LORD, HERE IS MY BURDEN………..August 19–September 1, 2013

At our District Relief Society Spiritual camp this weekend one sister bore her testimony on how she has learned to say, “Lord, here is my burden.”  As a child she was emotionally and physically abused daily and would sit all alone in a corner just waiting for the next blow.  She learned at a young age that her Savior was there carrying her through these horrific years.  As she has grown, she has taken the lessons she learned during this time and lets her Savior carry her burdens.  She said when life’s problems get too overwhelming, she kneels down and says, “Lord, here is my burden.”

So as I reflect on this sister’s testimony, my thoughts turned to those that surround me here and those that are having trials at home, and I realized how much the Lord carries us through hard times.  King David expressed his testimony of this knowledge…”Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you”  Psalm 55:22.  There is only One that can make a difference in the burdens we carry in this life….and that is the Lord.  The Lord may continue to test our faith by allowing the problem to remain for awhile, but when we put our faith in Him and put our burdens on Him, He will give us constant strength, faith, hope and love that make the burdens light.  He is our burden bearer.  He has very wide and strong shoulders to carry whatever we are facing and whatever we will face!  With Him our crushing burdens become carried burdens. Again,  David wrote: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation.”

Monday’s here on mission in Swaziland seem to be following a pattern of straightening up after a long week, shopping, running errands, getting bikes and bakki’s serviced.  This Monday was no exception.  We had all that plus participating in the joy of going with Futhi and her sister, Nosipho, to get her wedding dress fitted.  That definitely is not an every day Monday opportunity.  She will take Xolani’s breath away when he sees her as a bride.  That night at FHE/PMG we celebrated Thembegile’s birthday.

All you get to see is the back of this beautiful dress………until the wedding day

Of course, Dennis did his missionary work and presented this young man with a Book of Mormon

The seamstress, me, Futhi, Nosipho, Faith

Elders Rowley and Shumway emailing home

Thembegilie’s birthday – (horrible pictures, so sorry)

Tuesday, August 20th, I was up early fixing brownies and chicken salad stuffed in homemade rolls and then on our way to Nhlangano for a busy day.  On our way, we saw some of our Care Point kids walking to pre-school and they waved and yelled….”I love you” with the sign.  We stopped, turned around and visited and gave them some suckers.  How can you not adore these children that have so much love to give to anyone that will just show a little tenderness back?  My heart has been captured by these little ones!  We drove to Nhlangano and tried to visit Bro. Sbusiso Zulu’s family but we couldn’t find them and no one was answering.  So we continued on to Nhlangano elder’s DDM where Elder Komakech did a fabulous job of leading and teaching mission principles.  Dennis shared thoughts on commitments and I gave them a poster of things to remember from Zone Conference.  Then we met up with Pres. Bulunga to visit Bishop Mamba who was a former bishop here in Swaziland in Mbabane and who now lives almost an hour from Nhlangano.  It was a lovely drive and even a better visit – they are the most loving, super couple – what a shame that it has taken us so long to get someone to take us to their homestead so we could meet them.  Eish, we have wasted almost 18 months.  Bishop Mamba cut down a bunch on bananas from their tree for Pres. Bulunga and us.  How awesome to have bananas growing in your yard!  We got home late but I had to make some no-bake cookies for tomorrow.  The bed was so inviting when I finally got in.

Elders Komakech and Wilson

Elders Nzioka and Otigo

Drive through this beautiful countryside to get to Bishop Mamba’s homestead

Bishop Mamba coming to greet us

Dennis enjoyed chasing these turkeys around to get pictures…..that male was sure protecting his mate

Me, Sister Mamba, Bro. Mamba, Pres. Bulunga and their two grandsons that they are taking care of

The adventure to get us a bunch of bananas

These bananas were high….he had to keep pulling down the branch until they were reachable

Success!!!!!

Beautiful full moon on our drive home – I love our days in Swaziland

Wednesday, August 21st we had a couple, the DaBells, from Joburg and their family come to see the beauty of Swaziland.  We took them to the care point where the children performed for them.  They brought 4 bags full of clothes and Abigal and Nonitu were so excited.  They went through the clothes and distributed them among the children as to their needs and sizes.  After, they headed to Manzini Market and we went the Mbabane’s DDM with Elder Weston teaching.  He does a great job.  We met up with the DaBells again and went to Baobab Batik.  Their daughter-in-law is an artist so loved this place.  Then it was off to Lungelo’s setting apart.  I love these times.  To see the Lord work miracles in these young men and to see my husband use his priesthood authority to set them apart as missionaries, is a thrilling experience.  Oh, I love mission.  We brought Lungelo home with us to sleep so we can get him to the airport by 7:00 a.m.……

Couldn’t figure out what this young man was thinking…..

They were singing for us

It was breakfast time

The cooks – remember this is all volunteer – that is the cooking area where the food is prepared

DaBell’s granddaughter teaching them a game

Their grandsons playing with the young men

Passing out the sweets

Sister DaBell talking to them

The bags of clothes that they brought……

…dividing them to the needs of the children

I can’t get enough pictures of the sweetness of these children’s faces

Mbabane/Ezulwini’s DDM

Lungelo just before his setting apart

The group there to support him…

Making his one suitcase into two

After breakfast, it was off to the airport early to put this amazing young man on the plane to begin his new adventure as a missionary.  A note of interest, when he got to the MTC he was made Zone Leader for the group of 18 elders.  Quite an honor. He is a powerful young man….one that we will miss terribly.  We then went to the store to do some grocery shopping for a family that needed some food – Pres. Malaza asked us to pick up some for them.  We delivered it – we felt like Santa – what an incredible feeling.  Manzini’s DDM was next on our agenda where Elder Rowley is the district leader and again we enjoyed the meeting.  We hadn’t seen the Shoba family in a long time so dropped by and luckily Sister Shoba was there – still in bed, but there.  Vuzi Mamba was there also, so it was a great visit.

You can’t begin a day without breakfast

The group minus the photographer – Xolani

Lungelo and his parents

Lungelo and Xolani

And off he goes…….his first plane ride

Manzini’s DDM

Dennis shared a few thoughts on commitments – do you notice anything wrong in this picture – the elders did

This tent is a meeting place for a church – we see these all over Swaziland

Some of the children at the Shoba’s homestead – their patiently waiting for suckers

These young ones where carrying this bag full of glass bottles – they paused for a sucker (Seriously, how does that young one walk on those rocks without shoes?)

Sister Shoba’s daughter – I really need to remember her name

Vuzi

Friday, August 23rd started early again with a drive to Hlatikulu where we met the Elders Komakech and Wilson to give them some books they needed.  We love meeting these guys on the road – it is always an adventure.  We then picked up Nhlanhla, Shakes and Machawe to visit our member at the prison.  He is always so thrilled to see us.  They returned home and we went and bought a kitchen table and chairs for the Ezulwini boarding.  It was lunch time so thought it would be fun to have lunch with the Mbabane elders.  They were an hour late, shame,  so we kind of ate by our self but it was fun to see them.  Our internet has been out for two days so they finally sent someone to look at it.  The young man walked in and after me introducing myself as Sister Lombardi, he walked past Dennis who was on the phone and said “Hi, Elder Lombardi”. I was shocked.  We found out that years ago he had received the lessons from the missionaries.  Dennis got his information and contacted the elders to return to him.  That night I typed recipes for a book that we are giving Nathi and Masisi for their wedding.  Went to bed tired.  I am getting old.

Our drive to the prison

Lunch with the Mbabane elders

These guys are definitely unified with their matching sweaters….and they have ties that match and golf shirts.  Two are going home…we will miss them kakhulu

Our internet repair man

Wedding bells rang out on Saturday, August 24th.  But, eish, the time they keep in Swaziland I will never get use to.  It was suppose to start at 11:00 but the bride didn’t actually get there until 1:00!!!!  It was extremely hot and umbrellas came out amongst the guests and people were standing on the side of the church trying to find relieve from the heat.  The groom, Nathi, arrived in style in a red BMW with the license announcing his arrivial….KING NATHI!!  He sat in the car for 1 1/2 hours waiting…not sure he was thrilled about the wait either.  But it was beautiful when it began.  The bride, Masisi, was stunning and Nathi’s entrance was unique – with a wild song and he and his friend came out jamming to it.  Everyone burst out laughing.  It relaxed all of us.  And then, the ceremony became very traditional with her brother bringing her down the aisle, they stopped and he called out for acceptance and then Nathi came up and bowed and took her hand.  It was really nice.  Pres. Mahlalela repeated the ceremony he did on June 11 when they were actually married (this is the traditional part for the family).  They took pictures and then we ate.  Pres. Thonkozani Shongwe was the caterer and it was great.  We left around 4:00 – tired but grateful to have shared the day with Nathi and Masisi. 

The wedding day in pictures…

Dancing after the bride and groom left

On our drive home, we saw this magnificent sight

Sunday, August 25th ……..Sabrina turned 8 today!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a very special girl.  We have watched Sabrina grow since a tiny baby and so proud of the wonderful young girl she is becoming.  Sabrina, how we wish we could be there for your baptism.  But know that you are never far from our thoughts and prayers…..and we are with you for your birthday celebration and baptism.

We woke up Sunday intending to go to the Manzini branch, but Dennis said that he felt like we should go to Mbabane.  When we walked in we discovered that all four elders were speaking!  We were so pleased that Dennis had received the impression that we should change our original plans.  They did a fabulous job speaking.  The talks were amazing.  I could not believe that I was listening to the words of wisdom given by 20 year olds.  After it was over, Tilungile, who was sitting next to me, and I just looked at each other with amazement that the spirit could be so strong among such young men.  All in attendance were truly fed that morning.  After we rushed to the Ezulwini branch to witness the baptism of 4 – Simiso Hlophe, Thandeka Mayala, Zethu Khumalo, Zama Khumalo.  Thandeka is the lady that I mentioned in a previous blog.  She is the one that her husband refused to agree to her baptism for the last 4 years.  In her testimony she said that she wanted to give up many times, but the elders would not let her.  Just a few months ago, she said that she she was through but the elders said lets try one more thing.  That is when they asked us to go visit.  I have no idea why that thought came to the elders, or what the Lord had in mind, or even for that matter what we did, but just visited in their home…..she asked about her baptism, he agreed and 3 weeks later she was baptized.  The Lord’s transfer board is amazing.  We were grateful to play a part.  She is a special lady.  Now we hope that the children will follow.  Simiso Hlophe is Chosen’s grandson.  She is so happy that he has decided to join her as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Dennis attended his meetings and I baked to get ready for the elders coming over to watch Saints in Swaziland.

Zethu Khumalo, Zama Khumula (sisters), Thandeka Mayala, Simiso Hlophe

Thandeka, Jesse, Elizabeth, Naomi

Zethu and her baby and Zama

Eish, that is the only picture we had – what a way to ruin a picture

Elder Adale, Simiso, Chosen, Elder Weston

 

We took Sister Shabangu home and she gave us some avocadoes

Watching Saints in Swaziland

Due to the fact that time is speeding past me, this week I am going to give you a quick run down and then show you the rest in picture.  This week we: baked,baked and baked some more, bought kitchen table and chairs for Ezulwini boarding, printed some more pages to our Lobamba book, finished the cook book that I am compiling, drove to Lavumisa border with Nathi and Masisi to rescue an elder serving in Richards Bay whose permit has expired (they ended up having to spend the night in Swaziland because South Africa would not let him go back over the border), Eggetts from Joburg were up for a couple of days and we visited some sights, was able to hold a brand new baby girl, helped Pres. Bulunga make bricks for a kitchen in his homestead, took a mission call to Mefika in Siteki who is unable to accept at this time, made a DVD for the Relief Society Spiritual camp and then on Friday and Saturday joined sister all over Swaziland for a weekend of spiritual growth and fun…..just the highlights – now the pictures!

First of all, August 27th is our daughter, Trista’s, birthday!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a fabulous young lady who has blessed our live to the fullest.  Thank you for being so wonderful! This is her and her darling family.

Our day trip to the border with Nathi and Masisi (remember they had their wedding celebration on Saturday…they are sacrificing some of their honeymoon to help this elder)

Elder Ng’ambi whose work permit had expired

Nathi and Dennis talking with Joburg Area Office to decide what to do

Children along the way

Mbongiseni’s sister and her 2 week old baby girl

Where they live

Another sister and her baby

See those little huts on top, that is where our cute Magugu Dam family lives.

Some of the kids plus a few neighbors – they told us the oldest sister was in Lobamba participating in the Reed Dance

Of course, they danced for us

Elder and Sister Eggett

Dennis showing them the picture of their family that we took and printed for them to have

Eating their sweets….

We found these children along the road

This little one was dancing for us as we were coming down – of course, he received a sucker (out of cookies)

President Bulunga’s home

He wants to make an outside kitchen, so is making bricks – needs 500

You shovel a mixture of sand, cement and water into this “thing”, press down and …….

….a brick!

After they dug some sand from this pile and placed it…….

in this pile, they added the package of cement…..

…mixed it together (where is the cement mixer), and then added….

..oops, not these critters…but…

…water….you get…..

these bricks

50 of them…….1/10 of the way through!  Hard work!

Mac holding our “now ripe” bananas that Bro. Mamba gave us

Mefika holding his mission call – Joburg Mission leaving October 31st.  Should have been a happy time, but he was disappointed.  His mother didn’t want him to go, so she sold some of her land, put the money into a nursing school in Siteki which was unrefundable, so that he had to go to school instead of mission.  In his letter to the prophet, he said that he would like to serve in the future.

1st Annual Swaziland District Relief Society Spiritual Camp

Patricia and Sister Shabangu in their room

So fun, our individual rooms were inside those stable doors

Listening to testimonies

Eating sweets – Sister Dludlu, Patricia and me

Tired and in bed but definitely not asleep

Constance and Tilungile

Fixing breakfast

Dennis trying to warm up in our room – he gave his jackets to one of the sisters

Me, Tilungile and Xolile

Walking around the grounds – burr, it was cold

Getting ready for the classes

Getting the braai ready for chicken and sausage

Eating lunch

Great sisters, great fun, great gospel

Loading up the kombi to go home

The men waiting for the women to help them get home

Remember these……

Elders getting together for transfer news

Back: Norbert (leaving), Daniel, Ogutu

Front: Lowry, Weston (leaving)

Shumway, Bingham and Simkins going home!!!!

Our sweet Lydia Bell was blessed today – September 1st.  My heart broke that I could not be there.  This is when it is a sacrifice to be on mission.  Isn’t she the most beautiful baby…..how I wish I could hold her and be with her and her family on this special occasion.  I love this little one that has just recently left her Father in Heaven and been blessed with a most wonderful family to be with during her time on earth. 

The Lord said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened down, and I will give you rest”.  So why should I carry my heavy burdens when he has offered to carry them for me?