KUBB TOURNAMENT 29 March - 10 April 2016

Before our mission to Swaziland in 2012, Dennis discovered a Swedish lawn game called Kubb.  He enjoyed it so much that he bought him a set and brought it to Africa as his carry on (I was over-ruled - I had so many other important things that I thought we needed.)  It was probably the best thing that we brought with us.  The elders, members, friends, etc. loved the game and we had a great backyard for it.  We left our set with a family in Swaziland and when we arrived home, one of the first things he did was buy him another set.  So, preparing for this mission, I was pretty adamant that the Kubb game was staying home and not coming with us - I needed brown sugar, chocolate chips, spices, etc. and it was way too heavy and besides we were going to Johannesburg and living in the middle of a huge city.  Where would we play it and with whom?  Upon our arrival, we discovered that our complex had a beautiful backyard with a swimming pool and lots of grass.  Immediately, I could see the wheels turning in his mind - a perfect place for Kubb.   He found a place that would cut the wood pieces for him and we started introducing people to Kubb.  It quickly became a favorite pass time and we found out that Elder and Sister Ellis of the area presidency, also loved the game and had brought their own set.  We introduced the game at a conference with all the Johannesburg South Africa mission elders.  They enjoyed it so much, that we had another set made up for them.

Being over activities, I thought a Kubb tournament during lunch would be a great relaxer.  We received permission from the Area Presidency to use their grounds and during lunch on the 29 - 30 March the Kubb tournament commenced.  We had a great time.  Lunch is my favorite time of the day and this just added to the pure enjoyment.

Look at that form....

 A fun time for all....

(Kubb (pronounced [kɵb] in Swedish or [kub] in Gutnish) is a lawn game where the object is to knock over wooden blocks, known as 'kubbs', by throwing wooden batons at them. Kubb can perhaps be described as a combination of bowling andhorseshoes with significantly more strategy.The alleged Viking origins of the game, combined with the fact that the game can involve a certain level of strategy, has led some players and kubb fans to nickname the game "Viking Chess."The Kubb World Championship is held annually on the island of Gotland, Sweden. The U.S. Championship is held annually in Eau Claire, WI.

For two weeks in the center we were busy with the final push to get the unit's annual histories in.  31 March was the deadline for their submission.  At that time we only had 20% from the Africa Southeast Area.  We were calling advisors to encourage them to call their stakes/districts and work with them to get them in.  We had two oral interviews ~~Lavinia Grove, a pioneer in the Durban area and Edwin and Vanessa Baldwin from Richards Bay (he also started the church in Swaziland)~~ and processed numerous other interviews. Scanning pictures, copying testimonies for the RPC, where just a few more items of business in the church history center.   I will tell the rest of my week through pictures..

Friends from Zimbabwe

Elder Tobani Chiliza from Richards Bay.  He was just released from his mission in Zimbabwe, came to the Johannesburg Temple on his way home to be sealed to his parents, Ephraim and Nomusa Chiliza.  29 March, 2016.

Members from Richards Bay with Elder and Sister Todd

Elder and Sister Todd serving in Richards Bay

My favorite place here in the area office - the canteen where I meet all my African friends

Tuesday, 29 March I spent the afternoon with these beautiful children while they waited for their parents to be endowed and then sealed.  Today there were children from Mozambique, Congo and Richards Bay.

Family from Mozambique just after their sealing

The Wilsons from America arrived, 31 March.
Kalin Wilson served with us in Swaziland and his parents became dear friends when we came home.  After a year, Kalin has returned to his "African Home" and brought with him his parents, sister and cousin who also served in the Durban mission and Swaziland.

Arriving at our home after a very long flight

 Rachel Wilson, Me and Tajia Wilson

 Hungry anyone?  I think they were more tired after their 24 hour flight.

 Kalin didn't last long before he fell asleep.

 Tajia and mom ready for bed

 We were up early Friday morning ready for the temple

 After the temple, they headed off for their discovery of South Africa - Swaziland, Newcastle, Durban and then Cape Town

 Friday afternoon we picked up Mohau Sele, another one of our Swazi missionaries, at his work and drove to his town of Kagiso - it took us nearly two hours of driving through rush hour traffic.  We drove through downtown Johannesburg, down Mandela Bridge, picked up his fiance, Lebo, who is visiting from Polokwane, and took them to dinner.  It was Lebo's birthday on Monday.

 Mandela Bridge

 A glimpse of Johannesburg

 Mohau and Lebo

 Showing off her engagement ring.  Getting married on 27 May in the Johannesburg Temple

Our oral interview on Saturday with Vanessa and Edward Baldwin from Richards Bay.

On Sunday, 3 April, we picked up Sister Tembi Zulu to show her where her ward is.  Tembi was our dear friend from Swaziland that had a craft booth in the Ezulwini Market.  Due to some circumstances, she has had to leave her four children and come to South Africa to find work as a nanny.  She had no idea where the church was in her area.  Tembi has not yet been released as Young Women's president in her branch.  After some detective work, we found out she is in the Ridgeway Ward boundry.  Our GPS told us that the Ridgeway Ward was 15 minutes away, so we left at 8:15 to pick up Tembi and then to church.  That was our plans...but we couldn't find Tembi (she lives with the family that she is a nanny for ~~ 2 children). She had been in Joburg for a month and had never left the flat so had no idea where she was or a landmark that would help us find her.  Dennis was very persistant....so at 10:00 we finally found it, she came out and we rushed to the chapel.  Sacrament meeting had just ended which enabled us to introduce her to the Relief Society President, counselor in the bishopric, missionaries, etc.  They were so warm and friendly to her.  They were setting up a ride to be picked up and brought to church.  Great people.  I was so glad that Dennis did not give up.  It was a great spirit and I have never heard such a fabulous lesson on the Plan of Salvation as we had in Relief Society. I was so excited about it I had to come home and share my new insights with everyone.  Good luck, Tembi on your new temporary life here in Joburg.

Tembi, Dennis and the counselor in bishopric getting her contact information

We invited the Powells and Sutherlands over for a good old fashioned Sunday meal - swiss steak, potatoes and gravy and homemade rolls.  So fun to share with friends. (The Powells had to leave)

Tuesday,  5 April, Mac Shongwe game for the night.  We love his visits - even when they are spontaneous. Luckily we had left over swiss steak!

Mandatory telephone training for all that work in the area office...

Mark and Dudley - it was a fun, informative training.

Friday's lunch with these fabulous ladies at Bretts
Jean Gatten, Liz Walton, Sherry Weeks, Mrs. Brett (?)~~the one that makes the beaded jewelry, Ginny Graf and Charlotte Needs

We had a treat on Friday, 8 April....Weeks, Needs and us spent the evening being serenaded by Josh Groban.  What a marvelous evening.....what a voice!  Truly a gifted singer and so grateful he is willing to share his talent with me.

Saturday, we picked up Vernon and Janet Jubber and drove to Lesedi - a cultural village about an hour from where we stay.  We had a great time.  They share the different tribal cultures found in South Africa with their huts, traditions, music and dance.  There was a fun dancing program at the end.  We continued on to Chameleon Village where there are hundreds of craft stands, had lunch, looked around, drove to the Hartbeespoort Dam, looked around, went through the tunnel and then headed for home.  A good day.  When we arrived home we watched the Durban Temple groundbreaking ceremony. Wish we could have been there.

Entering Lesedi

 I loved the shoes that they were wearing....so one young man said that he would trade me - my shoe fit him.  Unfortunately, they were not selling their shoes or I would have bought some.  Awfully comfortable.

 Entering the Zulu village

 Weaving a mat like the one she is sitting on

 What they use to grind their maize

 Lesotho village - notice the hat they wear, the top of the huts~~representation of a mountain they have in Lesotho

Dennis eating an African delicacy - salted, dried worm

 Waiting for the dance program

 My pictures were very poor of this performance.....sooooo sad

Chameleon Village in Hartbeesport

Hartbeesport Dam

The tunnel through the mountain

Sunday, 10 April we went to the Alexandra Branch and watched a few sessions of conference with them.  I held a 1-month-old baby for one entire session.  Felt good.  We picked up Kalin and Tajia Wilson and Kory Shaw from the airport because they don't fly out until tomorrow night.  That night we had the "Bears and Prayers" Fireside with President Dunn.  Over twenty years ago, he was one of the few that survived a bear attack while running in the Teton mountains.  He bears testimony of the power of prayer.  It is a great fireside.

Listening to the Women's Conference

 Sweet baby I was able to hold for two hours!

 Blurry plus

 Where they meet

 A fun looking building we saw on the way to church

 "Bears and Prayers" Fireside by President Dunn

 President Dunn of the Johannesburg South Africa Mission

 Sister Dunn and Sister and President Eppel of the Johannesburg Temple

 Kory Shaw with some friends he knew while serving on his Durban mission visited with us in our home.

It has been another great couple of weeks here in South Africa.  When you are surrounded by a beautiful country, wonderful senior couples, amazing Africans and the opportunity to be a representative of our Lord Jesus Christ, life could be nothing but fabulous!! 

(We are trying to figure out why our pictures are turning out in a rectangular shape and blurry. If only I could master these things. Also, reviewing my blog after it was published, I was trying to figure out why some writings are highlighted.  Tried to fix it, but everything I tried, failed! Ugh!!!))