16 November, 2012

You are called to serve Where?

We were driving around and came upon this Cultural Centre.  It is near a well-to-do-housing area.  We are not sure what culture it is for,  but it doesn't look African.

(I just found out it is a Buddist Temple)

9 November we visited the orphanage.  Notice this young “Louie Armstrong.”  These kids are very creative when it comes to toys.  She actually made her flexible pipe “horn” play. 





Notice the scary metal pipe "horn"

The empty jug and stick made a fine drum.

It was a Parade! 
They marched all over the yard.

Sister Hoffman has become a favourite already.  She is about the same size as the children.



November 11 we attended Church at the Soshonguve Branch.  It meets in a school.  The school isn’t large enough for everyone, so there is a dependant “twig” that meets in another area not too far away. 



The classroom Globe





One of the members is a teacher at the school.  They have paintings of traditions on the outside walls of the buildings.  She painted a picture of Moroni and the Title of Liberty, and Lehi and the Liahona.

On Monday, we taught a Career Workshop in Kwa Guqa, the ward we got lost trying to find September 16.  Lucy still missed the turns, but now Elder DaBell can find the church without her.

Obedience is the price,

 Faith is the power,

 Love is the motive,

The Spirit is the key

 and Christ is the reason

This appears on the bottom of emails sent from Bishop Jeremy Rakotomamonjy of the Kwa-Guqa Ward. 

Bishop Jeremy is 27 years old, a returned missionary, married in the temple with 2 children.  He is a French citizen, and hasn’t lived in South Africa long enough to have a work permit, so at the present time he is unemployed.  His father is the District President on Reunion Island.  His parents are helping him out until he gets his citizenship. 

Actually, he is employed full time in his Bishop calling.  In the two days we were there, he served the lunch, completed a welfare project, and took a member fishing, a lot of it with his 3 year old son in tow.  The Kwa-Guqa experience was very enjoyable for us.

The area here has a program for mission preparation that starts at birth or age 3 whichever comes first.  It includes getting a driver’s license which is a very big deal in South Africa and surrounding countries, along with a specific spiritual preparation and follow-through.

I will send out a copy of the program to the DaBell groups.

One of our Workshop attendees was Stephen. (below on the right) He is an investigator with a baptismal date set for November 25.  His son joined a couple of months ago.  His enthusiasm is infectious.  He met us at the gate leading into the parking lot while we were waiting for someone to come and open it up.  He is very knowledgeable about the plan of salvation and the restoration.  He loves the Book of Mormon and asked if we had two he could have to give away.  We did.

As we were visiting, a young man walked down the street.  Stephen greeted him and started a missionary approach.  The young man stopped to listen.  It was very fun to watch. 

After we went inside to set up our workshop, Stephen took an empty grocery bag, and walked around the church yard picking up garbage.  When his bag was full, he came inside and helped us set up.

Another attendee was a member of the Bishopric.  He has been a member for 2 years.  He reminds us of Mark Winward in Bozeman.

(not just the hair-do, either)

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we taught a Career workshop in the Employment Resource Centre in the Area Offices.

Thursday, Suzen came for a piano lesson, then Minenhle, Khumo and Ntando.  I can set two keyboards up in our classroom and have a class. 



Minenhle, left and Khumo





Ntando



I have also found a lot of fun theory pages on the internet, and I found a music store. I picked up some piano method books.  I appreciate the church keyboard course, but it is not very exciting for young students, and does need some supplement.



Khumo teaching his Dad, Dominic, to play There Is a Green Hill Far Away 

Notice there are no ski jump fingers!

 

This week, I add the other young lady, Mazi.  See our blog September 2.  19 months of consistent study will probably get them going quite well.

Saturday, 17 November, we were invited to teach a Welfare Leaders Training for the Centurion Stake.  It is our next stake to make visits to. 

There was a possibility of 7 to attend our session.  We had one show up, Nicolene.  It was one of the most informative experiences we have had.  We shared what we know, she shared what she knows. 

The high school students in SA are tested in different subjects to exhibit their competency to attend tertiary education programs.  8, 9, 10, 11, 12 are high school grades.  Math and sciences are the weakest subjects here, especially in the townships. 

The matriculation tests come in October.  You can matriculate in a variety of subjects. Many of the students do not even receive the materials to study until October.  It doesn’t go well for success. 

The Centurion Stake has a tutoring program available for every unit.  If the materials aren’t there to study, materials are brought in.  The goal is to give the opportunity for success.  The young students need to know what area they want a career in before grade 8.

  

Sunday, 18 November, we attended stake conference in the Pretoria Stake.  It was a broadcast conference with Elder Cordon of the Seventy, Sister Mary Cook of the Young Women’s Presidency, and Elder Christofferson.  The session concluded with President Monson.  I saw Eileen and was able to hug her baby again.

This week is a Self Employment Workshop in Tembisa.  It goes Monday and Tuesday.  Graduates from the Triple L Academy are attending the course as a follow up to the academy courses.  See Blog of 27 October.

We live in a BEAUTIFUL country!

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Elder and Sister DaBell

8 November, 2012

Attila the Hyundai

Our transport is named Tilly, Attila the Hyundai formally.  Sometimes she has electrical problems, which is surprising because she is only 1 year old and has about 12,500 Kilometres on her.  She goes into the shop next Wednesday to see why sometimes she quits on us.  We pray to get through our weekend travels without mishap.

Saturday November 3^rd:   We drove the Hoffmans, new area medical advisors, around the area to help orient them.  We attempted to visit the Rhino / Lion Park, but Lucy had technical difficulties and we had electrical problems with the car.   (a reminder that  when there is no “vision” or “light” the people perish or at the least don’t find the Rhino / Lion Park) 

The highlight of the day was taking the Hoffmans by the Tembisa Orphanage and having them meet Mamma and the children.  As Elder Hoffman said, “This is what it is all about.”




Mamma, Sister Hoffman, Simphiwe



Simphiwe has been at the orphanage since she was 7 years old.  She is now 15 and calls Mamma, Grandmother.  She actually attends the Tembisa Ward, I don’t know if she is a member.  The building is just through the block.  She wanted to go to girls camp, but Mamma did not have enough help, so she stayed home to help out.





This young boy was brought to the orphanage just the other day.

Sunday November 4^th   We attended Kwa Thema ward with the Hoffmans. 

Bishop Radebe and the entire ward were friendly and enthusiastic.

The Callahans attended this ward before they went home. Sister Callahan had been teaching piano lessons to three young girls.  They are ready to take over the music, they just asked for help on the Sacrament hymn.

We bore our testimonies.  Every testimony meeting we have attended in South Africa has been impressive:  so much testimony focusing on the Saviour and His Atonement and the truthfulness of the Gospel.  These wonderful members know the doctrine behind what they bear testimony of.

We were able to teach a class in the Sunday School time to over 50 youth, 12-18, and Young Single Adults about career and education planning. 



Two 14 year old young men preparing for missions



Lots of enthusiasm, but we are always amazed that many have no idea what they plan on doing after high school.  Actually, they need a plan before high school, because the courses they take in high school will determine what they are able to pursue in post high school education. They need to dream, plan, and get serious about training.  Jobs are available for those with adequate and focused training.  Dreams become realities with work and a plan.

In Relief Society, I sat by Sauna and her son.  This family is investigating.  There are 3 children and parents.  She is reading the Book of Mormon and says there is power in that book.

After church, we attended a Baptism where two young adult brothers were baptized.  There were two great talks on Baptism and the Holy Ghost.

This young man was taking care of siblings while his parents attended the baptism.



We Love the Hair Styles!!!!



November 5^th through 9^th    Self Employment Workshop in the Employment Resource Center which included 2 days of instruction, 2 days of research and then the final day reviewing and critiquing draft business plans.

Wednesday, my wonderful piano students came.  They were well prepared, and I forgot to take pictures.  Sorry, pictures next week.  Minenhle, nine years old, says he is going to be the youngest person to every play the hymns for Sacrament meeting.

I had an email from my brother, Roy.   He had an Elder Padoa for a missionary companion who was from Pretoria.  Well, President Padoa now serves in the Benoni Stake Presidency and his wife is a secretary to Elder Soares of the area presidency.

Our love and congratulations to Alex and Lisa.  Their new son Carson was born 5 November, 2012.

Today, Thursday, Suzen came in for some help with her piano playing.  Suzen is very motivated.  She has worked on her playing since 2007 having a little help now and then when she can find it. 

She is a valuable resource for her ward.  The primary program is this next Sunday and she is accompanying the Primary.

Hopefully, she will be able to come for a lesson whenever she comes to the temple.  Usually about once a month. 

Thank you for your letters, emails, comments, and phone calls.  We are blessed to have such caring family and friends.

Elder and Sister DaBell

Happy Birthday “Boys”

October 27^th    We attended graduation of 24 members from the Triple L academy at the Bedfordview Stake Center.  These individuals took a course over many weeks teaching business skills that would be helpful in starting or maintaining a business. 



The adorable daughter of a proud graduate!



President Matsoso, counsellor in the Bedfordview Stake Presidency, presided and spoke along with Vivien Roberts, ERC Manager.

Here are some notes from President Matsoso:

Ask  yourself “In the area I live, what is needed that no one else is doing?”

Often, we do not want to take the risk.  We have a fear of the unknown.

 President Matsoso related the following story:

“A man in university had to drop out.  He hired on as a sweeper.   He became the supervisor of the sweepers.  After a period of time he ended up with a position in HR.  By year 7, he was his manager’s manager and he received a company car.  Next, he passed up a manager of 20 years.  He then became a South East African group manager, a post that required an MBA, but they promoted him without the degree.  In 14 years he was at the top of the company, Coca Cola in South Africa.  He now serves as a consultant. He said, ‘We learn, we do, we become.’”

That person was President Matsoso. 

He continued with, “Many are called but few are chosen, why? not many finish.  Perhaps from discouragement, perhaps they did not see the end from the beginning. 

How do you measure life?  Look where you started and ended.  It’s not about making big money.

 A common problem among many is they want to do what everyone does.”

The graduates received diplomas and enjoyed breakfast together.  We will teach Self Employment Workshops to the graduates in Tembisa and Vosloorus Wards in November as a refresher course.

 

The Jacarandas are in bloom. 

October 28^th   We had the opportunity to visit Pretoria First Ward.   We were invited to train in Ward Council at 7:30 am, where we had great discussion on how to solve unemployment problems through the Ward Council.  We spoke in Sacrament Meeting about Self Reliance and Employment  and bore testimony.   During Sunday School time, we met with a couple with Bishop Schmidt to brain storm solutions to their unemployment challenges.  After church, I met with Skills College applicants and the Bishop and Sister DaBell met with Sister Isabel, an Afrikaans sister, who shared her story of how she achieved self reliance through a self employment project. 

Sister Isabel is in the Pretoria First Ward.  This is her story.

Sister Isabel was a house wife, she had nothing to put on a resume or any training.  She raised Charity funds and the charities gave her a percentage of what she raised.  She became single.

Isabel’s daughter married.  The husband was unemployed.  Isabel encouraged him to make ginger beer to sell (like root beer) on the road side.  Isabel was still raising funds.  Then after 2 months the son-in-law got another job, and Isabel took over the ginger beer job.

Isabel read the bible often by the road side.  Stewart Taylor Whose wife just happens to work here in the area offices, noticed her.  Stewart introduced Sister Isabel to the Gospel, she is now a Mormon.  Isabel’s business started with 20 two litre bottles.  As she sold all of them, her business grew.  She sat under a tree on a crate.  She borrowed an umbrella. She had no table, just a crate upside down and an old ironing board.

Problems began when the daughter started asking for funds as the husband was by then gone, and Isabel started supporting the daughter and the then 3 children. Isabel knew that the daughter must do something for herself, but the daughter refused.  Isabel worked Sundays to support them all, and became inactive –The Bishop gave her advice, stop supporting your 30+ year old daughter.

 Should she be obedient to the Bishop or provide for her daughter?  She said, “I made the wrong decision. I cntinued to support my daughter. I sold on Sunday.  I did not pay tithing.”

 Isabel decided to come back to church.  She decided to stop supporting her daughter. 

The bishop inspired her and “gave me guts.”  It took a few long visits to build her confidence.  Now she does not give her daughter anything.

In the meantime she has her business, and pays tithing.  R 5000 a month income ($550.00) is enough for one person.  She is a worker.  67 years old.  She walks with a cane.  She sits next to the road Monday – Saturday and sells traditional Afrikaans food products, ginger beer, fudge, jams and a couple of other things.

Isabel says, “It is possible for others to do this.  I consider:

1.       Who is my target group, Afrikaners,

2.       I  sell food because people eat every day

3.       I have Quality product I am not the cheapest in town, but my quality is there.”

Isabel has a car and a cart now.  When she started she had “stomach” problems.  No restrooms.  Then she prayed.  Every morning she cleans out.  Isabel says, “You can take any problem to Heavenly Father.”  She makes her own ginger beer.  The other items she gets from others who want to sell products in her stand. 

Since Isabel stopped working Sundays and pays tithing,she has enough extra to give to the missionary fund, the fast offering fund, humanitarian fund, and provides a meal for the missionaries.

 She says, “I chose my own way of life.  I visit with friends daily.  I am outside in the rain, wind, cold, or heat, but I have my regular customers.  I don’t worry about being robbed.  The Lord takes care of me.  It feels so good to be self reliant.”

October 31 we had a change in our Employment Resource Office.  Sevuyile Pezulu moved on to another job.  He has been a fantastic intern.  Elder DaBell and I asked him if we could adopt him.  He would fit into our family very well.  Sorry, though, he’s got a mother and is engaged to be married.  He is a Returned Missionary, a Junior in Chemical Engineering, with a focus on water issues.  He just secured a job in a company that deals with water and the job is a wonderful opportunity for his life’s profession.  When we have someone in the ERC get a job, we ring the bell.

Coming in as our new intern, is Nombuso Sibanyoni.  Nombuso is an exceptional young lady. She is a returned missionary who speaks 7 languages.  She has the dream to be a diplomat.  She has an honors degree in international Relations, and a Diploma in Media Studies. 

October 31, also, we had the opportunity to host Elder and Sister Hoffman, the new medical advisors,  they have served in the same capacity in the South Eastern United States.  They are excited to overcome “sleep deprivation” and start serving.

I had 2 piano students come for their first lesson October 31.  Minenhle, 9 years old, and Khumo, 7.  Both sons of Dominic Tshabala in our office.  I will have pictures for next week.

The other day a young mother came into the center with a baby on her back.  He was asleep for about an hour.  She let me take pictures.

Elder and Sister DaBell