An Interesting Sunday

On Saturday I got an SMS from the principal of the school where we hold our meetings telling me that a pipe had burst and basically the school had no water until later in the week.  I conveyed this to president Kwaikwai and suggested that it would be hard to hold a three hour + block of meetings without any of the toilets working. He agreed and so we only held sacrament meeting and then released everyone to go home.

While greeting members as they arrived we noticed a couple coming towards us. Since they were white and not any of the senior couples we knew about, I thought at first that they might be looking for the other church that meets at the same time we do and has a white pastor.

However on meeting them we found out that they were brother and sister Futter and they had served a mission here in South Africa from 2011-2012. At first they served in the Durban mission in the Bloomfontein area but after 6 months they were asked to change to the Family History Center in Johannesburg. While serving there they drove down to Potchefstroom on Sunday and attended the meetings. They live in England and are visiting South Africa to do family history and genealogy for his family.

It was fun to watch them meet some of the members who were here when they were serving. President Kwaikwai asked them to bear their testimonies during the meeting. After sacrament the Futters asked to have a branch picture. And then I took other pictures of the gathering before people left for the day. Most people love to linger a little longer to talk to the friends they only get to see on Sundays.

09nov14 - Branch, Futters 209nov14 - Branch, Futters 209nov14 - Branch, Futters 4 09nov14 - Branch, Futters 2 09nov14 - elders, bro futterThere was a good turnout! We were actually surprised at the number because we knew a number of members were away from home. Elders Liera and Perez talk to brother Futter about how it was in the branch a couple of years ago. The Futters had first gone to the old school where church was held when they were here. They said this one is much nicer.

09nov14 - KK, Futters 09nov14 - Mary, othersPresident Kwaikwai was a member of the branch presidency when the Futters were here. I alway like to take pictures of my bride when I get a chance. You can see all the people behind her talking to their friends.

09nov14 - Sis Thulo's sharp hat 09nov14 - Maise, DollySister Thulo is our branch music director and I had to take a picture of her in this great hat. The Ratema sisters – Maisie and Dolly in the back ground while in the foreground is sister Lydia who was baptized two weeks ago and confirmed this morning. She has to work every other Sunday but comes when she has it off.

09nov14 - sis Dorcas, grandchild 2 09nov14 - sis Dorcas, grandchild

I noticed sister Dorcas and her grandson – he is wrapped in the blanket and is under the hat. Sister Dorcas was baptized last month and seems to always have a smile for everyone.

09nov14 - the elders, Eunice 09nov14 - father and sonElder Perez has his thumb up while elder Liera makes a teaching appointment.

9nov14 - great lesson

While we were setting up this morning I noticed this whiteboard. It was from a lesson given to the youth last week and it must have been a well prepared one because the board is not only filled with great thoughts but it is also a step by step discussion of how to become more spiritually self-reliant! I am sure the youth went home spiritually fed by this lesson.

 



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