22 March 2010 – Monday
We started the week by packing up for our trip to Durban for Mission Presidency Meeting. But before we could leave Richard Bay we had to stop at the hospital where Mary got to take off her last bandage. The drive to Ballito was beautiful as ever.
We got Dr. Pepper for Sister Mann and got some grocery items for us that we can not get in Richards Bay. We then had lunch before getting back on the N2. About 40K from Durban we took an off ramp that put us on the M4 and we took that the rest of the way to the N3 in Durban. It is not a very scenic drive because it is pretty much all developed. But at least it was another way to go and we did get to see the new soccer stadium.
When we stopped at the mission office to drop off some things – including the mission papers for Solo and Musa – we met the Harms and Ericsons who are the country and area public relations directors. They were in Durban to try and get interviewed by some of the radio stations. We also got to meet the Davis who are the new office couple replacing the Johnsons who were leaving for home this evening. Unfortunately we did not get to see them for a final goodbye.
As we were saying hello to the Davis’ I kiddingly asked elder Davis if he had anyone run into a cow yet. He said while there had been a couple of accidents, he was happy to say none of them included a cow. Little did I know when I made the joke that later that evening he would get a call from Swaziland telling him that the elders had ruined one of the bakkies by running into a cow on the road to the Shongwe’s homestead.
When I heard this I apologized for jinxing him but was really surprised that the elders could be going fast enough on that road to do more than bump the cow. Later when we met up with Elder Swazi Wilson and talked about it he said that was the first thing that came to his mind – how could they be speeding on that road that is more like a creek bed than a road.
We checked in at Little Haven and then went over to the Griesemers to join them, the Coxes and the Mickelsens for FHE. It is always great to be with other couples and share their spirit. We are thankful that we get into Durban fairly regularly and that the Griesmers are now coming up most weekends so we can have Saturday night dinner with them.