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