“…I was in prison, and ye came unto me” Matt 25:36 Yesterday, Saturday, October 13, 2012, Dennis and I joined the Mbabane Relief Society for a visit to the Mawelawela Women’s Correctional Institution. The sisters had been collecting hygiene supplies to take to them and as a culminating activity they spent a day of bearing testimony, singing and leaving their love to those women in prison. Dennis and I arrived early and as we waited memories of years of former service in a prison far from this one came flooding in. As we watched the guards, the people coming in and out, the gates, all of a sudden the faces of those women that we grew to love so dearly in the Utah State Women’s Prison came to view---the women with their maroon uniforms, their humble hearts and desire to change so they could feel of their Savior’s love. Daughters of our Heavenly Father who loved them and wanted so much for them to know that simple fact. Now we are about to experience this again with women in Swaziland.
The gates opening and closing sound the same no matter where you are. The sound of being confined, not free, was very familiar. As we approached their cafeteria where we were to meet, we were greeted by beautiful African women voices. I have learned to love their voices and the way they sing. Their songs are known by everyone. The sisters from the Mbabane branch joined in as we walked down the aisle to the front where we sat on the benches of the tables. I was shocked when I looked down and there were young, young girls on one side and the older women on the other. How could such young girls be incarcerated in such a place? My heart was immediately sorrowful. We later found out that the youngest was 9 years old. Nine years old, the age of one of my sweet granddaughters. The young girls were dressed in red and white about 30 of them and about 45 of the older women were dressed in grey.
We started our program by singing from our hymn book and a prayer. Our Relief Society President, Sister Dudu Verde, welcomed them and bore her testimony. Of course, this was all done in siSwati so Dennis and I had no idea what was said but felt every word in our heart. Other sisters bore their testimony, we sang again and then Dennis was asked to speak (they had asked him prior). I know that they did not understand much of what he said but I felt the spirit and there were tears shed by some. There was one young girl sitting just in front of me that bowed her head and I saw tears dropping to her dress. She couldn’t be older than 10 or 11. The faucet was opened up for me and I could no longer hold it back. We ended with God, Be With You Til We Meet Again. About an hour program. Then they sang for us which is their testimony and what a sweet one it is. Before we left they allowed us to wander through the crowd and give hugs which is one thing they never allowed us to do at home. As I got to the back of the young girls, one girl came up to me, hugged me and then bawled. I just held her and let the tears come. I reassured her that she was loved not only by me but by someone much greater that would be ever present….her Savior. I hated to leave her but the time was gone.
This was the last one before we entered. Unfortunately, they would not let cameras in.
The ladies back in the kombi ready to go home.
“I was in prison, and ye came unto me….when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt 25: 39 - 40
We had not been for a walk for a while so Monday morning we headed out and guess what? It started to rain but that did not stop us. Later, I did laundry, cooked and visited Bhekiwe. The elders came over to celebrate Elder Zsembery’s birthday and the Lobamba boys game over for FHE. They played the “stick” game, had dinner and then a lesson that Dennis gave on Free Agency. It was great. They really are amazing. They have strong testimonies and a great knowledge of the gospel. Musa bore a very strong testimony on D & C 60– almost a lesson in itself.
Elder Zsembery’s Birthday cake – a white cake!
The stick game being enjoyed by the Lobamba boys
Musa performing a card trick as his FHE talent
“Free Agency” lesson
Tuesday began with the making of brownies for the Manzini DTM. One the was to the meeting we got a ticket for speeding. It has been awhile since that has happened. He didn’t have any money so they actually gave him a ticket this time. (He later went a paid it at the police station.) It was a great DTM. Elder Sele is our new district leader in Manzini and he did a fantastic job. The day ended with Machowe and Lucky coming over to help me with a project on the computer. Dinner was enjoyed by all of us. To finish the evening, the elders came over. Enjoyed the day.
Elders Zsembery, Sele, Maclean (ZL), Guthrie, Luddington, Mabena (ZL), Dickerson, Gideme
Elders Gideme and Sele – our District Leader
Wednesday began as Tuesday did – making brownies for the Mbabane DTM. Again, a wonderful meeting with our new district leader, Elder Shumway. Then we met Muzi Gama for lunch in Mbabane – a return missionary that we have been trying to catch up with for weeks. Can you imagine a young man not liking his cell phone? We don’t know whether to believe him or not! But he is a delightful young man and we spent a couple of hours laughing and enjoying the time together. He said that when he left for his mission two years ago, on Sunday there were so many people coming to church that they had to open the back. Now they do not even fill the chapel. He is really concerned and so are we. We will have to find out if they have gone inactive or moved. How can Swaziland grow and become a stake if we are going backward? That evening we went with Elders Shumway and King to a family that is investigating the church – Ernest and Winnie Dlamini. They are the couple we have talked about before that the wife had a stroke in February and it takes them two hours to get to church. They had asked for us to come visit and we are so glad they did. We had a great time with them. They had some problems that they needed to work out and Dennis did an incredible job with answers for him and his wife. He continues to amaze me with his knowledge of the scriptures and how the Lord has blessed him with knowing exactly where to go for answers for the people. What he shared with Ernest and Winnie hopefully has changed their lives.
They held their DTM in the Mbabane boarding because neither companionship had bakki’s
Muzi Gama enjoying his ribs
You would never believe our drive to Ernest and Winnie’s boarding. They build anywhere and everywhere on this hill.
Trying to get a dvd player to work to show a church video
Winnie and Ernest Dlamini
We put their little girl to sleep
We left early Thursday morning to clean out the Gege’s elders boarding. Luckily, the Zone Leaders were with the Nhlangano elders so we had “man power” and got it done in a responsible time frame. When we were driving down it was sprinkling pretty good but then stopped while we were loading and as soon as we got home, it started pouring. We were so grateful that the Lord blessed us because it would have been a mess coming home on dirt road with a load in the back in the pouring rain. It rained, rained some more and then rained even more the rest of the day and night. The Zawacky’s arrived to stay the weekend so we went out to dinner. We love having them here because they play games with us. We are teaching everyone here Mormon Bridge and they are loving it.
The Gege boarding
Elder Mabena helping
Sister Malinga (her homestead) and Elder Zsembery
How do you like that clinic?
We had to stop three times to re-rope the appliances. Look at those cows in the background. Gotta love it!
Again, I woke up early Friday, October 12th, to make no-bake cookies to take around to the orphanage day care center but it rained all day so we were unable to get there with them. But they did not go to waste. They were delivered to the Silver Smith Shop, Manzini Market, Ezulwini Market and then to the YSA’s that came over to watch Fiddler on the Roof and have a braai. We had 9 that came. They laughed and thoroughly enjoyed the 3 hours spent watching a fabulous movie together. We cooked hamburgers, had baked beans, drink, popcorn and cookies. Couldn’t be better.
These are the wonderful people that make the Swazi rings – all done by hand
Good movie, good food, good friends
Saturday, October 13th, I have already told you about going to the women’s prison and the amazing experience that was. The remainder of the day was spent with the Zawacky’s seeing some of the sights, going for pizza at a new place, watching a movie at home and the elders coming over.
Sunday, October 14th, another great Sabbath. Trina wrote me today and said, “Hope your Sabbath day is going well! They seem to always be pretty special.” What a great way to express our Sabbaths. And yes, Trina it was pretty special. The Zawacky’s got ready to leave us. We so enjoy having them stay with us and I think Dennis really enjoys it because he gets a good breakfast when we have guests. A B & B has to have breakfasts, right? We went to the Manzini Branch. Three missionaries happened to be the speakers and what a great job they did. Then we had a couple from the area office, the Hartman’s, talk during priesthood and Relief Society. They are the couple for mental health and he wrote the book about what “color” your personality is – red, blue, white or yellow. I don’t know if that makes sense but I remember learning about it at home years ago. He gave a great summary of his book and members enjoyed it. Dennis had District presidency meeting after and I came home and fixed dinner. We had Concelia, T, Sawsa (?) Ntshalintshali over for dinner tonight. We had some things that we wanted to talk to them about and also wanted to thank them for having us over when we first arrived. They made our Sabbath complete. Then the elders came over to finish up our dessert. Elders are really good at that.
Elder Luddington with a future missionary
Elder Guthrie making sure he is a future missionary
Sawsa (?), Concelia, T looking at our special family book – showing off our family
“For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in; Naked and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying Lord, when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt 25: 35 – 40 “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love Him.”
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