Hello and Goodbye

A new couple assigned as PEF missionaries arrived in Johannesburg this past Tuesday. We had the privilege of acting as hosts. It is our second time making the trek to the airport to rescue a bleary eyed couple coming off the 16 hour flight from Atlanta.

When we arrived the Neilsons were our host couple. That meant they met us at the airport, showed us around the office introducing us to the staff. They also stocked our refrigerator with a few basics, and the cupboards with fruit and cereal enough for a couple of days. They showed us round town introducing us to stores and the traditions of the area like; taking ones own bag to the market, tipping, driving on the left hand side of the road, safe ways of getting around, restaurants that are good, parks to frequent and the African Market where on can buy things to fix one's apartment to have a bit of an African flair without breaking the bank.

This week we greeted the Piepgrass' from Cardston, Alberta Canada. The seemed to have more energy than I did when we first arrived. They have been working as The Family Research Specialist at the Cardston Temple for the past 3 years. She specialized in translating Original Old Swedish documents into Swedish of today. He is a computer engineer specializing in mapping. It is interesting that while he designs computer mapping programs he has never used a GPS before. That is one of the things we helped them with along with those listed above. The are not afraid to just get in and explore. They will be a great help to the program.

In visiting with Sister Piepgrass I mentioned that my daughter married a Canadian and that her mother-in-law had a sister that lived in Cardston just across the street from the temple there. She asked what Liz's married name is and I told her Gedlaman. She said her grandmother had married a Gedlaman and that her name had been Hannah Anderson Gedlaman. I told her that I was surprise to hear that name because my granddaughter is named Hannah Gedlaman. She said she was quite sure they are related because there are not that many Hannah Gedlamans. They also seemed to be related, in some way, to just about everyone we met. It seemed the world was getting smaller right there before our eyes.



The weather has been cold but beautiful in Johannesburg. The rains have stopped, but the cold air seems to blast through the cracks in the windows and everyone is cold. Remember, most places do not have central heating. Our home for one, and many of the churches we attend. Anyway, we did have a couple of days that were warmer and on one of those days I walked home from work. I walked around the block to get to the front door of our building and while doing so I passed a number of people working. I always greet people with good morning or good afternoon and I think they are most often surprised that I would speak to them. Their return greeting is always gracious and they seem to want to speak longer. As I walk I greeted a man who earns his living by washing cars for people who park on the street. I noticed there were news papers that had blown away from his location. This isn't a big deal to most people as there is garbage all over the streets. I took the paper to him and he said that he had intended to clean up after his work. I said I thought he might need the paper for cleaning the windows. He looked at me and then at my missionary badge and he stopped what he was doing. He came closer to me and said. I want to know about your church. I want a change in my life. I pray to God and I know I need a change in my miserable life. I told him I know God hears and answers our prayers. I asked him if he could read. He said yes. I told him I had a book I would give him, if he would read it, that is another testimony of Jesus Christ's life and Resurrection. He looked at me, and in a soft voice said, "you would give me a book"? I said if you will read it. He said "Oh, I will read it". I told him I would see him again soon and would give it to him. Two days later I saw him again and he asked me about his book. I had thought about him but had not acted. It wasn't until the day after that that I got the Book of Mormon and searched him out. He seemed disappointed that I had not been there sooner, but took the book in gratitude. He said he would find a quite place, after he was finished with his work, and read from the book. He told me he would find me in a few days and tell me what he had learned from the book.

A couple of days later I was walking the street again. He came up to me and said, "I have been reading my Book of Mormon. I like it, it makes me feel good here." He pointed to his heart, and then said " I am not finished with it though". I think he thought I expected him to read it all in a very little time. I told him it takes me longer than a few days to read the whole book. He seemed a little happier than when we last spoke.

On Thursday last I was at our Thursday market in Killarney Mall. It is set up in the hall in front of Woolworths, not that you know what that looks like. Anyway, I was visiting with the vendors. I walked up to one booth where the man was selling mats made from tree bark. We visited for a while and he was showing me the mats. I liked one of them, and he was telling me of it's history. That it was made in Kenya which is his home. He told me he had graduated in Architectural Engineering but that he could not get work in Kenya. So he started this import business to support his family. I did buy one of his mats after which he asked me about my church.

He had been reading the Bible as I approaced his table. He spoke to me a little of Psalms and said it made him laugh a bit. He recounted one of Solomons conversations with the Lord and how he had told the Lord he was doing all the work and he would not be the one to enjoy the fruits of his labors. This man said he felt the same way. When he asked me about the Church I told him that we worship Jesus Christ, as our name implies, and that we have a book of Scriptures that is another testiment of the Savior, His life and Resurrection. I asked him if he would like to read the testimonies of other Prophets that had seen him. He said yes. I told him I would bring him a copy. He asked me to come the next Friday, visit with him and give him the book. I was afraid I might not be able to get away then so I ran home and got him a copy of the book.



It really is amazing how the Lord puts certain people in our path for a purpose. I had been praying that I might have situations in which to share the gospel, and expressed my frustration at not getting out in public where I might build relationship and and friendships and have an opportunity share my testimony.

He showed me he only needs a few minutes with a stranger to make it work. He of course knows who is seeking truth. He is the one making the way and he used me this time
It was an answer to my prayers