THE LORD CREATED THE WORLD…..AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, Part 2 July 24–30, 2012

I have no idea what happened to the rest of my blog, but it disappeared so I am starting from the end of the last one. 

The next two days we spent in the beautiful city of St. Lucia on the Indian Ocean.  Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined myself wading in the Indian Ocean.  I am one lucky lady.  I am sure that you are tired of hearing about Sbu washing our bakki, but he was at our home at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday to wash it so it would be clean for Durban.  After visiting Gege, it was one red-dirt mess.  I know it was cold and a long walk that early in the morning for him.  He has become one dear friend.  After a 5-hour drive, we met the Millers at our bed and breakfast – Bhengazi Lodge.  What a great place.  All rooms had an animal theme.  We were in the Leopard room – way cool.  Then we hurried for a boat ride along the channel to see hippos.  And boy did we see a lot of hippos along with crocodiles, birds and an incredible sunset!  We finished our busy day at a fun restaurant where they brought us our own heater because I was freezing and then a game of Mormon Bridge and Canadian Salad back at the lodge.  Then the owner came out at 9:30 and asked us to be quiet and then turned the lights out!  We got the hint, finished our game and went to bed at 10:00.  That is one way to get me to bed early – turn the lights out!

The Lord’s creation – I am sure there is beauty somewhere

These white birds just started gathering on this tree - amazing

Breathtaking

Thursday we drove through a reserve to get to Cape Vidal on the Indian Ocean.  There is nothing like the ocean.  It is an incredible creation of our Heavenly Father’s and I love it.  There is nothing that calms my spirits like the sound and feel of the ocean.  After enjoying the afternoon on the ocean, we continued our drive to Durban where we are staying at Grace’s.  We met other couples for dinner and then back to bed.

What I always envisioned an African man would look like and his voice was so deep

I love this man!

Millers enjoying the ocean

Some of the South Africa Durban Mission Senior Couples

Friday was spent with Sister Von Stetten.  What a great hostess.  We met at her home early and she drove the Millers, Shumways and us to Victoria Market, uShaka market, beach and lunch.  Then we dropped the men at the mission office for presidency meeting which is why we were in Durban.  Then we went to her home and had our own meeting about baptismal clothes and how to take care of them.  Later, we met our husbands at a restaurant for a lovely dinner.  Another great day!

 

Me, Sisters Von Stetten, Miller, Shumway

Elder Shumway with Dennis

Saturday was a marvelous reunion.  We met up with some of the elders that have left Swaziland.  Boy do I miss these young men.  I love the new ones but just wish that we could have both worlds – the old and the new.  When some of the Swazi elders heard we were going to Durban, they brought letters and gifts for us to take to some of the ones that had left.  So I happily agreed to sacrifice my time to give them personally to them.  My heart leapt when we saw them.  When the Lord created these young men, I am sure he declared….”and it was good.”  We saw Elder Adams, Elder Maclean (the cousin of our Elder Maclean), and Elder Ntombela.   We then met the lady who made my Zulu dolls, Julie.  She is an amazing, creative lady.  She makes the dolls and gives each of them a name.  She showed us all theother things that she makes.  I will have to save my pennies to get more.  Can’t wait.  Then we went to another market – not sure what it was called but they just have it on Saturdays.  They had entertainment, food, wares and just a fun atmosphere.   Then it was off to home.  Another wonderful time with senior couples and beautiful scenery and incredible people.  When the Lord created man and woman, it was a masterpiece!  On our way home, of course, it was dark again. So I was the watch tower for people, cows, etc.  I was letting Dennis know whenever any of these were seen on the road which was quite often.  We turned a corner and we a row of something crossing the road.  I exclaimed – COWS, no DOGS, no PIGS!  That was a first – pigs crossing the road.  All sizes and very slowly.  Luckily, we stopped in time – no bacon that night.

Me, Elders Adams, Maclean, Dennis

Elder Ntombela

Thando (Love) and baby is Ntombi (Girl)

Gugu (Precious)

Mandla (Power)

Julie (bad picture) who made my dolls and Sister Miller

The Market

It was Ezulwini’s Branch Conference on Sunday so we attended there.  I played the piano for the choir number.  Not sure I did too well.  Oh why didn’t I listen to the promptings years ago, when it was telling me to relearn the piano for times just like this.  All 5 of the Msibi children were there.  So good to see them.  We then hurried to the Mbabane chapel for a baptism, Bro. Mcina.  His testimony was powerful after.  He said that he had joined God’s army today.  Eish I hope that these young men stay active.  I wish I knew what to do to insure that they do.  The church here in Swaziland will be in good hands if they do.  Elder Apuna had hit his head yesterday and was having extreme headaches.  I made some soup and bread for him.  Hope it works.  We found out that the Thubani family that we have been visiting with the zone leaders are moving to Piggs Peak where there is no church.  Dennis and I took a drive to see if we could see them before they leave but they were not home.  We left some gifts encouraging them to continue reading the Book of Mormon.  We will miss them.  Some of the elders came over later that night and we had a great discussion about culture and they explained some of their traditions and how they show respect.  It was really a great discussion.

Elder Apuna, Bro. Mncina and his sister, Lenhle Mncina (just baptized a few weeks ago), Elder Kanyembo

Monday, July 30th, I wokeearly and made double batch of banana muffins for Zone Conference and the drop cookies.  Then we went for a walk to the silver shop to pick up rings for Elder Hansen, the Millers, Gundersons and MINE – the one that I was not going to get!  I am so weak – but Dennis did insist.  I really like it.  It has Africa, the Swazi shield, a giraffe and CTR on it.  I can’t wait to show it to you all. We then went to the Msibi family to check on them.  Masebenza was up in the tree throwing down avocadoes while Wendy and Simphiwe was catching them with a towel.  So cute.  After Masebenza got down we asked him how in the world did he get up there.  His response was “like a monkey” then laughed.  Sister Msibi is feeling okay.  Not as vibrant as before but was up.  As we got ready to leave she sat down and asked us to pray with her.  She needs a lot of prayers.

Our Silver Shop friends

We finally got a picture of Thandazile smiling – modeling her new skirt

Masebenza  high up in a tree picking avocadoes

Catching the avocadoes

Climbing like a monkey

It has been a good week.  I opened my scriptures a little while ago and it opened to D & C 58 and my eyes went to verse 16 – “Behold his mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again.” I have so much to do and my opportunity here is short.  I will never be able to repeat my time here.  How I pray that I am doing all I am sent here to do.  The Lord has been so good to me.  The only way I can repay Him is to do His work here in Swaziland.  I am among some of his greatest handiwork.