Off to Durban and Cape Town

A few weeks ago we were given the assignment to head South to train the unit leadership in PEF matters and to deliver a new car to our missionary friends in Port Elizabeth. It is a beautiful time of year for traveling the Garden Route between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Picture do not do it justice. Our trip began with a 6 hour drive to Durban where we spent the weekend visiting a missionary couple, the Gundersons. We also met with church units to train leaders, and and introduce young people to the possibilities of fulfilling their dreams of good jobs through further education..

From Durban we continued South to Port Elizabeth. We got there late at night. It just so happened that the Area Office had chosen that day to change the phone system. That gave us a bit of a challenge and we found we had no way of reaching the LaPrays, our missionary friends in Port Elizabeth. We were finally rescued by Elder LaPray about 9:30 pm. He came to pick us up at a hotel where we stop to use the lobby phones. It was all quite an adventure as we wandered through a town we did not know looking for a gas stations that might be opened, or a store that we might enter. Here in South Africa all stores close by 6pm so employees can get safely home for the evening. Gas stations close about 7pm. We were very happy to see Elder LaPray and to follow him home to a quite place to rest.

The next morning we left for Cape Town, another 7 hour drive. We stopped along the say to enjoy some of the sights. The pictures of flower and birds came from a bird sanctuary we visited along the way. I hope you enjoy the beauty of these African specimens as much as we did.

This is a town ship we saw on our way. It is hard to imagine that people actually live in these neighborhoods, but those that do are very happy to have a shelter over their heads.

These straw balls in the trees (in the picture to the right ) are actually birds nests. They are truly amazing. The male bird makes the nest proving himself to the female. If she likes the nest she will enter from the bottom and they will mate. If she does not like if for some reason she will reject it and the male will try again.

African Birds as well as flowers and trees are vibrant and varied in colors.

While in Cape Town we visited Robin Island. Mandela spent much of his adult life in this prison. The history is relived by those guides who were actually held in this prison, some with Mandela some who served after he left. They all have stories of the brutality experienced during Apartide.

These cells are 5 X 9 feet in size. There is room for a bed and a few personal items. Nothing else.

Above is the chapel on Robin Island. It is adjacent to the prison. Below is a picture which show a view of Cape Town from Robin Island. There is only one recorded successful escape from the prison. It happen in 1649, according to the story, some tribal chief made his escape successfully but was picked up just off the shore of Cape Town. No one else has ever escaped.

The picture below show Table Rock Mountain. We rode to the top of the mountain in a tram and enjoyed the view of the bay and surrounding area. It really is breath taking. South Africans are voting to make this one of the 10 wonders of the world.

Elder LaPray with the Webb's in the boat heading back to the Cape Town Bay.

This lego man is in the harbor and is actually made of Coca-Cola crates. I put this picture in for our grandson Matt who is a lego wizard.

Pictures of the bay taken from Table Rock Mountain.

Standing a top Table Rock Mountain.

We had meetings in Cape Town in the evening so it was back to work. We enjoyed staying in a lovely little bed and breakfast for the two days while we were in Cape Town, after which we headed back to Port Elizabeth for more business and more pleasure.The LaPrays were wonderful hosts.

We feel very blessed to be able to enjoy the beauty of God's creations in this part of the world. There is such a variety of every thing in this the largest content on earth. There is enough and more to spare. There is no reason for anyone to live in poverty, and yet the majority of people do.

We are very thankful to have lived in the United States and to have a knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He can heal us, He can heal nations, He can heal the world, if only the people would believe Him and keep his commandments. We are here to share His good news.