24 Jan 2011
Today was transfers, we did not start until 3.00 pm. Sister Smith called this morning and their electricity has been out for 3 days and she needed to put food in our extra refrigerator and do some cooking for our trip to Durban tomorrow, so they came about 2:00pm and she started a batch of cookies and boiled some eggs. We had to leave them here when we left for the Lavumisa border to meet the Elders from Nhlangano and the ones coming from Durban, we just felt we needed to be at the border post this time. Just before we arrived there the Assistants, Elder Mahsilele called and said there was a problem The immigration officer would not let our 4 Elders enter without a work permit. Elder Blackburn had a nice, calm conversation with the immigration officer, the one who always gives us a difficult time and he finally stamped the passports, we will have to discuss this with President Von Stetten on Thursday and make better arrangements, he called us on our way home and questioned what happened, so decisions will have to be made for the future procedures. We got home at 10:30 pm, not too bad a day for us.
22 Jan 2011
We went to Church in Mbabane since Patriarch Courtney had a couple more Blessings to perform. After Sacrament meeting he and Elder and Sister Zawacky left to go back to Durban. They made arrangements to come back in February so the people in Nhlangano can get their Patriarchal Blessings. Elder Blackburn went to his District Meetings, Sister Blackburn had a long nap and stayed home the rest of the day.
21 Jan 2011
We went in different directions today; Elder Blackburn and Patriarch Courtney to Manzini and Ezulwini; Zawackys and Sister Blackburn to Mbabane. Sister Blackburn was to supervise sewing classes for Enrichment Meeting; the Zawackys giving inservice lesson for Seminary and Institute; None of the Relief Society showed up when they were supposed to, they finally arrived at 2:30 in the afternoon when we were leaving the Chapel. We all met at the Chinese Restaurant at 6:00 for dinner, Brother and Sister Smith joined us. We had a really good time together.
20 Jan 2011
Elder and Sister Zawacky arrived with Patriarch Courtney at 3:00 pm. Everyone then went their own way. with plans to meet tomorrow at 9:00 am.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Elder Musau called and Sister Blackburn offered the board games, he says, What? "board games" What? you know games to play tonight" and very happily replied "Oh, ok that would be good, we will come and get them." We forget that the African youth have never played board games, or even seen them. Simple things to remind us to be grateful for everything. It was good to have those games with the weather so bad the Elders could not work.
13 Jan 2012
17 January 2012
It has rained and rained all day long, started middle of the night last night and has not stopped all day. I am sure there will be major flooding somewhere in Swaziland after this storm passes; We stayed in most of the day. Elder Blackburn met with one of the landlords about a disputed water bill; they will pay most of it, however the Church will still have to pay some. The Ezulwini Elders came by tonight, they cannot go out in this weather, they will definitely get stuck in some mud hole or river. We offered some board games for them to play.
16 January 2012
Laundry day today, Elders had Zone activity and came over for barbeque after the hike. Sister Blackburn had a very long afternoon nap. Rain off and on all day. We watched the movie The Bucket List then went to bed early.
15 Jan 2012
We went to Church in Nhlangano and delivered their 5 sewing machines to them. The Branch President wanted to know if we should take 2 of them to GeGe and Sister Blackburn said that they belonged to the Branch and if President Balunga wanted to take two that would probably help his relationship with the Malinga family. We will see what he will do. Elder Blackburn had District meetings in the afternoon and brother Jabulani Motsa said he saw the Sewing Machine Handover on Swazi TV and it was shown in its entirety and was a really good presentation and that the TV Station was going to show it again today.
14 Jan 2012
Today is the Sewing Machine Handover ceremony, it should go very well. Sister Nielsen and Sister Blackburn left early to pick up the food for refreshments; the Elders will prepare sandwiches and serve them to the attendees. We hope 100 people will come. Sister Ntshalintshali is MC, Sister Mtetwa spoke on the purpose of Relief Society, she covered "Charity Never Faileth", some of the history of Relief Society; it was all in SiSwati so we did not understand it. Stella Lukhele spoke in English and was very appreciative to the Church for this project. At the end of the Ceremony, Stella lead the women in singing,"Thank you, Thank you o' God." in SiSwati. This was very moving and brought tears to the American's eyes.
Elder and Sister Nielsen, Blackburn, Heninger. We worked hard to make this a special day and it seemed to pay off.
13 Jan 2012
Friday the 13th, good thing we are not superstitious!! Elder and Sister Nielsen came today about 1:30, then Elder and Sister Heninger showed up about 4:00pm. They had called George and wanted to meet with him, Sister Blackburn had not planned a meeting for tonight with everyone. The Heningers then planned dinner for everyone at Spur Restaurant across the road so George, Sister Ntshalintshali came and then everyone came back to our house for cake and to plan the program for the Sewing machine handover ceremony tomorrow. It was determined that Sister Ntshalintshali would be MC and she would assign another Sister to talk and that would be Sister Mtetwa. Stella has invited the media and others. She has been in charge of all invitations.
It has rained and rained all day long, started middle of the night last night and has not stopped all day. I am sure there will be major flooding somewhere in Swaziland after this storm passes; We stayed in most of the day. Elder Blackburn met with one of the landlords about a disputed water bill; they will pay most of it, however the Church will still have to pay some. The Ezulwini Elders came by tonight, they cannot go out in this weather, they will definitely get stuck in some mud hole or river. We offered some board games for them to play.
16 January 2012
Laundry day today, Elders had Zone activity and came over for barbeque after the hike. Sister Blackburn had a very long afternoon nap. Rain off and on all day. We watched the movie The Bucket List then went to bed early.
15 Jan 2012
We went to Church in Nhlangano and delivered their 5 sewing machines to them. The Branch President wanted to know if we should take 2 of them to GeGe and Sister Blackburn said that they belonged to the Branch and if President Balunga wanted to take two that would probably help his relationship with the Malinga family. We will see what he will do. Elder Blackburn had District meetings in the afternoon and brother Jabulani Motsa said he saw the Sewing Machine Handover on Swazi TV and it was shown in its entirety and was a really good presentation and that the TV Station was going to show it again today.
14 Jan 2012
Today is the Sewing Machine Handover ceremony, it should go very well. Sister Nielsen and Sister Blackburn left early to pick up the food for refreshments; the Elders will prepare sandwiches and serve them to the attendees. We hope 100 people will come. Sister Ntshalintshali is MC, Sister Mtetwa spoke on the purpose of Relief Society, she covered "Charity Never Faileth", some of the history of Relief Society; it was all in SiSwati so we did not understand it. Stella Lukhele spoke in English and was very appreciative to the Church for this project. At the end of the Ceremony, Stella lead the women in singing,"Thank you, Thank you o' God." in SiSwati. This was very moving and brought tears to the American's eyes.
Elder and Sister Nielsen, Blackburn, Heninger. We worked hard to make this a special day and it seemed to pay off.
13 Jan 2012
Friday the 13th, good thing we are not superstitious!! Elder and Sister Nielsen came today about 1:30, then Elder and Sister Heninger showed up about 4:00pm. They had called George and wanted to meet with him, Sister Blackburn had not planned a meeting for tonight with everyone. The Heningers then planned dinner for everyone at Spur Restaurant across the road so George, Sister Ntshalintshali came and then everyone came back to our house for cake and to plan the program for the Sewing machine handover ceremony tomorrow. It was determined that Sister Ntshalintshali would be MC and she would assign another Sister to talk and that would be Sister Mtetwa. Stella has invited the media and others. She has been in charge of all invitations.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
12 Jan 2012
12 Jan 2012
Today we had training set up for Inkhundla in Lobamba. Brother Smith called and said he was tied up at the University of Swaziland and would be late. Stella called and said she was stranded and needed help. So we drove to Khulisa Umntfwana to help Stella and her truck had just arrived so 3 machines were loaded with a few sewing supplies, one of her staff rode with us and we drove to Lobamba so she could start their training, there was nothing we could do so we went to lunch at Spur, then Brother Smith called and he was at the Lobamba Post Office, we hurried and met him there and took him to the Inkhundla Center and he started filming the training; the girls were in the middle of learning to use the machines; it was great footage, perfect timing for Brother Smith.
Stella told us about a young woman she talked with yesterday who had tried to put weeds and flowers in her underwear to take care of her monthly flow. The women at the Center were so dedicated to teaching the young girls and young adults how to sew the maturation pads. They have taken this project to their hearts. Some of the machines needed tightening and adjusting and Elder Blackburn took care of that. Later in the day we took care of young Michael Khoza's PEF application so that he can start school next week. PEF is such a blessing in the lives of these young people; it will truly lift them out of poverty. We picked up a care package from our family and it lifted our spirits a lot, especially the M&Ms and Hickory Farms sausage. We truly enjoyed the taste of home. Small things always lift the spirit.
11 Jan 2012
Today Brother Smith took 4 of the Young Single Adult returned missionaries to Johannesburg to attend the Temple. He had to bring them by our house because two of the young men had let their Temple Recommend expire; Elder Blackburn cautioned them to not do that again, "you may never know when these opportunities come, so be prepared," After they had gone, we received a telephone call from Sister Ntshalintshali that Stella has set up training in Lobamba for Brother Smith to film, we will have to call him tomorrow to inform him. We took our Bakki through the border post for the 30 day stamp (so it can stay in Swaziland another 30 days). Our passport was still good, we seem to go through a Border Post several times in a month. We check the post office and we have a package from home, we will pick it up tomorrow; we have had some really hot, humid days. Not as much rain as last year.
Today we had training set up for Inkhundla in Lobamba. Brother Smith called and said he was tied up at the University of Swaziland and would be late. Stella called and said she was stranded and needed help. So we drove to Khulisa Umntfwana to help Stella and her truck had just arrived so 3 machines were loaded with a few sewing supplies, one of her staff rode with us and we drove to Lobamba so she could start their training, there was nothing we could do so we went to lunch at Spur, then Brother Smith called and he was at the Lobamba Post Office, we hurried and met him there and took him to the Inkhundla Center and he started filming the training; the girls were in the middle of learning to use the machines; it was great footage, perfect timing for Brother Smith.
11 Jan 2012
Today Brother Smith took 4 of the Young Single Adult returned missionaries to Johannesburg to attend the Temple. He had to bring them by our house because two of the young men had let their Temple Recommend expire; Elder Blackburn cautioned them to not do that again, "you may never know when these opportunities come, so be prepared," After they had gone, we received a telephone call from Sister Ntshalintshali that Stella has set up training in Lobamba for Brother Smith to film, we will have to call him tomorrow to inform him. We took our Bakki through the border post for the 30 day stamp (so it can stay in Swaziland another 30 days). Our passport was still good, we seem to go through a Border Post several times in a month. We check the post office and we have a package from home, we will pick it up tomorrow; we have had some really hot, humid days. Not as much rain as last year.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Demolishing Sister Jill's home.
10 Jan 2012
Had a meeting today with Khulisa Unmtfawna, the NGO that is receiving 50 of the sewing machines and we made the plans for the formal ceremony presenting the machines to the Tinkhundla Centers, Brother George Dlamini, Sister Concelia Ntshalintshali, Stella Lukhele and Sister Blackburn discussed set the program. George thinks at least 100 people will be in attendance. This afternoon we finally got a big thunderstorm with rain and cooled the temperature so we do not feel the humidity so much. Elder Tameilau reported that his thumb is not broken, just very tender. We saw Sister Shongwe at the market while we were buying food for Saturday and she told us, "the goats are a big problem. They will disappear one at a time and Sister Jill will blame us." So Elder Blackburn telephone Sister Jill and she said she has the goats placed in a place in Malkearns. What a problem she has to deal with. Selling the goats should not be a big problem for her. Lots of people here would like to buy them, just not at her asking price. We had a nice chat with Elder and Sister Nuzman on skype tonight and they will be going to Durban for the couples dinner on the 28th of January.
09 Jan2012
Our training for the sewing machines fell through, Sister Blackburn made a pan of brownies for the Elders, they will be by later today to pick up a cabinet for Nhlangano to store their electronic equipment in. We took the invitations to Stella at Khulisa Umntfawna so that she can get her people invited for the handover ceremony. Elder Tameilau and Adams came by after playing soccer to see if Elder Tameilau's thumb was broken, it was not swollen so we put ice pack on it and informed him he could not get a doctor this late at night so he would have to wait until tomorrow. Today was P-day and we did laundry. President Von Stetten left for interviews in New Castle.
08 Jan 2012
Church in Manzini, Fast and Testimony Meeting, Sister Blackburn gave the lesson in Relief Society to show the Branch how to give lessons and Testimony on Fast Sunday. Sister Von Stetten was there also and they wanted to make a good impression for her so the Branch Relief Society President really tried to start on time and keep everything on track. Time will tell if the R.S. President really understood the lesson. Elder Blackburn brought Sister Von Stetten and Sister Blackburn back to the house to rest and prepare dinner. He went back to Manzini for District Council Meeting -They determined that Elder Blackburn and President Jerome Shongwe would go visit Sister Jill - who is staying with Sister Chozen Dlamini, after her house got torn down. The Shongwe family had taken the goats to their homestead temporarily (53 goats). About 50% will have kids in April. Sister Jill did not salvage her food storage so the women did not have anything to eat and wanted a food order. Brother George Lukhele offered to take the goats, if Sister Jill would give him some of the new kids. He has a homestead in the southern part of the country. Jill just does not want to accept that she is homeless and needs to make plans for her future. She has a sister in Manzini and a sister in Richards Bay, a daughter in Michigan, USA and a daughter in Manzini. President Jerome Shongwe told Elder Blackburn, that the Country is taking back all the old concession farms and tearing down the houses so that the concessions can be sold again. So all Swazi people who live on homesteads are subject to their farms being taken from them and sold to someone else.
President Von Stetten interviewed 16 missionaries and 6 prospective missionaries. President then came to our house for a nice dinner which we served on the veranda since the house was way too hot. The wall plug for the airconditioner had stopped working and Sister Blackburn could not find an extension cord to use another outlet. Outside was really nice though.
Friday, January 6, 2012
January 2012
06 Jan 2012
We have both been sick this week, both taking antibiotics. Hopefully we will be a lot better tomorrow, President Von Stetten is coming for quarterly interviews with the missionaries and to interview 6 prospective missionaries. The new couple will have the blessing of seeing them off to their respective missions. Brother Smith came for dinner and showed us the video documentary on the Wheel Chair project and it was so well done, as Elder Blackburn said, "That was professional". After all, Brother Smith has his doctorate and teaches communications at USU in Cedar City. We saw in the newspaper today that Sister Jill lost her battle to save her home; the man who supposedly bought the land from the chief came early morning yesterday and moved her, her furniture and all her animals and then demolished her house, we called her and she said she is still going to go to court to fight what he has done, he denied even summoning her to Court on Christmas Day. We have seen other times when the Chiefs have sold homesteads where widows were living in their parental homes or deceased husbands homes.
This house is no longer there.
05 Jan 2012
We had the privilege of speaking with Brother and Sister Lombardi on SKYPE today. They are going to be such vibrant good missionaries here. We were so happy to be able to tell them that they are in for a wonderful adventure, they viewed our pictures on Face Book and as they said, "We were on a high all day", we were so excited. We took the Manzini Bakki to South Africa to get the Swazi stamp so it is legal for another month. We also, bought an upgrade for our internet, we had to pay extra for the month of November - the first time since we have been here and we don't want to have to do that again so we upgraded. We received a beautiful Christmas Card from Edward and Annie today, those pictures are so well done. We went to the Airport to bid Elder Verde goodby and all his family and frieds were there, that was so good to see. We picked up a steel cabinet in Matsapha to store all the electronics in Nhlangano, to try to keep them safe from theft; when we got back to the house the Manzini Elders were on our veranda having their District meeting. Good day. We saw this lady going through customs with her wheelbarrow.
It is amazing how many people use this method for carrying their water and food and other items.
04 Jan 2012
We took the Ezulwini Bakki to the Ngwenya Border Post and into South Africa, did a U turn and came back so we could get the stamp allowing it to be here for 30 days.. In another month will have to do the same. Nhlangano Elders will take their Bakki through the Mahamba Border Post so we won't have to go all the way down there. We went to Mbabane this evening to set apart Junior Verde as a missionary, he is going to Johannesburg, South Africa Mission. His parents and Aunti and cousins were there, it was a very nice meeting with them. Sister Verde is the Mbabane Relief Society President.
03 Jan 2012
Went with the Missionaries to teach Josephine and her daughter one of the lessons on Polygamy and explain to her that if she did not know it was wrong she could still be baptised; her husband has died. Her daughter has been very faithful in walking many miles every Sunday to Church and that has made a difference in Josephine's attitude, she was more open to being taught. Elders picked up English lesson books so GeGe can institute an English class.
01 Jan 2012
Both of us sick today; Elder Blackburn went to Mbabane to do Temple Recommend Interviews. There was only Sacrament Meeting today, which was fine with both of us. We are on our last Rx of antibiotics - good thing home is just around the corner.
We have both been sick this week, both taking antibiotics. Hopefully we will be a lot better tomorrow, President Von Stetten is coming for quarterly interviews with the missionaries and to interview 6 prospective missionaries. The new couple will have the blessing of seeing them off to their respective missions. Brother Smith came for dinner and showed us the video documentary on the Wheel Chair project and it was so well done, as Elder Blackburn said, "That was professional". After all, Brother Smith has his doctorate and teaches communications at USU in Cedar City. We saw in the newspaper today that Sister Jill lost her battle to save her home; the man who supposedly bought the land from the chief came early morning yesterday and moved her, her furniture and all her animals and then demolished her house, we called her and she said she is still going to go to court to fight what he has done, he denied even summoning her to Court on Christmas Day. We have seen other times when the Chiefs have sold homesteads where widows were living in their parental homes or deceased husbands homes.
05 Jan 2012
We had the privilege of speaking with Brother and Sister Lombardi on SKYPE today. They are going to be such vibrant good missionaries here. We were so happy to be able to tell them that they are in for a wonderful adventure, they viewed our pictures on Face Book and as they said, "We were on a high all day", we were so excited. We took the Manzini Bakki to South Africa to get the Swazi stamp so it is legal for another month. We also, bought an upgrade for our internet, we had to pay extra for the month of November - the first time since we have been here and we don't want to have to do that again so we upgraded. We received a beautiful Christmas Card from Edward and Annie today, those pictures are so well done. We went to the Airport to bid Elder Verde goodby and all his family and frieds were there, that was so good to see. We picked up a steel cabinet in Matsapha to store all the electronics in Nhlangano, to try to keep them safe from theft; when we got back to the house the Manzini Elders were on our veranda having their District meeting. Good day. We saw this lady going through customs with her wheelbarrow.
It is amazing how many people use this method for carrying their water and food and other items.
04 Jan 2012
We took the Ezulwini Bakki to the Ngwenya Border Post and into South Africa, did a U turn and came back so we could get the stamp allowing it to be here for 30 days.. In another month will have to do the same. Nhlangano Elders will take their Bakki through the Mahamba Border Post so we won't have to go all the way down there. We went to Mbabane this evening to set apart Junior Verde as a missionary, he is going to Johannesburg, South Africa Mission. His parents and Aunti and cousins were there, it was a very nice meeting with them. Sister Verde is the Mbabane Relief Society President.
03 Jan 2012
Went with the Missionaries to teach Josephine and her daughter one of the lessons on Polygamy and explain to her that if she did not know it was wrong she could still be baptised; her husband has died. Her daughter has been very faithful in walking many miles every Sunday to Church and that has made a difference in Josephine's attitude, she was more open to being taught. Elders picked up English lesson books so GeGe can institute an English class.
01 Jan 2012
Both of us sick today; Elder Blackburn went to Mbabane to do Temple Recommend Interviews. There was only Sacrament Meeting today, which was fine with both of us. We are on our last Rx of antibiotics - good thing home is just around the corner.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
After Johannesburg and Pretoria
31 Dec 2011
New Years Eve and we are exhaused today; Elder and Sister Nuzman left early this morning, we really wanted them to stay one day longer and just rest, but they wanted to get back home and rest in their own bed. We did laundry, Elders from Ezulwini came to check on us and make sure we were back. Elder Blackburn did a vehicle inspection while they were here. We always try to let the Elders know when we are going to inspect their flats and cars so they will have them clean and presentable; we do this just before transfers so the new Elders will come to a clean flat. We took down the Christmas tree and put everything away and wrote on the boxes "donated to the Swazi couples" so they will not be given away when the next couple goes home. We have enjoyed our few Christmas novelties, especially the tree.
30 Dec 2011
Today we got up early and started for Pretoria, found all the right freeways and then found the correct road to Cullinan, we are going to visit the Cullinan Diamond Mine.
The Cullinan Mine is an extremely vast mining operation; they are beginning to remine all the tailings that DeBeers left from the beginning of mining, new procedures in mining show what minerals were left behing and how to extract what could not be seen with the grease belts. The old town is a quaint tourist village. All the workers are housed in a township outside the mining area. The tour guide did not give us all the tour and we did not realize it until we got back and read the brochure. We did not get to see the sorting room and the sales room. What a disappointment for Sister Blackburn and Sister Nuzman. From there we drove back to Swaziland and got home about 6:30 pm. Tom went to bed and the rest of us watched a movie and relaxed before heading to our beds.
29 Dec 2011
Up early to drive to the Ndebele Village, we missed our ramp to the correct freeway and drove many miles out of our way, when we got to Pretoria we saw the Union Building in the distance and decided to go exploring there, we happened on the Old Town Square, which Elder Blackburn remembered visiting.
Elder Blackburn remembered the flat where he and his companion lived 50 years ago; across the street from the Union Building (government offices) it is one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited in all the places in the world we have been, the grounds were spectacular.
Elder Blackburn's flat:
The Ndebele Village, it was in a severe decline, the paint fading, the buildings crumbling; old women trying to sell the beaded items they had scrounged enough money to make. A very sad state. We found the head woman (the Sangoma) and she offered to show us around and told us how much - R 100 which is the equivalent of about $15.00 american dollars. We bought a few trinkets in appreciation of the tour, they were disapointed we did not buy more, however there were only the 4 of us and what could we use the items for. Beaded dolls and such; Sister Nuzman and I bought a necklace each and I bought a doll.
Elder Blackburn had visited this Ndebele village 50 years ago and it has really deteriorated and has fallen into severe decline, we did not think it would last very many more years, they have abandoned most of their culture, they still do some beadwork, samples are in the pictures. It was truly in a sad state. Tours have stopped going there because of the decline so they have lost that income to the village.
28 Dec 2011
We got up early and went to the China Market where we had breakfast: We had so much fun with Elder and Sister Nuzman.
Sister Nuzmand and I bought some glass beads for the projects we are learning to make, Sister Blackburn bought two umbrellas, one for Josi and one for Brooklyn, they were only $3.00 each; one is pink polka dots and one is pink with flowers on it. After this fun excursion we went to the Temple to find Elder Ng'Anda and his wife, we are going to the Endowment and sealing with them, we found that another couple with their children also came from Kenya to be sealed, so we made their acquaintance and found how faithful these returned African missionaries stay, he had married his wife 6 years ago after returning from his mission to Malawi and Zimbabwe and now had the opportunity to access the Temple Fund and bring his wife and children to the Temple to be sealed as a family. It was really a spiritual afternoon, Elder Blackburn and Elder Nuzman acted as witnesses for each Couple:
This Temple trip was special to us because Sister Blackburn had become friends on Face Book with Elder Ng'Anda and when he announced his engagement to Lucy, Sister Blackburn encouraged him to contact his Bishop and enquire about the Temple Fund, whic allows a once in a lifetime trip for families to be sealed in the Temple when they live many miles and days from the Temple. Because of this encouragement another couple with their children were able to also attend the Temple, Elder Silvester Ohanga and his wife Eunice with their two children. So it was truly a special day. After the Temple, the Nuzmans and Blackburns invited the two African couples to a celebratory dinner at a highly recommended dining establishment called Mike's Kitchen:
Elder Ohanga and Elder Ng'Anda were so appreciative, they had wanted to be able to take their wives to a special celebration and would not have been able to do so. One of Lucy's missionary companions went with us, her name is Bathobile Sithole and you could see the love she and Lucy shared, gained as missionary companions in Zimbabwe.
27 Dec 2011
This morning we got up early and left for Johannesburg and the Temple; we arrived early afternoon and decided to go to the African Craft Market, Sister Nuzman wanted to purchase some more beaded animals for their family at home and we wanted to look for a special kind of mask; we were both successful; we then checked into our Guest House (no breakfast provided this time) and had dinner next door at a very nice restaurant; then we were tired and decided to just relax, we watched a movie and went to sleep, we have a bit day tomorrow.
26 Dec 2011
We decided not to take the tree down today, first time we will have ever left the tree up for a week after Christmas, the Nuzmans arrive today and we saved Christmas dinner to share with them so we cooked and prepared our prime rib dinner, the Elders came by several times and we told them they could not stay that we were not going to feed them today. Elder and Sister Nuzman enjoyed Christmas dinner with us as much as we enjoyed having dinner with them. We had a good evening and Elder Nuzman insisted on washing the dished, Sister Blackburn dried them. We had an early night since we leave early tomorrow.
25 Dec 2011
We woke up early to take Sister Jill to High Court today, she is losing her house, the Chief has sold her land to, as she says, "a very wealthy black man" and he is going to knock down her house on Decembe 31st. She has tried to get the Courts to stop him and can't do it. So she got a Court Summons to appear at Court on Christmas Day even though the Court will be closed. We took Brother Malaza as a witness that she did go and got pictures of them in front of someone's car which was parked there. We then took them to the Ezulwini chapel and Sister Jill wanted to go to Mbabane with us, so we asked if she was still in the Relief Society Presidency and she said she was so we told her she belonged in her Branch that she was needed there. Then we drove to Mbabane for Sacrament and Elder Blackburn had Temple Recommends to sign: We got a call from Elder Tameilau wanting to know where we were since he wanted to call home to Australia at 11:30 am. so we told him he would have to wait we were involved in other things. At 12:00 when we got home, Elder Tameilau and Elder Adams came and spend 2 hours on the phone with their families. They were only supposed to spend 30 minutes; same story with all the Ezulwini Elders, none of them obeyed the rule from the Area Office. We should never have let them call from our house. We fixed sandwiches and juice then 12 Elders watched the movie It's a Wonderful Life. The Nhlangano Elders did not come, Elder Khubeka was not feeling well so they stayed in their area. The other Elder's really seemed to enjoy their Christmas Day.
Elders Adams and Tameilau then Elders Maring and Signorelli
Elders Maring and Signorelli are a very good companionship from the Manzini District.
24 Dec 2011
Elders came and cut fabric again and we fed them lunch. Elder Blackburn went to Manzini and picked up our meat for Christmas dinner from the Butcher shop. We fed the Elders burritos, the African Elders had never eaten burritos.
23 Dec 2011
The big thing today, Elder Blackburn went with the Mbabane Elders, Elder Thatcher and Elder Shannon to interview and talk with one of their investigators, the father was quite a womanizer and had several children by other women and did not want to tell his wife, so he asked Elder Blackburn who should be the head or boss of the family and Elder Blackburn told him his wife should be, so that he could make an issue of husband and wife working together in harmony to raise a family. The wife really liked what was said and made a commitment to continue with the lessons, the husband was reluctant but willing to continue, he just did not want to confess to his wife all the things he had done to betray their marriage.
New Years Eve and we are exhaused today; Elder and Sister Nuzman left early this morning, we really wanted them to stay one day longer and just rest, but they wanted to get back home and rest in their own bed. We did laundry, Elders from Ezulwini came to check on us and make sure we were back. Elder Blackburn did a vehicle inspection while they were here. We always try to let the Elders know when we are going to inspect their flats and cars so they will have them clean and presentable; we do this just before transfers so the new Elders will come to a clean flat. We took down the Christmas tree and put everything away and wrote on the boxes "donated to the Swazi couples" so they will not be given away when the next couple goes home. We have enjoyed our few Christmas novelties, especially the tree.
30 Dec 2011
Today we got up early and started for Pretoria, found all the right freeways and then found the correct road to Cullinan, we are going to visit the Cullinan Diamond Mine.
29 Dec 2011
Up early to drive to the Ndebele Village, we missed our ramp to the correct freeway and drove many miles out of our way, when we got to Pretoria we saw the Union Building in the distance and decided to go exploring there, we happened on the Old Town Square, which Elder Blackburn remembered visiting.
Elder Blackburn remembered the flat where he and his companion lived 50 years ago; across the street from the Union Building (government offices) it is one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited in all the places in the world we have been, the grounds were spectacular.
Elder Blackburn's flat:
The Ndebele Village, it was in a severe decline, the paint fading, the buildings crumbling; old women trying to sell the beaded items they had scrounged enough money to make. A very sad state. We found the head woman (the Sangoma) and she offered to show us around and told us how much - R 100 which is the equivalent of about $15.00 american dollars. We bought a few trinkets in appreciation of the tour, they were disapointed we did not buy more, however there were only the 4 of us and what could we use the items for. Beaded dolls and such; Sister Nuzman and I bought a necklace each and I bought a doll.
28 Dec 2011
We got up early and went to the China Market where we had breakfast: We had so much fun with Elder and Sister Nuzman.
27 Dec 2011
This morning we got up early and left for Johannesburg and the Temple; we arrived early afternoon and decided to go to the African Craft Market, Sister Nuzman wanted to purchase some more beaded animals for their family at home and we wanted to look for a special kind of mask; we were both successful; we then checked into our Guest House (no breakfast provided this time) and had dinner next door at a very nice restaurant; then we were tired and decided to just relax, we watched a movie and went to sleep, we have a bit day tomorrow.
26 Dec 2011
We decided not to take the tree down today, first time we will have ever left the tree up for a week after Christmas, the Nuzmans arrive today and we saved Christmas dinner to share with them so we cooked and prepared our prime rib dinner, the Elders came by several times and we told them they could not stay that we were not going to feed them today. Elder and Sister Nuzman enjoyed Christmas dinner with us as much as we enjoyed having dinner with them. We had a good evening and Elder Nuzman insisted on washing the dished, Sister Blackburn dried them. We had an early night since we leave early tomorrow.
25 Dec 2011
We woke up early to take Sister Jill to High Court today, she is losing her house, the Chief has sold her land to, as she says, "a very wealthy black man" and he is going to knock down her house on Decembe 31st. She has tried to get the Courts to stop him and can't do it. So she got a Court Summons to appear at Court on Christmas Day even though the Court will be closed. We took Brother Malaza as a witness that she did go and got pictures of them in front of someone's car which was parked there. We then took them to the Ezulwini chapel and Sister Jill wanted to go to Mbabane with us, so we asked if she was still in the Relief Society Presidency and she said she was so we told her she belonged in her Branch that she was needed there. Then we drove to Mbabane for Sacrament and Elder Blackburn had Temple Recommends to sign: We got a call from Elder Tameilau wanting to know where we were since he wanted to call home to Australia at 11:30 am. so we told him he would have to wait we were involved in other things. At 12:00 when we got home, Elder Tameilau and Elder Adams came and spend 2 hours on the phone with their families. They were only supposed to spend 30 minutes; same story with all the Ezulwini Elders, none of them obeyed the rule from the Area Office. We should never have let them call from our house. We fixed sandwiches and juice then 12 Elders watched the movie It's a Wonderful Life. The Nhlangano Elders did not come, Elder Khubeka was not feeling well so they stayed in their area. The other Elder's really seemed to enjoy their Christmas Day.
24 Dec 2011
Elders came and cut fabric again and we fed them lunch. Elder Blackburn went to Manzini and picked up our meat for Christmas dinner from the Butcher shop. We fed the Elders burritos, the African Elders had never eaten burritos.
23 Dec 2011
The big thing today, Elder Blackburn went with the Mbabane Elders, Elder Thatcher and Elder Shannon to interview and talk with one of their investigators, the father was quite a womanizer and had several children by other women and did not want to tell his wife, so he asked Elder Blackburn who should be the head or boss of the family and Elder Blackburn told him his wife should be, so that he could make an issue of husband and wife working together in harmony to raise a family. The wife really liked what was said and made a commitment to continue with the lessons, the husband was reluctant but willing to continue, he just did not want to confess to his wife all the things he had done to betray their marriage.
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