19 August 2009 – Wednesday
Once again we were up early so we could go on the morning drive. I started packing some things last night and we will finish up this morning before eating breakfast so they can take all the luggage to where are cars are parked.
The morning drive was not anywhere as exciting as the others we took. It was almost like the animals were saying – enough is enough. Our driver tried everything but while we saw lots of fresh dung from elephants we never saw anything other than the usual antelope and a couple of water buffalos. But the morning was not too cool and there were some great views. Maybe I was supposed to learn to enjoy what is there and not worry about what was not there.
After the better part of 2 hours we stopped for hot chocolate and rusk bars. We also took pictures with our guide and the other couples around the safari car. They do not use Range Rovers but Toyota Land Cruisers. They are in excellent shape for a vehicle that spends most of its time being scraped by the brush.
We were on our way back to the lodge when we briefly saw what our guide said was a black rhino – it was the first one we have seen since we got here but the view was so brief – they can really move quickly if they need to – that I can not say what kind it was. We thought that would be about it for the day when we saw a group of rhinos – white ones this time – and when we counted there were four of them. So Sister Klingler got to see her rhinos – even if they were some distance off and basically showing their rumps. Not too much further along we came upon a huge white rhino that was closer to the road but moving through the brush. We only got a couple of good looks at him but it was obvious that he was the largest rhino we had seen at Tembe.
Back at the lodge, we finished our packing and went to breakfast. Poached eggs on toast, more of the great sausage, lots of toast and jam, and of course good company. As usual we were running late for the last meeting. The Mickelsens gave a very good review on PEF and mentioned a number of things that I wrote down to use in our branches. I was especially interested in a keyboard that can be used to learn keyboarding which would be a wonderful class to have at the branches. We could have them 2 or 3 times a week so the young people – and older ones of course – could come and learn to type. After the had become proficient in that we could have a limited basic computer skills class – elder Knudsen is a IT specialist and is looking into what is available free on the internet – which would help them when applying for a job.
The highlight of the morning and perhaps the conference was a talk by sister Sessions on the atonement. She told a couple of personal stories that were very spiritual in nature that tied in perfectly with the subject.
President Mann spoke last and spent his time explaining what the focus of the mission training would be over the next few cycles. It is aimed at getting the 25 new missionaries up to speed as quickly as possible so that the work will not suffer as the 25 most experienced missionaries are released over just a 6 week period. Of course they will also lose 2 wonderful couples in the same time – the Klinglers go home at the first of September and the Sessions near the end. Then the Bartholomews will go home early in November and as of now there are no replacements called. But perhaps like the Taylors who go into the MTC just 3 weeks after receiving their call, the replacements are just getting theirs.
After the last prayer – Mary gave it – we all were gathered together for a picture. Sister Mann had been thinking about this and had just the spot picked out and knew where she wanted each couple to stand. This kept the shuffling to a minimum and everyone one could clearly be seen.
We then got into the Land Cruisers for the last time. As we sat waiting for the Manns to settle the bill and join us the staff sang and danced for us. I was able to get a lot of it on video – including a great one where the Manns had to work their way through the group to get to the vehicles.
On the way to where the cars were parked we found the big elephant that greeted us a couple of days ago. We kidded that they kept him on a chain so would only allow him to walk up and down a given section of the road so each group would see him coming and going. We had a good time thinking up how they controlled him.
At the car park we loaded up our luggage and then stood around talking and taking pictures for 15 minutes or more. We said goodbye to the Klinglers because we probably will not see them again and everyone promised to visit when we all got home. We will probably see the Sessions at least once more before they leave but perhaps not. It is strange how these friendships are established when you only see some of the couples at All Zone and Couples Conferences. But there is a bond that does not need much personal contact because we share the experiences and spirit of our calls. In fact it is only possible to really explain what we experience with other couples who have served missions. In some cases it is only possible to share with couples who have served in the same mission.
We – the Barts and us – were the last ones out of the parking lot but since others stopped at the gift shop, we were close behind the Manns on the way back to Durban. As we were going along we got a call suggesting everyone stops at the Ilala Weavers to shop and have lunch. So we all pulled in and placed our lunch orders, shopped and then ate. No time wasted this way. I had a delicious chicken salad and Mary had a toasted sandwich. The food was great and again we got to share some of our experiences with other couples. With lunch finished we once again bid farewell to those who were going home to Durban and we traveled back to Richards Bay.
Since we would not get home until after the Nissan service shop was closed, the B’s dropped us off at home and they will take us to get our car early tomorrow. I should mention that the sky had clouded up and we had some rain spots on the windshield as we neared home.
It was good to get back in our own boarding and relax. The couple’s conference was great but there was almost no time for just relaxing. We spent much of the night down loading, editing, and putting captions on the almost 300 pictures we took over the three days. I also spent some time on this journal. Mary was in bed quite early and an hour later so was I. Tomorrow it is back to work with the branches.