But a “pioneer” is not just those members early in
the church that made their way to Zion. It is anyone that “goes before to
prepare or open up the way for others to follow”. Almost every member I know
here in Africa is a “pioneer”. They have sacrificed,
struggled and gone into the unknown and given their all so those that follow in
their families and communities can have the blessings of the gospel. They are
truly inspirational to me and how lucky we are to capture their stories.
But truly, what has sparked these thoughts is a
“pioneer” that I have in our immediate family that I
love dearly. Cassie, Koy’s wife, stepped into the unknown 17 years ago on 6
December 1998 and was baptized. That decision has blessed our son, our family,
the community wherever she lives and the beautiful children that she has borne
and raised. I am forever grateful for that pioneer
spirit she felt and followed. I have permission to share some thoughts she
wrote us the other day….”I love the
Christmas Devotional because it reminds me of my baptism. Koy was really only
at my baptism because of the devotional that night being broadcast - and the
dinner that the ward provided before hand!!! Yesterday was my 17th anniversary
of my baptism. I love thinking back to that day and that time and the sweet
discussions with the missionaries. It's amazing how many things in my life have
been affected by that decision. Largely, of course, my marriage to your cute
son. It's interesting (and impossible) to imagine how my life may have been
different. I think that one of my gifts has always been the gift to believe and
can't recall a time in my life that I didn't have a knowledge and love for
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ… So I hope that I would have found my way at
some point if I wasn't baptized 17 years ago. Who knows. Anyways, what I do
know is that I am so grateful for my blessings. So grateful for my testimony.
So grateful to know that my Heavenly Father loves me.” Cassie,
thank you for taking that step and being a
“pioneer”.
This pioneer woman
has blessed our lives
Saturday, 21 November I was privileged to spend the day with a group of
“pioneer” women from the Pimville, Soweto ward and sisters from the area
office. Thoba Karl-Halla (mentioned previously – her mother is a true pioneer
in Soweto, Julia Mavembela – we are trying to obtain her journals to digitalize
them) was recently called to be Relief Society President of that ward and
planned this special day of cultural sharing of their traditions and ours from
America. It was a delightful afternoon. When we arrived they greeted us with
singing dressed in their tribe clothing and escorted us to the cultural hall
where they had set up chairs in a circle. When all the preparations were
completed, they came around again singing and with a bowl of water and towels,
they washed our hands. Next, they individually greeted each of us, gave us an
African name, told us what it meant, escorted us to a seat at a table and then
sat by us. They gave me the name Buhle meaning beauty. Lunch followed. The
Pimville sisters told us what they brought and the tradition behind it. Then we
explained what we brought and the Christmas tradition behind it (they told us
they would like us to share Christmas traditions). It was amazing! They had
chicken feet, a great rice dish, of course, pap, beef stew, salads and most of
our contributions were sweets! Enjoyed it all. After a few comments from Thoba,
myself, Sister Stokes and each of the area sisters bear their
testimonies, they sang and danced for us. How I love the traditions, voices and
warmth of the sisters here in Africa. They immediately and unconditionally love
everyone. Thank you Thoba and sisters from the Pimville Ward for an incredible
afternoon. (Dennis assisted in the Family History Center so Sister Stokes could
join us.)
Our afternoon begins....
Introductions
An event can never begin without a song
Introduction to our lunch
Quite a buffet
Chicken feet for lunch
Our American Christmas "sweets"
Thembelihle Pearl Cindi works in the area office in the travel department
I love their singing and dancing
While dancing, they came and escorted each of us on the dance floor to join them.
Africa and America join together
We had Area Conference on Sunday 22 November. I woke up early and
made swiss steak and then we went to the area office to watch the broadcast. It
was excellent. Pres. Cook, the Area President, talked, followed by Elder
Cayton, Sister Esplin (Primary), Elder Renlund and then Elder Quintin Cook. One
theme was very prevalent – that of keeping the Sabbath Day holy and the
blessings that will come from it. I was impressed that I should mention that in
my talk to the youth next week. When our leaders speak, we need to listen.
After, we had the Waltons and Powells over for dinner. I always enjoy having
people over. Sister Powell is helping me with my power point for next week. A
couple of nights earlier I was up until 4:00 a.m. expanding my expertise on
power point. Quite fun when you learn something new. But I realize how much
more the program can do.
Watching Area Conference in the devotional room at the Area
office.
Lis, Chuck Walton, Jann * Emery Powell
22 November is Brian’s birthday (Trina’s husband) We love him even though he
moved our daughter across the nation to West Virginia. But we are so proud of
the hard work he is doing in medical school.
On Friday, 20 November I finally had an appointment to get my hair
done. Seriously, the last time I had my hair cut was in May! It was in need of
some major overhaul. Justine, the daughter of Denise Butterfield who works in
the area office, came highly recommended and she did not disappoint. Her salon
was set in a beautiful atmosphere. We had a great evening. (I can’t find my
pictures!!!)
Monday – Wednesday (23 – 25 November) was spent working on oral
histories (8 from Kananga DRC), calling and emailing advisers about preparing
for the goals for the new year, designing a poster for Church History; preparing
for Thanksgiving with picking up turkeys, making sure everyone has their
assignments, cooking; writing and preparing power point for our church history
presentation on Saturday at Nelspruit; and enjoying the people coming to the
temple.
We are doing a pilot program from Church History with a booklet
for members to fill out. This was the young man that was the first one to bring
his back.
It was Bishop Sandile Makasi’s birthday so I made him a lemon cake (he doesn’t
like chocolate). He is the one that arranges for all these people to come to
the temple for the first time.
A family from the DRC
Sean Donnelly and the Honorable Harold Kipchumba, Minstry of Health, from
Nairobi, Kenya being introduced to Church History
Elder Daniel, who served with us in Swaziland, from Port Elizabeth told his
friend, Mel Khaya Nxati to find us when he came to the temple – and he did. So
good to meet him.
I couldn’t wait to put up Christmas – and music is playing.
Pictures with and without flash. They both give you a different feel of the decoration.
I made the tablecloth
THANKSGIVING – 26 November: We woke up early at 6:00 just to
discover that we had no electricity! Seriously, Thanksgiving morning and no
electricity. Luckily, I had cooked my two turkeys and dessert the day before,
but my gravy was not made. I called the Waltons in Dukes Court (where everyone
else lives) and they also did not have electricity. Now keep in mind this is
Thanksgiving the time of cooking homemade rolls, yams, potatoes, etc. and
imagine doing it without electricity. So we go to Plan B. We call the area
presidency who live next to the area office and they have electricity! They
offered their kitchens, so we contact everyone and tell them Plan B is in
effect. Also, imagine I had showered the night before and let my hair air dry
and now I have no curling iron, so I have to proceed with my hair as is. We
left at 7:30, picked up an uncooked turkey, got it into an oven and then set up
the tables which had been set up in the presidencies’ garage the day before.
All the women began to arrive to cook their food and it felt more like
Thanksgiving because we were all gathered together in the kitchen preparing the
feast. From how I felt first thing in the morning, the day really was
delightful. A wonderful Thanksgiving feast surrounded by some amazing people.
The Lord is good and answers prayers. I need to take the time to THANK all of
you for the example you have been. The Lord has surrounded me with good people
that has blessed my life in so many ways. I hope that you all had a wonderful
Thanksgiving celebration. You are all always near to us.
Cooking in the area presidency’s kitchen
Our venue - the garage of the area presidency's residence
The decorations made by Sister Bowman
People start arriving
President Cook with his contribution to the feast
Rion Needs and Dan and Ruth Ann Stokes
Member of the Temple Presidency
Lynette Cook and Claudia Hamilton
Susan and Walter Peterson
Activities committee - a little calmer than we were in the morning
President and Sister Cook gave us a Thanksgiving message
The buffet is ready
That night, the Beckstrands invited us over for games
Charlotte and Rion Needs, Bob and Martha Egan
I stayed up late baking Thursday night. I made all sorts of
goodies for all the Swazis that were coming to the temple on Friday. We had
both Ezulwini and Nhlangano Branches coming to the temple and we had to go to
Nelspruit so wouldn’t be there. I wanted to make sure that they knew that we
were thinking about them. About 35 people came…..I was heart sick that we were
not there.
Friday, 27 November we got up and took the goodies to Rene who
offered to make sure they received the goodies. Then off we went for the 4 hour
drive to Nelspruit. We arrived around 1:30, went to our B & B and then found
the youth conference that had started early that morning. They were so
welcoming and warm to us. You would have thought the youth had known us for
years. We arrived just in time to see their talent show. So cute. They had
set up a darling stage for the event. (They have only been in this building for
a month – they are thrilled to be in such a nice place.) The youth were not shy
at all about performing. We had dinner than a dance. The youth dressed up with
formal attire. They looked great.
Our usual stop at the petro port where we saw around 40 water
buffaloes
View from our balcony
Off to the Youth Conference
Decorations ready for the dance....but first
Dinner served
this cute young man asked Sister Swan for a dance
Saturday,28 November we got up early, prepared for the day, had breakfast and
left for the festivities at the youth conference. We set up our power point and
then after their breakfast we talked to the youth. After they had some
activities, lunch, workshops, some group games, dinner, fireside and
testimonies. It was a good conference. The leaders had a well planned
conference and the youth responded positively.
Group Activities 
Sunday 29 November we were out by 8:00 for our drive to the KaNyamazane Branch.
We got a little lost but arrived just in time for the opening song. What a
great branch. They meet in a school and filled it. They presented 8 students
with their seminary graduation certificates and then 6 of them spoke. They were
great talks. I was impressed. One young man spoke of the atonement and was
very impressive with his knowledge and testimony. After sacrament there were so
many that came up to us and introduced themselves…..especially loved Gogo
Grace…..an older lady full of energy and love. During Sunday School we trained
the branch clerk, George Shabanga and then did an oral history with Alfred
Mashego, one of the original members in this area. He served as branch
president for 7 years – both with Nelspruit and then KaNyamazane branches. What
a spirit that surrounds him. Loved our time with him. After he asked if we
could take him to his mother’s homestead which was quite far. When we arrived
he asked if Dennis could help give a blessing of release for her. She had been
sick for a long time and was in a coma. We went in and he asked Dennis to do
the blessing. It was a beautiful prayer. (We later called Bro. Mashego and found out that his mother passed away just a few hours after the blessing.) We drove back to Nelspruit and then
joined Elder Michael and Sister Linda Swan to do an oral history with them.
They have been serving in the KaNyamazane Branch for 17 months and during the
time he decided to draw portraits of each of the members. Today he had
finished one and presented it to one of the young women. It was beautiful. The
history was great. They are from Canada. When we finished Elder and Sister
Scott and 4 elders joined us for dinner. The after dinner conversation was
delightful. They are quite a fun group. We enjoyed our time with them. We
returned late, tired but loved the day.
Elder Swan presenting his portrait to one of the young
women.
Elder Swan has drawn a portrait of almost every member in the KaNyamazane Branch.
Monday 30 November we enjoyed a leisure morning with a great breakfast. We went
to the Sudwala Caves. They were beautiful and it was extremely interesting. It
is the oldest cave in the world. At one time some Swazi’s lived in them to
protect themselves from King Shaka. We had a safe journey home.
SUDWALA CAVES 
30th November we celebrate birthdays of two amazing young ladies……Gina Lombardi
Arkell and Maria Paredes Lombardi! They are the mothers of 10 of our
grandchildren. But most importantly daughters that we love and are so proud
of. HAPPY BIRTHDAY……
Gina and Ben Arkell
Maria Lombardi and her family – I didn’t have any single pictures of Maria
.
The church continues to grow here in Africa and PIONEERS are created.
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