Friday, January was a glorious day. Finally Trista and her family arrived on Africa soil in South Africa. Their journey here was a tumultuous one. Their flight from Salt Lake was late which meant they missed their flight in Chicago. Sabrina told me how upset she was when they watched the plane fly away without them. When they got there, the plane was still there but they had closed the gate and wouldn’t let them on. I can’t imagine how that felt for them. Consequently, there were storms and they couldn’t get out. They put them up in a hotel for a few days while Terry worked on getting them to Africa. Talking to them on the phone broke my heart. Precious time together was being wasted. I couldn’t wait to see them. It had been two long years. But finally at 10:45 p.m. they arrived!!! What a glorious reunion. So good to see Trista, Terry, Sabrina, Blake, Miri and meet little Shelby! My heart was full. We had set up with some very kind senior couples in the area office to host us for the night….thanks to Elder and Sister Kyle and Elder and Sister Jones. They had beds prepared and food ready for our arrival. We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people that were so willing to come to our rescue. To add to their problems, their luggage could not be found. Not a great beginning to their trip, but we changed all that the moment they arrived.
THEY ARRIVED!!!
(Sorry about the poor quality of pictures – have no idea what happened)
We woke early and toured the temple grounds and then left for Swaziland where they were waiting for us.
Miri met a new friend…..
Jet-lagged…..
When we arrived in Swaziland, there was a lot of people at the Ezulwini Chapel waiting for us. They were giving us a going away party. We felt so badly that we were late. Another hiccup caused by the missed plane. The program was so lovely with singing (Mac, Chosen, Sster Motsa, Zola, Mabel, Busi), tributes, movie and Dennis and I even sang…..only Swazi’s could have got us to do that! Can’t express to you the emotions of that day with Trista and her family sharing our love with our Swazi family. Oh, how I miss them.
Zola singing “You’ll Always Be in My Heart”
Elder Manhanha speaking for the Elders
Busi and Mac singing
Mabel singing
Mac singing “Through the Years”
More than my eyes could handle
Finally home……
On Sunday, January 11, their luggage had still not arrived so they wore their pajamas or we altered my clothes to fit….Sabrina figured this outfit by herself. Looks mighty nice don’t you think…..
She immediately made new friends…..
Good-bye hugs for Dennis
Ezulwini Primary class
Miri became good friends with Zama who was baptizing Thabiso
One of my favorite pictures ever!!!!
Zola and Miri
During the Sacrament service Elder Manhanha and Patricia spoke and they had Trista and Terry bear their testimonies…
Zama who was just baptized the end of November baptized Thabiso
Our last after church taxi service
Serious jet-lag
Monday, 13 January, we woke early and went and bought food for the Lobamba Care Point and then visited Abigail and Nonitu and the kids. Another last for us. How I will miss them. Trista and Cassie’s family had spent quite a few months raising money for the Care Point, a pre-school and families that were in need of food. It was touching to see our grandchildren intermingle with the orphans and the joy when they were given a sweet. Just wish that Cassie’s family had been here also to see the delight. Then off to the Manzini Market to order skirts and back to Lobamba to see Zama and Sifiso and Sibusiso. Home was next to prepare for our last PMG/FHE. They presented us with a collection of testimonies from our Lobamba group and elders. A collection that I will always treasure.
Discovering Lobamba
Manzini Market treasures
Dinner for PMG
Our last group of elders - how I will miss them
Blake Bytheway and Blake Rowley
Tuesday, January, 14 we introduced their family to the African animals at Milwane Game Reserve. They saw zebras, wildebeests, hippos, impala, crocodile. It was fun. Then we drove to Nhlangano (1 1/2 hour drive) to see President Bulunga and his children. When we were ready to leave, their oldest daughter ran up to me and gave me a hug and said, “When are you coming back?” Don’t know how much more my heart can handle. Home for dinner then went to visit the Shongwe family in Ezulwini.
President Bulunga with Trista’s family
Precious picture – Sister Shongwe with Shelby
I had made a DVD with memories of our time with the Shongwe family that we gave to them
We sang a going away song
Wednesday, January 15 was another busy day with visiting the Cultural Center, presented some of the fund raising money to Gogo Shongwe’s preschool (unfortunately, it was holiday and the kids were not there), introduced the family to the Silver Smith and bought supplies and visited the Mukunda family in Manzini. We came home and fixed a turkey dinner for the family and invited Nathi and Masisi over. They brought us a DVD that they made.
Sabrina and Blake sang for them
The teachers and supporters of the pre-school
The Cultural Center
Shelby not so happy with grandpa
Delivery home supplies to the Mukunda family
Masisi and Nathi became instant friends with the kids
Thursday, January 16 was filled with finishing last minute items before we departed. We went to Swazi Candles, picked up Dennis’ Swazi tie at the tailor, Manzini Market to get Trista and Shelby’s skirt, visited the Mukunda family again and the children were wearing the clothes that we had delivered yesterday, picked up our Swazi ties, drove to Mbabane to see Zola, Constance and Xolile. When we arrived home Tilungile was there and also Mahlalela came and gave us two shirts with pictures of them and us in Maputo, Sibusiso came over to say good-bye and then Dennis and Terry went to see Gcina (Robert) Hlatswayo to tell him good-bye. So many people have affected our lives here in Swaziland. They have implanted themselves in our hearts and will forever dwell there. After everyone left, we finished packing. I never could fall asleep. Couldn’t believe that we were really leaving.
Swazi Candles
Mission accomplished…..all in our Swazi skirts. This lady has become very special to me.
When Blake saw our robot, he exclaimed…”It looks like Utah”. I have spent two years here and never noticed that. Shame.
Our dear friends, Solomon and Busi Mahlalela and our new shirts
Friday, January 17, 2014, we are packed and ready to leave Swaziland Sphiwe and Zama were here at 9:00 to get instructions for cleaning of our home (I didn’t have time and she could use the money). I asked the elders to deliver letters and pictures for me to those we didn’t get to say good-bye to. I haven’t hurt this bad in a long time. My heart was breaking. Manqoba called to “just hear our voice again”. When Sphiwe hugged me, she said, “You won’t be here for my baptism.” That was the first that she had committed to baptism. What a way to leave our mission! On our way out of Swaziland, I hurried and phoned everyone to say good-bye because once we left the border, our Swazi connection would be gone.
It was good-bye to Swaziland and mission but a hello to our family and life at home. Our life at home seems like an eternity ago. But what a joy it will be to see our family. I have missed them.
My last entry will be our trip with Terry and Trista’s family through the southern part of South Africa to Capetown. So hang on for the final segment.
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