THE COST September 2–8, 2013

In our early morning studies, Dennis and I are reading and discussing a talk written by Elder Tad R. Callister entitled “Becoming a Consecrated Missionary”.  I would like to share one area that he talked about, “What does it cost to become a consecrated missionary?  But as you read it, please substitute member for missionary.

“What is the cost to become a consecrated missionary (member)?  Some time ago I saw a movie on the life of Martin Luther.  He was about to be tried for heresy.  Shortly before he was to meet with the Court of Inquisition, his spiritual mentor (a monk who had trained him and loved him) was cutting his hair with a razor.  At one point the monk reprimanded Luther for having turned the world upside down, leading the world in revolt – Protestants against Catholics.  Then in a stirring moment, Luther grasps his arm and asks, “You wanted me to change the world.  Did you think there would be no cost?”  You young missionaries came out here to change the world, to change lives but there is a cost.  It costs everything that you have on the altar of sacrifice – your fears, your pride, your laziness, your disobedience, your weaknesses, we cannot hold anything back.  When you came to the mission field you burned the bridges behind you, you burned the ships in the harbor.  There is no retreat to your former life.  You cannot have one foot at home and one foot in the mission field.  The Lord demands our whole soul on the sacrificial altar.  That is the price we must pay, and when we do, we then become instruments in the hands of God.”

Aren’t those humbling words?  What is the cost for us to be members of the church?  Do we have one foot in the world and one foot in the gospel?  Do we put everything that we have on the altar of sacrifice? Are we willing to give our whole soul to the Lord so that we can become his instrument in changing the world? 

Here, as in places all over the world, we find people who feel the spirit bear witness of the truthfulness of the gospel, gain a testimony and enter the waters of baptism.  But they find that they are not willing to put their whole soul on the sacrificial altar for the Lord– the gospel asks a lot of its members.  Both feet are not firmly planted in the gospel, so they return to their former religion which only requires going to church one day a week, singing praises to the Lord, and then they can return home to live the life they desire for the rest of the week.  The cost is high for us, but the reward is magnificent – eternal life with our Father in Heaven.

 

UMHLANGA, commonly known as the REED DANCE,  2013 – for the past week, the Swazi maidens have been gathering for the annual Reed Dance where they parade and dance in front of the king with a colorful costume, of which there is very little.  Not only do the girls gather, all 60,000 of them, but people come from all over Africa and the world to be part of the Umhlanga.  We had to remove our Ezulwini elders for a few days because when that many girls gather in one small town where they have little facilities, it is not good for the innocence of our elders.  I really thought that Dennis should be removed also…not good for his eyes but we had no where to go.  Monday, September 2 was the actual celebration.  The previous Thursday they left to a far away place where they cut down reeds and then they bring them back on Friday in a massive parade to the palace of the Queen Mother.  The other days they wander and enjoy being away from the restriction of home.  I think I would really enjoy attending the actual Umhlanga if they would just be dressed appropriately.  Shame……. Here are some pictures of the chaos…

This is just one of the many trucks that transport the girls from all over the country.  This is our exit to our home– the one that we take numerous times a day…..the arrow to Lobamba

They register here in these tents

These are just a few of the girls….I was hesitant to take pictures of them – but look at their bags on their heads…still love that sight

Seriously, we saw hundreds of Boy Scouts also gathering to do who knows what…..I am sure there is no protection going on, just getting an eye full!

We were returning from Siteki and these girls were waiting to be picked up to return to Lobamba after the cutting of the reeds

Look mom, I ‘m having a great time!

This is the streets of Lobamba.  It is hard to capture the sight, but on the bottom is our bakki and that is us trying to get through the street.

Next to our parked bakki, were these beautiful girls all dressed up and ready for the big event – shame, so young to be exposed

I got this from the internet but look how fun it would be to experience this – this is the view of what we see daily – this is our Africa HOME

 

TEARFUL TRANSFER TUESDAY – I really do dislike transfers.  It is so hard to say goodbye to elders that have become part of our “mission family”.  After spending highs and lows with someone for 4 1/2 – 6 months, you form a connection that is hard to break.  Tuesday, September 3rd was no exception.  I arose early to make cookies, caramel popcorn, sandwiches for those elders taking a long bus ride to Durban and for the ones coming from Durban and the MTC.  They are long days for these elders and for us.  The positive of tearful transfer Tuesday is the joy of meeting some sensational new elders!  We picked up Elders Weston and Norbert then drove to Nhlangano where Elder Nzioka joined the group of those leaving.  Piet Retief was our destination where the elders were to catch a bus and we were to meet the Herringtons, but the elder they were bringing was caught in traffic so they were two hours late which made it so we could not go home before we were to drive to another border to pick up 4 elders from the MTC and our new Zone Leader, Elder Macharia joining us from Durban.  So because we are so flexible, we returned to the  Nhlangano elders boarding where we dropped off Elder Manhanha so he could hang with them for the day.  We tried to see some members and did some shopping and then drove to the Lavumisa border. But, of course, the ones coming from Durban were two hours late because of a late start and getting lost.  When they finally arrived, we made sure passports were in hand and all the other papers that Sister Holt prepares for us to get these elders across the border into Swaziland, were in order and made it into Swaziland without a hitch.  It was late and dark when we started our 2 hour drive home.  We were part of a miracle that night – as we made a turn in the road, there were a bunch of cows that had planted themselves right in the middle of the road and we have no idea how we missed them.  We should have hit them.  The elders that were following us in their bakki should have hit them also, but the Lord was watching over his servants that night.  After delivering the new elders to their new companions and boardings, we arrived home at midnight, knelt down and thanked him for “taking the steering wheel” and protecting us.

Ezulwini Elders’ Boarding

Packing up our bakki

Ezulwini Elders – Ogutu, Weston, Norbert, Adale and then Dennis

Saying good-byes in Nhlangano

Elders Nzioka, Weston, Norbert, Komakech, Wilson, Otigo

Saying good-bye to Swaziland

Our new elder, Manhanha and the Herringtons

He was so excited to enter Swaziland

Our “greenies” from the MTC

Elders Donison, Kakaire, Ferrin, Hansen

Look how dark it was – the entire new and Nhlangano elders

Elder Lowry and Macharia (new)

Elders Daniel and Ferrin

Elders Donison and Rowley

Elder Tibbitts showing us his new shirt

Elders Adale and Hansen

Elder Ogutu and Manhanha

Wednesday started with miscommunication.  We woke early to get to the airport by 7:00 to see Sandzi off to England but we found out that someone drove her to Joburg – she was not flying.  We sure could have used some extra sleep.  We hurried home and made breakfast for the Ezulwini elders – we know that when you first get to a boarding, you have NO food because the elders leaving do not buy anything extra than what they use.  I made a strawberry cake for Elder Rowley”s birthday (it was awful, awful, awful…I owe him another cake) then met him and his new companion for lunch.  We ran some errands and then went to see the Msibi family.  We hadn’t been there for a while so it was good to see them.  They had no water so we went and fetched some for them.  On our way home we stopped to see Sbu – he was home for a few days.  Dennis went to meetings and I stayed home and blogged and wrote emails to the new elder’s families.

Elder Rowley’s more than terrible birthday cake

Love the Msibi family

Babe and Simphiwe

Some kids at the watering tap

Wendy helping us fetch the water – I have no idea why she was wearing a sweatshirt as a skirt – does she need some clothes?

A friendly game of soccer while we were waiting

You can hear the water running in the background – Simphiwe is the young man in the purple sweatshirt

I was enjoying the view as we were waiting for the jugs to fill with water

Thursday, September 5th, was our sweet little Asia’s 2nd birthday!  We left when she was a baby and now she is a grown little girl.  It is really hard for me to think that these little ones will not know their grandma.  I am used to being so involved in their lives that when they see me they squeal with joy and a big hug follows.  What will I receive from this little one when she sees me practically for the first time?  HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY my sweet Asia!!!

Vacation was on the agenda for the next four days.  The plans for Tempe Elephant Park with the Holts were made months ago and I seriously thought it would never come.  I was ready for a little R & R and Tempe was just the place to receive it.  The drive was beautiful.  We went through Jozini which is situated on a lake that has tons of inlets.  After 4 hours, we finally arrived and were welcomed with singing, hot wash cloths, a freshly squeezed pineapple and orange drink and someone taking our suitcases to our tent.  So fun to be pampered!  Our accommodations were great – with a shower outside in the wilds!  We freshened up and then went to lunch and got ready for our first game drive.  The Holts arrived just in time for the drive – they prepared sack lunches for them – they think of everything.  We saw elephants (the park stays true to its name) wildebeests, lizard, lions, giraffes, kudus, impala, nyalas, birds. The night ended with dinner, games and a great nights sleep.  Friday and Saturday were spent getting up early – wake up call at 5:25 – , game drive at 6:00 until 9:00, then breakfast, relax time until lunch at 2:00, game drive at 3:00 – 6:00, dinner at 7:00, sitting around a camp fire and being entertained. Just what the doctor ordered!  We loved the time spent with the Holts, meeting Tom and Adele Adlem, a couple from Durban area that were with us the whole time, the staff that treated us royally and the beauty of Africa and its animals.  After 18 months, I am still pinching myself to remind me that I am in Africa!

Jozini, South Africa

Sorry you can’t see very well, but there were homesteads all over the mountains surrounding the lake

Tiger Hotel on Pongola Lake

Our greeting party

Vuzi, our driver, Tom the director and Thembi, our special friend

Drinks delivered

Holts arriving

Our waitresses – they would take this piece of cloth and make all sorts of dresses out it – different colors each day

Our tent

The shower

Entrance

We found this lizard perched on a log and the next day perched in a different direction on the same log.

Beauty of the land

We saw lots of elephants…I will try and capture for you how magnificent these animals are and their different behaviors (Koy and Cassie, I thought of you every time we saw elephants)

Are they playing or fighting?????  Only their moms know

Look at that mouth – sorry about the poor picture

Every game drive we had a break

Stretching???

It was dusk and we saw these two lions but couldn’t get a good picture – if you look closely, you can see an older one with a mane and a younger one in front.  Our guide told us that the older one had been kicked out of his pride so was alone and found this younger one and is training him

We saw incredible sunsets……

….and sunrises

We were told that to help the people in the area, they let them come into the park and cut the reeds for building.  The ladies come in the late morning when the lions are usually settled for the day, cut for a few hours and then return to add to their supply.

They then sale and deliver for their income

Our tracker, Nkozi, and our driver, Vuzi

At this waterhole we saw 20 elephants

They spent their time drinking, splashing themselves with water and then throwing dirt on their wet bodies, making mud to keep them cool

Communal drinking

Wart hog, we had him for dinner one night – pretty good meat.  We also ate kudu, nyala and impala

Our dining area

Adele and Tom

Our table where we enjoyed our meals

These were taken at dusk – again not good lighting

Campfires

Yes, we took naps

and ate constantly

Wildebeests

Rhinoceros

Water buffalos – it was early morning and the lighting was terrible

Giraffes at the water hole

Elephants and wart hogs

Bulls eye

Holts and Lombardis

Our group

Lala palm – because they make alcohol from its branches which sends the people into lala land.  This tree also has a fruit that the animals eat

Hard shelled fruit – have no idea how the animals get through this shell

Woolly neck crane

Our dancers and singers – again, not a great picture

We found this moth outside our door one morning

Couldn’t resist – I would love to live here

We left early Sunday morning for home.  Dennis had a ‘branch mission plan’ presentation to do for the branch presidents and district presidency.  While he was gone, I baked, caught up on emails and got ready for company in the next few days.   Later in the evening we went to visit Patricia and found out that she had spoken in sacrament meeting……eish, we hate missing things like this.  But we received a personal deliverance of her talk – she is such a wonderful lady.  We tried to see the Mayala family because the oldest daughter, Elizabeth, asked for some homemade rolls, but their gate was locked and we couldn’t get anybody to answer the cell.  I stayed up all night transferring our Tembe pictures from camera to computer because I was waiting for 1:00 a.m. to arrive when Trina and Brian were going to be blessing Liam and we wanted to be their via skype.  What a blessing  technology is – makes it possible for us to be included even though we are thousands of miles away.  Brian gave an amazing blessing.

Baby Liam

What I wouldn’t give to take him in my arms and cuddle

“And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption.  Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him……” Omni 1:26