Friday, October 21, 2011

Visiting Joburg and Carltonville Wards

We visited a couple of branches on assignment and I thought the people were so lovely I wanted to share their pictures with you.
These young fellows are in the Carltonville Branch. It is another building that is far from the center of Johannesburg. It took us one and a half hours to drive there and of course the streets are unmarked.
Friday, when we called to confirm that we would be attending their service, Elder Webb was informed that one of the speakers had something come up and would not be able to attend. The Branch President ask Norriss to be the speaker. Elder Webb thought we could just divide the time between the two of us so we each had a prepared about a 7 minute talk. When we walked into the building the Branch President greeted us and then mentioned that he had just received a phone call from his speaker and was informed of the fact that illness had over come once again and he was left needing someone to inspire his congregation. We became the main speakers. We are learning that one should always be prepared to share ones Testimony of Jesus Christ and his Divinity. How he blesses us and changes lives. We are learning to open our hearts and mouths for Him.


I was so taken by this little face I couldn't help but snap her picture.
The tree, under which she is standing, is in full bloom. It blossoms are so unusual I had to include them. Each is a masterpiece.





These are some of the women I met this glorious Sunday morning. As you can see they love to wear the bright colors of Africa.
Africans love to have their pictures taken. When ever I pull out my camera people start to line up. I am so glad they do.
This is the traditional African dress, we are seeing more and more of the tribal colors and dress in the congregations we visit. There was a time when the black South African tried to dress in the Western tradition. More and more the sisters are returning to the colors and dress of their ancestors.
Another beautiful face.













































These pictures are of the Johannesburg Ward. We attended there again when we found ourselves with a free Sunday.
One can see the Indian influence in the darling little girl at the right.









Norriss visiting with one of our Perpetual Education Students.











I wanted to show you these ladies. The one on the left is the Bishop's wife. She is a stately elegant woman refined in every respect. She is a dress designer by profession. She is wearing one of her creations.


When the new temples for South Africa were announced at Saturday General Conference she received a phone call from a friend who was attending the meeting in Salt Lake City. She was told a temple was be built in her home country, The Democratic Republic of Congo and she began to cry. She shared her joy and testimony in the meeting on Sunday. While you were enjoying Conference we had our Fast and Testimony meeting. It generally take a couple of weeks for the mission field to receive the DVD's of Conference. So the fact that her friend had left the conference session to phone her to share the news shows what an exciting blessing temples are in the lives of the Saints in Africa.
Some of these woman are very well educated, some less so but each is a charming contributor of the Women's Relief Society of Johannesburg. They serve and lift one another as well as those in their community. Each has a desire to be follow the example of their Savior.

No comments:

Post a Comment