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.