HE WAS AN INSTRUMENT IN THE HANDS OF GOD November 25–December 1, 2013

“And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer..”  Mosiah 27: 36

I dedicate this week’s blog to Zweli Dlamini.  He is the most amazing young man.  He will be one of our greatest blessings of mission.  This week he left for his mission.  Even before he left, he was an instrument in bringing many to Christ (around 14) and I have no doubt that he will continue to do that on mission.  The South Africa Johannesburg mission is lucky to have him.  When he left, there was a huge void in my heart.  I am a better person because I knew Zweli!

Before he left he wrote down some of his feelings and gave them to me.  I would like to share just a portion:  "…Now I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I’m grateful about the lessons which the missionaries gave me, because without those lessons, I wouldn’t be what I am now.  I am now a priesthood holder ordained in the office of an Elder which sounds very strange to many of the people who knew the kind of life I used to live before I joined the church.  Joining the royal army of God was not in my plans for the future.  I never pictured myself doing God’s work, living under certain principles and laws was not part of my plans either.  The highest standard and conduct of latter day saints helped me to gain a strong testimony of the Savior and the church.  In a few weeks I will be on my mission inviting other people to come unto Christ, which is something I also never thought of doing….Loving the Savior requires sacrifice…..so in order for me to show my love for the Savior, I was expected to quit all the things I was enjoying and focus on the Lord which sounds boring and unfashionable.  Yes, it might sound boring, but it is the most better and safer way in which young people can rely on so they can learn more about their purpose  in this world.  Without the gospel there is no prosperity for young people.  I am grateful for the Book of Mormon.  I know it is another testament of Jesus Christ and I am also grateful for the living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  I know he has been called of God and I say all this in the name of thy son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.”

Monday, 25 November transfers began.  We were on the road at 5:30 a.m., picked up Elder Lowry (who is going home), drove to Nhlangano to pick up Elder Komakech, drove to Mtubatuba (about 4 hours) where we met the Jaegers who then took the boys to Durban.  Since we were going home without any other elders, we decided to cross the Pongola border into Swaziland which we had never used before.  It was a beautiful drive.  We drove to Nhlangano where we tried to find Pres. Bulunga but failed so we continued on our journey home.  Senzo Khumalo came over for PMG but he was unaware that it had been cancelled.  He so tried to talk to us about why he is struggling with his testimony of the church, but for some reason he said he just couldn’t.  That was okay…..we love this young man and know that he will somehow, some day figure it all out.  He took us to find Nhlanhla Dlamini so we can help him get his passport so he can go with the branch to the temple next week.  We couldn’t find him but was shown where Zama and Sifiso live.  We later drove to Mbabane elders boarding to help with transfer logistics.  We love spending time with these young elders.

Elder Macharia and Lowry

Elder Lowry leaving Swaziland and mission

In Nhlangano – Elders Lowry, Kakaire, Mkude, Me, Otigo and Komakech –  love these boys

Had to make a stop to purchase some fresh pineapples

Our last good-byes to these amazing elders

Elder Daniel and Macharia looking perplexed - trying to figure out transfers

No worries for Elder Ferrin  because he had no responsibilities with tansfers

Tuesday, transfers continued………

They all gathered in front of the home to say good-bye

Elders Ferrin, Daniel, Kakaire, Mkude, Akal, Houghton, Ekom

Otigo, Wilcox, Macharia, Manhanha, Hansen

Three new elders – Rotich, Mudzurawona, Mulumba

Wednesday morning was spent cooking and getting beds and the home ready for guests that would be spending time with us for the next few days. Then we went picked up Zweli and the drove to Mfundo’s home to set him apart as an elder in the South Africa Johannesburg mission.  It was a wonderful blessing that Dennis gave him.  We were in his home with his mother, aunts and cousins – most of which were not members of the church.  After Dennis asked if there were any questions. They asked questions that I realized that people not members would have no idea what mission was all about.  Their questions like Can he come home on holidays?  Will he have food to eat and a place to stay?  Can we visit him?  I thought what a sacrifice for a mom to send her son when she does not understand or have a testimony of the gospel.  I have a greater appreciation for their sacrifice.  After the setting apart we gathered his luggage, he said his good-byes and then we drove to Zweli’s gogo where we met her and he said good-bye to the woman who raised him.  We picked up his luggage and also Sibusiso and Charles, drove home where the elders and Mac and Manqoba were waiting for us.  We set Zweli apart also as an elder in the South Africa Johannesburg mission and then had those who desired  bear their testimony.  It was a spiritual moment for me.  The faith and testimonies of these young men will lead the church in Swaziland to great heights. Then dinner was served.  It was a good day.

Mfundo’s setting apart

Mfundo, his mother, Elder Ekom and Zweli

Elder Akal, Mfundo’s cousins, Branch President Mthethwe, Dennis

 

Zweli and his gogo

Sharing of thoughts and testimonies before Zweli’s setting apart

Thursday started extremely early.  I don’t think Zweli and Mfundo got any sleep.  I woke up in the middle of the night and could hear them talking and they were up showered, freshly ironed and dressed when I had breakfast ready by 6:00 a.m. We arrived at the airport by our appointed time – 7:00.  There were quite a few members there to send these young men off – Mfundo’s family and Pres. Siko Ntshalintshali and Mahlalela – really good men.   It was really hard to say good-bye with the chance that I will never see these young men again.  They have made such an impact in my life.  After we watched their plane take off, we rushed back home to change sheets and then off to Dundee for mission presidency meeting and for Dennis to help interview 14 people going to the temple for the first time.  While the men were meeting I went with Sister Zackrison and Wilding shopping.  I bought two turkeys – each one was $25 and they were tiny so I needed two to feed 14 hungry elders – more lights for our Christmas tree  - if you look at the pictures above you will notice that the tree only has a few lights; apparently from last year until now the lights decided not to work – shame.  As soon as the interviews were over we hurried home to make it to the border before it closed arriving home around 11:00 just in time to welcome Elder Cauble and his father.  Today, back home it was Thanksgiving.  But here in Swaziland there was no celebration.

Their last breakfast in our home – eish, I miss them

Bags weighed and ready to go

Mfundo and Zweli

Thanks to these people for coming to say good-bye

Mfundo and his make – what faith to let her son leave

The most “perfect” picture – Swazi warriors going to serve

 

Elders Moore and  Mavundla – MTC companions

Elders Young and Dlamini

In Dundee we reunited with three former Ezulwini elders

Elder Hansen

Elders Ogutu, Adale, ? , Hansen

Elder Cauble and his father

Friday I spent the entire day at home.  I decided I wanted some similarity of a Thanksgiving feast so this was the night.  I fixed breakfast for the Caubles and then spent the day fixing a roast, potatoes, pies, homemade rolls, did blog, finished putting up Christmas decorations which I love and started putting together a souvenir box to send home.  The Caubles arrived around home with a live chicken that someone had given them.  There was no way the chicken was going to stay in our home for the night, so we took it over to the elders where they housed him and then took him over to the Msibi family the following day.  We ate of Thanksgiving dinner and then enjoyed the evening visiting.  It turned out to be a great belated Thanksgiving celebration.

Anyone for a chicken

Saturday, November 30th started by saying good-bye to the Caubles…we enjoy meeting the wonderful families of our elders.  It gives us an insight to why these boys are so amazing.  Then we went to a pre-school graduation that Gcebile had asked us to attend to take pictures of her son.  We waited for 1 1/2 hours but they never showed up.  We enjoyed the time we spent there and then continued with the errands we had to do.  When we got home our electricity was out so we spent the rest of the evening packing souvenirs while in the dark.

I forget to add these monkey pictures because they happen so often – but I do not want to forget how much I loved seeing these amazing animals that surrounded me in Swaziland

Saying good-bye to the Caubles

Pre-school graduation

November 30th is Gina and Maria’s birthday….HAPPY BIRTHDAY to two incredible daughters.  We love you and so grateful for your love and support.

 

Ben and GINA

Ty and MARIA

December 1st – Sunday……..I love Sundays in Africa and and I have so few left.  This was no exception.  Dennis attended his early morning meetings and then we drove to Nhlangano for church.  it was Fast and Testimony meeting and I shared my love for my Heavenly Father and Savior and the opportunity to serve them on mission in this wonderful country.  Bishop Mamba and his wife were there – it was so good to see them.  We challenged them to try and make it to church more often even though they travel a great distance to come.  They also expressed their desire to get their temple recommends updated.  I had the opportunity to visit with Elder Mulumba while Dennis was training his companion, Elder Mkude.  Elder Mulumba told me that he lived in a tiny village in Uganda but when he went away to college he met a friend that invited him to church but he wasn’t interested until he found that they weren’t just in it for baptisms.  He was told by the missionaries that he could continue going to his church but just come and discover what our church can add.  That impressed him.  He was baptized but became inactive when he found a job where he worked on Sundays.  A senior couple somehow found him (he has no idea how) and became his friends.  That brought him back.  Then he continued by saying that he had no intentions on serving a mission because he had a really great job that provided income for his family back in their village and a good living for him.  But he had a dream about serving a mission and he knew that is what the Lord wanted him to do.  So here he is starting his service here in Swaziland.  He is a great young man.  When we got home our electricity was on but our internet was not.  So I baked and made Christmas cards.

Jubalani Motsa, Lucky Maseko, Bishop Mamba

President Bulunga’s son taking a siesta during church

Nhlangano Relief Society sisters

The Shongwe women

I love these girls – Bro. Dludlu’s great, granddaughter and Pres. Bulunga’s daughters

Elders Mkude and Mulumba

“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.”  3 Nephi 5:13