Our Cup Runneth Over: THE MILLERS June 24

Craig and Marvel Miller are one the most inspiring people I have met. I had heard of them even before we met. At the MTC whenever we told anyone where our mission assignment was, it was always, “Oh, the Millers were here last week and they are going there. They are wonderful people. You will love them.” And indeed we do love them. The wonderful things said about them were all true. They arrived in New Castle, South Africa one week before we arrived in Swaziland and our paths met two weeks later at Piet Retief making exchanges of elders. A lasting friendship developed from the first greeting. They truly became an extension of Dennis and I - sharing our mission experiences together. Our zones gathered in New Castle for conferences every three months which gave us a chance to stay with them – they made us feel at home and we cherished the time we spent with them. We made trips to Durban together for Presidency meetings making stops along the way in St. Lucia, the Meanders, Golden Gate, Lesotho. When I think of mission, I think of the Millers. They have been a pillar of strength for us and shared our joys and sorrows.

Last Tuesday, they received news that they should return to the states two months early to take care of a health situation. I know that they are devastated. They love serving their Heavenly Father, they love the people whom they serve, they love the elders, they love everything about mission and they are loved by all. But today, they got on an airplane and left us all behind. We are all better people because of them. They will truly be missed in the South Africa Durban Mission. Our thoughts and prayers go with them. Not a day will go by that we won’t miss their presence. We love you good friends!

Roman Statesman Cicero said, “Friendships increases happiness and diminishes misery by doubling our joy and dividing our grief.”

After we found out that the Millers were going home, Dennis and I drove to New Castle to spend a few days with them. It was a fun-filled two days. We love spending time with these two amazing people. We ate, Marvel and I got our hair done, went to a waterfall, visited with the elders (a lot of them were formerly in Swaziland), and of course, took care of mission business. There are so many memories between the four of us that will never die. We brought Lungelo Nyoni home with us so he can get his Uganda Visa started for his mission.

When we arrived home Thursday night, the Knudsens were here from Joburg. We have been trying to get them here for over a year now….so excited that they finally made it. On Friday we had Nathi, Lungelo, the Knudsens for breakfast and then off to see the sights of Swaziland. We went to Baobab Batik, took the dirt road to Rosecraft, drove through Lobamba, had dinner at Calabash and ended the day with games – my favorite.

Elder Knudsen and Lungelo relaxing

Randy and Barbara Knudsen and Mantfombe Dlamini at Baobab Batik

Poinsettia plant we found at Rosecraft

Weaving a bamboo shawl

This reminded me of ‘Sleeping Beauty”

Look at that intricate weaving

Brushing the mohair

View from Rosecraft

Dinner at Calabash

The Knudsens are the Africa Southeast Area Church History Directors – they are collecting histories of how the church began in the different areas of Africa. Each country has a director, ours is Sister Thoko Shongwe, and then each branch has someone called to collect their branches histories. They are here to train the Swaziland District’s historians. Every branch was respresented and even Gege, our group! These are amazing people. They were on time even though they all traveled by Kombi. While they were training we went with Elders Ogutu and Norbert to meet one of their investigators – Shaka ----a member of their army force. After our responsibilities were accomplished we went to show Randy and Barbara the Mbabane Chapel – the first one built in Swaziland. Then to Sibebe Rock – the largest granite rock in the world. The sun was beginning to set so it made for a beautiful reflection of the rock. We picked up Machawe and went to eat at Chinese and then to our first cultural event in Swaziland – the Afro Tenors. They were singing at a Jazz Gallery, so it was quite intimate and was so good. Beautiful voices and sang some of my favorite songs – one being Impossible Dream. I loved every moment.

Knudsen’s training at the Ezulwini chapel

Shaka, an investigator and Elder Ogutu

Our drive to Sibebe – oops, didn’t get a picture of Sibebe

Our Chinese dinner – Machawe, Randy, Barbara and me

The Afro Tenors – sorry about the picture – we were told not to use flash…we should of any way

Machawe enjoying the singing

This was a song about Nelson Mandela and majority of the people stood and danced – Mac was interpreting for us. I wish I had taped some of their songs. Go on their website and listen to some of their songs – beautiful harmony.

Another wonderful Sabbath in paradise! We attended the Ezulwini branch because they were changing the branch presidency. It was such a good meeting. Powerful testimonies were borne. The new president is Sipho Malaza; 1st Counselor: Banele Mthethwa; 2nd Counselor: Manqoba Shongwe. In his testimony, Manqoba thanked his future wife. We all had a great laugh. Dennis helped set them apart and then we went off to Mbabane for the viewing of the mission president conference that was broadcasted around the world. It was the most amazing, inspirational broadcast I have seen in a long time – how missionary work should be done. If we could fire up our members like the examples in the broadcast, there would be no stopping the progress here. We would fulfill my dream of Swaziland becoming a stake. So good. We visited President and Sister Malaza in their home to end our spiritual Sunday.

The former presidency – Shongwe and Mthethwe (Bro. Ngubena had to leave)

The new presidency – 1st Counselor: Mthethwe; President: Malaza; 2nd Counselor: Shongwe

President Malaza and his wife - Khanyie

I have to rewind back to the beginning of the week. On Monday night when we had our FHE we had an pleasant addition – 4 young women. They decided to invite the recently baptized girls and also those investigating. It was nice to hear the pleasant voices of the young girls bear their testimonies. Dennis and I are the luckiest couple on earth to be part of something so magnificent- to watch before our very eyes the change that the gospel makes in the lives of so many. And to have their sweet spirit in our home. We are truly blessed. There were so many that Dennis couldn’t take all of them home at once. So when he came back for those remaining, he asked if Majaha and Zweli could give him a blessing. He has been experiencing some back pain that he gets when he has a kidney stone. We really do not want to go to the hospital here. So Majaha annointed and Zweli gave him a blessing. This young man is powerful. His blessing was incredible – such a strong spirit. Dennis’ pain did subside because of the faith of a changed young man.

The strength of the youth in Swaziland

Preparing for Dennis’ blessing

Tuesday, June 25th was our Zone Training Meeting which means breakfast before. I love having the elders over. They bring into our home an uplifting spirit. While they waited for the zone and district leaders to finish their meeting, the stick game was enjoyed. They love this game. Again, the best thing we brought from home. The Zone Leaders did a fabulous job on their message. They had Elders Goodwin and Simkins play the guitar and sing. We then discussed how the guitar is an instrument used to bring out music and then compared it to the scriptures being an instrument used by God. We spent two hours being instructed by youth who have become men. It is Nathi’s birthday so we took a whole plate of brownies to him at work and of course, sang. I spent the rest of the day in a melancholy mood after we received the news that the Millers were going home.

Our new elders – Bingham, Simkins, Shumway