GOOD WORKS May 13–19, 2013

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”  Matt 16:27

There are a number of people here in Swaziland that will receive great rewards for their good works.  They go about quietly doing good in their day to day life.  I would like to share with you some events that happened this week that will testify of this statement.

Today we went to Nhlangano to attend church.  When we arrived we could not see Pres. Bulunga’s bakki so we thought he hadn’t arrived yet.  But there he was scattering around as usual because basically he is the one and only one that runs the branch.  He has a counselor but he seldom shows up.  It is quite a dilemma for him.  A little background before I finish with the story.  This amazing branch president lost his wife three years ago leaving him with 3 young children and president of a branch that has little priesthood that can help him bare all the responsibilities.  We approached him to discuss an upcoming event and he said I really need to go get my children.  Okay, it was about 10 minutes before church was to start.  I thought you are going to be awfully late because he lives quite a distance away.  He then asked Dennis if he could drive him to go get them.  So he did.  He found them and 2 other children along the main road about 4 kilometers from the church in the president’s bakki.  Now this bakki is not like a regular bakki (truck).  It has a cab but the back of he bakki has no sides.  So these children were just sitting and waiting for their father to come back.  Eish, the thought of driving 5 little children in the back of a bakki with no sides is extremely frightening.  And then leaving them alone for any amount of time is even more frightening.  The bakki had broken down on their way to church.  He had to leave them there, walked to church in hopes of getting someone to help him pick them up.  There is only one other vehicle that ever comes to church besides the missionaries and our elders were in Gege.  So glad Dennis was there.  Why do I share this story for one of good works?  The car that he does own has been broken down for a couple of months now and he has no money to get it fixed.  He is a school teacher but they make very little and he is trying to support his children and also, has to pay for someone to help him take care of them.  He has been faithfully fulfilling his branch president responsibilities, be father and mother to his children, do his school work…..all with no transportation.  He is one amazing man that I have learned to revere and one who exemplifies “good works”. And I never see him that he doesn’t have a huge SMILE.   We asked him today how much he needs to fix his car.  He said that they told him around E3000 which in American money is around $350.  He said he has been trying to come up with it for a couple of months but as yet has been unsuccessful.  And then ends it with “No problem.” He will receive a great reward with his good works.

President Bulunga and his youngest son

There was a district father/son activity yesterday.  I will tell you more about it later but Dennis was father to a great many young single adult men.  They all had a marvelous time and he took some great pictures.  So we thought they would enjoy seeing the group picture at church on Sunday.  We went to get it developed and the young lady that was helping us told us she knew a lot of these boys…..that she stayed where they did meaning lived in Lobamba.  She exclaimed how they have changed their life and are now happy and good to be around.  She then said that she sees how much our church has changed them and would like to go to our church but she can’t because she has to work every Sunday.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16  These young men are glorifying their Father in Heaven.

Some of our Lobamba Boys

The good works of all these amazing women who run the NCP Care Points throughout Swaziland will gain them rewards in heaven.  They volunteer their time, energy and love to 70,000 orphans to provide them a place of safety, nourishment, education but specially a place to know that they are “special”.  This is Noni and Abigail that share this knowledge to 72 orphans in Lobamba.

“And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them; Behold your little ones. And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.” 3 Nephi 17:23 – 24

Before 9:00 a.m. on Monday we had gone to the store to purchase food for the care point and delivered it, Senzo had come over to create a CV and letter of recommendation and we met up with Elder and Sister Kyle.  Then we proceeded to pick up Jerome and drove to the TV station to promote the Music and Spoken Word.  The church has bought the rights on You Tube to show it free of charge of any station in the world.  So we are trying to get them to broadcast it.  After, we came back home so they could write a letter for admittance to the Council of Churches while I fixed breakfast.  Nathi came over to tell us that he could not get four elders passports reactivated after they deactivated them while at the border when they came across.  That is a big problem for zone conference on May 22nd because they will not let them leave the country without their work permits and they won’t get them done by then.  I got a little heated – like a mama bear looking after her cubs – I told him they couldn’t hold these elders hostage.  How can a country deactivate passports and tell them they can’t leave the country.  Not right!  After I was through, he said, “Sister Lombardi I have never seen you like this.  You surprise me!”  I asked Dennis after if I was really that strong and he said, “yea, you were a little heated.”  I still do not think it is right, though!  Then we took the Kyles and Jerome to the care point to meet some of the kids.  It is school break so just some of the kids come to have a meal.  So cute.  We were driving on the street by the school and there were some children on the side.  As we drove by one of them waved at us with the I LOVE YOU sign.  It was one of the kids from the care point.  That has become a special sign to those we meet.  We then went to the Council of the Churches twice to finally meet the person in charge and to the princes’ office twice to be able to see him.  While in Prince Masetsela’s office we were talking about Swazi names and he just looked at Dad and said your name is Kuthula – which means peace.  Isn’t that perfect for Dad.  So your dad now has a Swazi name given to him by a prince and he chose the perfect name for him.  There are a lot of people having a great time coming up with a name for me.  We went to Jerome’s home to pick up something and then hurried home for FHE with the Lobamba boys.

It looks like at one time they were going to build some nice outhouses but never completed the project….

This is what they use – notice no doors

Prince Masetsela

Sibusiso Dlamini

Lesson

Eating……..

laughter

Tuesday we took a drive to Piet Reteif (1 1/2 hours) to meet up with the Millers.  Elder Miller is putting together pictures for a DVD for the Von Stettens to be shown at Zone Conference next week.  So I gathered pictures from the last year of elders, activities, etc and put them on a flash drive (children are you impressed that I can do that) to give to them.  When we got there, the restaurant that we were planning on going was closed due to rioting in the city.  There were only a few restaurants and stores open because the blacks were protesting and burning homes and tires on the roads so people could not get out.  The Millers had not been aware but when they tried to leave the road back to New Castle was lined with people and there were fires.  They were frightened but someone directed them to another route out.  It was longer but they were safe.  We had no problem getting out.  I guess they don’t care if they go to Swaziland.  When we arrived home Dennis took the Manzini elders around to appointments because their bakki is being serviced.

Craig and Marvel Miller

Wednesday, May 14th, was another day of driving. We picked up Thoko Shongwe and Machawe and drove to Manzini, Nhlangano and Gege taking pictures of all the places that churches had been held before their current chapels.  We really had a good time.  Sister Shongwe is our Church History Director and is compiling the history of the church in Swaziland from its beginning.  We are adding pictures and it has been fun being part of this work.  The reason for all the moves have been because of the rumors spread about the church – that we drink blood and worship Satan.  I can’t figure out how they can even begin to think that. The members are so thrilled to finally get their own place.  We need to get Gege a resting place.  Dennis attended District Presidency Meeting when we arrived home.

In Manzini it started in the home of Eric and Nomsa Malinga.  He was Police Commissioner for Manzini and was not a member at this time.  But he allowed them to hold it in their home.  We went to take a picture of their  home but they would not let us – the current Police Commissioner lives there.  They then moved to the George Hotel.

The room where they held services.

After they were kicked out of the hotel, the church bought this home where they met while they were building……

…their current building

The road to get to Nhlangano’s current building

They first met here at an agricultural school.

Then to this non-existent building at the stadium (they were surprised that it had been torn down)

They said that during services there were games going on in the stadium and they could hear the people cheering.

This pre-school was next…..

followed by the high school.

Gege’s school were they meet now…..

…but before they met at the Malinga’s home.

Eric and Nomsa Malinga

Thoko, Me and Nomsa – I need one of those scarves.  Don’t you think we should start wearing those in America.  It would sure save a lot of stress.

Thoko and Machawe Shongwe

Getting pictures for the history

We found these children on the way.  Look at those creative cars that they made with what they had.

Thursday, May 16th was spent trying to solve the employment problems here in Swaziland.  We had an appointment with Debbie at a place called TechnoServe – an organization developed to increase opportunities for entrepreneurs in Swaziland in order to expand employment and income.  Our son-in-law headed us in their direction through a program of farming bees that he found on-line.  We found out that they have a lot of other programs that they assist with.  It was an enlightening visit and we are waiting for more information from her colleagues.  Then we met up with Sibusiso for an appointment that Dennis had set up for him to meet Dr. Frew at the Ezulwini clinic.  Sibusiso wants to be a doctor and we want to keep that dream alive.  He met with him for about an hour giving him direction on what he needs to do to follow in that path.  After we took him with us to meet Nokwanda – the girl at the fruit stand.  He was able to bear testimony to her of the importance of reading the Book of Mormon.  He told her that it brings him joy and peace when he reads it.  Such a simple, sweet testimony he has.  Lunch at KFC followed.  Dennis had to go with the Ezulwini elders this time because their bakki is now in the shop getting fixed. 

Sibusiso and Dr. Frew

At home, Trina and Trista went to see my dad.  This is Liam with him.

Liam and Shelby – my two little ones that I have not seen.  They have stolen my heart!

Trina with her new little one – Liam

We started Friday,May 17th by visiting a family in Manzini that had recently moved from Mbabane.  Two of the children were part of the ten that were baptized a few weeks ago.  Make and babe are almost finished with the lessons and plan on being baptized next month.  But they ran into a snag.  The homestead that they were staying at kicked them out when they were baptized.  They had told them that they would and they stood by their decision.  They found a place in Manzini which is 30 minute drive from Mbabane so the Manzini elders will finish with their discussions.  They have nothing.  No bedding, no furniture, no food…all they have is a little burner to cook food on.  The Mbabane elders took us there so we could meet them and know where they live.  Getting there was an experience.  We have been on some pretty bad roads here in Swaziland, but this road was bad and scary.  I really did not like it but it was worth taking it when we met the family.  The parents were out looking for jobs so we visited with the children and told them we would come back.  We left them with some brownies and blankets.  We then contacted Pres. Mthethwa of the Manzini branch to see if they could help.  There are just so many sad situations here.  If we could win a lottery, I know just what we would do with it.  We ran errands and visited with Patricia.  It was Elder Norbert’s birthday, so the Ezulwini elders came over for popcorn and games.  He wants his cake on Monday night with the Lobamba boys.  Marcose and Sifiso came over earlier to visit with us.  We had just found out about the passing of Sister Monson and shared the news with them.  They became very quiet then started to leave.  We asked why they were leaving and Marcose said that the news made him very sad and he just wanted to go home.  He shared later that his mother had passed away a year ago on his birthday – May 18th – which was the following day.  Too many sad memories.  They love their Prophet and his family here in Swaziland. 

Don’t know the family’s name – new and former missionaries

The two oldest are the ones that were baptized.  Their parent are to soon follow.

Those are bags put there to fill in holes

We attracted quite a gathering – aren’t they cute

I was trying to capture how impassable this road was – it didn’t work

Elder Norbert’s birthday – we turned the caramel popcorn into a birthday cake

Playing Mormon Bridge

Father/Sons outing in Swaziland is as awesome as it is at home.  On Saturday, May 18th, Dennis was privileged to be father to around 10 young men – actually, there were very few babes at the activity but the ten are the ones he escorted.  When they arrived no one that was in charge was there.  They waited for awhile and then Dennis took over and started playing games.  He entertained over 40 people with games for 2 1/2 hours.  Way to go Dennis.  And they are still talking about it.  They loved it.  They played some water game with a sacrament cup, another game where you run around, divided up into groups for sevens, etc.  Finally the food arrived at 1:00 and then the man in charge showed up for a short program.  He was gone from 9:00 – 4:00.  He said he was stressed at first but did love the time spent with them.  Seriously, the boys keep talking about it.  I am sure most of them have never been to a father/son activity and never with such a fabulous man. While he was gone I made posters and file folders for the YSA Convention coming up in September in Johannesburg that we are encouraging Swazi YSA’s to attend.  I wrote emails to the parents of our elders here, watched our family DVD while I exercised, made bread and soup, laundered – filled my day totally but missed not being there.  Later, we took Patricia to the movie "’The Impossible”.  Great movie but hard to watch the devastation that tsunami caused to the country and in the lives of the people.  A true story that really does seem impossible.  We later went to see the Mbabane elders – especially Elder Lowry who lost his grandfather on Sunday.  That touched my heart because of the lose of my dear mother when Ty and Koy were on missions.

Father/Sons Activity

Shame - Dennis was behind the camera

Sunday, May 19, 2013 was spent in Nhlangano.  I told you the story of their amazing President.  Sacrament services was great and Sunday School was superb. They confirmed a lady that had been baptized last week and we were so glad to be there for that.   She was taught by Elder Armstrong and Wilson.  We don’t always make it to Nhlangano’s baptisms which makes us sad.  She is a delightful woman.  We had to leave early so Dennis could make it to his District PEC meeting.  Nathi and Masisi came over and spent a delightful couple of hours.  Such a cute, fun couple.  They’re still planning on marrying in a couple of weeks.

Lady in Nhlangano baptized – I didn’t get her name….shame

Some of the investigators

Elder Nzioka with the branch miss leader and an investigator

“…I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all.  Amen.” Mosiah 5:15