A JOYFUL MEETING June 22–28, 2015

“And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a JOYFUL MEETING.  Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.  Now was not this exceeding joy?  Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.  Now the joy of Alma in meeting his brethren was truly great, and also the joy of Aaron, of Omner, and Himni….”  Alma 27: 16 – 18

This week was filled with “happy reunions” …..when people from two countries unite once again…..America and Swaziland.  It was exceeding joy!  I realized that even though it had been almost 1 1/2 years, the comfort, sincerity, support, sense of humor, and everything else that bonded us were still there.  I guess that’s what makes friendships timeless and priceless.  I truly understood the joy that Alma and the sons of Mosiah felt when once again they reunited after a long separation. 

Just a reminder to those who do not remember from my last mission blog entries, that this is my journal…..a book of memories and life happenings for my progenitors.  So I try and relate each day, even though some may be redundant.  If you get bored, please just go to the pictures and enjoy!

Monday, June 22 was filled with a combination of spending time in the center (that is what I am going to start calling our office or work – sounds better than work!), going home for Cecil to fix some things and finding a store that has bulk baking supplies for me.  We started the day with our Monday Devotional which is always good.  We saw President Cook for the first time since we returned..it was good to see him.  He was so kind before when we were concerned with Trista and her family trying to get here in January 2014.  He is a good, kind man.  A great leader.  Without internet in our home, I have to get to the center early to email our missionaries from Swaziland and the elders that served with us on our precious mission.  I have done this every week now for two and 1/2 years and I am disappointed when I do not get it done.  Monday night we had Family Home Evening at the Hales.  Elder Hales gave the lesson about all the times “eyes” are used in the scripture and had an object lesson for all the different meanings “see” or “eyes” have.  It was a most enjoyable evening.  That night I could night sleep so I baked, blogged, washed the kitchen floor and used the treadmill.  I get a lot done when I do not sleep.  I hope in heaven we don’t have to sleep.  It is such a waste of time!

Clayton, Jarvi, Stokes in front

Dennis, Hales and Davis standing

Lungisani – our security guard at the entrance of our living complex.  Dennis has been sharing the gospel with him.

He has two children that live in Ladysmith.  He had a good job in Ladysmith until his wife and mother both got sick and died.  He had to leave his children with his mother-in-law and go to Joburg to try and find work so they don’t have to live on the streets.  We come down in the mornings and he is singing.  He says he loves to sing.   Some have such a hard life but look at that smile!! They continue to teach and humble me.  We brought him some homemade rolls for Fathers Day and he said that he got to talk to his children.

Cecil Wood – the man we call on to fix anything…..I asked him about his last name and he said that his father was Scottish and his mother was a Zulu.  One of the nicest young men you would ever meet

Tuesday, June 23 started this week of reunions.  We were in the center and a young man came in, as I looked up I couldn’t believe that it was Welile Dlamini from Mbabane.   Dennis set him apart for his mission.  He got home from mission a few months ago and was in Joburg for an operation.  Dennis and Sandile gave him a blessing.  We had computer and phone training all day with Marc Jackson.  I sure hope we can remember everything that we learned.  It really was informative.  We returned to the center and there we met President and Sister Dunn, Johannesburg Mission President, with their elders that were returning home.  They were having a tour of the area office and having a treat before they went to the airport.  The Dunn’s are a vivacious couple and it was so good to have a bunch of elders to talk to.  I miss having them in our lives.  We found out that one elder was a companion with Elder Mfundo and another elder was a friend of Seth Adams from Cape Town – Elder Malapula.  In our conversation we found out that Sister Dunn is very interested in South African Church History and is having a group over to her home on Monday to hear an elderly man, Isaac (Ike) Swartzberg, who has been involved with Johannesburg/Pretoria church history for years.  We accepted her invitation to come and join them on Monday.  We are truly being blessed with such amazing people entering into our lives.  Matt Heiss called us at 6:00 and we left for home at 8:00.

Welile and his mother and Dennis

When Welile left for his mission

Training

Marc Jackson – he is so patient with us – here he is working under our table when this picture was taken

Wednesday, June 21 we moved our RPC closet from upstairs to our center.  They made this awesome storage unit that is behind a closet door….it is a hidden compartment.  We started moving file, boxes, etc. and before we knew it Debbie, a secretary, and George, who cleans our area, were helping us.  How I love these people.  It sure shortened our time for moving considerably.  We organized the center and I found the RPC cataloguing and we went through some boxes.  Some children were playing in the hallway, so I joined them.  We connected very quickly.  They were so cute.  Their mother came out of the Employment office and told me that there was a group from Port Elizabeth and they were taking turns caring for the children so they could attend sessions.   Love these times to get to know people.  So faithful.  We were going to visit Welile in the hospital, but they advised us against it because he would just be getting out of surgery and they have certain visiting hours.  So we went to Campanos and I found candlesticks for the candles that I brought from home!!!!  So excited.  Now I just need some picture easels for the plagues that I brought with us.

Of course, the children receive suckers

Sister Sbongile Grootboom and her children from Port Elizabeth

Our  new candlesticks and the plaque that needs an easel (I had one packed to bring, but because of weight thought for sure I would be able to find one….wrong!)

Our kitchen

Thursday June 25 was such a joyful day.  It began calling Nathi Dlamini for his birthday and he surprised us by telling us that he and Masisi was coming to Joburg tomorrow!  Will be so good to see them.  We worked on annual histories that we had received…..each one takes us so long and I am sure that someone who knew what they were doing, would be such an easy task.  Also, did some more RPC files.  A young man (probably not so young, but seriously they all look so young I think they must have found the fountain of youth) from Uganda but now living in South Africa, came into the center and introduced himself.  His name is James Ronson Amoh and in our conversation, we found out that he was an early pioneer in Uganda.  We got his contact info and he has agreed to come in for an oral history.  The couple that arrived just a few days after we did, Chuck and Liz Walton who replaced the Jones’, came in to talk.  We found out that they knew one of our Country Church History Advisers, Jose Fernandes from Angolo, because he was mission president in Angola for a year.  In the church our lives intertwine so much.  Took a picture and sent it to Jose.  A delightful couple.  Hales gave us something that might help us get internet, but it didn’t work.  But so thoughtful.  We drove to the airport to pick up Machawe Shongwe.  It was so good to see him.  He was coming from Cape Town where he was visiting a girl that he is very interested in.  Hope it works out for him.  When we arrived home we found there was no electricity – they call it loadshedding.  The city turns off the electricity for 4 hours during peak hours to save on power!  Luckily, I had beef stew in a crockpot but was unable to make the bread I was planning.  But it was fun eating by candlelight.  We had a great time playing our dice game.  Talked and when the electricity came back on, Mac was anxious to watch Meet the Mormons that we brought him.

James Ronson Amoh – an early pioneer in Uganda now living in SA

Chuck and Liz Walton – our new Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency

Eating by candlelight

Watching Meet the Mormons

Friday was a day I was so looking forward to.  Two couples were being sealed and the mass of Swazi’s were arriving. It began with making brownies and a chocolate cake.  We left at 8:00 to go to the center for a few hours and then at 10:00 went to the temple to be part of the sealing of Kayise Hlatswayo from Nhlangano, Swaziland (she served a mission to Kenya and Dennis set her apart) to Phaphama Shibamo from Kwa Thema, South Africa.  They were originally scheduled to be sealed on Saturday morning but his grandmother passed away and the funeral was Saturday morning, so they moved it to Friday but all the Nhlangano group weren’t coming until Friday night.  Shame..they missed it and consequently only Dennis and I, Mac, Zola – who was her maid of honor, her “father” and a few ladies from Mabane who happened to be there. (They were going to stay with us but found a place at the patron housing).  It was really nice.  We went back to the center after until 3:00 when Gcina and Xolile Hlatswayo were sealed for time and all eternity.  Elder Robert Egan performed the sealing and Dennis and Mac were witnesses.   To be a part of these sealings are such a blessing to us.  We are so grateful that we are here to see the growth of these members.  We have watched the Hlatswayo be baptized, have significant callings in the church, go to the temple and now be sealed.  WOW!  We went back to the center and a few hours later 20 members of the Nhlangano branch arrived!!!  Eish, what a reunion…..I felt such joy I thought my heart would burst.  Such humble, kind people that gave us so much love and acceptance.   A joyful meeting.  The brownies were for them…..all they talk about is the brownies!  That is okay.  I will bribe them with brownies!  After the excitement, we went home, made taco soup and breadsticks because Nathi and Masisi arrived around 8:30.  Again, I never imagined we would see them again so soon.  Such a lovely couple.  We ate and then had a late birthday celebration with chocolate cake.  It was a day of celebration!  We, also, called Busi Mahlalela for her birthday. It was a long, marvelous day.

  Kayise and Zola

Kayise and Bro. Shongwe and us

Friends – Zola, Kayise and Portia

Phaphama and Kayise

Sisters – Simile and Zola

Friends – Tilungile Ntshalintshali and Simile Simelane

Xolile and Gcina Hlatswayo right after they were sealed for time and all eternity

Tilungile, Xolile, Gcina and Mac

What an honor to be here to witness these two being sealed.  Such an amazing couple.

A visit to our Church History Center

Simile, Tilungile, Thuli Maseko, Gcina and Xolile Hlatswayo

Nhlangano Branch arrives!

Muzi Vilakati,Khetani, Derrick Fakudze, branch president – we were at his baptism

Bulunga, Muzi, Khetani, Dennis, Derrick, in back is Bishop Mamba, the man in front is Simon and he is going to the temple for first time, ladies in the back are Sister Simelane and Sister Malinga, Vilani.

 

Look at Dennis in the back – pure joy!

?, Sister Mamba, Dennis, Bishop Mamba, Bulunga, Me

The women came prepared with lots of food

Thuli, Gcina, Simile, Xolile

Masisi and Nathi arrive

Nathi’s birthday celebration

It’s cold!  Watching Meet the Mormons again.

Saturday, June 27 continued with celebration!  After breakfast we went to the center to finish up some work.  Some Ezulwini members had arrived late last night and we were able to meet up with them this morning.  Oh, how I have missed them.  We saw Sbu, Chosen, Majaha, Thoko, Sebe and Manqoba!  It was a joyful reunion.  Then went home to feed Tilungile, Simile, Thuli, Xolile and Gcina before they head back to Swaziland.  It was hard to see them leave.  We went back to the area office with Nathi and Masisi so we can lead the Nhlangano group to Kayise’s reception.  Thank heavens for GPS.  But then, we got lost anyway.  We ended up on a dirt road.  We laughed.  We felt like we were back in Swaziland.  I miss those dirt roads.  We finally found the Kwa Thema chapel. We got our of the car and there standing in front of us was Elder Mokoena – our Amulek on mission!.  I was so surprised and so thrilled to see him.  He said that he knew we were coming, but told everyone not to tell us…it was a perfect surprise.  Hugs, much to catch up on and greeting the others from Ezulwini Branch was a great way to start our celebration.  Then Elder Ntombela showed up.  Elder Mokoena lives in the grooms ward and Elder Ntombela lives in the stake.  Can you imagine my joy.  They were two hours late getting started but the time went fast.  Kayise looked like an angel.  She was beautiful.  Some from this ward had attended the funeral for Sister Dludlu from Nhlangano that we attended and they came up to us to reintroduce themselves.  Our paths meet up again.  The food was grand.  We had to head back because it was getting late and Nathi didn’t think we should be driving in the dark.  I hated to leave.  We came home and played the dice game.  We laughed and had such a good time.  It is so good to have them in our home.

Sbu, Majaha, Mac

Dennis and Chosen

Breakfast before they head for home

Thabang (Bob) Mokoena and Dennis

Sister Shongwe from Nhlangano (mother of Kayise)

Dennis, Mokoena, Ntombela (he told us that he is really a Dlamini from Swaziland), Me

Mac, Ntombela, Mokoena, Sbu, and Thoko Shongwe (Both Ntombela and Mokoena served in the Ezulwini Area) A sweet reunion.

Swazi Warriors

Mac, Manqoba, Mokoena, Dennis, Sbu, Ntombela

Everyone sings to announce the arrival of the bride

Cultural Hall

Kayise and Phaphama

Masisi – have no idea what happened to the picture

The food was extra good….

Ntombela, Mokoena, a man that we first met in Nhlangano, Swaziland at a funeral in 2012, Dennis enjoying the delicious food

Dear friends – Masisi and Nathi

Sunday, June 28 we were able to be part of an historic day in Johannesburg/Pretoria church history.  We thought we were attending for the splitting of the Pretoria Stake but got a whole lot more.  When we arrived it was packed.  Nathi and Masisi came with us and we could find no where to sit.  They finally showed us some seats in the Relief Society room but when it started there was no sound.  It took them until half-way through to fix it.  They announced the splitting – I can’t share the names because we couldn’t understand.  When I get them from the area presidencies’ secretary, I will record them on the blog.  Not only the stake, but ward boundaries were also changed.  A lot of people affected.    After the area seventy finished that business, President Cook came to the pulpit and announced that there was going to be a change in the Johannesburg South Africa mission.  Pretoria and north was joining the Botswana/Namibia mission.  Previously, that mission had only 13 missionaries due to the country not allowing any visas, so now they have added 45 including 4 senior couple companionships.  The elders will still probably never see Botswana, but this give the Botswana mission president, President Wilson, more missionaries to work with.  WOW.  What an announcement.  President and Sister Dunn, President and Sister Wilson talked, Sister and Elder Walter Chatora - Area Seventy, Sister Cook and then President Cook.  It was really a good meeting.  They all had such words of encouragement for the changes taking place and the challenge to support all the new leaders.  We always can be reminded of how important it is when we raise our hand in support, that we do just that.  I have brief thoughts about their talks at the conclusion of this blog.  But President Cook shared that there are 56 stake callings that Pres. Hlaole has to fill.  56 that is a lot!!!!  I had no idea. There was a meeting after with the elders involved with the change with both mission presidents and President Cook.  They answered questions and gave encouragement.  Then President Cook had asked us to stay to take pictures of the new stake presidents, so as Dennis was waiting, I helped with the meal after that Sister Dunn provided for all the missionaries.  What an historical event to be part of.  When we arrived home I hurried and prepared a meal because Amy and Michael Paulo were coming for dinner.  We had a great visit with them.  I forgot to take a picture again of them.  We have so much fun catching up that I forget.  They told us about places that we need to see around Johannesburg…we are making plans for them to take us.  Will be excited to see more than the area from our home to the center which is about a 8 minute drive.

Pretoria Stake Conference

I love her head dress.  Isn’t it beautiful…absolutely love it!  I would love to learn someday how to do that.

Elders and senior couples that are now part of the Botswana/Namibia Mission

President and Sister Wilson of the Botswana/Namibia Mission

Lunch after – Sister Dunn standing by the table

Elder and Sister Thompson – office couple for the Johannesburg mission.  He worked for Church History Department in Salt Lake for 30 years!  He should be in this calling!

The new stake presidency of the Mabopane Stake

President Joshua Rampai Hlaole

1st Counselor – Modisane Edwin Motaung

2nd Counselor – Felix Jena

The very first stake presidency in South Africa that is entirely black

Area Seventy Walter Chatora,  stake presidency, President Cook

With their “assistants”….couldn’t serve in this calling without them.

“…my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.”

My ultimate reunion

Brief notes that I took at the conference after all the announcements:

Sister Dunn -  change is uncomfortable but we can do hard things; the constant is the love of our Savior

President Dunn – compared the spirit in this meeting like unto the Kirtland Temple dedication where there were angels on the rooftops.  Quoted Deuteronomy 2: 1 & 24…Rise ye up and take your journey

Sister Wilson – I look out and don’t know any of you but I know within a year we will love you

President Wilson – Count Me In

Sister Chatora – bore testimony of the Book of Mormon

Bro. Chatora – there is no comfort zone – we all need to labor and serve

Sister Cook – there in our quiet moments, we will discover truths

President Cook – there is wonderment with all of us of what will happen with all these changes.  He quoted Bednar’s last talk in Conference – Hush Their Fears.  Then in Exodus 3:5 Moses says “Who am I that I should go?”  Then two chapters later he states that he is not eloquent.  Lord answers.  “I will be with thee:.  The Lord qualifies – the Lord empowers.  Then along comes Joshua who is not a prophet like unto Moses.  The Lord says Moses is dead.  The name of the new stake president is Joshua so he compared Joshua of old to Joshua of new.  Verse 5 the Lord answers…As I was with Moses, I will be with thee – BE STRONG…BE OF GOOD COURAGE.  Moses’ arms are held up by his counselors.  Joshua expresses his concern if the people will follow him…the people answer (verse 5) all that thou has commanded, shall we do. Then he went to PMG and quoted the section on service.  D & C 21: 4 – 6. He said that morning he picked up his handbook of instructions and counted that 56 new stake callings will have to be issued/plus the branches becoming wards will have to be staffed, plus the new wards announced will need all those callings.  PMG chapter 13, pg. 215 – strengthening the church.  Missionaries are CALLED TO ARMS.  Declare “I’m in” and pledge your support.

In the missionary meeting after the main conference, President Cook had the pianist play “If You Hie to Kolob” but we sang the words to “Improve The Shining Moments.”  Asked what we thought when the music started playing but it was different.  He said that we started out very tentatively and weak but as we continued to sing, we got louder and stronger.  The same will happen with this change of missions.