27 March 2010 – Saturday
This was another special day for us because we got to take the elders out to the Shandu’s homestead and help teach them and Bongani the gospel. Bongani is the man who has called us almost everyday since last Saturday to make sure he could meet with us to hear more about the gospel.
We met elders Lerios and Nkosi at the Esikhawini chapel and drove them out to the homestead. We had called earlier and asked if someone could stand out at the turn off the sand road that we needed to take to get to their boarding. I thought I knew where it was but did not want to get lost. I guess I was not clear about where they should meet us because we came across Fortunate Shandu walking out to the main road to guide us. Since it was a very hot day I apologized for his extra walking. It turned out I knew right where to turn but his effort was greatly appreciated.
The lesson went well and the elders and us answered many questions. I think perhaps we answered too many and did not teach as much as we should. But I got a definite commitment from Fortunate and Goodman to come to church tomorrow. Bongani said he had a funeral to go to so he could not come. Even that was encouraging because so often people commit just to be polite while they know they have no intention of actually doing it.
After our meeting we took the elders to KFC in Esikhawini for lunch. They insisted that it was not inconvenient for them at all. By the time we drove them back to the chapel to get their car it was time for Mary to start her piano lessons. Only Sazi and Musa showed up so they got long lessons. Sazi is doing very well and is really trying to be able to play for sacrament before we go home.
By the time Mary got through with her piano lessons she was very tired. The heat in the chapel just drained her. Even having a fan blowing right on her did not help much. However she perked up for our dinner appointment with the Griesmers and we enjoyed a nice meal and light conversation with this delightful couple. Their weekly visit to Engwelezane and getting together with us makes us feel less isolated.
We then had a quiet evening at home with some of the time working on the latest puzzle. There was one disappointment for today. I called President Machaka to tell him that although we would not be at their meetings tomorrow we would come out to get them and take them to be married. When I called he said that there had to be a change in plans and that they could not get married until he goes back to Zimbabwe and get a new passport. I guess we will just hang on to the wedding rings until they finally get married. When I called sister Hafen to tell her about the latest news, she was very disappointed.