Gabi Mhlongo and her niece who’s name I did not get. If it was not for the African homes in the back, the niece could be in Los Angeles in the spring.

16 October 2009 – Friday

I was awake in the middle of the night for a couple of hours so I slept in until 7:00. We then needed to hurry somewhat because we have a lot to do today. But the Lord really blessed us and what seemed at first like problems were quickly solved.

We thought we had a problem with getting all the clothing for Sister Mhlongo but had worked out a ‘make do’ solution. But once we had done that we were prompted to see if there was a chance that there was clothing we did not know about and after a number of calls we found out there was a complete set so Sister Mhlongo could be properly clothed. Oh – and Mary found out that she was expected to help dress the body. Something of course she has never done before.

We bought two food orders for families in Port Durnford – we are getting good at filling basic food orders. There was almost no one in the store and we were able to check out quickly. Our next stop was the bank to cash the checks I got last night. Often there is a long line and then the teller must double and triple check everything before she can give me the money. Today I walked right up to a teller who I had dealt with before and she quickly cashed the checks. Another tender mercy I believe.

We went to Port Durnford where we delivered the food orders before going up to the Mhlongo’s homestead to pick up the daughters and take them shopping. We thought that we would just go to Spars in Esikhawini but they said it was too expensive so it was back to Richards Bay and Shoprite. Mary went shopping with the three young ladies – Manini, Gabi and their niece who I think is older than either of the others. We made one stop at Pick N Pay so they could get meat and headed back to Port Durnford.

After dropping off the food and the young women at the homestead, we picked up Sister Chirwa and Sister Mlondo so we could go to the funeral parlor in Empangini. I must say that a funeral parlor in South Africa – at least this one – is nothing like the ones in the US. There is no fancy building, there is no peaceful surroundings, and in fact it kind of reminded me of the Social Security office in Provo but not as clean. However Mary told me that the people were very helpful and respectful of what the sisters were doing. Since I could not help, I waited in the car and got a short nap until they were finished.

Then it was once again back to Port Durnford so we could drop off the sisters. Sister Chirwa said that she would go up to the Mhlongo’s homestead later and spend the night there so she could help them prepare for tomorrow. The love that the people have for each other and the service they give is wonderful and humbling to see.

By the time we had done all of this it was too late to go to youth in Esikhawini or Enselini so we drove to the mall and had a nice dinner. Lunch had been a couple of rusks and a drink that we consumed as we drove from one place to another. We are beginning to use rusks as a trail food. With no other couple serving full time here, I would guess that a number of our lunches will consist of rusks and a drink.

1 7/8 Mites

15 October 2009 – Thursday

Elders Wengert and Maremela held their first ZDM and did a great job. There was no long discussion about Zone Activity and the rest moved right along with many of the elders participating. I think this was the best since one that Elder Bradley led in Swazi.

After the ZDM the Barts treated everyone to lunch at McDonalds. Twelve elders and two couples ate a lot of food and took up over half the seating places. It was a good last goodbye for the Bs with all the elders and you can tell they are going to miss each other.

We went directly from McDonalds to Port Durnford for English. Although we were missing Gogo Nzama, we had a good class. It was good to have Tembe there and hopefully he will soon be able to be baptized. As the class was finishing Sister Thandi told us that sister Mhlongo had died on Tuesday. While her death from cancer was expected, the fact that she had died two days earlier and no one had bothered to tell us, was rather a shock. Especially since it seems the elders knew on Tuesday, had not called us nor told us when they saw us on Wednesday nor earlier this morning. Also President Machaka had not called. I guess they all assumed someone else had told us.

Two of our three English students – Temba and Thandi. These are more of my experiment with changing ISO settings and I think both came out well. They show facial detail that I have been losing in the past. Maybe by the time we head home I will have the system down. One of the words we learned today was ‘plaid’ because of Thandi’s blouse. I loved her orange hat that she wears even when she is inside because she did not time to do her hair before we came.

We immediately went up to their homestead to offer our condolences and to sit with the family for a while. As mentioned I had spoken to sister Mhlongo’s daughter Manini on Sunday about her mother and about how the family could be together forever. She met us as we drove in and took us in to the family and friends gathering that they hold until the funeral. Manini, Gabi and us sang “I am a child of God” for the family – it is a tradition that people sing when visiting.

I met with brother Mhlongo and asked if there was anything we could do. He said they would need some help with the food. We agreed to pick up the daughters tomorrow and take them shopping for the funeral that will be held on Saturday. All the other arrangements had been made and she will be buried in the family plot on the homestead.

We excused ourselves and went to the PD chapel and held youth. We discovered that a memory game using the General Authorities would not work, so we started playing Book of Mormon Bingo which they really like. After a while, to make sure everyone went home a winner, we started eliminating winners and luckily the last two had Bingo at the same time.

While we were at Youth sister Chirwa, the RS President, came in and talked to Mary. We did not realize that sister Mhlongo had been through the temple and could be buried in temple clothes. Of course she did not have any and so we said we would see what we could do to get some on such short notice.

We then had to dash home so I could grab a little something to eat and go down to the Richards Bay Chapel for District Council Meeting. It was a good short meeting with lots getting covered before President Baldwin and Calwyn had to leave for something at school.

As we were leaving I told Elder B about the situation with the need for temple clothes for sister Mhlongo. He helped me find most of what we needed but some parts were missing. I decided if worse came to worse Mary could make the missing pieces tomorrow before giving them to sister Chirwa so she could dress the body.

So it was busy and surprising but it felt good to be able to be of service to the people here in Richards Bay. I think that we are going to find ourselves really busy once the Bs leave on Sunday. I am also sure that if we are diligent in our calling and follow the spirit we will be able to accomplish that which the Lord has sent us here to do.

2 Mite day…