06 July 2009 – Monday

We decided that for P-day we would return to St Lucia and take the road out to Cape Vidal. It was a perfect day for it. The sky was clear – at least until they started burning cane fields in the afternoon – and there was a nice breeze to keep us cool.

We were happy to find that our Rhino pass got us into the reserve without needing to pay the R50 cost. The sign at the gate where we checked in says that entrance is limited to 120 vehicles a day and I wondered if they stick to that. There was certainly not much traffic on the roads today so maybe they do or winter may not be a busy season for them.

We took our time and took every loop road and stopped at every view point. We walked down to Mission Rocks – a jumble of rocks that appear to be the remained of a major lava flow but according to the information are carbonized sandstone – and looked for seashells. I managed to find one small shell for Mary. We have yet to find any large or colored shells or coral.

We did not see a lot of animals but we did see a big herd of hippos – I am not sure what you call a group of hippos – in a shallow pool and also far away on the lake shore. Because the ones on the lakeshore was so far away and we did not have any binoculars we could not decide if they were really rocks or hippos. While we were trying to decide a game tour vehicle came up behind us and the guide told us they were hippos. We decided we needed to buy a good pair of binoculars for our animal and bird watching.

Along this same loop trail we came across a family of baboons that basically ignored us, three zebras that were just standing on the plains and hardly gave us notice, and finally three cape buffalos that we stopped about 20 yards from. We got out and took pictures of the buffalos because they were so close. They did not pay much attention to me but when Mary came around the car in her bright blue flowered blouse they started paying attention. I was tempted to walk closer to them for a better picture but decided that I did not think I could out run them back to the car and would be happy with what pictures I had.

All in all it was a very pleasant 5 hours of enjoying the quiet and beautiful coast area. Now that we know more what is there, we will probably visit the area again. We certainly want to take the boat ride up to see the hippos and possibly – if I think my stomach can take it – go out and see the whales passing.

By the time we got home Mary was really tired and that was not helped by her almost constant need to sneeze. I think there must be something in the air because a number of the elders are also having the same symptoms.

I should mention that when we go out on P-day we always wear our tags and we see many people reading what they say. I also carry the pamphlet “Who are the Mormons” in my pocket and if people seem interested I offer them a copy. Today there were no takers but I like to be prepared.

05 July 2009 – Sunday

I crashed early on the couch last night and later staggered into bed. Of course that meant I woke really early and could not go back to sleep. But the Lord blessed me and I was able to stay fully awake for all the meetings.

President Malinga held a good PEC but unfortunately the Elders President was not there nor was the Branch Mission President. The latter had to work an extra shift because of a shortage of available men in his department. Hopefully once everyone realizes that there is going to be a PEC every Sunday morning, all of the folks will come and be prepared to be contribute to the meeting.

President Malinga started the meeting almost on time and that meant people kept coming in for the next 30 minutes. Hopefully if they continue to start on time people will get the idea and plan to be in the chapel by 9:00. It was a good fast and testimony meeting with some excellent testimonies being given. A non-member man, who the elders had blessed when he sick, stood up and recounted his recovery. Brother Themba – the man I had the privilege of baptizing a month ago- also bore his testimony. It is still being developed but he has shared it each testimony meeting since he was baptized.  Earlier in the meeting he was sustained to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and to be ordained a Priest. I think he will make a solid contribution to the branch.

Elder Mbhiti taught the Sunday School class on the subject of sacrifice. They need to call a regular teacher for that adult class. As I sat there, I thought again how serving the Lord and His children is never really a sacrifice. Benjamin points this out very clearly in his great discourse and as we have served our missions we have found this to be true. As Benjamin says as soon as we do something in his service or keep any of the commandments, the Lord immediately rewards us. We feel the peace and joy that Mormon discusses in Moroni 7. Eternal Life is the bonus that comes after all the other blessings we receive when we keep the first principles and ordinances of the gospel.

Earlier during PEC while we were talking about Home Teaching and its importance, brother Thusi – the first counselor – suggested we have a Priesthood lesson on what home teaching was and how to be a home teacher. I agreed to teach it and then they surprised me by asking me to do it today. So I took some of the SS time and read the lesson on Home Teaching from one of the basic PH manuals so I would have some background for the lesson.

After a rather rocky start, the Lord blessed me with a knowledge of what to say. I think I was able to teach them why home teaching was important, how to work with your companion to be good home teachers, how to get to know your families, and the blessings to both the family and the home teachers. I got almost everyone involved in the lesson and used the manual only for a couple of good stories. Now all they need to do is to get the home teaching organized and in the PH hands by next week.

After the block, Mary taught piano to her five students for an hour. Without them having keyboards there is no real way for them to practice. Hopefully we will have some in a month or so.

Once we were back at our boarding we enjoyed a quiet afternoon reading and trying to take naps. I was sure that I would not be able to keep my eyes open long enough to eat lunch but when I finally laid down I could not fall asleep. So instead I read and wrote some e-mails.

In the evening we made our way down to the Bartholomews for the usual dinner with them and the elders. The Esikhawini elders told me earlier they would not be coming but they changed their minds and showed up. So it ended up that all of the missionaries were there to eat tacos. Some of the African Elders at first were not sure about this idea but they soon found out how good they were and dug right in.

It is great to sit around and talk about how our Sundays went. Elder Schlenker told me about a meeting they had with a Baba today.  He had asked them to teach just from the bible and they started to do this but the Baba asked them questions that required them to use the Book of Mormon and he was open to that. The lesson continued along that way with the Baba asking just the right questions to bring in the spirit. Elder Schlenker said he thought it was the most spiritual lesson he had ever been a part of. It fits right in with Elder’s talk on the Spirit as a companion when teaching the gospel.

It has truly been a wonderful spiritual Sabbath for me. I felt the Lord’s hand and tender mercy a number of times.