There is a song that I have been listening to that has some amazing words…..”Trade in your fears for faith”. That simple phrase has been running through my head for weeks. Fear is an ever-present emotion with me. “When I am afraid, I trust in you. In God – I boast in his promise – in God I trust, I am not afraid. What can mere men do to me?” Psalm 56: 3 – 4. Why do I fear so much? What am I afraid of? Fear inhibits my heart, but faith strengthens my heart. Faith allows me to move into uncharted territory with full confidence that God is already there waiting for me.
In the midst of the never-ending changing circumstances of life, we have a choice. We can live in fear of all the uncertainties, or we can cling to the reality of God’s sustaining and intervening presence in our lives. Each time we encounter a particular fear, whether it is inadequacy, the unknown, change or whatever, let us immediately turn to God in faith to seek His will, His encouragement, and His strength. Let’s not miss out on what God has in store for us by allowing our fear to win out over our faith. Let us all “trade in our fears for faith”
Monday, September 23, 2013 was Sibusiso’s 1st-year anniversary of his baptism. Hard to believe that he has only been a member for 1 year. He performs as a seasoned member – branch mission leader, meeting with auxiliaries to have them help with missionary work, teaching the gospel principles class, going out with the elders, having weekly correlation meetings, waiting for a mission call – just one fine young man. The Kyle’s from Durban came over and we showed them around. They attended our FHE/PMG class that night because they wanted to meet the young people that we talk about all the time. They are our Public Affairs couple over the mission and would like to do a story of our amazing young men from Lobamba. We had over 19 tonight. (Our Lobamba boys have become quite the celebrities. Their fame is all over the area. They have asked Dennis and I to come to an area’s FHE and share their stories next Monday). It was a glorious evening. Sibusiso approached me tonight with the news that on Wednesday, he was approached by his gogo’s family and they are going to kick him out of where he stays when school is out which is 11 November. He is worried because he has no where to go until he leaves on his mission. We told him not to worry about it….just concentrate on his school work and we will figure something out. So we are looking for a place for him to stay - we would love to have him here with us, but I am sure it is against all mission rules. I know that the Lord will provide…..
We love these young ladies that come – the one in the middle is an investigator
I love to hear these young men and women sing
We enjoyed Elder Manhanha’s object activity
Enjoying dinner together
Had an “anniversary” cake for Sibusiso
Sweet Sister Kyle doing up the dishes for me – I could get used to having someone around to help me in the kitchen
That hat had something magical in it…..the moment Elder Kyle put it on, he discovered moves he never knew he had
We met the Murdocks and Kyles for breakfast at Summerfields Tuesday morning. Then off we went to the store to purchase food to deliver to the care point The children were delighted when they saw us. We had a loving, warm welcome as usual. If I am ever having a bad day, I know where to go – to see the children. Oh, if we all could become “as little children”. After, the Murdocks and Kyles went to the cultural village, Dennis went to Ezulwini’s DDM and I slept for a while. I wasn’t feeling well, so I listened to my body and took an afternoon nap! I think it was a first. It wasn’t long because we had things to do…..Manzini Market to pick up skirts for Sister Holt, cleaners for suits, made dessert for opening of mission calls and then off to Summerfield for a Public Affair dinner with important people in Swaziland. It was nice…..but I realized at the end that I really do feel much more comfortable with the everyday people of Swaziland. With them is my “perfect fit”. After we got home, I made a birthday cake for Elder Donison’s birthday tomorrow. Another late night!
Elder Kyle, Sister Murdock and Sister Kyle shopping for food for the care point
The Murdock’s son was here visiting – a great young man
The last time we visited, this young man had fallen on a rock and his eye was swollen shut. Look how good it looks now!
Sister Murdock found a special friend
Waiting in line for breakfast
Food delivered with LOVE
What joy they bring me
The children saying thank you for the food
“My teddy bear, my teddy bear, I love my teddy bear. I shine his shoes – I love my teddy bear.” They shine the shoes and give the person a hug – and then they become the next one in the circle.
This was another activity where if chosen you have to dance in the middle – this is Dennis’ dance. I caught it just at the end.
They all came to the middle to dance.
In line waiting for apples!
Our PA dinner at Summerfields – Jerome Shongwe with some of the members of the Council of Churches which we are trying to join
Masisi and Nathi – he brought a lady from the government office that is over “work permits”
I might have been thinking that I felt much more comfortable with the children this morning! Look at those surroundings compared to what you see just a few pictures above.
One of our waitresses – Lalela – boy, have we missed her.
We left the house at 6:30 Wednesday morning to head for Joburg. They have the mission calls for Mbongiseni and Manqoba. It was going to take a few days to get them to us, so we decided since we have a really busy schedule, we would drive to Joburg to pick them up. It was great to see the Curtis’, Larsens, Dabells, Knudsens – that would be the only reason that we would maybe enjoy working in the area office. The couples are fabulous. Sister Curtis is the one that handles mission calls and lets us know when our Swazi warrior’s calls come. Tami Matthews is here from back home and is staying with us for a week. So it was awfully good to see her and we were excited to let her experience what we do on mission. Sister Reber and the MTC elders were in the distribution center when we were there. When they walk in you can feel the energy and enthusiasm. Sister Reber loves her calling as MTC mom and she is superb at it. We quickly grabbed a bit to eat and then headed for home – 4 hour each way! Dennis is really a trooper to be so willing to do so much driving. We arrived home at 7:30, picked up the cake and headed for the Manzini elder’s apartment to celebrate Elder Donison’s birthday. He is quite a funny and delightful young man. Swaziland has been so blessed with so many great elders and we get to be a part of it.
Meeting Tami at the area office
Elder and Sister Curtis
Sister Reber and company at the Districution Center
Lunch at Mikes
Tami entering Swaziland
Tami and Elder Tibbitts – cousins reunite in Swaziland!
Elder Donison’s birthday
There are no words to express the spiritual day that Thursday was. There is something about missions that brings the spirit of our Heavenly Father to us. I feel so close to our Heavenly Father and Savior when these young men receive their calls, get set apart, as I watch them fly away and then watch them come home. I know that it is the Lord’s work and he is aware of each and everyone of those serving. It takes my breath away. But,of course, the day started out as any other day – made Texas sheet cake and baking powder biscuits. Then we drove to the Silver Smith because Tami wanted a Swazi ring. We wanted to visit the Gopholo care point to see if the kids were there and bring them some food. When we arrived we found no kids. We called and Samu, one of the ladies helping with the care point, came and told us that since they have no food, the kids do not come. In the past they have had as many as 150 but they have dwindled to around 50. She says that when they see the fire burning , they know there is food cooking and they all rush to the site. But since there has been no food and no sponsor for them, they have been unable to feed them. I am sure that what we brought will not be enough. We need to help them find someone to help them. That is too many children to go hungry. Our next stop was to deliver Manqoba his mission call. We arrived at his homestead and his make, sister, him and the elders were waiting. His sister came from South Africa where she is studying to be there with him. We were all so excited. The call – Uganda Kampala Mission leaving on 14 November, 2013. That only gives us 7 weeks to help him get ready. The international passport for these missionaries are not easy to obtain. Nathi works his tail off to get them in time. But all was shocked so early but excited. After his mother started bearing her testimony in siSwati. Manqoba was interpreting for us. She talked about Abrahams call to a different country and how the Lord blessed him. She said that she is sending her son to Uganda, a place she knows nothing about but has faith that the Lord will protect him like he did Abraham. Then she started talking about her husband. He just left them for her to provide and she is so grateful that they found the gospel and have received so many blessings because of it. At this point, when Manqoba was translating, he broke down and his sister had to continue. Apparently, the father lives in Manzini and is wealthy but does not help them at all. You could see the hurt in Manqoba’s face knowing that his own father does not care for him. Shame…..a child should never feel unloved and unwanted by a parent. But lucky for him, he has a make that cares deeply. It will go down as one of the most spiritual moments on mission. The heavens were opened in that little one-room place and the spirit poured down on that sweet family. The Lord will make sure that they are okay. His sister, Hlongile, had to get back to school, so we offered to drive her to Nhlangano where she could catch a kombi to get to the border. As she got in the bakki, Manqoba was trying to talk to her but she would not look at him. She was crying. She said that this would be the last time she would see her brother because she had spent all her money to come to see him open his call. We all were crying. Tami and us gave her some money and told her to save it so she could come back to say good-bye. On our way to Nhlangano, she kept saying she didn’t want to cause us any trouble. How could someone so sweet, cause us any trouble? What an honor to be part of people so humble. We went to tell Pres. Bulunga the good news. When we arrived home we drove Tami through Lobamba to introduce her to the children there. We had suckers and we probably gave out almost fifty – they totally wiped us out and there were a lot that did not get one. My supply has dwindled. But we love it! The Lobamba crew started arriving at 6:00 for the mission opening of Mbongiseni’s call. When he arrived, their was energy in the room…so many people there to support him and join in the excitement. The opening – Uganda Kampala Mission leaving 14 November, 2013….same day and mission as Manqoba. We all couldn’t believe that he was leaving two weeks before Zweli. Again, everyone was shocked. There must be reasons for these young men to leave so soon – someone is waiting anxiously for their arrival. It was such a good day to be a missionary. These are the rewards for the sacrifices that we make. How I love my Heavenly Father and Savior. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost and his ability to open the heavens for us to feel just an ounce of what heaven will be like if we endure to the end. I want to have these feelings constantly. I have a lot of work to do.
Tami trying on rings at the Silver Smith
Gopholo Care Point – Samu, the dirctor
Tami, Samu (means peace) and me
Samu standing in front of where they meet with the children
Delivering the food to a neutral place – she didn’t want anyone to think that she was taking the food for herself
Manqoba getting ready to open his mission call
The opening….
He is on his way 14 November to Uganda Kampala Mission
Over come with emotion
The happy family – Elder Komakech is from Uganda. He has lots that he can share with Manqoba
He is off to go proselyting with the elders – he has been doing this for a year
A lot of the group arrived early while we were eating, so they joined us. The Lord truly provides
Getting ready to open
Mbongiseni’s ready
The call, Uganda Kampala Mission leaving 14 November, 2013
Look at this group….aren’t I a blessed woman
Sunset through a Jacaranda tree
Not only are our Lobamba boys infamous, so are our children in Lobamba. Whenever couples come to Swaziland, they want to go to the care point and meet them. So Friday, September 27th, we met the Larsens who were in town with some friends from America, and we met at the Lobamba care point. They had brought school supplies from America – coloring books, crayons, jump ropes, pencils, etc. They had sacks and sacks of them. It was such a beautiful sight. The children are so warm and accepting of everyone. They show immediate affection of love for everyone they meet. The Larsens proceeded to the cultural village and we went to Swazi Candles, Baobab Batik to give them some cookies, then to the Manzini Chapel to take a ceramic temple that Shelly sent us to Xolani and Futhi’s for their wedding cake, bought paint for the care point’s map, home to make muddy buddies for correlation at our home (even though we will not be here). Our day ended up at the memorial for Jason Mangerino. It was suppose to start at 2:00 but luckily someone told us it was going to be delayed for hours (apparently a lot did not get the information and was there). We were there at 6:00 but the body did not come until 7:00, then we had a prayer and moved on to Gopholo where he will be buried – it is the homestead of his grandmother. We met the family and I believe that Tami was sent here to comfort the grandmother – Sister Hlatswayo. It turned out that one of Tami’s companions when she was on a mission in Joburg twenty years ago, was the one that taught Sister Hlatswayo – Girli Hlatswayo. You could see joy immediately replace sorrow in her face when Tami introduced herself. Outside of the home they had singing (church hymns), speakers, testimonies in honor of Jason. It ended rather late and after taking Phila home, we arrived home about 11:00…just giving us a few hours before we have to awake to go to the funeral at 4:30 a.m.
Welcome to the Lobamba Care Point
Some toys that they were enjoying
Mixing food for 80 people – they included the workers building the new kitchen
A homemade mixer
The construction workers enjoying suckers also
Dennis visiting with Bro. Shongwe – a recent convert
Tami has caught the love
Aren’t those boots awesome!
The group
Making the famous Swazi Candles…plus we got the traditional attire …..
Baobab Batik wall hanging
Tip Top and Xolani
Our Silver Smith friend and owner – Mamba
Tami, Girli Hlatswayo and Hazel – converts 20 years ago by Tami’s friend
Loading chairs for the memorial service
Getting ready to go to Gopholo
We were up at 3:30 Saturday morning, picked up Phila and drove back to the homestead of Jason Mangerino’s grandmother where he would lay his body down. We had a small memorial service, then walked down just a little bit to the burial place on the homestead. They had the hole already dug, they placed the casket in, then replaced the dirt over the casket. How hard it was to watch them throw dirt on casket. With every shovel of dirt placed in the hole, my heart ached with the thought of the family watching this final act– I know that makes no sense, but I am having a hard time explaining how hard that was for me to watch. The whole process took between 30 – 45 minutes. The good part of all this was listening to the Mbabane’s choir singing hymns. After it was complete, everyone gathered to have some food. We rushed home because Dennis had a Family History seminar in Manzini. Tami and I stayed home, she slept while I laundered, emailed, cleaned and cooked. Dennis picked us up and we hurried to the Cultural Village where we were entertained. We came home pretty exhausted so relaxed the rest of the evening. We called Sabrina to join the family in her baptism. Congrats, Sabrina!
Jason’s Memorial
Swaziland Cultural Village
Mantenga Falls
Our beautiful SABRINA – Happy Baptism Day
Sunday, September 29th was a rainy dreary day. When it rains very few come out to church. Walking in heavy rain makes it difficult to walk in muddy roads to attend, so in my Camelot world, it will never rain on Sundays so members and investigators can walk to church. We went to Mbabane Branch Conference. It was a great conference. The theme is “Look to the Temple”…..a subject I love! It was also a good afternoon. Tami wasn’t feeling well so rested. Tilungile came for dinner and we had a great evening together. Dennis went with Manzini elders to visit with an investigator. He loves doing this. I wished he had time to do it more often. The elders came over which made it a busy evening.
Mbabane Choir practicing
Masisi and Nathi
This is the view from our front patio
Mommy love
I traded in my fear for faith when I entered the mission field. I entered unchartered territory knowing that the Lord would provide. I think of the young men here in Swaziland trading in their fear for faith as they enter the mission field. Those of you that are in the position, trade in your fear for faith and enter the mission field. Don’t miss out on what God has in store for you by allowing your fear to win out over your faith.
I bsolutely LOVE that wall hanging. Beautiful.
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