DADS–THE GREATEST GIFT FROM GOD June 10–16, 2013

Today we are blessed to live in a world where technology allows us to connect instantly with just about anyone on the planet.  But no matter how advanced we get, there will never be a substitute for the love and support and the presence of a parent in a child’s life.  And most importantly, this is true for fathers.  Fathers seem to bring a stability to the family.  They can instill the value of hard work and integrity; the importance of responsibility in your life.  They are the strength and inspiration in a family.  Here in Swaziland I have seen how the children suffer because of the absence of father.  Fathers, you are a gift from God to your family.  Siyabonga kakhulu for the sacrifice you make for us, your family!

As I reflect back on my life, I can remember the comfort and encouragement that my father gave me.  He was the one that would comb through my long hair when it was  tangled and mom didn’t have the patience to be gentle with me.  He took us on jobs with him and we loved it.  Through his example, I was taught how to love and serve others.  He has been calling over a hundred people on their birthdays for years and I can remember Christmas morning Dad on the phone calling people to wish them a Merry Christmas.   There was never an unkind word said in our home and he treated my mother like a queen.   He showed us all unconditional love and I knew from his example what kind of a man I wanted for a husband.  And I married a man just like him!

As I was thinking of experiences with dad, it was hard to come up with one that did not include my mother.  At first that concerned me.  But as I pondered it, I thought that is probably the greatest compliment I can give my parents.  They were one in every decision made, in every memory created, in every lesson learned.  Thank you dad and mom for your sacrifice and for the vision you gave me of what I could become.

My 95 year-old father

 

Dad with some of the grandchildren

Dad with Trina’s baby – Liam

I was the luckiest girl in the world 42 years ago when I found me a terrific man to marry.   Dennis brought joy to my life, made my dreams come true, stood by me through my ups and downs, is my best friend.  He has been a great husband but even a better father.  Cameo, our daughter, said it better than I…..”I'm so blessed to have grown up with such a selfless, hard working, patient man and spiritual giant as a Dad!”  I know when our children look back on their life, they will remember the wonderful life that their father made for them.  Dennis, you are a good man and I have enjoyed the journey we have been on together.

I want to honor some “adopted” fathers that I have had that privilege of knowing back home in America and at home here in Swaziland.

All my sons – for that is what you are and what great fathers to my grandchildren.  I love you kakhulu

“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.” You are all truly rich!

 

Right here I was going to mention with pictures all our dear friends out there that have been such examples to us of what a father is.  But I really have no pictures of all of you.  So know that we are so much grateful for your friendships and for making us better parents just being around you. 

And to our Swazi “fathers”.  It has only been a year, but you have taught us love, perseverance, long-suffering, “no problem” for every situation, and how to SMILE.  Happy Father’s Day to you all.

Monday, June 10, 2013 started with a nice brisk walk to the police station so we could get some work permits certified.  On our way home we met 6 of our Lobamba children on their way to the Care Point.  They gave us the “I Love You” sign, we ran across the street and received hugs and loves from them.  I do not know their names but their faces will be forever imprinted in my heart.  They are so thirsty for love and acceptance…….just to know that they are “special” to someone.  That we can give them because they are more than special to us.  They are a part of us and we shall never forget the lessons of life that we have learned from them.  After taking a long time to get ready because of constant interruptions, we went to pick up Zweli to get his TB testing done for his mission papers.  Dennis had told him at church that we would be there in the morning.  Well, we didn’t get there until a little after 11:00 – morning, right? – and he was outside waiting for us.  He had been waiting all morning not knowing what time Dennis meant.  We had tried to call him but his phone was not working.  I felt so bad that he had been outside waiting for so long.  What a patient and forgiving young man he is.  I will never allow someone to wait for me that long again.  When I say morning, early morning it will be.  We took him to Mbabane hospital – a government hospital.  There were people all over the place waiting to see doctors, have blood work done, etc.  It took Zweli 6 months to get his mission papers prepared with all his medical and dental work done.  He said that he would wait all day and then be told it was too late.  Or he would wait all day and they would do one thing and tell him to come back for the other 10 things.  He said he had to give up his snack shack because he couldn’t find time to get all the paper work done and run the shack.  They are extremely rude to the people and he made a comment that if people like us were around, he probably could have done all the work in one day.  Another pledge, we will help Mbongiseni with his papers so he doesn’t have to go through all this humiliation.  I proceeded to tell Zweli that he forged the way for all the “boys” to follow in his footsteps on mission.  Now they and we know what to do to accomplish the paper work here in Swaziland.  Isn’t that what “firstborns” do?  They make it so much easier for the rest to follow.  We picked up his chest x-rays, got his blood type and TB testing materials.  We have to come back two more times to get the results of the TB test.  Another point of interest – it costs him about 4 American dollars for Kombi each time he has to come to Mbabane which is a real sacrifice for him. On our way home we took him to lunch.  When he looked at the menu, he said he wasn’t used to this food.  We weren’t sure what he meant.  So Dennis asked him when I fix dinners for Monday night, would he rather have Africa food.  He immediately answered no.  He’s had too much Africa food.  We bought him a shake and he loved it.  In course of our conversation, I asked him if he had a special place he would like to serve.  His response : “I was taught it is not where I serve, but how I serve.”  Doesn’t that sound like a life-long member?  I am constantly being taught by these young men.  We found out he has a love for reading but now he only likes to read church books……he just finished ‘Jesus the Christ’ in a month.  Dennis asked him if he understood it.  It was a hearty “yes” reply.  What a testimony builder this afternoon was for us.  When the gospel takes hold, they can’t get enough of it……Sunday at church, Monday at our home, Saturday in institute and every other day books like "’Jesus the Christ”.  When was the last time we spent so much time ‘thirsting after righteousness”. Zweli was just sustained as Ezulwini Branch YM President.  His comment on this:  “I learn more when I teach.  For those of us who never had Young Men, we have a lot to learn.”  I seriously think I need more lessons to learn than he does.  Well, that was a long testimony of the goodness of Zweli.  Hopefully you can love and appreciate this young man as we do.  After dropping him off, we came home to Sbu washing our car, the elders coming over for good-byes and a potato bar for the Lobamba boys’ PMG.

Where Zweli stays

Zweli’s mission picture

 

Elders Stengile, Karabonyana, Weston

Sorry bad picture but these two are going home – Karabonyano and Holmes. They’re going to be missed!

Elder Jones being transferred – he was born here in Swaziland

Nhlanhla and Senzo doing dishes

FUN, FUN TIMES

TRANSFER DAY  Tuesday, June 11th was again transfers.  It seems they come around way too often….especially when we have good groups that work so well together and have a passion for missionary work.  We love these elders.  The day began early because it was going to be a long drive and I wanted to make sure that we had enough to eat.  I made caramel popcorn, chicken sandwiches, fruit, peanut butter brownies.  We picked up Lungelo, who is serving the 6-week mini mission, and Elder Jones.  Elder Karabonyana and Holmes left at 5:30 a.m. on Monday to head to Durban for their closing dinner and testimony meeting.  The drive to Piet Retief was beautiful as usual but meeting the Millers there was the best.  Lunch at Mama Mia’s with the elders was on the agenda and was enjoyed by all.  The Millers took Lungelo and Elder Jones while our new missionary was Elder Simkins.  We continued down South Africa to meet up with two new elders coming to Swaziland from the Durban area – Elder Bingham (our new zone leader) and Elder Shumway.  But we waited for almost three hours because they had a flat tire coming up and discovered there was no jack nor key to get the tire down.  They had to call elders from Richards Bay – an hour drive – to come and rescue them.  We finally met up at 7:00, got through the border okay, drove to Manzini, dropped off Elder Shumway and then to Mbabane where Elder Bingham will be staying.  Home 10:30 dead tired.

Picking up Lungelo Nyoni

Lungelo, Elder Jones, Den, and Elder Caldwell

Meeting up with the Millers and Elder Simkins

The time I hate – saying good-bye

Elder Simkins likes to talk…so I let him sit up front to keep Dennis awake while driving.

Elder Caldwell meeting his new comp – Elder Shumway

Mbabane elders meeting

Elder Goodwin and Elder Bingham

NOTE: Just so you know that this is my mission journal and that is why I do a daily recollection.  There is not one moment I want to forget and if  do not record it, I forget what I did a few hours ago.  Tonight they had correlation here and we were talking about last Sunday.  I couldn’t remember what branch we had visited and what we had done.  The elders had to tell me what I did on Sunday.  Shame…. So please forgive me if I sound repetitive and a little boasting.  I do not mean to – I just want to remember everything and I am so afraid I will forget…even making brownies almost every morning!!

Our dear OSCAR’s birthday is June 12th! Happy Birthday to an awfully cute 3-year-old.  We left when he was a baby and when we return he will be so grown up.  He has such a cute personality – full of life and mischievousness.  His look melts you.  Love you Oscar!

Wednesday, June 12th started magnificently and ended with tragedy.  All in one day.  We met Zweli at 10:00 (we told him 10, we were there and he was waiting) and took him to Mbabane to take his TB tests in.  It is Sbu’s birthday, so Zweli and us took a birthday cake into his work to celebrate.  He was surprised!  We then, met with Elders Shumway and Caldwell to get their doctor papers filled out for work permits.  While we were there we received a phone call that the place where Senzo 2 stays had burned down.  We drove immediately over to find one building burned, their outhouse and part of a kitchen.  His sister stayed in the building that burned and everything she owned went down with it….her school uniform, her books, her shoes and clothes – all she has is what she was wearing which was a t-shirt and wrap around.  Apparently, just two little children – 2 and 3 – were at home when it started.  No one knows how.  Everyone else was at work or school.  Can you imagine leaving that young of children at home by themselves? The children were not hurt – they started crying and ran to the neighbors.  When we got there the embers were still burning.  Dennis grabbed some branches and started stirring and then pouring water over it.  Many of the Lobamba boys were there to help.  When the mother got home she was devastated.  She is trying to raise children and grandchildren alone – no one to help her carry the burden.  There is 10 living there.  After a while, I just held her as she cried.  We hurried home so I could fix them a meal.  Mac was scheduled to come over to work on a DVD for the president but he ended up collecting the pictures on his own as I prepared some food.  We, Mac and Manqoba came with us,  took the food over, Dennis dropped me off and then he went to District presidency meeting. Later that night Elders Ogutu and Norbert came over to inform us that Nhlanhla was suspended from school on accusations of dealing drugs which he claims is untrue.  A few days later he was readmitted.  Oh, what a day.

Senzo 2 homestead

The two children that were home alone – the little boy is Senzo’s child

The creative children make their own toys – just made from milk carton, lids and stick – you see them all over

Thursday was filled full to the brim.  We were at Senzo’s at 8:00 and we were the last ones there!  Both Senzo’s, Zweli, Sifiso, Majaha, Mbongiseni, Manqoba and the elders were all there.  We cleared all the burned straw, logs and unsalvageable items to the bakkis, drove the load to the dump which was about a two block size away in the middle of where they lived, back again, etc.  Then we went and bought a toilet for them and came back and rebuilt the outhouse to the point where they could use it.  They worked hard.  Manqoba, our Elders Quorum President,  compared it to the members in Salt Lake.  There are so many Lobamba members that live close, that whenever a need arises, they are right there to immediately respond – not like most places in Africa where they are all spread apart.  Great comparison.  Zion right in the middle of Lobamba!  We hurried home to shower and then met the Larsens from Joburg that were here with their granddaughter and husband who had just been married on Saturday – spending their honeymoon with grandma and grandpa! We took 100 oranges to the care point and they were a hit!  It was so fun.  Then off to Ezulwini Market, Manzini Market, Baobab Batik and then home to crash.

Where to begin

The outhouse was where you see the lay out of bricks in front of picture

The night before life was too much to bear – today a smile.  The Lord sent people to help her

Our bakki loaded with burned straw and logs

Make (mom) and sister of Senzo

The two little ones enjoying breakfast

Someone’s phone – Elder Ogutu, Senzo, Elder Norbert

Look at some of the previous pictures to see how this room looked before….this was  the younger sisters room

The dump

King of the dump

Building the outhouse

Trying out the new toilet

Lobamba Care Point

It is becoming to be a common occurrence to begin the day with Zweli.  We picked him up at 8:30 to get his TB results at the Mbabane hospital but of course they were not ready (it was a good thing we did not come on Thursday like they suggested) so we took him home because we were told we could pick them up without him.  We took bikes in, bought a jack for the Mbabane elders, then took Senzo to order an uniform for his sister. We were suppose to go visiting with Chosen but she couldn’t at last minute so after picking up Zweli’s TB results we went home and prepared dinner for the YSA’s that were coming over for movie and dinner.  We showed States of Grace. 

The seamstress that is making a new school uniform

YSA activity

Saturday morning at 8:00 we collected 5 Lobamba young men to take to a service project in Mbabane.  They are digging a septic tank for one of the members.  We arrived an hour before anyone else.  They were calling the Mbabane youth “white kitchen” members.  I had no idea what that was until they explained that they didn’t have to get up before dawn to get the wood, start the fire outside and prepare breakfast.  All they had to do was get up, go into a kitchen and eat – known as a white kitchen.  Sure enough these youth are better off with the “things” of life but these young men were working hard digging long before the others arrived.  We had to leave them so we could get to Nhlangano to take supplies to the elders.  Hurried home to attend a baptism in the Mbabane branch and deliver heaters and brownies to the Manzini elders.  When we got home the Petersons from the area office came over to visit.  I made Father’s Day wrappers for candy bars to give out on Sunday.

Digging a septic tank

 

Nhlangano elders – Nzioka, Preslar, Armstrong, Wilson

The joy of cleaning the chapel – I loved her testimony

Baptism of Thuli Kunene

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of the kindest young ladies I know, my sweet daughter - Misti!!!  What a glorious day to be celebrating with your father.  What an incredible young lady you have turned into.  We are so proud of all that you have done in your life.  We pray that the future will hold new adventures for you and happiness in your pursuits.

 

Father’s Day was Sunday June 16th.  I made Dennis his breakfast but didn’t serve it in bed.  I really think it is easier to eat at the table - hope he wasn’t disappointed.  We attended church in Mbabane and I had made all these candy bars to give out but you know what?  I could only find 5 fathers and one of them was my husband.  Five – couldn’t believe it.  I know one was sick, one at a funeral – but seriously, so sad that there are not more fathers there.  The Primary sang the cutest song.  Fathers, you are missing out! The elders informed us that they had a flat tire when they went out this morning to come to church and their spare was getting fixed.  So we went to help them - took their tire to the only place we could find – not a tire place but some people on the side of the road.  For E60 they greased it and said it was fine.  Don’t ask me what that means! We went back and put it on the bakki and it lasted at least for a day when Dennis had to buy them a new one.  Then Dennis dropped me off at the Ezulwini chapel for 3 baptisms while he went to Manzini to witness 2 baptisms.  What a glorious predicament to have too many baptisms!! I was able to give some candy bars out but again there were probably only 6 fathers there and Dennis took some to Manzini.   Wish we had a solution for this problem.  Since Dennis was gone I had no ride so Sibusiso and Thembegile - who was just baptized – escorted me home.  It was enjoyable talking with them. Sibusiso talked about his gogo and how she was royally buried.  I got ready for Father’s Day dinner which the Peterson’s joined us.  We talked to our family, drove to Mahlalela’s to pick up a package for Thembeni for Manqoba to take to Joburg, drove to Shongwe’s, did dishes and then to bed.

Where we got the tire fixed – quite questionable

Thembekile Vilakati, Wandiswa Shongwe, Dumisane Khumalo

Elder Ogutu, Sibusiso baptized Thembekile, Wandiswa Shongwe, Dumisane Khumalo, Elder Norbert

Khumalo Family

Bro. Khumalo – is going to be baptized soon we hope, Dumisane , Lungile (daughter)  – was baptized a month ago, friend

We crossed this river coming home from church.  Sibusiso took it very quickly – us women was a little bit more hesitant

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO THE GREATEST DAD EVER – DENNIS LOMBARDI

Random picture I found – My beautiful daughters attending our annual “Time Out for Women” – I miss the fun we have together at these outings