During our Friday morning scripture reading we found a series of verses that I think is meant for some of the men here in Swaziland . It is Jacob 2 where Jacob chastises the men for breaking the hearts of their women and losing the confidence of their children because of their bad examples…”the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you”. This is exactly what the men are doing in this country and that includes those who are our members. They just decide that they want to have someone else and pick up and leave their wife and children. One lady was pregnant with two little boys and we heard her cries. They have no remorse for their actions…they say it is the culture. But the sobbings of the women hearts have been heard and these men will have to answer at some point. Then in Jacob 3:7 it says…”Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their children….” That is how this country is going to survive. As Pres. Bulunga said, “when men don’t treat their family well, their children’s eyes don’t smile at them.”
Monday, February 11, 2013 is my sweet Kamri’s birthday. What a joy she has been since the day she was born. She has always been so fun to have around with lots to say and do. Kamri, we love you and bless the day you were born into our family. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Monday was spent with President and Sister Von Stetten. We tried to go to a special place but it didn’t work out but our plan B was way fun. We drove to Piggs Peak on a dirt road for 37 k – whatever that is in miles. It took us quite a while but we saw some beautiful country, wonderful people and adorable children. What could be better. Then we drove to Magugu Dam and we showed them our special view spot where we had met those children on our previous visit. Well, they were still there but this time there was more. The moment we made the turn on the dirt road, the children came out, ran to the gate (one of the boys told us he was the gatekeeper), opened it for us and then immediately came to us. They remembered us from the last time. But like I said there was more. We found out that there are 11 children ranging from a young lady 17 to the baby that is not quite a year. We asked if they were from the same babe and make and they said yes. Their surname is Mncina. They danced for us, sang and was totally smitten by our visit. I took a picture and told them we would be back with it in a large size. We can’t wait to get back there to see them. We have made some special friends. We went for chinese for dinner, then came home to the Lobamba boys. I told the elders they could have FHE at our home without us, but we were grateful to get back before they had left.
President and Sister Von Stetten
We couldn’t pass this picture by – we see this so often with the children – holes in their pants
The entire 11 children – look at that beautiful scenery behind us
Tuesday, February 12th I spent at home while Dennis went with our new elders to the doctor to start preparations for their work permits. Then Dennis met with our new district president, Pres. Siko (this is how I will refer to him), to talk about all the things that need to be done and decided. First on the agenda, is a new branch president for Mbabane to replace Pres. Siko. While he was gone the whole day, I wrote my blog, worked on a special project I am doing, did housework and enjoyed being home not stressed. During scripture reading one of the verses had a great impact on me…2 Nephi 28:32 “Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.” He is always ready and waiting with His arms outstretched to embrace and lead us even at times when we deny, forget, neglect, or forsake him. What a comforting thought. I love the scriptures, I love my Heavenly Father, I love my Savior, I love this gospel, and I love the happiness that serving brings me. Dennis spent the evening with Pres. Ntshalintshali discussing the overwhelming tasks ahead of the new district presidency.
Another day spent mostly at home. I think I have become a “mission widow”, but I am okay with that. Sometimes I think I would enjoy a car so that I could accomplish things I need to do but you know what, everything seems to get done eventually. We went on a morning walk, baked and then attended the Mbabane’s DDM. Elder Kuwanatsoka does such a good job as District Leader and his leadership skills are fantastic. We thoroughly enjoy his lessons and his direction. We then went and visited with Nonhlanhla and Pumi. In a past blog I talked about taking this mother and her daughter around schools trying to find a place in Form 1 for her but everything was full. Well, they finally found a place for Pumi and her father promised to send the money. So they put her in it, bought her a uniform and she attended for two weeks but the father never came through with the finances, so she had to drop out. She was devastated and so was her mother. We went to see them to see how they were doing. It was the saddest thing. This bright 13-year-old was sitting in their one-room home watching a soap opera in the middle of the day. What a waste!! Something has to change and something did. Tell you later. Dennis continued trying to get our bakki’s registered but to no avail, again. He then went to district presidency meeting again…this time with the entire presidency. I seem to always find things to do even without television! I really thought I would never be able to do without television but I just realized that it has been a year since I have seen anything on a screen. I have not missed it at all.
Elders Kiwumi and Kuwanatsoka arriving in style to DDM
Getting ready to be fed spiritually
Getting back on the road
This is Pumi taking care of Sister Dlamini’s baby – aren’t they both adorable
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL OF YOU I hope you all had a great day. They actually celebrate this holiday here but I do not think there are many husbands and wives that are actually together for there to be much celebration. There are many heart-broken women in this country. We missed being home delivering flowers to all the wonderful women in our life. But you were thought of and hopefully envisioned the beautiful flowers that we brought you.
It was a very unusual day. Our home was like a revolving door with people coming and going. We got up early to go for a walk. We were just about ready to leave when there was a knock on the door. It was Nathi and he just came over to say Hi. So I fixed red heart pancakes in honor of Valentines Day that we all enjoyed. After he left we drove to Mbabane to get Dennis’ papers copied and bound that he has been preparing for training District Presidencies. They turned out extremely well. We then tried to find a home of someone but found some really interesting sights that we enjoyed instead. Right after we got home Nathi and Masisi arrived to wish us a Happy Valentines. Masisi just landed a new teaching job and she wanted to share it with us. She has been teaching for two days and was ready to quit. Then Sbu came over to wash the car, then Patricia came over on her way home from work. She had great news. Her daughters that were here from Soweto, South Africa for Christmas, are getting baptized on March 10th. We were so excited that we called her daughters and shared the joy with them. Dennis went with Pres. Shongwe to take some food to some needy families. Then the elders came over and then we ended our evening with the Hlatswako’s coming to visit with us. It was a great visit. We have missed being with them. A sweet couple that desperately wants a family but has not had the opportunity yet. It was a good Valentines Day.
Look at these homes with their laundry hanging out over businesses
Look at this lop-sided mud home. I would love to see the inside.
Frank Sinatra look a likes
Elders Stengile, Heki, Dennis, Bro. & Sister Hlatswako
Friday, February 15th we arose early and went for a walk to the grocery store, hurried home and the Murdocks from Durban came over. They are the PA Directors for our mission. We met Jerome Shongwe at the Swazi television station and made a presentation to them for the Music and Spoken Word that is now available free of charge for countries to broadcast over their stations. We are praying that Swaziland takes advantage of this opportunity – what a wonderful gift for these people to have in their homes. (They do not allow cameras at the station. The station is owned by the king and apparently there are numerous attempts of bombing on the property.) Our day continued with lunch with the Zone Leaders to encourage and talk about goals for our zone. They are wonderful young men and we are so excited to be working with them. Then off to Nhlangano for a baptismal interview of a young man. When we got there, he disappeared. So instead of making it a waste of our time we went visiting with Pres. Bulunga. Remember, that young man we talked about that showed up at district conference that we had been looking for…..well, we went to find him. We had him talk to Pres. Bulunga after the meeting and he said he knew a family that lived near him. We drove quite a distance from the town, reached the family, but found out that Bongumusa Dlamini was in Ezulwini with Zweli. What a surprise to us. But again, all was not lost because this family was delightful – Mkhonta family. When we arrived they were trying to push a truck that wouldn’t start, so we helped. Then the people kept coming and coming and coming. What a huge homestead. They were so cute. I started giving out suckers and just about emptied my bag. We found out from Pres. Bulunga that this man (grandpa) is trying to support all these women and children. There were no men in this homestead. They have all left their women and children. Shame on them! We dropped off Pres. Bulunga to go home to his sweet three children to fix dinner and tuck them into bed. His wife died around 3 years ago. He is building his mansions in heaven. Enos 1:27. We ended our wonderful with an evening visit with the Murdocks.
Our Zone Leaders - Elders Holmes and Condie
Mkhonta Family
That gogo has “attitude”
Look at that little girl carrying the baby – you see this all over
You’ve got to love him
This is Bongumusa’s brother and Pres. Bulunga
Gorgeous country – imagine looking at this every day. What a blessing
Bro. Mkhonta spent the entire time behind the “bonnet” (hood) of his truck
On our way home, we saw these boys riding this cart they made. Ingenious!
And these boys wanted to get into the action
Saturday was a busy but wonderful day. It started with a visit to Nonhlanhla and Pumi’s place – they found a school and someone to help with finances. Pumi starts Monday!! Yea!; then a meeting with Charles Dlamini about our CES activity on Saturday; went to visit Muzi who is one of our Lobamba boys whom we have not seen for a while. He said he has a big problem and is afraid to go to church and even to our home for FHE. He said he wants to talk to us at church on Sunday, but he never showed up. I worry about him. We have talked to his home teachers, Elders Quorum president, missionaries, etc. Prayers are needed. We do not want to loose him. Then off to watch Simon play tennis, to Mbabane for a youth activity that we were speaking at, home to prepare for our going away party for Thembeni who is leaving on her mission on March 7th. Her family, the Mahlaleles, love the stick game. We are leaving it with the when we return home.
This was Muzi’s homestead – we want you to get a feel of what life can be like for some people
Fixing pap
All these women are busy – cooking and washing (look at that pile of clothes and it takes that many buckets to complete the task)
Simon playing on the university courts
Mbabane Youth Activity
Sisters Maseko and Similane – Young Women Presidency
Mahlalela’s family
Another beautiful Sabbath in paradise. We attended the Mbabane branch because they were sustaining a new branch president. It seemed so strange to have Pres. Ntshalintshali release himself and ask for a vote of thanks. Awesome! The new president is Vuzi Malinga, 1st counselor – Mthethwa, 2nd counselor – Bheki Dlamini – who was not there because he was on a speaking assignment in Nhlangno. I tell you that because his sweet wife during Sunday School fainted and they had to take her out. George Dlamini and Dennis gave her a blessing then we took her and her boys home. It would be quite overwhelming. We later visited her and she is doing okay. Then we rushed to Ezulwini to witness the baptism of 5 young men. The missionary force is growing in Swaziland. Three of these young men are from Lobamba and one young man works for the Shongwe’s in their homestead. Their testimonies were powerful – they touched our hearts. Dennis was in district meetings for 5 hours for the rest of the day and I worked on projects. This new presidency is a great group of men.
Bheki Dlamini and his families’ home
Baptism of
Simphiwe Nkambule, Nhlanhla Dlamini, Marcose Dlamini, Medeni Mamba, Thabiso Dlamini
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Ephesians 5:25 This generation of men will not break the hearts of their women and they will change the culture that says it is okay to do so.
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