This weekend Swaziland was ablaze with the spirit.
“Fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit's actions. The prayer of the prophet Elijah, who "arose like fire" and whose "word burned like a torch," brought down fire from heaven on the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. This event was a "figure" of the fire of the Holy Spirit, who transforms what he touches.
John the Baptist proclaims Christ as the one who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jesus will say of the Spirit: "I came to cast fire upon the earth." The spiritual symbolism of fire is one of the most expressive images of the Holy Spirit's actions.” This is the kind of spirit that penetrated Swaziland this weekend.
Ten were baptized on Saturday in the Mbabane branch. TEN! We think that is a record for the most baptized at the same time in a single branch here in Swaziland. It was a powerful ceremony and their testimonies after were simple but given from the heart. Then the following day, Sunday, they were all confirmed. Elders Condie and Holmes gave the most amazing blessings. They each took turns and with every person confirmed different blessings were given. The spirit talked personally to these young and not so young people. Phrases like “guarded by the spirit”; “strength to share your testimony”; “spirit will fill your soul”; “eager to serve in the church”; “confidence in the things that you know”; “fill more fully God’s love in your life”; “keep the promises that you have made at baptism alive”. I was truly impressed with the maturity these young men exemplified during those 25 minutes of being the “spokesman for the Lord”.
Boysie Dlamini (a returned missionary) and some of our newest members
Two more were baptized on Sunday in the Ezulwini branch. Two sweet young single adults that will add strength and power to this branch. Their testimonies after were again given with conviction and humbleness.
Lungile Nkambula (baptized), Elder Norbert, Mbongiseni, Sifiso (baptized), Elder Kiwumi
During all this, Bro. Courtney, our patriarch, was here giving 13 patriarchal blessings to members in the Ezulwini Branch. He gave 3 Friday night, 8 Saturday and 2 Sunday. After Saturday’s marathon, he came home and went into his room. He told us later that after entering his room, he knelt down and asked Heavenly Father to give him strength to finish the evening. He said he stayed on his knees for about 5 minutes and during that time felt strength enter his body. He came out, said he was now ready and we went to dinner with 3 other couples. What an amazing man Bro. Courtney is. It is a privilege to have him in our home.
Patricia and Patriarch Courtney after her blessing
After the baptisms on Sunday, we had a fireside for all the Seminary and Institute students in the district. Sofiso Madela from the area office in Johannesburg who is over CES, came and gave 50 young people a marvelous talk on the importance of education and faithfulness to get out of poverty. He told his story which is very similar to what a lot of these young people are facing. He was raised by his gogo in Durban with 8 other boys in a two room building where they cooked and slept. He found the gospel at 18. He went the route of education and faithfulness while others in his family did not. They are still wandering while he has a good job, a beautiful family, is bishop and finds happiness in doing what is right. He then proceeded to tell them that they, too, could find themselves able to provide for a family without having too fight for the necessities of life if they are willing to fight hard for their education and remain faithful to the covenants they have made with the Lord. He told them that going to church is never an option on Sunday. You do it! I appreciated every word he told them. Now if they just take what was given and add the “spirit that was on fire” and move forward, they will succeed.
Sofiso Madela and his sweet wife and daughter
Some of our amazing Swazi youth
Yes, it was an incredible weekend. Swaziland was on “fire” with the spirit. I pray that that spirit will continue to burn within all of us!
Monday, April 22nd, was really hard for me to get up. I was definitely not on “fire”. Actually kind of bummed out because of the no electricity thing and not being able to talk to Trina. We had to leave before the electricity was back on. We went hunting for furnishings for the new boarding; food shopping for dinner tonight, met up with Nathi in Mbabane. When we arrived home around 3:00, I was able to call Trina. I woke her up but so relieved that I was able to talk to her. That night at our Lobamba boys FHE, one of the new members asked us about the rules for hair in the church. He has dreads and said that he has been getting comments from members that he can’t have them being a priesthood holder. He was concerned and asked us about it. We told him that there is no policy in the church about your hair. He can be a faithful priesthood holder and have dreads (they really are not that long). Then we proceeded to tell him that when he serves a mission, his dreads will have to go.
Marcos – what do you think about his dreads?
Remember last week about my frustrations with modern technology….it was like deja vu this week. We woke Tuesday morning with our internet down but it came on a little later. But when it was time for Dennis’ presidency meeting over Web Ex in the afternoon, it was out again. He had to miss his meeting. Quite disappointing for him. Then earlier in the day he went to the SRA to register the bakkis and said they needed a different tax number since last time. They change their minds as often as women do. Eish. So we met up with Nathi in Mbabance just to find that we need something else before we can get the something else we need. Now you may be confused and I may be evasive, but seriously, that is about my level of understanding. That night Dennis went home teaching with Senzo to the Shongwe’s and had a great visit. Senzo, a recent baptized member, gave a great lesson on obedience. Dennis gave our nightly prayers that night and told the Lord that he was tired of these technological and changing of procedure problems and asked him if he could please stop them – we both burst out laughing. It lightened our spirits and I am sure Heavenly Father was laughing right along with us.
I thought Pace would get a kick out of this
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were days all blended into each other. Such things as boarding checks – they are doing so much better and I have noticed that they are staying that way; attending DDMs with fabulous lessons; went to Mbabane Motors numerous times to complete papers for our new bakki; baking brownies, cookies to make sure I have on hand when needed; buying frig, beds, couches and chairs, supplies for the new boarding in Nhlangano; Dennis attending District and Branch Presidency meetings; going to the government offices numerous times to get tax numbers for the new bakki (Nathi is a life saver – we do not know what we would do without his help); visiting members; visits to our home from Nathi and Masisi – they got a wedding ring!!!!!; Xolani proposed to Futhi and she said yes!!! Busy and enjoyable.
This little girl lives next door to the elders in Nhlangano. She was outside doing her wash right next to our bakki. You’ve got to love these children.
When Koy was here, he mentioned that he did not realize Swaziland was so mountainous. I guess I have not included enough pictures of the beauty of the mountains here. This was taken on our way to Nhlangano and it was overcast and hazy but still beautiful.
Saturday, April 29th I already mentioned the 10 baptisms. A highlight of mission. We also picked up a new bakki! The area office is frustrated with buying South Africa bakkis and Swaziland giving us hassle. So they bought one in Swaziland…. an Isuzu. It also has 4-wheel drive which the other one did not. But this bakki is truly gutless. We cannot go up the slightest incline without having to shift and even then it barely makes it. I just mentioned that Swaziland has lots of mountains and getting to Mbabane from Ezulwini is a huge climb and we take it almost daily. I guess we do not have to worry about getting a speeding ticket….we can’t even go the speed limit.
Ended our glorious day with these wonderful couples and Patriarch Courtney
That was our week. A week with routine missionary responsibilities but a weekend that was powerful and “fire that was brought down from heaven”. The Lord blesses us daily and I am so much grateful for his love and comfort and guidance daily. Weekends like this one are tender mercies that he offers me. I accept them as a gift and hope and pray that they make me a better person for having them.
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Matt. 3:11
I love dad's prayer. Has it been answered?! And I personally like the dreads. Really.
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