“It is my observation that in places of relative comfort, safety and prosperity, people gain a false sense of independence and often don’t feel a need for their Maker. They don’t feel a need for miracles, they don’t believe in them, they don’t ask for them and consequently, they don’t get them. In places like Africa, the people recognize their dependence on the Lord just to live from day to day. They believe in miracles, they ask for them, and they receive them.” Glenn L. Pace. As I hear the stories of the people that surround me, this statement becomes more and more true to me. We went and visited a home in Soweto a few weeks ago of a man that was one of the first baptized in Soweto, Franc Lekgwati. We sat around a table and his son and grandchildren shared stories of faith and miracles that occurred in the very spot that we were sitting. I am having a hard time figuring out how to share these stories with you. Here is a quick version of what we heard that day. Franc and his friends, Moses Mahlangu, Peter Mafora and Washington Momoakwa, searched for the church that preached from this blue book that they found and were reading – The Book of Mormon. For fourteen years they gathered their families around and read and taught from this book not knowing where this church was. Peter Mafora was a delivery man and so he was assigned to search for this mysterious church as he traveled through the city. He would go from church building to church building inquiring about this book until finally his delivery truck quit in front of the Johannesburg Ward chapel. He finally found the source of this blue book. But their story doesn’t end there. For years they would wake up at Sunday morning at 4:00, get ready for church, catch the 5:30 a.m. train, be dropped off in Johannesburg (had to have a pass to enter the city) and then walk to the chapel to attend the meeting at 9:00 where they could not even be part of the service because they could not be baptized since they were black. They petitioned mission presidents, area authorities and even Salt Lake for permission to be baptized. Even after the revelation that all worthy men could receive the priesthood in 1978, the permission was not granted. There was an apartheid going on and there was caution amongst the leaders to mix the whites and blacks. But they continued their Sunday routine because they knew the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the gospel. Finally, on September 6, 1980, Franc and his family and the others were baptized. What a joyous occasion for these families. Jonas Lekgwati, his son, told us that “he was set free the day that he was baptized”. Franc was later the first black branch president in Soweto. After a few years of service he became blind but continued serving. His granddaughter said that she would lead him around to all the branch members so he could visit them. She said that her grandfather taught her to “see with her heart”. A true example of faith. I pray that I can develop the kind of faith that Franc Lekgwati had. I have been reminded that I should “see with my heart”.
Franc Lekgwati
Jonas, Pam, Bunny and Maisela Lekgwati
Franc and his family lived in this home since 1961
Our days at the center are going by quickly. We have a lot to do with gathering the annual histories, cataloguing oral histories that we are collecting and auditing the RPC. Our new leader, Leon Holmes, has arrivedand we are developing programs to be able to share the Church History that we are gathering. Since I am behind in writing, I am going to briefly share some of the things we have experienced and the people that we have met. It doesn’t take long for the Africans to capture my heart and become immediate friends. So here goes 2 1/2 weeks.
On Friday, 14 August we were surprised by a group of around 15 Mbabane youth that entered our center. We hadn’t seen a Swazi member for awhile so it was so nice to see them. Constance Dlamini, a Mbabane member, wrote a letter to Dennis asking him if he would do the initiatories and endowment for her late husband. I had heard so many stories about him that I always thought he had been a member. So on Saturday, her son did the baptism and confirmation and then Dennis did the other two ordinances. It was quite an honor. While at the temple Dennis saw Elders Mokoena, Karabonyana, Masaya and Sele and his girlfriend, Lebo. He also saw Pres. Siko Ntshalintshali, who came down to help with the baptisms for the youth. When Dennis came home we met Mohau Sele and his girlfriend at the park. What a cute couple. They are working on getting married but have the usual Africa struggles to make it to the altar. We did some shopping for some Christmas gifts, had dinner at Elder and Sister Hale’s and then joined other senior couples to enjoy the musical, “Sister Act”. A great production.
Mbabane youth arrive….
Constance Dlamini’s son
Lebo and Mohau Sele with Lebo’s mom and friend
Mokoena and Lebo and Mohau
Sister Hale in the kitchen where she prepared a great meal for us
Waiting for “Sister Act” to begin – Egans, Hales, Weeks, Bartons
Sister Jackson and her son who was visiting
Another great Sabbath. Sunday 16 August we were out the door at 7:45. We attended the Saulsville and Atteridge Wards and trained their ward clerks. We meet such wonderful people. Love visiting these wards. While training the Atteridge Ward’s clerk, we found out that he served in the Durban mission and in Swaziland. He was the one that found, taught and baptized Tip Top – one of our favorite Swazi men. A great man. Of course, when we got home we had to call Tip Top and tell him who we met. So excited. We also met a young lady who had served in the mission where Leon Holmes was mission president. We rushed home for a meeting with Warner Molema and then off to Dominic Tshabalala’s home where I was bringing a birthday cake for 3 members of the family who have birthdays within 5 days…….They fixed dinner for us and then we had cake and ice cream. There is always such a spirit of fun in their home. Love that family.
Saulsville Ward Clerk – Joshua Nyakudya
Future missionaries…
Patrick Mposhomali and his wife….he was just put in as a counselor in the bishopric – so young. Aren’t they cute!!
She just returned from the Ghana mission
Atteridge Primary
Aubrey Letsoalo – Atteridge Ward Clerk…..he found, taught and baptized Tip Top
Our man…….Tip Top
He takes care of the Manzini grounds. He is one special man.
We always have suckers…
Birthday celebration at the Tshablala’s home – Awande
Khumo ‘s birthday on 13 August
Dominic’s on 15 August
Minenhle’s on 17 August – he turns 12 and receives the priesthood
Dominic brought his mother in to meet us the following day. You can definitely tell they are related!
On Tuesday, 18 August we were greeted with a great group of youth from Madgascar and a darling family from Cape Town, the Bernardos. They drove with their four children from Cape Town. They love their temple here. Cape Town is a 20 hour drive! He tends the temple while she takes care of the children and then the reverse. That afternoon we did a presentation in the new mission president seminar about Church History. I hate doing things like that. We just found out Monday afternoon that we were on the agenda Actually, that was better. Not much time to worry about it. In the afternoon I had a feeling I should call Bobbi Swanepoel – a sister that we did an oral history a few weeks back, just to see how she was doing. She is dying of lung cancer and I was worried. She was having such a hard time breathing just to talk. I called Elder and Sister Pier to let them know and they were on their way to see her. The Lord helps those that are faithful and Bobbi is one of the most faithful, true disciples of Christ that I know. Bobbi has a part in the story I told at the beginning. In the early ‘80s Bobbi was asked by her bishop in Johannesburg, to go visit the new members in Soweto and help them learn the gospel. She didn’t just teach, she showed by example. When Jonas was telling us his father’s story, he said that Bobbi was the “mother of Soweto” and then excused himself as he left in tears. That is the kind of woman Bobbi is. This day, the Lord provided some help for her at a difficult time.
The group from Madagascar
Desmund & Lauren Bernardo and family from Cape Town – look at the hair of those kids!
I am so much grateful that our Church History Center is located by the temple patron housing. We meet such amazing people and even though they come into our lives for just a few days, they remain in our hearts long after they are gone. Sadam Kalamba is one of these people. He is a returned missionary from Kinshasa, DRC that came to the temple with his mother so she could receive her endowments. One day I mentioned how much I loved the dress she was wearing – it was so colorful – so Congonese. He came into the center on Thursday, 20 August and asked for our email address. He said that he wanted to send me some material from the Congo that he thinks I will like. He knows some people that are coming to the temple later and he will send it with them. So touched my heart. I am a lucky woman to have the honor of meeting such special people. Even the youth are teaching me so much……I am beginning to “see with my heart”…..the people here already do!
Sadam Kalamba
In the afternoon of 20 August, we drove to Parys to see how Bobbi Swanepoel was doing. We so enjoy visiting with Bobbi. It is so enjoyable to spend time with her. Amidst all her health problems, her attitude about life is something I can really learn from. She brightened our day. Then we left for Potchefstroom to see Elder and Sister Pier. They leave for home in a few days and we wanted to say good-bye. What a lovely place Potchefstroom is. Enjoyed our visit.
Bobbi Swanepoel – the “mother of Soweto”
Dinner in Potchefstroom with Elder and Sister Pier
Friday 21 August we were reunited with our good friends, the Wildings. They have had quite the adventure. They have been to Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia. Now they are back in South Africa to visit where they served a mission. So good to see them. They will always be special to us because they were a big part of our first mission. They served in Ladysmith, South Africa.
Our day’s plan for Saturday, 22 August, changed as soon as we woke up with a test message from Lucky and Thuli Maseko. They were here at the temple. We were thrilled. We started with a walk around the neighborhood which we have not done yet. So pretty and for the first time we visited our complex’s back yard. Beautiful! then Dennis went to Timber City to make his “Kub” game (we called it the stick game in Swaziland) that I wouldn’t let him bring this time. Didn’t think we would have the opportunity or room, but Dennis has found both! He came home so excited because they made it for him while he waited. I walked to the store to purchase a few things. At 12:30 Dennis picked up Lucky and Thuli. Apparently I had something in the food that Thuli was allergic to because she passed out. My food gets reactions usually but not this kind. Lucky knew what to do which was lemon juice and warm water (again the Lord provided – I happened to pick a lemon off a tree in our courtyard). While she slept, we enjoyed our visit with Lucky. He is now the Ezulwini Branch President, so we had a lot to share with him about his members. When Thuli began to feel better, they left for home. We went to dinner with the Weeks to a great Italian restaurant.
Our courtyard
Lucky and Thuli Maseko
Still my friend even after I almost killed her!
Sunday, 23 August was spent visiting the first chapel in Pretoria – the Sunnyside chapel but the Montana Ward. We trained the Stake Clerk of the newly established Mapobane Stake. A funny story. We arrived early so there was parking. As we were visiting the Bishop, he advised us that if our car was in the parking lot, that we would not get out until the block was over because the entire parking lot would be filled with cars. So we moved our car because we had a lunch appointment. I wish that I would have taken a picture of what it looked like when we came out to go. We would not have gone anywhere. So funny that they would park like that. But it was a lovely chapel and a spiritual Sacrament Meeting. Then we went to Ike and Edwina Swartzberg’s home for lunch and a 5 hour visit. Their history in the church is incredible. They were part of every aspect of the growth of the church in South Africa. It was so sweet of them to invite us for lunch.
Sunnyside Chapel is the first church building in Pretoria
Bro. Spencer Chatora – Mapobabne Stake Clerk and his little boy
Ike and Edwina Swartsberg – quite an amazing couple.
I loved that statue. They brought it home from Salt Lake
Monday, 24 August our new director of Church History in the ASEA, Leon Holmes,arrived back from training in Salt Lake and officially started. We met with him to set goals for the center. A group from Zimbabwe came in from the Harare Stake. Since we have been there, it has been a lot more enjoyable to know where they are from and even know the names of the wards now!!! Such marvelous people. These couples came in to be sealed! That night we attended a farewell party for Elder and Sister Pier at President an Sister Dunn’s home. They had salads of which I contributed my cole slaw. It was great food and great people. We also met, Elder and Sister Warr who is the uncle and aunt of my sister-in-law, Cindy Allen. It still amazes me how lives are intertwined in the gospel. It was so fun to meet them.
Group from the Harare Zimbabwe Stake
Farewell party for Elder and Sister Pier. So nice of them to invite us!
Quite a cake!!!
Elder and Sister Pier – ending their 5th mission
Dennis took this picture – he loves chess sets. Would love to get him one from Africa!
Sharing their experiences with us and testimony
Elder and Sister Warr
Tuesday, 25 August – HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sabrina!!!!! I took care of this little one when she was first born and now look at her!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Trista – Sabrina’s mother and our amazing daughter whom we love more than words can describe. She is a delight and continues to bring us so much joy! 27 August….
The next few days were busy with center work. I am learning to create spread sheets which is surprising me and I am sure my family is shocked! We met people in the center which always makes for a good day. Was able to attend the temple with a MTC group and we were chosen as witness couple – always a special experience. We are continually reminded how blessed we are.
Group from Kinshasa – it was her birthday.
This group was in the same stake as the young man from last week – Sadam
Friday, 28 August Xolani, Futhi, their 7-month-old son, Sivuse, Nkosikhona Sibandze, and the Phiri family from Swaziland came to visit. We were so thrilled. We finally were able to meet Sivuse!!!! That sweet one has been part of our life since we were first informed that Xolani and Futhi were expecting and finally after all this time we were able to hold him, caress him and even take care of him for two nights so his parents could actually get a good nights sleep. Saturday, they went to the temple while we took care of Sivuse and then they went shopping in one direction and we went in another. That evening we held our first barbecue on our deck. I do love where we live. It makes for a great entertaining spot. The night was filled with game playing and eating! Sunday, they went to a 9:00 church and then left for home. We went to the Glenridge Ward so we could hear Elder Mfundo Mavundla speak in church. After their sacrament, we hurried and made it to the rest of Kagiso’s block time. That afternoon we had a meeting with Bro. Molema and Holmes and the evening was spent with the senior couples at our Zone Conference where Elder Khumbalani Mdletshe and his wife spoke to us. A weekend that will be cherished for a long time.
Elder Mfundo came to visit us after he and his companion attended the temple
OUR SWAZI WEEKEND BEGINS
Dennis, Kosikhona and Xolani
Nkosikhona, Nelson, Eve, Futhi, Xolani, Me and little Sivuse
I will end with my favorite picture!
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye,” Antoine de Saint-Exupery writes in his book, The Little Prince, a timeless classic. Pam’s grandfather, Franc Lekgwati, taught his little granddaughter a very valuable life lesson….to “see with her heart”.
Is there anywhere we can access these testimonies?
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