Our niece and her husband, Lori and Randall Klingler, came to visit us from Oregon. They started their trip in Victoria Falls, then to Kroger National Park and then to Swaziland. Here are the sights and adventures that they enjoyed while here with us.
Tuesday, October 8th, Dennis and I drove to Nelspruit, South Africa to pick them up at the Kroger International Airport – quite small for an international airport but Nelspruit is a beautiful city. We then had a 7 hour drive to Ladysmith where Elder and Sister Wilding’s so kindly put us up for the evening and fed us a wonderful meal. Again, senior couples are one of the greatest blessings of missions. We were up early on Wednesday so we could have ice cream waffles at a fun little place on the way to Drakensberg called the Waffle Hut. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate for breakfast couldn’t be better! We did some shopping and then off for an afternoon of hiking. It was beautiful. The Drakensberg mountains are magnificent. After our hike, Sister Wilding had brought some fixins for a lunch which we had in the Drakensberg Boys Choir parking lot! The concert performed by the Drakensberg Boys Choir was amazing. It started with choral music, then fun pop songs and ended with traditional, cultural songs and dance. We enjoyed every minute of the presentation. What a great opportunity for these boys to have music such a part of their scholastic education. They just finished a tour so we were thrilled they were back and we were able to enjoy the talents of such young men. Back to the Wildings was next on the agenda for dinner and games and sleep.
Lori and Randall Klingler ready to share our beautiful country
Visiting with David and Doris Wilding in Ladysmith
It is really hard to make much progress when you are surrounded by cows
That is the Wilding’s car in front
But this herd actually had a real cowboy (or looked like one to us) on a horse. We have seen lots of cows but never someone on a horse directing them.
We finally made it to our first destination – chocolate ice cream waffles for breakfast
How do you like my new Zulu pants? When we first arrived these pants that I brought from home wore out in the back (don’t ask why I brought them across the world when they were so worn out that the first time I wore them was the last – other than I loved them). This gave me an excuse to make them into Zulu pants so I didn’t have to throw them away. LOVE the final product!
our amazing African Weavers
A man dressed in traditional attire and Dennis entertaining for us
The beauty of our hike
Lori rock jumping in the river
Taking a breather
Drakensberg Mountains as seen from the school of the Boys Choir
Ready for the concert to begin
Intermission performance
A guest choir practicing during intermission
At the end of the performance, the boys came out in all sorts of traditional attire of the area. These boys had the zulu pants on. Had to have a picture with them. I look pretty authentic, don’t you think?
The Wilding’s beautiful home
We left for our 4 1/2 hour drive to Swaziland Thursday morning and enjoyed the beauty of South Africa. After lunch we headed to the Msibi family to check on them. Their mother still is not there and there was a heap of dirty clothes. So we collected them and put them in back of the bakki. There also was no water, so we piled the kids in to go fetch some. When we arrived at their watering spicket, no water came out. What to do? We took them to our home, to get some water and feed them. Before we leave for home, we really want to have them over for a fun evening of food, popcorn and a fun movie. I love these children. Later that evening, the elders came over and also Machawe and Xolani.
Entering the magical kingdom of Swaziland
The Msibi children enjoying what children do best – playing
….and eating ice cream and brownies (Wendy was not at home when we came)
Lori carrying one of the water jugs
Friday was spent showing them all the wonderful tourist sights of Swaziland – ones that have become very special to us. We have made dear friends at all these sights – Silver Smith, Gone Rural, Baobab Batik, Swazi Candles and Manzini Market. We started at the Lobamba Care Point and ended with the Cultural Village. We then washed clothes, made dinner and relaxed with a good movie, Letters To God.
This was the pile of clothes with two batches already washed
Children dancing
The lady that lives at the care point – why can’t I remember her name – new grandson and now living with her
The proud gogo
The 18-year-old mother
Who needs a play pen when you have a wheelbarrow
Passing out cookies
Lori brought papers that the primary in her ward colored for all the children at the care point – Lori’s primary has over 70 children! Nonitu lovingly accepted all of them along with the fun erasers that she brought.
The sure sign that there is a baby on the premises
A new way to wear a Baobab scarf
The young warrior inviting Lori to dance with him
Mantanga Falls
Saturday we attended the wedding of Stanley Motsa from the Manzini Branch and Hloniphile Dludlu from the Mbabane Branch. They are going to be sealed in the Joburg Temple on Thursday, October 17th. It was an extremely hot day – 40 degree C, which I am told is 102 degrees F. It was to start at 11:00 a.m. but didn’t until after 12:00 which made for a very hot afternoon. She had asked me to take pictures which made me very nervous….but there were a lot of friends taking pictures so I am sure between us all, there will be some good ones. Nathi was taking video which will be awesome for them. It lasted over 4 hours. We then showed them the Tea Road which goes up over and along a mountain to Manzini. It is so pretty, especially this time of the year. We took the clothes back to the Msibi family along with a new pair of pants for Masabendze which we hope fits him. We came home, had left overs and watched Saints in Swaziland.
The setting
Some good refreshment – the Dlamini family
Xolile Hlatswayo looking good
Trying to find some shade
Groom and the best men
Bro Dludlu, father of the bride
How cute are these kids – beginning the wedding procession
They had these amazing young men singing during the procession - I Raise You Up
Bro. Dludlu leading his daughter down the aisle
Pres. Mahlalela performing the ceremony
The new Mr. and Mrs. Motsa
The dining room
The wedding party
Elders assisting the preparation of the food
Sunday Dennis went to early meetings at 7:00 and then picked us up for church at the Manzini Branch. Elder Tibbitts spoke and did a great job. He is being transferred on Tuesday. The branch and us will miss him terribly. Dennis did quite a few temple interviews including the newly married Bro. and Sister Motsa and also Xolani and Futhi. We then left for 3 baptisms in the Ezulwini Branch and there was one in Nhlangano also. I feel terrible that we do not make it down there often. We had planned to attend that branch this Sunday, but Dennis had to do the temple interviews. The baptism were great and their testimonies strong. When we arrived, the Msibi children came up to us – they were all there and Masabendze was wearing his new pants. You cannot imagine how thrilled I was so see them at church. That is really a long walk for them but they did it together – all 5 of them. How we pray for those children. We came home and had pork roast, potatoes and gravy and rolls. A regular Sunday meal. We then drove through Lobamba and visited with Zweli and Bongumusa and Angel and her new son.
The beautiful sight from the Manzini chapel – love those Jacaranda trees
Manzini Relief Society President – Sis. Matsebula – in green
Faith Simelane leading
Sister Lukele giving the lesson
Wendy and Masabendze at church
Ezulwini Baptisms
Sebenele Tembe, Noshipho Dlamini, Muntu Mbuli (Sbu’s sister)
Baptizing – Majaha, Elder Mahanha, Elder Hansen
Angel
Giving out suckers
Our visit with Lori and Randall came to an end on Monday, October 14th. We drove to Joburg, did some visits in the Area Office, enjoyed the grounds of the temple then went to the African market and then to the airport. Dennis and I continued our 4 hour drive back to Swaziland arriving around 9:00 p.m. I haven’t been feeling well the last few days, so I asked Dennis for some of his pain pills because I still had to prepare food the transfers the following day. He went to get them. A minute later I asked where they were. He paused, looked around and then said, “I think I took them!” We had a great laugh! I finished the day with baking brownies, cooking chicken and making muddy buddies. Bed was enjoyed that night.
Saying good-bye
That tree is part of our driveway – love, love the setting of our home
Holiness to the Lord
Food is always important
African Market
Our family had a Halloween Party back home – can’t believe that these amazing children belong to us
Looks like you had a great time. I want chocolate waffles with ice cream for breakfast. How fun they got to go to a wedding. Should we serve two care points while we are there? That's exciting Sbu's sister got baptized.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason reading this makes me think about how my window of coming to visit is quickly coming to an end and knowing it's not going to happen makes me so sad. I didn't realize how gorgeous the view from your house is.
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