Khulekani and the precious envelope.  You have been called to serve in the South Africa, Johanesburg Mission. We will fly out of Durban on the same day but at different times.

Solo Mthalane with his call. The tense waiting as he opens it with his family looking on.  You have been called to the Florida …lots of shouting her…Tallahassee Mission. He will be at the Provo MTC, just minutes from our home, in September.

11 May 2010 – Tuesday

For the most part it was a great day for the Richards Bay District and for us. In the morning we went to the opening Zone Development Meeting of this cycle. We finally got to meet Elder Bentley who has been on his mission for 3 months and came to us from Sanger. He is serving with Elder Musisi in Esikhawini.  Elder Lieros and Elder Sichinga Sr. (his brother is also on his mission here) – did a good job of going over President Mann’s concerns – mainly about finding and retention and set zone goals for this cycle. They also decided it was time to go to a game park – we have a number of new elders from the states who have not seen any parks yet.

After the ZDM we went down to pick up the Nativity sets we ordered 4 months ago – they had called and said they were finally in – and of course they were not ready. However I did buy some soapstone cheetahs that I had not seen before and are very well done.

After lunch at home and a short nap – I am still not 100% – we went to Enselini to delivery Khulekani’s mission call and then for Mary’s piano lesson. The elders and Thokazani joined us for the great event. He is going to the Joburg mission and leaving for the MTC on the same day we are flying home. It was wonderful to share this experience with him. He is going to be a great missionary and leader in the kingdom.

Mary was bunked on her piano lesson. With so little time left for teaching Mbali, it is a shame that this happened. We used some of the time to go see Mama Zulu and tell her that the B’s are not coming to visit. I am not sure that she fully understood what we said – it is a problem we have with many of the Gogos who’s English was not learned in school – often because they did not get to go to school.

After a short stop at home to pick up some things, we headed for Esikhawini and the Mthalane house where we delivered Solo’s mission call. His mother was still on her way home from writing exams, so we sat and talked until she got home. We made guesses of where he might go and we kidded him about going to Salt Lake. We decided that he would be going to Kenya.

When he started reading the call out loud he got as far as Florida – and the house went crazy. No one could believe that he was going State side. Very few missionaries from South Africa are sent to the states.  He is going to the Florida, Tallahassee mission and leaves in September for the Provo MTC. What a great call for this special young elder. His brother Sne was working but we called and he listened in while his brother opened his call. Later there was a call to the US to tell his sister who lives in Southern Utah about the great news.

When we got home I got a call from the elders saying that President Vilane was back in the Engwelezane hospital and we said we would go see him tomorrow after DDM. I called the Bartholomews to tell them Khulekani and Solo’s call and they were excited for them. They had been trying to call President Vilane and had found out he was in the hospital. Sister B gave me some instructions about what she thought needed to be done. She sounded quite sad that they could not be here to help.

Next I called the Hafens and told them about the calls. We talked for a while about some of the members and how they were doing. Those two fine couples basically were the fathers and mothers of the branches and so they consider them as their children. It is hard for them to see them struggling.

So there were some worries today but over-all it was a marvelous missionary day. Not too many senior couples get to be present when one mission call is received. We have been blessed to be at four in just the last three weeks.

10 May 2010 – Monday

Still not 100% but well enough to run some errands and do some shopping this morning.

The Zone Leaders called and came over to print off their graphs for a leadership meeting. I called and found that the garage door opener is still not back from repair. We went to the PO box and found one bill – water – for a whole R12. Also found that the cleaners had moved to above the mall without telling us. After some confusion about where they were – their address is on one street but the business is actually on another – I was happy to get back my two pair of pants. I was finally able to get the maps of Esikhawini for the elders. Third time proved again to be charm. We ate a nice lunch at Maxi’s and then did our shopping.  

As I wrote the above I realized that it does not sound very much like missionary work but being on a mission as a couple is much like being on one at home. Everyday things still have to be taken care of.

By the time we got home my body was ready for a nap. I really must be getting old. While I was napping we got a call from President Vilane asking if we could pick him up at the Engwelezane hospital. Mary answered the phone and said of course we would. When we got there we found him very weak and in some pain. Hopefully what ever they gave him and some rest will help him recover. He is such a good and humble servant of the Lord and the glue that holds that branch together.

We got lost trying to deliver some things to a member. We finally found her house but only after getting a really good tour of one side of Enseleni. The members here are very special and we are happy to be of a little service to them. Something that seems trivial to us is of great importance to them. We really do live in another world in America.

We had not been home long when we got a call from President Baldwin saying that the mission calls had come for Solo and Khulekani. We immediately got back in the car and went to pick them up. While we were there the President invited us back later in the evening to watch a cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan. We were happy to accept.

While at home we got some bad news. Larry Bartholomew called to say that they had to cancel their visit because Karen became ill again. We were saddened by the news of her illness and also that we would not get to see them. I know many of the members will be very disappointed. Brother B told us that Sister B was not unpacking her luggage just in case she somehow got well enough to still come, but it is highly unlikely that will happen. We will pray that they find out what is wrong and get it cured.

It turned out the game we thought we would watch had been played earlier in the day – South Africa lost – but we watched the first 20 overs of a match between England and New Zealand. Unfortunately it was a pretty dull game – New Zealand only got 149 runs in their inning – and I was not unhappy to come home before England got to bat. (I just checked and England was not much better but did manage 153 in 19.1 overs to win and move into the semi-finals.)

09 May 2010 – Sunday

I decided to do the sensible thing and actually make today a day of rest so my body could throw off the effects of my illness. While it was the right thing to do, it still did not feel right.

We listened to a number of Conference talks – I think I have heard President’s Uchtdorf’s talks at least three times each and perhaps more. Hopefully his talk on patience will someday get through to me. President Eyring’s talk on Diligence also rings a lot of bells – especially today when we were at home instead of out in the branches.

In the evening Elder Tueller and Elder Mohale came over to make their Mother’s Day calls home. Cindy called and managed to get through to Mary. Later we found that other children called and left messages but we have not figured out how to retrieve them yet.

By the end of the day I was really bored – I do not think I will take any more days off unless I am really, really sick.

Read in the Mickelsen’s blog that Elder Mickelsen had thrown out his back. I called to see how he was doing and found that they also stayed home. Hopefully he will fully recover before they leave a week from tomorrow.

08 May 2010 – Saturday

There was no way I was going to get to spend the day resting as suggested. We were out of the house early enough to get the RS programs and the elder’s announcements printed at a shop before going to the RB chapel to set up for the conference. I started to help but quickly found out that I was probably sicker than I thought so we called the RB elders to come down and help finish doing the heavy lifting.

I called President Baldwin with a problem getting one of the doors open – I did not have a key – and he came down and solved it. He looked at me and said that I looked a little yellow and really should go to bed for a couple of days. He then proceeded to tell me horror stories about tick and spider bites. It was not a great way to cheer me up.

Once it was clear that the ladies and PH holders that were showing up could take care of everything I went home and lay down until Mary called to say that it was finished. I then picked her up and we made it to Esikhawini in time for Mary to give four of her students their piano lessons. I tried to sleep but never could drop off.  Mary is being very diligent and patient with her students. It is a shame that they did not start much earlier and that they do not practice as they should but all in all she is doing a good work.

By the time we got home I was really tired so we had our McDonalds dinner and I curled up on the couch to read and then to sleep.

07 May 2010 – Friday

I did not sleep well last night – alternating between sweating and being cold. I had decided I really needed to get the car washed so left early to do that. It probably was mistake because all wanted to do was put my head down and sleep. I called sister Mickelsen and asked her about the symptoms that Arlo had when he got bitten by a tick and she basically checked off my symptoms except I have not got to the point where I get major chills.

When I got home I made a doctor’s appointment and was lucky to get in almost immediately. The doctor looked at my bite, asked my symptoms and said that it was a good chance that it was tick-fever. He said he could order a blood test to make sure but it took time and was expensive. Instead he gave me some anti-biotics and told me to go home and go to bed for two days. That sounded wonderful but of course I can not do that – there are things that need doing. However we will just do the major things and I will rest as much as I can.

We picked up my prescriptions, Mary’s bandages, groceries and finally went to the bank to cash a flock of checks that I have been collecting. Thankfully the line was short and the teller did not run back to her supervisor to make sure everything was OK so I did not have to wait long at all.

While we were gone the gardener came and did the yard. With the gate missing we do not need to be here while they work. So there are at least a few advantages to having a gate stolen.

We got a call from president Nyawo about a problem that needed taking care of now, now and so we drove down to Esikhawini, took care of the problem and immediately drove home again so I could get the rest that the doctor said I should have. Mary worked on finishing the program for the RS meeting tomorrow and some announcements that the Enseleni missionaries wanted for an activity they are planning.

I find being sick is boring.

06 May 2010 – Thursday

I woke up not feeling well and spent most of the morning until 10:30 sleeping. While I was doing this, Mary woke me up to tell me that someone had just stolen the front gate! She had heard a noise and got up to see if someone was trying to get in and saw that the gate was gone. I would say that they were rather bold thieves to take it in broad daylight without knowing that we were gone.

I called to tell the landlord that we needed the gate replaced and he came right out to measure for a new one but it will not go in until Saturday. We are concerned that the thieves might come back and take the air-conditioning units or even the bars on the window. This is the first time that the rampant  crime in South Africa has actually touched our lives. I must say that I feel a little less safe than I did when I woke up this morning.

The rush of the gate loss drove away my headache but when I calmed down again, unfortunately it came back. I am not going to be much good to Mary this afternoon as she teaches English, youth and piano.

Once the gate maker showed up to take measurements for a new gate, we had lunch and then went to the store to buy a food order to be delivered to Port Durnford. From the time we got out of our car to the time we got back in it took less than 25 minutes. Elder B said he could gather up the food for an order in 10 minutes – I think he was stretching it a little.

We then drove to PD to deliver the food and pick up the sisters for English. Sister Chirwa could not go because they only have one key to the lock on their house and someone had it out. I think I will get her a new lock with 3 or 4 keys.

While Mary taught English I tried to sleep – it did not work. We had earlier decided that Thandi Nzama would teach the youth today so I could go home and try to get some sleep before Mary’s RS meeting.

In the evening Mary and Sister Khumalo met with Jackie Duplooy and gave her some training for her new calling as RS president of the Richards Bay branch. While they did that I found a comfortable pew in the chapel and went to sleep. I am tired all the time now and I am pretty sure it is tick-bite fever.

05 May 2010 – Wednesday

I called the zone leaders early this morning and found besides the three elders we knew were leaving, three more are departing Richards Bay. Elders Nkosi, Mutariswa, and Moremong were sent to new areas. Only one of them will be replaced as there will once again be only one pair of missionaries in Engwelezane.

We went to ZDM where the zone leaders held a good meeting. It was especially hard because 6 of the missionaries would only be here for another 2 days. But they reviewed what had happened in this cycle and talked about what could be done in the next one to improve. After ZDM we all went to McDonalds where we treated them to lunch.

I had not been feeling really well all day so we only went to Esikhawini where Mary taught English and I went to the chapel to see if any of the gogos were working in the garden and see if they needed anything. No one was working but Musa showed up to practice the piano – he is determined to be able to play by the time he goes on his mission. Also Elders Lerios and Nkosi came by and put up the sign that we had made a few weeks ago so now people know where the Church is.

In the evening Mary stayed home and worked on things for the RS Conference on Saturday and I went to District Meeting at the RB Chapel. Only half of us from the Presidency and Council were there and only one branch presidency – Esikhawini – for the training. I think that most of the branch presidencies would come if the training meeting was held on Sunday. I believe after the sad turnout tonight, President Baldwin agrees with me.

04 May 2010 – Tuesday

Mary spent much of the morning working on the program for the District Relief Society Conference on Saturday. I spent the time doing odds and ends around the house and I am afraid twiddling my thumbs at time.

Once we got out and moving we got a lot accomplished. While Mary taught piano in Enseleni, I went over and worked with President Vilane on calendar items and callings that need to be made. He is having a hard time making choices for PH callings. I suggested again that he make some decisions and then ask the Lord if they are what He wants. I also called the elders to come over and talked to them about helping the president fill out and follow up on the New Member forms. This is only really being done in Esikhawini at this time. I am sorry to say that President Vilane was not feeling well – his operation is hurting again.

After my meeting with the president I called Khulekani and asked if he would help us find some members we have not yet contacted. He is always happy to help so we spent  some time finding where some of the less actives lived and recording their house number on the map of the township.

By the time we dropped Khulekani off it was growing dark so we headed again to our boarding.

03 May 2010 – Monday

It was a rather different P-Day for us. After doing more clean-up and starting the laundry we headed out to look for a sign to a rhino reserve that I had seen along the N2. Mary suggested that since we were going the right way we should stop at the Reptile City that another sign pointed to.

We found the place and was let in by Riaan, one of the owners and the driving force behind the attraction. We were really not interested in seeing the exhibits – I had seen enough crocodiles, alligators, and snakes – but when we bought a small a small statue of a giraffe, Riaan insisted on giving us the guided tour. I think listening to this young man excitingly talk about the animals and reptiles was more interesting than most things we saw. However we did finally get to see an African Gray Baby and some other beautiful birds. We also saw some emus. Of course there were the snakes, crocs and alligators. We also learned about all his plans for expanding the park. All in all it was a nice way to spend an hour doing something we had not planned.

As we drove along we took a detour out to see a couple of conference centers to see if they were places the couples might enjoy going to. Unfortunately they were not but we did get to see some nice countryside that is tucked away behind the coastal dunes.

After a couple of hours of sightseeing we headed back to Richards Bay for lunch and some shopping. As we were leaving the mall and heading home, the Zone Leaders called and asked if they could use one of our computers for an hour or so to put together a short slide presentation of the last couple of cycles that they wanted to show at ZDM on Wednesday. The hour or so ended up to be more than 3 but they finally got it done and headed off to get ready to go to Port Durnford for FHE with the YSA.

After they left we spent a quiet and restful evening at home.

On our way to Esikhawini’s PEC meeting, we came across this recent accident and I got out and took a picture. This car went through the brick wall but stopped before hitting the house. The other car had it’s whole side wiped out. Amazingly no one was hurt. It is always wonderful to go to a baptism. This one was especially good because we knew one of the families. Also it added another family to the Richard’s Bay branch. In the evening the elders in the zone came for dinner. They are a fine group of elders who have really worked hard the six weeks they have been together. Three of them will be leaving the zone on Thursday – we will miss each of them.

02 May 2010 – Sunday

It was a rather quiet Sunday for us – at least when it comes to visiting branches. After PEC at Esikhawini we stayed for their testimony meeting because we thought Bongani would be there. The testimony meeting was a little unusual because a number of the members talked and preached a little – something that is hardly ever done here – without giving strong testimonies. I wonder what the 14 investigators thought. (I later talked to Elder Lieros and he said that it was powerful and his investigators were impressed.)

We enjoy going to Esikhawini because we know many of the members well and we do not get to see them as often as we would like. Sister Khumalo gave her usual strong testimony as did sister Mathe who talked about how living the gospel changed her life.

The baptism at RB went well. Five new members of the Kingdom including Morris (who’s real name is Clifford) and his wife and son will be a great addition to the branch. I did not know the other two that were baptized. Uncle Freddy conducted the meeting but kept checking with me about what he should do. He is a great member and we continue to pray that someday his family will join him so he can have some support at home. There are a number of members who are the only one in their family and yet they stay strong and live the gospel as the Lord has asked. Mary used her talent and played both for Esikhawini and for the baptism.

After the meeting we came home so we could start preparing dinner for the elders. Because Elder Zondi is leaving, Mary fixed his new favorite food – potato salad – to go with the tacos, refried beans, and fruit salad.  Most of the elders enjoyed all the food but a few were reluctant to try the potato salad. I am afraid American food is very strange to some of the African elders. Everyone liked the fruit salad, the brownies and the ice cream.

It was a delightful evening with 12 fine young men. It is the last time these particular 12 will be in our home but they will always have a place in our hearts.

We tried to call Shauna to wish her happy birthday but they were not home. We left a message and we hope she got it.