The word "home' is surely one of the most comforting and consoling words in the English language. There are so many enjoyable things associated with home. Home is looked upon as a place of rest, peace and happiness. How many times have we all said, "It is good to be home." But even more importantly a godly home is a place were love reigns supreme. It is our loved ones who live there that make the home far more than a house. A family bound together by genuine love for each other and for God, makes the home what it ought to be.
A godly home here is a foretaste of the heavenly home hereafter where we will be reunited and live eternally with our family and other loved ones in the midst of our Heavenly Father and Savior. That reunion will be glorious and it will be good to be "home". Heaven will be a place of supreme joy - and one of its joys will be our reunion with our loved ones. But heaven's greatest joy will be our reunion with Christ, our Savior and our Father in Heaven.
I have had a glimpse of that heavenly reunion twice. The first time was 27 January 2014 at the Salt Lake City airport when we returned from our first mission and were reunited with our dear family. It was glorious and I thought my heart would burst. Supreme joy! Yes, I had a glimpse of that Heavenly reunion that evening.
My second glimpse was on Sunday, 6 December in the Ezulwini Branch in Swaziland. I can't begin to explain the joy that I felt as we were reunited with our Swazi family in church. Again, supreme joy. I was able to experience just a moment of what that reunion in heaven will be like.
Friday, 4 December at noon we left for Swaziland with Vernon and Janet Jubber. He is our area doctor and was assigned to go to Swaziland to interview a young man. He thought it would be good to bring along some tour guides and we enthusiastically accepted. Dennis drove and even the drive was a memory that we loved. The border can be an unpleasant experience sometimes, but this day it was smooth - just like Swaziland was waiting for us. We arrived around 5:00 and drove directly to Mantenga Lodge where we were staying. This was the first time ever that we stayed somewhere different than our Swazi home. It felt rather strange but Mantenga Lodge did a great job of making us feel welcomed. We didn't stay long at the lodge because we were anxious to introduce Swaziland to the Jubbers. We immediately went to Lobamba. It was Mbongiseni's birthday on the 1st so I had made a cake for him and we wanted to deliver it to him. Even though we had seen him just a few weeks prior at the airport when he returned from his mission, it was so good to see him with his family at his homestead. There is nothing like "home". He was surprised to see us. A great reunion. We then rushed to the Mbabane chapel to meet President Ntshalintshali and the young man that was the reason for us being there. After their visit we went back to the lodge for a late dinner but sure was good! Dennis and I couldn't figure out why we had never eaten there before - it was a well kept secret!
He helped us with our luggage
The Jubbers outside of our room
Our view
Mbongiseni's birthday cake
Elder Jubber, and President Siko Ntshalintshali with a prospective missionary
We woke to a great breakfast. Dennis said t was the best omelet he has ever had. I could take offense at my omelets but I know my limitations and omelets is one of them. As we were driving to our Swazi home, we passed Joan Deakin our former landlady. We stopped to talk to her. They are selling their nursery and the homes on it and moving into another section in Swaziland above Mbabane. Good to see her. We then went to the Silver Smith to introduce them to this magical place. The Cultural Village was next on the agenda for the show and saw the waterfall where we met some people from France. The tour continued as we went to see Busi Mahlalela at the butchery; then Manzini Market where Solomon Mahlalela found us and we introduced the Jubbers to John and Sizar; to the Manzini chapel where Tip Top is ever present; we took a stroll down the streets of Lobamba and woke up Maxwell so we could see him (what a glorious reunion to see him again after two years - (he promised to come to church the following day but did not keep his promise); we bought some food at our Pic N Pay at Gables; took Elder Jubber to Medisun clinic so he could see the facilities there; drove to the Msibi family homestead to take them some food (Siphiwe ad Venus was not there); went for chinese food at our favorite place at Gables; and then home to play games outside. A fabulous day in Swaziland. Happy reunions with our Swazi family. The Jubbers kept commenting how clean it was and how extremely friendly the people were. I had to agree whole heartedly.
Look at the cute Swazi we are sitting with
Our walkway to breakfast
The restaurant
Execution rock from our table
Silversmith - of course we brought them brownies
This cute young women fixed a bracelet for Sister Jubber
Owner and our dear friend, Mumba.
Cultural Village - I never tire of this place
Dennis requested Amazing Grace and they sang it for him
Mantenga waterfall
Loved the sign - made us a little weary
Solomon Mahlalela
Sister Jubber was having a great time shopping in Manzini Market
Watching the men play draft - like our chess
John putting the Jubbers name on a bowl. He made us one that we will pick up later. He is going home to Mozambique for Christmas so we will miss him. Shame...
This sweet lady made this bowl for me.
Had to take a picture of this man with his Ohio State shirt on - Koy this is for you
A stroll down Lobamba with our Dum Dums
We got Maxwell out of bed so we could see him...love this young man
On our walk we ran into this man who was a security guard at Gables that we contacted, help teach but left before the baptism happened. Apparently it never did happen. His little girl was a baby when we taught him in his home (a one-room place).
Bless the children
The food we purchased and brought to the Msibi family
Masabandze and Wendy and their Christmas feast - sorry about the quality of picture but hope you can get the idea of their one-room place
The Msibi family
Playing games outside our room
Sunday, 6 December was the day that gave us a glimpse into heaven. The moment we drove into the chapel grounds, we felt at home and the reunion with these wonderful people was glorious. It is at church that we truly feel this heavenly spirit and get to share it with so many of our Swazi family that we love. There were so many that were there, I couldn't get enough of them. My heart was so full that I bore my testimony of this glimpse of heaven that I was experiencing. The Jubbers were being warmly welcomed by the members and they also felt the unconditional love of the Ezulwini branch members. Elder Jubber received a phone call of a Mbabane elder who was sick. So Dennis and him left to help him while Sister Jubber and I stayed for Sunday School and Relief Society. Our cute Siphiwe Dlamini (Zama's mom that we were teaching before we left and was baptized right after) is in the Relief Society presidency and was conducting like a pro! The men returned and we had to bid our farewells to these amazing people as we made the journey back to Johannesburg.
Reception for Mantenga Lodge - Portia, one of our young women in Swaziland, worked here for a few years. She now is married with a little girl and working in the area office.
Our Heavenly reunion at the Ezulwini Branch
Chosen Dlamini
Sibusiso teaching the youth in Sunday School
Manqoba Shongwe - counselor in the Branch Presidency - the only member there today
Zola Shongwe, Thembeni Simelane (just married in May) are the District Young Women Presidency and Mac
Relief Society class
Sister Shabangu - this woman has been a member for over 20 years and does not speak English. She continues to come every Sunday after walking a great distance even though she doesn't understand anything that is spoken. She bore her testimony today. I didn't understand a word but felt her spirit. I guess that is why she continues to come - he spirit speaks to her.
Lungile is on the right - she attended our Family Home Evenings in our home on Mondays as an investigator and then was baptized a few months before we came home. Thrills me to see them still active in the gospel.
Sister Malaza is the lady in the middle. She was the wife of the former branch president and had a little girl since we were gone.
The little girl being held is Sister Malaza's baby
Thokozani Shongwe was the branch president when we first arrived in Swaziland. A good man. He is now a chef at a resort far away. They come to church every other Sunday.
Taking a bakki load home
Chosen Dlamini and Sphiwe Dlamini - not related
Zola and Sizwe Shongwe - siblings. Sizwe left on his mission while we were there. We hadn't seen him since. So good to see the two together again.
Dennis and Zola
Sister Mthetwe and her children- her husband is the Branch President of the Fairview Branch in Manzini. She was waiting for her husband. It had been two hours since their block time was over.
We found these young men just enjoying the Sabbath day together - Andrew Simeland, Simon Sebulia, Nkosikhona Sibandze, Mafinto, ?
Dennis and President Mthetwe - this is why I should always take two pictures
This young man is about ready to submit his mission papers
Elder Jubber and Solomon Mahlalela
Sivuse and Futhi
The sweet Sithole family - he is Ngwane Park Branch President
Thembeni & Andrew Simelane - married in May. They are both return missionaries. She is the District Young Women President and he is a counselor in the branch presidency.
Now we have to back up a few days. Tuesday, 1 December I met an amazing missionary couple serving in Kenya, Elder Keith and Sister Shanna Horner from Midway, Utah. They brought 34 people from two small branches (Kisuma and Busia) to the temple - adults and children that were receiving endowments and being sealed as families! What a strong spirit they brought with them. The Horners have been working on getting their passports, visas, transportation, etc. for a year to make this happen. They taught the temple prep classes and shared their love for the temple which became contagious among the members and they prepared themselves to come.The Horners leave on 7 January so accomplished this major event just before they leave for home. It was such a delight to be part of this group. Excitement among them was felt throughout the office. On Wednesday we did an oral history with the Horners. What a great story they shared.
Sister Shanna Horner
One of the families from Kenya being sealed
Ready to enter the temple
Entering the temple to do baptisms for the dead
Sister Shanna and Elder Keith Horner
The group minus a few that we couldn't find
This couple is from Malawi that came to be sealed in the temple. She served on mission with one of our sisters from Swaziland - Kayise Hlatswayo now Kayise Shibambo.
Wednesday, 2 December after we recorded the Horner's history we left for Rooteport to join the South Africa Johannesburg mission zone conference where we met up with Elder Wayne and Sister Loraine Scott who we met in Nelspruit and interviewed them. They return home the first of February and will have taught and baptized almost 30 people. True missionary spirit. This is their third mission and have left a path of changed people through baptism wherever they have served. What an inspiration. We joined the elders and Elder and Sister Hamilton for lunch before the interview. I love being around the young elders. How I miss serving with them. Two great interviews in one day. They uplift me when I listen to their testimonies and the service they give. Great couples! That night we had an activities committee meeting and then waited for Tami Mathews and her friend Betty to arrive. They finally made it at 11:30. I served them dinner, made hot homemade cookies, talked and finally made it to bed at 1:30.
President and Sister Dunn of Johannesburg mission and Sister and Elder Hamilton of the Area Presidency
Elder and Sister Charchenko just arrived on mission and will be serving in Potchefstrom
Enjoying lunch
Such cute elders
One of the Johannesburg mission zones - The Swans and Scotts on the end
Elder Wayne and Sister Loraine Scott
Betty and Tami finally arrive
Terry and his family
Shelby - then...
....now! Couldn't get any cuter!
A great father.....
Heaven will be filled with "a great multitude that no one could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues, stand before the throne and before the Lamb.." Revelation 7:9 A glimpse of heaven...won't it be glorious!
I love your blog. It makes me miss Africa and all the wonderful people there! The Swazi photos brought back fond memories of our 2 trips there. I loved the art you posted for both the beginning and the ending of the blog. We miss you! Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have been there for the reunion. I am sure it was glorious.
ReplyDelete