Random pictures from this week . We finished another puzzle this week. The hard part – or at least the part we did last – was the wolf. Lots of different shades and they designed the cuts so that two pieces next to each other did not look like they could possibly go together. But that is what makes doing puzzles both frustrating and yet fun.

Load Shedding is the term they use here for rolling blackouts due to a shortage of electricity. It seems to be a big problem this year due to both demand and lack of capacity. The sign below is from Woolworths which although in a mall that sometimes goes dark has it’s own generator. The elders like to eat at a Chinese place near our flat that cooks with gas instead of electricity so they can provide hot food even when the lights go out.

I continue to drop in at the Tembe webcam at least once a day. Usually I get rewarded with elephants and lots of antelope.  I like the bookend pair of elephants without any books. I was also happy to see a couple of waterbuck that do not show up very often. The lower right picture was from this morning and it has elephants, impalas and even two waterbuck. Now where are the lions and giraffes? Well as the game drive guides always say – you never know what you are going to see in a game reserve.

Last night we were in Ikageng sitting in our car waiting for the branch president to finish an interview. There was a number of young people gathered at our windows watching us play games on our iPads. A man walked up and started talking to me. I found out that he lived nearby, had four sons, and worked for a tire shop near our flat. I mentioned that one of our tires seemed to have a slow leak and he said that if I brought it in the next morning he would take care of it. I asked his name and he said – Just ask for Wonderboy.

So this morning I drove over to the shop and he came out to help me. After looking at the poor tread on the tire, I decided that it would be safer to buy a new tire instead of getting the current one fixed.

The last time I had a couple of tires replaced I had to sit around for almost 2 hours and they still did not get balanced. This time it took 20 minutes from the time I drove up until I drove out. Wonderboy and the rest of the staff were not only very friendly but also very efficient.

Now I just have to get the elders over to meet him and his family.

    

With transfers coming next Tuesday we attended the last district development meeting where this set of missionaries will be together. Elder Taylor conducted the meeting for the last time as he will head home next week. The only change in the meeting was that after the reports on how the areas were doing – elders Di Ruscio and McAllister are reporting about the Klerksdorp area in the picture on the left – is the traditional predictions of who is being transferred and who will be district leader when elder Taylor leaves.

As to the famous predictions as shown below, I Just got the transfer information and found that only elder Di Ruscio – 6th one down – got it 100% correct.

After the meeting comes the famous district pictures – one showing the missionary standard pose and one the way we really are. It is probably a good thing that elder Rami is leaving before elder Oldroyd chokes him to death. L-r back row – elders Oldroyd, Liera, Di Ruscio, Taylor, McAllister and me. From row elder Rami, the Dummers and Mary

Always time for a little horseplay with elder McAllister getting bookended by elders Oldroyd and Taylor. After pictures and closing up the chapel it was time to go to McDonalds for the traditional Last Lunch. The Dummers and ourselves foot the bill – or at least the major part of it because some elders just can not stop eating. Below left – McAllister, Liera, and Rami. Below Right Oldroyd, Liera, Rami, Taylor, McAllister, DiRuscio. Elder McAllister is writing in elder Taylor’s journal to say goodbye.

Elders Liera and Taylor deciding on what to eat. Elder Oldroyd adds his thoughts to the journal.

After Seminary the youth activity was making valentines for their mothers. Mary came prepared with lots of things to use and attach. The youth showed lots of talent for designing and making their valentines – even the young men did well. I am sure their mothers will be delighted to have these mementos from their sons and daughters.