Church in Nhlangano

11 Dec 2011
Today we went to Church in Nhlangano, the GeGe Group came in for a missionary program.  They had 5 baptisms and then a fireside where the theme was missionary service and helping the missionaries.  Elder and Sister Blackburn spoke in Sacrament, the talks were very well received it was a good Church day for us.  We were given a copy of a letter Sister Malinga wrote to President Balunga really critisizing him on the way he dones things relating to the GeGe Group.  We forwarded a copy of the letter to President Von Stetten and gave District President Simelane his copy.  Our inclination is to let the District President handle the situation and convince the Malingas that they are very well treated.  We know they are because we have kept an eye on the group.  Elder Blackburn had his district meeting and the wedding of Brother Dlamini was of great concern and his actions are of great concern to the District Leaders. We went to Brother Milton Dlamini's wedding yesterday in Mbabane, he married a non member woman; paid about 20 cows for her and put on a very expensive wedding, there were about 7 protestant Pastors there and one of them gave the "Word of God" for the wedding and really gave a fiery, loud sermon, very inappropriate for a Latter Day Saint service; during the talking by the Pastors it was discovered that Brother Dlamini has been to College to become a Pastor and has been going out preaching with this group of his fellow Pastors and he is an Elder and serves on the District Council.  WOW, what a problem for the District to resolve!!!!  Early in the morning we received a telephone call from one of the Ezulwini Elders, "better come quick Elder Blackburn, the problem is getting worse".  So, Elder Blackburn went right then and 2 of the Elders were in a big argument and one had left the flat, and then came back.  Elder Blackburn asked Elder Tameilau to get his things and we took him to Mbabane to spend the day with the Zone Leaders.  The Assistants were informed and we got a call later and were informed that Elder Jenks will be transferred and Elder Tameilau will be given one more chance to get involved in his mission.  He has been out 4.5 months and has had 4 companions.  These are the difficult times, to see young men with great potential make terrible decisions that will affect them the rest of their lives.