More pictures from our Swaziland trip

Sunset as we enter Johannesburg on our way home from a wonderful weekend in Swaziland.

This is a town ship we passed on our way home from Swaziland.

This is the border market just leaving the country of Swaziland.

The place we stayed while visiting with the Blackburns. The gardens were wonderful native vegetation.

The man who acted as security guard for the church building.

Baptismal font in front of the chapel.

The children sitting alone on the front two rows of the chapel. We have been very impressed with the reverence of the children in Africa.

An investigator joins us in the parking lot as we head into church.

This is the church building. These people have been working on this chapel for a number of years.

The market mall in downtown
complete with seamstresses for altering ones purchase.









The inside mall with hundreds of vendors selling their wears. The prices in Swaziland are about half what one would pay in Johannesburg.

These ladies all sell beans. It is hard to know which one gives the best deal. The prices are all the same. We did buy enough to make a pot of soup.

The mode of measuring out the beans was done by using different sized cans then pouring the beans in a plastic bag.

These are the fabrics that have been dyed with plants. They are beautiful and bright and the designs are all different.








The end.

Etwatwa

These pictures are in the neighborhood one will drive through when one goes to church in Etwatwa.

This is the neighborhood of the beautiful people of the Etwatwa Ward.

the children are so happy and full of enthusiasm is it hard to believe they live in such humble circumstances.

This is the beginning of the local market where one can buy chicken for Sunday dinner. It is very fresh.

The local beauty parlor.

This is the temporary church set up. It is actually very nice. The chapel is cold so be sure to wear coats and sweaters.

The beautiful children of South Africa

The courtyard which has the trailers that become the different class rooms.

When the weather is hot chairs are moved from the chapel outside to better accommodate the congregation.

Many children come to church by themselves. They are not members but they love to go to Primary and they have testimonies and an inner strength that humbles me.

Sunday the 22 of May we headed Northeast to Etwatwa for church with the Lewis'. They are regulars at this branch which is about an hours drive from Johannesburg. We had called to asked the Branch President if we could come teach his young adults about the PEF program. We usually have a 30 minuet spiel that we deliver. I take 10-15 min and Norriss finishes up in about 15-20 with a few additional comments from me when I feel inspired. He does a great job and actually encourages those interjections from me. This Branch President wanted us to take the whole

Sunday School class for our presentation and questions and answers which we were delighted to do.

We arrived and were looking over the physical facility, which is a temporary setup to be used until they put up a chapel, when the branch President approached us introduced himself. He said that his two main speakers had just cancelled and asked us to speak in their place. He gave us the topic of prayer and works. I said a little private prayer and Norriss became the featured speakers in this little section of the Lords vineyard. I wasn't as nervous as I normally am. The Lord answered my prayer with ideas and scriptures that the Branch President referred to as inspired. That is a new experience for me.

This branch seemed to have much nicer accommodation than many of the new branches. It's located in the middle of a township in a very poor neighborhood. Many of the children come by themselves, sent by parents. They are not members, but are very welcome to join in the meetings. As I was speaking the Branch President actually got up and went outside to encourage those who had come late and were standing at the door listening to come in and sit down. He is truly a Shepard. Many in this congregation have been members only 3 or 4 months. They are growing fast.

Again the children are so beautiful. They were full of smiles and were very happy to have us take their pictures. They loved seeing themselves in the camera viewing screen.

As we left church we drove slowly through the township and Etwatwa. There we saw the Sunday market down their main street complete with fresh chicken dinners ready for ones viewing in cages. Etwatwa means gun fire. It was the sound that was made by the gun that were fired during Apartheid. There is a monument at the edge of town in memory of the many people killed during that difficult time of South Africa's history. So much pain and suffering has been part of South Africa's History; for all races.

It is interesting that just before elections some of the townships were given electricity. This was done by the ANC, the ruling party, so that people could get television. Services are very important and it is one of the things that Suma had promised all people would be able to get. His government had not managed many changes and there was some unrest, and even a new party had risen up and was threatening to take many votes. The services that were delivered helped to sway votes in the ANC favor. It is a little strange to see the shacks with satellite dishes attached to their rickety roofs. They have no running water, and the toilets are out back but they have a satellite dish and a big screen TV. There are no jobs in these far away places and the standard of living is difficult to say the least. Having said that, the children seem happy, beautiful, and want to be part of the church order and love. The parents seem down trodden. The Perpetual Education Fund can be a way out for many of these young people.

We are thankful to be here learning so much and loving so many people. The Lord has truly blessed us in this mission call.

Swaziland

Norriss and I left the country last weekend. We headed off to Swaziland, which is about a 5 hour drive from Johannesburg. The city, which is vase, sits at the 5,000 foot elevation;about the same altitude as Denver. We left South Africa by entering Swaziland which is a country surrounded by South Africa. I know it sounds a little strange but check out your map of South Africa it will clear things for you. Swaziland is the only country in the South African proper area that did not incorporate when South Africa was formed. They voted to remain a sovereign state. It has a king who rules over the many tribes in Swaziland. Their law states that the king may have as many wives as he wished but he must take a wife from a different tribe each time he marries and at this point he has 13 wives I believe. It may be an honour to marry the king but I was told that only the current wife lives a comfortable life or in the standard of the king. Most wives and children live in poverty just like the general populous.


Sister Blackburn visitng with members of the church.

Lady of the house and her daughter

Everyone helps bring in the water. Everyone has a job and a responsibility even

the little ones.

There are a couple of days a year when the people of this city dress in their

native costumes to celebrate their tribal traditions. This is a hunt on one of

those days.

The people in Swaziland are poor. The king lives in opulence and travels in grand fashion at great expense. He attended the Royal Wedding in England. When he was there he wore a suit and looked like any other visiting dignitary. When he is home and he meets his people or goes out among them he wears his native costume which is a skirt of sorts. He is bare chested and his legs are bare as well. He has a head dress. It is said that he is trying to keep his people uneducated because they are easier to control when they are ignorant. They're are rumblings of discontent, but for the most part these people are a peaceful lot. In the above picture you can see the king walking with his security squad. He walks about so his subjects can see how healthy and accessible he is. It is sad to think of how much of a difference a good king could make especially if he were like Mosiah or King Benjamin.

This is the school yard and the children are gathered around the water

pump in the school yard.

After the soccer game on Saturday afternoon everyone heads for the

local bathing spot to get ready for Sunday. This is the same spot where we saw families

doing their laundry earlier in the day.

This is the traditional way of cooking the families food. In the

winter food is cooked on the floor inside the house. The walls and windows

become black with the suet of the fire.

Families out gathering the wood for cooking and for warmth. Most everyone

walks where ever then have to go. Again everyone has a job and they carry according

to the ability.

Visiting with a family on the way to Swaziland.

This homestead is the one we saw on our way to Swaziland. It is situated not too far off the road in the middle of no where about 20 miles South of the South African boarder in Swaziland. There are no services anywhere to be seen. I saw no evidence of a car. How they made their living I do not know.

As we drove along the highway we passed sights straight out of the history books. We saw vistas and horizons of beauty that were intriguing to my mind and even spirit. Once we stopped to take a picture of a lovely valley with mountains beyond. It was only then we noticed that which was right in front of our view. There was a homestead, of sorts, with several houses. Most were dung houses with metal roofs. I noticed a round shaped building with reed roofing and was a taking pictures of it when the woman of the house came outside. I spoke with her for a bit and learned that this beautiful setting was a dismal home site as far as she was concerned. She told me that they had no water. That she had to go down the mountain side to the river at the bottom of the valley that lay below and haul her water from there. That meant water for washing, drinking and most importantly to her for the garden. She pointed to the dry ground in disgust and said it was not a good place to live. This was not a gentle slopping hillside it was a real hike up a mountain side hike. The men had chosen the site because of the view and because it was close to the road. They had fenced in the yards and built the home. This dear lady had had it. She spoke English very well, was well spoken and looked like a hard working young mother of 4. I could think of little to say that might be of encouragement. I wondered about the water storage units that might give her some aid, but where would these people get something like that? How would they ever get a well? There are many women who spend a large part of the day or night hauling water. It is not the job of men. The woman might work on the home site all day and then go fetch water a night. Some die coming and going because of the danger of cobras or cats.

When we take pictures of homes or children we give them coins as thanks. I also gave the children grapes. I believe it was the first time they had tasted the sweetness of grapes. They were very hesitant at first but after the first bit they nibbled each one with delight.

This is a man's work shop. He actually does his carvings here at the market.

They have wonderful roads but that is about the only thing that has kept up with the times. In fact going to Swazi is like taking a step back in time. Complete, with a more relax less stressful environment, at least for tourists. There is a peacefulness that left us wanting to spend more time in the quite solitude. There is one senior missionary couple who serve in Swaziland, the Blackburn's. Elder Blackburn is a councilor in the Mission Presidency and he and sister Blackburn are assign to Swazi. They live in a lovely home next to a garden nursery and their yard is complete with Monkeys and Cobras at varying times. They are fabulous people and have invited us back for a stay anytime. We didn't actually stay with them this time. We booked into a small retreat type place that was so quite and peaceful we all slept deep and well.

We went shopping, of course. There were a number of markets to which the Blackburns introduced us. They were so good to take the time. They love having visitors and usually take off the whole day, but this day they actually had a number of other things gong on as well and would lead us to the markets and then leave for a while to attend to the needs of the people with whom they work and then come back to get us.

The first market we went to had artisans working right on site. Wood carvers,candle makers, weavers, and painters. I found a shop where the woman take a piece of white cotton fabric, kind of like muslin, and use wax and dyes layering them in about 7 steps to create the most beautiful fabric art. I purchased a table cloth which we really enjoy. They use the dyes of vegetables and plants, the sun and air, and a lot of time to create wall hangings, pillow covers, table clothes, aprons, dressed and skirts place mates, the list goes on. You tell them what you want they could make it. I asked how long it would take to make a large table cloth with a certain pattern and they told me if the weather was right they could do it in a week. That would be a rush order or sorts. I found their work and the finished product absolutely fascinating.

We went to another market which reminded me of something I had read about in one of Steinbeck's books. The people were very nice, but wanted so to sell some of their wares. They were not pushy like the craft sellers in Joberg. They would wait patiently for me to show some interest and if I did not they looked dejected but said little if anything. We spent several hours with these people just walking through the market. Americans are pigeons at any market we go too. We do not know how to shop. The prices are raised sometimes 5Xs what a local would pay. Sister Blackburn knows the ropes and would tell us what a fair price would be and then the bargaining would begin.

We enjoyed our visit but I didn't really see anything I wanted to buy. I did purchase some little trinkets but the other sisters found a number of things they were persuaded they needed. Norriss found a brightly colored shopping bag that was woven out of plastic which he purchased to carry the few things I bought along with some oranges that I wanted. I also bought a sackful of beans one vendor was selling. I probably should have purchased some from each of the woman there so they would not be upset with the woman from whom I did buy. It is just so hard not too buy things knowing how very much our purchase might help them. Then again they know American and soft hearted and can be persuaded to do things against their own interest.

We left to go back to our hotel. I took some pictures of the gardens which I loved wandering. The rush of the big city left behind allowed us to slow down and enjoy. We met the Blackburns at a Chinese Restaurant for dinner where we sat outside and were very comfortable in the mild weather. After dinner we went back to the Blackburn's for dessert. Chocolate Sundays and biscuits (cookies). Sister Blackburn made fudge topping out of 2 chocolate bars, one light chocolate one dark, and a can on condensed milk. Can I just say the sauce was fabulous.

Breakfast the next morning was included in our hotel stay. They laid a feast before us complete with crumpets and cream, fruit, toast, omelets, french toast, cereal, and on and on. We felt the whole experience a very good choice.

Church was next with a small congregation which met in a chapel that appeared to be in the process of building. I suspect it had been slow going and that the building process began sometime ago. There was no bishop or branch president, there was an acting branch leader in charge who conducted the meeting. We got there early enough to visit with people as they came. The children were seated on the first two rows across the chapel. As in other South African wards we have attended these children were very well behaved. They sat with out apparent adult supervision so reverently and attentive and with such discipline that we could not help but be impressed. I sat and visited with a few of them and discovered that a 7 year old boy was the only one from his family there. He said his mother and sister would come along but that his dad had not yet seen a need for Jesus in his life. He said "he is taking his time". I was impressed with this young man who walked alone to church because the congregation had been asked to get to church on time and sit reverently and listen to the music which was played from the recorder. So young and yet he was spiritually older than his parents. He was very firm in his desire to be in church, to do what he had been asked to do and learn what God wanted him to learn.

The Primary president was a 21 year old woman who had been a member a little over a year. She has also recently applied for a Perpetual Education Loan. She asked to speak with us and we are always happy to visit and encourage the young adults in their pursuit of education. Some times it is very hard for these young people. It is the case in this area. There are only 2 computers in the whole mission. Most applications are done on the Internet. In the case of Swaziland we will have to send in hard copies. I am not sure who well it will work. There is so much follow up that needs to be done on computers that many get discouraged.

The little ward house shows the lack of electronics. There was no central sound system but some one had set up a portable microphone which had sound much of the time. The chapel did not have a piano, an organ, or a key board but the singing was enthusiastic, reverent and yet vigorous. A young woman stood before the congregation, began to sing stopped halfway through the first verse and then we all sang from the beginning. We just make do when something is lacking.

There was a baptismal font in the front yard that was a blue water storage tank that had been cut in half. Like every ward we have attended here in South Africa the people are full of love and welcome us with grace and hospitality.
We met an elderly man who acted as a security guard. At least he said he was. I am not sure if he is hired or self appointed. It is possible he was also looking to earn a little money acting as a parking attendant. He was very pleasant.

Much as we would have like to stay longer, we did have to leave for Johannesburg right after Sacrament Meeting. How very fortunate we are to be able to travel to so many interesting places.

The security in Swaziland is much different from Johannesburg. They just don't have the crime that Joburg has. There were no fences, no barbed wire. The cows and goats were not fenced. They wandered at will from pasture to pasture sometimes pausing in the road to watch the cars go by. Except for the fact that most people who live in Swaziland (which means paradise) are poor and there appeared to be no industry to support people it was truly lovely.

The boarder crossing was easier going back into South Africa was easier than going into Swaziland. It was also more colorful with road side veggie stands for any last minute buying.

The Odhiombo Family

A group of Saints arrived from Kenya the second week in April. They were excited to be here and had worked hard to be able to make the trip. The Odhiombos were one of the families that had come to be sealed in the temple. Almost everyone that made the trip was going through the temple for the first time.

The Odhiombos have two son's and a daughter and they all made the trip. The second son, had been in the hospital in Kenya and had been released just 2 days before they came He had been diagnosed with malaria and was given some medication and released. He improved a little and made the trip. On Friday, the day after they arrived, he took a turn for the worse and it became obvious that he was very ill. The Area doctor, Elder Callahan determined that Elvins was too ill to be left in housing. He conferred with the Area President and they decided to take Elvins to the hospital. By the time he was admitted he was almost comatose. Elvins could not be rallied. He did not respond to or recognize any one during the three days of testing and isolation. The doctors had a difficult time pinning down exactly what the problem was. It was finally determined that he had TB and the same bug that causes Meningitis. This bug had settled in his eye and brain. His face began to swell and his left eye took on a strange look with the eye swelling more than the face and turning outward as if the muscles of the eye no longer worked. We had to wear protective gear when we were in the room with him. The doctors were very concerned that Elvins was not responding to treatment.


Nicolos and his mother Caroline spoke only of faith and the miracles of a loving Father in Heaven. They were told that had they not made the trip to Johannesburg Elvins would have died. The hospitals in Kenya treat all poor for malaria and send them off; many die. Making the trip was an answer to prayer. The Odhiombos freely spoke and speak of the blessings of a loving Father in Heaven. How is it that Elvins recovered slightly to make the trip? They are very quite people, very humble, but they spoke with confidence, nothing doubting about how Elvins would recover. I have the written testimonies of the parents. They express themselve in such a loving way. These testimonies will be shared in the August issue of the Ensign. I interviewed both Brian and Michelle and their stories will be in the Friend along with their pictures. I turned them over the Sister Jensen who submitts articles to the church magazines.

Elvins took a turn for the worse. He vital organs seemed to be shutting down. His liver and kidneys were not working properly. We were all very worried. The Odhiombo's decided to go ahead with the temple ordinance of marriage as well as being sealed to their children. We were with them in the temple. They felt they needed to take care of this ordinance and did not want to wait any longer. They also needed to move out of the temple housing because a new a group of people were coming in from Zimbabwe. So they moved to a vacant missionary apartment just down the hall from us. The Callahans have been taking them to and from the hospital a couple of times a day.

Elvins began improving slowly. It was some time before the doctors acutally smiled at his progress but they finally did.

This week, Elvins has improved at a much faster pace. Yesterday, Friday, found him walking around the hospital. Caroline, Brian and Michelle flew back to Kenya this morning because the children are missing too much schooling. Nicolos is staying with Elvins and it looks like he may be well enough to be released from the hospital later next week.

I think the thing that has effected me the most is watching these sweet people wait patiently for the Lord to reveal His will, knowing all the time that He could and would heal Elvins.

Caroline and Nicolos live in a country home in Kenya. They are a 5 hour bus ride from the Nairobi airport. They live in a home that has a dirt floor made from cow dung. The roof is a reed roof glued together with cow dung; they have no running water. Carolyn cooks on a fire pit and washes her clothes in water she has fetched herself. She also runs a business selling grains to locals to provide for the family. Nicolos had an attack of TB several years ago and it left him weak unable to do his job as a landscaper. He now tends their home garden and watches out for the children. Brian, their oldest, just started school at a boarding school many miles away from his family. He will be away from his family for three months at a time. He is 14. Elvins is 12 and Michelle Obama Odhiombo is 5.

President Obama is of the same tribe as the Odhimobo's and they are very proud of him as are most Black Africans.

Michelle has become a regular at our house. She sneaks out of her house while her brother watches TV. We are two apartments away from the one in which her family is staying. She climbs up our steel security gate until she can ring the bell to let us know she is there. She comes to play with the tiny nativity set I have. It is made from banana leaves. She does not talk much and when she does it is so quiet I must sit very close to hear her, but she was beginning to feel very at home. Michelle runs to me for a hug whenever she see me. She does that to all the sisters with whom she has spent time. Some of us have had the pleasure of watching her while her parents spend time at the hospital. I'm afraid she will be in for a rough time when she goes home. While her parents do not discipline her in public, all the Kenyans we have met are very disciplined. When she goes back to school she will have to adjust. Discipline is understood.

I have wondered if it would be difficult for Caroline to return to their home and all the work that goes with it after having experienced all the conveniences of this large city. It may be difficult in someways, but she does not complain. In fact she is very anxious to get home, to check on her chickens and her business. It is her home, and she loves it. This experience has taught her much, but she has not allowed herself to get caught up in the material things that have surrounded her while she has been in South Africa. She is just very grateful for the experience and for meeting and getting to know all of her new friends. Before Caroline left she taught me how to make Chapati a flat bread that is part of their everyday experience. It is made from flour, eggs, oil, water and salt. It is cooked on a skillet over the fire. We used the stove. It was very yummy and I will share it with loved ones when we return....

Sunday after our Mothers Day get together:
I just spoke with Nicolos and he said Elvins may be leaving the hospital tomorrow or the next day. They will need to stay in the area for another week in order to check back in with the doctors to make sure Elvins is still on the road to recovery but it will not be long before they head back home to Kenya. Their faith has made us stronger.

Still looking for a thumb drive to transfer some pictures. I have a number of our friends the Odhimbo family

Leasons Learned Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day here in Johannesburg. I was so looking forward to worshiping the Lord and singing His praises. We were to take a new couple, the Jensens, with us. They had been serving in Kenya and were transfered here to work in Public Relations. It was their first Sunday in Johannesburg and of course they are new to the freeway system (like we're not?). There are mostly dirt roads where they have served.




One of the best ways to learn the freeway system here is to act as navigator. That is, to sit in the front passenger seat and help determine what the GPS is really saying while looking at the road and reading a map when appropriate. Generally my job. It can take both driver and navigator to determine what the GPS is really saying.




So, we started out for the Johannesburg Ward in downtown Joburg. We knew it wasn't too far from our office which is about 7 min from home, and Norriss had studied the map so we weren't too concerned about getting there. The journey began with Elder Jensen and Elder Webb in the front Sister Jensen and Sister Webb in the back of the car. We quickly entered the freeway system and headed in the right direct. The problem was when we took the designated exit and immediately came upon three roads of which the GPS told us to go left and then stay right. Some how we did not take the right street and ended up lost in an area that was not looking too safe. I noticed as we drove hundreds of people walking in their Sunday best headed for church. Everyone walks so the sidewalk and street were full of people. They looked wonderful even as the filth of the streets surrounded them. I don't mean expensive clothes, I mean colors, glorious color which seems even more striking with the darkness of their skin. I've mentioned before how much the Jesus Christ is apart of their lives. Even in the most crime ridden parts of the city people are drawn to Him. They may not understand the principles He teaches, but they know he can save them.

On we drove. Irma (Norriss' name for the gps) spent much of the trip saying recalculating, recalculating. Norriss thought he knew where we went wrong so we turn off Irma and tried to retrace our steps. Didn't work. By now church is starting. We tried a different route and ended further from our destination. All this time Elder Webb is listen to Elder Jensen who thinks we should try this or try that. This time we decided let Irma have another shot. Her strong confident voice gave us directions which we followed to a tee. We were driving for quite a while, (about 30 min) and had actually left the downtown area when I asked if we had decided that we were not going to try and find the Joburg chapel? Elder Webb started to laugh, when I realized that Elder Jensen was navigating and had wanted to continue with Irma's lead. So we followed his directions and Irma's voice. We were in a lovely part of town. Residential, well kept and safe feeling. The walls were not as high and the yards well manicured. It had the feel of Lake Oswego, Oregon except for the concertina wire. I mentioned that we seemed to headed the wrong way on one way street. Since we were the only car on the road no on seemed too worried. All of a sudden we were in front of a school yard on that one way road and Irma announced: YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR DESTINATION! We all laughed and decided it might be good if we had a prayer. We did. We then told Irma to take us home. She let us know we were 32KM from our destination. We did finally get to church on Easter but is was the end of Sunday School before we truly reached our destination. We attended R.S. and Priesthood Meeting.


The meetings are always spiritual and the lessons very thoughtful. I love the fact that there is no pretense only their true feelings. When the sisters share their experiences they do not clean them up to make themselves look better, they humbly share their weaknesses and their strengths.

During R.S. I was taken by a young mother sitting right in front of me. She had her baby tied to her back which is the tradition here. I took my camera out of my purse and was about to snap a picture when Sister Tshabalala, the R.S. president, asked if I would play the piano for the opening song. I put my purse and camera down and went to play. This congregation of women sang with gusto and at pace so fast I found myself leaving a few notes out of the bass accompaniment. Most of the other congregations for whom I have had the pleasure of playing, have sung at a much slower pace than is recommended, so I was quite surprised and caught a little unaware.

They were grateful nonetheless. They, like most of the congregations here, do not have someone who can play the piano. That is why we are giving lessons to anyone who is willing to practice. If they commit to the piano program we issue them a key board which they can take with them. If they practice and finish the program and play in their meetings from the simplified hymn books the key boards become their property. It works quite well. We have the young people play prelude music for experience and we find they improve each week. By small and simple ways His purposes are accomplished. I believe this is an example of His love.

So the lessons learned this Easter Sunday included not always believing the GPS. We seem to get lost a lot, but Irma always gets us home. I also learn not to tempt another by leaving my belongings laying around. Some where between R.S. and home I lost my camera. I have been on a couple of outings and meet some people I would like to share. Fortunately, other people have been along an have taken a few shots at me request. I do not to get a thumb drive in order to retrieve them but it can be done.