Daily Archives: May 30, 2010

29 May 2010

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I finally got a good picture of a small truck load of logs. We see them everywhere but not often stopped where I can take the picture. This rather gray and black colored bird shows up from time to time at Esikhawini and was patient enough to stand still so I could take its picture. This was the last day the Bs would be in Enseleni and with president Vilane. They will miss each other.

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These three pictures are from around the home of a woman in her early 40’s who is very well educated, speaks three languages, is computer literate and can not get a job. She has two children – one is in college and one is in high school. If you look at the wall at one end of their house you can see that there is nothing between the logs. It provides a nice flow of air in the summer but in the winter it is very cold. The middle picture is of their empty chicken coop. They had to eat the chickens that provided eggs. She cooks over wood in an outside kitchen because they do not have enough money for electricity to cook by. With all of this the family is always clean and neat and manages to stay together with love. For some reason hearing about the problems the US is having right now does not seem significant when you meet with such poverty.

 

Borrowed from Sister Mann’s blog:

GOOD NIGHT AROUND THE WORLD
NETHERLANDS: Goeden nagt
AUSTRALIA: Night, mate
USA: Good night
GERMANY: Gute nacht
SOUTH AFRICA: Are the doors locked, are the windows closed. is the car put away, is the alarm activated and have you fed the Rottweilers?

29 May 2010 – Saturday

It seems that for the last part of our mission I am going to get a lot of opportunities to learn patience. This morning when I tried to open the garage the automatic opener stopped half way up and would not budge so I had to disconnect it to get it open and the car out. This is of course the third time since we got it back that it has decided to re-program itself. The other blessing I have is the rattle that is impossible to find but is always there to help me learn patience.

We went shopping for food for tomorrow’s dinner with the elders. We are trying to keep it simple so that we do have to spend too much time cooking on the Sabbath. Of course there will be some but for a good cause. Mary also had some things copied and laminated for he music students.

We thought that the Enseleni social was supposed to start at 12:00 so we picked up president Vilane at 12:30 and drove him to the library. Luckily it was not starting until 2:00 because by the time we got to the library it was obvious that he should not do anything but rest until he is feeling better. The Bs met us at the Vilanes and I took a picture of them with the president. We also arranged to meet this evening for dinner at the mall.

We then drove to Esikhawini where I dropped off Mary so she could teach piano and I drove over to see President Nyawo. I gave him one of our four remaining printers along with the CD for installation and some extra ink cartridges. Once he gets everything hooked up he should be able to produce the monthly home teaching and visiting teaching messages for his branch. We also talked about calling and other things about how to help the members grow spiritually such as family prayer, scripture reading, FHE and of course Home Teaching.

When we arrived and when we left, Sister Khumalo was working her garden plots. It is a shame that her healthy son is not working along side her but culturally it is just not heard of here. Some gogos with three or four healthy young men living in their house do all the gardening by themselves.

Sister Ndlovu was also at the chapel doing the weekly cleaning. They are again out of cleaning supplies and I am not sure how we will ever get them delivered on a regular basis. They seem to make it to the RB chapel but not to the Esikhawini. I need to call Ray Holder again and see if there is not some way to get a regular delivery.

Mary had three of her students show up so each got a nice long lesson. She feels that all of them are progressing. She does wish that she had longer to teach them. We are hoping that the new couple can continue the program when they get here.

The Griesemers were waiting for us when we arrived at McDonalds. We arranged to meet the Bs at the mall. As we parked at the mall, I kidded elder Griesemer about how dirty his car was. He then opened the boot and showed us a tire that had a big dent in the rim. They had been driving down the N2 and had hit a rock in the middle of the road and immediately had a flat. Luckily it was a back tire and so he did not lose control of the steering.

The six of us had a very nice dinner at Mugg and Bean. We talked about our mission experiences, the wonderful members we have come to love, if we were going on another mission and if so when, etc. Having the Griesemers come up most weeks has been a real blessing for us and having the Bs here for the last 10 or so days was special.

Since the Bs are going to the Richards Bay branch for church tomorrow and then heading down to Durban to head home. We gave them back their suitcase that was now full of many of our remaining souvenirs and said goodbye until we see them Utah. They are a special, loving couple who do good wherever they are. I will be surprised if they come back to Africa any time soon but they will be remembered here for many years to come.

With a last handshake and hug we all got in our cars and went back to our boardings. It was a good day for us in Richards Bay.

Borrowed from Sister Mann’s blog:

GOOD NIGHT AROUND THE WORLD
NETHERLANDS: Goeden nagt
AUSTRALIA: Night, mate
USA: Good night
GERMANY: Gute nacht
SOUTH AFRICA: Are the doors locked, are the windows closed. is the car put away, is the alarm activated and have you fed the Rottweilers? Sleep tight, and dont worry about the lights, Eskom will put them out.

BTW the US just issued the following  travel warning about visiting South Africa:

CRIME: The vast majority of visitors complete their travels in South Africa without problems; however, visitors should be aware that criminal activity, including violent crime, is prevalent throughout the country.  Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times, looking out for your own personal security.  While driving, keep doors locked and windows closed, avoid having purses, phones, bags and luggage in plain view, and when stopping at intersections at night or in isolated locations, leave enough space in front of your vehicle for a quick exit.  Be wary of street vendors at traffic lights, planted obstacles and staged “accidents” that may be traps for unsuspecting motorists.  Do not stop for cars with flashing lights unless they are clearly marked as police or emergency service vehicles.  Park your car in secure, gated parking lots or garages wherever possible, and do not leave bags or valuables in plain view.  Travellers to South Africa should avoid carrying or displaying expensive items or wearing eye-catching jewelry, stay in a group, and avoid walking at night.  Keep a photocopy of your passport with you, leaving the original in a hotel safe or other secure location.

What is interesting is that there was an article a couple of months ago showing that for European visitors to South Africa unto 50% safer traveling in South Africa than traveling to Germany and some other European countries…

One problem visitors are going to have is buying a cell phone to use while they are here. To buy a phone in South Africa requires proof that you live here and have a street address. This means you have to have something like a utility bill showing your name and address. The Bs found this out when they tried to buy one and they would not sell it to them. They used Mary’s while they were here and it worked out fine.