COME TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD June 15–21, 2015

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”  Isaiah 2:2

COME TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD is the call from the our prophets and the people here in the Southeast Africa Area are heeding the call.  They come from the DRC, Zimbabwe, Congo, Zambia, Uganda, places all over South Africa and Swaziland and those are just the ones that I have met.  They come at a great expense for them but they have heard the call and they are “flowing” to the temple.  They discover that the temple brings joy and while they are there, they are filled with the spirit of the Lord.  I wish you were here to feel the excitement as they prepare to enter and then feel that special spirit when they return.  Our Church History Center is located in the same hall as the temple patron housing and we have the privilege of meeting these people as they come to the temple, prepare for sessions and then as they leave to return home.  What a honor to witness this.  How I love their spirit!

In my farewell talk, I spoke about a group of people in Luputa DRC.  They moved to this isolated area because of tribal wars where many were being killed.  For years, they saved their tithing because they had no one to pay it to, they shared the gospel with anyone that would listen and many did, they grew and grew and no one even knew they were there.  After years, the tithing money was brought to Lubumbashi where they were surprised to hear about a church group in Luputa.  Plans were made to visit the members in Luputa and again astonished to find a thriving church.     There were no missionaries, no church buildings, no area leadership, but through the faithfulness of these wonderful members, they were able to establish 9 branches.  In June 2011, the Luputa Stake was established.  I first heard of this story from President and Sister Cook while they were visiting us in Swaziland . I have cherished that story now for two years and have used it to inspire me to be more faithful.  Well, tonight, while working late at the center, a group came in to patron housing and Sandile Makasi came in and told us that they had just arrived from Luputa.  I wept.  I was able to meet some of these faithful members that I so admired!  They only spoke French but I hope they understood how much I appreciated their example and what they have taught me.  They were coming to receive their endowments and will be sealed tomorrow.  There were two families but had a total of 9 children.  Can you imagine the joy they felt when they first saw the temple!!  I will have the privilege of tending these little ones and see them dressed in white as they are sealed to their parents.

The man in front is Selwi Bukasa, the 1st patriarch of the Luputa Stake.  We are going to get his oral history on Thursday.

The man in the back with the red sweater is Sandile Makasi.  He works for the area in helping people get to the temple.  What an accomplishment.  He told us that these members have been waiting for their visas since March.  The happy day as arrived for them.

Look at those children…..

This one is blurry, but it shows that cute little boy at the right….

Monday June 15 – every Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. we have a devotional with all the area missionaries and employees.  It is a day we all look forward to.  Today, Elder Gay from the first Quorum of Seventies was visiting and spoke to us.    It was a great beginning to a day and week.  We finally received our keys for the cabinets, so spend a great deal of time cleaning, organizing and just seeing what we had.  I wrote letters to the Country Church Advisors introducing ourselves.  We even had it translated into French and Portuguese for those speaking those languages.  That night we had Family Home Evening at the Hales.  Elder and Sister Jones are returning home, so shared their experiences and testimonies.  They served as executive secretary to the Area Presidency. (I forgot to take a picture. I’m loosing it!)  It was a fun evening.  We hurried home so we could talk to Matt Heiss from Salt Lake.

Tuesday, June 16 was youth day in South Africa…so it was a holiday and the office was closed.   On our search for a brownie pan, we ran into Elder and Sister Egan.  They told us to come to Dukes Court to one of the flats that was empty and being renovated.  They had lots of kitchen stuff that we could supply our kitchen with.  I found a gold mine – brownie pan, spices, lights, etc. and a Christmas tree!!!! A whole trolley (grocery cart) full!  I was thrilled.  I came home baked cookies and then went to visit Patricia Mbyisa who has moved from Swaziland to Soweto, South Africa to be with her daughters.  What a beautiful reunion to see her again.  Her oldest daughter, Nontokozo, had a baby girl on December 31st and she is beautiful.  Her name is Thando which means love.  It was so good to see all the girls.  We had a great visit.  We ended the day going to Elder and Sister Berg’s flat to call Misti for her birthday. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY  Misti

Wednesday, June 17 started very early for us.  We both could not sleep.  We were up at 4:00 a.m. but was too cold to get up.  We talked, read and tried to sleep some more but to no avail.  I got up made more cookies and went to the office early.  We delivered the cookies to various people in the office – so many have been so kind.  While we were in the center, a couple came in just to visit.  They were from Harare Zimbabwe – Onward and Maureen Chivunga.  He told us his story.  He lost his mother when he was 2.  As a youth his friend introduced him to the missionaries but he ran from them.  One day he happened on a discussion when they were talking about eternal families.  That intrigued him because of the death of his mother, so he asked for more.  He had two lessons a week and after a month was baptized – 1998.  A year later he served a mission in Zimbabwe.  After his return, he was made mission leader where he met his soon-to-be wife.  At first, he refused to teach a girl, but she said she convinced him and 6 months later she was baptized – 2002.  When they first came to the temple they had two children and she was pregnant.  They now have 4.  Such a lovely couple.  In the afternoon, Dennis and I were privileged to go to the temple with the MTC missionaries because they need couples to help those who are going through for the first time and for the prayer circle.  There were 14 elders and 3 sisters.  There was also two couples that were going through for the first time and to be sealed.  I was so grateful that I have this opportunity.  We went home after a few more hours in the office, and found that they had delivered some patio furniture, a braai and a TREADMILL!!!!!!  I was super excited.  It felt like Christmas. 

Maureen and Onward Chivunga from Harare, Zimbabwe – coming to the House of the Lord

MTC missionaries going to the temple – 4 of them for the first time

The cute short sister went through for the first time – Sister Collins, wife of MTC President

Santa arrived early

Our patio

Thursday, June 18 – another day of presents. We received a call in our office that we needed to come home for a delivery.  That was a surprise for us.  They delivered a beautiful entry vanity (not sure what to call it.)  Went back to the office and a sweet couple came into the office with a little girl.  They were also from Harare, Zimbabwe as the couple yesterday.  They introduced themselves as Shepherd, Primrose Zengwe and their daughter, Isabella.  They were here in Joburg to become a forever family.  We discovered that they knew Elder Manhanha who served with us in Swaziland.  I took their picture and sent it to Manhanha…..we were connected even though we were miles apart.  We were later called back to our home for a delivery of two book shelves……I told Dennis I guess I had to buy memorabilia to use up all these shelves!!!  We called Trista and Terry for their anniversary!

Shepherd, Isabella and Primrose Zengwe – now a FOREVER FAMILY

Our entry cabinet

One of the shelving

Look at all those shelves! I have to fill them with something.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Trista and Terry

Today was a combination of success and failure!  The day started great with taking cookies and cards to the Davis’.  They are traveling to Swaziland for the weekend and it is Constance and Tilungile’s birthday and we wanted them to receive cards from us.  That morning we did our first oral history in the field.  Queen Rose Gwavu (her father named her Queen Rose because he always wanted her to remember that she was a queen) is from Port Elizabeth and has been a member since 1998 and seen a lot of growth of the church in that area.  She has taken an 18 hour bus ride to Joburg from Port Elizabeth to attend the temple with her aunt.  A couple of things that stood out to me was there was a point in her life when she was conducting her own church in her home with her two children because she had been discouraged about other churches.  The missionaries knocking on her door was an answer to her prayers.  Also, she felt like the church started really growing when Mandela was released from prison because at that moment, in a sense, all blacks were released!  We were able to finish the processing of the oral history.  In the mid afternoon, Dennis was checking our  Mountain America account and discovered that our credit card had been compromised….a $1000 worth.   Consequently, he spent the next three hours getting that taken care of while I catalogued our oral history.  Not a fun way to end the day.

Aunt and Queen Rose Gwavu

 

Saturday we went to the office early and met Warner Molema for the first time (he has been in America)– who is the Area Church History Advisor – we are assistants.  We went over all our responsibilities, checked the RPC, discussed goals and 4 hours later we were done.  We went and bought propane for our heater – I am still freezing -, went to Macro (South Africa’s attempt to be a Costco store) and bought blankets and food.  Home to make muddy buddies, salad and prepare for our guests at 6:30.  But at 5:30 the electricity went out!  Luckily my dinner was cooked so they came over.  At 7:00 the power went back on just in time for games. We had a great evening with Connie and Bruce Barton and Robert and Martha Egan. (I forgot to take a picture…shame).

FATHER’S DAY – I fixed Dennis pancakes on the new griddle that he bought himself.  We attended the Kagiso Ward for church.  So good.  The Sacrament talks were on the sacrament and the high council talked on staying faithful.  He shared this….After the death of his daughter, he asked the Lord what he wanted from him.  He read his patriarchal blessing and the Lord revealed that he was to testify of the Savior.  Later, he was talking with a friend and said that life had been so hard that he wasn’t sure that he really shouted for joy to come to earth.  Interesting thought.  Sunday school was on Luke 22…sacrament, whose the greatest, service – service has no boundaries, I don’t care what you know until I know that you care.  In the opening prayer of Relief Society, the sweet lady said, “help us to sharpen our ears” and “so much grateful for our prophet”.  I sat next to a darling YSA – Mbali Ndwalane.  She was just sustained as a Relief Society teacher.  She was just so friendly. After church we were surprised to see Elder Mohau Sele – another elder that we served with.  They all look so grown up.  We also met another young man, Joseph ?, a return missionary from Zimbabwe, as of 2 months ago and now teaching at the MTC.  He was just a really friendly young man.  Loved our visit.  I fixed Dennis’ Father’s Day meal of roast beef, potatoes and gravy and homemade rolls.

Father’s Day with his red plate

Mohau Sele

Joseph – he was just visiting this ward…scoping out the possibilities.  He lives by Patricia

Mbali  Ndwalane is the last one on the right

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Norah – she is on an Alaskan cruise for her birthday

“Why are so many willing to give so much to receive the blessings of the temple?  Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult to receive those blessings.  There are never to many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure.  They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort.”  Our African saints understand the importance of THE HOUSE OF THE LORD and they come!

TODAY WE START OUR NEW ADVENTURE June 5–14, 2015

The dictionary definition of adventure….”an exciting or unusual experience.  It may be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome.”  As we boarded the plane to South Africa, our “exciting or unusual experience began”.  It was a beginning  with new challenges to face, new memories to make  and new obstacles to overcome.  I stepped on the plane, took a deep breath and started a new chapter in my life.

It didn’t take Dennis long to get into the missionary spirit.  When we arrived in Atlanta, I feel asleep on the ground while Dennis went and made friends with those going to Africa.  He met a man that worked for KMPG Accounting firm that had been in America for a convention.  His name was Edson.  They talked about the gospel and Dennis got his name and number and asked if the missionaries could come.  He agreed and then offered to take us to where we needed to go once we got to Johannesburg, but we graciously declined due to the fact that we had a ride.  We were seated on the very back row opposite from each other so that we could have aisle seats.  A young man was sitting next to Dennis and he found out that this youth had just graduated from high school and was going to Swaziland for a volunteer project in a clinic in Manzini…he wants to become a doctor.  Now, what are the odds that of the 350+ people on the plane, Dennis would sit next to someone going to Swaziland. Added to our excitement.   Of course, we had a lot to share with him.  I was sitting next to an Indian couple that had been in New York for a wedding of a relative and returning home after three weeks.  Such a nice couple.  And in front of me was a mother with 3 children that had been in Pennsylvania for 7 months while she studied law and they were returning home.  They were adorable children and so good during the flight.  The 16 hours to our destination didn’t really seem that long.  Surrounded by great people, an extremely tired body and soul and excitement about the future, made the time slip by.

Our cute friend returning home

We arrived at 5:45 p.m. Johannesburg time, 23 hours after we left Salt Lake.   Getting through customs went smoothly.  When we walked outside to the lobby we saw a couple with name tags and immediately felt calm.  Again, it is amazing what those name tags can do.  We soon found out that they were Elder and Sister Egan.  When I turned around there was former Elder Michael Paulo who served with us in Swaziland and his wife, Amy.  What a pleasant surprise to see him.  I was filled to tears.  It was so good to meet his wife and share our memories.  I kept apologizing to the Egans but I didn’t want to end our conversation.  I was so excited that I forgot to take a picture, so I will just include one from face book.

Cute Amy and Michael Paulo

The Egans took us to what would become our new home for the next 18 months.  It was a recently renovated apartment with new furniture and appliances.  It really is nice.  I was disappointed at first that we were the only couple in the area office that was not in a place called Dukes Court…..I had enjoyed being with the couples there before when we came to visit Johannesburg…they were all together and it was fun.  But I can honestly say now, after two weeks, that this place of ours has become home and I love it.  We have a beautiful, huge patio that will be great for entertaining.  The places here do not have heating or air conditioning, so our place is extremely cold.  We came just as the cold arrived and we sit by heaters and wear jackets.  But that is okay.  We have a king size bed, they had food for us in the kitchen, electricity, a bathroom, running water.  Life is good.

Sunday, June 7th the Egans picked us up for church at 8:00 and we drove to Soweto to a branch named Protea Glen.  Good to be back in Africa on the Sabbath day .  The first people that greeted us were some missionaries.  I started talking to them asking them if they knew of Elder Dlamini or Elder Mavundla from Swaziland.  One of the elders took out his white handbook with his name on it and it said Elder Mfundo Mavundla!!!!!! Eish, it was Mfundo from Manzini.  Boy, was I embarrassed.  But it didn’t dampen the excitement of seeing him.  I thank Heavenly Father for allowing us to be with him our first day on mission.  We loved church.  The speaker was a former missionary of Elder Egan who was mission president in Capetown a few years ago.  His name is Xolani and his wife’s name is Futhi Lubisi.  The lessons were grand and the spirit strong.  We came home and slept for a few hours and then had dinner at the Egans with some other couples.  That night we slept peacefully…after we got warm.

Dennis, Elder Mavundla’s companion, Elder Mfundo Mavundla, Me

(No, mission rules have not changed.  You still have to wear a tie while on mission. Dennis is without a tie because he gave it to Mfundo.  Mfundo noticed his Swazi Warrior tie and said that he had given his away to someone who really wanted it.  Dennis took his off and gave it to Mfundo.)

NOTE:  Dennis gave Elder Mavundla Edson’s, the man Dennis met at the Atlanta airport, contact information so he could follow up on the referral.

Relief Society sisters – we were sitting in front of a little heater…we were cold

Young women in the branch

Elder Robert Egan, Sister Connie Barton (her husband is the area doctor and is gone for 10 days), Sister Jill Jones, Elder Ben Jones (they are going home in a week), Sister Martha Egan, Elder Cornelius (had a broken leg and was going home), Me

Monday, we were picked up at 8:00, taken to the area office, introduced to a lot of people, attended their weekly Monday devotional, were given our entry cards, saw our Church History Center  where we will be spending the next 18 months, got our computer set up, received a brand new white Toyota Corolla, and then we were on our own.  One of the first people we met was Portia Mabasa– our dear sweet girl from Swaziland that we were privileged to get to know.  We did not know that she was working in the Area Office.  Another Swazi reunion.

Sweet Portia

?, George, Patricia (our cleaning lady for our office)

Chefs in the canteen (lunch room)

Tuesday, June 9, was spent in the office trying to get oriented.  The cabinets were all locked so we had no supplies.  We were going through the computer trying to find all the important documents that we needed.  We met more of the amazing people in the office – both employees and senior couples.  We have no internet or phone at home, it is cold and no television so we end up going to bed early to get warm.  The first item we bought for the home was an electric pad for the bed – it felt so good to get into a warm bed.  Elder George and Sister Carla Jarvi came over to visit and brought us hangers and a crockpot.  That visit was so appreciated.  Our first visitors in our new home.

The missionaries in Family History – right above our office

George and Carla Jarvi, Dan and Ruth Ann Stokes, Nathan and Barbara Hales , me

Patricia cleaning our center

 

Thoko and Chatty – secretaries for the Area Presidency

 

Elder Bruce Kinghorn (Welfare), Sister Susan Peterson, Elder Walter Peterson (Welfare formerly Humanitarian)

Wednesday was kind of a repeat day of the others this week.  Understanding our responsibilities, calling on Marc and Matt (IT department), going home so they can come and fix things.  Elder and Sister Weeks came over and brought more hangers (which we needed) and chocolate chips!!  Something you cannot find here.

Renee from Temple Housing

 

Philadelphia our receptionist

Thursday, June 11 was a repeat of the other days.  That night though, Nathan and Ruth Hale invited us for dinner.  They also invited the Bergs – Area Public Affairs Director.  We had a great time.  Even though we are only a 7 minute walk to Dukes Court from our place, Elder Hale came to pick us up.  We have been advised not to walk anywhere in the dark and it gets dark at 5:00 p.m.

Nathan and Barbara Hale – he is the son of Nathan and Ruth Hale of Hale Center Theatre.  This is their 5th mission. A great couple.

Friday, June 12 was a special day.  It started the same as the others.  Jesse and Cecil (our maintenance helpers) came in to see about unlocking our cabinet doors.  Unsuccessful but asked if they could come to our flat and do some repairs and put up our clock at 1:00.  Yebo was the answer.  While we were there, Renee called us and told us there was someone at our office that wanted to see us….but they wanted to keep it a surprise.  So we hurried Cecil along and ran back to the office.  It was Gcina and Xolile Hlatswayo from Mbabane!  What a thrill!  They were coming to the temple to hopefully be sealed but didn’t know that they needed a living ordinance recommend, so they were disappointed.  They wanted us to be there.  Would have been a pleasure.  But we went to a session together which was grand.  We walked into the chapel and there were the Hales – they were leading the session.  I sat down, looked up and there was former Elder Reuben Holmes and his wife as the witness couple!  He had served with us in Mbabane as a zone leader.  Can you even begin to imagine the joy that I felt.  The session was beautiful.  Also, in attendance was Elder Holmes parents whom we had met before at the temple while we were on mission.  Needless to say, it was a very special session.  The Hlatsway’s also knew Elder Holmes….so another great reunion.  After pictures, the Hlatswayo went to their room in the temple patron housing (as he left he said…”safe journey” a very common phrase we hear)and we went back to our office to finish work we had started earlier that afternoon.  I slept wonderfully that night.

Our unique wall clock – just like the one at home!!!!!

Me, Elder Holmes, (I need to find out her name – forgot)

Holmes, Hlatswayo, Lombardi

The Holmes family

Saturday, June 13 we slept in a little – too cold to get out of bed.  I finally crawled out of bed and faced the cold, cleaned the house, went grocery shopping at Hyper Pic N Pay, made dessert for our party tonight, went to the office to email our missionaries and family, went to Mikes Kitchen for lunner and returned home in time to greet our guests…..Hales – Huntsville, Stokes – Namba, Idaho, and Jarvi – Anchorage, Alaska.  We played African Salad and Mormon Bridge, had goodies and dessert.  It was a really fun evening. 

Sunday, June 14 – back enjoying Sabbath in Africa.  Again, my favorite day of the week.  The Egan’s picked us up at 10:00 to take us to the ward we have been assigned to.  It is in Soweto called the Kagiso II Ward – just split a few weeks ago.  It was a warm chapel – felt so good.  They had us introduce ourselves and bare our testimonies.  The talks were fabulous – one sister talked on having a Christ-centered life and the high council man, Xolani Sibusi, talk was on self-reliance.  It didn’t end there.  Sunday School lesson was amazing.  She talked about Matt 25 – the ten virgins.  There was great participation.  Next, Relief Society lesson on flooding the world with the Book of Mormon.  After church there was a baptism of a sister with two small children.  I was so impressed and so excited to get to know these members even better in the future.  The ward mission leader came and took our picture for the ward directory.  We came home spiritually fed.  Later that day, Elder Lane and Sister Eileen Davis (South Jordan) came over with homemade bran muffins.  Can’t believe how kind people are.  I am now listening to music and guess what is playing…..My Cup Runneth Over.  How appropriate…that is exactly how I feel!

Lombardi, Futhi and Xolani Sibusi

Lombardi’s with Bongo (I will learn his sur name eventually) – ward mission leader

Baptism

A note of interest.  Just so you know, there are many times that I wonder what I am doing here and miss home so much.  Sunday morning I couldn’t sleep.  I woke up at 4:00 in the morning, tossed for an hour because it was cold and I didn’t want to get out of bed but finally couldn’t stay any longer, so I got up.  I had no internet but really needed to talk to someone from home, so I tried to contact family on messaging on the phone.  I think I wrote 12 messages which I think no one ever received.  I was so homesick.  But then, just a few hours later, I was experiencing this amazing day in church.  The Lord takes care of me and I am so grateful for Him and know this is where He wants me.  Look at those faces in the above picture.  How can you not love them…..my heart is full.

I have been thinking about a statement that Forrest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates….you never know what you’re going to get.”  But everything I do get is going to teach me something along the way and make me the person I am today.  That’s the exciting part – it’s an adventure in itself.  And eish, I am having quite the adventure!