The one thing that is a constant in the church is the changing of callings and responsibilities as we serve. It has always been hard for me. I have a tendency to attach myself to the calling, the people and the responsibilities. Mission has been no exception. This week our replacements came and spent a few days with us as we showed them around Swaziland and shared with them the tasks that were ahead of them. Also, another constant in the church is the Lord’s work will go on no matter who is directing it. So I know that the McEwens will do great as our replacement…the people will love them as they loved us…..the missionaries will flourish under their direction……the Swazi leadership will gain insights and assistance from them and grow under their service. It is us that will fill the loss….
Tuesday, December 31 began with taking a chocolate muffin to Zama for his birthday. He gave me a runner that his mother had crochet…..it was beautiful. Then Dennis took Elder Rotich who was not feeling well to the doctors, came home and took Sifiso to the doctor for his missionary physical. I stayed at home and prepared for our New Year Eve celebration with Nathi and Masisi. We ate roast, potatoes and gravy, rolls, cole slaw, played games and at midnight banged pots and pans to bring in the new year. We talked until 2:00 a.m. How we love this couple.
Dennis, Elder Wilcox, Zama, Sifiso, Elder Manhana
Aren’t they beautiful…their talents never cease to amaze me
Welcoming in the new year….2014
HAPPY NEW YEAR – I am amazed as I look back on 2013 and all the growth that has occurred in me. Who knew that a woman in her 60’s could learn so much about herself and about the wonders of the world that surrounded her. I knew and understood so little before I came on mission. I will be eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me this experience to help me appreciate His eternal love for all His children….to feel just an inkling of what He does. And appreciate the beauty of His creations.
So the first day of 2014 was spent phoning everyone and wishing them a Happy New Year. I pray that this year will be a great one for all those that we love in Swaziland. They need so much. Then we met Gcina and Xolile Hlatswayo and drove to where they are building their new home on the way to Piggs Peak. It is beautiful country. You go to the chief of the area and request an area, pay a cow, then you can build on it but it does not make it your land. They can ask for it back. They had started the home before but had to tear it down because the foundation was not done correctly. It is lot with a beautiful view. They wanted Dennis to dedicate the home for them. He gave a beautiful blessing. We then drove them back to their current home in Mbabane. They share a very small place with another man. No wonder they want a place of their own so badly. We hurried home so we could end New Years day with the Mbabane elders playing games. I wonder what 2014 has in store for us.
Gcina and Xolile’s future home
Thursday, January 2nd was a nearly perfect day surrounded by so many of the people that we have learned to love. It started with Mac, Zola, Charles, Manqoba and his girlfriend from Bloemfontain coming over for breakfast and visiting while Mac used our computer. Elder Mulumbo isn’t feeling well so Dennis took him to the doctor. The Ezulwini elders came over. Then went to see Siphiwe – Zama’s mother – to take her a birthday cake and thank her for the “muhle” doilies that she gave us. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met. I am just so sad that I am just now getting to know her – I have lost two years to know this beautiful woman. She told us that on New Years Eve she stayed up until midnight so she could pray and thank Heavenly Father for all she has and then she said she could sleep. She lives in a tiny, one-room place that has no electricity or any facility, but is thankful for all her blessings. We returned home and Dennis played games with Mac’s group while I cooked rolls. Then we went to a braai at President Siko Ntshalintshali’s home that was a going away party for us that we did not know about. It was a wonderful surprise. There was Sasi Ntshalintshali, Lucky and Thulu Maseko, Gcina and Xolile Hlatswayo, George and Futhi Dlamini, Nathi and Masisi Dlamini, Velaphi and Simile Simelane, Carol Kunene, the Mbabane elders and a recent baptized member, Nathi. So fun. Nathi videoed all of them on a tape for us to take home. I am the luckiest woman in the world to have the honor of knowing such wonderful people.
Some pictures from Sunday that I forgot
Ezulwini young men with our Swazi ties…..
Sphiwe – a most grateful woman
Sphiwe and Zama – they share the same birthday
Braai at Pres. Ntshalintshai
Friday, January 3, 2014 began with baking of brownies. Made some more visits – Ezulwini market with Sister Zulu and Sister Mayala, the Khoza family and Msibi family, visited Zweli’s gogo and family, also, Mbongiseni’s family, visited with Tip Top and Chosen, fixed chip in bakki window, picked up Vusi Mamba and took him to lunch to give him his Swazi warrior tie, picked up Sibusiso and Sifiso to get their suits fitted, and then Sifiso to the doctor for his mission papers, bought a washing machine for the Manzini elders, played games with Manzini elders, home. A good, full day.
Khoza Family
Zweli’s gogo
Mbongiseni’s family
Tip Top
Chosen – love this woman
Took Christmas to the Msibi family – just Babe, Sphiwe and Wendy were there
Fitting missionary suits for Sibusiso and Sifiso
Vusi Mamba’s tie
Joseph cleaned the outside at Gables
Sister Zulu
Children in Lobamba
January 4 Dennis got up early to help move Thabiso, who is an investigator. Then Dennis went to an Ezulwini training meeting and after we delivered our stationary bike to the Mahlalelas. After, we decided to go on our last adventure to experience the unknown country of Swaziland. We took a dirt road and was not disappointed as to what we saw. This country is magnificent. It took us 3 1/2hours on winding roads to make it back to home. Then we went to see Sister Zulu and her family at their homestead. And ended the day with taking our special red birthday plate to Pres. Siko’s home so they can use it with their family. Another good day.
Moving Thabiso
Our drive
Zulu family
I kept trying to get Sister Zulu to smile, but she wouldn’t. After we got home, she told us the reason was because she had cancer sores on her gums and was embarrassed to smile.
My Sundays in Swaziland are nearly over. Psychologically, I am trying to get myself ready for different Sabbath day experiences when I get home. But it is extremely hard when I think about. I love Sundays here because of the uniqueness of them and the humble spirit that you feel. This Sunday was no exception. I awoke and baked three different treats. Dennis took some to his District meeting in the morning. Then we attended the Manzini Branch where Dennis bore his testimony. I returned home to get some white shirts that we had and some garments we had bought in Johannesburg to deliver them to someone in the branch. I trained the new Manzini Relief Society Presidencies while Dennis attended District Council Meeting (treats for the groups). When we arrived home at 6:00, the McEwens were there and had been waiting since 3:30. Felt truly bad. We fed them and then enjoyed talking with them. A great couple.
Some memories of the many district meetings
George & Nathi Dlamini – high counselors
Constance Dlamini, Chosen Dlamini, Hazel
Mac Shongwe – District Young Men President
District Presidency – Maseko, Pres. Ntshalintshali, Mahlalela
Monday we showed the McEwens some of the wonders of Swaziland….Silver Smith, Ezulwini and Manzini Markets, the chapels, Ngwenya Glass Factory, Swazi Candles. When we arrived home some of the elders were there – I had a package for Elder Macharia, we ate, talked and eventually they all went to bed except for me….I stayed up and blogged.
Elders Macharia and Mudzurawona
Tuesday, January 7 was spent cleaning garage and house getting ready to leave. We went to the Lobamba Care Point to see them, then drove to Dundee where we saw Elders Hansen, Adale and Ogutu. We continued on to Ladysmith to stay with the Wildings. (There was suppose to be transfers today but President decided to cancel them.) Dennis will be setting apart an elder tomorrow in Ezakeni.
We woke early Wednesday morning to go to Ezakheni with the Wildings to set apart Tanda as a missionary to serve in the Kenya mission. His family was there – his brother and sister are members but parents and gogo are not. It was a spiritual experience. Dennis has had a lot of opportunities to set apart missionaries. We both will miss this part of our mission. One of the elders serving in this area, sang for us. He had a beautiful voice and it added such a sweet spirit to the occasion. After the setting apart, we hurried off because we were driving straight to Johannesburg to pick up Terry and Trista and the kids the following morning. It took us around 4 hours. When we got there we found out that they had not made their connection in Chicago and couldn’t get out any time soon so would arrive on Friday. So we decided to stay the night anyway since we had reservations in patron housing. Went to the temple, bought some more ties and a couple of suits. We arranged to meet Elder Mabena so we could give him his Swazi tie. So good to see him. We ran into Elder Cook and graciously offered to pray for Trista and the family that they would find a connection to get here. It turned out to be a blessing that we were in Joburg because the Sister Ntshalintshali was here to go to the temple to be sealed to her husband and then have the family sealed to them. She didn’t have the correct recommend so was thrilled when they saw Dennis because he was the only one that could have done the interview so they could accomplish what they had come fore. The Lord works in mysterious ways. The following day we drove home, packed, visited with the elders and got ready to wake the next morning to return to Johannesburg.
Tanda and his make
The Wildings with Tanda
A new couple will live in our home, love the elders and members, drive our bakki, discover the dirt roads and beauty of Swaziland and love serving the Lord as we have. So in a few days we will leave this adventure and hand over all the rights to the McEwens. They do not realize what a lucky couple they are! They have the opportunity to serve in the best mission area in the church.
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