GO YE UNTO EVERY NATION 9–17 November 2015

 

“I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it.  I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some souls to repentance; and this is my joy.  And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me…”

“A man who is full of the love of God is not content with blessing his family only, but thinks about all of the people in the world, anxious to bless the whole human race..”Joseph Smith

Here in Africa there is a strong missionary spirit – a spirit which urges the young to go out and share with their country what they have so recently discovered  “And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them” (Mosiah 28:3-4) and they go out to declare the truthfulness of the gospel because they “could not bear that any human soul should perish” without it. 

This week we had the privilege to be with missionaries and feel of their missionary zeal.  So many of them had just found the gospel themselves and with this new found faith wanted to share it with others so entered the missionary field.  They desire that others know what they know, feel what they feel and do what they have done which was enter into the waters of baptism.  The amazing thing about missionary work is that both parties involved, the missionary and the investigator, feel of the spirit and are edified by the teaching that occurs.  These newly baptized young men, become stronger and firmer in their testimony when they serve their missions.  This I can testify because I witnessed it this week.

On Wednesday, 11 November we joined around 140 young elders of the Johannesburg, South Africa mission for an all mission zone conference at the Walter Sisulu Botancal Gardens.  Their theme was to “move their mission to unimagined heights, while inspiring and uplifting their Elders to push their limits and aspire higher.” It was an honor to be there with them.  The elders started arriving at 8:00 a.m. and we had our stick game set up (we had another set made to accommodate the numbers) and they played and visited.  Then they gathered inside a hall and was inspired and motivated by their mission president and counselors.  After they separated into their zones and was instructed by their zone leaders with team building activities.  Back for lunch and a speaker who was the 3rd South African woman to climb Mt. Everest (1 of only 500 woman), Lee den Hond.  With her pictures and her motivational words, the elders were inspired to meet any challenge and conquer any surmountable task that was put before them.  Following the guest speaker, they changed their clothes and hiked to a waterfall led by President Dunn and his wife, Linda.  It was a very hot day, but they all enjoyed the hike and reached the summit.  The conference ended with an inspirational talk by their president.  It felt so good to be back with the missionaries.  Oh how I have missed working with them and feeling of their spirit. So grateful to be part of this event.

Setting up the game – Elder Zweli Dlamini helped us since he was familiar with the game back in Swaziland

Sister Linda Dunn and Sister Allred getting everything organized

Playing Kubb

Gotta love the elders…..

Instructions begin….

President Dunn’s opening speech (the only picture I had)

A song was written just for this conference by one of the elders

Bro. Nsane – counselor in the mission presidency

Zone activities begin…..

Preparing the lunches

Me, young girl that helps Elizabeth in the canteen at the area office, Elder Larsen, Sister Dunn and Elder and Sister Allred

Our guest speaker – Lee den Hond

When she reached the summit, she put up the South African flag that had been signed by an orphanage here that she sponsors.

Starting their ascent to their summit….

Successful

Ending this wonderful day of instruction and motivation

Zweli – one of our Lobamba boys that ends his mission on 9 December

Elder Lefthand – one of his ancestors was one of the three first missionaries sent to South Africa – Talbot.

This young man was from Uganda and knew some of our Swazi warriors…

Friday morning, 13 November (Friday the 13th) we were at the airport to welcome Elder Mbongiseni Nkambule and Elder Manqoba Ndlovu, Swazi warriors,  back from their mission in Uganda.  They had a two-hour layover on there way back to Swaziland.  Seeing them again was pure joy.  We figured in the two years they have been serving, we finished our mission in Swaziland, went home for 16 months, had returned to Africa and been here for almost 6 months.  A lot has happened since they left for mission. It is a long sacrifice for these boys that go out and serve missions.   We took them to lunch and had such a good time talking about their experiences and feeling of their missionary spirit.

While we were waiting we met this cute lady and her daughter who was also waiting for a missionary returning from Uganda.

Reunion after two years……

Elder Mbongiseni NNkambule

Seven missionaries returning from mission – one was going to Cape Town, one to Malawi, and not sure of the others.

Elder Manqoba Ndlovu (one of six 1st elders to serve in Rwanda) from Gege,  Elder Mothajana (was AP),Nkambule from Lobamba

Manqoba, Me and Mbongiseni

“I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves, that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?”  Alma 5:16   Well done, Manqoba and Mbongiseni.  You have been faithful servants.

The missionary spirit was at its ultimate height on Saturday when we joined 14 young adults from Botswana who had just returned from their missions.  Let me tell you a little about these youth.  They live in a small village named Mochudi, Botswana and meet in a large tent for church.  These young men and two sisters joined the church around the same time…..all of them in the same branch (which is now a ward).  When Elder and Sister Taylor arrived, the branch president asked if they could help him get these young men (called the Band of Brothers) on missions.  So for the next year they had fund raisers, got passports, doctor and dentist appointments…..all the many facets accomplished to prepare mission papers.  Sister Taylor said she compared it to helping “her sons” receive their Eagles.  And all of them received mission calls and served faithfully.  They are all home now except one young man but the Taylors are going home (they finished their first mission, went home and came back to be here when the youth returned home). We were invited to join them.  They arrived on Friday and did baptisms.  On Saturday they did initiatories and endowments for their ancestors and then did sealings for the first time.  They were beyond joyous.  After their lunch, they had a testimony meeting where they shared what they had learned on mission and their hopes for the future. (We taped all their testimonies).  When they sang the harmony was glorious.  Better than any choir I have ever heard.  President and Sister Cook asked us if we could video a message from them to show the youth because they were going to be away on assignment  The message was such a strong reinforcement of making sure they stay strong in the gospel and find a companion that will join them in the temple.  The Cooks are a great example of what we all want in a marriage.  Later that afternoon, they boarded a kombi and traveled the 6 hours back home but filled with the temple spirit and an increase of unity and love for each other.

The Band of Brothers from Botswana arriving

The Band of Brothers and two sisters (they served in the Ghana Coast Mission)

Elder Mark and Sister Shirley Taylor arrive (this is their 5th mission)

Lunch on Saturday after their morning in the temple

Waiting for the devotional to begin

Everyone got up and bore testimony

Their singing was glorious

President and Sister Cook got them a cake

Thanking the Cooks for the cake

 

The original Band of Brothers minus two…

Addition of two sisters (can you imagine all these amazing youth in your ward)

Not complete without the Taylors

The young lady and the young man kneeling, are planning on coming to the temple together in a few months

Safe journey home our faithful servants…..

 

Sister and President Cook – President of the Africa Southeast Area

Sunday, 15 November we rose early and met Bro. Leon and Sister Liz Holmes at 7:00 a.m. to follow them to their stake center where they were addressing return missionaries in a meeting before their stake conference.  Bro. Holmes just returned from Ghana as mission president.  There was a 93 kilometer (around 60 miles) bike race event going on where 35,000 bikers were cycling through the town which blocked many roads and we do not know the back ways very well.  So we followed the Holmes.  They did a great job on helping the return missionaries adjust to coming home.  Not an easy task.  In between the two meetings we walked a few blocks to see the cyclists.  Exciting.  Reminded me of our daughters doing the exact same event just before we left for mission but in the rain. So proud of them.  Stake Conference was amazing.  Every talk was meant just for me.    The last few days has put me on a spiritual high.

The bike race (I can’t believe that I forgot to bring the camera today – this is from Den’s phone)

Greg and Sherry Weeks came over to visit and brought this nativity set from Madagascar.  Absolutely perfect.  The Nances who are serving in Madagascar in Public Affairs, got it for us.

We continued in the missionary spirit on Monday when we drove to the airport to pick up two mission presidents and their wives for the mission president seminar this week.  We spent three hours in the airport waiting for them but our visit with President and Sister Monga from Brazzaville, Congo was such a delightful time that we didn’t mind.  They are a very positive, delightful couple.  Here on mission we are surrounded with the most amazing people.  Being around them makes me realize how much I need for improvement.  This cute couple have had numerous young people live with them for a year, 4 years, etc. along with their 4 children that they are still raising while serving the Lord as mission parents.  These are good people.  We took them to their hotel and then arrived home at 10:00 p.m.

Sister and President  Ericksen serving in Zambia and live in Alpine

President & Sister Monga from Brazzaville

This couple from Kinshasa are going to be sealed tomorrow.  The young lady lived with the Monga’s for a year.

 

President & Sister Berhel serving in the Kinshasa Mission but from Paris France

Tuesday, 17 November we were at Elder and Sister Taylors flat at 8:30 a.m. to do their oral history before they return home on Wednesday.  Three hours later we were through.  We loved hearing about all the experiences of their 5 missions – Philippines, Indonesia, New Jersey/Philadelphia, Joburg/Botswana and Joburg/Botswana/Temple (they returned to Botswana to finish the work they began).  Eleven years ago when Elder Mark Taylor retired, they sold their home to dedicate their lives to the Lord’s service…..and that is just what they have done.  They go our for 18 months (but extend a few times), go home and stay with different children for 6 months and then go back on mission.  What an inspiration they are to all.  They have been instruments in the hands of God of bringing many into the gospel.  Every mission has brought about many souls unto Christ and it seemed to be a pattern of each mission of helping many fulfill their desire to serve missions.  They have left a path for many to follow.  They will be missed.  Because of health problems Sister Taylor had, they finished their mission in the temple.

A beautiful couple….

I hope you can you feel the spirit of missionary work.  Quite an amazing week, wouldn’t you say? The Lord’s hand is all around us here in Africa.  His gospel is being spread to every kindred, tongue and people.

I want to share with you now a few other things that happened this week.

Monday, 9 November, Jerry and Tina Murdock and their friends were in town and we had them over for dinner.  We served with them on our first mission.  So good to see them.  A little bit of America with us in our home.  Electricity went out just before they left.  Great timing.

The following day they came by the office and Thoba was there.

 

Elder and Sister Ellis (Area Seventy) found out we like the game of Kubb (lovingly to us known as the stick game) so invited us over for a match and dinner.  We had such a fun time.  How I love these wonderful people that we have the privilege to be around.

Sister Ellis – such a joyful lady.  They have 9 children.

Den and Elder Ellis

Friday night we had a party with the senior couples at Elder and Sister Needs’ flat.  This is a positive for being in the area office.  Love these couples.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

Our tree, that changes color, is up and bringing the spirit into our home along with the music that serenades us.  I love the holiday.

We got this nativity in Zimbabwe….I love it!  Thank you McMurdies.

Bro. & Sister Feijo and their son from Angola.  He is Branch President of Viena.  He was here for a week and came in to see us periodically.  We took him up to see President Cook.  President Cook says he has an open door policy.  Luckily, his door was open.

The Church History Center where we spend our time is in the basement of the area office so we have no windows.  This is the sight that the humanitarian couples have.  Beautiful area of the Lord’s creation.

This cute couple, Herbert and Tecklah Jack,  came in Tuesday night.  They are from Zimbabwe.  He is in the bishopric of his ward and said that he would like to do a history of his branch/ward.  He is a security guard and works night so has time to write.  They have four children.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – sweet Josephine.  Seven years old, loves life and enjoys everything around her.  We love you to the moon and back.

 

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  Matthew 28: 19-20.

“DOUBT YOUR DOUBT BEFORE YOU DOUBT YOUR FAITH” 2–8 November 2015

During Sunday School today, someone made the comment that we need to “doubt our doubts before we doubt our faith” (which was quoted by Pres. Uchtdorf in 2013).  At the moment, it made such an impact on me and I started pondering what that meant.  When we arrived home from our busy day of church and training, we opened our computer to breeze through our emails and found the articles informing us about  the new changes in the church handbook regarding the gays and the reactions of the people to the new policy.  This is why that quote pierced me at the time. The Lord knew that I would have to explore what my attitude and feelings were on this subject and try to make some sense of what was happening back home to faithful members.

My reflections ~~~Faith is a belief in things that are intangible.  We can feel it but it is hard to measure so we can make sure we have enough in reserve to help us through times of doubt or hardships.   A deep and abiding faith inspires us, moves us and give us the opportunity to become better.  But doubt can destroy that faith.  I do believe that we all have moments when we doubt.  But what a shame if we let our doubt about one issue destroy our faith in every other issue that we believe.  Moments of doubt is not the time to throw out all the wonderful principles that we do believe.   Take that doubt, hash it over until that doubt becomes a truth that you believe.

I want to share Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk entitled “Come, Join With Us”..  May I quote some of his words. I think they are applicable particularly at this time…”It’s natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding.  There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions.  One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty.  Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.  Therefore…please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.  We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

His testimony..”As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and as one who has seen firsthand the councils and workings of this Church, I bear solemn witness that no decision of significance affecting this Church or its members is ever made without earnestly seeking the inspiration, guidance, and approbation of our Eternal Father.  This is the Church of Jesus Christ.  God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny.”

And then another  favorite part of the talk…”I am reminded of a time in the Savior’s life when many abandoned Him.  Jesus asked His twelve disciples:  ‘Will ye also go away?  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words of eternal life.’  There are times when we have to answer the same question.  Will we also go away? Or will we be like Peter and hold fast to the words of eternal life.”

I say,  “Where else would I go because I have the way to eternal life and happiness through the gospel of Jesus Christ and that is where I want to be.  Lord, I shall stay with you.” 

Monday, 2 November, we spent at the center “hyperlinking” (can you believe that I know how to hyperlink) our oral histories so when patrons come into the center they can listen to the oral histories that we have gathered.  We found out that Sister Powell who just arrived 5 days previous and was with us on the Red Bus Tour on Saturday, had a stroke Sunday night!  Can you imagine having been in a strange country for only 5 days and having a stroke?  I think that would be a time of “doubt” for me.  She was in the hospital so we spent Monday night visiting with her.

Sister Jann and Elder Charles Powell on Saturday

Elder and Sister Hales (finishing their 5th mission) left for home today.  Such an honor to have served with them.

The next three days was spent preparing for training of our two new country church history advisers, Amandio Matusee from Mozambique and Riccardo Nyoni from Swaziland, creating focus projects, organizing the oral histories, meeting with Warner Molema (South Africa Country Adviser) and contacting advisers.  We also had an activity committee meeting to plan Thanksgiving and upcoming events, went to the US Embassy to get additional pages inserted into our passport (we had 24 put in our previous mission and 48 pages this time – we have a huge passport), a visit from a darling couple from the Kagiso 2 Ward that just got engaged on Saturday, and had the Powell’s and the Turnbows over for a traditional turkey dinner.

Fifi and Nolo from Kagiso 2nd Ward – he proposed in Durban on the Indian Ocean.  

An early morning birthday celebration started the day on Friday, 6 November.  Dominic Tshabalala and his family came to the home at 8:30 a.m. to celebrate Bokang’s 6th birthday.  They were coming for chocolate birthday cake but I insisted you couldn’t start the day without breakfast so we had pancakes and then birthday cake.  It was a great way to start the day.  Then we hurried to the office for an oral interview with Elder John and Sister Roberta Clayton.  We were grateful that they were willing to spent their last few hours in Africa with us.  They left that night at 700.  It was a touching interview – they had so many experiences to share. They served three years in China in the BYU English program, 1 1/2 years in Tonga doing auditing and 2 years here in the ASEA auditing department specializing in the French speaking countries.  In between missions they served with the ARP program and welfare assistance setting up a grocery store in their ward house once a week. Tears were shed by all of us as they shared spiritual experiences and their love for each other and their missions. A darling couple and their child from Angola came into the center (they spoke great English).  They were so cute.  He and his little boy spent the afternoon with us in the center while his wife went to the temple and then she cared for the little boy while he attended the temple.   I love meeting these amazing people.  We picked up Amandio Matusse and Riccardo Nyoni from the hotel for the get-to-know you evening.  Elizabeth, from the canteen, fixed a marvelous dinner for us and then we introduced them to Church History.  We took them back to their hotel and then we retired for the evening.

Dominic and his family came for breakfast.  We were celebrating Bokang’s 6th birthday!

The happy birthday girl…

And the family…..

Roberta & John Clayton the day they finished their third mission…..it was such a great oral interview

What a blessing to meet this family from Angola…Ionisia and Amandio Feijo and their son.  He is branch president on the Viana Branch in Angola.

Amandio Feijo spent the afternoon with us in the center learning about church history – we found a picture of his brother in our Angola Country Profile.  His wife was attending a session in the temple while he took care of his son.

~~ The THREE MUSKATEERS ~~ from East London

The lady on the right is the visiting teacher for the other two.  She paid for their visit to the temple…an early Christmas present.  The lady in the middle had never been on a plane until this trip.  What a sweet offering of love for her sisters in the gospel.

Sister Ngcobo, Sister Luphindo and Sister Mbiyakhe

I love this sweet lady – Elizabeth.  She greets me every morning with this smile.  She is there until way after we leave to go home and is there before we arrive at 8:00.  She fixes the food for all the temple patrons and the senior couples…and does it cheerfully.  She fixed this beautiful setting and meal for our training.

Saturday, 7 November we picked up Riccardo at the Hotel (Amandio walked to the temple to attend the 6:00 a.m. session) at 7:30 and we started our training at the center at 8:00 and worked all day.  We trained on annual histories, oral histories, Dennis interviewed Leon and then had the young men interview us and process them.  Elizabeth had a pizza lunch for us at noon.  Her husband helps her on Saturday and with pizzas.  We each had our own pizza…so yummy.  We finished at 5:00, took them back to the hotel, hurried home and then Walt and Susan Peterson picked us up for dinner.  We went to a fun restaurant with a great atmosphere.  We enjoyed our evening – good food and a lot of laughs.

This was my dinner – scrumptious.  Walt Peterson in the background.

CORBYN’S 13th Birthday…Happy birthday to a wonderful grandson that is always so happy and positive and makes you feel loved the moment you meet him.  Hope he had a most fantastic birthday.  Isn’t he cute!

Sunday, 8 November we attended the Johannesburg 2nd Ward with Riccardo and Amandio at 8:00 a.m.  What a great ward!!!  Eish, the youth were amazing, the adults were warm and friendly and the talks and lessons were incredible.  In sacrament meeting they talked about keeping our testimony burning.  Two young men that were just baptized were passing the sacrament and the speaker asked if we could feel the energy and excitement that they feel when we were baptized.  The other speaker talked about testifying that of which we know.  Pray about the things you teach until it becomes what you know!  In Sunday School the spirit continued.  The lesson was on Pure Religion and what I wrote down was…”the tongue is a very small thing in your mouth but can destroy a nation” and “even the foolish look wise when they are quiet”.  Great comments.  Notice what I wanted to remember….must be I need to work on this.  After church we came to our home and had a braai where Bro. Holmes joined us and then back to the center to continue training.  The young men had the opportunity of doing a real oral interview with Bishop Sandile Makasi (Bishop of the Johannesburg 2nd Ward) and Elder and Sister Stokes – Family History couple that goes home in January.  They were touching and inspirational interviews.  Such great stories. Riccardo and Amandio were able to do an interview from start to finish – prepare questions, do the interview, process and then submit.  A busy weekend.  We said our good-byes and then home.  A busy but fulfilling weekend.

Johannesburg 2nd Ward

Amandio talking to people he knew.  I love this gospel.  No matter where you are you have friends.

Lunch…..Riccardo, Amandio and Leon Holmes

Bishop Sandile Makasi……

….and family.

(Picture of the Stokes coming)

Finished…….a successful weekend

“In spite of our human imperfections, I am confident that you will find among the members of this Church many of the finest souls this world has to offer.  The Church of Jesus Christ seems to attract the kind and the caring, the honest and the industrious.  If you expect to find perfect people here, you will be disappointed.  But if you seek the pure doctrine of Christ, the work of God “which healeth the wounded soul,” and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost, then here you will find them.  In this age of waning faith—in this age when so many feel distanced from heaven’s embrace—here you will find a people who yearn to know and draw closer to their Savior by serving God and fellowmen…..” Pres. Utchdorf