We dropped in at the office to see if the window screen had been re-welded so people could not  easily get in. This would be a temporary fix until physical facilities could get people here to do a more permanent and hopefully stronger repairs.

We then took the opportunity to stay for the YSA FHE where president Kwaikwai taught the last 4 Articles of Faith. There was not a big turn out but those who were there received good instructions and lots to think about. It was good to see brother and sister Williams along with the YSA representatives are doing an excellent job providing a meaningful FHE.

I received a call from the principal of the school where we rent some of the rooms for our branch offices and storage. He told me that we had a break in. When I arrived I found that someone had managed to pry the metal screen off the front of the window, break the glass, bend the security bars out of the concrete and steal the computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse. They left behind a keyboard, a projector and a DVD player and did no damage to the rest of the offices and classrooms.

This break in is almost identical to the one that occurred in March 2014 soon after we arrived and I became branch president. The same window was attacked and basically they took the same things. They do not take the printer because it will not fit through the window which is about a foot square.

We are hoping that since the thieves have decided that we are a good place to break in to that we will now get an alarm system for this part of the offices.

 

The police were called and the first set of officers arrived to make out a report about what happened. A couple of hours later some detectives called and came in and looked over the damage but really did nothing else. Our friend Syd from Physical Facilities came down from Joburg to see what happened and will do some emergency repairs so that the rooms will be at least somewhat secure until a permanent repair can be made. He has been waiting for the fingerprint crew to arrive and as of 7 hours after the police had been notified, they still have not arrived.

Once again the Potchefstroom branch was blessed with perfect weather for our meetings. Everyone is use to elder Pier taking pictures when the Saints gather. It is kind of a record of our Sundays here in Ikageng.

Brother Menzi is young man who is a fairly recent convert. Sister Thato Kujane is an amazing young woman who gives some of the best prepared lessons and also fills in for other teachers on a moments notice. Brother Williams is really happy to greet an young man who returned this year to go to college. In the background brother Omphile – the 2nd counselor talks to sister Disney.

Sister Kea in pink talks to sister Ratema while brother Ncapayi – the branch elders quorum president – looks on. Most of the young women in the branch gather together between classes. The William sisters, sister Lekebe, and sister Ntabiseng can be seen while sister Shavonne in pink is hidden behind one of the William sisters.

Sisters Kea and Ratema stuck a pose for their glamour shot. Brother Williams with brother Tenishe talk about old times.

Sister Kujane in the foreground is the RS president.

 

On March 21st the YM and YW of three branches are going to get together for a special dinner dance. Today the YM officially invited the YW to the dance by giving them each a rose with a written invitation attached. Papa Thulo was able to give his sister her rose.

After the block I took this picture of Omphile and Kea who are a couple and you can see why. Then there is the picture of elder Liera, sister Renny, elder Alvial, and brother Louw who were about the last ones left besides us.

So there were lots of smile, a spiritual sacrament meeting, and well prepared lessons for Sunday School, PH, RS and other classes. I did not get a picture of the primary but they could be clearly heard singing “Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree,” and other familiar Primary songs. As the 50th section of the D&C says all were edified!

The second week of dance practice attracted a few more youth and brother Omphile personally taught those who were not present last week. You can see that sister Nasi Williams did not need a partner to practice. She just had to move to the music with a big smile on her face. Brother jacque Kruger dances with his taller partners sister Kayne Lekebe.

The other sister Williams in her bright pink pants dances with Jacque’s sister Shavonne. 

Towards the end of the practice sister Ratema joined in and she and brother Omphile tried some new steps.

Earlier in the morning Mary taught piano to Lorato Kujane at our flat. To round out the pictures I posted a shot from Tembe Elephant Park’s webcam with a good size elephant and impalas.