Finance, so tomorrow we will go there. Then we took the Manzini truck to the border to get a 30 day permit to be in the Country, we will have to take all the trucks to South Africa every 30 days for these permits. Johannesburg does not want to license them in Swaziland because vehicles from Swaziland are very difficult to sell in South Africa because of Swazi roads and Swazi maintenance. The Church vehicles are sold in South Africa when they get 120,000. miles on them. That is when maintenance becomes too expensive.
Thanks for keeping us informed on what is going on in Swaziland. Most of the names are familiar to us but many are new. Keep up the great work - you are very special.
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