Today during Sacrament Meeting, a young lady bore her testimony and said that her mother would always tell her… “If you want to know how rich you are, just list all the things that you have that “money cannot buy”. The topic of my blog comes to me in so many different ways. But I know what it is suppose to be when it is revealed to me. I started thinking about all the things that I have that “money cannot buy”……I am truly a rich woman.
Money cannot buy a testimony; money cannot buy faith; money cannot buy miracles; money cannot buy happiness; money cannot buy a family; money cannot buy true friendships; money cannot buy the blessings of the atonement; money cannot buy our Heavenly Father love for us; money cannot buy the presence of the Holy Ghost; money cannot buy Heavenly Father’s creation that surrounds us; money cannot buy “a willing heart and a contrite spirit”. As I have experienced this past week, I have realized how much money really cannot buy. There have been many times when I think that money is the answer for all these people. But they are truly “rich” in the eyes of the Lord and are building their mansions in Heaven. Let me share some examples.
“Sipho Malaza, a member of the high council, told a story of what happened to he and his wife during the recent thunder and lightning storm. Their home was hit by lightining-a big crash that knocked him down and paralyzed his right leg and arm. He searched for his wife and found that she was not breathing. He had to crawl around to find his consecrated oil to give her a blessing. In it he said “ You are faithfully serving in the Ezulwini Relief Society and they need you and when morning comes you will be healed.” She started breathing but still did not wake. For himself he prayed for 45 minutes and told the Lord that all he wants to do is to serve Him and to please heal me. When morning came his wife awoke and he asked if she was alright. She said, “Yes, are you?” His leg and arm are fine and his wife taught Relief Society today. It was his testimony that the power of the priesthood is real, prayers are answered and the Church is true. President Simelane stated that he and all of us had seen miracles and this is the Lord’s church and people are looking for the truth and we have it to give them.” Written by Dennis
Money could not buy his faith. What good would money have been at this moment in his life? It was his faith and his desire to serve his Heavenly Father that healed him and his wife. They are an amazing couple. She was just baptized six months ago but her faith and testimony is powerful.
During testimony meeting today a girl told how her PEF loan was turned down because she was late, so she came to the church, knelt down in the chapel and prayed that something would change so she could continue in school. She went to the school and they said “we know your church, they will pay so go to class and make up the work.” The school went to bat for her and the PEF loan was approved. Again money could not buy this young ladies faith and testimony that God answers prayers and would provide a way.
A few days ago we took Patricia, our recent convert, visiting with us. We went to see Sister Msibi and her family. We hadn’t been there since Christmas day. (Shame on us). It turned out that Patricia knew Sister Msibi and they embraced when they saw each other. (It wasn’t money that bought this friendship because both of them have none.) There was laundry hanging all over which had taken her all day (they scrub by hand and have to triple rinse and then hang wherever they can find a place – but wow their clothes are clean). She was exhausted and too weak to get more water for cooking. So Patricia, Dennis and I volunteered to go get her some. Dennis and I had no idea what this entailed. We gathered the buckets and walked through tall grass, shrubs, through fences to finally get to the tap where they get their water. We filled up and started back. We took three breaks before we made it back. I don’t know how they do it….they cook, wash, drink from these buckets which hold very little. We noticed that there was no food in the little spot where they usually keep it and wondered how they were surviving. Just before we left two of the children came back…they had been out selling mangos from their yard homestead to homestead. Sister Msibi counted what was collected and asked the daughter to hurry to the neighborhood store to get some maize and a candle for the night. That was as far as the money would go. That was going to be their meal for the evening and the candle would light their way until morning. We told Wendy that we would drive her to the store because it was about to close. When we got there we bought some maize and a bunch of candles for them. That, however, is not the point for the story. When we took Patricia home, she said, “I helped someone today. I am happy.” Money cannot buy that kind of happiness. Only serving someone else and forgetting your own difficult situation, brings that kind of happiness.
Sister Msibi and Patricia
Yes, we are truly rich in the “eternal” things of life.
Money could not buy the spirit that was present at our Zone Conference on Monday, January 28th. I love these times every 3 months…a time to sit back and be taught by our leaders. And the best part was I did not have to play the piano. An elder was transferred to New Castle that plays the piano—truly the Lord blessed me. Now if he could just transfer an elder into our Zone to play for District Conference. Now for that, I might pay a large amount of money! It was Elder Kinyaka’s birthday so I had made 2 chocolate cakes at home and brought them so we could celebrate with all 40 of us. After conference we stayed over with the Millers so I could get my hair cut on Tuesday. We went out to dinner with the Wildings and Millers. We always enjoy our visits with the other senior couples. Also, Sister Dludlu called who is our district music coordinator and asked if I would play the opening, intermediate and closing hymns for conference. I said yes but I really need a miracle right now. Either the Lord has to immediately make me proficient at the piano or some wonderful elder that plays the piano has to transfered in and rescue me! Please everyone pray for a miracle. I wish money could buy one for me.
Sister Miller, Elder Lorimer and others
Break time
Our Swazi Zone with Pres. and Sister Von Stetten and AP’s
Zone Conference tradition – pizza
Elder Kinyaka’s birthday cake
Elder Ntombela was one of our very first missionaries when we came. He is going home next transfer.
Elder Lorimer and Elder Ntombela practicing for their song for Zone Conference
The New Castle zone has a young man that received his mission call to Kenya. His father has refused to support him in any way so he has no means to purchase the clothing needed for his mission. Sister Wilding asked if we could help with the shirts and ties that Jaxon had collected and sent for his Eagle Project. I was delighted….so I had brought 4 shirts and numerous ties. That young man had received permission to come to zone conference. He arrived without a white shirt and tie…..we were able to dress him for the occasion. He looked like a missionary.
The Wildings and Sister Miller
Tuesday, January 29th we got up early and I went for a walk with Sister Miller, got my hair cut and returned home late. Elder Lorimer and Heki came over and we enjoyed dinner and good conversation together.
Our oldest grandson’s birthday was Wednesday, January 30th. He is a 14-years old. He has been such a delight in our lives. A great young man to lead out on our grandchildren and show them the direction they need to take to return to our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for his eagle project of white shirt and ties and the difference they are making in the lives of these young men. Jaxon, you are a great young man and we love you dearly. (Jaxon, I have no pictures of just you. What’s up with that?)
Jaxon (the tallest in the middle) and his family
Jaxon and the friends that helped him with his Eagle Project
Again, we woke early to make it to Gone Rural to join some of their staff for training of a group of their weavers up the Tea Road in the middle of nowhere. (If you understood that, you are amazing. Sometimes my words fail me.) Remember, these are the ladies that make baskets to provide income for raising their children. We accompanied a group of them a few weeks ago to see their water projects. This Gone Rural organization is incredible with their vision of helping these rural ladies to survive. We followed their big truck with a trailer full of materials that they need to make the baskets. They exchange the materials with them and the ladies give them finished products. Along with the exchanges, they were doing training on a new design that they are making; one lady was there to sign these ladies’ children up for school (Gone Rural provides the fees for some of the children to attend because of lack of funds); they had medicines that they were providing for some ladies; the ladies were weaving as all this was going on. Then some of the ladies had brought food that they sold. There was a lot going on and then some of the children returned from school and joined the ladies. It was so fun. Some of these ladies became instant friends.
They met under these trees – there were over 70 (I know because I made 70 cookies and I ran out)
This lady is the one that was signing up the children for school – she has a great vision of what she would like to see happen for these ladies’ children. Look how tender she is with them.
Look at those ladies in front of the picture – they are doing all this to provide for those children in the background (Everyone student in Swaziland has to wear a uniform – another expense)
The medicine they were providing
They let me join them in the finishing touches
This lady did not speak much English, but we figured out that she made these rolls. I asked her if she had an oven (silly me). Her reply that she cooked in ground. She got up at 4:00 to make them. We bought one for E1 – maybe 10 cents. Dennis sure enjoyed them.
This is corn bread cooked in the husks – E5 – about 60 cents
These are the cute girls that did all the work – schooling, hygiene and new design training
Whoever started this had an amazing vision of what could be done to help these women in rural areas. It has developed into a project that changes lives and touches the old and young. These women need so much – hopefully the church can help in a small way to provide clean water.
That night we joined the Van Gass’ at the Ezulwini chapel for training of the Branch Presidents on helping their members with addiction problems. Elder and Sister Van Gass are from the Area office in Joburg. He is a psychiatrist and serving a mission to assist the missionaries who need help and training the wards and branches.
Elder and Sister Van Gass
Thursday, January 31st, we showed the Van Gass’ around the area. They went to the Cultural Village and then we had lunch. Machawe came over and helped me finish my DVD for the elders with the pictures from our Christmas party and Christmas day with the orphans. I borrowed some African Christmas music from Elder Gideme and it really made the DVD fun. I presented it to them the night before transfers. They enjoyed it. Machawe and Sbu joined us for dinner. It is great having them around.
February 1st – Malia’s birthday and she is 8 and will be baptized on the 2nd. She will share this special occasion with her cousin, Shelby, who will be blessed right after. Another special event that we will miss but we were represented….Malia’s middle name is Dennis’ middle name, Lynn and Shelby’s middle name is Taunia. So hopefully we were thought of when their names were mentioned. We love you Malia. What a gorgeous young girl you have become.
The day started with boarding checks. The elders are doing much better at keeping their boardings in a Celestial/Terrestial state. We bought a new bed for an elder that was sleeping on springs, then we picked up Patricia from work and we went a did some visiting teaching with her. First we went to see Dumsile Dlamini who was in the car accident. We took her some food and Patricia visited with her. Then we dropped in on Sister Dlamini, her family is inactive and we have been visiting them. Again, Patricia visited. Another Sister Dlamini was on our schedule – the one with the small baby. She lost her teaching job in Nhlangano and was hoping to find something closer so she could stay home, but she had not been successful. She will probably have to leave her two boys and go to Lavumiso (about 2 hour drive) to teach. Life is hard. Patricia is a natural at visiting. She loved it and asked to go again with us. She will make an amazing Relief Society president in the future. You just wait and see. That is in store for her. That night Elder Heki and Elder Lorimer came over and fixed shepherds pie for us. This is one of Dennis’ favorite. These young men can cook and we enjoyed every bite.
Dumsile and her daughter
School teacher Sister Dlamini (I really need to find out their first names)
They went and cut some corn off their stalks for us – victory
Saturday, February 2nd – Malia’s baptism and Shelby’s blessing. Money cannot buy these ordinances that were performed by the priesthood authority. Congratulations to them and their families.
Malia Lynn Lombardi
Shelby Taunia Bytheway
While our family was celebrating some wonderful things, we were enjoying a busy Saturday. After doing some baking, we drove to the Manzini chapel where I practiced the piano for district conference. Eish the miracle has not happened yet. While I practiced for two hours, Dennis took some crutches to Sister Shoba, developed lots of pictures, went to pay for the marriage counseling. On our way home we went to visit the Dlamini family because yesterday in our visit she said that her husband would be home, but he wasn’t. We had another good visit with her and her daughter. She said that they would come to church and guess what, on Sunday they did. We also invited them to district conference next week, and they said that they would attend. After, we picked up Patricia and went to see the Msibi family. I told you about this visit in the beginning. What a humbling evening we had with the family. The babe has returned from the hospital and stayed in his dwelling. Patricia went up to him, sat down and they laughed together. I honestly love this lady. She was such a big help. When we took her home, all our hearts were full with joy and love.
Sister Shoba and her new crutches
Sister Dlamini doing her daughter’s hair
Our Msibi experience
Our walk through this jungle to fetch their water
The girls coming home from selling which they do everyday after school to provide money for their survival
Buying their nights meal at the local grocer
Sunday, February 3 was fabulous. Can’t begin to express the spirit that was felt this day. Eish, incredible. We picked up Lalela’s son, Clinton, for church. She felt confident enough about the church to let him come by himself as she had to work. He was ready for us with his new white shirt and tie. He was an immediate hit at church. We introduced him to some young men and they came and sat with us during Sacrament meeting and then took him to Primary with them. The spirit was so strong in sacrament meeting that I wept. They had 4 investigators bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and that they wanted to be baptized. The Spirit is moving in Swaziland! One YSA member who is leaving to go to school at Richard’s Bay bore a powerful testimony. The faith of these members constantly put me in awe! One young man bore his testimony that is getting baptized today. He had on an orange shirt. I inquired after if he had a white shirt. The answer was no. Dennis and I rushed back home and got him a white shirt and tie (we took a quite a few other white shirts and ties so they would have some their. This was the branch president that had been pleading with the members to please bring some). They went and got him out of class and gave him the shirt. He immediately proceeded to put it on. His joy was a great reward. After church we attended the baptisms of Spetfo Mamba and Mlonishwa Shoba. Again, a spiritual experience…one that could not be bought with money. Their testimonies were strong and sincere. We took Clinton home – he will be alone from now, 2:00 until 10:00 when his make gets home. He says that he knows what to do and will be fine. I didn’t want to leave him but that is life here for these people. We hurried back to church so I could play for the choir practice and Dennis could attend his district meeting. After choir while waiting for Dennis to finish his meeting, I talked to Xolani about his marriage and work plans. He has the desire, the skills, the vision but not the opportunity. Somehow I know the Lord will provide the path for this young man. The elders came over in the evening for transfer news. I made a simple sausage gravy over homemade baking powder biscuits and they loved it. I also made oreo dessert which they devoured. There were a few unexpected transfer information but most we knew. Another wonderful Sabbath day in the magical kingdom of Swaziland!
Lalela and her son, Clinton, ready for church
Spetfo Mamba receiving his new shirt – getting ready for his baptism
The baptism of Spetfo Mamba and Mhlonishwa Shoba
The two young men
His new white shirt and tie
Sister Shoba and her crutches. She walked to church with them. She is the make of Mhlonishwa. Most of her 9 children are now baptized but she is not. We have to get this woman in the waters. She bore her testimony expressing her knowledge of the truthfulness of the gospel. But she says she has already been baptized so doesn’t need to do it again.
Transfer news
All this money cannot buy. My heart is full of joy and thankfulness to my Heavenly Father for this opportunity to serve Him. My cup runneth over with spiritual blessings that money cannot buy! I am a rich woman but I think these people are richer.
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